An Olive Grove at the Edge of the World: How Two American City Boys Built a New Life in Rural New Zealand

How anyone could give this wonderful book anything less than five stars baffles me. My husband gifted me this two days ago and I’ve barely left my bedroom. It’s become my constant companion. Times are challenging. There are ugly and frightening things in the daily news. This sweet book written by this witty and delightful author took me away from all that and brought me into a magical place of happiness and laughter and lightness that I was sad to see end. I read this book on my Kindle and kept looking down to see how much of it I had left. I kept slowing down my reading so I wouldn’t gobble it up too fast. I really was sad to see it end, but the ending was sweet. Jared, I hope you keep writing about your farm and your life with CJ and the farm and the village you live in. Please keep sharing this with all of us. I’m a constant reader of books and this is one of the very best I’ve read in years. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I loved this book!! The author is witty and has a great sense of telling his own story in such a fun way. I chuckled many times and learned many things. You’ll fall in love with the olive grove, become emotionally invested in the animals, and feel like your a part of the small, but very friendly neighborhood through the pictures he helps your minds eye easily create. Honestly, I wish the book just kept going and automatically updated with current their happenings as the years go on. Thank you!

I found this blog turned novel, very interesting. Writing was very good, unlike a lot of first authors. It’s really uplifting to read about the day to day challenges, and especially about the kindness of neighbors. Good job Jared. It would be cool if you could include a few pics in your novel. Just read a novel about life in Italy, and they included a few photos. Just a thought.

I am co-lead for a book club that meets in East Lansing Michigan once a month. As winter progressed my group of 20 ladies hinted that they would like to try a light read. Luckily I listened to the advice of a friend who suggested this endearing memoir by a Michigan native. It fit the bill perfectly. The book made me laugh out loud, learn many new things about agriculture and even tear up from time to time. I recommend it for anyone who needs affirmation that community still exists in this world, and that you can learn new things (including how to cook!) at any age.

This was such a great read! Having been born and raised in the country, the escapades in this book ring so true. City people haven't a clue what country living is truly like. Jared and CJ bought their little slice of heaven and learned by doing. Not an easy task, but they rose to the occasion, and when they got into a bind, their country neighbors lent a helping hand. A wonderful story about growth and learning to be great chicken farmers, friends with pigs and olive farmers. Not always easy, but definitely worth it, the country life seems to have grown on Jared and CJ...and it looks good on them. I hope to read more about their escapades, as well as more of his sci-fi books! Highly recommend!

I enjoyed reading this book. I chose it because I'm planning to travel New Zealand and wanted to learn a bit about the country before I got there. It was a random choice. The book is whimsical, much in the style of Jim Harriet All Creatures Great and Small. The book is about the olive trees, the chickens and pigs and their neighbors. We learn a bit about the author and his husband, however the book doesn't make a very big deal about their being gay. It just is, and there is something refreshing about that. There isn't a bit of angst in the book. I look forward to visiting New Zealand, someday, seeing this country-lifestyle. And learning a whole bunch more about the country.

This book has been sitting in my books to read basket since last summer and as today was the opening of pool and BBQ season at our house, I placed it in beach bag. I had no idea I would become so engrossed in this delightful memoir that I’d finish the book in one day! Now I’m sad as it was such a great day spent absorbed in the author’s glorious paradise at the edge of the world just over the ditch from my original birthplace of Australia. Now I’m longing for a trip back to NZ to grab some olive oils and have a look at kunekune pigs. I even found myself crying when the old Rooster and sweet pig passed. Hoping to get more books from the author about life in Martinborough. I was especially impressed with the work ethic of the author and his partner. The thought of running a farm and olive groves and three hours commute to a day job while also writing a book seems exhausting! This book was up there with my favorite Peter Mayle and Francis Mayes. I’d love to hear more about their air bnb and their daily life in the next book, as I certainly hope there will be one!

Jared captures the essence of life in the Wairarapa, a truly special place on earth. A must read for expats who have settled in this marvellous part of Aeotearoa. Now, to procure a bottle of his olive oil …

This is a memoir to savour slowly, rather like the olive oil Jared and CJ make, I should imagine! Having experienced being a British Ex Pat in a rural community in South Island, New Zealand, and attempted a blog about it myself, I really appreciate the apparently effortless flow of this lovely book. The experiences often made me nod and smile, and the descriptions put the reader in the moment. There must have been a great deal of hard work in the story of these two Americans moving into the countryside, but what a joy to be able to read all about them and their friends and animals. A story that will stay with me - and I am going to try some of those GF recipes!

When a book can make you laugh...when you’re constantly calling friends to say, “You’ve got to listen to this exert!”...when you know each new chapter will hold the gift of another adventure...when your only complaint is that the book is finished…You know you have found a treasure!

I love quirky, self-deprecating and charming when it’s backed up with great writing, heart and soul. For some reason New Zealand seems to invite quite a few of those rare writers who can combine them all.Jared Gulian has written a fantastic read and it’s moved straight into my permanent library with my top 10 books from the last decade and last 1000 books. Absolutely loved it.

I have never been so engrossed in a book! It was funny, informative and just inspiring.It was easy to read and I was actually a little sad when I turned the last page. I had actual laugh out loud moments and smiled a lot whilst reading.

I loved this book. It was a wonderful, happy, informative book to read. New Zealand sounds like a great place to live. I look forward to reading more books by this author.