Really enjoyed this book! I have loved other Sally Page stories and this one didn't disappoint either. The story centres around Emma, a young widow who leaves her job as a scientist and starts working as a florist at a garden centre with the wonderful Betty & Les (wouldn't you love those two as your boss!). When Les does a talk around the Titanic, Emma starts to wonder about who was responsible for the flowers onboard. Her extensive research is helped along the way by a variety of people, all who add something more for her to think about. The alternate chapters of the book are narrated by Violet, a young girl in Argentina, who ends up as a stewardess on the ocean liners (including eventually the Titanic). Emma is sure she recognises the photo she finds of Violet, thinking she is part of her family history. Her research doesn't appear to lead to this, however, although she keeps looking.

Lovely characters and a great story. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

Oh my goodness, this story! Such beautiful words winding through a story entwined with beautiful flowers and the well written characters swept the story along the waves, I cried lovely tears with this and it will stay with me for a long time

This is a charming dual timeline in which the link between the main characters is only revealed at the end.
I found it a thought-provoking read in places, with much to say about grief, the power of friendship to bring healing and hope, and of course the significance of flowers. As one character says, “flowers are about women reaching out when their friends are celebrating or when they’re sad or sick or grieving. Flowers say, ‘I will always love you, my friend.’”
It’s also about the importance of small, easily unnoticed things, the things which hold people together. The main character of Emma isn’t small, in fact she feels self-conscious about her big feet and her height and noticeable hair - but her life has fallen apart and it takes a host of small things, and the support of those around her, to help her rebuild it and face the future.
There are a couple of dramatic events I didn’t foresee while reading, but anyone who knows about the Titanic will probably guess the identity of Violet. The author had clearly done lots of research, and the premise was intriguing. I felt the dual timeline worked well and this was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, which I read in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't put this down! Such a well written book by @SallyPage that takes you on an emotional journey with Emma, the main character. There are some great characters that Emma meets along the way, which help her to find herself.
I love the idea of the 'pillow post' and the idea of her wanting to find out about the florist on the titanic.
This is definitely a book that, once read, will move you and will be remembered!
Thank you, @NetGalley_UK and @HarperCollinsUK, for allowing me to read it before it was released.

Emma a young woman struggling with grief after the death of her husband Will. She gives up her job to take up a position as a florist in a local garden centre. And so starts her new life with friends who become family.
This is a lovely story, despite the potential for sadness. I loved the chapters being titled with floral names. The interlinking of the story with Violet's is interesting too and I didn't work out the connection to Emma.
A good read.

After her husband dies suddenly Emma gives up her job as a research scientist to work as the florist at a garden centre. Les the owner gives a talk on the Titanic and invites Emma along but she cannot face going to it, feeling guilty she starts to research the Titanic and becomes fixated on who the florist was on the great ship. Told in parallel is the story of Violet, how is she connected to Emma?

A beautifully told story of history, relationships and healing. Going to recommend this to my Book Club.

I recently finished reading "The Secrets of Flowers" by Sally Page.

This is a beautifully written novel about Emma's journey of recovery after her husband's death. Her quest to uncover the history of the Titanic's flowers leads to unexpected adventures. I loved reading about Emma's transformation from a socially awkward introvert to a courageous author. This book is a must-read if you enjoy historical mysteries, primarily related to the Titanic, and have a passion for flowers and gardens. Be sure to check out the author's notes; they reveal the depth of research and passion behind the story.

As I anticipated, this is a thoroughly engaging five-star read that captivated me, thanks to Page's inventive storytelling. I highly recommend it to enthusiasts of this author and genre. It is an absolute delight!

Another beautiful book by Sally Page.
I don’t even know where to start with my review. I’m going to have to use the authors own words from when she spoke at our book club ‘the ordinary can be extraordinary’.
I think that really sums up this story.

Can we just mention the cover? I see so many similar, bland covers these days, but this one is just so pretty, so relevant. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you certainly can’t overlook this one in a hurry!

We meet Emma, trying to live day to day after her husband’s death. Just trying to move on and live as best she can. As the story continues, she makes friends, finds a passion, finds ways to move on and enjoy her life.
It is written in such a lovely way as we learn more about Emma, but also about flowers and their significance aboard the titanic. I’ve read other stories which have incorporated tales from the titanic but this was such a different and lovely approach.
The author has clearly done her research into the titanic and her passion for flowers shows through in every chapter.
I could have read this in one sitting given the chance, but then, I wouldn’t have wanted it to end so quickly!
Absolutely beautiful story Sally!

Emma is not only recently widowed, but also discovered that her husband had an affair. She has lost her confidence and interest in life and takes up a job in a flower shop. When the owner invites her to his talk about the Titanic, she doesn't go - she is ashamed of herself and begins to read about the ship so that she can discuss it with him, instead, she finds herself obsessed with finding out who was responsible for arranging the flowers on the ship. As she begins her quest, she isn't ready for the changes it will make to her life.
This book made me laugh as well as cry. I felt like I was part of Emma's journey to rediscover herself. A good heartwarming read from Sally Page.

Sally Page's stories have captured me since I read her first one, so being allowed to read this would always be taken gratefully.
The Secrets of Flowers is a beautiful, intricate tale based on a real person, with hints of interest by the author, but its storyline and the main characters are fictional.
Emma is a woman who is coming to grips with the loss of her husband, who quite suddenly died. She is still young, but flo9undering in her existing life.
Taking a break from her normality as a scientist, she begins to enjoy a job at the small local garden centre, remembering her father's love for flowers and immersing herself in good memories.
But she is still nervous about socialising and mixing with others.
A small chain of events leads to her burying herself in research about the Titanic, and a pull towards the flowers on board leads her towards Violet Jessop, the only woman to have survived three major shipwrecks, including the Olympics and the Titanic.
She can't help but feel a connection to the woman but cannot figure out what it is.
Aided by Garden Centre owners Betty and Les and Tamass, their flower delivery guy, and a whole host of other people, they slowly piece together the life of a young woman and her role on the ships, revealing the connection that Emma felt so strongly with this woman.
It is such a beautifully told dual-timeline story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Fiction for an ARC.

I received a free copy of, The Secrets of Flowers, by Sally Page, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Getting over the death of a loved one is so very hard, sometimes people stay in grief forever, and never move on. Sally decides to quit her job, and start over, a year after her beloved husband passed away. This book was so interesting, I enjoyed learning about the flowers on titanic. A lovely book.

What a beautiful story about Emma, a scientist who sadly finds herself suddenly widowed and in need of a new start. She takes a job in a garden centre and embarks on a journey of discovery, both about herself and her family history, as well as the mystery of the florists on board the ill fated Titanic. The story of Violet, a young woman in the past with a love and passion for flowers, entwines this tale and we slowly discover the link between these two women. Beautifully written, fascinating characters and with a hint of mystery, this book was highly enjoyable and a great read.

Emma lost her husband, Will, suddenly to a heart attack. She then found out he had been having an affair.
Her life has been shattered and she decides to change her life. She leaves her job as a scientist and starts working in a garden centre.
A colleague is interested in the Titanic and Emma realises there is no reference to a florist on board and starts investigating.
This means she has to come out of her shell and talk to people, all sorts of interesting people who will eventually become a big part of her life.
I loved this book!

A story which combines flowers, the titanic and history is one which is a winner for me.

Emma is struggling from the loss for her husband and decides to change her life by leaving her career and following her passion for flowers by taking a part-time job in the local garden centre.

She makes new friends and becomes fascinated by the Titanic and trying to find the florist who she believes worked on board.

Violet was a stewart on the Titanic and as Emma begins to investigate she feels drawn to her story, wondering if she was the on-board florist who may be connected to her family.

The dual timeline was beautifully written. When the two main characters lives connect this added even more depths to the brilliant storyline.

Sally‘s love of flowers is evident through the book. I loved how each chapter began with the name of a different flower. .

Grief, forgiveness, love , guilt and how we are all shaped by our past is wonderfully explored.

A beautiful book which made me want to spend more time in my garden even if it was reading instead of tackling the weeds. I thoroughly recommend this gentle delightful book.

3.5 rounded up Having read previous books by this author that I loved.
I had high hopes for this book, and while I did enjoy it I felt it wasn’t as good as the others I have read. I liked that it was told from 2 different perspectives but I found it at times hard to keep up with the duel POC and various characters. The titanic parts were the best bits for me I really enjoyed them parts but the rest I really struggled to get into and found so slow paced. While the book is well written I just struggled to connect with the characters and story line. However I would still recommend as I think others would enjoy it more if they could keep up with the story and characters. Especially if you like the titanic or aspects of it as the character is based on a true person who was aboard the titanic!

This is a book of two narratives, that of Violet who becomes a stewardess on the Titanic, and that of Emma, a young research scientist recently widowed. In her grief, Emma decides to leave her academic research job and take a part-time floristry job in a garden centre. This change begins to help her come to terms with her loss but gives rise to other anxieties. She becomes fixated on finding out who arranged all the flowers on the Titanic and this brings her into contact of a variety of different people. I truly loved this book which made me laugh and cry in different places. The stories of Violet and Emma do eventually merge and link together in the nicest way. It is a beautiful, well written story bringing together the past, the present and using the knowledge of flowers to link our memories. Thoroughly enjoyable and a beautiful, evocative read. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.

This is an extraordinary story that brings together flowers and bouquets, floating boats and family backstories. One character is based on a real person, who was on the Titanic when it sank; and how her story unfolds and is linked to the main character's story is in itself sufficient to keep you reading to the end - and the twists and turns along the way are very clever. Then there are the flowers, their meanings and how they symbolise different things in each chapter and in the lives of each character. Some characters are very well portrayed - Les who speaks in proverbs and sayings most of the time, his wife Betty who turns out to be more empathetic than first appears; the Doctor and Nurse Merry Eyes, and their pillow post and their fascinating sub-plot with a glorious ending.

I enjoyed reading this book; wanted it not to finish - always a good sign - and wonderful for a holiday novel: not too demanding but with sufficient research, history and fascination to keep you hooked; and, as always with the author's books, well-written. To find out how boats, bouquets and backstories are all linked, I can really recommend you read this book!

With thanks to ARC and the publishers for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book; all views are my own.

A new and unique look at the Titanic shipwreck. A wonderful story with dual timelines. I felt as if I knew each of the characters as friends.
Struggling after the sudden death of her husband Emma retreats from the world, leaving her career and taking a part time job in the local garden centre in the floristry department. Struggling to interact with anyone the owners Les and Betty become more than friends and enjoy the research for the Titanic florist together.
The ending will make you smile

This book takes you on an emotional journey as you follow the story through watching the characters grow and change.

Another wonderful book from Sally Page. A lovely relaxing read but with so much information. I have gained knowledge about the titanic, and learnt about flowers. The old names- I didn’t know that honeysuckle is woodbine. Along side this there is a woman dealing with grief and the aftermath of losing a husband who wasn’t quite who she thought he was.