When Elenora Grey inherits her late aunt’s flower shop in the sleepy Devon town of Totnes, she hopes for nothing more than a quiet fresh start. But Time & Thyme is no ordinary florist. Beneath the ticking clock of East Gate Arch, strange things begin to stir — flowers bloom out of season, a cash register writes its own orders, and upstairs, behind a locked door, is a man who shouldn’t exist.
He calls himself the clockmaker. Calm, unreadable, and impossibly out of time, he knows more about the shop — and Elenora’s past — than he ever admits. As Elenora rebuilds her life from the ashes of fear and regret, she’s drawn into a world where grief takes root and time itself can heal… or haunt.
Tender, atmospheric, and quietly magical, The Clockmaker is a story about second chances, the ghosts we carry, and the courage it takes to let time move forward again.
Roxan Burley is an author who delves into the intense world of dystopian fantasy, one where the segregation of magic has a powerful resonance on her characters abilities to change society. She also runs her own business as an interior designer. She lives in rural Devon where she is converting a barn with her husband, two children and their many pets. She spent her childhood lost in the world of magic and the possibilities it could create. She finally put pen to paper, despite the challenge of being dyslexic, with her debut adult novel Bloodstream of Moonlight in her Equal Rise series.
Elenora views her inheritance of her late aunt’s flower shop ‘Time & Thyme’ as the perfect opportunity to escape and disappear from the prying eyes of the outside world. As she absorbs herself in cleaning up the space that’s been left to her, she creates her own sense of routine.
With the surprising arrival of a mysterious man, who refers to himself simply as ‘The Clockmaker’, Elenora finds that rather than being angry and annoyed at his presence (although, initially she is certainly unsettled by his unexpected, regular appearance), she starts to relax and feel a sense of calm and healing as he adds comfort to the regular pattern of her day.
The strength of this novella definitely lies in its atmosphere, and in how the author so perfectly describes the minutiae of small-town life. The fact that it’s a short story and cannot rely on long, plot-driven narratives means that descriptions need to be concise and specific, and Burley gets this right throughout. But she does so artfully, not always stating the obvious, so never leaving the reader with the feeling that anything is being “dumbed down” for them. (I hate when authors do this … spelling things out for readers, as if we can’t figure things out for ourselves!)
This was a thoroughly enjoyable, light read even though it had themes of grief and loss woven into it. Ultimately though, it was hopeful and full of warmth, and it left me with a smile on my face. Magical realism is just that … magical! It adds an element of otherworldliness to our lives: the hint that there’s ‘something’ out there that can reach out at any moment and sprinkle some pixie dust over us and make things wonderful! It’s also a little nudge to remind us that we have the power within us all along really, don’t we?
I really enjoyed this. It was such a touching and heartfelt novella. It was a joy to read. The cover is lovely. I liked that it was a simple cover. It was intriguing and left me wondering about what I was going to experience. The novella is very well written and flows nicely. Roxan has a beautiful way of writing such touching stories. She doesn't disappoint. The setting was inside and in the grounds of a florist's. It was such a fun shop. I loved the magic in the book. Roxan made it so special. The characters were good. I loved Elenora and the Clockmaker. Both characters were so rich and truly wonderful. I 100 percent recommend this. Roxan is a truly wonderful author.
A delightful short story. Full of intrigue about who is the mysterious clockmaker and why does he leave? A well written story that deals with the themes of grief, loss, regret and new beginnings. Highly recommended
This is such a beautifully wistful short story. The imagery the author creates is so enchanting, making every scene so vivid in my mind, from the dancing dust motes to the dried bouquets. When Elenora inherits her late aunts flower shop, Time & Thyme in the village of Totnes, she’s hoping for a fresh start. Crossing paths with a mysterious man who only introduces himself as ‘The Clockmaker’ she becomes intrigued by him and his quiet presence in the workshop above, especially when magical things start to happen. As Elenora starts to unravel truths about the clockmaker she also begins a journey of healing herself.
I loved everything about this story, the mystery, it felt gentle with its sense of calm and quiet and the mix of past and present. Beautifully delicate.
This was a super quick read novella that I flew through in just one sitting.
Having read books by this author before, I already knew that their writing was beautifully descriptive and this was the case here too, setting this wonderful and magical atmosphere right from the start.
I like that we really get to know our main characters, despite this only being a short read and this allows us to really immerse ourselves into their story of healing...yet still keeps us wondering.
When Elenora inherits her late aunt's flower shop in the wonderful Totnes, she escapes an abusive relationship and hopes that this can mark a new beginning. But this story shows that our past experiences can haunt us unless we allow ourselves that time to heal and not dwell.
For Elenora, that lesson comes in the form of a mysterious and other worldly lodger, the clockmaker. I loved that he just appeared when needed and was such a calming figure rather than something to fear.
The flower shop setting sounded beautiful and I loved the idea that the till produced the blooms that were needed for the customers. I've always been intrigued by the fact that the different flowers hold different meanings, so, as well as looking beautiful, they can convey a much more personal message too.
This was a joy and something super quick to pop in-between my lighter festive reads and my more chunky current reads. A perfect little palate cleanser. I can't wait to read more from this author soon.
Thank you to the author and Love Book Tours for my copy, here is my honest review.
This was a short read but it packed a punch. I fell instantly into the storyline and didn't stop reading until I was done. It was charming and full of emotions and depth. The resolute nature of Eleanora has you rooting for her to succeed as she sometimes stumbles her way forward and the ending is poignant but satisfying. It left me feeling hopeful for Eleanora and her future happiness. I definitely recommend this book.
Eleanora inherits a florist shop from her late aunt. It comes at the perfect time as she needs a new start after leaving an unhappy relationship. The shop has a clever way of providing for her, aiding her journey as she slowly rebuilds her life and confidence. The shop also comes with a sitting tenant upstairs. Enigmatic and sweet she finds his presence initially disturbing but soon comes to relish his steadfast demeanour and old world charm. Gradually she begins to recover from past hurts and move on with her life as the shop and clockmaker help her on the journey to heal.
What a brilliant short story this was! I was amazed at how much was fitted in those pages. The book draws you in and builds the mystery throughout.
This is magical and mystical and has just a wonderful atmosphere throughout. Elenora inherits a flower shop in Devon and in an attempt to get away from things in her life, she moves there and starts to freshen it up. But then a mysterious man enters the shop and heads to a workspace upstairs, no explanation or anything. Then mysterious orders just appear in her till. These are just the start of what is to come.
It surprised me how such a short story could be so powerful, be as in depth as some much longer books. There’s deep emotion wrapped throughout, but also hope and reflection, the ability to move on and how difficult that can sometimes be. There’s also lots of knowledge of the different plants mentioned throughout.
I really liked the magical element to this, it was just so natural, no need to question it, you just accept it is what it is. Maybe we all need a little more magic in our lives?
Thank you @RoxanBurleyAuthor @AcornAndInk @LoveBooksTours For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Clockmaker is a fantasy genre, and it’s 55 pages long. This is an absolutely gorgeous story, which I was drawn to from the second I picked up the book. I really wished that the book was longer because it was so good. The story is about Eleanor, who takes over her aunt's flower shop, and it’s set in Devon in a place called Totnes. Which is one of my favorite places. Strange things start to happen in her shop, and when she goes upstairs behind a locked door, there is a clockmaker who shouldn’t be there. The story is written exceedingly well, and there’s so much in it for a short story. I love the magical element in the story. I really liked Eleanor. I thought she was lovely, and I also liked the clockmaker. He fascinated me immensely. The story is easy to get into and is at a superb pace that you can keep up with. Beautiful read. I would definitely read more from Roxan Burley in the future. This is absolutely a must-read, five stars
The Clockmaker by Roxan Burley is a charming novella, and it was lovely to read something short and different in between my longer books. Sometimes, a quick story can be just as powerful, and this one certainly was. Right from the very first page, Burley’s writing is beautifully descriptive, painting such vivid images that I could see, hear, and feel every detail. It made the story truly come alive. This gentle tale gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling, full of hope, renewal, and quiet magic. It’s the kind of story that leaves you smiling and reflective at the same time. Calm, uplifting, and beautifully written, The Clockmaker is a wonderful reminder that even short reads can carry great emotional depth. If you’re after a quick read that feels both hopeful and magical, this one is well worth picking up.
This is a supernatural, magical, fantasy read that follows Eleanora Gray who finds herself the new owner of a flower shop following the passing of her aunt, giving her the opportunity to leave an abusive relationship and rebuild her life.
We have magic, mystery, courage, second chances, healing, and the odd haunting. Now I have read Roxanne‘s equal rise series so I had high hopes for this story. And I was not disappointed. Roxanne has an amazing talent for bringing the magical and the normal together seamlessly and creating a world that is totally believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it one sitting, it left me wanting more. I would love to learn more about Elenora’s aunt and her clock maker. This was a fabulous 4.5 star read for me and I would absolutely recommend, along with Roxan’s other books.
I received a copy of"The Clockmaker" a novella of just 55 pages which I read in a day. With its wonderfully descriptive language it conjures up the Clockmaker's Room, The Florists shop and particularly The Garden that I found myself walking through in my mind. The well written likeable characters jump from the page and come alive as you get to know them. I loved the relationship between the mysterious Clockmaker who just appears one day and Elenora and how initially it is cold and hostile thawing out and becoming companiable with the Clockmaker helping and supporting Elenora who comes to be reliant on him and his presence. This gentle heartwarming plot of second chances and starting life anew reflects the ticking of the clock and is set in Totnes with magical elements such as a cash register writing its own orders.
The Clockmaker is such a heartwarming story. Running from an abusive relationship, Laura heads to her late aunts flower shop which she has inherited. Weighed down with guilt, she throws herself into reviving the flower shop. She encounters the clockmaker who uses the room above the flower shop. He's very mysterious but eventually the two develop a friendly rapport. All kinds of magical things begin happening and slowly, with help from the Clockmaker, Laura begins to turn everything around. I enjoyed the heart of this story and its magical, mystical elements. When the identity of the Clockmaker was revealed, it was absolutely perfect for the story. The end was also a very fitting end to this lovely story. This story will leave you with such a great feeling.
The Clockmaker by Roxan Burley is a short story featuring Eleanora Grey.
When Eleanora inherit her late aunts flower shop, she discovers an unusual tenant, a clockmaker, working in the upstairs space above the shop.
As the clockmaker comes and goes, all things begin to happen in the flower shop: flowers bloom out of season and the cash register contains slips of paper, indicating what each customer wants. And more than that, Eleanora is deeply affected by his presence.
This was a lovely short story. Although I am usually want to read longer books, this story seemed to be just the right length to tell the magical story of Eleanora and the clockmaker.
This was a really sweet short story which had a really sweet message about forgiving yourself. I found the main characters to be easy to connect to and quite relatable. I found the setting of the flower shop to be perfect for this story especially with the magical backstory to help the main characte. I really hope the author expands on it sometime because it has lots of potential for a full length novel. The only this was I personally had a couple of issues with the writing style but it was great.
What a lovely wee read. I think the story is hopeful and uplifting and the ending just beautiful. It's 40ish pages in one go, no chapters or breaks, usually that would frustrate me as that's quite a lot for one "chapter" but I think it worked here. It felt really natural, despite having a supernatural element to it. I could see there being more to this, a flashback to Nancy and Ames, Nancy and Eleanora's earlier relationship, Eleanora facing her past. All very interesting sub-plots I think could make interesting further novellas. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Although this is only a short story, it is filled with depth. The main character inherits an old flower shop with a mysterious secret. At the top of the stairs is a strange little workshop where 'The Clockmaker' works. Gradually the flower shop is brought back to life and the magical till ensures that every customer receives exactly what they need, even if they don't know they need it. The Clockmaker becomes more and more of a friend. As it's only a short story I don't want to give away too much. Lovely story that left me wanting more. It's both mysterious and romantic.
What a beautiful story! Roxan sets the scene straight away and I'm loving Elenora from the start! I love how the shop shows snippets of time gone by and the clockmaker's mysterious ways adds to the joy of this book. Although there is a sad element to this - Nancy's passing - it shows that the body can heal and move on.
I loved the magical aspect to this short story, things happening to send a message but also to show someone cares. Loved it!
Omgosh you know Roxan can write a story and a half and this is so darn magical, heart warming, beautifully created little story.
I absolutely love the way this author describes the world and scenes around the amazing characters, it genuinely feels like the magic is coming to life around you.
Once you start reading this you will not be able to put it down, I'll tell you that for free, but I did get abit sad that it finished, I was so invested that I didn't want it to end.
The Clockmaker by Roxan Burley. I did enjoy this book. I love this author. I have read bloodstream of Moonlight and bond of eternity. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. It was a quick read. I read this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. It was a lovely story. I did like Elenora. I did like the Clockmaker. I didn't see that coming. I did like the magical side of this book. I definitely recommend this book.
I'm excited to share my thoughts on this enchanting book. For such a short story, it packed a punch. The magical and mystical elements created a lovely atmosphere that left me wanting more. The clockmaker's role in rebuilding Eleanora's life and confidence was beautifully done. This gentle tale gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling, full of hope, renewal, and quiet magic. A 5-star read that's perfect for getting out of a reading slump. Can't wait to read more from this author.
My goodness for such a short read there was a lot packed into this little gem of a book. There was so much detail and suspense built into this mystery, It was a one sitting read for sure but a brilliantly written story, better than lots of books which are 5 times as long. A magical and emotional read which was heartwarming too I’d highly recommend this book to anyone.
This was a short and sweet novella. I completed this in one sitting and loved every moment. It was magical and whimsical. There can be magic and beauty in healing and processing grief. Perhaps in a shared cup of tea or just the right bouquet of flowers. I would absolutely love to see this novella and Elenora's world and story explored and expanded further. If you enjoy magical realism or speculative fiction, I highly recommend.
💜Thank you to the author Roxan Burley, Acorn & Ink and Love Books Tours for the gifted digital review copy of this novella!💜
Wow, this is such a hauntingly beautiful novella. This author knows how to create atmosphere and set the scene. This flower shop ‘Time and Thyme’ really jumps out of the page and I can almost smell the scent of the flowers. This is such a beautiful story of loss and regret and how the past lingers in a place and time. I was really sad when this novella ended, I wanted it to go on forever.
This novella by Roxan Burley is actually quite deep in meaning considering it is less than 60 pages.
I particularly enjoyed the clockmaker character and learning about him, a solid reminder to let go of things we cannot control. The magic of the plants and the shop was a wonderful touch.
I had no idea what I was about to read when I picked up the book but am so pleased I read it.
Such a lovely book. Some beautiful description and imaginative flower names, that had me yearning to know more about the larger magical botanical world. I'm a slow reader, but I read this in one night. The perfect length; long enough to really get involved with the characters and story, but not so long that I had to build up the stamina to start. A delicious, snuggly night's read.
The Clockmaker is only a short novella but I loved every minute, every page. It’s a bit Evie Woods and The Lost Bookshop, which is one of my favourite books.
I loved the character of Elenora – we know she is escaping from something or someone – but as this is a short read, we only get a gist of her back story. But my favourite character was the clockmaker himself, who appears one day after Elenora moves into the bookshop. There is something magical and unreal about him, but we don’t find out until much later on. There are lots of other unexplained happenings, like the notes that appear in the till each day with requests for specific items.
I read so many dark crime novels, that it is refreshing to read something uplifting, even though it is sad at the same time. It will no doubt be one of my favourite books of the final quarter of 2025.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #TheClockmaker blog tour.
What a fabulous little story! It left me wanting more. I really enjoyed reading Elenora’s story of taking over her aunt’s florist after she had passed away. It had come at a good time for Elenora as she had clearly needed to get away from her old life.
The florist and the tenant who was ‘The Clockmaker’ were very important in her journey to a new beginning. I loved the writing style and it all just flowed so well. I would honestly love to hear more from Elenora