I loved the first in the series and was excited to get a copy of the latest book to review.

Cassie comes back to help run her aunts flower stall when she is taken ill. Ruby is an interesting character and we learn more about why she’s suffering throughout the book. There are some funny moments along the way as Cassie doesn’t seem to know one end of a flower from another and has a steep learning curve if she’s going to help turn the business around by attracting new wedding contracts. The neighbours are fascinating and very helpful, if nosey!

The wedding she’s trying to win the contract for turns out to be the lad she broke her heart over as a youngster and the friend who stole him away. Megan is a real Brideszilla character that Megan struggles with.

I love Karen Clarke’s writing style which draws you into the story and characters and quickly enjoying the book. I can’t wait to read the Christmas book.

Karen Clarke hasn't kept us waiting too long for the second in her Beachside Bay series with book number two The Beachside Flower Stall following hot on the heels of The Beachside Sweet Shop. This was a nice return to Shipley to meet a whole new cast of characters although one or two make a reappearance from the first book. The story is a really light, easy read that you will fly through in a matter of hours. It's ideal for those who want to spend a lazy summer day lounging and reading in the garden as it's certainly not one of those books that requires every bit of your attention at all times. Instead you can let the story just flow over you or pick it up and let it down at your leisure, the choice is yours.

The book opens with the reader meeting Carrie Dashwood and her best friend Megan as they attend the 21st birthday of Carrie's close friend Tom. Carrie is building up the courage to tell Tom exactly how she feels about him. She can't keep it to herself any more and she needs to tell him that apart from being great friends since Carrie found the injured dog Hovis on the side of the road things have developed that little bit further for her. Now she wants things out in the open and is hoping her feelings may be reciprocated. But Megan soon has herself all over Tom and a combination of tall tales and misunderstandings sees Carrie running from the party and straight out of both Tom and Megan's lives. That is until ten years later when her Aunt Ruby is out of action and someone is needed to run her flower stall Ruby's Blooms in the small town of Shipley. Will a kind deed for a relative turning into something much more for Carrie?

Carrie was a likeable enough character but fairly early on you could see that she lacked major confidence and the events of the past, although ten years ago, still had a major bearing on how she thought and acted in the present. Having recently lost her job, this leaves her with no excuse not to come back to Shipley to take over the running of the flower stall whilst Ruby gets back on her feet. This may really be the kick Carrie needs to get her life in order. But likeable as she was I found her to be a really frustrating character at times. Yes she had her good side in that she was doing a kind deed for her aunt and I did like how the personal side of Ruby's story came to the fore and how Carrie helped with this, but at other points Carrie came across as very clueless and someone who needed a big push in both her personal and professional life.

I guess I wanted her to get her act together a bit more quickly and not beat around the bush over things. I understand taking on a job you have no experience of at all must be fairly daunting but she just seemed that bit too clueless when it came to the organisation and running of the flower stall. On the other hand I suppose some of this did allow for some humour when it came to describing the day to day events at the stall. It took a while for Carrie as a character to grow on me and it's only as she realised just how much trouble the stall was actually in that I felt she came into her own. Jane, a co-worker of Ruby's, was an absolute tonic and a welcome addition to the series. Her detailed stories of the reasons behind her holiday therefore leaving Carrie to fly solo were hilarious and so blunt. She spared nothing and didn't care at all what others thought of her and I love people like that and only wish I could be the same in some small way. It was also great to see Doris Day make a reappearance, she certainly brought a smile to my face.

Given flowers is mentioned in the title there had to be mention of what was sold on the stall and I liked how the meaning of each flower was given when Carrie was making up bouquets. Truthfully though I preferred all the sweets mentioned in the first of the series. The flowers didn't work as well for me but I know they needed to be there given the title of the book. This book wasn't all about flowers though it had two other storylines running concurrently. That of Ruby and why she has abandoned the flower stall and curled up in a ball in her flat refusing to see the light of day, and secondly that of Tom, now a vet, and engaged to Megan of all people. Ruby's storyline was sensitive and well handled. Initially when we didn't know the truth I thought oh come on you can see your business is not doing well don't leave everything to your niece who hasn't the first idea of anything flower related. I thought Ruby was being selfish and self centred but when Carrie uncovers the truth and sets about righting a wrong my opinion totally changed of Ruby and my sympathies grew allowing me to understand how difficult and challenging things were for her.

The second storyline is that of Carrie's. Apart from coming to grips with running the stall and trying to solve her Aunt's problems returning to Shipley has made her confront what she has been running from for so long, the issue of Tom and her unrequited love for him. So it comes as quite a shock when she discovers Tom and Megan are about to be married in a matter of weeks and the stall has the opportunity to do the flowers. I felt awful for Carrie when all you want to do is try and make amends with someone and see if anything can happen and then you discover that one night ten years ago led to so much more and now there is no chance of a positive outcome given marriage is on the cards.

Megan from the brief mention of her in the opening chapter came across as a user and a character that you are meant to dislike intensely and that feeling never really changed when we meet her as she is organising her wedding. She showed no respect, remorse or anything akin to friendship towards Carrie. I get Carrie had never told anyone about her feelings for Tom but there is a line you don't cross and Megan most certainly did. She had such an attitude of one up man-ship and she was always flaunting the fact that she had Tom all to herself. It really couldn't have done anything for Carrie's confidence. Megan was just a horrible character and I can't find one good thing to say about her. Tom on the other hand seemed so lovely but really he needed to feature far more, I wanted more interaction between himself and Carrie. There was too much of Carrie thinking things over, pondering how she should approach things instead of just saying exactly how she felt and getting the truth off her chest.

The Beachside Flower Stall was a good read but I have to say I much preferred The Beachside Sweet Shop. For me it didn't inspire that same feeling I got from book one. This book is not a bad read by any means but I felt one storyline slightly dominated the other and I know it couldn't have been left out but I would have preferred if the romance angle featured even more. I wanted more of Tom as I felt I didn't get to know him at all. The ending seemed fairly rushed and left me wanting just that little bit more. Having said all that I do like the series, this book is worth the read if you have read and enjoyed book one. I will return for the next in the series firstly as it will be a Christmas book which I love, and secondly I want to see will old characters and people we have met now feature again and therefore we get a chance to see what happened next or will it be a totally new bunch of characters with a new shop or stall to focus on?

It was so lovely to be back in Shipley again seeing all the old friends we made in the first story! I don't know a whole lot about flowers, but then again neither did Carrie and I thoroughly enjoyed in nonetheless. This was a heart-warming story about family, friends and long lost love of all kinds. I was sucked right in and read this book in just a day! I laughed at Carrie's tales of her imaginary boyfriend, shook with anger at Megan's devious ways and cried tears of happiness at the end when everything turned out well. I loved the characters and it was great to see a few from the last book pop in there too. Another fantastic story from Karen Clarke - I enjoyed this more than the first one and I can't wait to see what comes next! Thanks for the chance to read and review this!

An enjoyable story of girl loses boy in a misunderstanding of epic proportions.

I liked this book, really made me smile in places and on one occasion laugh out loud much to my children's surprise.

Ideal for beach reading this summer.

What a book! Carrie Dashwood is back in her hometown after many, many years and, whilst a lot of things have changed, one thing in particular has remained the same over the years; her feelings for Tom. Whilst Carrie continues to brush those feelings under the carpet (or flower stall), she remains blissfully aware (for now) that her feelings for Tom will be making their presence known, as will Tom himself.

Considering Carrie's working background, I didn't know whether to laugh or hold my head in my hands when she went to work on the flower stall for her aunt. I'm not being nasty by giggling, but she really was completely out of her comfort zone there yet she handled it like a pro. Okay, the customers may have thought that their children could produce tidier bouquet's than she did, but her 'go with the flow' work ethic and trying her hardest despite being a complete novice, relaxed the storyline and instantly made Carrie THE most relatable character.

I know that fiction is allowed to create 'perfect' characters who complete every job, or task like they're dab hand at everything and anything. I get that, but sometimes it's quite nice to come across a character who isn't perfect at a new job at first and they don't take to it like a duck to water. It makes them seem 'one of us', does that make sense? I think it's safe to say that Carrie was my favourite character in book, that's for sure. I found the other characters nice in their own ways, well, except one, and they all brought something different to the over all feel to the book.

I really fell for this storyline hook line and sinker because of its warmth and heartfelt layers, the entire novel gave me such a fuzzy feeling! Probably will explain how I managed to finish the novel in one day then...

When the storyline branched out, we were able to find out more about Ruby, Carrie's aunt. Let's just say that for several chapters my heart broke for her and I really did wish for her dream to become a reality. I kept my fingers crossed haha.

'The Beachside Flower Stall' is by far my most favourite book of the series! I loved how the overall feeling of the book was able to change dependant on each individual character, as it gave the storyline the edge. I did find a certain situation to be a touch on the predictable side which was a shame for all of 0.5 seconds, however, it didn't ruin how I ended up feeling about the book as a whole.

A beautiful, touching storyline which will have you feeling fuzzy from your head to your toes, and possibly your shoulders and knees in between. I thoroughly enjoyed The Beachside Flower Stall, especially as I was able to enjoy flowers without sneezing due to hayfever! I'm looking forward to seeing what Karen Clarke brings out next.

Thanks Bookouture & Netgalley.

Carrie fancies her friend Tom and decides to make it known to him at his 21st birthday. Taking along her friend Megan to the party, Megan swoops in and steals her man. After running away Carrie returns to Shipley 10 years later to help her aunt on her flower stall... pitch for the job of Tom and Megan's wedding!

Fantastic book, although it's the second in the series can definitely be read as a standalone though I did enjoy coming back to the characters we had already met from the sweet shop.

Megan was my favourite character, I just loved to hate her. At time I wanted to stand up to her for Carrie. I found Carrie a little meek for my tastes as a main character but the bravery she showed in helping her aunt was really heart warming.

The innuendo conversations she had with the landlord of the flat that her aunt lives in was really funny and topping it off the way she did was hilarious but I'll say no more for the risk of spoilers.

Absolutely recommend the whole series of books by Karen and hope there are more to come as I'm already missing Doris!

**Link will be live as part of Blog Tour on April 13

Ten years ago, Carrie Dashwood left her hometown (and never looked back!) after her best friend, Megan, and her first love, Tom, hooked up. When her aunt calls her, needing her help to run her flower stall (Ruby’s Blooms), in the beautiful seaside town of Shipley, Carrie finds herself with quite the surprise as she is recruited to arrange flowers for a wedding, which happen to be the nuptials of Megan and Tom! Can Carrie keep her cool and find her own happily ever after?

Heartfelt and hilarious, The Beachside Flower Shop by Karen Clarke was the exact read I needed to get into a “spring” mood and break out of my, seemingly never-ending, reading slump. This book had me laughing out loud and rooting for the underdog.

Although this is the second novel in the Beachside Bay series, this one will have no issue being read as standalone; however, it is my understanding that some of the characters in this novel were characters in the first, so I will be absolutely going back to get lost in the world of Shipley once again!

The novel opens with Carrie, a little uncoordinated and a lot self-conscious, trying to navigate her way through her aunt’s floundering flower business. Without any previous knowledge of flowers, she is doing her best to keep things afloat when fate knocks on her door. Tom, her first love, finds himself in Shipley, planning his wedding to Carrie’s ex-best friend, Megan. Thus begins Carrie’s battle to fight through the past, save her aunt’s flower stall and find true happiness.

Karen Clarke’s writing is an absolute joy to get lost in; her style is easy and light. This book is truly the perfect book to get lost in for an afternoon. I can't wait to check out more of Clarke's writing and for more in this series!

An easy 5/5 stars for me.

I loved this book. It's a sweet story with some twists that keep the book moving and you engrossed to the end. Kudos!!

The Beachside Flower Stall is the second novel in the Beachside Bay series. Don't worry if you haven't read the first as this is a stand alone with new characters, just set in the same place.

You have to feel for poor Carrie. She has come back to her home town to help her aunt which means facing people that she was running away from. She has also lost her job as an accountant so really has no clue how to run a flower stall. She has to learn quickly though as she is pretty much left to run it on her own!

The author has a way of just bringing her novels and the characters to life. They are such fabulous feel good books that made me want to pack my bags and move into the area with the characters.

Megan I really disliked. She is in serious need of a good slap. She is one of those people who is't afraid to tread on anyone to get what she wants in life. She really is quite vile and I didn't know how at times Carrie keeps her cool.

Tom, what can I say. I think I was in love with him as much as Carrie and Megan. I was dying for him to see through Megan and send her packing. I could easily imagine life with him in the cottage at the vets surgery with his three legged dog called Hovis. A girl can dream.

The Beachside Flower Stall is a colourful and light hearted read. This is a series that will have fans falling over themselves to get their hands on a copy. It really is that good. Can not wait to see what new characters we are going to be introduced to in the next book in the series.

Carrie Dashwood lived in Dorset until her “friend” Megan stole her true love Tom Hudson, then she ran away. Now Carrie has returned for a short period of time. She lost her job and her mother has requested that she help her Aunt Ruby with her flower business. Ruby is ill and unable to work.
The fact that Carrie knows nothing about flowers, she is an accountant, does not seem to matter to Carrie's mother or Aunt Ruby.
Ruby's assistant Jane is on the way out of town for a short vacation. She plans to rejuvenate her marriage by practicing some of the things she has seen in a certain erotic film. So, Carrie will be on her own within a few days. It is hoped that when she is on her own, she can make a bouquet that does not appear to have been flattened.
Then things get really strange, Megan is marrying Tom and she wants Carrie to present a proposal for the flowers. Carrie finds out a secret from Ruby's past. A friend of Ruby's named Doris Day seems to have talents for knowing secrets as well as growing the most beautiful flowers in town. Carrie creates a boyfriend who does not exist. Eventually these things all make sense but getting to that point is filled with lovely moments.
The character development is special. Carrie is at a crossroad in her life and she feels out of place in Shipley, in the flower shop and in life in general. When old hurts from her past come back to haunt her, she has to face some truths. Her inner thoughts go from one extreme to the other, funny to heart breaking.
Carrie is a terrific heroine. She is funny and caring and she has no idea what a special person she is. The secondary characters are all wonderful people. The phone conversations between Carrie and her roommate Jasmine are very entertaining. There is a villain in the story, but Carrie even has empathy for the villain.
The plot is fast moving and filled with wonderful scenes. Who knows, talking through a mail slot may become a fad.
Ms Clarke has created a village filled with wonderful people, beautiful scenery and kindness around every corner. It is a lovely place to vacation for a time.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book.
The characters are so easy to get to know and love. Its lovely to visit Shipley again and read mentions of previous characters from the first book.

Karen Clarke has a relaxed and easy to read approach to her books with fantastic storylines. Ones you just cant put down. What a real treat to read.

What a lovely, evocative story! I loved The Beachside Sweet Shop and couldn't wait to get my hands on this. Wow! A beautiful story of lost love and coming of age and new beginnings. Written with heart. Loved it! Cannot wait for more by this author.

What a joyous return to Shipley, the the Beachside Bay series, with a predominately who le new set of characters so although its the second book in a series, its also a standalone. It was a complete pleasure to read this book, and was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Carrie hasn't seen Megan or Tom, since Tom's 21st birthday party, where Carrie was hoping to move her friendship with Tom onto a more romantic level, and instead Megan, her best friend, hits on him and they start a relationship.

Ten years later, Carrie is asked to help out on her aunt's flower stall at the market in Shipley, as her aunt, Ruby, has been laid low for the moment. She soons finds out that not only is Tom in the area still, but he is getting married to Megan after all these years.

Oh and if that wasn't enough, the flower stall, Ruby's Blooms is having to pitch to do the wedding flowers as they can't turn down a job this big for financial reasons.

As much as I really did enjoy the weaving story that is Carrie, Megan and Tom, in the run up to the wedding, and there are some wonderful moments, between them, my favourite storylines all involved Ruby.

When you discover the reason that Ruby is not quite herself, and what Carrie tries to do to help her, well it melted my heart, and as the story is revealed, I found myself wishing for a happy outcome for Ruby even more than I was for Carrie.

I loved Carrie's first days on the market stall, the only prep she had done, was to view a youtube video on flower arranging, so clearly doesn't really know anything about making up bouquets or even the names of most of the flowers on sale, but local busy body Doris Day is on hand to give advice.

Karen Clarke writes in such an easy to read style, that I found the pages were flying past, as I just kept on needing to read, as I was really caught up in the stories and lives of the people in Shipley. There were some flower arrangements that I could really picture, and then there are some either cringeworthy or hilarious conversations.

Ruby's house is above a bakery and the baker may have a vested interest in his upstairs tenant, and the conversations with the double entendres he has with Carrie are very funny. Then there are the things that Ruby's flower stall assistant Jane is wanting to get up to, on her holiday with her husband that greatly amused me, and I think embarrassed Carrie (inspired by a rather famous erotic novel!).

The Beachside Flower Stall is an excellent second book in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Beachside Flower Stall was such an easy to read, feel good story. Ideal escapism. I hadn't realised it was part of a series so I'm now going to go and read The Beachside Sweet Shop.

When her best friend and the man she loved became involved, Carrie left Dorset, never intending to return. But it’s been ten years and Carrie needs to put the past behind her, so she returns to help run her Aunt Ruby’s flower shop. It sucks when she discovers the shop is providing the floral arrangements for Tom and Megan’s wedding, but her aunt needs the business. Times have been tough and people aren’t buying flowers the way they used to. To preserve her pride, Carrie invents an imaginary boyfriend, but she still has too much contact with Tom. It looks like coming home was a huge mistake…or was it? A delightful feel good story about finding yourself