3 1/2 stars. As a child, The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books, so I was very easily drawn in reading the synopsis of what this book would be about. Part love letter to The Secret Garden, part redemption and renewal story, I enjoyed the time I spent with this book and its characters. I particularly loved the way that Julie Buxbaum talked about books and reading. I readily identified with Ellie, or at least what I think Ellie must have been like. While I mostly really enjoyed the characters and the story, a tad too neat, tidy and somewhat predictable ending kept this from being a 4 star book for me. Having said all that, I look forward to seeing what else Julie Buxbaum will write. I'm sure I'll be reading more of it.