Helen Bird Gardens of Sorrow

Gardens of Sorrow is the first book in the Gardens of Eden series, introducing readers to 18-year-old Eden, a Brooklyn native whose life is at a crossroads. On the cusp of starting her freshman year at Columbia University, Eden is eager to reinvent herself-but she finds her heart tangled in a rocky summer romance with Caleb, a self-absorbed college student who seems to take more than he gives. As their relationship falters, Eden relies on the unshakable support of her best friend Celeste and her younger sister Beatrice, whose resilience in the face of cystic fibrosis inspires Eden to confront her own emotional vulnerabilities. After a drunken and uncomfortable night with Caleb, Eden finds the strength to end things, sparking a period of introspection and growth as she prepares to leave home for the first time. Through heartbreak, family dinners, and late-night confessions, Eden learns that sometimes the hardest part of growing up is learning to let go-of toxic relationships, self-doubt, and the person you used to be. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, Gardens of Sorrow is a raw and poignant exploration of first loves, new beginnings, and the bittersweet process of finding yourself amidst life's chaos.