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Cherry Dene #1
Pictures in the Sky
She’s never met a man worthy of her trust. But when an old friend resurfaces, could things be set to change?
Michelle is an exhausted sleep nurse who is about to become an empty nester. She’s looking forward to kicking back with her single friends – a glass of fizz in one hand, a caramel slice in the other and a box set on the telly.
But then she discovers the joys of platonic friendship with childhood friend Dan. It never occurs to her he might be on a different page.
So, just when life is finally looking up, an unexpected event draws her into a familiar cycle of anxiety and not knowing who to trust. Before she knows it, she’s facing a crisis of conscience.
Could this be a second chance at genuine love? But at what cost?
And does she really want it?
If you’ve ever found yourself settling for less than you deserve, you’ll love Pictures in the Sky, the thought-provoking first novel in Amanda Paull’s Cherry Dene series of standalone women’s fiction stories.
334 pages, ebook
Published July 28, 2018
34 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 26, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
Michelle had tried Pilates… but she kept dozing off during mat work, and couldn’t face going back after the snoring episode.
She knew she tended to see her glass as half empty, and she really did try to do the half full thing, but sometimes she just felt like she didn’t even have a glass.
I’m going to sue Walt Disney… All lies. There are no castles or princes, just hard graft and twats.
Audrey also wanted her ashes to be mixed into a firework, to be set off one dark night, with all the family gathered around, gasping in awe and wonder as she soared up in one final blaze of glory. She had cried with laughter at Michelle’s and Gary’s horrified faces. But she was adamant that she wanted to go out with a bang.
The men Mingle had matched her with resembled a Crimewatch line-up. It was all very different to the free trial search. That had yielded some tasty-looking men in their forties, with interesting profiles, decent jobs and socially acceptable reasons for being single. They were all looking for monogamous relationships, and none of them looked as if they might play with themselves on a first date in a car park. Not that you could really tell from a dating profile –poor Joan hadn’t suspected anything dodgy about her car park pervert.
My Review:
I alternated between smirking at Michelle’s comical visualizations and sighing at her ridiculous choices, she was a difficult character for me to like as she was spineless and often exasperated me, yet she also squeezed my heart. Michelle’s biggest problem was being a hopeless turd-magnet with men, although she had lots of issues, lots! She was highly anxious, prone to catastrophizing, always on alert for gloom and doom while visualizing the worst-case scenarios, and with mounting stressors from family and work she was slowly edging into the land of dysfunctional, yet she was also intelligent and witty.
Ms. Paull’s writing was highly descriptive, evoking keen visuals. I also enjoyed her clever wit and biting humor. She has also greatly expanded my Brit Vocab list with the introductions of blaggard (scoundrel, untrustworthy, contemptible person); quiff (hairstyle brushed upward and backward from the forehead); winklepickers (a style of shoe “reminiscent of medieval footwear” and re-popularized again in the 1950s by British rockers and has a very sharp and long pointed toe); yonks (a very long time); and flapjack (a sweet baked oat bar), although in American flapjacks is another word for pancakes. I’ll pass on the winklepickers but find I now have a taste for flapjacks of both varieties.
Michelle had tried Pilates… but she kept dozing off during mat work, and couldn’t face going back after the snoring episode.
She knew she tended to see her glass as half empty, and she really did try to do the half full thing, but sometimes she just felt like she didn’t even have a glass.
I’m going to sue Walt Disney… All lies. There are no castles or princes, just hard graft and twats.
Audrey also wanted her ashes to be mixed into a firework, to be set off one dark night, with all the family gathered around, gasping in awe and wonder as she soared up in one final blaze of glory. She had cried with laughter at Michelle’s and Gary’s horrified faces. But she was adamant that she wanted to go out with a bang.
The men Mingle had matched her with resembled a Crimewatch line-up. It was all very different to the free trial search. That had yielded some tasty-looking men in their forties, with interesting profiles, decent jobs and socially acceptable reasons for being single. They were all looking for monogamous relationships, and none of them looked as if they might play with themselves on a first date in a car park. Not that you could really tell from a dating profile –poor Joan hadn’t suspected anything dodgy about her car park pervert.
My Review:
I alternated between smirking at Michelle’s comical visualizations and sighing at her ridiculous choices, she was a difficult character for me to like as she was spineless and often exasperated me, yet she also squeezed my heart. Michelle’s biggest problem was being a hopeless turd-magnet with men, although she had lots of issues, lots! She was highly anxious, prone to catastrophizing, always on alert for gloom and doom while visualizing the worst-case scenarios, and with mounting stressors from family and work she was slowly edging into the land of dysfunctional, yet she was also intelligent and witty.
Ms. Paull’s writing was highly descriptive, evoking keen visuals. I also enjoyed her clever wit and biting humor. She has also greatly expanded my Brit Vocab list with the introductions of blaggard (scoundrel, untrustworthy, contemptible person); quiff (hairstyle brushed upward and backward from the forehead); winklepickers (a style of shoe “reminiscent of medieval footwear” and re-popularized again in the 1950s by British rockers and has a very sharp and long pointed toe); yonks (a very long time); and flapjack (a sweet baked oat bar), although in American flapjacks is another word for pancakes. I’ll pass on the winklepickers but find I now have a taste for flapjacks of both varieties.
October 16, 2018
Introspective, heartwarming, and engaging!
Pictures in the Sky is a lighthearted, thoughtful tale that takes us on a journey into the life of Michelle Cameron as she navigates middle age, old friendships, a budding romance, and career uncertainty.
The writing style is detailed and light. The characters are complex, kind, and trusting. And the plot is a soul-searching tale filled with hope, heartbreak, friendship, family, awkward moments, determination, independence, and happiness.
Overall, Pictures in the Sky is a sweet, delightful story that for the most part kept me captivated and invested in both the characters and the situations. And even though I felt there was a little too much repetition and it was a tad too long, it is still an intriguing tale that reminds us that life is about taking chances, moving on, and rediscovering one's true self at any age.
Thank you to Amanda Paull and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
Pictures in the Sky is a lighthearted, thoughtful tale that takes us on a journey into the life of Michelle Cameron as she navigates middle age, old friendships, a budding romance, and career uncertainty.
The writing style is detailed and light. The characters are complex, kind, and trusting. And the plot is a soul-searching tale filled with hope, heartbreak, friendship, family, awkward moments, determination, independence, and happiness.
Overall, Pictures in the Sky is a sweet, delightful story that for the most part kept me captivated and invested in both the characters and the situations. And even though I felt there was a little too much repetition and it was a tad too long, it is still an intriguing tale that reminds us that life is about taking chances, moving on, and rediscovering one's true self at any age.
Thank you to Amanda Paull and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2018
3.5☆ A warm story of Romance and Drama
(Rounded up to a 4☆ for Amazon and Goodreads)
Pictures in the Sky is a warm story of starting over, Friendship, Family, Drama and relationships.
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Michelle is a somewhat deeply flawed Character. As a Single parent she is very close to her daughter, but now her daughter is grown up. It's time for Michelle to start over.
She doesn't have much self confidence and certainly has lost all hope and belief in love.
That is until Daniel rocks back into her life, an old school friend.
Daniel is also a flawed character. He is in a loveless marriage and the two find solace in each other.
There is obviously a sexual attraction between them but just how far are they willing to take their attraction? Will it ruin more than just their friendship? Are they playing a dangerous game?
I did enjoy Pictures in the Sky but I found it to be a little too slow and drawn out compared to what I'm used to reading, It appeared to feel fairly lengthy.
The characters were interesting, not entirely likeable, but I could understand the dilemmas Michelle and Daniel got themselves into.
There is a fair amount of drama, a dose of humour and romance.
Overall a good read, I would recommend reading this book if you enjoy a slower paced contemporary romance with a dash of humour.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/1...
(Rounded up to a 4☆ for Amazon and Goodreads)
Pictures in the Sky is a warm story of starting over, Friendship, Family, Drama and relationships.
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Michelle is a somewhat deeply flawed Character. As a Single parent she is very close to her daughter, but now her daughter is grown up. It's time for Michelle to start over.
She doesn't have much self confidence and certainly has lost all hope and belief in love.
That is until Daniel rocks back into her life, an old school friend.
Daniel is also a flawed character. He is in a loveless marriage and the two find solace in each other.
There is obviously a sexual attraction between them but just how far are they willing to take their attraction? Will it ruin more than just their friendship? Are they playing a dangerous game?
I did enjoy Pictures in the Sky but I found it to be a little too slow and drawn out compared to what I'm used to reading, It appeared to feel fairly lengthy.
The characters were interesting, not entirely likeable, but I could understand the dilemmas Michelle and Daniel got themselves into.
There is a fair amount of drama, a dose of humour and romance.
Overall a good read, I would recommend reading this book if you enjoy a slower paced contemporary romance with a dash of humour.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/1...
October 15, 2018
This book is a sequel, but I did not have the feeling that I missed out on something. It's pretty clear that Michelle had some history, but this book can be read as a stand alone. The author gives you the right amount of information to enable you to pick up right away.
One this is for sure : there is a lot going on in this story. It's about family, lost love, friendship and battling against ghosts from the past. Everybody needs and wants love, don't they, but at what price? You don't want to be taken for a fool and you can only live a good life if you are in a situation where you can thrive.
It was a good story and I liked the funny bits, but I sometimes had the feeling it got a bit snowed under and you were distracted by details that, in my opnion, did not really add anything to the core. 3 stars.
Thank you, Amanda Paull and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
One this is for sure : there is a lot going on in this story. It's about family, lost love, friendship and battling against ghosts from the past. Everybody needs and wants love, don't they, but at what price? You don't want to be taken for a fool and you can only live a good life if you are in a situation where you can thrive.
It was a good story and I liked the funny bits, but I sometimes had the feeling it got a bit snowed under and you were distracted by details that, in my opnion, did not really add anything to the core. 3 stars.
Thank you, Amanda Paull and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
October 17, 2018
**RATING 3.5**
PICTURES IN THE SKY by Amanda Paull is a complicated story of friendship, loss, love, and self-belief with some funny moments along the way.
The only time that Michelle has ever stood up for herself was when she left her ex-husband all those years ago and moved back home with her baby girl. Now her baby is all grown up and Michelle doesn't trust in love anymore. But when an old childhood friend, Dan, gets in touch she feels safe and secure that he is one of the good guys, even if he is living in an unhappy marriage. As life becomes more complicated and drama seems to be waiting around every turn, will Michelle be able to find her inner strength and face life head on?
PICTURES IN THE SKY by Amanda Paull is an unusual story in that I didn't really like Michelle but I was still fascinated by what was happening in her life and the choices that she was making.
This is a slow-paced book with a lot of detail so if you like a quick romantic fix this might not be for you. There is lots of drama, confusion, hurt feelings, and figuring things out in PICTURES IN THE SKY by Amanda Paull and while it is a sequel, it can easily be read as a standalone story. A good solid read.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser.
PICTURES IN THE SKY by Amanda Paull is a complicated story of friendship, loss, love, and self-belief with some funny moments along the way.
The only time that Michelle has ever stood up for herself was when she left her ex-husband all those years ago and moved back home with her baby girl. Now her baby is all grown up and Michelle doesn't trust in love anymore. But when an old childhood friend, Dan, gets in touch she feels safe and secure that he is one of the good guys, even if he is living in an unhappy marriage. As life becomes more complicated and drama seems to be waiting around every turn, will Michelle be able to find her inner strength and face life head on?
PICTURES IN THE SKY by Amanda Paull is an unusual story in that I didn't really like Michelle but I was still fascinated by what was happening in her life and the choices that she was making.
This is a slow-paced book with a lot of detail so if you like a quick romantic fix this might not be for you. There is lots of drama, confusion, hurt feelings, and figuring things out in PICTURES IN THE SKY by Amanda Paull and while it is a sequel, it can easily be read as a standalone story. A good solid read.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser.
October 13, 2018
An enjoyable read, 3.5stars. Full review as part of the blog tour soon
October 17, 2018
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Michelle was an interesting character to delve into. In her youth, she’d made mistakes where relationships are concerned, which has lent into her being on guard and very protective of her heart. And while she’s obviously evolved from the young single mother of her past into the middle-aged woman of her present, there is a lot of baggage and leftover fear, at times giving the reader the impression that she is still very much that young single mother of her youth, still finding her way in life. When pitted against an obstacle, we discover just how hard it is for her to handle anything even remotely confrontational, a fact that she is well aware of. This lack of confrontation bleeds into her newfound relationship with Daniel.
There is a lot of baggage tied to Daniel, another fact Michelle is well aware of, but it’s hard to avoid the obvious chemistry the two of them have, not to mention the foundation of friendship that exists for them. I appreciated getting to read her take on the relationship, the fumbling and bumblings that can often happen when you’re just starting out and getting to know someone, even when it’s someone you’ve been friends with since childhood. Taking their relationship to the next level presents a whole new set of problems and concerns, and we’re in Michelle’s head the entire time, going through her emotions with her.
Another dynamic worth mentioning is the one between Michelle and her daughter, Sara. There is a special bond between the two of them, magnified by how young Michelle had been when she’d become a mother, the “it’s just us against the world” mentality they shared as they both tried to navigate the single mother and fatherless child waters. At times, it feels as though Sara is the parent, and then in the same breath, she’s a petulant child, and seeing how Michelle reacts to this only adds to the layers of who she is and why she is the way she is.
I liked the paralleling dynamics between what Michelle is going through in her personal life, and the outside influences and physical challenges, like training for a race with Daniel. Much of her inner struggles are reflective in the physical ones, and all the while you want to root for a nice, easy, simple outcome for her, but much like life, nothing is ever so nice, easy, or simple.
Michelle was an interesting character to delve into. In her youth, she’d made mistakes where relationships are concerned, which has lent into her being on guard and very protective of her heart. And while she’s obviously evolved from the young single mother of her past into the middle-aged woman of her present, there is a lot of baggage and leftover fear, at times giving the reader the impression that she is still very much that young single mother of her youth, still finding her way in life. When pitted against an obstacle, we discover just how hard it is for her to handle anything even remotely confrontational, a fact that she is well aware of. This lack of confrontation bleeds into her newfound relationship with Daniel.
There is a lot of baggage tied to Daniel, another fact Michelle is well aware of, but it’s hard to avoid the obvious chemistry the two of them have, not to mention the foundation of friendship that exists for them. I appreciated getting to read her take on the relationship, the fumbling and bumblings that can often happen when you’re just starting out and getting to know someone, even when it’s someone you’ve been friends with since childhood. Taking their relationship to the next level presents a whole new set of problems and concerns, and we’re in Michelle’s head the entire time, going through her emotions with her.
Another dynamic worth mentioning is the one between Michelle and her daughter, Sara. There is a special bond between the two of them, magnified by how young Michelle had been when she’d become a mother, the “it’s just us against the world” mentality they shared as they both tried to navigate the single mother and fatherless child waters. At times, it feels as though Sara is the parent, and then in the same breath, she’s a petulant child, and seeing how Michelle reacts to this only adds to the layers of who she is and why she is the way she is.
I liked the paralleling dynamics between what Michelle is going through in her personal life, and the outside influences and physical challenges, like training for a race with Daniel. Much of her inner struggles are reflective in the physical ones, and all the while you want to root for a nice, easy, simple outcome for her, but much like life, nothing is ever so nice, easy, or simple.
October 21, 2018
This is the first book I'm reading of Amanda Paull, and I quite like the humor in it and it was quite a fun book to enjoy in a Saturday afternoon when we just want to have fun reading and still think about life, the good the bad and the hilarious.
This was a story about love, family, hope, determination, happiness, heartbreak, and everything that comes with life and being with other people, with that comes of course happy and sad moments as well as some funny and awkward moments. All of that was possible in the story and not seem like an over the top representation because of the author's writing style. Amanda Paull gave us a well done plot that had a good flow and amazing details.
But that's not the only thing I enjoyed in this novel. I liked the way the characters were written. They were well developed but there was still the possibility for more growth. And we can see that in Michelle since she's the main character we get to know her more with each chapter and new information, not only about the reasons for her actions but also about her past and what made her the person she is and everything that still impact her life. And the detailed way it was written made me very curious to know more.
Overall, it was a detailed, slow-paced book what grabbed my attention because of the reality feeling it had, the plot and all the connection it created.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Amanda for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]
This was a story about love, family, hope, determination, happiness, heartbreak, and everything that comes with life and being with other people, with that comes of course happy and sad moments as well as some funny and awkward moments. All of that was possible in the story and not seem like an over the top representation because of the author's writing style. Amanda Paull gave us a well done plot that had a good flow and amazing details.
But that's not the only thing I enjoyed in this novel. I liked the way the characters were written. They were well developed but there was still the possibility for more growth. And we can see that in Michelle since she's the main character we get to know her more with each chapter and new information, not only about the reasons for her actions but also about her past and what made her the person she is and everything that still impact her life. And the detailed way it was written made me very curious to know more.
Overall, it was a detailed, slow-paced book what grabbed my attention because of the reality feeling it had, the plot and all the connection it created.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Amanda for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]
October 20, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I thought that this was a well written story and I enjoyed it.
The story is very engaging and I thought it captured my imagination very well and I thought that the author was really suited to this style of book too.
The plot was enjoyable and whilst this is the second book in the series but I didn’t feel at any detriment from jumping in and only reading this one, I think it is fine to be read as a stand alone. I thought the characters were great!
3.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 4stars for Goodreads and Amazon – an enjoyable story!
I thought that this was a well written story and I enjoyed it.
The story is very engaging and I thought it captured my imagination very well and I thought that the author was really suited to this style of book too.
The plot was enjoyable and whilst this is the second book in the series but I didn’t feel at any detriment from jumping in and only reading this one, I think it is fine to be read as a stand alone. I thought the characters were great!
3.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 4stars for Goodreads and Amazon – an enjoyable story!
October 21, 2018
The writing is light and the marathon training scenes are delightful. The author has a gift for characterization that creates memorable interactions. However, the book justifies adultery I. A way that really decreased my overall enjoyment. I found the led character foolish and I couldn’t forget that her actions were hurting another woman, no matter how much the author told me I wasn’t supposed to care about that other person.
September 17, 2020
Awesome Women's Fiction About Becoming Self Reliant
This is an awesome series of Women's Fiction books. The series starts with a short novella available free from the author entitled When Dreams Come True. That book is a prelude to this book and lays an important foundation for this generational saga. The overall storyline is women taking control of their lives to live the life they want. The books delve deep into emotions caused by the trauma of life. In this book, the heroine is a hot mess. She has raised her daughter alone just as her mother raising her and her brother. She is still battling the lack of self-esteem from her father's abandonment. She is also dealing with the ex-husband from hell. Throughout the book, she is trying to live for herself and develop a positive attitude. The author describes everything so realistically. The crazy nightmares are right on the money. This is a very good book. These are not lightweight books, but I felt so empowered as I finished them. I think reading the series in order will allow the reader the most enjoyment. I read the last story first and wish I had not, I am going to re-read it now. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
This is an awesome series of Women's Fiction books. The series starts with a short novella available free from the author entitled When Dreams Come True. That book is a prelude to this book and lays an important foundation for this generational saga. The overall storyline is women taking control of their lives to live the life they want. The books delve deep into emotions caused by the trauma of life. In this book, the heroine is a hot mess. She has raised her daughter alone just as her mother raising her and her brother. She is still battling the lack of self-esteem from her father's abandonment. She is also dealing with the ex-husband from hell. Throughout the book, she is trying to live for herself and develop a positive attitude. The author describes everything so realistically. The crazy nightmares are right on the money. This is a very good book. These are not lightweight books, but I felt so empowered as I finished them. I think reading the series in order will allow the reader the most enjoyment. I read the last story first and wish I had not, I am going to re-read it now. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
August 19, 2018
Pictures in the Sky - I found this book too long; some editing would have done wonders on reducing the length. There was too much filler and redundancy, making it hard for me to concentrate on the story. I had to pick up other books to finish before I returned to this story. I usually got about 10 - 12 percent read at a time and I would let it lay four or five days before returning. I do like Amanda's other stories, but they weren't as detailed and were shorts.
There's an interesting story if you have the patience. This picks up about twenty years after the prequel When Dreams Come True ends. The main character still doesn't take up for herself, but she did get rid of her husband quickly after the baby was born. Now, she's into a married man and making all the stupid excuses why it's OK. She's a decent person doing the best she can until this married man came along. This married man is considered ethical, even though he's having sex outside of his marriage: hmmm, that's not the meaning of ethics where I come from. Along with being spineless, she gets frantic or hysterical too much for a nurse; they're used to being under pressure and have skills and coping mechanisms. 3*
There's an interesting story if you have the patience. This picks up about twenty years after the prequel When Dreams Come True ends. The main character still doesn't take up for herself, but she did get rid of her husband quickly after the baby was born. Now, she's into a married man and making all the stupid excuses why it's OK. She's a decent person doing the best she can until this married man came along. This married man is considered ethical, even though he's having sex outside of his marriage: hmmm, that's not the meaning of ethics where I come from. Along with being spineless, she gets frantic or hysterical too much for a nurse; they're used to being under pressure and have skills and coping mechanisms. 3*
August 16, 2019
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Michelle, a single mother, has raised her daughter on her own, though she carries a lot of emotional baggage, particularly from her relationships with her father who left her family when she was thirteen, and Fermín, her ex-husband. She is constantly worrying about things that might happen. Now in her 40s, Michelle is navigating as best as she can through family relationships, her scheming ex, her job as a nurse, training for a half marathon, and a childhood friend, Dan, who is unhappily married and becomes more than a friend. Will Michelle find her happiness? This quirky British heroine kept me reading to find out.
April 1, 2023
I couldn’t quite get the point of the story, it didn’t seem to have one. Quite underwhelmed and struggled to get through it
September 6, 2021
I can really relate to Michelle’s struggles. Being an exhausted sole parent can cause a lot of grief and self castigation. The line that resonated most was when Sarah said you read to me and sang when Michelle felt down about not being more active physically when Sarah was little. There are many positives if there is love and care. I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
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