I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Keeper of Stories', but couldn't seem to get in to this story at all. Without doubt, this is a well written book, but I struggled to get into the story and couldn't really feel anything for the characters. There are also a lot of characters to keep up with. I prefer a stronger, feisty main character and Emma struggling along after the death of her husband didn't really do it for me; but thanks anyway to netGallery and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to get a copy of the book, which is out August 29, 2024.

This was a lovely book that was full of heart. A joy to read and I have no hesitation in recommending to others.

From the brightness of the cover to the warmth of the characters this book was a delight to read. Still reeling from the loss of her Husband Emma changes jobs and works in a local garden centre in the flower shed. Betty and Les are the owners of garden centre, following a talk on the secrets of the Titanic Emma embarks on a quest to find out about the florist on board the ship. We also meet Violet, who works as a Stewadess for the White star line Company. As the story progresses Emma rediscovers herself and brings to life Violets story finding links to her own life.
I loved this book, the growing friendships with Betty, Les and Tomas were a treat. And the willingness of others to help Emma's search was enlightening.

I was first attracted to this book by the beautiful cover and vivd colours and flowers displayed.

After the death of her husband a year before, Emma feels like her life has also stopped and she needs to make some changes. Quitting her job as a university researcher she begins to work in a local garden centre as a florist. The owners Betty and Len are a lovely pair. Her boss Les is into history and gives a talk about the Titanic. Trying to keep to herself, Emma doesn't attend despite the invite, but she can't help but wonder, who were the flower arrangers on the Titanic? Where are they and what happened to them? This quest takes Emma away from her grief and on a whole new journey of discovery. The story then merges with Violet, a stewardess on the actual Titanic. The more Emma investigates the story the more she learns about Violet and the secrets of flower.

This is a really beautifully written book and very poignant. Especially, after I learnt the character is actually based on a real person aboard the Titanic.

This is the first book I have read by the author but I will definitely look out for more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange or an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fab fab fab, I loved all of the characters in this story. The way their lives connected over a love of flowers and of grief interwoven with the story of the Titanic and specifically who arranged the flowers on the ship. It transcended generations and countries but also tackled grief and infidelity. A really good read.

A few months after the death of her husband Emma, a well respected scientist, decides that she needs a total change. Having always loved flowers, she sees an advertisement for a florist at a local garden centre and applies. To her great surprise she is offered the job and owners, Les and Betty do their utmost to befriend her but find her rather restrained. Les has a great interest in the Titanic and is giving a talk on the subject to the Local History group, so he and Betty invite her to come along. She accepts but at the eleventh hour gets cold feet at having to meet strangers so heads home instead. Whilst trying to find something to watch she spots a programme about the Titanic and, whilst watching it realises that they must have had a vast amount of flowers on board and a florist to deal with them. This sets her on a path to discover who the florist was and research is shared with `Betty and Les.. Where will it lead her ??

A beautifully written book that was hard to put down. Flashbacks to the past lead the reader on and on. A thoroughly enjoyable and believable book

This is my first book by this author and although it was enjoyable I struggled to get into the book and don’t really feel anything for the characters.
I liked the fact the book told the story of 2 different characters and I did enjoy the parts about the Titanic and found it quite interesting.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and Sally Page for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Sally Page has quickly become one of my ‘must read’ authors, whose books I would pick up without even reading the blurb. This was another brilliantly told story, with a cast of quirky characters who unexpectedly come together and form a warm and supportive alliance. It did take me a little longer to get into this book than the other two, but that’s only because I didn’t feel a personal connection with flowers as I did with books and stationery. The characters and story soon hooked me in and I enjoyed reading the two separate timelines and discovering how they ultimately connected - not how I was expecting! I was particularly impressed by the clever new angle on the Titanic story! Another highly satisfying read from Sally Page.

Emma, adrift after the loss of her husband, swaps the sterile lab coat for the earthy embrace of a garden centre. Surrounded by blooming life, she's inexplicably drawn to a seemingly random fact - a florist on the ill-fated Titanic. Curiosity piqued, she embarks on a personal odyssey to unearth this forgotten tale.

Meanwhile, a century prior, Violet, a passionate flower enthusiast, sets sail on the magnificent Titanic. We follow her journey through her love of blooms, weaving it into the tapestry of the grand ship's story.

The characters we encounter are like familiar faces, their struggles and triumphs echoing our own. Emma's metamorphosis throughout the narrative is both poignant and invigorating, leaving us yearning to blossom alongside her.

Did struggle at first with this, but once I got past chapter two, everything began to fit into place. How wonderful to see how a love of flowers can help heal the recently bereaved Emma and teach her how to believe in herself again . Very well written, I look forward to more from this author

I have loved all of Sally Page’s books. I think each one gets better if that is possible! I loved the characters and could immediately connect with them from the start. I will be buying this for friends. I am already looking forward to Sally’s next book!
Thank you for letting me read this.

I truly didn’t intend to read this in one sitting, but once started, I just had to keep going. Emma's story of loss and betrayal is heartbreaking, but her journey through healing and the people along the way were just gorgeous, especially Betty and Les. The intertwining of true life Violet Jessop's story was interesting in its own right and a wonderful reflection on life at that time. A poignant and satisfying ending made this a very special read. Although a story about grief, it is story about the best of humanity as well. I will be looking out for more books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to review this book.

Was a little confused in the first 2 chapters of who was who, but it all came together and I thoroughly enjoyed. Page turner. Predicted she was going to be related to the florist from the titanic so a lovely surprise that she wasn't. Great twist that there was a connection. Read story.

Researching and pulling together the various pieces of the puzzle makes for an interesting read. Heartbroken Emma struggles with the loss of her husband and his infidelity, whilst Betty and Les the owners of the Flower Shop give comfort and much needed support to Emma through her difficult path. Salient facts and characters arise during Emma’s quest to discover The Florist of the Titanic.

An enjoyable book, written with two voices, with strong elements of non-fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this APC

I thoroughly enjoyed The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page. This novel is a wonderfully written multilayered read, primarily focusing on Emma's journey of recovery after a terrible loss, but also weaving in new and captivating storylines along the way.

A year after her husband’s death, Emma feels trapped in her grief, unable to move forward. Seeking a change, she decides to leave her job and starts working at a local garden center. It's here that her curiosity is piqued by a seemingly random question: who arranged the flowers on the Titanic? This curiosity sets her off on a fascinating quest, full of informative adventures where she meets some truly extraordinary people. It becomes a treasure hunt after the history of the Titanic and her own family.

I loved reading about Emma. As a researcher and introvert who is socially awkward and has difficulty expressing herself, she finds herself on a surprising path to writing a book. What I found particularly heartwarming is that her journey didn’t turn out to be a solitary one. On the contrary, she discovered great connections, people who were willing to help her and above all the courage to ask for help.

If you enjoy mysteries of history, particularly those surrounding the Titanic, you should definitely read this book. And if you have an appreciation for flowers and gardens, even better! Make sure to read the author's notes as well; they show just how much research and passion went into creating this story.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I so enjoyed this delightful story of the restorative nature of the love of flowers which helps the recently bereaved Emma find herself and regain her confidence and self belief. Emma’s story is beautifully aligned to her research into the Florist of the Titanic, all so cleverly reimagined. I enjoyed every minute of this gentle tale.

A lovely, heartwarming story. Emma is a young widow who leaves her job as a scientist to work at a garden centre. There, she becomes fascinated with the Titanic and starts digging (sorry! 🤣) into whether there was a florist onboard the vessel. Running alongside Emma's story is the tale of Violet, a flower lover who worked on the Titanic.
The characters are relatable, and Emma's growth throughout the book is both touching and inspiring.

I've really enjoyed by this one, Sally Page’s books are always guaranteed to leave you feeling warm and hopeful.

Emma is a grieving young widow who decides to leave her job as a scientist and go to work as a florist in a garden centre. She becomes immersed in the flowers and when she misses her employers Titanic talk, begins to research who the florist on the Titanic would have been. Her investigations take her to new places and she meets lots of new people. She learns about how to open up to others and how to forgive. Alongside her story is Violets story and we learn how the stories interweave as the novel progresses. This was a lovely story, easy to read and engaging.

This started slowly, but gradually dragged my in until I was submerged in the tale and found it impossible to put down.

The deeply damaged main character slowly discovers through her investigation of the florist of the Titanic and her 'found family' and positively 'blooms'

The premise: Emma, who's just started a job in a garden centre, wants to find out if, and who, the florist was on the titanic. It's funny, charming, and well observed. I loved the historical research unfolding, and the relationships built throughout - and the journey shy, awkward Emma goes on to make sense of her feelings around the tragic event that happened before the novel starts.

Loved Sally's first two novels, and this warm hug of a book is no different.