Ruby is a grieving widow, well provided for by her late husband. She wants to leave behind her old life so moves back to her childhood town. Frankie is grieving for the grandmother who brought her up.She is also struggling as a single mum. When these two fiercly independent women meet harsh words are said. But they soon forget the initial misunderstanding and become fast friends. Under the spell of the Moonlight Garden they also learn to let friends into their lives and to accept help and support. The plot has some interesting turns which help them rethink their values and their past. It is painful to see how Ruby realises that she had spent thirty-one years in a controlling relationship that never was about her. The author does not give us an explicit happy ending, but leaves us with hope for one.
The only thing I was not very keen in the book was the detailed descripitons of the plants and some lengthy musings of the two main characters. Apart from that I enjoyed the story and can recommend it to everyone.

The sense of love, friendship and community in this book really surprised me. I was drawn to this book by its title and beautiful cover, I was curious as to what a moonlight garden was. Well now I know. I loved the detail and description, and more importantly how it all brought everyone together, they had a safe space that was alway there for them. At some point all the characters used the garden as a refuge or escape from their problems. It gave them a sense of well being and calm as they connected with each other and nature.

I found quite a lot to identify with with Ruby. And seeing Frankie and especially Eion draw her out of herself was wonderful. The way the plot unfolded as the characters opened up more was nice, we learnt things when they did, the twist about Frankie and James, certainly caught me. The Irish turns of phrase in there was nice too. This really was a great book with fantastic visuals. For a debut novel, simply outstanding.

What a truly stunning read this book is and it certainly didn't disappoint. Heart warming and beautifully written.

I really enjoyed this book. Frankie and Ruby are empathetic, strong characters and the Irish coastal setting is beautiful.. The garden descriptions made me long to sit outside (I’m currently stuck in with a broken ankle). I found it to be a very moving book and highly recommend it.

Ruby moves back to Castletown Cove, her wealthy husband James died eighteen months ago and she's lonely in Dublin. The newly renovated house by the sea was to be their retirement home, now it’s a place for Ruby to hide and she’s still in mourning.

Frankie is a single mum, she has a six year old son Dillon and she works as a cleaner. Frankie’s grandmother Aggie raised her, she passed away six months ago and she and Dillon live in Aggie’s rundown cottage in Castletown Cove. When, Ruby and Frankie meet for the first time it doesn’t go well, a simple misunderstanding and it’s easily rectified.

One night Ruby is going for a walk, she stumbles across a lush garden and a group of people taking care of it. At first Ruby doesn’t know what to make of the mixture of quirky volunteers in The Moonlight Gardening Club, they are busy planting flowers that look their best at night and by starlight.

Ruby left Castletown Cove thirty years ago, when a secret from the past is revealed, both Ruby and Frankie’s worlds are turned upside down and Ruby feels terribly hurt, betrayed and foolish.

I received a digital copy of The Moonlight Gardening Club by Rosie Hannigan from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest review. This is Ms. Hannigan’s debut novel, I’m very impressed by both the narrative and her writing style. An emotive story set in picturesque Ireland and it’s about loss and grief, new beginnings, unexpected friendships, helping someone in need, how gardening can help soothe the soul, and take people’s minds of their problems, brings them together and provides motivation. Ms. Hannigan writes with tenderness and empathy and four stars from me.

The Moonlight Gardening Club by Rosie Hannigan has Ruby returning to her hometown a widow. Frankie is a single mother with a home that needs numerous repairs. Rosie Hannigan is a descriptive writer which allowed me to visualize the town, Ruby and Frankie’s homes, and the moonlight garden. I found the side characters more interesting than the main characters. Various townspeople come together to work on the garden, and they are the community that Ruby and Frankie (and Dillon) need. I liked the moonlight garden with its variety of white flowers. I did find Ruby and Frankie’s storylines to be predictable. It was easy to figure out the twist long before it happened. The story has a good ending, but it was expected. I thought there was too much romance. Why does a woman need a partner to overcome her grief and move forward with her life? For anyone that has been bullied, belittled, or controlled by another person, they might find some of the content upsetting. The story moved along at a leisurely pace. I did end up skimming (mostly the romance sections) to get through the book The Moonlight Gardening Club was just okay for me (I wish there had been a magical element because it would have livened up the story). The Moonlight Gardening Club takes readers to Ireland with a sorrowing widow, a struggling single mum, a bug happy boy, generous gardeners, an austere abode, a captivating neighbor, and a comforting garden.

A lovely story of new beginnings, friendship, family and community.

Ruby returns to her holiday home in her childhood town, a house she shared with her late husband James. The house has never felt like home – it feels far too big for just her on her own and was decorated to her late husband's taste, instead of utilising her designer skills. Infact, her 30-year marriage was mainly steered by James and Ruby is having to navigate her life on her own now – and it’s sometimes quite lonely and definitely unknown territory.

One night Ruby finds her wandering in the community Moonlight Garden, where she meets Frankie, Dillon, Eion and other colourful characters, who become part of her life.

The story continues with Ruby and her new friends and how they become a special part of her new life as a Widow.

I found the pace a little slow at times but overall, a lovely heartwarming story which I would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC, in return of my honest, unbiased review.

Who says you can't go home again? After the death of her husband Ruby moves back to her home town. There she makes new friends, finds love, and uncovers a secret that will change her life. I loved this book.

I was totally hooked on this book from first seeing the cover then the title. Lots of emotions in this book, sadness, laughter and friendship to name a few. Lovely story well written with interesting characters. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Ruby has moved back to her home town following the death of her husband, James.
She has moved into what used to be their holiday home, which he had gutted and redesigned to his specifications, ignoring her wishes.
One day she decides to pop into a garden for some peace and discovers the Moonlight Gardening Club. Pretty soon they are friends and Frankie and her son Dillon, become fixtures in her life.
As in all the best stories, life doesn't go smoothly and both Ruby and Frankie have huge obstacles to overcome after things from the past come to light.
I really want to live in this village as it sounds lovely!

Very special book!

I really enjoyed this story, felt all the range of emotions. When Ruby is widowed, she returns to her childhood town. She and her husband built a vacation home there and after his death, it is in the location she wants to be. The house really isn't her taste, as her husband ignored her interior decorating skills and hired a "professional". As time goes on, Ruby comes to realize that she spent her 30 years of marriage being manipulated by James into being and doing exactly what he wanted, and its only now that the old Ruby is able to come out.

One of her ventures out into the community lead her to the community garden, the Moonlight Garden. It was created with plants that seem to glow in the night, and it is the gathering place for gardeners in the evenings. There she meets Frankie, Dillon, Eoin and lots of others who become very special in her life. When a home crisis happens, she offers Frankie and her young son Dillon to stay in her home. This is a turning point in the story, and I don't write spoilers so I won't continue.

I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This was a lovely read! Split between two main characters, Ruby & Frankie.

The moonlight gardening club has it all, drama, loss, love & laughter. I really enjoyed this book and fell in love with Castletown Cove & the community, the way we alternate between Ruby & Frankie is done with ease and the more you read the more you feel for Ruby after the previous 30 years spent in her marriage to a fairly controlling man!

Get yourself a copy of this book, it’s great!

A lovely novel about two women- Ruby and Frankie- who have no reason to meet except that they both end up gardening at night. Ruby's marriage has recently failed after 30 years, and Frankie is a single mom to young Dillon. But they aren't so different,. This takes a little time to unveil its secrets as the women build a relationship, There are more serious aspects than I anticipated (no spoilers) but that it's a better read for them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Really enjoyed this book and all the characters in it. What a wonderful idea for a garden and a way of getting the whole community together. Anyone who loves gardening should read this. The underlying love affair adds a great touch and the more you read about James the more you dislike him and feel glad that he died.

A lovely lovely book! I really enjoyed the idea of a midnight garden and the characters were brilliant. Highly recommended.

This is a enjoyable read that is heartwarming and uplifting to read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

The Moonlight Gardening Club is a gathering of women brought together by friendship and gardening. I enjoyed the fact that different ages of women are represented and the joy of gardening together brought them all . As their friendships grew a widow and a young Mother become friends and support for each olther. This is a testament to friendship and kindness to one another of women during the trials of life. A very enjoyable read I highly recommend.

A compelling and heartwarming story about new beginning, healing the wounds of a toxic relationship, and taking your like back.
I was attracted by the idea of gardening under the star and the club so intriguing and fascinating.
It's a good story even a bit slot at times. I hope there will be more featuring the other characters of the club.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I loved this book - definitely a 5 star read for me!

Set in Ireland it centres around Ruby widowed after 30 years’ marriage who comes back to her home town and is forced to evaluate life. She leans that throughout her ‘happy’ marriage she was controlled, manipulated and belittled by her husband who also betrayed her trust.

Her paths cross with Frankie and Dillon, her young son, through the Moonlight gardening club and their lives become intwined. A secret from the past threatens to disrupt this new friendship and Ruby is forced to think about what is important to her. Her diagnosis of cancer and her new relationship with Eoin are further challenges for her to face.

In some ways the outcome was predictable but not all the loose ends are tied - much like real life.

A read to be recommended.

A light enjoyable read.
The Moonlight Gardening Club is not my usual genre, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it for a holiday read. A grieving Frankie returns to her hometown where she meets single mother Ruby and her son Dillon. Initially, they argue but become friends when both are involved in the community garden. It was an interesting read. A good storyline with interesting characters, particularly Ruby. Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books and Rosie Hannigan for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received a free copy of, The Moonlight Gardening Club, by Rosie Hannigan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ruby and Frankie come from different worlds but because friends and roommates, but there are secrets that can end there friendship. I enjoyed this book, I love Ruby, she is a great character. Frankie is ok and I love her son Dillon.