A lovely read told in dual timelines and telling the story of two women, Emma and Violet. Emma is a research scientist who, following the death of her husband a year ago, feels the need for a change. Having always loved being in the garden with her father as a child she applies for a job working at a garden centre. The centre is owned by Les and Betty who soon become her friends. Her love of flowers also leads her to look into the history of Titanic, wanting to know if they had a florist on board the ship. A photograph of a young woman called Violet Jessop strikes a chord with Emma and she feels she has some sort of connection to Violet.

Briefly, in the present Emma struggles with social interaction but enjoys working in the garden centre and thanks to Les and Betty she starts to heal from the trauma of her husband’s death and a subsequent shocking revelation. But what really helps is her investigation into the identity of the Florist onboard the Titanic. Violet was brought up in Argentina but moved to England with her mother and siblings following her father’s death. When she is old enough her mother gets her a job as a maid on a cruise liner and she moves from ship to ship, travelling the world.

These are two very different women, Violet (who was a real person) was clearly a strong and resilient woman but Emma is much stronger than she realises and just needs to build her confidence up. Both have a lovely of gardening and flowers but despite her feelings that they are connected Emma can find nothing to confirm this. A heartwarming story of grief and the journey to heal and find yourself after a traumatic loss. I loved all the floral references, the titanic story and the historical timeline; clearly well researched. It’s very well written and was quite an easy read, the factual events and characters were so beautifully intertwined with the fictional, I enjoyed it a lot.

4.5⭐️

What a beautiful book. 2 stories about 2 women, Violet and Emma, from 2 different eras. Is there a possibility of them being linked in some way? Read this fabulous book to find out. The book completely seduced my senses with the colours and scents of so many flowers. Life is beautiful… as stated in this novel and the treasure of gardens is one reason why it is so. I loved the thread woven throughout the story with the Titanic…how utterly beautiful it must have been which exacerbates the tragedy of its sinking, the many lives which were lost.

This book covers so many important emotions … be proud of who you are and your ancestry whether or not it is from humble beginnings and don’t be jealous of other people’s happiness or material possessions. This book also teaches us about forgiveness and how we can find peace through doing so even when it is painful … after all if we don’t forgive we will continue to suffer.

The contrast between Emma’s mother and the wonderful Betty was very thought provoking. I imagine every reader will love the latter and dislike the former yet I felt quite sad for her too.

I will definitely read Sally’s other books.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of The Secret of Flowers.

The Secret of Flowers stole my heart and soul. Such a beautifully written book that is heart breaking and heart mending all at the same time.

As a teenager I studied an experimental history curriculum idea where we were encouraged to research and look at events in history from the viewpoint of someone (basically unknown) who might have been present. This book reminded me of that premise. Basically, it is a book told in two timelines, the near present and the life of a young florist on the Titanic. It is both uplifting and tragic in both time frames.

A beautiful book, that needs a warning of the imminent need to buy flowers and spend time in a garden centre. It’s a story about grief, family and friends. Atmospheric details about the titanic and those who worked on her. A highly recommended book, as are her other novels.

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"/>.