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lilyjes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Domestic abuse
Minor: Misogyny and Rape
cottonmegan08's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I used this book as a story to fall asleep to. But it was far to tense for me with disturbing and difficult story lines. I did have to skip through a few bits as it hit too close to home. However, it was family based and they were strong characters and relationships that were enjoyable to listen to
rebroxannape's review against another edition
5.0
Geraldine seemed entranced by the moths, their wings flittering against the hot glass, drawn by the brightness which would burn them, yet they came back for more. ‘Look, they’re being hurt and can’t pull away. Pain becomes their oxygen.’
I really enjoyed the story of Viv and the mystery of why she was at Wildflower Cottage very much. The story is split between young Viv's life and her friends at the small animal shelter, and her Mother, Stel, at home. There are also the stories of Stel's friends, "The Spice Girls," Caro, Lynn, Iris, and Gaynor.
Stel is the designated dumb doormat in this one. Although a wonderful mother and generous, warm hearted person, She is needy and babyish when it comes to her daughter and especially men. Her entanglement with an evil abuser is totally avoidable every step of the way, so I didn't have much sympathy for her.
‘My mum is lovely,’ said Viv. ‘But where men are concerned, she has no sense at all. Luckily, she isn’t quite at the stage where she’s writing to serial killers in prison, though.’ She smiled and Geraldine chuckled softly. ‘She wants to be loved so much and so she believes everything men tell her, but she couldn’t spot a nice man if he had “nice man” tattooed on his face.’Because of that though, her story did not frustrate or cause me anxiety (much.) Gaynor was a bitter mean person pretty much all the way through, but I loved Lynn and Iris's cheer-worthy tale, and Caro was awesome. It wasn't one of Milly's more hilarious novels, but I loved what humor there was. It kept me engaged and turning the pages eagerly anticipating the happy endings. **4 1/2**
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Being an animal lover, this book was right up my street. Not only do we get to meet some wonderful characters but some adorable animals also!
On meeting Viv, I thought she was mad to take up a summer job at an animal sanctuary that was paying peanuts. She has come to the small village for reasons she keeps very close to her chest but like her, it didn’t take long for the people at the sanctuary and the animals to steal a bit of your heart.
The story flicks between Viv in the idyllic village and her mum Stel and her friends back at home. I loved getting to know all these different women who are all good friends. With each of the characters seemingly hiding secrets of their own, it had me turning the pages to discover more. Some are more heart wrenching than the others and I would have loved to have gotten a hold of a few of the not so nice characters to give them a piece of my mind!
Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage was a captivating, page turner or a read. There is some humour as well as drama packed into this story and it makes for some compulsive reading. The wonderful picturesque setting and the animals had already won me over but the author’s fabulous storytelling had me hooked with what was going on in the characters lives and I totally lost all sense of time whilst reading this novel. Another winner of a read from one of my favourite authors in this genre.
On meeting Viv, I thought she was mad to take up a summer job at an animal sanctuary that was paying peanuts. She has come to the small village for reasons she keeps very close to her chest but like her, it didn’t take long for the people at the sanctuary and the animals to steal a bit of your heart.
The story flicks between Viv in the idyllic village and her mum Stel and her friends back at home. I loved getting to know all these different women who are all good friends. With each of the characters seemingly hiding secrets of their own, it had me turning the pages to discover more. Some are more heart wrenching than the others and I would have loved to have gotten a hold of a few of the not so nice characters to give them a piece of my mind!
Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage was a captivating, page turner or a read. There is some humour as well as drama packed into this story and it makes for some compulsive reading. The wonderful picturesque setting and the animals had already won me over but the author’s fabulous storytelling had me hooked with what was going on in the characters lives and I totally lost all sense of time whilst reading this novel. Another winner of a read from one of my favourite authors in this genre.
novellenovels's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse
leighkayne's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zoezie's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
bean_there_done_that's review
3.0
3 stars.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Wildflower Cottage. Johnson's description was so well-written that the cottage came to life and felt like an actual place. The inhabitants of the town are also very interesting, and though they appeared for only a short moment, they felt just as real and natural.
Viv was really my favorite part of the story. I loved her attitude and confidence, especially when she knew when to step up and be courageous. Her "quirk" was also very interesting, and I love how it was incorporated into the story. Heath, her love interest, was just as interesting, but I wish there had been more screen time between him and Viv.
And that was one of the problems I had with this novel. Because of the vast amount of characters, the focus of the novel shifted a lot. While I had no qualms with the multiple points of view, I didn't like how it kept jumping around. I found myself craving Viv's POV continuously, and I would quickly read through the other POVs in order to get to hers again. Johnson had several conflicts going about in this novel, and I understand that she did that to make the characters feel real and to show the obstacles each character had to surpass.
Yet it pained me to read through Stel's POV. While I understood what she was going through, I felt sick while reading because of her personality. She literally had no backbone or guts. I don't blame her for what had happened to her, in fact, no one deserves to go through what she did. But I wished that she had fought back or told her friends. What's the point of a support group if you don't go to them? Because this is chick-lit, I was glad that everything did turn out alright for her. But if this was real life? Well, she wouldn't be so goddamn lucky.
I also didn't care much for Gaynor's POV. I can see that Johnson is trying to show us that not every character is perfect and has their flaws. But you see, I rather read about the lovely Viv and her growing relationship with Heath, than bitchy, inferiority-complexed Gaynor. If it weren't for these extra POVs, I would have really enjoyed the story a lot more. I loved the dynamic and chemistry between Viv and Heath, and I so very wanted to see how they would get to know each other better. Instead, their spotlight was taken away so many times by the other characters.
The mysteries in this novel were pretty predictable, so don't go into this expecting some Sherlock Holmes mystery. However, I did feel like everything was basically being wrapped up in the last 15%, so it was like BAM BAM BAM. I wish the epilogue was longer (and featured Viv and Heath more).
I feel like I need to give a special mention to two characters who surprised me the most. Cora was the most awesome friend I have ever seen, and I wish she had gotten more screen time. Geraldine was equally as amazing, and my heart went out to her when her past was revealed.
A heart-warming story of friendship and girl power, despite some of the dark plot twists.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Wildflower Cottage. Johnson's description was so well-written that the cottage came to life and felt like an actual place. The inhabitants of the town are also very interesting, and though they appeared for only a short moment, they felt just as real and natural.
Viv was really my favorite part of the story. I loved her attitude and confidence, especially when she knew when to step up and be courageous. Her "quirk" was also very interesting, and I love how it was incorporated into the story. Heath, her love interest, was just as interesting, but I wish there had been more screen time between him and Viv.
And that was one of the problems I had with this novel. Because of the vast amount of characters, the focus of the novel shifted a lot. While I had no qualms with the multiple points of view, I didn't like how it kept jumping around. I found myself craving Viv's POV continuously, and I would quickly read through the other POVs in order to get to hers again. Johnson had several conflicts going about in this novel, and I understand that she did that to make the characters feel real and to show the obstacles each character had to surpass.
Yet it pained me to read through Stel's POV. While I understood what she was going through, I felt sick while reading because of her personality. She literally had no backbone or guts. I don't blame her for what had happened to her, in fact, no one deserves to go through what she did. But I wished that she had fought back or told her friends. What's the point of a support group if you don't go to them? Because this is chick-lit, I was glad that everything did turn out alright for her. But if this was real life? Well, she wouldn't be so goddamn lucky.
I also didn't care much for Gaynor's POV. I can see that Johnson is trying to show us that not every character is perfect and has their flaws. But you see, I rather read about the lovely Viv and her growing relationship with Heath, than bitchy, inferiority-complexed Gaynor. If it weren't for these extra POVs, I would have really enjoyed the story a lot more. I loved the dynamic and chemistry between Viv and Heath, and I so very wanted to see how they would get to know each other better. Instead, their spotlight was taken away so many times by the other characters.
The mysteries in this novel were pretty predictable, so don't go into this expecting some Sherlock Holmes mystery. However, I did feel like everything was basically being wrapped up in the last 15%, so it was like BAM BAM BAM. I wish the epilogue was longer (and featured Viv and Heath more).
I feel like I need to give a special mention to two characters who surprised me the most. Cora was the most awesome friend I have ever seen, and I wish she had gotten more screen time. Geraldine was equally as amazing, and my heart went out to her when her past was revealed.
A heart-warming story of friendship and girl power, despite some of the dark plot twists.
bexangel's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
anna_laaa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0