Second Thyme Around

Second Thyme Around

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75  ·  rating details  ·  1,846 ratings  ·  103 reviews
For years, things have run quite smoothly for Perdita and her organic gardening business. So what if her hair needs a complete overhaul, her sweater has more holes than Swiss cheese, and there's no hope of a boyfriend on the horizon? The last thing Perdita wants is a meddlesome man in her life-but she's about to get one, in the form of her completely infuriating ex-husband...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published November 5th 2004 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published 1999)
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bookczuk
When I drive, I like to listen to NPR radio or audio books that I don't have to think too much about. You know -- the ones that I won't want to go back and savor the words, re-reading a particular passage to marvel at how it was crafted or what it said. I usually pick books that are cozy mysteries (thrillers make me speed) or some of the lighter, whimsical (rather than whimsicle, as used on www.regretsy.com, one of my other online indulgences.), sometimes even grabbing something that could fit a...more
Carol
Jun 15, 2007 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers wanting a light but fun read and cooking enthusiasts
I'm happy that no one says "bad things come in fours" because I've already had three and hope it is the last for a while. In the last 4 months, my dog died, then my Mother died, then my car died. I really wanted to read as a distraction, but could not bear anything heavy. Upon a recommendation from a librarian for a light beach read, I checked out this book. It was perfect. It was romantic without being gaggy and it contains no heaving breasts nor is there any trace of a open-shirted Fabio stand...more
Ilona
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Ciara
i should change my "crummy chick lit" tag, because i don't actually find chick lit to be "crummy" across the board. i actually really enjoy it when i am in need of something fun & frothy between the heavier doses of non-fiction to which i subject myself. this particular dose of chick lit, however, wasn't particularly to my tastes.

the plot stars perdita, a 29-year-old organic gardener who supplies a few local restaurants & a "health farm," which is a british-ism that i don't understand. a...more
Sabrina (Soter) Sally
Ho letto molti libri della Fforde e anche se non puoi trovarci sentimenti travolgenti o passioni infuocate, sono sempre state letture dolci e rilassanti come una buona tazza di tè davanti al camino in inverno. In questo caso, forse, è stato tutto un pò troppo rilassante XD Lucas piomba nel paese dove vive Penny dalla prima pagina, e sono rimasta un pò frastornata dalla totale assenza di un introduzione. Comunque veniamo presto a sapere che i due si sono sposati giovanissimi,molto velocemente e h...more
Beth
This is a very cute summer read. Easy, fun and romantic. In all of her books the main character is always a little down on their luck and coming out a relationship. Great for the beach.
Tali
Wasn't expecting especially much from this Katie Fforde. Generally I enjoy reading her books while they're in my hands, but then they fly completely out of my head the second I put them down. Thyme Out, though, I really enjoyed and I think I'll think about for a lot longer. Sure, there's the usual romance plotline involving Perdita and her ex-husband Lucas, but what really got me involved in this story was the relationship between Perdita and her elderly neighbour Kitty. It gave a lot more depth...more
Camy
This is my second Katie Fforde and I enjoyed it very much. Having a penchant for British light romances set in the countryside I truly was entertained by Perdita, Lucas and Kitty. I found them very interesting characters and very much could picture them in my imagination. face it...we all knew how this story was going to end - so it was not that we should have been surprised. I just found that as an end of the day, lie in bed before turning out the lights book - it was an easy not complicated re...more
Jessica Chambers
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Cathy
Cute. This was my first novel by Katie Fforde and I really had no preconceived notion of what I was getting into; the only fact I gathered being that it was difficult to get ahold of her books. I found the unabridged audio version online and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Narrator Davina Porter had the perfect amount of sweet, witty and smart as Perdita and just the right amount of sage nobility to play the elder best friend of Perdita, Kitty. She even does a decent job discerning the male voi...more
Kit
A standard romance plot (woman dumped by her philandering ex-husband finds out that - oh noes! - they are suddenly living in the same small town) gets some depth from a subplot involving caring for an elderly friend. The book still dragged in places, and people looking only for a romance will probably be disappointed by how little of the plot involves the couple interacting. The audiobook version gets extra cool points, however, because you can't lose with Scottish accents.
Laura B
Yet another Katie Fforde book that I love! Am currently working my way through her older books having started a few years ago about five books in. I couldnt put this down, the characters are likeable and believable and I was totally enthralled by Perdita's relationship with sprightly Kitty and the moody and very sexy Lucas. Couldnt wait to finish to find out what happened but then was disappointed when it ended, might even read it again!
Jacqueline
I've read quite a few Katie Fford's recently. They are all easy reads, page turners but ultimately a bit naff. I finish them and wonder why I bothered. This is the best one I've read so far. It is what it is and no great work of fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The character of Lucas was particularly well drawn - so much so I found myself daydreaming about him during a (ok, v, dull) meeting at work today. A cracking, enjoyable read, well worth the effort.
Rebekah
A great summer fluff read. I was dreadfully scared it was going to get really bad before it got better, but it strayed only slightly into the dreadful zone. Peri got a little batty at the thought of loosing everything, but it never got that bad. Quite pleasant. Ended just as i had thought. I had never really sorted out how big kitty's house was implicated to be, but it was nice to comprehend at the end. Good British tea drinking insanity
Sharon
The story of a woman who married at 18and divorced shortly thereafter. She runs a business selling herbs and lettuce to local businesses and is surprised to discover that he ex has suddenly taken over the restaurant at the local hotel. She also has an elderly friend who has been her support for many years. Fforde's heroines are usually a bit less scattered than the norm in chick-lit, but I found Perdita to be a bit too ditsy for my liking.(
Dale Harcombe
three and a half stars. Typical Katie Fforde - light, zany and easy eo read. Seemed incongruous in this story. Perdita and her salad greens business and the relationship with Kitty her friend, neighbour and mother figure are interesting. the relationship with Lucas her ex-husband who turns up as a chef is somewhat bizarre and lots of smouldering. Just the sort of thing for summer holidays, though could have done without the f word inserted at times.
Jane
Would you guess by the title that it involves a gardener and her reconciliation with a former love? "Spot on" as they say in these British novels. Perdita has a market garden and the new chef at one of the restaurants she serves is her ex-husband. There's also her pseudo-godmother and the wicked nephew that shows up. All quite predictable but the British-isms and mentions of exotic vegetables help make it enjoyable.
Linda
One of my favorites by Katie Fforde. After a disastrous marriage, Perdita has managed to put her life back together and start up her own business growing and selling vegetables to local restaurants. She lives in a quaint English village across the garden from her elderly godmother, who dotes on her, dispensing sage and practical advice. One morning while she is delivering her veges to the local hotel, she is shocked to learn that the hotel has taken on a new chef . . . her ex, Lucas. Somehow she...more
Jyotirmayi
One of my favorite books in the romance genre. Thyme out is refreshing light & perky and a delightful read. The story revolves around cooking and how this shared passion bring two ex's together. The plot and the chemistry between the two are as simmering and spicy as the dishes they cook. People who love to farm and cook will appreciate this book a lot.
Pam
This book was right next to the Thursday Next books and I just picked it up. It was okay - a bit too much of a beach read but definitely written by someone who can write better than me, so I feel that I can't be too harsh. I am planning on reading her first novel as that seems to be the best one she wrote.
Mary Lou
Perdita has finally recovered from her 1st marriage & established an organic gardening business supplying some lesser known veggies to local eateries when her failed businessman ex reappears as a successful chef. Her friendship with & reliance on an older woman is tested. An easy romance to read.
Lyndsay
I normally just rate books, not review them (unless I win them through Goodreads.) Not sure why, that's just me. But I love this author so I felt I must speak up. :) Yes these are chick lit books, but they are clever chick lit books. Hilariously clever, entertaining and the characters are fantastic. The heroines are not typical, gorgeous bimbos. They're still pretty, sure, but not perfect. I think what I love most, is how her characters actually change and grow. This is one of my favorites of he...more
Mulva?
I like it a lot, but don't understand what the auther has with angry men. This is the second book I've read of Fforde and agan, a man that's hot, super sexy and always fighting. What's the deal? Oh... I keep going back for more... ah... I get it now. Duh.
Judy
I've gone through a spate of Katie Fforde chick lit; this is my favorite so far, I think. Fforde is British, so that adds interest for this Anglophile. Basically, these are one- or two-night reads, predictable, which is sometimes comforting like pudding.
Emily
this was by far not the best Katie Fforde book. the relationship between Perdita and her ex left me thinking maybe my husband is right when he says women prefer men who treat them badly. Plah. Still a nice, light read, but definitely not a fave.
Franny
I used to read chick lit, soft warm and pretty but having read The Sun Sharer by Jack George Edmunson I have decided I need something harder and harsher in my life. So I liked the format of this but it seems a bit woolly.
Kim
I never really engaged with most of the characters or their story. About half way thru', the main character did something with a kitchen utensil that seemed extreme and out of character and made me debate about continuing the book.
Sue
I picked up this book because there was an endorsement from Marian Keyes on the front cover.

Although this book did not live up to her standards, I enjoyed it as a light summer read. A nice distraction.

Patty
Easy to read, and entertaining, but predictable. But I like happy endings. However, sometimes I just wanted to reach out, shake Perdita and ask her "What are you thinking?".
Tracy
This book was pretty random. The title tells you exactly what is going to happen in the book, you just need to read to the final chapter to have it happen. That being said, it wasn't terrible and was kind of a cute easy read.
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Thyme out and Second Thyme around 2 17 May 05, 2011 05:21pm  
Thyme Out (Paperback)
Thyme Out (Hardcover)
Second Thyme Around (Hardcover)
Thyme out (Paperback)
Thyme Out (ebook)

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Catherine 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 with Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She had three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing befor...more
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