The Dreamer's Flower Shoppe

Friends & Neighbors #2

by Ava Miles

Ava Miles, author of the #1 National Bestseller The Chocolate Garden, shares another feel-good blockbuster about following your dreams no matter how impossible the odds and the power of friends and neighbors to help.

Going back to the cherished days with her father in his greenhouse, Rose Fiorni always understood the power of flowers to comfort and uplift a human heart.

Single and unemployed, she’s back home in her old close-knit neighborhood along New York’s Hudson River Valley, searching for what’s next. Her dream airline career is more than grounded. It’s gone for good.

But hope is returning to her small town, and Rose is grabbing its coattails and refusing to let go. With nothing but time on her hands, she’s expanded her father’s greenhouse—the one place that always brought her happiness. With the town’s flower shop out of business, her neighbors have begun coming to her for flowers and help with their plants.

Knowing her love for flowers, her friends urge her to go for this new a flower shop of her own. Only with nothing in her bank account, it’s the impossible dream. Yet with the help of friends and neighbors, she realizes all things are, in fact, possible, and if she goes for it, surely it will be a dreamer’s flower shoppe.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2021

About the author

Millions of readers have discovered International Bestselling Author Ava Miles and her powerful fiction and non-fiction books about love, happiness, and transformation. Her novels have received praise and accolades from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and People Magazine in addition to being chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s picks. Translated into multiple languages, Ava’s strongest praise comes directly from her readers, who call her books and characters unforgettable.

Ava is a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones to foster peaceful and prosperous communities, and has helped people live their best life as a life coach, energy healer, and self-help expert. She is never happier than when she’s formulating skin care and wellness products, gardening, or creating a new work of art. Hanging with her friends and loved ones is pretty great too.

After years of residing in the States, she decided to follow her dream of living in Europe. She recently finished a magical stint in Ireland where she was inspired to write her acclaimed Unexpected Prince Charming series. Now, she’s splitting her time between Paris and Provence, learning to speak French, immersing herself in cooking à la provençal, and planning more page-turning novels for readers to binge.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I truly am having difficulty rating this book. I love Ava Miles' books. Her stories and characters are always great. Several of her recent books intermingled the story line with the Covid situation and what we are experiencing with it all. As of the writing of my comments here, we have been living with the fear and stress of it for over one and half years. One of my ways of giving my mind, heart and soul a tiny break is by reading an engaging book. It has always been like a mini-vacation for me. Take me away Calgon (I'm dating myself here)! So, try as I might to focus on the romance and characters here when that stressful situation influences every part of the story, well it was too much for me. If I had read this years after this horror, it would not have affected me so. But, we are still in the throes of it at the time of my reading this book.

I do not wish to detract from the excellent writing or delightful characters. I am just expressing my opinion and why I am rating the book the way I am.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story from Ava Miles that will have you laughing, crying, and smiling like a fool. I devoured this and now have fallen in love with more characters.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dreamer’s Flower Shoppe: Friends and Neighbors Book 2 is by Ann Miles. This book takes place in Orion, New York. It occurs in November through January during the Covid Pandemic. Most of the town complies with Covid restrictions although there are a few holdouts. Many of those who left town for work have returned with no place to go. Among these are Vinnie, Hank, Rosie and later Al. Warren and his wife, Amy, have come to town where he will administer the Orion’s Friends and Neighbor’s Trust set up by Clara Merriam Hale. She set this up for the people in this town so their businesses could survive.
Rosie hated that she had to come home; but she had no choice. She lost her job, her apartment was too expensive, and she had no prospects for another one. Luckily, she had been able to come home. Her Father had given her the greenhouse so she could start her new business. She wanted to sell flowers and do weddings. She had her first wedding books- Hank and Alice were getting married. It would be a small wedding; but it was a wedding. She had also started taking videos for Aunt Gladys for advertisement using Vinnie as a model. He was a natural. She promised to help him really get started in this field. Currently he was working for Hank at the Irish Pub. At least it was a job after the Two Sisters went out of business in the aftermath of Covid. His Aunt Alyssa caught it and then his Mother, both cooks for The Two Sisters. After his aunt died, the fun of the restaurant was gone for his Mother. He had found his flinders had come off and he could see Rosie for more than the little girl who followed him around. He wanted to date her and maybe marry her. He had to be very sure before he started dating her since she was a neighborhood girl and rules were different for her.
What would become of the neighborhood as Covid continues to take its slice of the pie. Can they get the partnership to work for everyone? What happens when Rosie’s brother Al shows up. He is a bully and no good. What will he do to make Rosie suffer?

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could you not fall in love with Vinnie? Rose has loved him since she was a little girl. Vinnie was attracted to Rose, but she had moved away and anyway, she is a girl from the neighborhood. You just don't mess with those girls unless you are serious. He has always been a small town guy and wants to stay there. His mother wants him to move to Chicago and take over his uncle's plumbing business, but Vinnie doesn't have the heart for that. When Rose returns to town after losing her job, she decides that being home isn't so bad. She has always loved flowers and decides to open a flower business. Then tragedy strikes and she may have to take a low paying job in the city again. Vinnie can't lose her now. Can they both find a new way of life in such a small town? Can they make it work? With a couple of miracles and the help of their friends and neighbors, they just might make it work.

[Donna Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dreamer's Flower Shoppe is the second book in the Friends and Neighbors Series.
Rose has loved Vinnie since she was a young girl, she returns to the neighborhood after losing her dream job because of COVID. Vinnie was attracted to Rose as well but he always saw neighborhood girls as off limits unless you were in all the way.
Rose has also dreamed of opening a flower store but can't see that it is possible during the pandemic, Vinnie tries to help her see that it is possible.
These stories are also about the whole community and how they try and help each other.
It's a lovely story and you won't be disappointed by reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen L Ledee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5***** stars. Another great story from the offshoot of the Merriam family. The small New York town finds itself still coping with the effects from the pandemic. Rose and Vinnie are still dancing around each other until her older brother makes her upside town world worse for her and her parents. When they open their hearts and make some quick life altering decisions they can move off of dead center, until said evil sneaky reprehensible brother unleashed his wrath once again. But when tragedy struck, the town banded together and became a family to help heal one of their own. Very well written and a fantastic read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Leah Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and beautifully told, this story will grab you and tug on your emotions. I laughed, I cried, and as always with a book by Ava Miles, I finished with a feeling of hope. Love shines through in Rose and Vinnie's story. So does a sense of community. The cast of characters feel like old friends. It's not only a love story, it's a book about friends and family. The ending was perfect!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pary A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Inspiring

I cannot say enough about this story. If I could give it more stars I would, that’s how much I liked this book!! It was truly inspiring. In this real time of darkness and suffering for so many, this book really brought it all home. Friends, family and community sre the great cornerstones of true happiness. Well done! Thank you for writing and amazing story, one I know will stay with me forever.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Friends & Neighbors series a beautiful story of a town pulling together when hardship hits some of it citizens. This story is done in the time of Covid. It is Rose and Vinnie his best friend Hank and Alice, and the older couple Clifton and Glady whose wedding day we get at the end. A story of love for the neighbors and friends as they all work together. I would recommend. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vinnie Scorsese didn't see Rose Fiorni as someone to stay in their hometown of Orion. Rose dreams of owning a flower shoppe but doesn't think it's possible during The Covid-19 pandemic. As Vinnie tried to convince Rose otherwise. Vinnie needs to find his own career path during this confusing period of time. Will Rose's dream come true? Will Vinnie find his path? Your answers await you in The Dreamer's Flower Shoppe.

[Flo Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming and emotional

This is an incredible story about friends and neighbours coming to aid their friends when the chips are down. When Rose's greenhouse gets trashed the co.munich come together to get her business back on its feet. When Bonnie needs a job his friend Hank gets him to be his partner in a new restaurant called Two Brothers.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story about love and family , friends and betrayal. The life in small town where everyone is in everybody’s business, they can ruined or help. They stand for each other in dear need.
Great storyline, entertaining and engaging.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Rose and Vinnie and thought they were well suited for each other. I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and this one was handled well. They had to figure out how to navigate family expectations and the fact that they had known each other for years.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, lovely, and wonderfully written. A story of family, love, romance, friends and betrayal that will keep you glued to the pages. The characters are well developed, realistic, and easy to get to know. A great small town romance you don't want to miss out on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Clouser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams do come true

I love everything Ava Miles writes, but this one was special. Rose spent her whole life loving Vinnie while he only thought of her as a neighborhood girl and off limits. With the help of family and friends, they come together for a very satisfying happily ever after.

[Nancy Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I had so many emotions with this book. I was thrilled when Vincent truly saw rose as his love. It broke my heart when the green house was destroyed but I regain confidence when the town pulled together. I just truly enjoyed this book although I guessed right on some of the thing's that happened in the story it was great to read how they got there.

[Tammy L Needy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming

I’ve followed Ava through many series and find her story telling touches my heart every time. When I read her books it brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

It was wonderful that Vinnie and Rose finally realized and admitted their love for each other. But all their dreams were nearly destroyed by Rose's hateful brother. Thankfully their friends and neighbors pulled through for them in the end!

[Bee Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

The Dreamers Flower Shoppe was absolutely wonderful, as are all of Ava Miles' books. There were ups and downs in the story - sadness and incredible Hope, Love, and Joy. I look forward to the next Friends & Neighbors book.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story about a community that comes together to help one of their own during a very difficult time. The characters are mostly kind, generous people full of compassion and concern. The story is only made more enjoyable by the sweet romances develop.

[Evelyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing story about our friends, the Merriam s and their world.

I really enjoyed how the Covid pandemic was worked into the story to help us see the best in people who we love! Of course, there's another successful romance or two ...

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and charming story with great characters. The journey makes for good reading. Some decisions are hard to make or feel confident about. Hard to put down. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful romance bringing us Rose and Vinnie's story. Rose has had to come home, but can she use her father's greenhouse to help her build a business.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed every sweet moment of this action packed, heartwarming and emotional adventure filled with engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists, awesome supporting cast and undeniable passion. Great reading from beginning to end and so hard to put down.

[debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends and neighbors!

We all need them! This is a happy place book, and part of e delightful series of family and friends, best of times worst of times and shining examples of the realties we all have either in our lives or right around the corner.

[April Siemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real life struggles triumphed by love

Timely love story navigating a pandemic, displaying the best( & sometimes worst) of love, family, & true friends. Makes you want to be a part of the Orion community

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, life, family and friendship

The last book in the series wrapped up the pieces and completed the circle: of love, life, family and friendship . You will laugh and cry along with the characters as they face and conquer whatever life throws at them.

[Cheryl Re · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need to put some context regarding g the rating. I liked the characters and even the story. What I didn’t like was all the covid stuff. Felt like it was its own character in the story. I get covid happen and it was terrible. But I read to escape not be reminded about all we went through.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow I hate her brother! I really wanted to see some justice done there. Other than that I really enjoyed Rose and Vinnie and seeing the neighborhood pull together to help.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want to put this book now. I enjoyed this book in the series much more than the first. Vinnie and Rose’s love story was one to lose yourself in.