Book ~ "The Garden of Small Beginnings" (2017) Abbi Waxman

From Goodreads ~ Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years - ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she's just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she's becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks - like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there's that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can't be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she'll soon discover - with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners - is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not.

Three years ago, Lilian witnessed her husband, Dan, get killed in an accident.  Since then, she has been trying deal with her sadness and get on with her life and taking care of her two young daughters.  Lilian is an illustrator for a publishing company, which is hired to design a gardening book for a client.  To give her some background, her boss signs her up to take a six week gardening course.  Since the course is free, her daughters and sister join her.

For the next six Saturdays, not only does the class garden grow and nurture but so do the friendships of the people in the class.  Each are different and have their own stories.  There is an attraction between Lilian and Edward, their instructor, but Lilian has to figure out if she's ready to let go of the past and move on with her future.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I liked it.  It was written in first person perspective in Lilian's voice.  Despite the subject matter, I found the writing amusing.  As a head's up, there is swearing.