Gossip & Garden Gnomes: A Short, Sweet, Sassy Grumpy Sunshine Romance for the Young at Heart (Sunshine Retirement Village Romantic Comedy Book 5) by Nina Potter

A grumpy hermit. A sunshine meddler. One matchmaker who believes everyone deserves love.

When mysterious Gary Thorne moves into Sunshine Village's most isolated unit, he thinks he's found the perfect hiding spot from nosy neighbors and unwanted sympathy. What he doesn't count on is Marjorie Chen—former real estate shark turned community sunshine specialist—who sees his antisocial behavior as a personal project.

Gary just wants to tend his garden gnomes in peace. But Marjorie's relentless cheerfulness and determination to welcome him into the community create chaos neither of them expects. What follows is a clash between polar opposites: the village's most social optimist and its most reclusive pessimist.

Between Dolly McGraw's meddling schemes, Earl's helpful inventions that achieve maximum chaos, and enough miscommunication to fertilize the entire village, these opposing forces must navigate the fine line between caring and interfering, solitude and loneliness.

Dolly McGraw says: “Love is like gardening, darlings—it requires patience, proper tools, and the occasional destruction of perfectly arranged garden gnomes.”

If you love The Golden Girls, Grace and Frankie, or charming short romances filled with witty banter, second chances, and small-town meddling, you'll feel right at home in Sunshine Village.

Read it in just 60 minutes—perfect for your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or whenever you need a dose of heartwarming chaos. Just don't blame us if you start eyeing your neighbors' garden decorations suspiciously.

Published on 31st October 2025

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Four Point Four Stars

Add soil and seeds and see the magic! 

In the Sunshine Village that is known for second chances, a grumpy Gary Thorne meets a nosy Marjorie Chen. He is running from guilt and scandals of his past and she is trying to be ‘useful’. Marjorie started off as meddlesome, but it was sweet watching her fight for Gary, even when Gary had given up all hope himself.

Sweet short second time romance as the past makes peace with the present to move on happily to the future. 

There was a surprise ending as Dolly may have something special in the next story of the series.

Lovely heartwarming story.

Review also found at:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8280485393