There is a reason that RJ Scott in on my list of favorite authors and this book continues to solidify that position. The Gardener and the Marine was originally a free newsletter serial but I confess that I didn’t read it then; I wanted to wait until the full story was available because I’m too impatient to wait for weekly installments. I’m not sorry I waited; Toby and Harrison’s love story is going to stick in my mind for quite a while.

Harrison is suffering from a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD. He survived a bomb while four of his Marine brothers did not. He’s come to the Veteran’s Center in Ellery Mountain to heal and learn how to deal with his survivor’s guilt. Toby has started a new program at the center, using gardening and horticulture to help the wounded veterans heal.

RJ’s detailed description of the struggles that Harrison has dealing with memory loss and retention were at times heartbreaking. At the same time, the detailed description of the coping mechanisms he uses were inspiring.

Toby and Harrison clicked with each other fairly quickly but I would not call this insta-love by any means. It takes time for Toby to gain Harrison’s trust but the bond they eventually form is strong and beautiful.

While I consider this story to be on the sweeter side, conflict is usually good to keep things interesting and RJ is a master at giving her characters challenges to face and The Gardener and the Marine is no exception. Some readers may need to heed the trigger warning for PTSD and past suicide ideation.

While I loved everything about this story, I want to give special notice to a couple of things: Harrison’s service dog, Barney and Toby’s brother, Alec. Barney is Harrison’s touchstone; he helps keep Harrison centered when things become overwhelming for him. Toby’s brother has autism and anyone who follows RJ closely will see bits of her personal experiences in this wonderful story.

Although this book is part of the Ellery Mountain series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. Characters from other books appear in this one but RJ has written the story in such a way that readers won’t be lost if they haven’t read the other books. This is such a wonderful series, though, so I whole heartedly recommend all of the books.

I almost forgot to mention two things… the last chapter introduced two new characters and I was so happy to learn that the next Ellery Mountain book will be about JC and Adrian and, last but certainly not least, the wonderful epilogue for Harrison and Toby was like finding all of my favorite toppings on ice cream sundae. 😊

Reviews for RJ Scott

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I didn’t look at them, let alone talk to them, and even though I sensed Daniel wanted to ask me if I was okay, I ignored him and was quickly halfway up the stairs, my hand on Barney’s collar, hoping like hell for my leg not to buckle. He didn’t call up after me. No one shouted in this place, because it was an oasis of peace and a secure shelter for all those damaged vets who’d been chewed up and spit out by war.

When my recollection of why I was here hit me front and center, I counted myself as one of the lucky ones to find a place to hide. I wasn’t a danger to anyone else, but I was a danger to myself. The night terrors, the panic attacks, the stupid fucking inability to be a goddamned man—that was why I was there. The hospital staff healed my body to the best of their ability, the shrinks attempted to fix my head, but I didn’t have peace, and Barney was the only thing I cared about.

Caring got you hurt, and I was too raw to extend any affection or understanding to anyone but Barney.

I slumped onto my bed, then flopped backward, hands extended to each edge, Barney jumping up and curling himself right into my side. My heart raced, my head hurt, but once I matched my breathing to Barney’s and allowed his presence to soothe me, I began to calm.

“Danno, Brat, Diaz, Spook, and me,” I whispered into the room. “Danno, Brat, Diaz, Spook, and me.” The names of the fallen were a reminder of what I’d seen and lost and were a way to connect with the world around me. Other people grieved Danno and Brat’s loss—they’d only been kids both of them with big families. Diaz had a girlfriend who blamed me for her beloved dying on my watch. Spook had been married no more than a month and had left a pregnant wife behind.

I had my mom, but I’d pushed her away when I was in hospital. I know that because it’s written in my book.

Why didn’t the explosion take me?

Ellery Mountain—a series of books set in the town of Ellery in the Smoky Mountains focusing on heroes as they navigate the barren landscape of being gay in a small town. Read stories of men like Finn the cop, Daniel the ex-marine, Kieran the carpenter, Marines, SEALs, teachers, soldiers, and a town that embraces them with love.

Ellery Mountain Series

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