Poppy’s Seed Reviews

 
 
I bought this book at a literary fair after meeting the author and it was not what I was expecting at all! I thought it would be a gentle book about a retired couple and their adjustment to a new home, but it was so much more. Interesting, complex and far from predictable it had me hooked. 

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read

By LJ on 1 Feb. 2017

I loved the two other books by this author and was thrilled to see she had written a new one! This is her best yet! Although I don’t know Lyme Regis that well I really felt like I was living there with Peter and Emily. I am too young to really appreciate the difficulties they were having in their marriage but older friends of mine have told me that retirement is a hard time, especially for men. Poppy is an interesting character and I like the way you never know exactly what is going on in her mind. I loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who likes books about relationships.


5.0 out of 5 stars     Loved it!
By Susan Price on 14 Feb. 2017
 
I really loved this book. Bethany’s writing style draws you in to the story so quickly and her description of every day domestic life and relationships is so real, a great read.

5.0 out of 5 starslittle slow to begin with – I was as bored by their retirement as Emily and Peter were – …
By Rah Cattell on 18 Feb. 2017
 
A little slow to begin with – I was as bored by their retirement as Emily and Peter were – but this is a device and it soon speeds up . I really enjoyed the plotline, characters, locations and prose. Bethany writes very naturally with a really good instinct for conversation, character and sex scenes ! The characters have stayed with me and there were some moments that were so viscerally described they created deep impressions. Well done Bethany – I am looking forward to your next one!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
By A M Way on 8 Mar. 2017
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are really believable and the story quite riveting as it unfolds. Couldn’t put it down!

Alexa Barber (Educator) has just reviewed Poppy’s Seed.

Full Text: Peter and Emily struggle to settle into their new way of life once retired to Lyme Regis. However they both encounter an artist in the small town, who is about to affect both their lives. Although this book had somewhat of a slowish start, mainly with some necessary scene setting, it is worth it. The story begins to unfold and the well drawn and believable characters reveal themselves.

I found this a very enjoyable read with a believable and interesting storyline. Its also refreshing to read about book me cover 50 where the story is not about terminal illness, dementia or death!

Links:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33972823-poppy-s-seed


Review from That’s Books and Entertainment: Poppy’s Seed

Poppy’s Seed is a new novel from author Bethany Askew.

It explores a marriage between Peter and Emily Stanchester and is set in the English coastal town of Lyme Regis.

They are both finding the idea of grasping the fact that they were now into their retirement year a little challenging. Peter went from being an important person who had work-related order and routine in his life to a person who was, unfortunately, no longer important and who no longer had work-related order and routine in his life.

And as for Emily? She misses the friendship of her former work colleagues and she misses her freedom, too.

Onto the scene steps Poppy James. Poppy is an artist who is quite typical of a certain type of artist, she eschews convention, has a slightly spotty reputation and lives her life to its bohemian full. She is unlike anyone that either Peter or Emily have ever met before.

They are both fascinated by this otherworldly creature and Peter is, not unnaturally, flattered when Poppy seeks him out to ask him for advice. But for what purpose has Poppy come into their lives?

Is there more, or perhaps, less to Poppy than appears at first sight?

And what, exactly, is Poppy after? What does she really want from the retired couple?

Apparently, this novel was based on a dream that the author had and it does have a certain dreamlike vibe throughout it, it has to be said. It’s an interesting read which explores what happens when life intervenes.


Hannah Brooker (Reviewer) has just edited the review for Poppy’s Seed.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Full Text: Poppy’s Seed is a wonderfully refreshing new read to me. It’s so rare to read a book about retiring couples, from what I understand from family it can be a really difficult time and this comes across in the book. I’m too young to identify with the main characters in this novel but it is written so very well, it is easy to almost place myself in their shoes. You are transported to their home in Lyme Regis and it’s very hard to put the book down and leave! I have already recommended to members of my family who can’t wait to read it!


From Books Monthly: Superb!

Poppy’s Seed is one of those thought-provoking relationship studies that blossoms into something quite extraordinary. One can never tell what’s going on in other people’s minds, and Bethany describes a group of people in the latter stages of their lives who come into contact with and are affected by someone from outside their sphere of existence.


Format: Paperback
 
And there I was thinking that retirement was a time to slow down and grow old gracefully! Not in this book! I found I was quickly drawn into the story, keen to find out what Poppy’s influence was over the main characters. I think I found Peter as frustrating as Emily did! Well done Bethany, looking forward to your next book.
 
This review is from: Poppy’s Seed (Paperback)
 
I loved this book. Slightly different to the sort of book I normally would choose to read but very well written and entertaining. I found Peter extremely irritating, how Emily can tolerate his bad moods. This is a well written book about relationships, the ups and downs, and how selfish and thoughtless a person like Poppy can be, with the lack of consideration for another person’s emotional feelings or attachment. I was sorry when the book ended.
 
 
 
on 19 September 2017
Format: Kindle Edition