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Sowing Secrets
Fran March's life in the idyllic village of St Ceridwen's Well is coming up roses. Almost.
If only daughter Rosie – the result of an uncharacteristic one-night stand 18 years ago – wasn't so curious about her real father, and if only husband Mal spent less time on his hobbies, everything would be bliss.
But then a face from the past turns Fran's world upside down. The handsome face of TV gardener Gabriel Weston, currently restoring the village's decrepit stately home. And when Fran's ex-boyfriend Tom appears on her doorstep, it seems that all the ghosts of Fran's romantic past are back to haunt her.
Can Fran keep Rosie's paternity under wraps? Why is Mal acting so oddly? And will Fran ever learn that every rose has its thorns…?
If only daughter Rosie – the result of an uncharacteristic one-night stand 18 years ago – wasn't so curious about her real father, and if only husband Mal spent less time on his hobbies, everything would be bliss.
But then a face from the past turns Fran's world upside down. The handsome face of TV gardener Gabriel Weston, currently restoring the village's decrepit stately home. And when Fran's ex-boyfriend Tom appears on her doorstep, it seems that all the ghosts of Fran's romantic past are back to haunt her.
Can Fran keep Rosie's paternity under wraps? Why is Mal acting so oddly? And will Fran ever learn that every rose has its thorns…?
443 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
104 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Trisha Ashley
39 books1,099 followersTrisha Ashley is now a full-time novelist, but she has been known to work for stained glass makers and/or plumbers. She likes to paint, eat, drink, and read literary biographies. Her previous hobbies included getting divorced and packing to move. She claims to have once actually eaten Bronte burgers at the Branwell café, but her publisher declines to verify this. She lives in North Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 6, 2008
It took me awhile to get into this book, which is told in the first person, in a style almost like blogging - sometimes in past tense, sometimes present.
But once I got used to it, I really warmed to the main character and found myself racing through the second half.
It's light chick-lit for the middle-aged, but without anything explicit or violent, and with a few lines that made me smile as well as a satisfactory ending.
Recommended.
But once I got used to it, I really warmed to the main character and found myself racing through the second half.
It's light chick-lit for the middle-aged, but without anything explicit or violent, and with a few lines that made me smile as well as a satisfactory ending.
Recommended.
August 22, 2011
It took me a while to get into this one, and I found that the holiday in the middle was a little jarring, I really just wanted the book to get back to Wales, which was a shame because it has some wonderful moments and I really liked the characters. Some of the minor characters were brilliant, I loved the evil neighbours and the hippy mother. Worth a read, perfect for a lazy afternoon with a glass of wine.
August 25, 2024
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would - partly because I spent quite a lot of it mentally yelling to Fran to get out of there. There being her marriage. I accept that the husband is odious, but I wasn't keen on her mother or her daughter either. Still, it was a nice little story and it all ends happily without our heroine completely remodelling herself. Always a bonus!
March 24, 2022
A quirky story with quirky characters. Easy read with moments that made me smile. Set in a village in Wales artist and rose lover Fran and her husband Mal are growing apart. She has a daughter from a one night stand and has not told her daughter who her father his but everything unfolds when TV gardener Gabriel comes to the village.
October 25, 2011
Sowing Secrets is about rose enthusiast, Fran March and her life at St. Ceridwen's Well with her daughter, Rosie and husband Mal. A uni student, Rosie, is intrigued to know who her real father is. Fran's husband Mal, while he may sound like a god has the attitude of a pig who needs ditching rapidly. Fran has a supportive network of friends in Rhodri the local gentry, Nia the pottery owner come druid and Carrie the American local tea shop owner. The evil wevills are the next door neighbour twitchers.
The problem I had with the book is that after what seemed like a while getting into the story and it progressing along it was wound up rather quickly. I won't say how otherwise it'd be a case of plot spoilers but you couldn't help feel disappointed. And while I understand that Trisha Ashley may have a couple of friends with M.E. I couldn't help but feel disappointed in how M.E. was referenced in the book like a throw away line for what is not a very pleasant illness that has had devastating effects on peoples lives.
On the whole not one of my favourites. I'd say I prefer Chocolate Wishes more.
The problem I had with the book is that after what seemed like a while getting into the story and it progressing along it was wound up rather quickly. I won't say how otherwise it'd be a case of plot spoilers but you couldn't help feel disappointed. And while I understand that Trisha Ashley may have a couple of friends with M.E. I couldn't help but feel disappointed in how M.E. was referenced in the book like a throw away line for what is not a very pleasant illness that has had devastating effects on peoples lives.
On the whole not one of my favourites. I'd say I prefer Chocolate Wishes more.
February 20, 2012
There seem to be certain themes common to many of Trisha Ashley's books: single motherhood, careers in the creative arts, large and somewhat dilapidated country houses, and late-blossoming romantic interest in the form of a gorgeous-yet-practical man with land or money or both. So in some sense, this book had exactly what I was expecting, with forty-something artist Fran, her fatherless daughter Rosie, and sexy TV gardener Gabe.
But there's a spanner in the works of romance: Fran's already married, to the thoroughly unpleasant Mal. Add to that the fact that Fran and Gabe had an awkward one night stand when they were both much younger, and the question mark over Rosie's missing dad, and there seem to be a lot of barriers to blossoming romance. Still, Fran and Gabe are both passionately into old roses, which surely makes a happy-ever-after inevitable... if they can just negotiate the complexities of realising it.
Not my favourite Trisha Ashley, but still a fun read.
But there's a spanner in the works of romance: Fran's already married, to the thoroughly unpleasant Mal. Add to that the fact that Fran and Gabe had an awkward one night stand when they were both much younger, and the question mark over Rosie's missing dad, and there seem to be a lot of barriers to blossoming romance. Still, Fran and Gabe are both passionately into old roses, which surely makes a happy-ever-after inevitable... if they can just negotiate the complexities of realising it.
Not my favourite Trisha Ashley, but still a fun read.
January 7, 2012
Having only fairly recently discovered Trisha Ashley and having read quite a few of her books now, I decided to try this one next. I did find it a bit more difficult to get into than her other books I've read, but after sticking with it I soon got into the story and read it in 2 days!
Trisha manages to create characters you really get behind, and I really enjoyed the story.
In my opinion not one of my favourites of Trisha's books, but it is not a bad book, and so I would still recommend it.
Trisha manages to create characters you really get behind, and I really enjoyed the story.
In my opinion not one of my favourites of Trisha's books, but it is not a bad book, and so I would still recommend it.
June 30, 2017
Great story. An easy chic lit book with likeable characters. Will definitely read more from this author.
November 20, 2020
While the new books by this established author are wonderful reads, this older book is also an excellent glimpse into the world of a woman having to cope with difficult situations. Fran is an artist who lives in a small Welsh village, with a fascination for roses which she plants in her cottage garden. She has a daughter, Rosie, who is usually away at university. Her husband Mal is not Rosie’s father; Fran believes that her daughter is the product of a one night stand. One of her problems is that she is uncertain as to the attractive, distinctive young man’s identity having been drunk, on the rebound from her long term boyfriend, and acted out of character. Her beloved Ma has always supported her, as have her local friends. Her problems begin at Christmas, when Rosie demands to know about her father, Mal is being more distant, and Fran is being nagged by him about her weight. This novel is narrated by Fran, as she considers her friends, family members and life in the village, with the usual humour and brilliant characterisation which typifies Ashley’s books. Food, roses and so much more abound in this book which contains humour and romance, all from Fran’s point of view.
The book opens at Christmas, with Rosie at home and asking questions about who her father is, knowing that Mal did not appear on the scene until well after she was born. Indeed Rosie and Mal argue frequently, often about his attitude to Fran. Mal is frequently away for work, and while he is away she works hard at her illustrations and cartoons, and plants roses even beyond the boundaries of Mal’s regulated garden. The neighbours seem to resent her, and apparently report to Mal on her activities. She has her friends, including Nia, who is a potter, and Carrie who has teashop known for her wonderful cakes. Another friend is Rhodri, newly divorced and owner of a large house and estate called Plas Gwyn, which he is intending to open to the public and as an events venue. Nia decides to organise him, and they become involved in a bid to get a celebrity restoration gardener to come and sort out the gardens for a television series. It is an excellent plan, until Fran recognises the celebrity gardener, Gabriel Weston, as someone from her past. To add to her confusion, her ex boyfriend Tom seems determined to attract her attention, as well as invite Rosie to learn to surf. Mal, however, seems increasingly distant, and a tragedy forces her to review her thoughts about her marriage, Gabriel and everything else in her life.
This is an extremely lively and enjoyable book. Fran’s attempts to diet at her husband’s insistence forms a running joke in some ways, and his impossibly high standards make him thoroughly annoying. Fran’s thoughts and panics, highs and lows are really interesting and well depicted, and her life is punctuated with some realistic incidents. I always enjoy the way Ashley’s female lead characters tell their story, detail her friends and those who are difficult, and cope with challenges that would finish off other people. This is a very entertaining book, with underlying themes of marriage problems, past loves and village life. There is a lot of humour in this book, some of it quite dark, but all of it vivid. I recommend this book to Ashley’s fans, and would argue it should help make many more.
The book opens at Christmas, with Rosie at home and asking questions about who her father is, knowing that Mal did not appear on the scene until well after she was born. Indeed Rosie and Mal argue frequently, often about his attitude to Fran. Mal is frequently away for work, and while he is away she works hard at her illustrations and cartoons, and plants roses even beyond the boundaries of Mal’s regulated garden. The neighbours seem to resent her, and apparently report to Mal on her activities. She has her friends, including Nia, who is a potter, and Carrie who has teashop known for her wonderful cakes. Another friend is Rhodri, newly divorced and owner of a large house and estate called Plas Gwyn, which he is intending to open to the public and as an events venue. Nia decides to organise him, and they become involved in a bid to get a celebrity restoration gardener to come and sort out the gardens for a television series. It is an excellent plan, until Fran recognises the celebrity gardener, Gabriel Weston, as someone from her past. To add to her confusion, her ex boyfriend Tom seems determined to attract her attention, as well as invite Rosie to learn to surf. Mal, however, seems increasingly distant, and a tragedy forces her to review her thoughts about her marriage, Gabriel and everything else in her life.
This is an extremely lively and enjoyable book. Fran’s attempts to diet at her husband’s insistence forms a running joke in some ways, and his impossibly high standards make him thoroughly annoying. Fran’s thoughts and panics, highs and lows are really interesting and well depicted, and her life is punctuated with some realistic incidents. I always enjoy the way Ashley’s female lead characters tell their story, detail her friends and those who are difficult, and cope with challenges that would finish off other people. This is a very entertaining book, with underlying themes of marriage problems, past loves and village life. There is a lot of humour in this book, some of it quite dark, but all of it vivid. I recommend this book to Ashley’s fans, and would argue it should help make many more.
October 11, 2020
Took me a while to get into the book but I did like the story. It just seemed a bit long and drawn out. Fran could be annoying at times and her husband Mal was just awful. So was his mother, Mrs Morgan. Mostly believable. Not a favourite book. I’ve yet to find one with this author. Fran is settled with her husband Mal in Wales. She has her own studio In the garden. She loves her roses and her chickens. Her daughter Rosie who’s the result of a one night stand, makes an appearance now and again. But the one night stand turns up under a different name and is a famous tv Gardner. Grams ex Tom also turns up. After treating Fran abysmally, he decides he wants a divorce. Ok to read if you are bored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
Fran March has a quiet life in her small village, living with her husband Mal and daughter Rosie. But all of a sudden her past catches up with her in the form of old boyfriends and acquaintances. Some of the secrets she's hidden are becoming exposed and Fran's life is going to change.
Trisha Ashley is one of the best authors at writing romances with older couples and this book is no exception. Fran has a lot of complications in her life, especially with men one of whom is Rosie's father after a long-ago one-night stand.
The writing is crisp with all the charm of an English village. The characters are eccentric and charming with the little extras that Ms. Ashley always adds to her books. This is a second-chance romance worthy of being read and reread.
Trisha Ashley is one of the best authors at writing romances with older couples and this book is no exception. Fran has a lot of complications in her life, especially with men one of whom is Rosie's father after a long-ago one-night stand.
The writing is crisp with all the charm of an English village. The characters are eccentric and charming with the little extras that Ms. Ashley always adds to her books. This is a second-chance romance worthy of being read and reread.
March 3, 2024
This book was extremely predictable and probably 100 pages too long.
It was easy to see where this was going right from the start. With Mal being such an arse from the word "go" and the relatively early introduction of Gab the Gardener, it doesn't take a detective to figure out where this was going to end.
I preferred the character building between the friendships, compared to the "romance" (if you can call it that) between Gab and Fran. After 400+ pages, they finally kiss and it's all so anticlimactic. The scenes with Nia and Carrie were fun though, and is probably the only parts that kept me reading.
Also, the entire vacation bit, could have just been completely cut, since it added absolutely nothing to the plot. Mal is an arse, we get it. We didn't have to go through all the extra cruelty to know how much of an arse he is.
Overall, not my cup of tea.
It was easy to see where this was going right from the start. With Mal being such an arse from the word "go" and the relatively early introduction of Gab the Gardener, it doesn't take a detective to figure out where this was going to end.
I preferred the character building between the friendships, compared to the "romance" (if you can call it that) between Gab and Fran. After 400+ pages, they finally kiss and it's all so anticlimactic. The scenes with Nia and Carrie were fun though, and is probably the only parts that kept me reading.
Also, the entire vacation bit, could have just been completely cut, since it added absolutely nothing to the plot. Mal is an arse, we get it. We didn't have to go through all the extra cruelty to know how much of an arse he is.
Overall, not my cup of tea.
May 25, 2018
I do like this authors books, they're funny, sad, honest and make you think.
This book is about a couple who meet after she had a baby by an unamed man. Her daughter, Rosie, is now at Uni and is asking quartos about her father. Fran and Mal have grown apart but she is still in love with him.
Suddenly 2 men appear on the scene in different ways, one of which is Rosie's father.
Add in a rather mad Mother ( Frannies mother), 3 close friends of Frannies, spying neighbours and a god fearing Mother In Law; also roses and hens!
A really good book to read, typical Trisha Ashley!
This book is about a couple who meet after she had a baby by an unamed man. Her daughter, Rosie, is now at Uni and is asking quartos about her father. Fran and Mal have grown apart but she is still in love with him.
Suddenly 2 men appear on the scene in different ways, one of which is Rosie's father.
Add in a rather mad Mother ( Frannies mother), 3 close friends of Frannies, spying neighbours and a god fearing Mother In Law; also roses and hens!
A really good book to read, typical Trisha Ashley!
January 5, 2021
There was something likable in an over-weight, wrong side of forty female who has a problem with diets, loves roses and life plays tricks on which appeals to me. However, light, humourous and obvious this is, chick lit is warying on me now, intelligent women surely can't all be this gullible or desperate and the need for 'light' fiction can't excuse it all away. I must find something else to read that's not too taxing for my addled brain.
Toast
Toast
May 10, 2022
Best yet!
I haven't been reading Trisha's books in any particular order, just as I happen to come to them. This has been my absolute favourite so far! And I was delighted to see a little cameo from another story in the form of Yorkshire's best women's magazine!
This one boasts a beautiful setting, very lovable characters (except for one particularly unlovable one!), and more roses than could fill a rose garden.
Highly recommended!
I haven't been reading Trisha's books in any particular order, just as I happen to come to them. This has been my absolute favourite so far! And I was delighted to see a little cameo from another story in the form of Yorkshire's best women's magazine!
This one boasts a beautiful setting, very lovable characters (except for one particularly unlovable one!), and more roses than could fill a rose garden.
Highly recommended!
October 12, 2021
Must read
I have thoroughly enjoyed the story of Fran mal & rosie entwined with Carrie at the teapot tearooms then there was the famous gardener Gab ( Gabriel) and the tv series at Pas Gwyn with Nia & Rhodri and right at the end we meet a new caracture called sky who is key to the puzzle. I hope you enjoy this book as much as me.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the story of Fran mal & rosie entwined with Carrie at the teapot tearooms then there was the famous gardener Gab ( Gabriel) and the tv series at Pas Gwyn with Nia & Rhodri and right at the end we meet a new caracture called sky who is key to the puzzle. I hope you enjoy this book as much as me.
August 13, 2019
More comfort reading. And good comfort reading it was, too. You could see 1000 miles away that the husband was "the worst" but the detail of the village and the other characters create a place that you just want to sit down and live inside. All the things I needed right now.
June 14, 2021
Should only have been 2 stars, but even with a not so likable storyline Trisha Ashley manages to write a cosy read. But I must admit: I don't like stories about dissolving marriages and too easy happy endings.
June 9, 2017
I love this author, fun and entertaining
June 15, 2017
light hearted and funny.
September 10, 2017
Great book, didn't want it to end, wonderful characters and engaging story. Happy, feel good book.
August 23, 2018
I loved this book, a very different story (and there are characters I could have willingly strangled) but so much fun and a really enjoyable read. I can't wait to read more by Trisha Ashley!
May 5, 2019
a brilliant book
October 8, 2019
Very good
January 17, 2020
Perfect escapism for a holiday read!
January 28, 2020
4.25 stars
February 28, 2021
I had to keep looking up words about drinks, food and rose varietals but over all an interesting read.
April 28, 2021
Another great Trisha Ashley, the only thing I didn’t like so very much was necessary end of Fran’s marriage, although all turned out as it should.
May 12, 2021
Great
I love this book so much that I own It in paper as well, and it doesn't matter how many times I have read this can pick it up again and again
I love this book so much that I own It in paper as well, and it doesn't matter how many times I have read this can pick it up again and again
March 20, 2022
Everything coming up roses
Initially I wondered if I would enjoy this book but I did! Roses, gardening, tearooms and quirky family drama. Lovely!
Initially I wondered if I would enjoy this book but I did! Roses, gardening, tearooms and quirky family drama. Lovely!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews