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Jacqueline Ramsden
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The Art of Growing Kindle Edition

by Jacqueline Ramsden (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 307 ratings
Maybe a weekend is just the right amount of time to fall in love.

Sloane Abbott likes her quiet life. She owns a landscaping business, she tends her plants, lives alone, and secretly crushes on her favorite nonbinary garden center employee, Polly. Between anxiety and modesty, Sloane's never planning on telling Polly she likes them. She'll just be admiring from afar while she deals with her demanding family and fulfills her sister’s order.

Polly Stanwick loves people. She has the best time working at Blooms, talking to customers, hanging out with the kids, and generally being a ray of sunshine. When they hear their regular, Sloane Abbott, is having a rough day, they naturally sweep in to help.

What neither of them is expecting is for Polly's colleague to suggest her as a fake date for Sloane's weekend with her family. For Sloane, it’s the only way to avoid the heteronormative life her parents will push on her, so despite her misgivings, she agrees. It’s only one weekend, right?

Fooling the Abbotts into thinking she and Polly are a couple is easy, but for Sloane, handling her own feelings is harder. Holding hands and sharing a bed doesn’t make things any easier—nor does Polly being there for her in all the ways she ever wished somebody would.

Sometimes the hardest thing to face is our own potential to grow.

The Art of Growing is a 75k-word slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, fake-dating romance over a weekend full of mutual pining and blurred lines. Content warnings for on-page sex scenes, abusive family dynamics, off-screen references to past abusive relationships, anxiety attacks, and useless sapphics.
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  1. Print length
    275 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 14, 2021
  4. File size
    701 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09HKYVMXQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ self-published (October 14, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 14, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 701 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 275 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 307 ratings

About the author

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Jacqueline Ramsden

Jacqueline Ramsden

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Jacqueline (she/they) is a genderqueer, demisexual lesfic writer. She enjoys tea and books.

You can catch them on Twitter, @Jac_Ramsden, or sign up for their mailing list to learn all about new releases, grab copies of ARCs, and just generally hear all the fun stuff first.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
307 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an adorable slow burn romance with well-developed characters, particularly appreciating the hot nonbinary character. Moreover, the writing is praised as an incredible example of good writing, and customers describe it as heartwarming with lots of emotional connection and swoon-inducing moments.

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15 customers mention "Romance"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as a beautiful tale of love and an adorable slow burn romance. One customer notes how it provides a great view into the complicated life of Sloane.

"...With engaging characters, a charming and uplifting romance, and the added bonus of demisexual and nonbinary representation, The Art of Growing is a..." Read more

"Jacqueline Ramsden has written a sweet, sensitive story about two people who have become friends — and maybe more — while each struggles to rebuild..." Read more

"...characters, yet even still this is a beautiful, heartwarming and wonderful tale, of growth, recovery, and finding that perfect someone...." Read more

"...is built around a fairly standard F/F romantic trope, the story delves into great detail about the family’s abusive behavior and the detrimental..." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and sweet, with one mentioning it's their favorite book of the year.

"Beautiful. Wonderful. Cute. Adorable. All words that I would use to describe this story...." Read more

"...Great read and I highly recommend it." Read more

"...Definitely worth a read but be warned that there are some tough family dynamics to get though." Read more

"This is a wonderful book...." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the hot nonbinary character and dastardly villains.

"...With engaging characters, a charming and uplifting romance, and the added bonus of demisexual and nonbinary representation, The Art of Growing is a..." Read more

"...as well as well written and edited, with a strong story and likable characters - and some dastardly villains too...." Read more

"...Both main characters are very adorable and I was rooting for them to get together...." Read more

"...item is this book features a demisexual main character and a nonbinary main character. I loved seeing that representation on the pages...." Read more

7 customers mention "Beauty"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, describing it as cute and endearing, with one customer particularly noting the appealing characters Polly and Sloane.

"...With engaging characters, a charming and uplifting romance, and the added bonus of demisexual and nonbinary representation, The Art of Growing is a..." Read more

"...useless lesbians', to quote the characters, yet even still this is a beautiful, heartwarming and wonderful tale, of growth, recovery, and finding..." Read more

"...Both were well written, heartwarming and cute. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Well done!" Read more

"...Polly and Sloane were beyond cute and I just love a good fauxmance!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as an incredible example of good writing.

"...Very informative and illuminating, as well as well written and edited, with a strong story and likable characters - and some dastardly villains too...." Read more

"...Both were well written, heartwarming and cute. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Well done!" Read more

"...We can see where that will most likely lead. This book was well written and gave a great view into the complicated life of Sloane...." Read more

"...I cannot recommend it enough! This is an incredible example of good writing and great story." Read more

6 customers mention "Emotional content"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, describing it as heartwarming and full of swoon moments, with one customer noting its low-angst approach.

"...The trust and emotional intimacy that builds between them is fun and touching, and their entire dynamic is as comforting as the warm cup of tea on a..." Read more

"...', to quote the characters, yet even still this is a beautiful, heartwarming and wonderful tale, of growth, recovery, and finding that perfect..." Read more

"...It was sweet, sexy, heartbreaking and heartwarming...." Read more

"...Both were well written, heartwarming and cute. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Well done!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Soft-Hearted Scribbler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Slow Burn!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Sloane adores Polly from afar until a surprising and humorous turn of events finds them pretending to be partners at an event with Sloane’s family. The more Sloane opens up to Polly and the more Polly shows up for Sloane amidst painful family drama, the closer they grow. But will pretending to be in love ruin their chances at something real?

    The Art of Growing is a beautiful and adorable slow burn romance between two lovable, if occasionally hapless, characters. The trust and emotional intimacy that builds between them is fun and touching, and their entire dynamic is as comforting as the warm cup of tea on a rainy day that the two leads so enjoy. The author contrasts this connection expertly with Sloane’s unsupportive family environment, creating a compelling tension that drives the plot forward.

    With engaging characters, a charming and uplifting romance, and the added bonus of demisexual and nonbinary representation, The Art of Growing is a wonderful sapphic story that will remain with readers long after the last page.
    One person found this helpful
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  • B, A Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful blooms
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Jacqueline Ramsden has written a sweet, sensitive story about two people who have become friends — and maybe more — while each struggles to rebuild her self-confidence eroded by toxic relationships with other people.

    Readers will watch self-employed landscaper Sloane try to contain her crush on Polly, a non-binary sales associate at Blooms, Sloane’s plant vendor.

    Polly is sold on Sloane as well, so when the landscaper bemoans having to attend upcoming family events without a plus one, Polly’s enthused about going along as Sloane’s pretend partner.

    It’s rewarding to watch each person nurture the other in the Art of Growing and become stronger and more open as they do.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Issy W
    5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful tale of love
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Beautiful. Wonderful. Cute. Adorable. All words that I would use to describe this story. A fake-relationship, friends-to-lovers story, it is sweet and endearing. Yup, there is so much pining, and they're both 'useless lesbians', to quote the characters, yet even still this is a beautiful, heartwarming and wonderful tale, of growth, recovery, and finding that perfect someone. As they really are perfect for each other, right from the start, fitting together so well that they don't even have to try. It's low-angst, though Sloane's family is pure evil, and really, I loved every page. An absolute must read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Alisonnic
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fake Dating Story - with a Powerful Undercurrent - and a Hot Nonbinary Character
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Independent business owner/landscaping contractor meets a beautiful nonbinary clerk at the garden store. A friend suggests that the clerk be a fake date to the landscaper’s big family event, and things go from there. While this is built around a fairly standard F/F romantic trope, the story delves into great detail about the family’s abusive behavior and the detrimental effects this has had on the landscaper.

    Very informative and illuminating, as well as well written and edited, with a strong story and likable characters - and some dastardly villains too. 
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Loek
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A demi-sexual and nonbinary character, anxiety disorder, a complicated family relationship, a fake date and a long weekend. These are a few elements of this beautiful story. It was sweet, sexy, heartbreaking and heartwarming. I hated that Sloane's needs were being ignored and that she always had to accommodate others and swallow what she wanted. I loved how Polly makes Sloane feel secure and how they help to set her boundaries. Both main characters are very adorable and I was rooting for them to get together. Their road to happiness was a rocky road and I loved following their thriving relationship. Great read and I highly recommend it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story again
    Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I read my first story by Jacqueline Ramsden last week and have now found this one. Both were well written, heartwarming and cute. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Well done!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Tina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a Lovely, Complicated Book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, where to start? Landscaper Sloane's family is absolutely terrible. Selfish, hurtful, not accepting and rude. Thankfully she has a fake girlfriend with her for support. We can see where that will most likely lead. This book was well written and gave a great view into the complicated life of Sloane. Thankfully through great support she's able to get back on some even ground but as an empath it was a bit painful to go on that ride with her. I appreciate the author's peek into worlds that I want to learn more about. Definitely worth a read but be warned that there are some tough family dynamics to get though.
    One person found this helpful
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  • G. Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What could go wrong taking your friend, now fake girlfriend, to spend the weekend with you and your abusive and anxiety-inducing family as they sing the praises of your sister while they belittle you? Sloane fears everything will go wrong, but Polly promises to be there for Sloane, and together, they'll get through it. Watching Sloane grow, hand-in-hand with Polly's support, will have you staying up past your bedtime to keep reading what happens next. I've reread this book and two other similar books by Jacqueline Ramsden - "A Little Christmas Magic" and "Finally Loved"- several times. I highly recommend them all.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Carol
    4.0 out of 5 stars great metaphor and cute cover
    Reviewed in Australia on November 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was such an interesting story about diversity, about setting boundaries about love in such a gentle respectful way. Choosing to set boundaries is hard and the author shows that with right support it can be done and done well. I love the scenes where Sloane friend Polly stands up to Sloan’s family. I wish I was there to see it. All in all a sweet love story
    Report
  • Jacq
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    My heart! This was so good. I think my first read with a nonbinary character too. I love these characters so much and I wish I knew them in real life.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    First book I've read by this author but certainly won't be the last. Really enjoyable read, with funny moments throughout the book.
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  • Client Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars The cutest
    Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is really the cutest book ever. Polly and Sloane are really the definition of fools in love. Sloane's family is trash, but I really love how the story was written. Sloane behavior, emotions, and reactions were very relatable.
    Seriously, Polly and Sloane were absolutely adorable, wholesome, and everything.

    I absolutely recommend this book!
    Report
  • L W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story that includes many of the different ways to be human. The author writes emotion so very well that I felt each disappointment personally, but love, love, loved the sexy bits most. Enjoy.
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