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The Rose Revived
May, Sally and Harriet have had enough.
They may work at Quality Cleaners, but there is nothing quality about the way their boss, ‘Slimeball’ Slater runs the business.
Sick and tired of working for a crook, May, Sally and Harriet decide to set up their own business.
Soon May finds she can afford the mooring fees for her beloved narrowboat, Harriet discovers she has a gift for painting, and Sally’s dream of owning a place of her own is fast becoming a reality.
It all seems to be going so well. But is it really?
And is it too much, May wonders, to want a man to share her new found happiness?
They may work at Quality Cleaners, but there is nothing quality about the way their boss, ‘Slimeball’ Slater runs the business.
Sick and tired of working for a crook, May, Sally and Harriet decide to set up their own business.
Soon May finds she can afford the mooring fees for her beloved narrowboat, Harriet discovers she has a gift for painting, and Sally’s dream of owning a place of her own is fast becoming a reality.
It all seems to be going so well. But is it really?
And is it too much, May wonders, to want a man to share her new found happiness?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
146 people are currently reading
1681 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
96 books2,312 followersCatherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
February 11, 2023
At first I thought this book was everything I want in my chick-lit - three spunky heroines, a gorgeous setting, a narrowboat;
and two of the love interests were quite attractive.
& I liked the cleaning business idea. I've worked as a cleaner in the past and I do like seeing unglamorous jobs used in novels. We can't all be fashion models after all. & I loved that the women were such supportive friends to each other.
The story starting coming a bit unglued in the middle. (but it was still a page turner) Originally May seemed to be the main character but all three were given
So three characters as equal mains was too much for the writer to keep control of the story. The strands weren't worked together equally. I had no trouble putting the book down when at 91% & frankly the ending was totally predictable - & not in a good way.
4★ beginning
3★ middle
2★ ending
As this is an early Fforde I may try another. I know she is a big Georgette Heyer fan and maybe she gets some of GH's wit & deftness in her later books.
But I'm not in any rush.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
Picture taken by RHaworth, Creative Commons, Wikipedia
and two of the love interests were quite attractive.
& I liked the cleaning business idea. I've worked as a cleaner in the past and I do like seeing unglamorous jobs used in novels. We can't all be fashion models after all. & I loved that the women were such supportive friends to each other.
The story starting coming a bit unglued in the middle. (but it was still a page turner) Originally May seemed to be the main character but all three were given
So three characters as equal mains was too much for the writer to keep control of the story. The strands weren't worked together equally. I had no trouble putting the book down when at 91% & frankly the ending was totally predictable - & not in a good way.
4★ beginning
3★ middle
2★ ending
As this is an early Fforde I may try another. I know she is a big Georgette Heyer fan and maybe she gets some of GH's wit & deftness in her later books.
But I'm not in any rush.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
April 23, 2010
I laugh when I write reviews on Katie's books, cause there's just so many new ways of describing how this book is different then the other 12 books. Let's see... there's a girl with a boat who likes to argue a lot with the hot man and won't let him help her in anyway. Yet, when he leaves for a short time she gets all depressed. Good thing she's got her boat, her best gal pals, projects that are so impossible and a "cuppa" to get her through until he returns. Once he's back, some more arguing occurs, hot steamy sex in the grass, then him deciding that they're getting married.
How many of Katie's books did I just describe?
Yet, I always want more.
How many of Katie's books did I just describe?
Yet, I always want more.
July 30, 2021
I have been rather disappointed by some of Katie’s more recent books, but this one written a few years ago, is vintage Katie - full of likeable characters, realistic settings, happy endings and good humour. It is exactly what you need for a short escape into a world where problems are resolved and the journey is pleasurable and entertaining. She is a master of this romance genre and I was pleased to discover one of her books that I had not already read.
Sometime, I just want a truly relaxing and entertaining escape - and this hits the spot for providing a short, sweet shot of glorious romance. It is of course unrealistic and predictable - but I don’t care!
Sometime, I just want a truly relaxing and entertaining escape - and this hits the spot for providing a short, sweet shot of glorious romance. It is of course unrealistic and predictable - but I don’t care!
December 4, 2017
3.5 stars
A comedy was the required November reading challenge I have going with a friend of mine. I’m not sure if The Rose Revived can be classed as a comedy as there were no laugh-out-loud funny bits however it was still entertaining and contained a tiny dash of wit to make one smile.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, possibly in the future I might try another of Katie Fforde’s books.
A comedy was the required November reading challenge I have going with a friend of mine. I’m not sure if The Rose Revived can be classed as a comedy as there were no laugh-out-loud funny bits however it was still entertaining and contained a tiny dash of wit to make one smile.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, possibly in the future I might try another of Katie Fforde’s books.
October 20, 2024
3.75 stars
May 4, 2020
3,5 stars
I'm very sorry that the ending was so lame or I would rate it better :(
I really enjoyed most of this book. As usual with Katie Fforde's books, it was so easy to like the characters, everything was so adorable, the way 3 young women met and became friends, worked together, fell in love with 3 lovable men... Enchanting, simply enchanting.
I'm very sorry that the ending was so lame or I would rate it better :(
I really enjoyed most of this book. As usual with Katie Fforde's books, it was so easy to like the characters, everything was so adorable, the way 3 young women met and became friends, worked together, fell in love with 3 lovable men... Enchanting, simply enchanting.
May 24, 2015
This was the first Katie Fforde book I ever read, and since then I've read them all. She is one of my favourite authors. Her books tend to follow the same plot, so you always know who will end up with who. Nonethless, Katie Fforde is a fantastic story teller, and I often reread her books.
February 3, 2023
Started off well but totally went down hill after half way.
Very disappointing.
The 3 women in the story started off independent strong women, set up a business etc, then they all turned into wimpy 1980s need a man boring drips and the business fell by the way side.
Very disappointing.
The 3 women in the story started off independent strong women, set up a business etc, then they all turned into wimpy 1980s need a man boring drips and the business fell by the way side.
December 2, 2024
4.5 stars
The Rose Revived is a contemporary story about three young women who all need a little bit of luck to help them along in life.
May owns a canal boat, but she also owes mooring fees which she cannot pay. Harriet has left her controlling grandparents and hopes to find work so that she can have her own home, while Sally is an out of work actress with an unfaithful boyfriend.
They all meet at a job interview for a new cleaning company; luckily the owner agrees to employ all three. Meanwhile, May offers Harriet a temporary bed on her boat and they begin their cleaning work. There then follows many ups and downs in this fun and entertaining story.
All three characters get a fair share of the story although May’s tale is more dominant. I found myself liking all three women and was eager to read more as they developed their skills. This is a feel-good story and one that will hopefully leave you smiling as you turn the very last page.
The Rose Revived is a contemporary story about three young women who all need a little bit of luck to help them along in life.
May owns a canal boat, but she also owes mooring fees which she cannot pay. Harriet has left her controlling grandparents and hopes to find work so that she can have her own home, while Sally is an out of work actress with an unfaithful boyfriend.
They all meet at a job interview for a new cleaning company; luckily the owner agrees to employ all three. Meanwhile, May offers Harriet a temporary bed on her boat and they begin their cleaning work. There then follows many ups and downs in this fun and entertaining story.
All three characters get a fair share of the story although May’s tale is more dominant. I found myself liking all three women and was eager to read more as they developed their skills. This is a feel-good story and one that will hopefully leave you smiling as you turn the very last page.
April 1, 2013
This book was pretty standard Katie Fforde fare. There's a happy, if somewhat rushed, ending which I'm always pleased about and the pace of the story trundles along quite happily so that you don't get so bored. A couple of issues niggled at me slightly when reading it though. No matter how quirky or scatterbrained you are, you don't randomly decide when in a stranger's house that you're going to use their shower. It's weird and quite frankly you'd be lucky if they didn't toss you out on the street naked while calling the police if you did. That was a moment in the story where I almost stopped reading just because I couldn't believe some of the main character's behaviour. Other things included forcibly inviting yourself to stay at someone's house for the weekend and not calling the police when you've been threatened and your property vandalised by thugs. Incidents like these actually made me care about characters less, so while I was happy that everything turned out right for them, I wasn't as invested in them as I have been with other novels Fforde has written.
A good book to read, but don't expect much intelligence from the leading heroines.
A good book to read, but don't expect much intelligence from the leading heroines.
January 11, 2014
In The Rose Revived, talented author, Katie Fforde took three hard-up young women, three men they fancy and a narrowboat called The Rose then mixed them together with many other memorable characters to make a magic brew.
May is desperate to earn the money to pay The Rose's mooring fees which she unwittingly inherited.
Talented artist, Harriet, escapes from drudgery in her grandparents' house to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.
Out of work, Sally, an actress is trying to find the courage to leave Victor, who has not only become a petty-minded tyrant but also saps her self-esteem.
May, Harriet and Sally fail to read the contracts they sign with `Slimeball' Slater, who offered substantial wages for those working for his company Quality Cleaners. Cheated by him, the three young women set up their own cleaning business despite Slimeball's threats.
Katie Fforde made me care about her large cast of characters. She also grabbed my interest in the advantages and disadvantages of life on a narrowboat.
May is desperate to earn the money to pay The Rose's mooring fees which she unwittingly inherited.
Talented artist, Harriet, escapes from drudgery in her grandparents' house to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.
Out of work, Sally, an actress is trying to find the courage to leave Victor, who has not only become a petty-minded tyrant but also saps her self-esteem.
May, Harriet and Sally fail to read the contracts they sign with `Slimeball' Slater, who offered substantial wages for those working for his company Quality Cleaners. Cheated by him, the three young women set up their own cleaning business despite Slimeball's threats.
Katie Fforde made me care about her large cast of characters. She also grabbed my interest in the advantages and disadvantages of life on a narrowboat.
July 22, 2018
Really, really bad. Some pretty dodgy sexism peppered throughout the entire book, a messy plot with lots of loose ends and lines that fizzled out, and an uneven treatment of the three character threads. Also, what normal human being, in 1995, when this book was written, thought 'sodding' was a swear word? So much so they would feel the need to apologise for saying it, as does a character in the book? Honestly. I've read and mostly enjoyed a good amount of Katie Fforde books, but this was truly awful.
Perhaps I'm just sick of her standard template of 1950s throwback females always winning some bossy/angry/sullen man over with their cooking/cleaning/child-rearing skills, then being thrilled to be proposed to before they've even been on a date, rather than thinking 'hold on a bit mate, tone down the psycho'.
Perhaps I'm just sick of her standard template of 1950s throwback females always winning some bossy/angry/sullen man over with their cooking/cleaning/child-rearing skills, then being thrilled to be proposed to before they've even been on a date, rather than thinking 'hold on a bit mate, tone down the psycho'.
July 9, 2012
Although all Katie Fforde's books follow the same formula I continue to read and enjoy them. Girl has a problem, encounters a man she cannot stand, he helps her, they fight have misunderstandings and eventually fall in love. She even solves her problem. A totally enjoyable reading experience. This time May needs money to save her boat, Harriet needs to make a place for her son and be able to study art, and Sally the aspiring actress wants to feel secure. They sign up to work for Quality Cleaners without reading the contract and of course, they are being taken to the cleaners. They decide to set up their own cleaning business. It turns into a small success but along the way the girls get side tracked.
June 23, 2014
Light easy read. Three young women meet up at an interview and the story follows the three of them as they meet 'their men'. Quite predictable, but funny, with good characters and quite a different storyline. Very different from my normal crime novels but I enjoyed it. I have read a few of Katie Fforde's novels and all are completely different with very different settings.
November 14, 2020
Chick lit with substance! Loved this warm and cosy read for some stormy autumn days.
January 16, 2022
Love this author, she never fails to have me amused and enthralled by her stories of love between the characters who she writes about. No spoilers, you just need to read the book
June 28, 2018
Three and a half stars.
Three young women apply for a job with a new cleaning company, to their surprise the three of them are employed rather than the clearly more qualified older women who were also in the running, the shifty looking boss of the cleaning company says he is looking for quality, classy women to clean for his classy clientele.
May is desperate for money after her boyfriend left her owing thousands of pounds for the mooring fees on her barge, if she can't pay them quickly the site manager will seize her barge and sell it to recoup his fees.
Harriet has run away from her overbearing grandparents who have treated her like a servant, she is actually very good at cleaning and cooking, having done both to her grandmother's exacting standards. She has come to London because she is an artist and she is desperate for an opportunity to learn how to paint. She is also a single mother to a nine year old boy who her grandparents have sent to boarding school.
Sally is a resting actress, since her acting jobs have dried up her journalist boyfriend has become a lot less loving and a lot more critical, she needs money so that she can leave him.
After working for the cleaning company for several weeks the women discover that they have been conned by the owner and decide to go into business for themselves, stealing their best clients as they go. Each of the women meets a man through their cleaning work, but the path to true love is never smooth and each of them has to go on some journey of self-discovery.
I enjoyed this book, however because it was effectively three love stories in one I felt that the ending was a bit rushed.
Three young women apply for a job with a new cleaning company, to their surprise the three of them are employed rather than the clearly more qualified older women who were also in the running, the shifty looking boss of the cleaning company says he is looking for quality, classy women to clean for his classy clientele.
May is desperate for money after her boyfriend left her owing thousands of pounds for the mooring fees on her barge, if she can't pay them quickly the site manager will seize her barge and sell it to recoup his fees.
Harriet has run away from her overbearing grandparents who have treated her like a servant, she is actually very good at cleaning and cooking, having done both to her grandmother's exacting standards. She has come to London because she is an artist and she is desperate for an opportunity to learn how to paint. She is also a single mother to a nine year old boy who her grandparents have sent to boarding school.
Sally is a resting actress, since her acting jobs have dried up her journalist boyfriend has become a lot less loving and a lot more critical, she needs money so that she can leave him.
After working for the cleaning company for several weeks the women discover that they have been conned by the owner and decide to go into business for themselves, stealing their best clients as they go. Each of the women meets a man through their cleaning work, but the path to true love is never smooth and each of them has to go on some journey of self-discovery.
I enjoyed this book, however because it was effectively three love stories in one I felt that the ending was a bit rushed.
March 10, 2023
May, Sally and Harriet are desperate, they all start working for slimeball slater at his new firm Quality cleaners.
But when he shafts them they strike out on their own under the new name of Cleaning undertaken.
May needs money to keep her narrowboat, Harriet needs start up money to paint and for a flat for her and her son Matthew.
While Sally is "resting" between acting jobs and needs more income.
But when all these girls from vastly different backgrounds meet men they fall for can they show enough courage and success in their love lives as well as their business lives?
This was wonderful, witty, touching and just an all round feel good story.
But when he shafts them they strike out on their own under the new name of Cleaning undertaken.
May needs money to keep her narrowboat, Harriet needs start up money to paint and for a flat for her and her son Matthew.
While Sally is "resting" between acting jobs and needs more income.
But when all these girls from vastly different backgrounds meet men they fall for can they show enough courage and success in their love lives as well as their business lives?
This was wonderful, witty, touching and just an all round feel good story.
December 9, 2022
Mildly amusing, except I didn't like the characters much. There's a difference between an independent, self-sufficient woman and the ungrateful, ungracious child that is May Sargent. Sally Bliss is happy to depend on the kindness of strangers, or take advantage of them, getting her nose out of joint when she isn't treated as a sex object. Harriet Devonshire has taken advantage of her grandparents largesse for years rather than seeking her own way, blaming them for using her as a skivvy instead of taking control of her own destiny. What a bunch of whingers.
OK, it's probably not that bad. They are actually fairly normal young women who eventually pull their fingers out & start trying to make something of themselves, & succeeding. Their male counterparts are all lovely people but I really felt no chemistry there, despite the ending. My favourite is schoolmaster Tom Buckfast who only has a bit part, & I always cry in Goodbye, Mr. Chips, too.
It was all reasonably entertaining.
OK, it's probably not that bad. They are actually fairly normal young women who eventually pull their fingers out & start trying to make something of themselves, & succeeding. Their male counterparts are all lovely people but I really felt no chemistry there, despite the ending. My favourite is schoolmaster Tom Buckfast who only has a bit part, & I always cry in Goodbye, Mr. Chips, too.
It was all reasonably entertaining.
April 18, 2010
It’s déjà vu all over again. No, wait, it’s just another formulaic novel from Katie Fforde.
Three women meet at an interview for a cleaning job. All three women, who are as different as different can be, are hired by Quality Cleaners. They are:
• May, the boat dweller in need of some fast cash;
• Sally, the out of work actress; and
• Harriet, the aspiring artist.
They become fast friends and soon discover that Quality Cleaners is not a quality operation. They decide to quit and form their own cleaning company.
And, yes, along the way, each woman meets a man and falls in love, etc. Same darn structure as the last Fforde novel I read. Exactly.
Three women meet at an interview for a cleaning job. All three women, who are as different as different can be, are hired by Quality Cleaners. They are:
• May, the boat dweller in need of some fast cash;
• Sally, the out of work actress; and
• Harriet, the aspiring artist.
They become fast friends and soon discover that Quality Cleaners is not a quality operation. They decide to quit and form their own cleaning company.
And, yes, along the way, each woman meets a man and falls in love, etc. Same darn structure as the last Fforde novel I read. Exactly.
August 27, 2016
This is the book equivalent of jam roly-poly: it's not going to change the way you think about the human condition but it's warm and sweet and comfortingly British.*
*I will note that even in Britain, I'm fairly certain people in the 90's weren't all going around a) saying "Golly" and b) turning out to have close relations in the peerage.**
**Although golly, wouldn't it be nice.
*I will note that even in Britain, I'm fairly certain people in the 90's weren't all going around a) saying "Golly" and b) turning out to have close relations in the peerage.**
**Although golly, wouldn't it be nice.
August 3, 2017
If you're feeling a bit down or just need a break this is the book for you. Excellent characters and storyline with the KF signature women who have a brain and can be independent! One friend to whom I had recommended this book said it had her making a large pot of tea and reaching for the ginger biscuits. So enjoyable.
October 6, 2020
I always feel peaceful reading Katie Fforde's books. It's her way of writing and the wonderful characters and scenarios. The storyline is easy flowing thus making the book an easy and enjoyable read. This is another good book by her. About the lives of 3 women, how they met each other and their friendship flourish from there. Happy ending of friendships and relationships.
March 26, 2018
Lovely story, Katie Fforde always makes me smile
Great cheerful story, even if a little improbable. That's fiction.
Thoroughly enjoyed it,the pot might be unlikely in real life but the characters are so real and likeable
Great cheerful story, even if a little improbable. That's fiction.
Thoroughly enjoyed it,the pot might be unlikely in real life but the characters are so real and likeable
July 29, 2018
Sweet and lovely
A perfect Katie Fforde book, entertaining and fun. Great characters, each with their own quirks who you just need to have a happy ending. Obviously it all works out and you get the happy ending. A real feel good story!
A perfect Katie Fforde book, entertaining and fun. Great characters, each with their own quirks who you just need to have a happy ending. Obviously it all works out and you get the happy ending. A real feel good story!
April 29, 2021
I absolutely loved this book, it was warm and cosy yet engaging with a fun story line. It would be a perfect holiday read if you’re not looking for something too strenuous yet very enjoyable. I got attached to the characters and I wish there was a sequel!! I would read it again
July 6, 2024
My favorite of Katie Fforde's books. I want to live on a long boat on a canal. Katie Fforde is one of my favorite comic romantic authors, and I wish it was easier to get her books here.
September 24, 2017
A light-hearted, feelgood read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews