Member Reviews

Narrator: The narrator chosen for this story did a wonderful job bringing the story and characters to life.

Story: This story is perfect for anyone with a passion for flowers. The story goes into the meaning of flowers, how scents can bring us back to a memory, and how they are part of numerous moments in our lives You can feel the connection the main character has with flowers throughout the story.

I thought the Titanic storyline was a unique historical moment to tie into the story, but I enjoyed it. It does tie in with the overall story.

If I missed part of a story then I was lost as to what was happening in the story. It also switches between timelines and for the most part transitions smoothly.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

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A beautiful and heartfelt look into grief and self discovery with some mystery thrown in. Emma is still reeling from the loss of her husband of almost 10 years and she finds herself surrounded by flowers, something that she has always enjoyed. She leaves her research job to try something new, to work in a flower shop where she gets pulled into the mystery of who arranged the flowers on the Titanic. Her researcher mind can't stay still and she slowly opens herself up to those around all the while searching for answers about the flowers.
The story is told in dual timelines, one of which is based on a real person who was on the Titanic at the time.
The story was informative and interesting and I really enjoyed the listen. The narration was well done.

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The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is a beautifully crafted novel that intertwines themes of grief, healing, and rediscovery. The story follows Emma, a young widow who, a year after her husband's death, seeks solace by working at a local garden center. Here, she becomes intrigued by the history of flowers and embarks on a journey to uncover the story of a Titanic stewardess, Violet Jessop, who survived multiple shipwrecks.
The narrative is split between Emma's present-day experiences and the historical mystery she unravels. Sally Page's writing is evocative, blending vivid descriptions of flowers and landscapes with poignant explorations of loss and resilience. The novel also emphasizes the importance of community and friendship in overcoming life's challenges.
If you enjoy stories that combine personal growth with historical intrigue, this book might be a wonderful choice for you! Have you read any other novels by Sally Page?

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What a beautiful story. I loved getting to know Emma and go along with her journey of discovery, new connections and ultimately of hope. After the death of her husband her world became smaller and smaller every day. She needs a reset so she quits her job and starts anew at the local garden center to bring some new life and color into her world. When she attends a lecture by her boss, her whole world changes in the best of ways. She needs to unravel the story of the woman who was responsible for the flowers on the Titanic. She goes down the rabbit hole to discover the story. It’s beautifully written and this book is representative of why I have come to adore historical fiction. The narration added to the experience.

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This is a heartwarming and uplifting story centering around the transformative power of flowers and personal connections. Woven together are together themes of healing, self-discovery, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Emma, our main character has lost her young husband and is adrift with not really a clue what to do with her life. So she quits her job as a scientist and takes on something she has never done before: working at a garden center with flowers. As she eases into the new job she meets and works with new people who love her for just who she is, which is a new experience for Emma. There is some historical fiction woven in a swell, with a second timeline concerning a young woman who was a stewardess on the Titanic. The twist at the end of the story made me smile -- that's all I way now!

The audiobook’s narrator brings the story to life with warmth and depth. It’s a perfect choice for listeners who enjoy feel-good, character-driven stories with emotional depth.

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A lovely heartwarming story of the power and healing nature of flowers and how they can connect people, especially those who are hurting. I loved the gentle and loving writing style of Ms. Page, it is so descriptive that I could almost smell the flowers she was describing. Emma, our main character has lost her young husband and is adrift with not really a clue what to do with her life. She quits her job as a scientist and takes on something she has never done before, working at a garden center with flowers. As she eases into the new job she meets and works with new people who love her for just who she is, which is a new experience for Emma. And Emma begins to heal her heart. This is a lovely, lovely book that I can fully recommend. I just loved it. The audio version I listened to was delightful, great narration.
Many Thanks to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for a chance to listen/read and ARC version of this book. 4.5 stars.

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The Secrets of Flowers (audiobook) by Sally Page is a heartwarming and uplifting story that centers around the transformative power of flowers and personal connections. The narrative weaves together themes of healing, self-discovery, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Page’s writing is tender and full of charm, and the audiobook’s narration brings the story to life with warmth and depth. It’s a perfect choice for listeners who enjoy feel-good, character-driven stories with emotional depth.

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The Secrets of Flowers, written by Sally Page and narrated by Karen Cass, is an interesting read/listen. At its heart is dual timelines, with carefully woven narratives featuring a contemporary widow and a stewardess on the Titanic. The two women are linked by their interest in floristry, and readers who share a love of flowers, or any interest in the tragedy of the Titanic, will find a lot here to love. The prose is lovely, as we've come to expect from Sally Page, and the narration is strong.

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I was given the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of The Secrets of Flowers through NetGalley, and I truly appreciate the chance to discover new authors and share my thoughts.

As someone who loves learning about the Titanic, I was immediately drawn to this historical fiction novel. The unique storyline presented an intriguing question—one that I honestly would have never considered before. It added a fresh perspective to a well-known historical event, making the listening experience all the more compelling.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and found myself learning several new facts about the Titanic along the way. The blend of historical detail and engaging storytelling made for an interesting and informative read.

Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook and explore the work of a new-to-me author. I look forward to discovering more!

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Thank you NetGalley for the audio version of this book!

If you love a historical fiction, obsessed with the Titantic, and a love of flower gardening… this book is for you!

This was a feel good read with some grief undertones. It has a touch of mystery as the FMC is researching to write a book. The FMC goes on a change of life adventure when she loses the two men she loves most: her father and husband. Her journey of working through her grief leads her to another adventure where she eventually makes peace with the pieces of her past.

The dual perspective between the past and present can be a bit to sort through…I think a kindle or physical copy may have helped keep the stories straighter, but I loved the book regardless.

The end. Oh the end. It was so good!

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3.5 stars

This was my first novel by Sally Page and I very much enjoyed her writing! She has a lovely way with words and creates detailed, engaging characters.

I learned much about the Titanic, gardening, and flowers. Though, honestly, by the end I was over hearing about flowers. The story was moving and emotional, but did seem a a bit longwinded. It took some time to get to the point, and I felt like the story could have been shorter.

The narration was very good and added to the novel.

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Following the death of her husband Emma is at a loss. She’s quit her job and wants to find something new. That’s when she finds her way to a local garden center where she starts working, flowers seem to be the answer for everything. When her boss, Les, gives a talk on the Titanic sinking it gets Emma wondering about the flowers on the massive ship. Who arranged them? Was there a florist or was it another crew member? She had these questions and more and was determined to come up with an answer through research. Along the way she might find the answers, but she also might find her way forward in this new life she was living.

I am very interested in anything Titanic so when I saw this book I was intrigued. This book does a good job of weaving a tale, both present and past, with flowers as the centerpiece, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I was hoping for more Titanic and less flowers, but that’s just my personal preference. Flowers have never really been of an interest to me so I didn’t connect with this book. I did think Emma’s story was very well laid out and the journey of self discovery she goes on was intriguing. If there was a subplot romance or something I would have been more hooked on this book, but the flower angle wasn’t for me. If you are interested in flowers and think it would be interesting to read about them in connection to the Titanic this book would be for you.

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In this heartwarming tale, Emma is seeking solace after a period of overwhelming grief. In an effort to escape her pain, she leaves her research job at the university and takes up a position as a florist at a local garden center, a stark contrast to her scientific background. The narrative follows Emma's journey of personal growth as she slowly opens up to those around her, aided by her new environment and a surprising connection to Violet, a stewardess aboard the Titanic.

The writing is truly beautiful, with Sally Page weaving a story that is both poignant and uplifting. The characters are wonderfully developed, especially Emma, whose transformation throughout the book feels authentic and inspiring. The interactions with Les and Betty, the garden center owners, are particularly heartwarming. These two characters are a delight, offering Emma the support and warmth she so desperately needs. And then, of course, there’s Emma’s mother – who brings a distinct, albeit frustrating, layer to the story that makes for a few eye-rolling moments.

All in all, this is a charming, uplifting book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s moving, evocative, and perfect for anyone looking for a gentle yet impactful story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to this advanced listener's copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

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Emma needs a change to her life after her husband Will died suddenly. She finds an advert for a floral shop and gets a job there where she becomes friends with the owners. She becomes fascinated with the flowers on the Titanic and who was in charge of the flowers. It does go back and forth in time with Emma & Violet.
This is well written and thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the read.

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Wholesome, easy to read. A proper ‘finding yourself after tragedy’ sort of story. I really enjoyed this book, especially the connections between people stretching back generations. I loved Emma”s character and how she navigated loss and betrayal at the same time and managed to push through by making connections with others and starting a new life. A really wholesome read and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes women fiction!

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I've been an avid fan of the Titanic and everything surrounding it since the movie. I was 8 and I saw it 11 times in theater. And I've seen it again on anniversaries. I've also read accounts from survivors and watched several documentaries. I also love flowers so this book was made for me!

This is my first book by Sally Page and I think I'll check out more! I really enjoyed her writing and the characters. Emma was sweet but also felt real because she had gone through hard things in her life. The narrator, Karen Cass, has a beautiful, soft voice that I enjoyed listening to for hours.

The book poses an interesting question and is very thought provoking when it comes to other aspects of the the Titanic. I would've never thought about the flowers on the ship and how they got there. The cover is very appealing as well for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Page, Karen Cass, and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read The Secrets of Flowers. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

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I wanted to like this book so much! I made 2 attempts at it. The second attempt, I did listen all the way through. But, because it didn't hold my attention I became lost and kept having to search for clarification. I really wanted to like it!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I listened to the audiobook version of The Secrets of Flowers written by Sally Page and narrated by Karen Cass. I enjoyed this unique story immensely! It is a dual narrative story that features a modern day woman who is grieving the unexpected loss of her husband and that of a young woman who lived 100 years ago and eventually served as a stewardess on the Titanic, The story begins when modern Emma quits her research job at a university and accepts a job as a florist assistant. It is there that she is sparked back to the land of the living while researching who might have been the florist on the Titanic. Emma feels a connection to the stewardess from the Titanic and it’s interesting how the author weaves the two stories together. In short, the Secrets of Flowers is a book about healing and finding oneself through friendships after suffering a great loss. It is beautifully written and narrated. Highly recommend!

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Life is about living through growth & loss.

Our main character suffers one of life’s toughest loses and through her journey to heal she discovers a curiosity for the past.

The discussion of the flowers makes the reader feel like you are surrounded by them. Beautiful!

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This story is a beautifully woven exploration of grief, resilience, and the quiet strength found in uncovering the past. The blend of historical intrigue and personal healing makes for an emotional and immersive experience. The journey of self-discovery unfolds with a delicate balance of sorrow and hope, drawing unexpected connections between past and present. Vivid descriptions bring both the floral world and historical elements to life, creating a sensory-rich narrative that lingers long after the final chapter.
The narration enhances the depth of the story, delivering an expressive and heartfelt performance that captures the emotions of each moment. The warmth and nuance in the delivery make the journey feel even more personal, allowing for a deeper connection to the unfolding mystery and its impact. The audiobook format adds a quiet intimacy, making it a truly moving listen filled with history, beauty, and the power of remembrance.

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