Member Reviews

The Little Island Flower Stall brought the perfect escapism to what became an incredibly long and boring January. Thank you Tilly for being the light in the darkness!

It's a heartwarming read of love, life and loss. It tugged at my heartstrings and wrapped me in a warm hug. Emotions were evoked and it had me engaged from beginning to end.

With charming characters, second chances and an air of mystery, what's not to like?

A wonderful read, thoroughly enjoyed it.

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I really enjoyed this cosy romance set on the island of Jersey. I especially liked that, having just ended her 15 year marriage, Bella didn't jump straight into a new relationship as so often happens with this genre.

I don't know much about Jersey, other than the fact that it was occupied by the Germans during the war, so I loved learning a little of the history, including the tunnels that were built by prisoners.

I loved getting to know Bella and Celestine. And, whilst Rorys family secret was a little predicable, it was still added a nice air of mystery to the story. The characters were all well written, and I'll be honest, it was nice to have someone 'escape' and do something other than run a cafe!

Overall this was a lovely, calm and comfortable read, which is what I've come to expect from Tilly's books.

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I have to start off saying that I absolutely love the cover of this book, it perfectly fits the feel of the book and makes you get into the summer romance vibe (perfect for the never ending January blues).
I've not read a book by Tilly Tennant before and I have to say I loved her writing style, I found the book really easy to slip into and found connecting with the characters almost instantaneous. I think that Celestine is my favourite if I'm honest, Bella is a fantastic main character and she drives the story along so well but its Celestine that i wanted to know more about. Id love it of we had a book of her during her wartime years, i feel there was more hidden about her character that id love to dive into.
I did feel that the romance aspect between Rory and Bella seemed a little quick for my liking, considering Bella was still technically married and she barely had anytime after shed left her husband to process but i did like her and Rory as a couple. The only thing i didn't like about this book was its ending. I didn't feel like it ended properly, i wanted so much more from it, I'm hoping its ended the way it has because we're getting a follow on book. I was so invested in Bella's story that the abrupt nature of the ending kicked me out of emersion quite viciously and left me feeling a little put out.
Having said that i did enjoy the book, i think the characters are all well thought out, even the ones that are barely on the page for a paragraph or two are fully formed so we can easily picture them as they get mentioned again. And the writing style is thoroughly enjoyable, i will defiantly be picking up books by Tilly Tennant again.

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Thanks t9 netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another great book from Tilly. This time we follow Bella who goes to Jersey to look after her great aunt Celestine, following her leaving her cheating husband.

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The Little Island Flower Stall by Tilly Tennant.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. This was a beautifully written story which I couldn't put it. This was very well researched. Especially the ww2 tunnels. It felt like I was there. I would definitely recommend this book.


Blurb.
Escape to a colourful little flower stall on the island of Jersey with its sweeping golden beaches. A place where, this summer, Bella will discover a heartbreaking family secret… that could help her find a new beginning.

When Bella’s heart is broken by her cheating husband, she packs a bag and escapes to the little island of Jersey, to help her beloved great-aunt Celestine run her seaside flower stall.

With the sun on her cheeks, watching white-haired Celestine in her elegant patterned trouser suit beam at customers and arrange flowers in vases, Bella realises that life is too short to feel sad. And when handsome, brooding Rory arrives at the rose-covered flower stall, and their eyes meet, she feels a sudden spark…

Inspired by Celestine’s lust for life, Bella agrees to get to know Rory better. As the two of them walk together under vast blue skies, Rory tells her of the family secret that has brought him to the island.

Bella wonders if Celestine might be able to help Rory with his quest, but Celestine warns her to be careful. Bella knows she should listen to her wise aunt, but she can’t fight her feelings. Yet when she tries to track Rory down days later, she is shocked to discover the secrets he has been keeping.

Is her hope of an island romance with a mysterious, handsome man simply too good to be true? Or can this beautiful place still bring her the bright new beginning that she so desperately needs?

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This was my first book by Tilly Tennant, and it won’t be my last. What a lovely, uplifting and enjoyable read.

Bella decides enough is enough when she finds out that her husband has cheated on her for the third time and finally makes the decision to leave him. Arriving on her parent’s doorstep after 15 years of marriage and nowhere to go, Bella feels a total failure. Of course, her parents welcome her in, and she soon discovers from them that her great aunt Celestine, who runs a flower stall on the island of Jersey, has hurt her ankle and is unable to work the stall for the time being. With no other ties Bella decides to head to Jersey to go and look after Celestine and also run the flower stall while Celestine is recuperating. It is exactly the break from life that Bella needs right now and so she heads off to sunny Jersey. When she arrives, Celestine is overjoyed, at not only seeing Bella, who she hasn’t seen for a very long time, but also at being able to teach Bella to run the stall for her and discover all the delights that Jersey has to offer. Bella immediately starts to learn all about the flower stall and indeed, Jersey life, when she meets a man called Rory. Rory is not on the island for a holiday however, he is looking into his family history and in particular his grandad’s birth family as he recently found out, after he died, that his grandad had been adopted and had ties to Jersey and wants to find out what they are. Rory hopes that Bella can help him, especially considering that Celestine, at the age of 95, has lived in the island all her life. They spend time together, not only doing a little research about Rory’s family but also enjoying some of what Jersey life has to offer and a friendship blossoms between them. However, when their search starts to lead them to the occupation of the island by the Germans back during the Second World War, Celestine clams up and refuses to talk about the events of that time. Bella is sure that Celestine can help and wants to help Rory to get answers but at the same time is conflicted as she doesn’t want to pressure Celestine into reliving such an awful time in Jersey’s history. Will Rory get the answers he is after? And will Bella manage to keep her and Rory’s friendship from slipping into something more? Or is she just destined for more heartbreak?!

I was so excited to read this one as it is the first ever book, I have read, that has been set in Jersey, the island on which I have lived my whole life. Tilly Tennant definitely did a great job of describing how beautiful my little island is and once I read the line that Jersey people are “cracking people” I was utterly charmed! I do think we need Tilly Tennant to run our tourism department! She even described our thieving Jersey seagulls and their habit of stealing ice creams and sandwiches off unsuspecting tourists to a tee! I adored both Bella and Celestine and when Celestine and Dolly, Celestine’s friend, were telling Bella occupation stories, I felt very nostalgic as my late granma used to tell me stories about the occupation. One very notable story was when her brother had an illicit radio, which were illegal to have during the occupation, and how it got hastily hidden in the vegetable patch when one day some German soldiers came knocking on the door (the radio was never discovered). Unfortunately, my granma has now passed away but I know I would have definitely recommended this book for her to read, which is a little bittersweet as it was her who inspired my reading as a child and is obviously something I have continued into my adulthood. I have to admit I did have a feeling that what happened in chapter 20 was going to happen (sorry this is a little mysterious as my reviews are spoiler free), but this didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book. I even learnt about chimney cakes, which I had never heard of before and had to google, but now I know about them I must try and find some to taste as they sound gorgeous!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story, Jersey was described beautifully, and I loved seeing Bella’s character grow and develop after being crushed by her soon to be ex husband for so long. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys rom coms, you won’t be disappointed. A very deserving 4 stars and I have already added another book by Tilly Tennant on to my TBR list.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

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Bella leaves her cheating husband Sean, at the same time, her great-aunt Celestine has injured her ankle and needs help running her flower stall on Jersey. Bella hasn't been to Jersey since before she was married, but she thinks it's a perfect opportunity to draw a line under her marriage.
Bella loves helping Celestine with the flower stall and getting to know the local characters. She meets a man called Rory who is in Jersey investigating his family history. Bella is intrigued in his story and realises it might be connected to Celestine's past.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, especially Celestine.
I was really excited to read this book because it's set on the island of Jersey. I've been to Jersey a few times and absolutely loved how the island was brought to life and how it's unique history was such an important part of this story.

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Bella finally leaves her cheating husband and starts rebuilding her life in Jersey, reacquainting with her great-aunt Celestine, who runs a flower stall on the promenade in a small coastal resort in Jersey. It's a story about family, secrets and loss and how to live with its pain. Celestine has a guilty secret that she has hidden since the 1940s. When Bella befriends Rory, who is rediscovering his roots, she finds a connection to Celestine that threatens her happiness. I like the characters, especially the female protagonists, who are complex and easy to invest in. I like the Jersey setting, its culture, and the history woven into the story. I also enjoyed the mystery and the conflicted, gentle romance between Bella and Rory. It's a heartwarming and uplifting story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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THE LITTLE ISLAND FLOWER STALL by Tilly Tennant is a heartfelt women’s fiction story of healing and moving on from your past to discover what the future may hold for you. Set on the Island of Jersey with beautiful beaches and coastal cliffs, but also a tragic history of occupation during WWII. This story has an emotional journey from divorce to a friendship that becomes a slow burn romance, personal growth and discovery, familial reconnection, and an island historical mystery not revealed since WWII.

Bella discovers her husband has cheated again and she is done with their marriage. She takes off to the Island of Jersey to help her great-aunt, Celestine, who has taken a fall, with her beach front promenade flower stall. She is excited to try something new and to reconnect with Celestine who she has not seen since childhood vacations on the island.

While working at the flower stall, Bella has a run in with a handsome customer who is only visiting the island like herself. Bella is weary of any romantic entanglement and lets Rory know her circumstances, but Bella is also intrigued by Rory’s reason for being on the island and wishes to help. Rory is trying to discover information about his ancestry on the island which seems to be wrapped up in a mystery that occurred during the Nazi occupation of the island. As she helps Rory, she discovers Celestine may know more than she is willing to share.

This is a women’s fiction story with a little bit of everything that all comes together into an enjoyable read. Bella’s betrayal leads to a reconnection with family and a place she loved as a child, a hint of a second chance at romance that is all intertwined with a WWII mystery. I did find the pace a little slow when Bella first comes to the island, but as more of the island is explored, her relationship with Celestine grows, and more of the mystery elements were included, it pulled me deeper into the story.

Overall, a cozy women’s fiction that left me satisfied with Bella’s journey.

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The Little Island Flower Stall left me feeling happiness, hope, and even a touch of sadness. Tilly Tennant has created a heartwarming story about self-discovery, family, and finding peace in unexpected places. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Jersey, the novel is perfect for fans of romance and women’s fiction. Bella’s journey from heartbreak to healing is both enjoyable and heartwarming and by the end, I felt as if I truly knew these characters. A slower-paced read that’s perfect for those who enjoy escaping into a cosy, character-driven story

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Tilly Tennant’s The Little Island Flower Stall is a heartwarming story of healing, family, and new beginnings. After her husband’s betrayal, Bella escapes to Jersey to care for her spirited 94-year-old great-aunt Celestine and help with her flower stall. There, she meets Rory, who is searching for the truth about his grandfather’s birth parents. As they uncover family secrets tied to the island’s wartime past, Bella finds solace, purpose, and the possibility of love. A beautifully written, emotional read perfect for fans of romance and heartfelt storytelling.

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Happy Pub dayyy!!! it was amazing to have this book and read it!! loved every single minute of it!!!!🎀💟💞 cant wait to read more books of yours!!
the character development, the romance, everything was perfect!!

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3.5 stars

I was looking forward to reading this novel by Tilly Tennant. I love her books usually but I found this one just fell a little flat for me I’m afraid. I was a little shocked when it ended as I was expecting a bit more than was given.

It was a nice easy read with an interesting storyline but it just wasn’t one of my favourites unfortunately.

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An enjoyable, cozy read set in a lovely location. Bella travels to Jersey to help her great-aunt Celestine with her flower stall. It is supposed to be a time for Bella to plan the new direction of her life but it ends up being so much more. The more time Bella spends on the island the more she discovers about Celestine, the island, and herself. Rory is an unexpected part of figuring things out. Is this the start of something amazing? The relationship between Bella and Celestine is wonderful to watch, I want a great-aunt like her. The history of the island and the secrets from that time add to the appeal of the story. It is a story of family, secrets, and letting go of the past that I recommend.

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Bella finds out her husband has cheated again and leaves him. She goes to her parent's house, and learns that her 94-year-old great Aunt had fallen and broke her leg. She owns a flower stall on the Island of Jersey, and Bella decided to go there and help her for six weeks.
Her great Aunt is happy to see her, even though she didn't know anything about flowers, her Aunt guided her, and she learned fast about arranging flowers. She met some of her Aunts friends, and also met a man named Rory who was there looking to find out his family history on his father's side of the family. Bella decided she would help Rory to see if he could find out about his family. The mystery surrounding this, and learning about the history of the island, will keep you reading, and the journey they are on, wasn't anything they planned.
I was engrossed in this story and when it ended I wished I could see into the future.
I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley.

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I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Bookouture.

When Bella's husband Sean is unfaithful yet again, she packs her suitcases and heads to Jersey to stay with her great aunt Celestine, who owns a flower stall.

When I first started reading, I sympathised with Bella’s situation, but was glad that she plucked up the courage to walk away. After that, I found myself excited to follow her adventure, and I was eager to see what Jersey might have in store for her.

I warmed to Jersey as a setting, as I pictured somewhere beautiful and peaceful. Rory made me smile, and I thought Celestine was also a wonderful character. I found this uplifting to read, but emotional too. In the latter part of the book, there were a few moments that tugged at my heartstrings. It still left me smiling though.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

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2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The Little Island Flower Stall.

Bella has decided to leave her cheating husband and she decides to go help her aunt who just had a fall run her flower stand. It is the perfect time to get away and clear her mind. She meets a man named Rory and they spend time together and she helps him look for his long list family. But she finds out he has been lying to her and she refuses to be made a fool of again.

This book really drug on and the storyline was kind of all over the place. It was telling too many stories at once and it just seemed disjointed to me.

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"Or can this beautiful place still bring her the bright new beginning that she so desperately needs?"
The Little Island Flower Stall takes place on the island of Jersey and Bella will find her new beginning after discovering a family secret. This was written well and had me turning pages until the very end. All of the characters in this were great and it is the perfect summer read. I look forward to reading other books from this author. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader who loves romance or rom com books. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this wonderful read in exchange of my honest review of The Little Island Flower Stall by Tilly Tennant.

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Bella never expected her marriage to end, but when her husband cheated on her, she knew she needed some time away. She quickly packs her bags and with the plan of going to her parents.

Her plans change abruptly change when her dad tells her that her great-aunt Celestine has fallen and needs some help as she recovers. She lives on the little island of Jersey and owns a flower stall. It is exactly the escape Bella needs.

The time spent with her 94 year old aunt, is a wonderful opportunity for them to get to get to know each other as adults. While running the flower stall, Bella meets Rory who is on the island to uncover the truth about a family secret.

The Little Island Flower Stall, written by author Tilly Tennant, is a wonderful story of leaving the past behind and looking forward to what the future may hold. This story is filled with new romance, family history mystery and second chances.

I loved everything about this lovely heart warming story from Aunt Celestine, to Bella and Rory. They were lovable characters that felt like friends and family. This mystery to be solved was a great and unexpected plot twist that kept me flipping pages at a rapid rate. I highly recommend this wonderful story.

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Book Review: The Little Island Flower Stall by Tilly Tennant

Tilly Tennant’s The Little Island Flower Stall is an enchanting romantic escape that transports readers to the beautiful island of Jersey, offering a perfect mix of emotional depth, picturesque scenery, and charming characters. This heartwarming novel is a journey of self-discovery, healing, and the possibility of new beginnings, all wrapped in the bright and colorful world of flowers and seaside life.

Bella’s life has been turned upside down after her husband’s betrayal, and in a bid to heal, she leaves behind her old life and heads to Jersey. There, she seeks refuge with her beloved great-aunt Celestine, who runs a small flower stall by the beach. The peaceful rhythms of arranging wildflowers and the calming sea air start to soothe Bella’s heart, and she begins to regain a sense of peace. Celestine, a woman who has loved and lost many times throughout her life, becomes a wise and guiding figure in Bella’s journey.

However, Bella’s tranquil escape is disrupted when Rory, a charismatic yet mysterious man, arrives at the flower stall. He’s searching for answers about his family’s past, specifically his lost grandfather who was hidden on the island during the war. As Bella and Rory bond over his quest, she can’t help but feel a growing attraction to him, with his troubled past and striking aquamarine eyes. Their connection deepens as they uncover secrets that have been buried for years, but Bella soon learns that not everyone is willing to confront the past, especially her aunt.

When Bella discovers a hidden letter about Rory’s family, Celestine becomes distant and shuts her out, leaving Bella wondering what the old woman knows and why she’s so reluctant to open up. Further complicating matters, Bella begins to suspect that Rory has been hiding something important from her. With her trust already shattered by her ex-husband’s betrayal, Bella now faces the possibility of trusting the wrong person once again.

The Little Island Flower Stall is a beautifully layered story of love, family secrets, and the importance of trusting yourself and others. Bella’s emotional growth is at the heart of the novel, and readers will root for her as she navigates her complicated feelings for Rory and learns to embrace the healing power of forgiveness. The idyllic setting of Jersey, with its golden beaches and colorful flower stalls, provides the perfect backdrop for this romantic, yet poignant tale.

Tennant’s writing is warm and inviting, effortlessly blending humor, heartbreak, and romance. The connection between Bella and her great-aunt Celestine is particularly special, and their relationship adds depth and heart to the story. The slow-burn romance between Bella and Rory is both tender and tense, with just enough twists and secrets to keep readers hooked until the very last page.

For anyone looking for a captivating and emotional romantic escape, The Little Island Flower Stall is a must-read. With its stunning setting, lovable characters, and compelling narrative, it’s the kind of book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Little Island Flower Stall is a delightful and addictive read that will leave readers sighing with satisfaction. Perfect for fans of romantic escapism and stories about healing from the past, Tilly Tennant has crafted yet another irresistible tale.

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