When Bella’s heart is broken by her cheating husband, she runs towards those who love her and won’t let her down. Packing a bag, she escapes to Jersey, to help her beloved great-aunt Celestine run her seaside flower stall.
Soon Bella begins to find peace as she arranges wildflowers in vases and learns lessons about life from Celestine, who has loved and lost many times during her years on the island. But when charismatic, brooding Rory arrives at the flower stall, seeking answers about his own family’s past, could all that be about to change?
Bella can’t help but be drawn to Rory, with his aquamarine eyes, and as they walk together under vast blue skies, discussing his tragic family history, Bella wonders if her great-aunt might be able to help.
But when Bella shows Celestine a letter about Rory’s lost grandfather, hidden on the island during the war, her beloved aunt shuts her out. What does Celestine know and why won’t she open her heart? And when Bella discovers that Rory has been keeping something important from her, she fears she has trusted the wrong person once again…
Bella is determined to get to the bottom of the long-buried secret at the heart of this beautiful island. Can it bring her the new beginning that she desperately needs?
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My Review
Set on the idyllic island of Jersey, the novel follows Bella, a woman reeling from her husband’s betrayal, who seeks refuge with her fiercely independent 94-year-old great-aunt, Celestine. The charming flower stall becomes more than just a backdrop—it’s a symbol of resilience, renewal, and community.
As Bella helps Celestine and tries to rebuild her own life, she crosses paths with Rory, a man on a poignant quest to uncover the truth about his grandfather’s wartime origins. Their shared journey through local archives and long-held secrets gradually brings them closer, while also unearthing moving stories of courage and love from the past. Bella’s emotional growth is handled with sensitivity, and the budding romance with Rory feels genuine and grounded. Celestine, with her feisty personality and quiet wisdom, is a standout.
Overall, this is a lovely escape with emotional resonance and an uplifting message about starting over and embracing the unexpected.
My Rating
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