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St Felix
The Little Flower Shop by the Sea
The blossom is out in the little Cornish harbour town of St FelixBut Poppy Carmichael's spirits aren't lifted by the pretty West Country spring. Inheriting her grandmother's flower shop has forced her to return to Cornwall, a place that holds too many memories. Poppy is determined to do her best for the sake of her adored grandmother, but she struggles with the responsibility of the more-shabby-than-chic shop. And with the added complication of Jake, the gruff but gorgeous local flower grower, Poppy is very tempted to run away... The pretty little town has a few surprises in store for Poppy. With new friends to help her and romance blooming, it's time for Poppy to open her heart to St Felix and to the special magic of a little flower shop by the sea!Let Ali McNamara, author of the much-loved From Notting Hill with Love...Actually, bring some sparkling sunshine into your life
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2015
160 people are currently reading
3628 people want to read
About the author
Ali McNamara
34 books1,268 followersAli McNamara is a writer and author.
Her debut novel, From Notting Hill with Love...Actually, the first of three 'Notting Hill' books, became an instant bestseller.
Ali has had much overseas success with her books - particularly Breakfast at Darcy's which was a Top Ten bestseller in Italy. Her novels Step Back in Time and Letters from Lighthouse Cottage were nominated for the Romantic Novel of the Year.
Ali lives in Cambridgeshire with her family and beloved dogs. In her spare time she likes to visit antique shops and people watch, more often than not accompanied by a good cup of coffee!
Ali suffers with two chronic illnesses: M.E./CFS and UCTD and is a disability and invisible disability advocate.
To find out more about Ali visit her website: www.alimcnamara.co.uk
or follow her on Twitter: @AliMcNamara, Facebook and Instagram.
Her debut novel, From Notting Hill with Love...Actually, the first of three 'Notting Hill' books, became an instant bestseller.
Ali has had much overseas success with her books - particularly Breakfast at Darcy's which was a Top Ten bestseller in Italy. Her novels Step Back in Time and Letters from Lighthouse Cottage were nominated for the Romantic Novel of the Year.
Ali lives in Cambridgeshire with her family and beloved dogs. In her spare time she likes to visit antique shops and people watch, more often than not accompanied by a good cup of coffee!
Ali suffers with two chronic illnesses: M.E./CFS and UCTD and is a disability and invisible disability advocate.
To find out more about Ali visit her website: www.alimcnamara.co.uk
or follow her on Twitter: @AliMcNamara, Facebook and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 447 reviews
September 11, 2016
What a lovely book. Ali McNamara's 1st book ive read. Seem they are all set in Cornwall these days. Loved the story in the book. The main character Poppy. Loved reading of her return to the shop she inherited from her Granny. Finding out why she acted so strangly around flowers for the owner of a flower shop. Would recommend this lovely feel good summer book.
September 18, 2021
I found this in the holiday cottage we’re staying in and read it whilst gazing across the Solway Firth in brilliant sunshine. I was really looking forward to reading an escapist romance set in a fabulous setting by what was to me, a new author.
Oh dear! Where to start? I liked Amber even though she was totally under-developed and Jake was such a sweetie - didn’t let Poppy away with her disgraceful behaviour but showing always what a caring, lovely man he was.
The village - what fabulously perfect people they were, (apart from the villainess) making this a total fairy story rather than a real attempt to depict what life is really like in a small village. Fair enough, it’s romantic fiction not a documentary.
However, the real killers for me was the character Poppy, and the anti-therapist thread which ran through everything in Poppy’s back story. As someone who has experienced the benefits of good therapy, I was appalled at the premise that a few months in a lovely village and a dog, would wipe out Poppy’s 15 years of trauma. I knocked off 1 star for this awful dismissal of the value of psychological and psychiatric therapies.
She was simply a totally unattractive and unengaging heroine. That she still behaved like an aggressive adolescent aged 30 really didn’t make sense or was believable. By the way, once the trauma was revealed - I felt - was that it? This lost another star.
Her affair with Ash really irritated me - she’s happy to have sex with the lad and lead him on but really she loves Jake and is careless of any pain she’s causing him? What is so attractive about a girl enjoying sex with one man whilst hungering after another? Sorry I couldn’t like that about her at all. Another star disappeared because of this.
I thought the general story telling was good but it was overlong, over populated and insufficient time was given to the romances in the book.
I am clearly in a minority here but this was a disappointment. Sorry,
Oh dear! Where to start? I liked Amber even though she was totally under-developed and Jake was such a sweetie - didn’t let Poppy away with her disgraceful behaviour but showing always what a caring, lovely man he was.
The village - what fabulously perfect people they were, (apart from the villainess) making this a total fairy story rather than a real attempt to depict what life is really like in a small village. Fair enough, it’s romantic fiction not a documentary.
However, the real killers for me was the character Poppy, and the anti-therapist thread which ran through everything in Poppy’s back story. As someone who has experienced the benefits of good therapy, I was appalled at the premise that a few months in a lovely village and a dog, would wipe out Poppy’s 15 years of trauma. I knocked off 1 star for this awful dismissal of the value of psychological and psychiatric therapies.
She was simply a totally unattractive and unengaging heroine. That she still behaved like an aggressive adolescent aged 30 really didn’t make sense or was believable. By the way, once the trauma was revealed - I felt - was that it? This lost another star.
Her affair with Ash really irritated me - she’s happy to have sex with the lad and lead him on but really she loves Jake and is careless of any pain she’s causing him? What is so attractive about a girl enjoying sex with one man whilst hungering after another? Sorry I couldn’t like that about her at all. Another star disappeared because of this.
I thought the general story telling was good but it was overlong, over populated and insufficient time was given to the romances in the book.
I am clearly in a minority here but this was a disappointment. Sorry,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2015
I was in need of a break from relentless, heavy-going, sad books and so I grabbed this off the "recommended by staff" display at the local library. Don't be so judgy, ok! Anyway - yes, it was light, fluffy, not particularly well written and in no way substantial. It did have a nice bit about dogs, so... Dogs. I love them. And Cornwall. Small moments of redemption, I guess... A solid MEH.
July 24, 2015
http://www.pagetostagereviews.com/201...
Despite being named after a flower and her entire family being in the floral business, these colourful and fragrant parts of plants are Poppy's worst nightmare. So when after her grandmother's passing she unexpectedly inherits the old flower shop in the seaside town of St Felix she is fully prepared to waltz in there to take stock and sell the place to the first person who offers a decent price for it. From past experience Poppy knows that she's not cut out for sticking with a job for a long period of time anyway, so she might as well cash in when she has the chance.
What she isn't prepared for is the flood of happy memories that engulf her as soon as she revisits St Felix, the town where she spent many a carefree summer holiday with her brother when they were still kids. The high-street looks a little more run down than she remembers it to be and she doubts that Mad Stan the Pasty Man still lives up in Trecarlan Castle, but other than that little has changed from when she last set foot in the place when she was a teenager.
However, after a chance encounter with a monkey by the name of Miley, and her very handsome owner, Poppy suddenly finds herself willing to try to return The Daisy Chain shop to its former glory. And despite her peculiar reservations about flowers, and a big secret she is hiding from the townspeople and her new friends, the incredibly welcoming community on the Cornish coast might just be what Poppy needs to finally be able to work through her issues and find happiness again.
This novel is SO good you guys! I loved Ali McNamara's previous books, especially the fun and imaginative Step Back in Time, but The Little Flower Shop by the Sea is on a whole new level of awesome. The charm of the seaside town just pops of the pages and the cosy atmosphere was amplified by the incredible cast of heartwarming characters that live and work in St Felix; from baking duo Ant & Dec to cheeky monkey Miley, and from the gentle Amber who carries her own secrets around to the incredibly handsome Jake and his amazing children.
I am actually quite gutted that St Felix is a fictional setting as otherwise I would seriously contemplate moving there myself. It's rare to find that real feel of a community in today's day and age and Ali has captured this longing for simpler times and a neighbourly kindredness beautifully on the pages of her book. Poppy may have been broken when she arrived, but the town and its inhabitants have a healing effect on her as she blossoms into someone who really fits into the community at St Felix.
I feel like I'm not doing the novel justice at all, talking about how sweet and cute it is, when in actual fact it is far more complex and well written than that. There were moments I cracked up laughing (they mostly involved Miley) and others where my heart broke for the characters as many of them, in particular Poppy, Jake and Amber, had far too much hardship to endure for one lifetime. And then there were times I felt an intense anger bubble up inside of me and they, unsurprisingly, all involved the horrible Caroline.
The Little Flower Shop by the Sea is just sheer summer-read perfection all around; it will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you want to reread all of Ali McNamara's previous books. Heartwarming, charming and utterly delightful from start to finish, this is her best novel yet!
Despite being named after a flower and her entire family being in the floral business, these colourful and fragrant parts of plants are Poppy's worst nightmare. So when after her grandmother's passing she unexpectedly inherits the old flower shop in the seaside town of St Felix she is fully prepared to waltz in there to take stock and sell the place to the first person who offers a decent price for it. From past experience Poppy knows that she's not cut out for sticking with a job for a long period of time anyway, so she might as well cash in when she has the chance.
What she isn't prepared for is the flood of happy memories that engulf her as soon as she revisits St Felix, the town where she spent many a carefree summer holiday with her brother when they were still kids. The high-street looks a little more run down than she remembers it to be and she doubts that Mad Stan the Pasty Man still lives up in Trecarlan Castle, but other than that little has changed from when she last set foot in the place when she was a teenager.
However, after a chance encounter with a monkey by the name of Miley, and her very handsome owner, Poppy suddenly finds herself willing to try to return The Daisy Chain shop to its former glory. And despite her peculiar reservations about flowers, and a big secret she is hiding from the townspeople and her new friends, the incredibly welcoming community on the Cornish coast might just be what Poppy needs to finally be able to work through her issues and find happiness again.
This novel is SO good you guys! I loved Ali McNamara's previous books, especially the fun and imaginative Step Back in Time, but The Little Flower Shop by the Sea is on a whole new level of awesome. The charm of the seaside town just pops of the pages and the cosy atmosphere was amplified by the incredible cast of heartwarming characters that live and work in St Felix; from baking duo Ant & Dec to cheeky monkey Miley, and from the gentle Amber who carries her own secrets around to the incredibly handsome Jake and his amazing children.
I am actually quite gutted that St Felix is a fictional setting as otherwise I would seriously contemplate moving there myself. It's rare to find that real feel of a community in today's day and age and Ali has captured this longing for simpler times and a neighbourly kindredness beautifully on the pages of her book. Poppy may have been broken when she arrived, but the town and its inhabitants have a healing effect on her as she blossoms into someone who really fits into the community at St Felix.
I feel like I'm not doing the novel justice at all, talking about how sweet and cute it is, when in actual fact it is far more complex and well written than that. There were moments I cracked up laughing (they mostly involved Miley) and others where my heart broke for the characters as many of them, in particular Poppy, Jake and Amber, had far too much hardship to endure for one lifetime. And then there were times I felt an intense anger bubble up inside of me and they, unsurprisingly, all involved the horrible Caroline.
The Little Flower Shop by the Sea is just sheer summer-read perfection all around; it will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you want to reread all of Ali McNamara's previous books. Heartwarming, charming and utterly delightful from start to finish, this is her best novel yet!
December 14, 2016
I like the idea behind this story, but I hated the main character Poppy. She was not likable and her story was very weak and transparent. I was loudly yelling at her, while reading, the things she said and the way she behaved just got me so frustrated. I wish the author went more in depth with the story, it felt very rushed and we jumped forward in time, without any explanation.
May 22, 2021
Åh en sån härlig bok.
En bok som har allt en bra feelgood kräver och behöver;
Härliga karaktärer, mysiga miljöer, en huvudkaraktär som är bångstyrig och alldeles underbar. Sorg, glädje, kärlek, olycklig kärlek, vänskap, hundar och ett spännande "mysterium".
Till och med namnet "Poppy" gör ju sitt till feelgood-genren och skapar glädjebubblor i magen!
Det här är en fullpott i min bokvärld som jag varmt kan rekommendera! 🌸
En bok som har allt en bra feelgood kräver och behöver;
Härliga karaktärer, mysiga miljöer, en huvudkaraktär som är bångstyrig och alldeles underbar. Sorg, glädje, kärlek, olycklig kärlek, vänskap, hundar och ett spännande "mysterium".
Till och med namnet "Poppy" gör ju sitt till feelgood-genren och skapar glädjebubblor i magen!
Det här är en fullpott i min bokvärld som jag varmt kan rekommendera! 🌸
April 13, 2022
3,5⭐️
Mysig och lättläst men blev inte helt såld. Tyckte det ibland var lite för sockersött men kunde ändå uppskatta att författarinnan inkluderat lite tyngre ämnen för att försöka balansera det hela.
Den är absolut läsvärd men inget som jag lär tänka på såhär i efterhand.
Mysig och lättläst men blev inte helt såld. Tyckte det ibland var lite för sockersött men kunde ändå uppskatta att författarinnan inkluderat lite tyngre ämnen för att försöka balansera det hela.
Den är absolut läsvärd men inget som jag lär tänka på såhär i efterhand.
September 15, 2015
This books deserves more than five stars as it's excellent t I didn't want to put it down. Poppy is left her grandmothers flower shop in Cornwall but she wants nothing to do with it but she goes down to sort some things out. Once there she finds her mum has rung people to tell her she will be coming. Does she keep the flower shop and she heals herself by being back in the village and does she find the right man to spend the rest of her life with. A must read.
September 22, 2015
Originally reviewed on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/2...
First of all, I just have to comment on the sheer gorgeousness that is Ali McNamara's cover for The Little Flower Shop by the Sea. It reminds of a watercolour painting that you'd pass by and, seconds after, have to return to in order to admire some more. It really is beautiful and paints the most perfect, picturesque image of St Felix, the Cornish harbour town in which this novel is set. The cover caught my eye immediately, swiftly followed by the enchantment of such a whimsical title, and once I'd read the blurb, I couldn't wait to begin. It sounded like I was in for a real treat with The Little Flower Shop by the Sea and that's exactly what this turned out to be. So much warmth, so much heart and emotion. It was a wonderful read, so much so that I wanted nothing more than to step inside and linger at Poppy's side for a while, just to breathe in that fresh, St Felix air for myself.
I've always been rather fascinated by England's magnificent coastlines. No, they're not tropical paradises prodded with palm trees and exotic blooms, but they're stunning in their very own right. Ali McNamara chose such a fitting setting for Poppy's story to unravel in, especially considering the emphasis on numerous blooms and natural beauty which St Felix had in abundance. Ali's descriptions of St Felix brought the setting beautifully to life for me as a reader. I was able to imagine it all in my mind clear as day, the narrow streets, the boats bobbing on the water down in the harbour, the smells and sounds. The author touched upon each and every one of my senses, whisking me right away to Poppy's side as she stood outside of her grandmother's flower shop as the novel began. With such pleasing descriptions and an obvious hesitancy in Poppy, leading to a need to understand why she was feeling that way, I really couldn't wait for the plot to truly open up and reveal itself to me.
I was very curious about Poppy from the moment the author introduced her to me. As the novel begins, Poppy arrives in St Felix and finds herself outside of The Daisy Chain, the flower shop which was previously owned by her grandmother before she sadly passed away. Surprisingly to Poppy, her grandmother chose to leave the flower shop in Poppy's hands, despite Poppy having never shown an interest in her family's long line of working in the flower business. Even having been named after a flower, Poppy has a dislike for flowers that runs deep through her veins, for reasons kept unknown to the reader until much later on into the novel. I was intrigued to see how this situation would play out. I mean, if you don't like flowers, working in a shop based solely on that very thing probably wasn't the best of ideas. The author ensured that the reader was aware of something bubbling just beneath Poppy's surface. There were mentions of Poppy feeling uncomfortable, wary, nervous... She was obviously hesitant about even stepping inside the shop, a shop rammed to the rafters with memories that she wasn't certain she was ready to revisit. There was a deliciously mysterious edge to Poppy that had me wanting to know more about her background and past. Something had happened before that moment, something tragic, and due to my eagerness to find out what that something was, I raced through this novel.
While Poppy deals with her issues, life continues in St Felix around her. It was beautiful, watching how Poppy swallowed down her reservations and took on the shop despite her worries and troubles. It was almost as if the town of St Felix worked its magic on her from the moment she arrived and gradually began to bring her back to life. Ali McNamara added so much warmth and magic into the plot, I was utterly enchanted by what was revealed to me. At the beginning of each chapter, there would be a specific flower present, and then the meaning of that flower would follow. It was a lesson in itself, and such a charming way of continuing with Poppy's story. This emphasis on blooms and meanings held me completely captive and I couldn't wait to see what else was in store for me as Poppy began to meet and engage with secondary characters throughout the novel. I loved being introduced to each and every one of them and watching as each character's life became entangled with another. I took a particular liking to Jake, who supplied The Daisy Chain with its blooms. It became clear that Poppy wasn't the only one trying to come to terms with her past, and I couldn't help but to see Jake and Poppy as kindred spirits. They needed each other more than they realised, and I felt like I was holding my breath as I watched the friendship blossoming between them. There were so many wonderfully engaging characters for me to enjoy within this novel, all bringing their own excitement and colour to the plot, reeling me in even further while doing so. It was a complete pleasure to lose myself within St Felix and all of the beautiful things that it had to offer. It was warm, comforting, and the perfect place for anyone to escape to.
The Little Flower Shop by the Sea was an utterly delightful novel written from the heart and overflowing with emotion and warmth and all of those things that somehow seem to comfort and hold you while reading. It was beautiful in the way it was written, in the way it was told and in the way the characters developed from beginning to end. With such a charming setting and a gorgeously evocative emphasis on nature and how it can heal, this was a wonderful read by Ali McNamara.
Becca's Books is awarding The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara with four gorgeous cupcakes! I've not yet read much by this author, but I know I have a few paperbacks hidden in my to-read pile somewhere which I'm now eager to hurry towards! This was the perfect novel for me to curl up with as I watched the rain lashing the windows and the grey clouds roll by overhead. I was transported to St Felix, and left all of my own troubles way behind as I danced along the harbour. It was fantastic.
First of all, I just have to comment on the sheer gorgeousness that is Ali McNamara's cover for The Little Flower Shop by the Sea. It reminds of a watercolour painting that you'd pass by and, seconds after, have to return to in order to admire some more. It really is beautiful and paints the most perfect, picturesque image of St Felix, the Cornish harbour town in which this novel is set. The cover caught my eye immediately, swiftly followed by the enchantment of such a whimsical title, and once I'd read the blurb, I couldn't wait to begin. It sounded like I was in for a real treat with The Little Flower Shop by the Sea and that's exactly what this turned out to be. So much warmth, so much heart and emotion. It was a wonderful read, so much so that I wanted nothing more than to step inside and linger at Poppy's side for a while, just to breathe in that fresh, St Felix air for myself.
I've always been rather fascinated by England's magnificent coastlines. No, they're not tropical paradises prodded with palm trees and exotic blooms, but they're stunning in their very own right. Ali McNamara chose such a fitting setting for Poppy's story to unravel in, especially considering the emphasis on numerous blooms and natural beauty which St Felix had in abundance. Ali's descriptions of St Felix brought the setting beautifully to life for me as a reader. I was able to imagine it all in my mind clear as day, the narrow streets, the boats bobbing on the water down in the harbour, the smells and sounds. The author touched upon each and every one of my senses, whisking me right away to Poppy's side as she stood outside of her grandmother's flower shop as the novel began. With such pleasing descriptions and an obvious hesitancy in Poppy, leading to a need to understand why she was feeling that way, I really couldn't wait for the plot to truly open up and reveal itself to me.
I was very curious about Poppy from the moment the author introduced her to me. As the novel begins, Poppy arrives in St Felix and finds herself outside of The Daisy Chain, the flower shop which was previously owned by her grandmother before she sadly passed away. Surprisingly to Poppy, her grandmother chose to leave the flower shop in Poppy's hands, despite Poppy having never shown an interest in her family's long line of working in the flower business. Even having been named after a flower, Poppy has a dislike for flowers that runs deep through her veins, for reasons kept unknown to the reader until much later on into the novel. I was intrigued to see how this situation would play out. I mean, if you don't like flowers, working in a shop based solely on that very thing probably wasn't the best of ideas. The author ensured that the reader was aware of something bubbling just beneath Poppy's surface. There were mentions of Poppy feeling uncomfortable, wary, nervous... She was obviously hesitant about even stepping inside the shop, a shop rammed to the rafters with memories that she wasn't certain she was ready to revisit. There was a deliciously mysterious edge to Poppy that had me wanting to know more about her background and past. Something had happened before that moment, something tragic, and due to my eagerness to find out what that something was, I raced through this novel.
While Poppy deals with her issues, life continues in St Felix around her. It was beautiful, watching how Poppy swallowed down her reservations and took on the shop despite her worries and troubles. It was almost as if the town of St Felix worked its magic on her from the moment she arrived and gradually began to bring her back to life. Ali McNamara added so much warmth and magic into the plot, I was utterly enchanted by what was revealed to me. At the beginning of each chapter, there would be a specific flower present, and then the meaning of that flower would follow. It was a lesson in itself, and such a charming way of continuing with Poppy's story. This emphasis on blooms and meanings held me completely captive and I couldn't wait to see what else was in store for me as Poppy began to meet and engage with secondary characters throughout the novel. I loved being introduced to each and every one of them and watching as each character's life became entangled with another. I took a particular liking to Jake, who supplied The Daisy Chain with its blooms. It became clear that Poppy wasn't the only one trying to come to terms with her past, and I couldn't help but to see Jake and Poppy as kindred spirits. They needed each other more than they realised, and I felt like I was holding my breath as I watched the friendship blossoming between them. There were so many wonderfully engaging characters for me to enjoy within this novel, all bringing their own excitement and colour to the plot, reeling me in even further while doing so. It was a complete pleasure to lose myself within St Felix and all of the beautiful things that it had to offer. It was warm, comforting, and the perfect place for anyone to escape to.
The Little Flower Shop by the Sea was an utterly delightful novel written from the heart and overflowing with emotion and warmth and all of those things that somehow seem to comfort and hold you while reading. It was beautiful in the way it was written, in the way it was told and in the way the characters developed from beginning to end. With such a charming setting and a gorgeously evocative emphasis on nature and how it can heal, this was a wonderful read by Ali McNamara.
Becca's Books is awarding The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara with four gorgeous cupcakes! I've not yet read much by this author, but I know I have a few paperbacks hidden in my to-read pile somewhere which I'm now eager to hurry towards! This was the perfect novel for me to curl up with as I watched the rain lashing the windows and the grey clouds roll by overhead. I was transported to St Felix, and left all of my own troubles way behind as I danced along the harbour. It was fantastic.
January 30, 2017
I just couldn't get into this book, which is a shame as it sounded really good and was set in a lovely location. The main character Poppy was just so irritating, jumping to conclusions at the drop of a hat, and biting peoples heads off if they spoke about any of her 'issues' or her family. I really didn't like her at all, which spoiled it for me. I really wanted to like it, but gave up about a third through. Not for me.
March 4, 2017
Perfect on a rainy Saturday!! I so enjoyed this book and it warmed my heart.
February 10, 2020
A delightful optimistic book. I loved it
May 28, 2022
Poppy Carmichael ärver en blomsterhandel av sin mormor, trots att hon hatar blommor och trots att St Felix, platsen där den lilla affären ligger, är en del av hennes tragiska minnen. Hon bestämmer sig för att åka dit och kolla runt, och när hennes familj inte tror att hon ska klara av det hela bestämmer hon sig för att visa att de har fel. Tillsammans med Amber, som skickas från moderns blomsterhandel i New York, kavlar hon upp ärmarna för att återföra blomsterhandelns forna glans till nutiden och verkligen göra allt för att det ska lyckas. Till sin hjälp har hon också flera andra nyfunna vänner, inte minst änklingen och plantskoleägaren Jake.
Vissa böcker är ett rent lyckokast att man tar sig an. Den här plockade jag på mig under bokrean när jag egentligen var på jakt efter andra böcker, mycket på grund av Anna Henrikssons väldigt fina och lockande omslag. Och vilken tur att jag köpte den! Trots sina över 400 sidor är det en väldigt lättläst bok som flyter på bra och jag var mycket förvånad när jag hade läst ut den eftersom det känts som om ingen tid förflutit alls (det hade det och det var långt efter läggdags).
Persongalleriet är lagom stort och jag tycker om att så mycket fokus får ligga just på Poppy och att det inte är så många personers inre tankar som får utrymme. Det finns mycket snillrikhet i den här boken. Bara en sådan sak som att alla i familjen Carmichael har blomsterinspirerade namn är snyggt. Poppy är komplex som huvudkaraktär och jag tycker om att vi får små delar av varför hon hatar växter och St Felix i omgångar. Då känns det som att man får nysta lite i det på egen hand. Jag är också förtjust i att det inte bara är glädje utan att alla karaktärer har flera lager och vandrar längs en gråskala i humör.
Sofia Ejhedens översättning är lysande, det är bara egentligen på namnen man kan tänka sig att den här boken inte är skriven på svenska från början.
Jag ser fram emot att få återse St Felix i kommande böcker, för precis som det ska vara i en bra feelgood så vet man ungefär vad som kommer att hända, och det är som en varm filt, men vägen dit är en härlig överraskning.
Vissa böcker är ett rent lyckokast att man tar sig an. Den här plockade jag på mig under bokrean när jag egentligen var på jakt efter andra böcker, mycket på grund av Anna Henrikssons väldigt fina och lockande omslag. Och vilken tur att jag köpte den! Trots sina över 400 sidor är det en väldigt lättläst bok som flyter på bra och jag var mycket förvånad när jag hade läst ut den eftersom det känts som om ingen tid förflutit alls (det hade det och det var långt efter läggdags).
Persongalleriet är lagom stort och jag tycker om att så mycket fokus får ligga just på Poppy och att det inte är så många personers inre tankar som får utrymme. Det finns mycket snillrikhet i den här boken. Bara en sådan sak som att alla i familjen Carmichael har blomsterinspirerade namn är snyggt. Poppy är komplex som huvudkaraktär och jag tycker om att vi får små delar av varför hon hatar växter och St Felix i omgångar. Då känns det som att man får nysta lite i det på egen hand. Jag är också förtjust i att det inte bara är glädje utan att alla karaktärer har flera lager och vandrar längs en gråskala i humör.
Sofia Ejhedens översättning är lysande, det är bara egentligen på namnen man kan tänka sig att den här boken inte är skriven på svenska från början.
Jag ser fram emot att få återse St Felix i kommande böcker, för precis som det ska vara i en bra feelgood så vet man ungefär vad som kommer att hända, och det är som en varm filt, men vägen dit är en härlig överraskning.
September 22, 2022
A firm favourite, published in 2015, this book is an older Ali McNamara. I loved the characters: a grumpy " aging goth" at 30?!, A hippy, a monkey man and his children and a villain who liked wine. I loved the subplots, particularly the Queen Victoria subplot. One unresolved thing was the relationship between Poppy and her Mum.
I don't know why she chose a monkey for a pet. Certainly she seemed very sweet- maybe it was a nod to Philip Pullman. McNamara loved her pets in this book, loved Basil and Bill.
I don't know why she chose a monkey for a pet. Certainly she seemed very sweet- maybe it was a nod to Philip Pullman. McNamara loved her pets in this book, loved Basil and Bill.
August 31, 2015
"The Little Flower Shop by the Sea" is Ali McNamara's 6th book, if I'm not mistaken, and I can proudly say that I've read all of them. Nevertheless, I was starting this book a little uncertain, because as much as I love Ali's "From Notting Hill..." series, I had not so brilliant relationship with her stand - alone novels. But I can now easily state, that her latest release is a wonderful story that I enjoyed so very much!
There is a great cast of characters in this book, and there is this incredible sense of community that I so love in my books. The characters were so vivid and colourful, and all of them had their own personality and felt like real people, with their stories, their history, that often was so heart - wrenching. It was really great to see how all of them were developing, especially our MC Poppy who, named after the flower, didn't want to have anything with flowers. Nevertheless, being in St Felix brings back all the nice memories from her childhood, and no matter how much she doesn't want to stay there, the place grows on her so much again, and she feels happy there. Is she going to conquer her demons?
Also, the people of St Felix that welcomes her back so warmly were a great addition to the story. And not only people, but also dogs and monkey! Yes! Miley the monkey was an extra character, and I loved all the scenes with her, she was so greatly described that I could see her cover her ears or eyes.
I also loved the descriptions of St Felix, the sense of community that I've mentioned before - this place was truly charming, the atmosphere there was so cosy, and I'd love to spend my holidays there and try some pasties from the lovely duo Ant & Dec. Ali has captured the atmosphere of this little town perfectly, the neighbourly kindness, but also the neighbourly messing about.
We knew from almost the very beginning that Poppy had some issues and as a result she has been almost fifteen years in the therapy. We know it has something to do with her brother and flowers but of course we must wait a respectable bit of time for this secret to be revealed. Nevertheless, the author has done this brilliantly in my eyes, because she didn't mention it too often to make us tired with the waiting, and in the meantime she has added some really significant scenes or sub - plots that took our minds away from this particular secret. Really great job.
There is a lot about flowers in this book, and as much as I'm not into the whole flowers - thing (although I'm not as extreme as Poppy, I do like a big, nicely scented bouquet of flowers), I did enjoy all those descriptions, and the information about how each flower means something totally different. I loved how each chapter was dedicated to different flower (had no idea there are so many of them!), and how the descriptions of those flowers fit the content of this chapter. I wouldn't also say no to this extra special bouquet made only for me by Amber, a bouquet that would cure all my troubles.
You know, it was a truly complex story, full of feelings and emotions, and as much as it is on the light side, the author also writes about some much more important issues that often made my heart breaking. It has enough twists and turns and a very promising romance. I have a feeling that there are some loose ends left that are in need to be tied up, but maybe we are for a sequel there? But still, it was really a lovely novel, a novel that has everything that I am always looking for in a book: relatable, likeable heroine, a story, it's full of emotions and it makes you both laugh and shed some tears. The author also tried to stir some problems adding Caroline to the plot, and as much as I appreciate it, this sub - plot was a little far - fetched, too obvious and too predictable, and I'd love a little more resistance from her, that it didn't end such easily and without protest. This, and the end that seemed much too rushed for my liking, and especially Stan being introduced to his new family - it was too important to be so left out, as Jack and his children are significant characters to this story, and the book has lost its impact somewhere in the middle, the pace slowed clearly down - those are my only "buts". Other than that, it was really a delightful, sunny and light read that I truly enjoyed, and it brought back the feeling of summer, with just the right mix of romance, laugh and tears, and I am already waiting for a new story from Ali.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
September 1, 2016
'The Little Flower Shop by the Sea' is about Poppy Carmichael, who is supposed to inherit the old flower shop of her recently deceased grandmother. Said flower shop is in the little harbour town St. Felix in Cornwall, where Poppy and her family spent their summers when she was small.
At first Poppy doesn't really want to run a flower shop, because she has kind of a flower-phobia and really hates their smell, but as time passes the flowers do their magic and she begins to fall in love with St. Felix (and its citizens) once more...
This was a really nice summery read. I loved St. Felix and would love to go there, but I think it doesn't really exist, which is such a shame. Also the people who live there were lovely and really likeable. Another lovely thing was that each chapter has a flower-title, for example: 'Daffodil - New Beginnings'. So with each chapter you get to know the meaning of a new flower and at the same time see what the chapter might be about. That was really cute.
At the beginning of the book I didn't really like Poppy to be honest. She is about 30 and dressed and sometimes acted like a pubescent teenager, which was quite annoying at times. But throughout the book it got better and I liked her more and more.
So all in all, Ali McNamara didn't disappoint! As always. ♥
At first Poppy doesn't really want to run a flower shop, because she has kind of a flower-phobia and really hates their smell, but as time passes the flowers do their magic and she begins to fall in love with St. Felix (and its citizens) once more...
This was a really nice summery read. I loved St. Felix and would love to go there, but I think it doesn't really exist, which is such a shame. Also the people who live there were lovely and really likeable. Another lovely thing was that each chapter has a flower-title, for example: 'Daffodil - New Beginnings'. So with each chapter you get to know the meaning of a new flower and at the same time see what the chapter might be about. That was really cute.
At the beginning of the book I didn't really like Poppy to be honest. She is about 30 and dressed and sometimes acted like a pubescent teenager, which was quite annoying at times. But throughout the book it got better and I liked her more and more.
So all in all, Ali McNamara didn't disappoint! As always. ♥
August 1, 2015
The perfect book to read on a Cornish beach- or even if you are dreaming of travelling down to Cornwall. Due to a car breakdown I had a couple of extra hours on the beach and lost myself completely in this book.
An absolutely wonderful set of characters are brought to life and bring a lovely variety to the book. You felt f a part of the village community.
Poppy inherits her grandmother's flower shop which has run down whilst she was poorly. Her mum sends one of her florists over from America to help with the artistic flair in the shop and she's a fascinating character interested in auras and the language of flowers. Both women have secrets to hide- what will be revealed over the course of the book?
Little Flower Shop by the Sea provides everything for a great summer read- a pretty little flower shop where you can imagine the heady aroma as you walk in, surrounded by the beautiful blooms, new friendships and sparks of romance abound and a lovely dog called Basil just wraps up the total bliss.
I really hope we'll get to return to St Felix.
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book.
An absolutely wonderful set of characters are brought to life and bring a lovely variety to the book. You felt f a part of the village community.
Poppy inherits her grandmother's flower shop which has run down whilst she was poorly. Her mum sends one of her florists over from America to help with the artistic flair in the shop and she's a fascinating character interested in auras and the language of flowers. Both women have secrets to hide- what will be revealed over the course of the book?
Little Flower Shop by the Sea provides everything for a great summer read- a pretty little flower shop where you can imagine the heady aroma as you walk in, surrounded by the beautiful blooms, new friendships and sparks of romance abound and a lovely dog called Basil just wraps up the total bliss.
I really hope we'll get to return to St Felix.
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book.
February 2, 2017
Ali McNamara's THE FLOWER SHOP BY THE SEA was a nice read. It's brimming with talks of flowers, small mysteries in and around Cornwall and of beautiful relationships. It kept me occupied throughout, and glad to tell you I liked it. I did breeze through the story since it turned out to be a comfortable, relaxing and light-hearted one. The romance was beautiful, and those interesting secrets surrounding an old castle brought life to it.
I'm to understand that this was a Summer book; if so, I'll have to tell you guys THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP BY THE SEA doesn't offer any of those Summer vibes, but more of a 'Spring' feeling - Perfect for your February/March TBR.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended to those who enjoy Women's Fiction and to fans of Ali McNamara
I'm to understand that this was a Summer book; if so, I'll have to tell you guys THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOP BY THE SEA doesn't offer any of those Summer vibes, but more of a 'Spring' feeling - Perfect for your February/March TBR.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended to those who enjoy Women's Fiction and to fans of Ali McNamara
June 6, 2021
Ett samlande ord för den här läsupplevelse är kamp, tyvärr. Jag kämpade med att komma in i boken, tyckte den var oerhört seg i början. Dialogerna var en kamp i sig, stundtals var de riktigt krystade och alla förvecklingar och bihistorier strulade till det ordentligt. Ingen större läsupplevelse, vilket jag verkligen hade velat att det skulle vara.
July 16, 2019
Devo dire che sono stata favorevolmente sorpresa da questo romanzo di Ali McNamara, visto che negli altri suoi libri apprezzavo l'originalità della trama ma tolleravo a malapena il suo stile da chick-lit troppo sfacciato, dove tutto andava bene per la protagonista (naturalmente bellissima, intelligentissima, furbissima), c'erano infinite descrizioni di abbigliamento (a volte mancava solo il cartellino attaccato a ogni capo di vestiario!) e le metafore e le similitudini spesso sfioravano il ridicolo.
Invece questo - forse perché la McNamara è maturata, forse perché ha avuto più difficoltà a scriverlo (come dice nei ringraziamenti), e ha inserito delle sofferenze, dei traumi per i suoi protagonisti e molte meno descrizioni di indumenti - l'ho trovato molto più leggibile.
Non ha guastato neanche quel pizzico di mistero dietro al trauma di Poppy, la protagonista (agorafobica e antofobica, lei, che appartiene a una famiglia che possiede catene di negozi di fiori); un trauma che lei svela solo alla fine e che le è costato quindici anni di analisi.
A questo si aggiungono alcuni temi che hanno reso il romanzo meno superficiale e più apprezzabile, come i problemi purtroppo sempre attuali di una donna maltrattata che sfugge al marito manesco.
E poi è gradevole leggere dello spirito di comunità della piccola cittadina di Saint Felix, in Cornovaglia, o del piccolo giallo dei quadretti scomparsi, che porta a un'altra piccola sorprendente scoperta...
Invece questo - forse perché la McNamara è maturata, forse perché ha avuto più difficoltà a scriverlo (come dice nei ringraziamenti), e ha inserito delle sofferenze, dei traumi per i suoi protagonisti e molte meno descrizioni di indumenti - l'ho trovato molto più leggibile.
Non ha guastato neanche quel pizzico di mistero dietro al trauma di Poppy, la protagonista (agorafobica e antofobica, lei, che appartiene a una famiglia che possiede catene di negozi di fiori); un trauma che lei svela solo alla fine e che le è costato quindici anni di analisi.
A questo si aggiungono alcuni temi che hanno reso il romanzo meno superficiale e più apprezzabile, come i problemi purtroppo sempre attuali di una donna maltrattata che sfugge al marito manesco.
E poi è gradevole leggere dello spirito di comunità della piccola cittadina di Saint Felix, in Cornovaglia, o del piccolo giallo dei quadretti scomparsi, che porta a un'altra piccola sorprendente scoperta...
August 13, 2017
Книга немного напоминает историю Н.Спаркса «Тихая гавань».
Автор дала главам и персонажам забавные имена, связанные с растениями. Каждое название главы состоит из двух частей – названия цветка и пары слов о сути главы. Ну, и очень многие персонажи имеют «говорящие» имена: у кого названия цветов, у кого просто что-то связанное с природой.
Читается очень просто, язык приятный и легкий.
Персонажей немало, автор успела (и очень неплохо) описать практически всех жителей городка. Десятки коротких или подробных жизненных историй не дадут читателю скучать.
Возможно, большинство персонажей слишком идеальны, а «злодейка» Кэролайн слишком «злодеистая», но все же их истории радуют и читать про них интересно.
Главные герои очень «живые» и вполне реалистичные.
Я не ожидала, что мне может понравиться книга про цветочный магазин в каком-то крошечном городке, но автор увлекла даже меня. Жизнь там течёт довольно медленно, но при этом мне совсем не было скучно. Героиня достаточно активна, чтобы даже в таком маленьком месте найти что-то интересное.
Книга довольно обычная, но она, определенно, хороший «представитель» так называемой «чиклит». То, что она меня ни капли не раздражала, уже огромный плюс. Очень рекомендую любителям жанра.
Автор дала главам и персонажам забавные имена, связанные с растениями. Каждое название главы состоит из двух частей – названия цветка и пары слов о сути главы. Ну, и очень многие персонажи имеют «говорящие» имена: у кого названия цветов, у кого просто что-то связанное с природой.
Читается очень просто, язык приятный и легкий.
Персонажей немало, автор успела (и очень неплохо) описать практически всех жителей городка. Десятки коротких или подробных жизненных историй не дадут читателю скучать.
Возможно, большинство персонажей слишком идеальны, а «злодейка» Кэролайн слишком «злодеистая», но все же их истории радуют и читать про них интересно.
Главные герои очень «живые» и вполне реалистичные.
Я не ожидала, что мне может понравиться книга про цветочный магазин в каком-то крошечном городке, но автор увлекла даже меня. Жизнь там течёт довольно медленно, но при этом мне совсем не было скучно. Героиня достаточно активна, чтобы даже в таком маленьком месте найти что-то интересное.
Книга довольно обычная, но она, определенно, хороший «представитель» так называемой «чиклит». То, что она меня ни капли не раздражала, уже огромный плюс. Очень рекомендую любителям жанра.
August 6, 2024
Can’t remember the last time I read a book so quickly!
Really enjoyed this lovely, lovely book. I’ve not read many Ali McNamara books but have loved the ones I have read and this was no exception. I read one of hers about a vintage campervan a few years ago and didn’t realise it was part of a series. Saying that, they are standalone reads too.
Set in the beautiful St Felix in Cornwall - a very magical place full of lovely characters and Cornish pasties!
Luckily for me, I have all of the other books in the St Felix so really looking forward to reading them.
Really enjoyed this lovely, lovely book. I’ve not read many Ali McNamara books but have loved the ones I have read and this was no exception. I read one of hers about a vintage campervan a few years ago and didn’t realise it was part of a series. Saying that, they are standalone reads too.
Set in the beautiful St Felix in Cornwall - a very magical place full of lovely characters and Cornish pasties!
Luckily for me, I have all of the other books in the St Felix so really looking forward to reading them.
January 22, 2025
Med finurlighet har författaren skapat en romantik feelgood i Cornwallsk tappning med en blomstrande twist. I kölvattnet av sin bortgångna mormor skapar Poppy en ny tillvaro i en mindre stad där släktskapen sträcker sig långt tillbaka.
De färgstarka karaktärerna bidrar till både förundran, fniss och avund. Huvudkaraktären Poppy fick mig att tänka tillbaka på mina mer fartfyllda år och skapade medkänsla med hur Poppy slits mellan tillit, att våga visa sig sårbar och de enormt höga murar hon byggt runt sig. Även i birollen Amber hittade jag delar av mig själv och när alla hemligheter kom upp till ytan behövde jag en läspaus för att hämta andan en sekund.
Med lite spänning, mysterier och gamla slott är boken verkligen välskriven. Trots några tappade trådar påvägen så är det en mycket läsvärd feelgood.
De färgstarka karaktärerna bidrar till både förundran, fniss och avund. Huvudkaraktären Poppy fick mig att tänka tillbaka på mina mer fartfyllda år och skapade medkänsla med hur Poppy slits mellan tillit, att våga visa sig sårbar och de enormt höga murar hon byggt runt sig. Även i birollen Amber hittade jag delar av mig själv och när alla hemligheter kom upp till ytan behövde jag en läspaus för att hämta andan en sekund.
Med lite spänning, mysterier och gamla slott är boken verkligen välskriven. Trots några tappade trådar påvägen så är det en mycket läsvärd feelgood.
May 18, 2020
The story of a girl, inheriting the flower shop from her grandmother, but she had a problem with flowers. It's a premise that could have gone boring very quickly, but there are so many little side plots that it all comes together as one big story.
As many of Ali McNamara's main female characters, Poppy takes a while to get used to.
Sherif Woody and Amber might be my two favourite characters here! Actual Sherif Woody, haha.
Also, Jake has a monkey, an actual monkey!
Not to mention that the whole Carmichael family is named after a flower.
As many of Ali McNamara's main female characters, Poppy takes a while to get used to.
Sherif Woody and Amber might be my two favourite characters here! Actual Sherif Woody, haha.
Also, Jake has a monkey, an actual monkey!
Not to mention that the whole Carmichael family is named after a flower.
July 31, 2022
En mysig och somrig bok som gjorde mig sugen på två saker, ett: Att läsa fler böcker av Ali McNamara och två: Att åka till Cornwall!
May 7, 2018
The Little Flower Shop by the Sea - Oh, how I was... expecting to read this book. I was in a mixed place when I started reading it. I had just finished a Stephanie Plum novel (my first) and had been delighted by that and was hoping for something good. But, just a book before, I'd read Creature Comforts, which was so bad it even surprised me. And I don't expect a lot from Romance novels. With those two books in mind, my expectations from The Little Flower Shop by the Sea were a mix of low yet hopeful.
And it wasn't necessarily bad. It was okay. It just felt incredibly cliche. Actually, cliche in a sort of Mary-Sue, fanficiton way.
The main character, Poppy, is apparently a bitch unless you're Jake (Aka hot) or basically anyone she meets after she's met Jake, which I thought was incredibly inconsistent. You known from basically the beginning that there was a traumatic event in her past , and there's this HUUUUUGE build-up and it's built-up so much that when the "big reveal" came I was very much let down and incredibly baffled. Maybe I just have too much experience with traumas to understand that, heh. In any way, the big reveal had me completely, as I said, baffled. It didn't make sense. It was a very dramatic thing, in a way, but very dramatic in the way a telenovella is dramatic, so it felt quite unbelieveable.
I will admit that Poppy grew on me, and therefore I did not detest the book, and I think it's an alright read. I liked a good few of the side characters, although they seemed to mostly be there to show us how cool Poppy was. I kept wishing the other characters would call Poppy out on her bullshit. A quick example would be:
The plot was interesting, I guess. I wish they would have gone more into the whole magic of the flowers thing, that's what intrigued me in the first place and it had a much smaller role than I expected. I loved the flower themes and messages and the chapter titles with the flowers, that was lovely. The main thing that falls short for me, I see looking back, is Poppy herself. She just felt like the cliche Mary Sue with the dark background who no one likes (because she's a bitch) who goes and falls in love with this guy who loves her (even though she's a bitch to him) and then magically becomes nice because of a magic [insert item = flowers] and a magic [insert place = seaside town]. Creature Comforts had almost the exact same plot... Ech.
My biggest complaint (aside from Poppy) has to do with Poppy anyhow, because it's her attitude when talking about therapy. WHY, AUTHOR, WHY??!?! People in therapy have a hard enough time dealing with the stigma without more books about how the sea will heal you better than a therapist. I am so sick and bloody tired of people writing about therapy who I assume have either never been in therapy or not found the right therapist for them. I repeat, the stigma is bad enough without every other writer saying lines like, "This town, an enchanted little flower shop, and a group of lovely people, you included, have done more for me than fifteen years of therapists ever did." Ladies and Gents that line was 30 pages from the end of the book, yet I screamed into my pillow and almost gave up because of that line. It was the last line of a multitude belittling therapy, and I'd just about had enough.
I only remembered this when looking at another review, but I had a similar issue in this book as Creature Comforts: For some reason the author switches between past and present, even though most of the book is supposed to be in present. I flinched every time it happened and had to reread multiple segments. It felt quite strange and uncomfortable, and although it wasn't nearly at the level it was in Creature Comforts, it had me thinking about tenses for a while after.
If I would recommend this book, it would be as a lazy summer read, or for people who like book to do with flowers and the language of flowers. I don't think there are many books out there with that as a topic, so you take what you can get. It's cute and fun enough that you can have a good time even if you don't like some of the themes, and others are probably way less picky with female main characters than I am (I dislike about 50% of them), so I assume others will find it easier to sympathize with Poppy.
And it wasn't necessarily bad. It was okay. It just felt incredibly cliche. Actually, cliche in a sort of Mary-Sue, fanficiton way.
The main character, Poppy, is apparently a bitch unless you're Jake (Aka hot) or basically anyone she meets after she's met Jake, which I thought was incredibly inconsistent. You known from basically the beginning that there was a traumatic event in her past , and there's this HUUUUUGE build-up and it's built-up so much that when the "big reveal" came I was very much let down and incredibly baffled. Maybe I just have too much experience with traumas to understand that, heh. In any way, the big reveal had me completely, as I said, baffled. It didn't make sense. It was a very dramatic thing, in a way, but very dramatic in the way a telenovella is dramatic, so it felt quite unbelieveable.
I will admit that Poppy grew on me, and therefore I did not detest the book, and I think it's an alright read. I liked a good few of the side characters, although they seemed to mostly be there to show us how cool Poppy was. I kept wishing the other characters would call Poppy out on her bullshit. A quick example would be:
The plot was interesting, I guess. I wish they would have gone more into the whole magic of the flowers thing, that's what intrigued me in the first place and it had a much smaller role than I expected. I loved the flower themes and messages and the chapter titles with the flowers, that was lovely. The main thing that falls short for me, I see looking back, is Poppy herself. She just felt like the cliche Mary Sue with the dark background who no one likes (because she's a bitch) who goes and falls in love with this guy who loves her (even though she's a bitch to him) and then magically becomes nice because of a magic [insert item = flowers] and a magic [insert place = seaside town]. Creature Comforts had almost the exact same plot... Ech.
My biggest complaint (aside from Poppy) has to do with Poppy anyhow, because it's her attitude when talking about therapy. WHY, AUTHOR, WHY??!?! People in therapy have a hard enough time dealing with the stigma without more books about how the sea will heal you better than a therapist. I am so sick and bloody tired of people writing about therapy who I assume have either never been in therapy or not found the right therapist for them. I repeat, the stigma is bad enough without every other writer saying lines like, "This town, an enchanted little flower shop, and a group of lovely people, you included, have done more for me than fifteen years of therapists ever did." Ladies and Gents that line was 30 pages from the end of the book, yet I screamed into my pillow and almost gave up because of that line. It was the last line of a multitude belittling therapy, and I'd just about had enough.
I only remembered this when looking at another review, but I had a similar issue in this book as Creature Comforts: For some reason the author switches between past and present, even though most of the book is supposed to be in present. I flinched every time it happened and had to reread multiple segments. It felt quite strange and uncomfortable, and although it wasn't nearly at the level it was in Creature Comforts, it had me thinking about tenses for a while after.
If I would recommend this book, it would be as a lazy summer read, or for people who like book to do with flowers and the language of flowers. I don't think there are many books out there with that as a topic, so you take what you can get. It's cute and fun enough that you can have a good time even if you don't like some of the themes, and others are probably way less picky with female main characters than I am (I dislike about 50% of them), so I assume others will find it easier to sympathize with Poppy.
July 3, 2024
Not my usual type of book but I wanted to read something easy while I wasn’t feeling well. It was an enjoyable read, a bit corny but was a great distraction. The main character, Poppy has issues stemming from something that happened in her childhood and you really do end up rooting for her.
July 23, 2019
I always find that Ali McNamara's novels have a certain amount of magic in them. This one is no different. I have had this novel on my TBR pile for ages but have only just got round to reading it, and I wonder why I left it so long! It's a lighthearted and easy read, a perfect way to spend a few hours. The cover of this novel is so pretty, I love the ombre sky, the coloured buildings, and the surrounding fields and sea.
At first I was so unsure on main character Poppy, only because there was a huge mystery behind her and what she had been through. She seemed very distant from everyone and was occasionally very snappy, which I didn't really like reading, especially when everyone was just trying to be kind to her! However, as the novel went on, we can clearly see Poppy coming out of her hard shell and relaxing a little - and it's nice to see her happy! I liked Amber's character, Jake and of course I was in love once Basil came into the story! (and equally heartbroken when he unexpectedly left it too!!!!)
As well as the characters mentioned above, there are a bunch of other secondary characters that we get to meet and they all come across as delightful and overall very lovely. There's a real community spirit in this little town, and I loved reading about them all coming together to help each other out. It's so heartwarming to see. One character I wasn't sure on was actually Ash. However, I think this is just because I really didn't want Ash and Poppy to get together! I had my hopes on Poppy falling for Jake! (which was clear from the very beginning that this is what is going to happen - but it was so nice to see it all unfolding!) I also loved the setting of this novel, any book set in Cornwall is a winner in my book, so I really loved it. It sounded like the most perfect place to live.
Overall, another very enjoyable and easy read by the lovely Ali McNamara. I will be on the look out for more of her novels in the near future!!
At first I was so unsure on main character Poppy, only because there was a huge mystery behind her and what she had been through. She seemed very distant from everyone and was occasionally very snappy, which I didn't really like reading, especially when everyone was just trying to be kind to her! However, as the novel went on, we can clearly see Poppy coming out of her hard shell and relaxing a little - and it's nice to see her happy! I liked Amber's character, Jake and of course I was in love once Basil came into the story! (and equally heartbroken when he unexpectedly left it too!!!!)
As well as the characters mentioned above, there are a bunch of other secondary characters that we get to meet and they all come across as delightful and overall very lovely. There's a real community spirit in this little town, and I loved reading about them all coming together to help each other out. It's so heartwarming to see. One character I wasn't sure on was actually Ash. However, I think this is just because I really didn't want Ash and Poppy to get together! I had my hopes on Poppy falling for Jake! (which was clear from the very beginning that this is what is going to happen - but it was so nice to see it all unfolding!) I also loved the setting of this novel, any book set in Cornwall is a winner in my book, so I really loved it. It sounded like the most perfect place to live.
Overall, another very enjoyable and easy read by the lovely Ali McNamara. I will be on the look out for more of her novels in the near future!!
July 6, 2015
Ali McNamara’s books are like a breath of fresh air. I read a LOT of Crime, Thriller and Mystery’s so when I have a break from the genre I always want a book that is the complete opposite. Thankfully Ali McNamara’s books not only tell wonderful stories, they manage to transport you to a whole new world. In this case St Felix in Cornwall. By the halfway point in the book I was already wondering whether I could squeeze in a quick weekend down there at some point during the summer.
Our leading lady Poppy Carmichael isn’t the standard issue girl next door in terms of looks. She always dresses in black and has a serious chip on her shoulder. I fell in love with her immediately. She has been left her Grandmother’s florist down in St Ives, and she makes her way down there not knowing what to do. Her first instinct is to race back to London after selling up.
What actually happens is that she runs into quite a few of the locals and before she knows it, has agreed to give the shop a go and stays on in ST Ives. Not only is Poppy a fabulous character but as usual in a McNamara book all the secondary characters are fabulous too. Amber, Woody, Jake and some other locals add to the charm of both the story and this seaside town.
I was rooting for Poppy, as we realise very early on that there are reasons for her strange behaviours’ and phobia’s, only we are made to wait to find out exactly why. The story was told in such a way that you had enough of each part of the story without it being ruined. I loved everything about it from the setting, to the characters to the story itself. It seems that Ali McNamara has produced another cracking book that is the perfect getaway from real life.
Our leading lady Poppy Carmichael isn’t the standard issue girl next door in terms of looks. She always dresses in black and has a serious chip on her shoulder. I fell in love with her immediately. She has been left her Grandmother’s florist down in St Ives, and she makes her way down there not knowing what to do. Her first instinct is to race back to London after selling up.
What actually happens is that she runs into quite a few of the locals and before she knows it, has agreed to give the shop a go and stays on in ST Ives. Not only is Poppy a fabulous character but as usual in a McNamara book all the secondary characters are fabulous too. Amber, Woody, Jake and some other locals add to the charm of both the story and this seaside town.
I was rooting for Poppy, as we realise very early on that there are reasons for her strange behaviours’ and phobia’s, only we are made to wait to find out exactly why. The story was told in such a way that you had enough of each part of the story without it being ruined. I loved everything about it from the setting, to the characters to the story itself. It seems that Ali McNamara has produced another cracking book that is the perfect getaway from real life.
February 22, 2022
https://clife.blog/2022/02/21/book-re...
Poppy has inherited her grandmothers flower shop in St. Felix and she dresses mainly in black and behaves a lot younger than her actual age, this should go well shouldn’t it? Her grandmother seemed to know what will happen for everyone when you begin to hear the stories the people in the small village have to say about her. With characters such as Jake and Amber being introduced along with the many others we hear about – it is great to see that the novel actually introduces them in a way where you can follow along. A lot of novels in my experience tend to write about several characters all over the place which would make for poor reading which is something I really enjoy in this author’s books – she writes in a way where you can follow all the characters being mentioned. It just has that sense of personality in each of the characters like they are well established.
The author not only created characters who were described so well, I felt I was in the sidelines watching Poppy slowly coming to terms with her own heartache while she breathed so much life back into St Felix by simply handing out the gift of friendship and being there for those in need. While she was doing this her new friend Amber is showing Poppy that it is OK for her to be happy while weaving her own version of magic in a very special way.
This was a great story and one I would happily recommend. The storyline is entertaining, at times heartbreaking but the magic of flowers will show Poppy her way in the most unexpected of ways.
A great book which I am happy to recommend.
Poppy has inherited her grandmothers flower shop in St. Felix and she dresses mainly in black and behaves a lot younger than her actual age, this should go well shouldn’t it? Her grandmother seemed to know what will happen for everyone when you begin to hear the stories the people in the small village have to say about her. With characters such as Jake and Amber being introduced along with the many others we hear about – it is great to see that the novel actually introduces them in a way where you can follow along. A lot of novels in my experience tend to write about several characters all over the place which would make for poor reading which is something I really enjoy in this author’s books – she writes in a way where you can follow all the characters being mentioned. It just has that sense of personality in each of the characters like they are well established.
The author not only created characters who were described so well, I felt I was in the sidelines watching Poppy slowly coming to terms with her own heartache while she breathed so much life back into St Felix by simply handing out the gift of friendship and being there for those in need. While she was doing this her new friend Amber is showing Poppy that it is OK for her to be happy while weaving her own version of magic in a very special way.
This was a great story and one I would happily recommend. The storyline is entertaining, at times heartbreaking but the magic of flowers will show Poppy her way in the most unexpected of ways.
A great book which I am happy to recommend.
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