Book Review: Guard in the Garden

Book #55 for 2025: Guard in the Garden by Z.S. Diamante, 3/5 ★

Goodreads blurb: From dragon fire to garden flowers…Felton Holdum spent his entire life training to become one of Galium’s elite dwarven warriors. When a bloody battle leaves him injured, he has no choice but to move into his eccentric twin aunts’ quaint home in the town’s quiet Garome District. With his life of military service seemingly over, the captain of the city guard gives Felton his only chance at a fresh start in the new life he never wanted. But when a human woman barges through his front door, the grumpy dwarf starts to wonder if there is more to life than war. The sunshine woman invites him to visit her garden, where Felton gains a new nemesis and a new purpose in life.

My review: I really wanted this to be stellar, but it was just okay. My complaints are with the storytelling though, not the message of the book. Diamante does a great job portraying a veteran’s journey through PTSD and finding new purpose in life. There are some great lines of encouragement delivered by key characters. It’s clear that he is writing from experience. That being said, the fantasy world and actual story fell flat for me. While the self-healing and found family elements are charming, and it definitely has some cozy elements, it just didn’t have the magical spark to really capture my imagination. The characters are all likeable, if a bit bland, and the worldbuilding is okay, but lacking the real vibrancy a great cozy fantasy. I also was baffled by some of the culinary choices – the baker has just invented cornbread, but gumbo isn't unusual; flatbreads are brand new, but jambalaya for dinner is the norm?? The portrayal of the dwarves as Scottish was also incredibly heavy handed. All in all, yes, it’s heartwarming and has fantasy elements, but does it really stand out aside from it’s core message? Eh, less so.