Book Review - Coming Up Roses by Rachael Lucas - Blog Tour

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Title: Coming Up Roses

Author: Rachael Lucas

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication Date: 21st May 2015

Rating: 4 Stars

Would-be gardener Daisy can't believe her luck when her parents announce they're off on a midlife crisis gap year, leaving her in charge of their gorgeous garden. After a turbulent few months, a spot of quiet in the countryside is just what she needs.

 A shoulder to cry on wouldn't go amiss either - so when Daisy comes across Elaine and Jo, she breathes a sigh of relief. But her new friends are dealing with dramas of their own...

As Daisy wrestles the garden into something resembling order, her feelings for handsome Irishman George begin to take root. Daisy's heart's desire − her parent's garden − is under threat, and Daisy's forced to confront nosey neighbours and fight greedy developers. Village life is turning out to be far from peaceful.

Daisy's parents announce that they are travelling around Asia, when she turns up un-announced on their doorstep, following a bad break up. They allow Daisy to house sit while they are gone, and to look after the neglected garden that used to be beautiful. As Daisy is nursing a broken heart, she really doesn't want to make friends, or get into village life in Steeple St John, but yet it all creeps up on her. 

Daisy meets Elaine, after soaking her with a hose, while she was passing by. Elaine is a blogger that exhibits everything to do with a perfect life, with home made food, and everything looking spic and span. Elaine offers Daisy an invite to a get together at her house which Daisy goes along to reluctantly.

During the get-together she meets Jo. Jo is a single mother to Martha who is 14, and is the school counsellor, where Elaine's husband Leo works. Before long Elaine, Daisy and Jo become firm friends. 

Daisy also becomes friends with Thomas, an old man, who used to do the gardens not only at Orchard Villa, but also all over the village. I loved the friendship between Thomas and Daisy, as well as seeing all of Daisy's hard work in the garden. 

There is of course a potential love interest in George, the dashing Irishman, who has a few surprises up his sleeve. 

Coming Up Roses was an enjoyable story of village life, friendship and healing your heart. There are plenty of entertaining moments, and the differing personalities of the three girls makes for a rounded friendship group. 

Elaine and Jo are both hiding secrets, which are interesting to discover, and see how they are resolved. 

The interactions between Daisy and her parents (on the phone) and not completely typical parent/daughter.  Her parents even from abroad manage to throw Daisy a bombshell, that could completely destroy all the progress she has been making with her heart and garden.

I really hope this won't be the last book set in Steeple St John, as its a lovely village and I think there are at least a few more characters books could be set around!

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for a copy of this book. This is my honest review. 

Thank you to Rachael Lucas and Lucie for allowing me to be part of the Coming Up Roses blog tour.