Leota's Garden: A Novel (A Contemporary Christian Fiction Story of Grace, Reconciliation, and Second Chances)

Beautiful, sad, humorous, hopeful, complex, every page a twist that kept me longing for more. Read it. Laugh over it. Cry over it. But let it bring you hope that God is always and forever in control and can be trusted through all the ins and outs of life.

Enjoyed reading this book! I knew it would be good because every book I read by Francine Rivers has been a good read. It kept my interest and at times I didn’t want to stop reading. You won’t be disappointed if you like a Christian story with dept and thoughtful storytelling.

Great book. I really enjoyed learning all the different characters, how they interacted and how their lives changed when they allowed God to take control.

This was an interesting book...one I couldn't put down until the end. I like Francine rivers' ability to captivate my attention in her novels, as well as the clean content and Christian themes woven throughout. I was especially impressed with the Halloween story and activities for the neighborhood kids. This was my least favorite of the 5 books I read for three reasons. The mental conversations and prayers became monotonous, and I eventually just scanned them for content rather than read every word. Also, the euthanasia issue near the end just left me hanging and disturbed. It could have been expanded to include some resolve. Thirdly, the granddaughter's character was a bit unrealistic in her level of maturity and what she managed to accomplish in the story. While I would hope and pray for my own children to display as much responsibility at the age of 18, I have never known someone quite so 'grown-up' at that age. I would still recommend this book as an excellent read, but did enjoy The Atonement Child and Redeeming Love a little more.

This book and its characters were great. The story line kept pulling me along so I didn't want it to end. It touched me in ways I was not expecting. This will be one of those books that stay with me for a long time. The ending was satisfying and I wouldn't have change a thing. Thank you so much for Leota's story.

Sometimes I get ahead of myself on scheduled reviews, so I pick an author I know I'm going to love, preferably one who writes thick books, and get some reading material that I don't have to review. Except...I just have to review this one. Beautifully done, Francine Rivers. Characters are believable, hateable, lovable, troubling, tragic, and all totally different from one another. No flat cardboard figures here. Three-dimensional, real, breathing characters. Although--still fictional of course. But this scenario could (and probably has) happened! Leota is a lonely old widow, rejected by the children she gave birth to but had to hand over to her mother-in-law to raise so she could work. The war (World War II) wrought horrors not only on the battle fronts but also in the homes. Leota's only refuge was the garden she put into the back yard of their home. There, she met with the Lord while she raised enough for the family, enough to sell some of it, and enough to share with the neighbors. Now the neighborhood has gone to seed. Windows are barred. People watch each other with suspicion. No one tends her garden for Leota, and she is unable to anymore. Nothing to share. Nothing to sell. Living on Social Security. She calls a phone number shown on TV to request some volunteer help. A young man, Corban, answers the need--however reluctantly. His professor insisted he include a case study in his thesis on how to handle the poor and aging population. This cranky old lady is it. And Leota's granddaughter, tired of her mother's authoritarian rule over her life, slips the bounds of the contentious home and begins an acquaintance with the grandmother she's only barely spoken a shy hello to in the past. And so it begins. I can't recommend this book too highly. I wish I could give it ten stars.

Well written in Francine Rivers style

This story of love Faith friendship and family touched my heart so deeply. The power of Gods love to heal us thru breaking usi and lift us and love us is so precious in this beautiful story.

Well written and honestly one of the best books I have ever read

Good book. A Littellin bit sad but touching.

Francine Rivers is a great author. I have read all her books and this one is so appropriate for our day and age. I will not say anymore except IF you want to know 'what I mean' ; you have to find and read it.

She is a phenomenal writer with a skill I have not found in this type of historical Christian novel and Leota's Garden is no different. The character are easy to relate to and the situations that they face are common to everyone. I have read every book she has written and if youhave not had the pleasure of being introduced to her books, don't be shy and give her a try.

Francine Rivers is a fantastic author. There hasn't been a book I haven't loved. Well worth a read