There's nothing like flowers and a picturesque island to make you think of Spring and the second book in the Little Cornish Isles series - 'The Flower Farm' does that. If you've read the first book in the series 'The Driftwood Inn', you'll remember that Will and Jess run the flower farm on St Saviour.
Jess thought she'd found 'the one' but Adam's behaviour changes without explanation, he leaves, and she is heartbroken.
Will is all about work but meeting Gaby makes him question his outlook on life but it's complicated, she's a temporary worker on the flower farm, so he's her boss, and she's not planning to stay around, maybe it's best if he does nothing?
After a family tragedy, Gaby is running and determined to live life to the full. The Isles of Scilly are remote enough for her to heal but she never thought she would meet someone who would make her want to stay, maybe it's best he doesn't feel the same way?
Romance, humour and sadness all vie for attention in this lovely story, the setting is beautiful with plenty of intrinsic characters to make it come alive. The story's main protagonists are complex and likeable, and the plot has more than a few surprises. Living life in the moment is the message of this feel-good read and its the perfect sentiment for Spring, enjoy, I did.
I received a copy of this book from Avon UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

When things seem to be running smoothly for Jess, a twin in her thirties who along with her brother, Will run a flower farm on one of the beautiful Scily Islands then suddenly her boyfriend Adam leaves without reason and no explanation. Add to the mix Gaby who has gone through a tragedy and wants to escape with her doctorate in Poetry to working with daffodils. Will who has never felt love doesn't believe how he is falling for someone his mother dismisses. In this novel you are definitely guaranteed a great read, especially when you add in life on an island, a handsome Italian business man and at the centre those magnificent daffodils and a traditionally rowing boat competition. Beautifully crafted so that one feels that you are actually on the Sicily Islands.

Really enjoyed this book. Wonderful to get back to the land of scilly and the inhabitants. Really enjoyed this and finished in the one sitting

This was a perfect spring read... there are some fantastic characters and some fantastic descriptions of the area. Who doesn't want to imagine their time of the coast of Cornwall.. . Set on the isles of scilly. It's a flower farm and Jess is living there but finds herself lonely when her partner just ups and leaves without any explanation at all. All she can think about is Adam.
Then we have Will who owns the flower farm but he has a new love interest but cannot ever work out because it's to someone who works for him.
There's fun romance but will it all be happy ending for those on the island off cornwall. A perfect spring read to boost our days on a winter weekend.
Thank you to net galley

Lovely feel good book. Just wanted to take myself off and set up in the book myself. Its just perfect when the weather is miserable here and you want to curl up and get lost in a novel. Loved all the characters they were warm and and very likeable characters.All the twists and turns that make a good book. Perfect storyline.

Jess and her brother Will live on one of the Scilly islands and run a flower farm with their mother Anna. At the beginning of the story, Gaby has just arrived on the island to begin work at the flower farm, Jess is in love with the local postman Adam and Will is a tad grumpy!!!

I can’t get excited about this book. I felt it was rather slow and there wasn’t really a story until the last quarter of the book. Also, I couldn’t understand why we seemed to skip several months and why it touched on issues Jess’ best friend Maisie and her boyfriend had - it wasn’t until I had finished the book and read other reviews that I realised there had been an earlier book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I first went to those little Cornish Isle and met Maisie and all at The Driftwood Inn in the first in this series of books. Maisie's friend Jess worked on the flower farm with her brother Will and this book is all about them. You do get to catch up with Maisie, so it was good to know she was doing okay, but this is the story of Jess and Will.

Jess and Will wanted to escape the islands, they had plans but when their father left and left their mother with them, twins and a flower farm, a busy flower farm they had to put all their dreams on hold.

But it looks like some dreams are coming true, especially for Jess. Things are going well with her boyfriend Adam and it is reassuring to know that love can be found on these small islands.

However Adam receives some news. News that he does not tell anyone about and soon Jess is wondering if she knew the man she had started to fall in love with.

Will on the other hand, doesn't believe in such love nonsense, that is until he meets his match when Gaby a temporary worker comes to the flower farm.

Gaby is fulfilling a dream and hiding all at the same time and whilst to some she seems stuck, being at the flower farm is just the stepping stone to bigger things - trouble is a relationship with Will might not be big enough.

This book allowed me to escape to another place and the idea of a flower farm, was created as an idyll, an idyll that was a lot of hard work and long days to enable flowers to reach the mainland. Somehow it was this which kept Jess and Will strong and only allowed in those who could cope with it all.

I enjoy Phillipa Ashley's novels, she writes with such warmth, that it feels that I am transported to wherever she wants to take me and I become part of the story which is why I can read her books so quickly,. The only downside being I then have to wait ages for the next one! I either need to read slower or Phillipa needs to write quicker!

For anyone that enjoys Holly Hepburn or Cathy Bramley then you will enjoy this series of books as well as The Cornish Cafe Trilogy.

A lovely book that makes you feel good and entertain at the same time. Lovely setting and characters.
Really enjoyable.
Many thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley

First meeting Jess and Will in Masie’s story when she came back to Scilly, the twins have managed the farm since their father’s departure with another woman years ago. Neither had really planned to HAVE to stay on the island and make the business their life, but their loyalty to their mother and the need to have something to support the family is at the forefront.

With Jess confused and heartbroken with Adam’s departure without a word, a new seasonal employee named Gabriella with her own challenges to meet and the undeniable connection she and Will seem to have, Will’s anger with Adam for leaving without a clue and his frustration in being tied to the farm, that often results in his mercurial moods, and his struggles to finish the old rowing boat in time for the race.

Every moment on Scilly is s a joy: even with the isolation and struggles Jess is so desperate to move forward from Adam and her hurt, and Luca seems to provide the perfect option , and he’s pursuing her. Gaby arrived and both she and Will were shocked at her willingness and ability to jump into the work: her PhD in poetry and tiny stature, as well as an obvious fear of being on the water didn’t seem to fit_ but her rapid-fire responses to Will’s teasing (yes – he is like a 12 year old boy when it comes to her) gives Jess reason to think there may be a connection. But, as she is here to work and fulfill one of the many dreams she promised to chase, she’s intrigued by although confused by the on again off again behavior of Will.

And then, the rowing practice starts and Gaby, against her better judgment (she was cox on a boat at school and ran them into trouble) is roped into the crew – a crew that now needs to (according to Will) beat Hugo’s team with it’s obvious ‘ringer” Luca. A suave, handsome and actually a bit too smooth man who has set his eyes on Jess. Until Adam returns with a woman and child in tow – and no explanations, sending Jess into a spiral of confusion and hurt as she tries to move on with the next best thing: someone who wants her.

Philippa Ashley has captured the hearts of readers with this series: giving us insight into Jess and Will’s lives at home: the struggles of managing the business and having to rely on the vagaries of wind and weather for shipments, the dearth of ‘dating’ options, and the wonder about what life could be like elsewhere With Adam’s story, we have proof of Jess’s undying loyalty and commitment to the man, even when she believes that love and togetherness is not possible. For Will, his head is actually spinning about with new (to him) feelings for Gaby, and his selflessness in not asking her to stay as he’s sure she wants to travel about. Gaby, coming to Scilly to get away from the sorrow and guilt after her brother’s death, and trying to shore up her confidence by envisioning his approach to the world….. Oh love and angst and plenty of change are on the breeze in this one. A perfect getaway read, with visits with familiar characters, moments of heart, struggle and pure love: the story just keeps you turning pages and hoping for more time on the isles.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9FF/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Oh how I love Phillipa's books and this series is the best so far! I thought several times that she would make a great travel writer, so lovely are the descriptions of the Scilly Isles. The characters are strong and I learned so much about flower production. I'm deeply appreciative of all the flower growers do - I rush out to buy daffs in January!

I love series because we can catch up with characters and places in previous books. And this was no exception.

Absolutely gorgeous book and can't wait for Summer!!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect cosy read Phillipa Ashley never disappoints with her stories. So good to be back in Scully meeting new characters!

I loved returning to the Isles of Scilly and catching up with everyone, meeting old and new characters.
Phillipa brings the area and characters to life, I felt I was there, it was great to sit and absorb the book for several hours at a time.
This is the second book in the series and can’t wait for the third as I know I’ll love it just as much as I’ve loved the first two.

A fun escape from reality read. The perfect weekend curl up and read book. Warm and likable characters. Gaby has some painful memories she is running away from and what could be a more perfect escape than a remote island off the Cornish coast? Now picture this,a beautiful idyllic flower farm on the Isles of Scilly . Jess has lived there her whole life but is lonely now that her boyfriend Adam has left without explanation . Will she hear from him as to why he has left ? Will they each be able to get on with their lives when Jess can't stop thinking of him? Will owns the flower farm and can't stop thinking about his new love interest but will it really work out for him when the love of this life woks for him? Should work and romance really be mixed and will it last? Fun Spring time book to read!
Pub Date 19 Feb 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review.

What an absolutely fabulous continuation in the Little Cornish Isles series this book turned out to be. All the charm and warmth and of course the glorious setting that had been evident in The Driftwood Inn was once again here in abundance. Phillipa Ashley has done it again and in The Flower Farm has written a story where you instantly feel at ease and at home. The characters come to life on the pages and in no time at all they feel like firm friends. You are constantly rooting for a positive outcome for everyone you are reading about and of course there has to an element of romance and here it was once again conveyed to perfection. I loved everything about this book and had been dying to get my hands on it as soon as I had finished The Driftwood Inn in the latter months of last year, fortunately the wait wasn't overly long and I was able to sit down and read to my hearts content following the story of Jess and Gaby.

Phillipa clearly loves the Scilly Isles on which she has chosen to base this series and that devotion is apparent with every turn of the page. I had mentioned previously how it felt like I had visited the islands even though I had never been there before and that was thanks to such vivid, beautiful descriptions of the setting that has such stunning landscapes that helped bring the story to life. Again I felt the same here. I know we were on St. Saviour's Island this time and focusing on different characters but it didn't feel like it was an entirely new setting rather it was just a continuation/a catching up with island life. At the same time we were given snippets as to the contents of the previous story regarding Maisie Samson whilst never giving away too much as it would ruin the first book for those who may have not had the opportunity to read it yet. If you haven't you really should rectify that immediately.

In book two our attention turns to St. Saviour's Island where Jess and her twin brother Will run the flower farm with their mother Anna taking more of a back seat and tending to a small herd of goats and cattle. Will and Jess had to grow up quickly and take over the business or face financial ruin over 15 years ago when an incident with their father left them no other choice. Years of hard work, resilience and dedication have now led to the flower farm being a success story but that's not to say they ever rest on their laurels. They love their jobs with Jess tending to focus more on the administrative side although she is not adverse to getting stuck in in the fields when needed. Will loves being outdoors at the forefront of everything, seeing the daffodils begin as bulbs and ending up ready for transportation to the mainland or wherever their final destination might be.

To some reading of a flower farm might not seem like the most exciting of topics to feature in a book and admittedly I did have very minor reservations what exactly could the author write about regarding the flower farm that would keep me hooked? But the author certainly did keep me interested and eager to read on. It was fascinating to read that given the climate and location of the Isles of Scilly that some varieties of daffodils starting making an appearance in September and the season goes right through until Easter. To be honest I'd say how many of us have given scant thought as to how the flowers end up in the shops to buy? But here I found the whole process fascinating to read about and Phillipa conveyed just how much Will and Jess valued the flower farm and the various opportunities it afforded them.

A new arrival in the form of seasonal worker Gaby Carter sets in motion the chain of events that unfold throughout the story. Gaby has a PHD in poetry and has worked in garden centres so what brings here to a windswept rugged isle that has such magic? Clearly she was hiding something and attempting to run away when really she was just best to confront her issues instead of bottling everything up. At first she didn't seem like she was cut out for the job, the work in the fields entails long hours and backbreaking work. I think Will felt the same when he first laid eyes on here but over the course of the book, Gaby proved her metal, time and time again she always did as she was asked and even went that extra mile.

Gaby wasn't my favourite character featured but I loved how she was always able to stand up to Will. They sparked off each other and were able to toss back and forth comments and retorts. Their banter was enjoyable to read about and one wondered was it just friendly talk or was there something else behind it all? She really did give as good as she got. At times I felt Gaby got involved in things as in the gig racing without really knowing what was ahead of her and it really wasn't something she wanted to do and in partaking she allowed a different side of her character to emerge. One who when given a challenge takes it on and runs with it full throttle determined for success. I wondered throughout the book would Gaby be the one to crack the tough exterior Will liked to portray? I felt she had to deal with her own personal problems before she would be open enough to maybe venture down the road of exploration pertaining to the feelings that were niggling away at her with regards to Will. As the book progressed I did think they would make a good couple but the questioned remained - were there too many obstacles in their way and was Will willing to soften a little bit and admit whether he had feelings or not?

I can't say I warmed to Will when we first met him as Jess brings Gaby to the farm for the first time. I felt a lot of the characters we encounter and other workers at the farm seemed to be walking on eggshells when they were around him. People seemed to be in awe of him and I wouldn't say in the sense that they feel at his face in reverence. They appeared tentative and never wanted to confront him for fear of upsetting him. They tiptoed around him never wanting to upset him and I got the sense that if he was riled up he could explode. I wanted to know what made him this way as this genuinely was the initial impression I perceived of him. I felt Jess knew the real Will who although dedicated to his work and always wanting the best in the long term for the flower farm did put up a stubborn front. He needed someone else to come along to understand him, who could read his body language and see beneath the quirks that may have put others off for good. I did love the passion and excitement Will showed when it came to the island sport of gig racing. He seemed to come alive and shine, his eyes lit up and he wanted desperately to win. It was really enjoyable to read about this and I am glad the author wrote about this unique aspect of island life.

Undoubtedly my favourite character was Jess. She goes through so much in this book and I felt for her every bit of the way. To all intents and purposes when we first meet her, she really does have it all. The flower farm has come back from the brink of financial run and is now successful and a labour of love. She has found love with her boyfriend Adam, the local postman and really life couldn't look any sweeter. So you would think and then everything is turned on its head. The author through a few chapters built up such a lovely picture of the love Jess and Adam shared and then suddenly this was all gone. Jess' future and the certainty she felt regarding her love for Adam was gone in an instant. Adam leaves the island with scant thought to how Jess will feel. Their relationship is over and Jess really is left floundering and heartbroken. My god I wanted to throttle Adam, he never gave any specific reason for his departure and I felt Jess was left in limbo. How devastating to be caught up in a romance, to feel so secure and looking forward to the future and then to have it so abruptly taken away from you.

It's the way that Jess deals with everything that is so admirable and the reader hopes that faced with the same situation they would do the same. Internally she finds it difficult to get through the days and find light at the end of the tunnel. It's an uphill struggle, a battle but one she must overcome. Where on the outside a positive front is always presented and she would hate to let her true feelings be known. Friend Maisie can see she is hurting but I think the only way for Jess to emerge stronger was to attempt to put Adam to one side and see who else could be out there that would make that sparkle reappear in her eyes once again? As one character said 'Sadly the world doesn't owe us happiness. We have to go out and find it'.

If it was me I would have first gone and found Adam and confronted him and gotten answers. He seemed to have rather easily given up a good thing but Jess wasn't that confrontational kind of person. It really was a mystery as to why a seemingly sound and loved up couple split up so suddenly. I enjoyed following Jess' storyline and I felt it developed perfectly. A new arrival to the islands may just be what she needed or did fate have further plans in store for her? Well you'll have to pick up this beyond delightful book to find out.

More often than not the follow on books from the début of a series tend to be weaker or go off track but not so in the case of The Flower Farm it was equally as good as book number one. Was it my favourite? Well, I am reserving judgement until I have read all the books in the series but one thing for sure this was an excellent read which has left me wanting more. If only July would hurry up and arrive so I can delve into Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio, I can't wait to see who we meet next.

I really liked the first book and couldn't wait to read this one. It certainly didn't disappoint. Lovely setting, relaxing read, maybe a bit predictable, but enjoyable.

Sunshine in a book. You can 8mag8ne the Scilly Isles, the Cornish coast, the scent of the flowers, the tang of sea salt, the warmth of the sun. It’s jam packed with warm likeable characters and feels like a really friendly summery book.

I love how Phillipa Ashley always brings both her characters and the setting of her stories to life. I couldn't help but fall in love with both the flower farm and the characters. The way the story is written I would probably class it as a standalone so don't worry if you haven't read book one in the series. However it was lovely to catch up with characters from the first book and she how they were doing.

This book follows a couple of characters but I thought this helped keep the story fresh and interesting. Gaby is trying to come to terms with a tragic event and you can feel her loss and pain as she tries to look to the future. Then you have Jess who is trying to pick up the pieces after her relationship with Adam ends. This part of the story definitely had me intrigued I just had to know why it went wrong for them.

There are themes of family, friendship, loss and love that just made this story so enjoyable. I found myself a cosy spot on the sofa with a hot chocolate and in no time at all I was caught up in the story hoping for a happy ending.

Charming and completely heartwarming!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Sabah at Avon Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

The Blurb :
Jess has lived at the idyllic flower farm on the Isles of Scilly her whole life, but when her boyfriend Adam leaves without explanation, Jess discovers that even her little slice of Cornish heaven can be lonely.
For the first time in Will’s life, he’s met someone he can’t stop thinking about. But nothing is simple when the woman of your dreams is working for you.
Gaby is running away from painful memories, and where could be more perfect than a remote island off the Cornish coast? But to put the past behind her, she must keep moving … however much she might want to stay.
Nothing is simple, even on paradise. Will love bloom for the residents of the little Cornish Isles?

My Thoughts :
I absolutely loved book 1 in this series of The Little Cornish Isles that I couldnt wait to get stuck into book 2 and let me tell you it didnt disappoint.
We focus on Twins, Jess and Will Godrevy who run the flower farm on the Isles, after their father left they feel it is their right to make it a success. Enter Gaby Carter, who is a new addition in the series, working as a seasonal flower picker and packer. She is running from painful times and can the Cornish Isles make her forget everything!?.
As we once again follow the trials and tribulations of the Isles and its residents, we can get lost in the book with a mug of hot chocolate on a cosy cold night.
It was also a bonus to revist charactors from Book 1 including, Maisie and Patrick from the Driftwood Inn, Adam, Jess’s boyfriend and Hugo, who runs a resort on the neighbouring island of Petroc.
Phillipa Ashley, once again writes in that captivating way that draws you into the story and lives of the residents on The Cornish Isles. Looking forward to book 3 for more delights of this beautiful series.

This is Book 2 in the Little Cornish Isles series from Phillips Ashley. The first book in the series introduced us to the Little Cornish Isles at Christmas time, and to the Driftwood Inn, a hotel on one of the islands in particular. I very much enjoyed that story and was looking forward to this one as well. The islands, people and businesses mentioned in these stories are in the main fictional, but very much based on the real Isles of Scilly, a place obviously dear to Phillipa's heart.

As the title of this book suggests, the story centres on a flower farm on one of the neighbouring islands (St Saviour's) to the setting for the Driftwood Inn. The flower farm is run by twins Jess and Will Godrevy, who were forced to take over when their father left their mother to live with another woman. They have built up a successful business, but have had to give up other dreams to do so. At the beginning of the story, we meet Gaby Carter, who is the newest addition to the group of seasonal workers harvesting and packing flowers for shipment to the mainland and onward to wherever required. As well as these more central characters, many of the people who were included in Book 1 of the series crop up again, including Maisie and Patrick from the Driftwood Inn, Jess's postman boyfriend, Adam, and Hugo, who runs a high-class resort on the neighbouring island of Petroc. Another new character is suave Italian businessman, Luca, who has come to advise Hugo on operations at the Petroc resort.

This is a wonderful tale describing the hard work required to produce the beautiful blooms we all love to see in the spring and the dedication of the people involved in this industry. The author must have put in such a lot of research to enable the detailed descriptions of the processes involved. Through her skilful writing you can really feel the struggle that the Godrevy twins experience choosing between duty to their farm and the direction their heart would like to lead them. In addition to this, through her wonderful descriptions, Phillips Ashley has once again made me eager to visit this area of the country where everything revolves around the state of the tide and ferry timetables.

I think that this story would make good holiday reading, but is equally suitable for lending a bit of escapism at any other time. It was one of those books that grabbed me right from the start and wouldn't let go, so eager was I to learn what was going to happen to the characters and relationships building within its pages.