I loved this book from start to finish! I was hooked on the characters and their family dynamic. I loved Lillian and he willingness to deal with everything around her in small but significant steps. I adored her little girls Annabel and Clare and how much they supported their mother, how playful and outgoing they were, and also how attuned to everything around them they were. I liked the sister dynamic between Lillian and Rachel and I also liked that they still included Maggie in their circle, even though she was the sister-in-law. All the descriptions of the gardens is beautiful and really brings it to life. I want to jump into the book and go see these gardens myself.

The Garden of Small Beginnings is sweet and sentimental, heartfelt and humorous (kudos to Ms. Waxman for making young widowhood seem like an enviable position!) But growing vegetables is not exactly riveting material, and at times the story drags. Widowed at 34 with two small children, Lilian takes a gardening class as part of her work as a book illustrator, and finds herself blossoming along with the beans and turnips. There's also a potential love interest, a group of quirky classmates, and a sassy sister who has literally picked up Lilian off the ground. The plot moves at a leisurely pace, and the "how to grow a tomato" snippets at the end of each chapter will appeal to aspiring gardeners. It's not Shakespeare, but The Garden of Small Beginnings will make you laugh and cry-and give you the best garden on the block!

Av very funny laugh out loud story.  I loved all the characters- a feel good kind of book.  a great beach read.

I can't wait for this book to come out so I can recommend it to my friends. I loved all of the characters. Such a great feel good book. I love when a book makes me laugh. Please write another one with everyone in it!

this is her Debut Novel!!
I am impressed and will be looking for more by Abbi Waxman.  

Her husband just passed away.  She has a job as illustrator of textbooks.  Her boss wants to capitalize on rebirth of interest in slow food, organic gardening, and back to the land movement' sending her to a gardening class.  While learning to grow food, she grows.  

I loved the gardening tips at each chapter.
I agree that most of society have lost touch with the seasons, weather, and life.  

I fell in love with the characters and story, I became a part of it, and I was part of the family.
I will be looking forward to more!

The Garden of Small Beginnings was a delight to read.  This book should come with a sun hat, a glass of lemonade, and a garden bench.  Lilli's journey as a character was heartfelt and endearing, seasoned with just enough sarcasm.  Abbi Waxman has created a meaningful story that shows how life goes on after tragedy.  She proposes that when hope seems lost, you can find it again if you're willing to get your hands messy and dig in the dirt.

I absolutely LOVED this book!  Abbi Waxman has managed to portray the story of a young widow and her two children suffering the loss of their beloved father with not only compassion and warmth, but with a delightful sense of humor.  This book is hooks you from the beginning and is full of laugh out loud moments from start to finish.  All of the characters introduced through the Saturday Gardening Classes at Los Angeles Botanical Garden are quirky and loveable. Utterly believable, poignant, and heart warming, this is a must read.

Lilian is a young widow with two daughters, working to move forward with her life.  Her sister, Rachel, is the person she relies on and is closest to, especially after her loss.  Signing up for a gardening class opens up a new set of relationships and decisions facing both sisters.  Written with humor, a lovely story and a quick read.