The Gardener follows PJ, a thoughtful and hard-working executive who suddenly finds herself facing two life-changing opportunities: inheriting her grandfather’s farm and being offered the role of CEO at her company. What starts as a simple visit with her grandfather turns into a five-week leadership apprenticeship in the garden. Each Monday lesson uses farming as a metaphor for vision, culture, timing, teamwork, and resilience. The book ends with a clever reveal. Her grandfather is not only a farmer but also the company’s board chairman. The lessons were his way of preparing her for the weight of leadership. It is a clean, warm story that frames leadership principles through family ties and simple moments in nature.

The writing is plain and smooth, which made it easy to sink into the rhythm of each Monday morning. I liked how author James McCarroll kept the tone gentle. The lessons were clear without being preachy. At times, I found myself smiling at G Pa’s calm wisdom. At other times, I felt a tug in my chest when he talked about storms or when he paused to remember his late wife. Those small human touches brought the teaching to life. I did wish PJ pushed back a little more in certain moments. She accepted a lot very quickly. Still, the simplicity of the writing worked. It felt like sitting on a porch and listening to someone who has lived enough life to stop showing off.

What surprised me most was how much the ideas stuck with me after I closed the book. The garden metaphors are not new, but the way they were tied to PJ’s personal doubts made them feel fresh. I found myself thinking about seasons, soil, bugs, and rain in totally different ways. Some lines were especially emotional, especially the parts about rebuilding after storms and choosing people with the right mix of grit and joy. The story kept pulling me along because it stayed grounded in experience instead of theory. I could feel PJ’s nerves and her relief as each lesson clicked. I could feel that mix of fear and anticipation right before the final meeting. The book made leadership feel less like a cold skill set and more like a fully lived thing shaped by patience and resilience.

I would recommend The Gardener to readers who enjoy personal growth wrapped inside a light narrative. It is a great fit for new leaders and for anyone stepping into a role that feels bigger than they expected. It is also a warm read for people who appreciate family-centered stories that offer gentle guidance. If you want a book that teaches without lecturing and comforts while it challenges and leaves you feeling steadier about the storms that come, you’ll enjoy this book.

Pages: 61 | ASIN : B0CTKL1T2Q