Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eCopy to review

I recently read The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page, and it was an absolutely enchanting experience! This novel beautifully intertwines the past and present through the story of Emma, who, a year after her husband’s death, finds solace and purpose working at a local garden centre. The book’s exploration of grief and healing is both poignant and uplifting.

Emma’s journey to uncover the mystery of who arranged the flowers on the Titanic is fascinating and adds a layer of historical intrigue that kept me hooked. The way Sally Page describes the flowers and their meanings is so vivid that I could almost smell the blooms as I read. The characters are wonderfully developed, each bringing their own warmth and depth to the story.

What I loved most about this book is its heart warming message of hope and the power of connections, both old and new. The Secrets of Flowers is a delightful read that left me feeling inspired and comforted. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a touching and beautifully written novel.

I never imagined that I could love this new Sally Page book as much as I loved the previous two; The Keeper of Stories and The Book of New Beginnings. Choosing a favourite of the three would be like asking me to choose my favourite child,and I have three of them…impossible!

At first I thought how good the author is at creating eccentric characters but then it dawned on me that we are all eccentric in our own way and that is what makes life so interesting.

Emma has recently lost her husband,Will who had a sudden heart attack. As a result she has made the decision to leave her highly pressured research job and has decided to work part time as a florist at a garden centre. As Emma settles into the routine of her new job she tells her employer’s Betty and Les very little about herself or her past. As Emma meets Tamas who delivers flowers to the garden centre she finds that he and his wife have also faced a tragedy in their family. When Emma has cold feet about attending a talk given by Les on the Secrets of the Titanic she later watches a TV programme about the Titanic and starts to wonder if there was a florist on board the ship.

The Secrets of Flowers is told in two time frames. Running alongside Emma’s story is that of Violet who lived in Argentina as a child and overcame a serious illness only to then have to deal with the death of her Spanish Father. After his death the family take a boat to London and settle there. Violet’s mother goes to work as a stewardess in a shipping company, leaving Violet to look after her sister, while her two brothers go to live in an orphanage. Violet eventually goes to work for the shipping company instead of her mother and is a stewardess on the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage.

I loved how each chapter was linked to a different type of flower. As Emma herself goes on a voyage of discovery she meets the most interesting characters in her search for the answer as to whether there was a florist aboard the Titanic and discovers an amazing link between her family and someone aboard that ship.

I would highly recommend this book and was privileged to receive an ARC in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sally Page's previous novels and this one was no exception. A delightful story, with a dual timeline of Argentina in the early 1900s and the present day, with wonderful characters and such an original plotline about the mysterious origin of the Titanic florist. Moving and uplifting (and refreshingly romance-free!) this is an absolutely lovely book.

ooh i loved this book, this author has a way with words and i couldn’t get enough. i loved the friendships and you lose yourself in emma’s life. emma’s mum is a character!
a great read and would recommend

What a wonderful book. Because of the way it is written I feel as though I have had two books for the price of one
Recently widowed Emma feels that she has to move away from her high powered scientific research and chooses to work in a small garden centre
Betty and Les are the owners and the relationship between them and Emma develops throughout the book
Les is fascinated by the Titanic and Emma decides to investigate the florist on the Titanic
Violet Jessop's story intertwines with Emma's the references to so many flowers drawing them together.
Loved the description of the flowers in the Alhambra, I could almost smell the jasmine
Really lovely read

CW: death of spouse, infidelity, injury, hospitals/surgery, Titanic disaster

Months after the death of her husband, researcher Emma leaves her job at the University and takes on a position as a florist. When her boss, Les, gives a presentation about the Titanic, Emma's interest is piqued and she goes in search of the florists on board the ship, and in search of her own roots.

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This was an unusual book, with multiple storylines woven through. We have the core story of Emma processing the death of her husband and healing from that. We have the story of Violet, a stewardess aboard the ship. We have the toxic relationship Emma has with her mother, and the balm that is her relationship with Betty - her employer. And woven through are strands of grief and loss and healing. And connection and letting go.

This book was very different to what I expected. I was expecting this book to be crafted around the historical meaning of flowers and so the like, and the topic of grief came at a particularly poignant time in my own life, which made this a more challenging read than normal.

Sally Page consistencly writes stories full of depth and complex emotions, and this book is no exception. I enjoyed the journey of discovery to find the Titanic florist (and the excerpts from her memoirs) alongside Emma's more difficult journey. The supporting characters, particularly Betty, Les and Tomas are warmly written, and provide light and laughter to take the edge off the difficult parts.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

You may be forgiven for thinking that stories of the Titanic have all been told and retold but this was a unique look at one specific profession and Emma's obsession with finding "the florist", born of Emma's grief and mental health as she grieves her husband and seeks meaning in her life.
Running alongside is the story of Violet- who goes to work on the ships in the early 1900's to make money for her family and finds herself on the Titanic.
The stories are deftly interwoven and the ending hugely satisfying!

Another cracking read from this wonderful author. Emma is an academic research scientist in Oxford, but after her husband's sudden death she changes her life and begins working for Les and Betty in a Garden Centre. Emma is quiet, keeps herself to herself and doesn't share personal information. She hasn't taken the time to get to know her new colleagues properly. One night Les gives a talk on Secrets of the Titanic, and although Emma can't force herself to go, somehow affects her deeply. She obsesses over the flowers on board, and the identity of the florist. Running parallel is the story of Violet. Born in Argentina, we meet her a a young child in 1893 and follow her story as the family move to England following the death of her beloved father. Establishing a life in London is difficult and after her mother tries to make a living on board ships, it makes more sense for Violet to take on this role. The reader sees both stories and we wonder at a connection. The joy of the story is Emma building relationships and connections along the way. I found her relationship with her mother alarming, and it gave me food for thought. #netgalley #TheSecretsofFlowers

I love this book so much - everything from the glorious package to the way the author weaves the themes of grief, hope and life through the two timelines. I thought this was a unique narrative - love the garden centre job combined with finding our more about life on an ocean liner. Really great to see so many positive reviews for this one too - I think this is a book that really connects with people.

I was looking forward to reading this having enjoyed the previous books by this author. I wasn’t disappointed. Recently widowed and former scientist Emma slowly starts to rebuild her life by selling flowers in a garden centre. she becomes obsessed with idea that there must have been a florist on the Titanic and using her logical mind begins to discover connections and people that also help her manage her grief.
What made this book successful for me was the unusual historical topic. The journey through grief that Emma is on is a familiar trope but the inclusion of the Titanic storyline elevated this novel from ordinary to worth reading. There is a dual narrative throughout that perhaps doesn’t work as well as it could ie. More about Violet was needed but the twist at the end is rewarding.

The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page

Emma's husband Will died suddenly a year ago and she is feeling lost. She leaves her job as an academic and starts working in a garden centre. Her quest to find out who was the florist on the Titanic takes her on an emotional journey, culminating in a trip to Paris and Seville, and making new friends along the way.

What a beautiful book, I really enjoyed it. I loved Betty and Les, and all the characters Emma met along the way. I enjoyed the timeslips which told us more about Violet. And I really loved the ending, especially the showdown with Emma's mother! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

A story of the Titanic Disaster, Flowers and hope.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is an emotional tale about Emma whose husband passed away a year ago.

Still struggling to cope, she leaves her job as a scientist to work in a garden centre.

After her boss does a talk on the Titanic Emma starts to investigate who looked after the flowers on the titanic.

The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is a novel that is divided into two timelines the first is the present day which is told through emma’s point of view as she researches the flowers on the titanic, although some of the other characters have their own chapter if it helps the flow of the story.

The second time line is the story of a young girl who ends up being a stewardess on the Titanic. These are short sections and could be left out as it would not affect the story flow, however they do add a certain magic to the story.
A story of the Titanic Disaster, Flowers and hope.

In addition it makes the story of the Titanic more personal.

While on the one hand The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page can be seen as the story of a researcher called Emma looking up a specific point in history to find information.

However Emma’s research helps her to deal with the death of her husband as well as finding out about not only helping other people with their issues and them helping you.

This really makes The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page an enjoyable story for anyone ou enjoys stories about people who have to deal with issues people will face in their lives, but doing it in a positive way for themselves and readers.

I was asked to review this beautiful book by NetGalley.

Emma's husband sadly passed away a year earlier and Emma life stopped and she changed direction by handing in her notice from her university research post to working in a garden centre. Emma is at one with working with plants and flowers. She then is asked to attend a local history society talk on the Titanic the fateful voyage which sank in 1912.
Unusually Emma thought about the abuandance of flowers which would have festooned ( certainly the firat class section) and began to think of who would have been responsible for this.

Running in tangent is a storylinr about a stewardess called Violet on this fateful voyage- Emma begin to feel some sort of connection to this lady.

A compelling story - loved this.

Loved the alternating chapters between Emma, a grieving widow who swaps her university research job for that of florist in a garden centre where she becomes interested in finding out about the florist on the Titanic, and Violet Jessop, a stewardess on the Titanic who Emma feels a connection to.
While the story is fiction Violet did exist &, as much as a fictional story allows, her story sticks to the facts.
Feel good story about love, loss & friendship & I loved that it didn't need that predictable love interest that some of these stories incorporate.

Emma is still struggling with the sudden death of her husband Will a year earlier so decides to give up her job and do something she loves, working with flowers in a garden centre. Here she teams up with owners Betty and Les, settling in really quickly and with Les's interest in the Titanic she begins to do some research of her own and sets out to discover who the florist was on board on its maiden voyage. Violet takes the job of stewardess aboard the Titanic and when Emma sees a photo of her she's certain that she knows her, but what is the connection between these two women?

The Secrets of Flowers is the latest novel by Sally Page, told across two timelines; the present day and the early 1900's bringing together the lives of these two extraordinary women in alternate chapters throughout. As Emma begins to rebuild her life after Will she's determined to learn the history of who looked after the flowers on board this magnificent ship over a century ago and with the help of the friends she makes on her journey she uncovers far more than she ever expected to. This is another beautiful story from this author, centred around friendship, with some fabulously endearing characters who I couldn't help but fall in love with along the way.

I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.

One year on from the death of her husband, Emma feels no closer to moving forward with her life. Seeking distraction, she quits her job and begins working at the local garden centre.

Here, Emma begins to open up and finds herself attending boss Les’ talk on the Titanic. Intrigued, Emma sets out to research who would have arranged the flowers on board.

Alongside her story unfolds the tale of a stewardess on the Titanic, who Emma can’t help but feel connected to…

💭 My thoughts:

For those of you who aren't aware, Sally is the mother of Libby Page (one of my favourite writers!), and is just as talented as her daughter! I loved The Secrets of Flowers. I got so immersed in Emma's world, but I particularly enjoyed the historical aspect which is told from Violet's POV.

Emma is a keen florist, and after attending a talk about the Titanic at the History Society, Emma soon develops an interest in learning about those who worked on the ocean liner. Here, she learns that a florist was likely the culprit behind the floristry on the ship, and she discovers a photo of a familiar looking lady - who she later finds out is Violet. Is she the face behind it all?

Why does Violet, who Emma has never met, look so familiar? What does Emma learn about her past?

Written in dual timelines, the stories of Emma and Violet are written with flowers as descriptors. Emma, in current day, is struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband. She walks away from all that is familiar to work with flowers, meeting Les and Betty in the process. Les, who is very interested in the history of the Titanic sets Emma on a journey to discover who the florist was, on the Titanic. Violet's story is told in the second timeline. As Emma discovers history, she meets others who are all eager to help her. This book is well-written, but slow paced. It held my interest but also bored me at times. Since I absolutely loved her previous books, I suppose I am holding her up to previous standards by giving her a 3 star rating.

A phenomenal read one I just couldn't put down and devoured in 2 days.
The historical closer look at the staff on board the Titanic have me a different perspective I hadn't considered before and I thought Violet was written in such a powerful and poignant way, it was wonderful to discover how true to life the story was.
The modern day story of Emma and how she is drawn to the garden centre, flowers & floristry was a very moving read, the addition of Betty, Les and Tamas as supportive characters was perfect. The themes of grief, love, motherhood and human flaws combined to deliver a stunning, emotional and healing story.

I loved The Keeper of Stories. When I seen she had a new book coming out I immediately had to read it.
The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is a lovely, delightful book filled with rich wonderful characters, and an intriguing plot.
Page writes in a very engaging style that kept me turning the pages even when it was long past bedtime. I look forward to reading more of her writing.

Quite simply I adored this book from beginning to end! The beautiful language had me entranced from the start and I loved the parallel timelines following the stories of Emma and Violet, one current, one historic, each facing their own emotional challenges,.

Through Emma, we see the overpowering grief of a widow, trying to deal with her loss, move on with her life, lost and broken inside herself. Contrasting with that we meet Violet, a daughter of Irish parents, trying to help her mother look after her siblings. The quirky, authentic characters surrounding both Emma and Violet added depth, emotion and humour to the story. The importance of friendship and surrounding yourself with people who care became very clear, everyone needs a ‘Betty and Les’.

Each chapter represents a flower and this epitomises the story, educating the reader into the uniqueness and power of flowers.

Through these two totally different lifetimes, the reader learns about the intricate details of Violet’s life (a real person wound into this narrative) on board cruise liners, in particular The Titanic; also a change of career for Emma, from scientist to florist.

The threads of their lives, the mysteries behind their situations and the intrinsic link between them is powerful and enthralling.

I found this book to be delightful and illuminating, powerful, full of emotion and connection. The depth of research that must have been undertaken about life working onboard cruise liners and the knowledge and quality of a huge range of plants and flowers was totally engaging, a subject I would not have expected to be gripped by as much as I was.

This book had me totally torn, wanting to read on, but not wanting to reach the end. I smiled, had a few tears and was so sad to leave these characters behind, who felt so real to me. A wonderfully, delightful read!