Poppy's Recipe for Life

just stopped reading now and then because I didn't want to finish, what a shame it wasn't at least 500 pages, just wonderful!!!! nice people, nice happenings, really lovely and relaxing

This book was so heart warming and I feel a bit at a loss now that I've left Nightingale Square and its wonderful residents behind. I have enjoyed all of Heidi's books but I think that this one has to be my favourite. Although Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square (published last year) is set in Nightingale Square and features Kate and Luke in both books, this latest offering can be read as a standalone. I loved the atmosphere amongst the residents, the way they come together and look out for each other, how nice it would be if all communities were like that! I really liked Poppy, she was so selfless and wanted to be there for her brother and I felt that she could give him what he needed and which sadly, their mother couldn't. I love Mark, he is adorable and so very funny, I hope that Heidi brings us joy with another trip to Nightingale Square as I need to hear more from Mark - he always makes me chuckle, bless him! I enjoyed the story, it has some good twists and makes you feel that you are apart of their lives and I felt that I, too, wanted to be involved in their Grow-well project! How lovely to be able to escape and do something worthy for others. I rooted (no pun intended 😀) for a happy ending to those who I felt needed it and I wasn't disappointed. I highly recommend this lovely, hug-of-a-book xx

I didn't like it as much as the author's other books, for two main reasons - I couldn't really warm to the central character (nosy and pushy), and I had to suspend belief far too often.How many greengrocers can afford to employ a full time assistant? How much is he paying her if she can afford to rent a house with a garden and a drive in a desirable location and fund a teenager's appetite? No decline of the High Street in Norwich, then. How many people in their twenties are named Colin? How many people in their twenties use the adjective 'blasted'? And I found some language used by 16 year old Ryan and peoples quick trust in him a bit far-fetched. Every so often throughout the book I'd find myself thinking "Really?!". So although I like a nice bit of escapism in a book, it has to be a bit more believable than this.

This was my second Heidi Swain novel and it again ticked all the boxes. In this strange time it was a feel-good read which transported me away from any present worries. Poppy’s zest for life was a bit full on for me at the beginning of the book but as the story drew me in I was in admiration of her wish for all who live in Nightingale Square to feel the same about the community and its garden as she did. Her new neighbour and her younger brother threaten her happiness and Poppy finds herself navigating new circumstances and experiences. The feel good nature of the Square and its inhabitants sense of community made me think that at this particular time people are finding solace and a sense of community with those around them. As well as that the importance of being outdoors, gardening and creating something everyone can benefit from reinforces the importance of all of this for the benefits it brings to peoples mental health.The characters in the book are well constructed and I loved her younger brother Ryan. Despite going through a difficult time it was nice to read about young people being involved and willing to give thing a go. The backstories of the main characters, Poppy, Ryan and Jacob gave me a real sense of the growing importance of Nightingale Square to them. I felt this book did have the romance I would expect from this author but it was not the main story line. For me her ability to transport the reader to another world where things are happy, where friendships flourish and community is centred around the love of gardening and the food it produces is just what is needed for a feel-good, warm experience.I would give this book 4 **** and will be passing it onto family members to enjoy.Thanks Heidi Swain for making lock down so much easier. x

I really enjoyed this second visit to Nightingale Square, which was somewhat of a relief after having been very disappointed with my last couple of Heidi Swain books. Fortunately the author seems to have got her mojo back and this has resulted in a warm book that constantly begs you to just read one more chapter.Poppy was all set to move in to Kate's little house on Nightingale Square when her car crash of a mother scuppered her plans so she is still stuck in her tiny flat above the Greengrocers where she works. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but Poppy really, really wanted to get stuck in with the gardening at the community garden - especially as it would mean goodies for her pickling obsession. Still, all comes to she who waits and now the tenants have done a moonlight flit she is all set to move and she can't wait. There are only two clouds on her horizon - a very grumpy, reclusive next door neighbour and the fact that her brother seems to be avoiding her.Told with warmth and wit there is actually quite a lot going on in this book. The main story centres around Poppy, her brother Ryan and the wonderfully named Jacob Grizzle (the grumpy neighbour). We do get to catch up with Kate and Luke, from the first installment of the Nightingale Square tales but only very briefly. There are also brief mentions of other characters we met way back then too as the action moves to centre around the Community Garden. Back up in this book comes from the bookshop owning Colin and gift emporium entrepeneur Lou.The characters are all multi-faceted and more or less believable. Poppy can be a little bit too good to be true at times but she does have a tendency to jump to conclusions and put her foot right in it which helps negate some of the self-sacrificing behaviour. The real problem is with the character of Jacob, he is almost Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for much of the book and it does become a little overdone at times - yes, we get it he's a decent bloke who has had something horrible happen so he's retreated in to his shell to protect himself.There are also some plot problems. Nothing major but some sections feel very clumsy and almost like afterthoughts to spice up the story. Yes, the reader is in no doubt how things are going to work out for Poppy - to be honest, her relationship arc more or less mirrors that of Kate in the first book. The thing it doesn't matter that you know how things are all going to go, the fun is in the getting there and it is a very enjoyable journey.

This is the first book which I have ever read by this author. I was well through the story before I could even get into it. At one point during the early chapters I found myself becoming quite bored as nothing eventful seemed to be happening. However, I forced myself to continue reading the story. The whole story centres around the daily lives of the residents of Nightingale Square with Poppy being the main character. The residents share a community garden and close friendships. They all make a contribution to the garden and share the homegrown produce from it. Poppy's teenage brother, Ryan then comes to stay with her as their extremely selfish mother doesn't want any responsibility. Poppy becomes close to another neighbour, Jacob who was reclusive when he first moved into the square. The garden and strong community spirit have a therapeutic effect on him. He then begins to fit in and becomes a part of the place. Whilst it is not the most interesting story which I have ever read, it does have a happy ending.