Emma is grieving the loss of her husband a year before. She has given up her research job and found work at a flower shop in a garden centre. She doesn't seem to be able to articulate her words and worries that people think she is strange. When she is invited to a talk on the Titanic she gets as far as the door, but has a fear of crowds. Going home she starts to research who did the flowers. This becomes an obsession, but also the key to her opening up to other people and becomes a collective effort to find out who did the flowers.
A lovely book about people and kindness.

This author's books are not always an easy read, but not in a negative way, rather ones which need to be read slowly and digested. In this case the main character is Emma, who is still struggling a year after her husband's death. Leaving her job as a research scientist she now has a part-time position working in the flower cabin at a garden centre. She becomes interested in the Titanic, in particular the flowers on board and who arranged them.
This is definitely a slow burner, but well worth the read. I did feel for Emma and was pleased by the level of support that she received, in particular by the owners of the garden centre Les and Betty. There are two distinct timelines, Emma in the present and Violet in the past, I loved the way the two girl's stories intertwined as Emma found out more about the Titanic, which taught me many things about that ship's past as well. Definitely worth a read if you love stories with a greater depth to them, pun not intended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book

What an amazing story, some based on fact but mostly fiction.
Emma has been widowed young and gets fixated on who was the florist on the Titanic. This story follows two people, one a ship stewardess and Emma as their stories unfurl.
Slow to get going and get into, but once the characters started to develop I was hooked.
A marvellous and fascinating read.

Another superb book from Sally Page. Emma is still reeling in her grief after her husband dies and is now working in a florist within a garden centre. She becomes intrigued in the flowers and floristry on the Titanic and this leads her to slowly opening up to life again like a flower blooming. As her research broadens she starts to heal and accept help from those around her.. I loved the additional characters and they each bring something and are very believable. I look forward to more from Sally Page.

The Secret of Flowers by Sally Page 🌹 BOOK REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🐱 Favourite Quote:

“It is a journey you are on. Do not try to travel all of it on your own.


🐈‍⬛️ What is it about?

One year after her husband’s death Emma has become a wallflower, hiding among the brighter blooms in the florist where she works.

But when a colleague invites her to a talk on the Titanic, she begins a quest to uncover who arranged the flowers on board.

As Emma discovers the lost story of the girl and the great ship, she realises that flowers may unlock long buried secrets in her own life…


🐈 My thoughts:

I love flowers, so I really enjoyed this book. Do you know the sensation you get from smelling fresh flowers? This story gave me the same feeling. I wish it came with little vials so I could experience all the smells described.

Alongside the flowers, the Titanic is a part of this story. I know it sounds strange, but it worked. I learned many interesting facts about the ship, and this book changed how I visualize it.

It is a feel-good, cozy story with a focus on friendships, grief, acceptance, and new beginnings.

I recommend this book to any flower lover. 💐

EXCERPT: Suddenly, there is something she needs to find. She unearths it from under the bundle of clean washing that is piled at the end of the table - the local free paper. The pages are turned over to the small ads, What she is looking for is ringed in black.
She frowns as she reads. Her memories of her father are invariably linked to his garden. Is this why it had jumped out at her? Could this be the change she is looking for?

Wanted: Florist to work part time in garden centre.
Experience useful but not essential. Training can be given.
Own car helpful.
Must be friendly and good with people.

Emma re-reads the advert.
Well, at least she has her own car.

ABOUT 'THE SECRETS OF FLOWERS': The smallest treasures can hold the biggest mysteries…

One year after her husband’s death Emma has become a wallflower, hiding among the brighter blooms in the florist where she works.

But when a colleague invites her to a talk on the Titanic, she begins a quest to uncover who arranged the flowers on board.

As Emma discovers the lost story of the girl and the great ship, she realises that flowers may unlock long buried secrets in her own life…

Will she be able to unlock the mystery of the Titanic and heal her heart too?

MY THOUGHTS: Sally Page has a wonderful way with words - almost magical - in that she can transport you into the pages of her book where you can almost smell the flowers she writes about and become immersed in Emma's journey.

Emma is very good at selling herself short. She lacks self-confidence despite her numerous and laudable accomplishments. Her mother's voice is constantly in her ear, denigrating her, making her feel awkward. Emma's mother is a piece of work. A vile woman. Shallow and self-absorbed. The least said about her the better. But her character is a great foil for all the wonderful people who surround Emma. Like Betty and Les, and Tamas - gems of people.

Running alongside Emma's story is that of Violet, a stewardess who survived three shipwrecks, including the Titanic. I became just as caught up in her story as I did in Emma's, and loved discovering the connection between the two women.

The Secrets of Flowers is both beautifully written and an enchanting and absorbing story. The characters are ordinary people with their strengths and faults which makes them easy to relate to, with the exception, I hope, of Emma's mother!

I read The Secrets of Flowers in a little less than twenty-four hours, enchanted by the flowers, the history, and the friendship and support Emma receives. Sally Page's love of flower shops is reflected in The Secrets of Flowers.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#TheSecretsofFlowers #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: As well as creative writing I have a passion for flowers and fountain pens. I am the author of a series of non-fiction books about flower shops and I founded my fountain pen company, Plooms, when I could not find the fountain pen I wanted. In my spare time I paint – sometimes with better results than others.
From around 2006 I spent several years photographing and writing about the life of flower shops. First, the one I worked in part time, in Wiltshire, and then others I visited around the country.
I discovered that flower shops offer a unique and beautiful window into the communities they serve. They help tell the story of life, from birth to bereavement.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

The Secrets of Flowers is scheduled for publication 29 August 2024.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this novel and the first page I thought to myself- is this going to be too heavy for me- and put it down and started something else. How foolish of me as when I came back to it and read beyond that first page I enjoyed every moment.
Emma was incredibly likeable and her story felt authentic, her pain was real and you wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug.
It was incredibly heartwarming to find that she was surrounded by people willing to (metaphorically at least) do that for her, and walk alongside her as she navigated her grief. The parallel unfolding of Violet’s story was equally fascinating and definitely made me think twice about the titanic and I found the historical nuggets so interesting.
I found myself gripped by the story, the relationships, the setting and I absolutely loved Emma’s lunch at the end, Such a wonderful book, thank you

Emma needs a distraction from the sudden death of her husband, her current job as a researcher within a university is not allowing that and despite being over qualified, Emma takes a part time job in a garden centre, arranging flowers.

Will connecting with nature, help her to heal. Her connection to the flowers and working with them leads her to ask who did the flowers on board The Titanic, someone must have done and who were they?

Along side Emma’s story is that of Violet, how did she get from Argentina to London, to be onboard the infamous ship. Does Violet’s life have anything to do with what Emma is looking for when she goes asking questions all those years later in a garden centre.

This is a beautiful fascinating book, not just with the different aspect of the Titanic, but also the role flowers play in all of our lives over the course of differing events. Births, Marriages and Deaths but actually at all other times as well. Will Emma find the answers she has been looking for in the past or are they all there for the picking in the future. Just like the growing of the flowers.

Sally Page does it again, I enjoy her books immensely and they always leave a footprint on your soul as she picks such interesting concepts to make into novels. They work every time.

A lovely story, beautifully written as always by Sally Page, based around Emma trying to navigate her way through the grief of losing her husband. She becomes obsessed with Violet, who was a stewardess on the Titanic's story, and the story is mostly told from her and Violet's perspective. I loved the friendships Emma made along the way and how everything linked together beautifully, but not quite in the way Emma expected in the end.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I didn’t want this book to end. You know when you have that feeling that you want to read faster to totally absorb the story and the brilliant characters written, but knowing that with each turn of the page the ending is going to come too soon.
I’ve loved Sally’s other books and so had high hopes for The Secrets of Flowers - and I fell in love with Emma and Violet’s stories from the very start.
Emma was so drawn to the connection with Violet and I loved the way their stories flowed and intertwined. Little touches like the flower names for each chapter were so beautiful.
The history of the Titanic and its decor was fascinating, and the little bits of added information that Sally gave us within the story (undoubtedly after extensive research her self) just added such warmth and interest.
Emotions ran high for both these women stories and grief and loss is handled so sensitively. This is a beautiful tale of friendship and found family.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the arc of The secrets of flowers by Sally Page.

What a beautiful book. So gorgeous and like a huge hug of a book that explores the complexity of grief and how it affects the ones left behind. Highly recommend! 5/5

What a lovely book this is. I especially wanted to read this due to the nature of the book, with Emma working as a florist after leaving her scientist job. It has a great storyline and reinforces how flowers are part of our every day life and bring so much joy. There is a lovely friendship built up throughout the book between Emma, Les and Betty the garden centre owners.

Each chapter has a sub heading of a named flower which I thought was a great touch and the storyline centre around the titanic and Emma losing her husband has an intriguing element.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to read this title in advance of publication and provide an honest review

Another fantastic read from Sally Page!

Emma is living in the aftermath of her husband’s sudden death and the revelation of some painful secrets. In attempt to rebuild her life she changes career to train as a florist at a local garden centre where she thrives amongst the flowers and is reminded of happy times gardening with her late father.

Prompted by a talk given by garden centre owner about the Titanic, Emma begins to research the floristry on the Titanic and tries to discover just who was responsible for the flowers at sea. This in turn tells the story of Violet, a stewardess but also a lover of flowers.

A beautiful story of love, loss and friendship, all wrapped up in a wonderful fragrant bouquet.

I absolutely loved this book.
I really felt for Emma who is struggling in her day to day life after the sudden death of her husband last year.
Emma works as a scientific researcher and knows in her heart that she needs a change, so decides to leave.
She gets a part time job at a garden centre as she has always loved flowers, and the owners Les and Betty take her under their wing.
Emma is invited to a talk Les is giving about the Titanic but when it comes to it, she can’t bring herself to go in there with all the other people.
Feeling guilty, she starts to look into the Titanic and is soon drawn to finding out about the flowers on the ship, and who arranged them.
This gives Emma a new purpose and soon Les and Betty are helping her find out more information.
Emma comes across a photograph of a woman who was on board and as soon as she sees her, she feels like she knows her and is connected to her.
There are also chapters from a young woman who had a difficult start in life and we learn her identity later in the book.
This is a lovely book about grief, love, friendship and the importance of flowers. The characters are very well portrayed and I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.

I so enjoyed this gentle story which followed the main character, Emma, as she is beginning to come to terms with the loss of her husband and finding comfort working with flowers. I adored the characters of Les and Betty, the owners of the garden centre where she worked when she needed a change of direction from her scientific research job. Les and Betty were such kind people and real friends to Emma. The author used to be a florist with her own shop and it is clear from the way she writes about them that she has a great love of flowers.

Flowers are so important at significant points of everyone’s lives: births, birthdays, celebrations and deaths. They are a tangible sign of love, that someone is thinking of you. It was so interesting to hear about the many different flowers included in the story and the meanings they often have assigned to them. I think it’s true what one of the other characters, Clem says ‘most flowers are sent from women to women…reaching out when their friends are celebrating or when they’re sad or grieving.”

Equally fascinating was the historical strand of the book about Violet, a stewardess on the Titanic. Emma becomes very intrigued by who would have been The Florist on the ship (Recently Obsessed she calls herself) and also why she feels a connection to a photograph of a nurse from Titanic. Her research takes her outside her comfort zone and she begins to really live again, making some good friends along the way. Violet is based on a real historical figure and her story really is quite astonishing, all the more so because the facts are true.

The Secrets of Flowers is a book about kindness, friendship and hope. It’s not without its tense moments, some of which had my heart in my mouth. Another beautifully written, engaging and heart-warming story from Sally Page.

The Secrets of Flowers is the second Sally Page book I’ve read and I enjoyed it just as much as her first.
Emma’s life has been turned upside down with the sudden death of her husband, someone she thought was the only person who truly understood her. Having worked for most of her adult life as a research scientist, after this tragedy she gives up her prestigious position to work among flowers at a garden centre.
The story is interwoven with a dual narrative of Violet, a stewardess of the White Star Line and the way that these two plot lines intertwine is really interesting. There is a lot of detail about the Titanic and the research the author has put into this is woven seamlessly into the novel.
Once Emma starts at the garden centre, she meets people who will change the course of her life and navigate the path of who she chooses to become. The narrative deals with big issues - like what happens when the family you have, is not the family you choose, infidelity, infertility, and death.
The issues never feel forced and both Violet and Emma are really likeable characters who readers will be rooting for from the start. I read it in about 48 hrs!

Overall 4.5 from me.

Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Secrets of Flowers is a beautiful book that explores the complexity of grief. It brings us into the world of Emma who has chosen to take a simpler path in life after the loss of her husband. It brings all the characters together in a way that demonstrates the kindness of strangers and adult friendships.
The story is a little slow at times but it develops the different stories and individuals well. A lovely book to curl up to as the autumn months approach.

What a beautiful book about a woman recovering from the loss of her husband when she gives up her job and starts work in the flower shed of her local garden centre. As she starts to finally grieve and face some home truths about her life she starts a new obsession around who would have been the florist on the Titanic. As she is drawn to the story of a young woman on the ship her life is changed in ways she never expected by the friendships she makes in the flower shed as she tries to rebuild her life. A beautiful read that will make you cry and smile in equal measure!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this dual timeline book.

It’s about Emma(in the present) and Violet(in the past). It’s based on incidents that happened

The characters were all lovely and the story was well written and researched.

I highly recommend this book.

This was a lovely read and a very easy book to get into. The main character, Emma, is grieving following the death of her husband Will some months ago. But there is a complication with her grief that we learn about as the novel progresses, as she has discovered something about Will after his death that has cast doubt on their relationship and complicated her feelings towards him.

We meet Emma as she is struggling to come to terms with her loss, and trying to rebuild her life and confidence working in a garden centre with the friendly owners, Betty and Les. We get glimpses of the things she struggles with - such as social anxiety and worry about being accepted. It quickly becomes clear that this must be at least in part due to the influence of her mother - a brilliantly drawn character who is a solely negative influence on Emma.

Emma becomes drawn into investigating who organised the flowers on The Titanic. Through her research she meets various people and learns to be more accepting of herself and confident that she is someone who has things to offer.

I found Emma to be a very relatable and believable character who is immediately interesting. As a reader, I wanted to know more about her internal struggles and worries. Reading about the way her mother treats her - basically disapproving of everything Emma does - made me root for her even more and, having come across similar people, it made the situation interesting to read about.

Emma's struggle to reconcile her mind to her new knowledge about her husband is very well written. And Betty and Les are also great characters with unexpected pasts and hidden facets to their personalities.

As with The Book of Beginnings, this is a really lovely and gentle read that has lots to say about how people deal with loss, disappointment and insecurity, and also how people can turn their lives around. I would definitely recommend this book and anything else written by Sally Page.