Still grieving the loss of her husband, scientist Emma decides that she is going to follow her passion and step away from research to become a florist. Working at a small farden centre she becomes fascinated with the Titanic disaster and particularly the identity of the person who created all the flower arrangements. Her research helps her to make friends and to come to terms with her family and her loss.
I really don't know why I love Sally Page's writing, it almost the antithesis of what I would normally choose to read. However, I know if I pick up one of her books I will be wrapped in a warm, heartfelt hug and can escape reality for a while. Read it, suspend belief and cynicism, and relax.

Absolutely beautiful book. Loved the two stories and the delve into the Titantic with a story I had never considered. Would definitely reccomend.

This is a story about two women who grow to love flowers. Violet as a young child in the 1890s and Emma in the present time.

Emma applies for a job as a florist in a garden centre. Not long after starting working at the garden centre Emma becomes interested in who looked after the flowers on the Titanic and begins researching the Titanic and the type of floral arrangements that would have been on the Titanic.

I loved the way Emma researched her topic and how different peopled helped her.

This was an easy read. I enjoyed the way the characters interacted. Each chapter starts with the name of a flower.

This was about families, friendship, grief and stewards on the Titanic.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for a chance to read this E-Book. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

As with all the Sally Page books, this is beautifully written with interesting characters and storylines. Although I did enjoy reading this, I found that I didn't warm to it as much as I did to her previous publication.

Emma is widowed following her husbands death and has found comfort in working in her local florist. Driven by her love of flowers from her father, she begins to research who was responsible for the flowers on the Titanic after attending a colleague's talk. As well as discovering the story of the girl on the Titanic, the process helps her to heal her past trauma and find the family that she needs in her friends.

I loved seeing Emma bloom and become more confident as the story progressed but I must admit, my favourite of all the characters was Betty. Betty became the mother figure that Emma needed in her life and their relationship was so beautifully developed and written.

I'm looking forward to reading more of what Sally Page comes up with!
Highly recommended!

I don’t think I could describe this story and do it justice.

It’s a story of friendship, family, love, loss and life, wrapped up with flowers.

Emma is a widow, grieving for her husband and managing an anxiety that seems linked.

She leaves her scientific research job for a gentler, less demanding role in a garden centre. It’s here that owner Les piques her interest with his presentation on the Titanic.

Emma becomes obsessed with the thought that there must have been a florist on the ship and we follow her research.

Written from both the perspective of Emma, and Violet, whose story is revealed as Emma meets people through her research, this is an engaging, interesting and thought-provoking story.

Based on the real-life stories of a number of people who sailed on the Titanic, this is such a clever mix of fact and fiction and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

What a Joy reading this delightful Book has been. As a lover of Flowers & things historical reading this book really was a `no brainer' so to speak! The characters both in the present & the past were colourful & rich each in their own right just like colourful floral blooms who's rich scents also add another deep & rich dimension to life.
Sally Page's writing was also floral in the way it flew across the pages in an almost Poetical manner it really is delightfully written & I shall be highly recommending it to others who share my love of reading both here at home & around the globe. Plus being 4.5 + years into having to medically shield it joins many of the books which have & are keeping me Sane as I remain Housebound or when weather & health permit being able to sit on our Patio & enjoy the beauty of our Garden Sanctuary & the wildlife those blooms attract. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, # <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is a beautifully woven tale of grief, healing, and rediscovery, set against a backdrop of flowers and history.

Inspired by real-life events but primarily fictional, the story draws readers into an intricate dual-timeline narrative that blends the past with the present in a way that feels both poignant and compelling.

The protagonist, Emma, is grappling with the sudden loss of her husband.

Despite being young, she finds herself floundering, unable to fully return to her life as a scientist. Seeking refuge from her grief, Emma takes a job at a local garden center, where her connection to flowers—nurtured by fond memories of her father—brings her a sense of solace and purpose.

As she immerses herself in this new role, Emma is drawn into an unexpected and fascinating historical mystery.

A small chain of events steers her toward researching the Titanic and its most famous survivor, Violet Jessop—a woman who miraculously lived through not only the Titanic disaster but also two other shipwrecks.

Emma feels an inexplicable connection to Violet, and as she unravels the threads of this connection, aided by the kindhearted garden center owners Betty and Les, their flower delivery man Tamass, and a colorful cast of supporting characters, the mystery deepens.

Page expertly balances the dual-timeline narrative, intertwining Emma’s journey of personal healing with the fascinating historical research about Violet Jessop’s life.

The vivid depiction of the garden center and the flower-filled landscapes offers a comforting, almost therapeutic setting for Emma’s journey, while the historical exploration adds a layer of intrigue and depth to the story.

One of the book’s strengths is how it portrays Emma’s tentative steps back into socialising and reconnecting with others.

Her journey is a tender exploration of grief, one that is handled with sensitivity and care. The novel’s focus on community, friendship, and the power of shared experiences is heartwarming, while the mystery of Violet Jessop provides an intriguing puzzle that keeps readers engaged.

Sally Page’s writing is evocative and descriptive, painting vivid pictures of both the natural world and the historical settings she explores.

The connection between flowers and memory is particularly well-drawn, adding emotional richness to Emma’s story.

The Secrets of Flowers is a captivating and touching story about finding hope in the midst of loss, with a historical mystery that gives the narrative depth and intrigue.

Fans of dual-timeline stories and those who enjoy emotional, uplifting fiction will find this novel a deeply satisfying read.

Sally Page once again proves her talent for storytelling, crafting a tale that is both intimate and expansive, and sure to linger in the reader’s heart long after the final page.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible book. Loved the story and the descriptive writing. Really enjoyed how this story unfolded. Would definitely recommend

Took me a while to get into this story wasn’t sure at first but kept goin and in the end an enjoyable tea

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now. A proper one will follow
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Emma is moving forward after the death of her husband Will. She has a job in a garden centre.
The story runs alongside the story of the Titanic and the flowers from the ship.
The story of Violet Jessop, Emma, Betty and Will all work together to create a lovely story.
I really enjoyed it

Another of my favourite authors! Immensely lucky to have been given an arc of the secrets of flowers. 🌷 I’ve recommended this to many of my friends :)

This is an entertaining story told over a dual timeline about Emma , a newly widowed scientist who changes her job to become a florist at a garden centre and Violet, a stewardess on the White Star Line fleet of ships.
It is a heart-warming tale of friendship, loss, forgiveness and new beginnings. It is a well researched and well written story with a lovely cast of characters.
Four stars ****

A very sweet story with some lovely characters which you can relate to. Also finding out more about the titanic was a bonus

A beautiful story based on true facts with added fiction. Flowers link grief, forgiveness, family & boats. Seems a strange mix but reading this compelling story & the author's great writing will be so enjoyable!

A Five Star delight. The writing by Sally Page in The Secret of Flowers brings the unseen behind the scenes world onboard the Titanic to life.

It certainly left me in awe of the powerful storytelling. This is a gorgeous read, comforting, and intriguing. The Secret of the Flowers lingers long after the last page is read.

Published by Harper Collins UK

What an amazing story! The Secret of Flowers is a story about hope, friendships, acceptance, daring to change and moving on. I loved how it combined the story of a glimpse of life in the Titanic. I found this book very inspiring and well-researched!

A beautiful book that filled me with sparkle, love, light and joy.

Really enjoyed reading this book, a break from the norm. I learnt a lot as well as enjoying the story.

Who knew flowers even had secrets!

Highly recommended, 5 stars from me.

What a lovely read. Great characters from the grieving young widow Emma, her horrible mother and the gorgeous duo of betty and len. This is a story of being lost, making wrong decision but encountering kindness, finding your strengths snd gifts and blossoming through true friendship. The titanic storyline is nice but to me it’s nit the real story in this one. Loved it. Resounding 4 stars

This is such a lovely, well written book. The author has such a lovely way with words.
I didn't want it to end but I wanted to know what happened next.
It's not the first I've read by this author, and it definitely won't be the last.
Just beautiful and inspiring.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.