She’s never shown any interest in moving on with someone else, I’m not sure she ever will, although as a daughter it would be nice to see her have some sort of companionship again, one day. We lost my stepdad ten years ago, but for my Mum it’s still very raw and feels like yesterday. I think it’s only natural to feel an element of guilt and there are no rules when it comes to grief. I have no idea how I would cope if I lost my Steve (not well, I’m sure!), so I could completely understand Nina’s feelings towards moving on.

They have their little disagreements but are there for each other through thick and thin. They are as different as chalk and cheese but are the best of friends. I loved the friendship between the Nina and Robyn.

I loved him! It’s easy to see how he might catch the eye of any single lady 😉 Nina has no idea just how much this project is going to change her life.Īfter a bumpy start, Colm comes to the rescue to offer his gardening expertise. What will she do with her spare time now, until she can find a new job? In her need to have something to occupy her mind, and time, on the run up to Christmas Nina takes on the responsibility of helping to restore Sparrow Street’s community garden, along with others who live in her street and also her best friend, Robyn. Her life takes another unexpected turn when she finds out that the charity shop is to be closed and replaced by a popular restaurant chain. Nina is instantly likeable, and as the story progresses it seems she may be too nice for her own good sometimes. When we meet Nina, she is volunteering in a local charity shop, having lost her husband after a long and cruel illness. What an absolutely, delightful story! I defy anyone not to love it!

I always know I’m in for a treat when I pick up a book by Tilly Tennant so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into The Garden on Sparrow Street.

High heels and beetle crushers