Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Favorite Chick-Lit

202nd out of 1,229 books — 3,050 voters

Chick Lit for the Beach

482nd out of 691 books — 1,044 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,860)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jan 26, 2011 bookczuk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio, borrowed, satisfying, sometimes-fluff-is-good, thank-you-charleston-county-library

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 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 as chick lit or the dreaded "women's fiction". (Note: I also have been known to listen to audio books for big, heavy books that would be awkward to hold, or books that I haven't been able to get into when reading, but that are highly recommended. Sometimes a good reader can get me through those, and I come out liking them at the end.) This book fits one of those categories -- you be the judge.

The story is pretty straightforward. Perdita finally has her life on track after having her heart broken and her marriage dissolved. She runs a small organic gardening business, has faithful clients and good friends, including her dear octogenarian friend and mentor, Kitty (who is more family to Perdita than her actual family.) Everything is thrown out of kilter when her ex-husband Lucas appears on the scene. He, too has reshaped his life and is a world class chef. Somehow, even though they antagonize the crap out of each other, they are paired in a television cooking show. Into this mix, add Kitty's declining health and this book is born.

First off, I have to say that Divina Porter, the performer of the audio addition I listened to is marvelous. I intend to seek out more books read by her (I've heard her before in some other series, already, and thoroughly appreciated her remarkable talents.) Had I not been listening to this on audio, with such a skilled actor, this might have been very hard for me to bear. The interplay between characters was good, but as Kitty began to decline, it was all too easy to remember my own experiences. Fforde got inside my head and almost, but not quite, lived my life, British style. But it all was so beautifully done, and Porter read it all so eloquently, that I kept on.

And as for my criteria of audio books where I wouldn't want to capture a quote, well that was shot to hell. I had to pull over to the side of the road a couple of times to write things down. Gems like, "the difference between solitude and loneliness is that you choose solitude." Or "don't cry over things that can't cry over you" (said when a china teacup broke), which I don't entirely agree with, but I did like none-the-less.

Fforde created a world that I was glad to visit, with vibrant, distinct, characters. There was only one scene I didn't like (has to do with lust in the kitchen, if you really want to know), but it's just because it was just a little to rough for my tastes and experiences. Her characters evolve in a realistic manner, and I was glad for the glimpse into their world.

(I think this book goes under a different title, Thyme Out, in the UK.)

(More on Davina Porter here.)(less)

3 likes · like · see review

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

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 15, 2013 Ilona rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fiction-general

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A light, easy read, but not up to Katie Fforde's usual standards of good sense. The plot skipped along nicely, and I very much enjoyed the depiction of the relationship between the protagonist, Perdita, and her elderly friend and former guardian, Kitty. However, the romantic thread never gelled for me. Lucas, Perdita's ex-husband, has re-entered her life, and she is enormously attracted to him ... why?

Handsome and temperamental? He was that in their first marriage, and they were more problems th...more

like · see review

Apr 26, 2010 Ciara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: crummy-chick-lit, read-in-2010

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 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. at first i thought it was a rehab center, & then i thought maybe it was a spa. it doesn't really matter, it's not especially relevant to the plot. perdita's little house backs on to the land that is owned by her good friend kitty, an elderly wealthy lady who happens to be perdita's mother's godmother. perdita's parents are world travelers & are never around, so perdita spends most of her quality time with kitty. perdita is a divorcee, having married an unsuitable bully of a man who could not be faithful when she was 18. their split was a dark chapter in perdita's life, but kitty helped her get back on her feet, emotionally, & professionally, by giving her a parcel of land on which to build "poly-tunnels" (greenhouses?) in which to begin her gardening business.

perdita supplied veggies to a local hotel, but gets the shock of her life when she makes a delivery one day & finds the old chef has been replaced with a new one--none other than her ex-husband, lucas, who was a stockbroker when she knew him. & we pretty much all know what's going to happen, thanks to the punny title, but the author still makes us wait the entire 360 pages before we get there. there are your usual hijinks--the sous-chef, perdita's very young friend janey, gets a crush on lucas & perdita sets her up with her employee, william, to try to distract her. lucas seems to hate perdita, but still gets her to agree to allow him to film a cooking show in her kitchen. perdita is tapped to be on the show as well. one night, perdita connives to get janey a night off to go on a date with william & fills in in the kitchen. lucas is angry because supposedly a michelin reviewer is in the dining room & he thinks perdita will mess up his chance of earning a star. they have a huge fight that actually involves perdita attempting to stab lucas with a butcher knife (!!!), & then they almost do the deed right on the kitchen floor. it's your classic bad-boy-you-can't-resist story, which is why i say it's not to my taste. i never found lucas a sympathetic enough character. i was never convinced that perdita should let bygones be bygones & start things up with him again.

then kitty has a series of strokes & requires around-the-clock nursing care. perdita moves in with kitty & her caretakers. a long-lost nephew turns up & perdita is the only one who seems to understand that he's just there to try to get kitty to sign over her assets to him in the will. he hints that he'll charge perdita for the use of the land her poly-tunnels are on once it's all his, so not only is perdita distraught by the impending death of her friend, but she's also concerned about the future of her gardening business. of course, she doesn't share her suspicions with anyone else. she just bottles it all up, & once kitty dies, she puts off learning about what's in the will because she's convinced that the nephew inherited everything. she isn't taking care of herself & everyone is concerned, until lucas whisks her away to the cabin in the woods where they spent their honeymoon. they start things back up again & lucas gives her a long speech about how he had come back to town to find her again & convince himself that he hadn't made a mistake by splitting up with her, but instead found that she had grown up & become a confident, capable woman that he wants to marry again RIGHT NOW. they immediately (like literally within a few hours of hooking back up again) start making plans for their re-marriage & all the babies they're going to have. lucas has seen kitty's will & knows that perdita inherited everything. they move in to kitty's house & lucas jokes that perdita may already be preggers. perdita realizes that she misses kitty, but she doesn't need her anymore, now that she has lucas's love or something.

it wasn't a terrible book, but all the british lingo was tough to parse out sometimes, & the plot seemed to move in fits & starts. there were long sections where perdita was keeping all her thoughts & feelings to herself & nothing seemed to be happening, & then boom! she's back with lucas & making baby plans in like five pages. but whatever--all i wanted was froth. i did expect the book to be a little funnier than it was, & i expected a little more glamour from the whole TV program plotline, but...whatever.(less)

like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 Sabrina (Soter) Sally rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 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 hanno divorziato altrettanto velocemente a causa dei tradimenti di lui (e con una donna più vecchia XD). Sono passati ormai ben 10 anni (forse il salto di tempo scelto dall'autrice è stato un pò eccessivo XD) e Penny è diventata una donna con un carattere molto più risoluto (capace adesso di tenere testa al temperamento infuocato di Lucas) e un'attività in proprio. Ma in 10 anni non ha mai avuto un appuntamento,non ha amici intimi (anche se parecchi conoscenti) né è molto in contatto con la sua famiglia. La persona che assume tutti questi ruoli è l'anziana Kitty, che per lei è stata come una madre. Mi è mancato molto il punto di vista di Lucas (la storia che dopo ben 10 anni un giorno si sia svegliato decidendo di rivedere l'ex moglie per capire se provava ancora qualcosa per lei non sta in piedi XD) che sarebbe servito per capire meglio alcuni suoi atteggiamenti e il percorso che lo avvicina a Penny. La seconda parte del libro, con la malattia di Kitty dall'inesorabile epilogo è stata molto triste e lenta mentre la scena in cucina tra Penny e Lucas (chi ha letto sa a che mi riferisco XD) è stata davvero inaspettata e un pò inquietante, essendo completamente fuori dal personaggio di Penny che ci era stato presentato fino a quel momento (ma da Lucas me l'aspettavo XD). Prima volta comunque che leggo di una protagonista che fa un lavoro del genere, mentre da Lucas avrei voluto più "scene da chef" XD PS Dall'edizione inglese ho scoperto che Penny si chiama in realtà Perdita (oddio O.o) cosa mai nominata nel romanzo... se è stata una scelta del traduttore, tanto di cappello XD(less)

like · see review

May 06, 2008 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 30, 2012 Tali rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit

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

1 like · like · see review

Jan 26, 2012 Camy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

like · see review

Jan 14, 2011 Jessica Chambers rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Apr 24, 2010 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, chick-lit

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

1 like · like · see review

Dec 02, 2009 Kit rated it 3 of 5 stars

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.

like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Laura B rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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!

1 like · like · see review

Nov 28, 2011 Jacqueline rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 07, 2010 Rebekah rated it 4 of 5 stars

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

1 like · like · see review

Feb 27, 2010 Sharon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

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.(

1 like · like · see review

Jan 02, 2013 Dale Harcombe rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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.

like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

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.

like · see review

Jul 25, 2008 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

1 like · like · see review

May 07, 2013 Jyotirmayi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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.

like · see review

May 08, 2009 Pam rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: beach-reads, fiction

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.

like · see review

May 13, 2010 Mary Lou rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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.

like · see review

Aug 16, 2011 Lyndsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ahh-the-romance

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

like · see review

Oct 25, 2009 Mulva? rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 01, 2009 Judy rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

like · see review

Apr 01, 2009 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads, fiction-chick

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.

like · see review

Jul 19, 2010 Franny rated it 3 of 5 stars

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.

like · see review

May 02, 2013 Kim rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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.

like · see review

Aug 19, 2010 Sue rated it 3 of 5 stars

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.

like · see review

Nov 03, 2011 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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?".

1 like · like · see review

Dec 12, 2010 Tracy rated it 3 of 5 stars

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.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 95 96 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Thyme out and Second Thyme around	2	17	May 05, 2011 05:21pm

combine
Other Editions (15)

More editions...

Genres

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

77 users

Romance

45 users

Romance > Contemporary Romance

9 users

Contemporary

7 users

European Literature > British Literature

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Sheer Mischief
by Jill Mansell
Wedding Tiers
by Trisha Ashley
Paradise House
by Erica James
The Secret of Happy Ever After
by Lucy Dillon
A Spring Affair
by Milly Johnson

About Katie Fforde

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

More about Katie Fforde...

Books by Katie Fforde

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Second Thyme Around

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Second Thyme Around
avg rating	preview: Second Thyme Around Goodreads rating: 3.75 (1846 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/442957.Second_Thyme_Around?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316131693l/442957.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/442957.Second_Thyme_Around?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Second Thyme Around by Katie Fforde[/url]

Second Thyme Around

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website