A lovely book that talks about grief, moving on and finding joy again. Really lovely. Heartwarming. It’s one to keep and treasure.

The premise of this book sounded really good - a widow who finds work in a florist and as a consequence of a presentation given by her employer, goes on to research the Titanic and whether or not a florist existed on board the ship.

I did find it very slow going though and struggled to maintain an interest in it. The story is told in two halves - the modern day tale and one featuring Violet from the time of Titanic era.

I'm afraid this novel wasn't for me but I can appreciate others would find it very interesting.

Beautifully written. This book is an interesting read bridging both the present day and the past, including the launch and sinking of the Titanic. I loved the way that flowers were woven into the plot. Well recommended.

An amazing story showing how flowers are always present in important stages of our lives
Blooms are present at weddings, celebrations and bereavements, showing as symbols of love and friendship
It’s a hopeful novel about friendship and coming to terms and being able to move on from the loss of a partner
Beautifully written and well researched
Loved how each chapter began with the name of a different flower
It’s told across two timelines - present day and early 1900s - bringing together the lives of two extraordinary women.
Emma trying to rebuild her life after the sudden death of her husband, Will and Violet, a stewardess on the Titanic, the on-board florist, who may be connected to Emma’s family
The chapters alternate between lives of Emma & Violet
A wonderful gentle read that will make you want to get out in garden and discover those flowers
“follow the flowers and you will find your way home”
Thank you @bysallypage @harpercollins and @netgalley for the amazing read

A well written and very interesting story. Emma is a scientist who is struggling to deal with her husbands death and decides to leave her job and become a florist in a garden centre during her interest is peaked about the titanic and the flowers on it and the florist who created them. The journey during her research and the people who help her on the way discovery about families friendship and all the people working on the titanic. A very interesting and enjoyable read

I was sent a copy of The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page to read and review by NetGalley. This was a nice, very readable and quite romantic feeling novel. The main thread is that protagonist Emma finds herself on a quest to discover who the florist on the Titanic was. I won’t add any more about the story itself but the characters are well drawn and quite diverse and it was really interesting finding out so many facts about the Titanic and her sister ships. The sheer logistics of such voyages have never even crossed my mind before. I found the whole novel to be rather ‘rose tinted’ and sometimes a little predictable but well worth 4 stars nonetheless.

Flowers and Titanic a winning combination.
Emma is a research scientist, trying to recover from the sudden death of her husband Will. She finds she can no longer continue working as a scientist. Emma applies for a job at a Garden Centre, working for the charming Les and Betty, she does not reveal her qualifications or her Widowhood until later. The Garden Centre is in financial difficulties but Emma helps by making flower arrangements. She struggles in social situations and when Les gives a talk on the Titanic does not attend, instead she does some research about flowers on the large liners.
Violet was bought up in Argentina, she was very close to her Father who kept sheep, Violet has to go to hospital, I think she had T.B. and is not expected to survive, her Doctor has her bed put in the garden so that she can be near the flowers she loves. When Violet's Mother visits and brings her Honeysuckle it aids her recovery, her Father dies. Violets Mother takes Violet, her four Brothers and baby sister to live in Ireland, they have a struggle to survive, Violets Mother starts to works on the luxury liners, she sends the boys to an orphanage and Violet looks after her baby sister. Eventually her Mother is able to get employment elsewhere and reunites the family, but Violet goes to work on the liners, she meets interesting people and has a busy but adventurous time, especially as she is shipwrecked three times.
Emma researches the role of a florist on the Titanic and meets lots of people who help her in her research and in her journey of healing. She searches for facts about Violet and eventually makes the connection.
This book is full of warmth and hope. The double time line works well.
Thank you Sally, NetGalley and Harper Collins.

Sally Page's books have been my comfort reads for a little while now and this book did not disappoint. Beautifully written, great and relatable characters. It is a story within a story that made me go through all the emotions. There are books that you don't want the story to end, they make you want to start reading it without even finishing it, this is one of those books.

This was adorable - I love these kind of cosy mystery books, perfect for the autumnal weather. This is highly recommended

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