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javalenciaph's review
4.0
Note: An ARC was provided by the author.
Toby and Harrison stole my heart! I loved getting to know these two men, and while their story wasn't necessarily the easiest of journeys towards a happily-ever-after, having that front-row seat to their actual journey and seeing how much growth both of them experienced felt like such a privilege. I seriously liked the idea of the creation of a garden being therapeutic. I'd never heard of therapeutic horticulture, and after reading this book, I did a bit of research. I know of quite a few people in my life who totally got into gardening during this pandemic, and my father, brother, and younger sister love to garden, and they've all told me about how beneficial its been to them. All their testimonials alongside Toby and Harrison's story have inspired me to do a bit of digging, literally and figuratively. The Gardener and the Marine proved to be a sweet romance AND gardening inspiration (something that I didn't even know I actually needed!), which is why it gets 4.5 stars. I cannot wait for stories more from RJ Scott's Ellery Mountain series.
Toby and Harrison stole my heart! I loved getting to know these two men, and while their story wasn't necessarily the easiest of journeys towards a happily-ever-after, having that front-row seat to their actual journey and seeing how much growth both of them experienced felt like such a privilege. I seriously liked the idea of the creation of a garden being therapeutic. I'd never heard of therapeutic horticulture, and after reading this book, I did a bit of research. I know of quite a few people in my life who totally got into gardening during this pandemic, and my father, brother, and younger sister love to garden, and they've all told me about how beneficial its been to them. All their testimonials alongside Toby and Harrison's story have inspired me to do a bit of digging, literally and figuratively. The Gardener and the Marine proved to be a sweet romance AND gardening inspiration (something that I didn't even know I actually needed!), which is why it gets 4.5 stars. I cannot wait for stories more from RJ Scott's Ellery Mountain series.
geeknb's review
5.0
My favourite RJ book this year (and that's an impressive feat, there's been some great reads).
Toby and Harrison make a great couple. The brain injury/memory loss is dealt with sympathetically and as a reader I felt the research was there to backup the story but never interfered.
I loved that there was no miraculous recovery, that Toby loved Harrison without needing to 'fix' him.
There were a few tears (you'll know when) but this is comparatively low angst story considering the subject matter.
TW: death of soldiers (off page), memory loss, brain injury, scarring, panic attacks, autism (secondary character)
Toby and Harrison make a great couple. The brain injury/memory loss is dealt with sympathetically and as a reader I felt the research was there to backup the story but never interfered.
I loved that there was no miraculous recovery, that Toby loved Harrison without needing to 'fix' him.
There were a few tears (you'll know when) but this is comparatively low angst story considering the subject matter.
TW: death of soldiers (off page), memory loss, brain injury, scarring, panic attacks, autism (secondary character)
rellimreads's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this one. Possibly my favorite of the series. Scott handled TBI with a great deal of respect - Harrison’s experiences were so real, heartbreaking, and understandable. I enjoyed that she made Toby understanding and caring without becoming a martyr.
Toby & Harrison’s relationship evolves slowly and it was such a treat to watch it bloom. I like that there was no miracle cure or instantaneous perfection. While Harrison did heal quite a bit - things will never be “normal” for him. I cried a few times sharing in the frustration and setbacks. However, I absolutely believed in Harrison & Toby’s HEA.
Toby & Harrison’s relationship evolves slowly and it was such a treat to watch it bloom. I like that there was no miracle cure or instantaneous perfection. While Harrison did heal quite a bit - things will never be “normal” for him. I cried a few times sharing in the frustration and setbacks. However, I absolutely believed in Harrison & Toby’s HEA.
relly's review
4.0
4 stars
This is my favourite of the series so far. I loved Harrison and the fact that one he met Toby he wasn't miraculously fixed. Toby's calm acceptance and ability to let him just be, helped him work his memory as he wanted to remember things about him and their time together. The notebook idea is fabulous, as a list maker myself I can see how this would help Harrison keep some semblance of control in his life.
Toby was great, so calm and thoughtful. He saw what each of the veterans needed and found a way to give that to them. I'm not a gardener myself but find the idea of a therapy garden a good one.
Interested to see where JC and Adrian's story goes as we were introduced to them and JC's grandparents in this volume
This is my favourite of the series so far. I loved Harrison and the fact that one he met Toby he wasn't miraculously fixed. Toby's calm acceptance and ability to let him just be, helped him work his memory as he wanted to remember things about him and their time together. The notebook idea is fabulous, as a list maker myself I can see how this would help Harrison keep some semblance of control in his life.
Toby was great, so calm and thoughtful. He saw what each of the veterans needed and found a way to give that to them. I'm not a gardener myself but find the idea of a therapy garden a good one.
Interested to see where JC and Adrian's story goes as we were introduced to them and JC's grandparents in this volume
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review
4.0
Another wonderful duo that comes together on Ellery Mountain. Broken and battered Harrison feels like his traumatic brain injury is going to keep him alone and unlovable, but working in the garden brings Toby into his life and into his heart. Through patience and understanding the two find that although broken, when together they fit the pieces in each other that were missing. Beautifully written and highly emotional.
mmromancereviewed's review
5.0
I always knew that RJ Scott wrote amazing hockey stories with VL Locey, but I have never read any of her other work. One of the best things about book blogging is getting offered amazing reads. I had been watching her newsletter serial of The Gardener and The Marine, but I'm a horrible serial reader - I just want to devour the whole book - so this time I did!
Read the full review here: http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021/08/the-gardener-and-marine-by-rj-scott-5.html
I received an ARC to facilitate my review
Read the full review here: http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021/08/the-gardener-and-marine-by-rj-scott-5.html
I received an ARC to facilitate my review
shazov's review
4.0
This was first published in weekly instalments in the author's newsletters. Even though I receive the newsletters, I didn't read this one until now. I'm just not one to have to wait for however long before I can keep reading, lol. I like to be able to stop when it suits me, and start and finish one book at a time. However, it was worth the wait.
There is a lot going on in this book. Harrison is a Marine with a lot of issues, some physically, but mostly PTSD related. Toby is a young man with a vision to helping others using his horticultural skills. As with the other books in this series, there is more than just a hint of insta-love, but funnily enough it's also a slow-burn book. These two have a lot of issues to work through and challenges to overcome, but R.J. Scott really comes to the table with these. It could have become a heavy and angst-ridden book, however due to the authors skill there is a sweetness and tenderness to it that makes it a joy to read.
Speaking of series, I think this is one of those that really work best if you've read the previous books. There is so much interaction with characters from these books that you might get somewhat lost, and I feel it would definitely make the story a lot harder to follow if you haven't read them in order.
There is a lot going on in this book. Harrison is a Marine with a lot of issues, some physically, but mostly PTSD related. Toby is a young man with a vision to helping others using his horticultural skills. As with the other books in this series, there is more than just a hint of insta-love, but funnily enough it's also a slow-burn book. These two have a lot of issues to work through and challenges to overcome, but R.J. Scott really comes to the table with these. It could have become a heavy and angst-ridden book, however due to the authors skill there is a sweetness and tenderness to it that makes it a joy to read.
Speaking of series, I think this is one of those that really work best if you've read the previous books. There is so much interaction with characters from these books that you might get somewhat lost, and I feel it would definitely make the story a lot harder to follow if you haven't read them in order.
cadiva's review
4.0
Oops, forgot to come back to this one.
RJ originally released this as a newsletter serial week by week but I held off on reading it as I wanted to wait til it was done.
It was worth it.
This is a sympathetic portrayal of the effects of combat and survivor guilt and how someone can offer a way by which a life can be given new purpose- but not cured or 'got over' by some magic dick.
Harrison isn't ever going to be free from the affects of seeing his Army buddies die and him being the only survivor.
But working with Toby in the gardens at the veteran's centre ground him and provide a connection he's not had with life for some time.
It's a slow burn, and that's as it should be, but there's no doubting it once these two men throw their all into making it work.
One of my favourites in the series .
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
RJ originally released this as a newsletter serial week by week but I held off on reading it as I wanted to wait til it was done.
It was worth it.
This is a sympathetic portrayal of the effects of combat and survivor guilt and how someone can offer a way by which a life can be given new purpose- but not cured or 'got over' by some magic dick.
Harrison isn't ever going to be free from the affects of seeing his Army buddies die and him being the only survivor.
But working with Toby in the gardens at the veteran's centre ground him and provide a connection he's not had with life for some time.
It's a slow burn, and that's as it should be, but there's no doubting it once these two men throw their all into making it work.
One of my favourites in the series .
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
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