The Chocolate Garden (Dare River #2) by Ava Miles

The Chocolate Garden by Ava Miles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Visionary gardener Tammy Hollins is making a new life for herself and her children after a tragic marriage. Plants she understands, but men…well, they’re of the weed variety. She’s started her own landscaping business, catering to her country music rock star brother’s friends. Her first client is sexy, soulful, Alpha hero material, and the one man who tantalizes her and scares her to death.

John Parker McGuiness is a man of many talents, working as a songwriter and lawyer for country music’s biggest stars. He’s drawn to Tammy like no other and hires her as his landscaper, wanting to show her they’re made for each other. When Tammy learns he’s a professed chocoholic, she fashions a magical garden for him—a chocolate garden.

As the garden comes to life, their love for each other grows. When tragedy strikes Tammy’s home, John Parker is willing to move mountains to protect her and her children. Tammy struggles to guard her newfound independence as they use the magic of the chocolate garden to help her children feel safe again. But when secrets from Tammy’s past resurface, can their love and passion survive the memories haunting her?


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As a shameless chocoholic, you can probably guess why this book might have appealed to me.

We were first introduced to Tammy Hollins and her two beautiful kids in Country Heaven and she's come a long way since then. Tammy is learning more about who she is as a person and her confidence is growing day by day now that she's standing on her own two feet.

Enter John Parker McGuiness.

The dreamboat songwriter knew Tammy was the perfect woman for him as soon as they met. He's 100% committed to being everything Tammy and the kids need but after enduring an abusive marriage and a lifetime under her family's thumb, Tammy is nowhere near ready to make any promises to him. As she and John Parker grow closer (much closer), she realizes that she's enjoying her independence too much to consider anything permanent... so what will they do?

John Parker is the kind of man every father hopes his little girl will grow up to marry... kind, mature, and protective. Tammy's son Rory (bless that boy!) stole my heart in a Country Heaven and he's kept it ever since. Every one of the characters has something special about them and I couldn't help myself loving them all.

Ava's stories capture you completely and you're guaranteed to have them on your mind long after you're done reading. What I appreciate the most about her writing is the gift she has for mixing fantasy with reality. Family dynamics can be difficult and sometimes those closest to you are the ones that hurt you the most. Falling in love is messy and complicated and we see that with Tammy and John Parker. Despite that, you get a knock-your-socks-off romance and a clan you'll feel right at home with. It's touching, compelling, and though all Ava's books come with a touch of magic, The Chocolate Garden has it in spades.

I'll confess that I wasn't impressed by Amelia Ann and I think she has a bit of growing up to do. I'm really hoping that their parents have the chance to reconcile too. Does that mean I'm hooked? I guess so and I have no regrets!

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