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The Lullaby Sky
After seven years of misery and abuse, it’s all over—Hannah O’Malley is officially divorced. Hallelujah. It’s like every Christmas in her life all rolled up into one glorious day. Not only does Hannah get to keep her grandmother’s spacious old house, but she has full custody of her sparky five-year-old daughter. All Hannah has to do now is put the past behind her.
And now that she’s free, she wants to make a difference. With the help of her warm, close-knit circle of friends—including her high school crush, Travis Wilson—Hannah begins turning her home into a safe house for other women who’ve endured the pain she’s known. But even as life and laughter return to Hannah’s home, she’s haunted by the memory of her dangerously unstable ex. With a second chance at love on the horizon, Hannah must face down her past in order to let the sunshine back into her life.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2016
4346 people are currently reading
4078 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Brown
184 books4,139 followersHi! I'm twenty five years old and movie star gorgeous. The camera added thirty plus years and a few wrinkles. Can't trust those cameras or mirrors either. Along with bathroom scales they are notorious liars! Honestly, I am the mother of three fantastic grown children who've made me laugh and given me more story ideas than I could ever write. My husband, Charles, is my strongest supporter and my best friend. He's even willing to eat fast food and help with the laundry while I finish one more chapter! Life is good and I am blessed!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
Reading has been a passion since I was five years old and figured out those were words on book pages. As soon as my chubby little fingers found they could put words on a Big Chief tablet with a fat pencil, I was on my way. Writing joined reading in my list of passions. I will read anything from the back of the Cheerio's box to Faulkner and love every bit of it. In addition to reading I enjoy cooking, my family and the ocean. I love the Florida beaches. Listening to the ocean waves puts my writing brain into high gear.
I love writing romance because it's about emotions and relationships. Human nature hasn't changed a bit since Eve coveted the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Settings change. Plots change. Names change. Times change. But love is love and men and women have been falling in and out of it forever. Romance is about emotions: love, hate, anger, laughter... all of it. If I can make you laugh until your sides ache or grab a tissue then I've touched your emotions and accomplished what every writer sets out to do.
I got serious about writing when my third child was born and had her days and nights mixed up. I had to stay up all night anyway and it was very quiet so I invested in a spiral back notebook and sharpened a few pencils. The story that emerged has never sold but it's brought in enough rejection slips to put the Redwood Forest on the endangered list. In 1997 Kensington bought two books for their Precious Gems line. Two years and six books later the line died with only four of those books seeing publication. But by then Avalon had bought a book and another, and another. Ten years later the list has grown to thirty nine. Last year Sourcebooks bought the Lucky Series which is in the bookstores now. They've also bought The Honky Tonk Series which will debut with I LOVE THIS BAR in June and will be followed by HELL, YEAH, MY GIVE A DAMN'S BUSTED, and HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS.
Folks ask me where I get my ideas. Three kids, fifteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Note: I was a very young grandmother! Life is a zoo around here when they all come home. In one Sunday afternoon there's enough ideas to keep me writing for years and years. Seriously, ideas pop up at the craziest times. When one sinks its roots into my mind, I have no choice but to write the story. And while I'm writing the characters peek over my shoulder and make sure I'm telling it right and not exaggerating too much. Pesky little devils, they are!
I have a wonderful agent, Erin Niumata, who continues to work magic and sell my work. I'm very lucky to have her and my editors who continue to believe in me.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 567 reviews
November 30, 2024
**** MILD SPOILERS *****
This was as pleasant and harmless a book as could have ever been written about spousal abuse. As the story opens, Hannah is finally free, having been granted a divorce from her physically and mentally abusive husband. She decides to turn her home into a safe house for other abused women. She names it "Lullaby Sky" after a song that she would sing to her young daughter, Sophie, during the stressful time with her ex.
Hannah has unbelievably supportive lifelong friends: Liz is in an abusive relationship herself; Darcy works at a bank and is secretly in love with Cal; Cal is a successful fashion designer and is secretly in love with Darcy; and Travis is a writer who has achieved great wealth and success publishing romance novels under a pseudonym. Oh, and he is secretly in love with Hannah.
There are also two feisty, colorful old southern ladies, Aunt Birdie and Miss Rose. Or maybe Aunt Rose and Miss Birdie. They were indistinguishable from each other and their relationship to the main characters was never clear to me. Their purpose was to say feisty things and provide endless support and good southern cooking.
All of these friends have stood by Hannah through her horrible marriage, and now they seem to have no pressing needs in their own lives that prevent them from devoting themselves to her and her daughter. Sophie is the world's most perfect, adorable child. She always says and does the most perfect, adorable things. The adults are all besotted with her. They stand around, remarking to each other how perfect and adorable she is. Occasionally, one of them breaks away from the group to stare up at the lullaby sky and exclaim something like, "I would remove my own spleen with a rusty butterknife for Sophie, so help me God!!" It was a bit ridiculous.
With abused women coming and going from Lullaby Sky and Hannah's ratbastard ex-husband still on the loose, you would think maybe at some point there would be an exciting, dramatic confrontation. But...no. That might take the focus away from Sophie. Instead there is just a lot of watching Sophie and talking about Sophie and taking Sophie on fun, special outings so she won't be sad when the abused women leave.
Then, more of nothing happens, and without further stress or conflict of any kind the predetermined couples end up together; as Aunt Birdie Rose and Miss Rosie Bird had planned it all along - just perfectly adorable.
This was as pleasant and harmless a book as could have ever been written about spousal abuse. As the story opens, Hannah is finally free, having been granted a divorce from her physically and mentally abusive husband. She decides to turn her home into a safe house for other abused women. She names it "Lullaby Sky" after a song that she would sing to her young daughter, Sophie, during the stressful time with her ex.
Hannah has unbelievably supportive lifelong friends: Liz is in an abusive relationship herself; Darcy works at a bank and is secretly in love with Cal; Cal is a successful fashion designer and is secretly in love with Darcy; and Travis is a writer who has achieved great wealth and success publishing romance novels under a pseudonym. Oh, and he is secretly in love with Hannah.
There are also two feisty, colorful old southern ladies, Aunt Birdie and Miss Rose. Or maybe Aunt Rose and Miss Birdie. They were indistinguishable from each other and their relationship to the main characters was never clear to me. Their purpose was to say feisty things and provide endless support and good southern cooking.
All of these friends have stood by Hannah through her horrible marriage, and now they seem to have no pressing needs in their own lives that prevent them from devoting themselves to her and her daughter. Sophie is the world's most perfect, adorable child. She always says and does the most perfect, adorable things. The adults are all besotted with her. They stand around, remarking to each other how perfect and adorable she is. Occasionally, one of them breaks away from the group to stare up at the lullaby sky and exclaim something like, "I would remove my own spleen with a rusty butterknife for Sophie, so help me God!!" It was a bit ridiculous.
With abused women coming and going from Lullaby Sky and Hannah's ratbastard ex-husband still on the loose, you would think maybe at some point there would be an exciting, dramatic confrontation. But...no. That might take the focus away from Sophie. Instead there is just a lot of watching Sophie and talking about Sophie and taking Sophie on fun, special outings so she won't be sad when the abused women leave.
Then, more of nothing happens, and without further stress or conflict of any kind the predetermined couples end up together; as Aunt Birdie Rose and Miss Rosie Bird had planned it all along - just perfectly adorable.
December 22, 2016
Not sure I get all the great reviews. I wonder if I read the same book?
The premise was good and it started out strong, but the execution was weak with one dimensional characters, an unrealistic portrayal of survival and recovery, and absolutely no tension to entice the reader to keep turning the page. I also didn't feel the author handled the topic with care. The tone and execution were too casual and cavalier for such an important topic for women..
I'd recommend a pass on this one.
The premise was good and it started out strong, but the execution was weak with one dimensional characters, an unrealistic portrayal of survival and recovery, and absolutely no tension to entice the reader to keep turning the page. I also didn't feel the author handled the topic with care. The tone and execution were too casual and cavalier for such an important topic for women..
I'd recommend a pass on this one.
September 16, 2016
Hannah O’Malley is thrilled to finally be free of her abusive husband, but it will take a bit of healing and the help of friends and family to get past the emotional damage he caused. Lucky for her she has an amazing support group and her lovely little six year old daughter, Sophie to ease her back into normal. I just loved the close knit group of friends and the two old ladies, basically the group’s matriarchs, Aunt Birdie and Aunt Rosie! These old ladies were not above stepping in to solve things in their own way (shotgun in hand!) if the law didn’t come through, and I had to laugh at their feisty determination.
Moved by her experience, Hannah decided to open her heart and home to women who need a helping hand getting away from emotional or physical abuse, and the experience is just as helpful to her in healing as it is for the women on the run. Carolyn Brown, even with the serious nature of this story, managed to brighten things up with humor and positivity!
The Lullaby Sky was a heartwarming story of friendship, family, and romance! Hannah’s romance with her long-time friend Travis was slow going, and built solidly on friendship and trust, which fit perfectly with her story since she needed time to heal. That didn’t mean that there wasn’t chemistry and sparks between these two! I loved this second chance romance!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
Moved by her experience, Hannah decided to open her heart and home to women who need a helping hand getting away from emotional or physical abuse, and the experience is just as helpful to her in healing as it is for the women on the run. Carolyn Brown, even with the serious nature of this story, managed to brighten things up with humor and positivity!
The Lullaby Sky was a heartwarming story of friendship, family, and romance! Hannah’s romance with her long-time friend Travis was slow going, and built solidly on friendship and trust, which fit perfectly with her story since she needed time to heal. That didn’t mean that there wasn’t chemistry and sparks between these two! I loved this second chance romance!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
February 16, 2017
The general synopsis is as follows: the book follows a woman named Hannah O’Malley who divorces her abusive husband and sets up her home as a shelter for abused women. The book is all about abusive relationships and finding love again. Hannah has a daughter named Sophie and many friends, including a man named Travis who is her old secondary school crush.
I think that Hannah’s development was really good. I can understand her character: I saw Hannah as a woman who has been abused and is therefore quite shy and quite nervous but she is extremely caring and extremely empathic and I also feel she’s quite a good mother and her confidence is just a bit undersized. The thing I liked about Hannah was that I felt she was quite confused over whether or not she was in love with Travis and I felt quite good about that because I felt that her development was more than just a few meaningless character traits. In addition, Sophie was developed really well: the typical run-around cheeky five-year-old. I saw a lot of myself in Travis! (peculiarly!) so I understood him as well. However, I thought that people like Darcy, Calvin, Aunt Birdie, all of them I felt had no development.
They are given individual identities later on in the book but that still didn’t illustrate to me what these people would be like if I met them in person. I did feel that the main three were developed but I still didn’t feel any caring emotions for them. I didn’t really care about them, I didn’t feel that I loved them. It all just felt a bit neutral.
The plotline is fine and the story is fine. It’s a good plotline but it’s nothing spectacular. I could probably sum up the whole book in three sentences (I'm not going to because of spoilers). The way the story was set out didn’t particularly compel me to read on and I think that if the first few chapters had been spent developing each of the characters rather than just seeing Hannah repainting her house, I’m sure I would have enjoyed this book more. So plot-wise: it’s good but it’s not spectacular and that didn’t make book anymore spectacular. I think that Hannah and Travis should have had more plot elements to their plotline and the less well developed characters should have had less. Do NOT give your precious plotline to characters who you HAVEN’T developed, give it to characters who you HAVE developed! If Hannah and Travis had more plot elements, I think I would have gone through more with them and therefore learnt to love them more.
Just as a general summary: there were parts of this book that I enjoyed and the book is good so I’m not saying don’t read it but I’m just saying don’t expect it to blow you away because it didn’t blow me away and it’s nothing particularly special. So that is my review of this book to which I gave two stars of five: The Lullaby Sky.
I think that Hannah’s development was really good. I can understand her character: I saw Hannah as a woman who has been abused and is therefore quite shy and quite nervous but she is extremely caring and extremely empathic and I also feel she’s quite a good mother and her confidence is just a bit undersized. The thing I liked about Hannah was that I felt she was quite confused over whether or not she was in love with Travis and I felt quite good about that because I felt that her development was more than just a few meaningless character traits. In addition, Sophie was developed really well: the typical run-around cheeky five-year-old. I saw a lot of myself in Travis! (peculiarly!) so I understood him as well. However, I thought that people like Darcy, Calvin, Aunt Birdie, all of them I felt had no development.
They are given individual identities later on in the book but that still didn’t illustrate to me what these people would be like if I met them in person. I did feel that the main three were developed but I still didn’t feel any caring emotions for them. I didn’t really care about them, I didn’t feel that I loved them. It all just felt a bit neutral.
The plotline is fine and the story is fine. It’s a good plotline but it’s nothing spectacular. I could probably sum up the whole book in three sentences (I'm not going to because of spoilers). The way the story was set out didn’t particularly compel me to read on and I think that if the first few chapters had been spent developing each of the characters rather than just seeing Hannah repainting her house, I’m sure I would have enjoyed this book more. So plot-wise: it’s good but it’s not spectacular and that didn’t make book anymore spectacular. I think that Hannah and Travis should have had more plot elements to their plotline and the less well developed characters should have had less. Do NOT give your precious plotline to characters who you HAVEN’T developed, give it to characters who you HAVE developed! If Hannah and Travis had more plot elements, I think I would have gone through more with them and therefore learnt to love them more.
Just as a general summary: there were parts of this book that I enjoyed and the book is good so I’m not saying don’t read it but I’m just saying don’t expect it to blow you away because it didn’t blow me away and it’s nothing particularly special. So that is my review of this book to which I gave two stars of five: The Lullaby Sky.
January 18, 2017
I hated this book. It's about a woman getting divorced from an abusive husband. I was expecting and hoping for some sort of dark and twisted novel, but instead it was happy like a Hallmark movie. Everything worked out perfect. There was not an ounce of darkness involved, nor did it seem real. People aren't this happy when getting out of an abusive relationship. People leave with ptsd and psychological trauma. The conversations in this book were so surface-level it was annoying. And they were eating unhealthy food on every other page which just made me sick. This just isn't my kind of book at all.
October 5, 2016
This book was a torture. It's literally about nothing... A woman gets her freedom from an abusive husband and runs straight into a knight in shining armor? Wtf? Where is all psychological trauma stuff? And the conversations between her and a new man... Twilight dialogs seemed more realistic.
I just did not like this book very much.
I just did not like this book very much.
March 12, 2020
When this author was new and fresh to me, I found that I loved her work. I was thrilled to read her newest work. However, it might have been that it was what I was choosing that kept me so happy. But the last few books I have read are so similar in a theme that I wonder why I am even bothering with reading them. I can tell exactly how it is going to proceed and end.
The Lullaby Sky is the traditional 'Southern small-town abused by rotten husband woman becomes strong but has a poop load of friends to help her recover and who stands behind her and a totally hot man who loves her - but 'secretly' story.
I don't remember the author using this much preaching in her last books - but I read so much that maybe she did and I just didn't notice.
*ARC supplied by publisher
The Lullaby Sky is the traditional 'Southern small-town abused by rotten husband woman becomes strong but has a poop load of friends to help her recover and who stands behind her and a totally hot man who loves her - but 'secretly' story.
I don't remember the author using this much preaching in her last books - but I read so much that maybe she did and I just didn't notice.
*ARC supplied by publisher
August 9, 2016
Four stars: Comfort reading that takes on a darker topic: domestic abuse.
For Hannah O'Malley, life is starting fresh and anew. She just signed the divorce papers, and she is rid of her husband once and for all. She is free to live her life and raise her daughter as she sees fit, without worrying about anger, bruises and verbal abuse. At Hannah's side are her long time friends, Travis, Darcy, Liz and Cal as well as her Aunt Birdie and her surrogate, Aunt Rosie. Hannah is determined to let go of the pain and hardships that Marty caused, and find a new beginning. Soon she is turning her home into a refuge for other battered women, and in doing so, she finds beautiful friends, love and hope for the future.
What I Liked:
*Ahh.... comfort reading. I needed a nice heaping helping of comfort, and I certainly got that with The Lullaby Sky. This is a book about new beginnings, old friendships, family, love and living life to the fullest. I loved the positive messages in this book, and how the difficult topic of domestic abuse was handled.
*The romance is one of the best kind, in fact there are two of them, and both blossom from life long friendships. Both take their time to bloom, but when they do, they are sweet and perfect and just right. Loved the romance!
*The characters are terrific. I loved Hannah's quiet determination and big heart as she set out to start anew, and in doing so she helps others who were in her shoes. She is kind, compassionate and full of love. At her side is Travis, her life long friend, who is patient, kind and as sweet as they come. I especially loved the two feisty old aunts, Aunt Birdie and Aunt Rosie. They made the book. An excellent cast of characters!
*The book takes on a serious topic: domestic abuse. I loved that it was handled with hope and positivity. It showcases five different women, from all walks of life. I enjoyed getting to know each woman, and learning her back story. Anyone can become a victim. I liked that each woman found a way out, and had hope for a new beginning. I urge readers to pass this along to anyone they might know of who could be in an abusive relationship so they can see that there is hope and life afterwards.
*The ending is wonderful. I loved seeing the progress and change for all the characters, and I liked the way things ended up. Sweet, satisfying and perfect for when you need a pick me up, comfort book.
And The Not So Much:
*I adore best friend romances, but I found that I was wanting more of the history between Travis and Hannah and Darcy and Cal. I would love to know more about their childhoods together.
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy, so it may be different in the final version, I was hoping for a list of resources at the end for women who are in a domestic abuse situation. Perhaps it will be included in the final published version.
*I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't any type of update on the other two women who came to the Lullaby Sky. I would have loved to know how they were doing a few months down the road.
The Lullaby Sky is a sweet, lovely, romantic read that takes on domestic abuse. I loved the positivity of this book, and I liked that it left the reader with hope and love. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in need of a comfort read, and definitely for anyone who is in an abusive situation.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
For Hannah O'Malley, life is starting fresh and anew. She just signed the divorce papers, and she is rid of her husband once and for all. She is free to live her life and raise her daughter as she sees fit, without worrying about anger, bruises and verbal abuse. At Hannah's side are her long time friends, Travis, Darcy, Liz and Cal as well as her Aunt Birdie and her surrogate, Aunt Rosie. Hannah is determined to let go of the pain and hardships that Marty caused, and find a new beginning. Soon she is turning her home into a refuge for other battered women, and in doing so, she finds beautiful friends, love and hope for the future.
What I Liked:
*Ahh.... comfort reading. I needed a nice heaping helping of comfort, and I certainly got that with The Lullaby Sky. This is a book about new beginnings, old friendships, family, love and living life to the fullest. I loved the positive messages in this book, and how the difficult topic of domestic abuse was handled.
*The romance is one of the best kind, in fact there are two of them, and both blossom from life long friendships. Both take their time to bloom, but when they do, they are sweet and perfect and just right. Loved the romance!
*The characters are terrific. I loved Hannah's quiet determination and big heart as she set out to start anew, and in doing so she helps others who were in her shoes. She is kind, compassionate and full of love. At her side is Travis, her life long friend, who is patient, kind and as sweet as they come. I especially loved the two feisty old aunts, Aunt Birdie and Aunt Rosie. They made the book. An excellent cast of characters!
*The book takes on a serious topic: domestic abuse. I loved that it was handled with hope and positivity. It showcases five different women, from all walks of life. I enjoyed getting to know each woman, and learning her back story. Anyone can become a victim. I liked that each woman found a way out, and had hope for a new beginning. I urge readers to pass this along to anyone they might know of who could be in an abusive relationship so they can see that there is hope and life afterwards.
*The ending is wonderful. I loved seeing the progress and change for all the characters, and I liked the way things ended up. Sweet, satisfying and perfect for when you need a pick me up, comfort book.
And The Not So Much:
*I adore best friend romances, but I found that I was wanting more of the history between Travis and Hannah and Darcy and Cal. I would love to know more about their childhoods together.
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy, so it may be different in the final version, I was hoping for a list of resources at the end for women who are in a domestic abuse situation. Perhaps it will be included in the final published version.
*I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't any type of update on the other two women who came to the Lullaby Sky. I would have loved to know how they were doing a few months down the road.
The Lullaby Sky is a sweet, lovely, romantic read that takes on domestic abuse. I loved the positivity of this book, and I liked that it left the reader with hope and love. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in need of a comfort read, and definitely for anyone who is in an abusive situation.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 24, 2017
I hate having to give a book one star. But I had to make myself finish. The dialogue was the worst. The chapter divisions were completely random. The story was flat. The idea was insulting. And it bordered way too closely to Christian fiction for me.
April 2, 2021
Starting over after an abusive relationship with friends, family, and a house called Lullaby Sky. This heartwarming small town charmer meandered its way, but touches the heart on a woman's path to healing.
After seven years of abuse and being controlled by her husband, Hannah is free and she got her daughter free and clear, too. It will take some time for the internal scars to disappear, but with the support of best friends, Liv, Darcie, Cal, and Travis and her neighbors, Aunt Bertie and Miss Rose, she and Sophie stand a wonderful chance at finding their happy.
Hannah's old farmhouse that once belonged to her grandmother and the settlement money that mean she doesn't have to work again if she wants give her ideas. She will turn the place into a home for abused women when the local shelter is full. While everyone supports her decision, they also worry that it is too much too soon. Hannah has a feeling that it will help her heal instead.
Meanwhile, she worries over her friend Liv who is in her own abusive marriage, but wants no help, her friends Darcie and Cal who secretly have loved each other all their lives, and she wonders about the sparks that fly whenever she is near quiet carpenter, Travis.
The Lullaby Sky is signature Carolyn Brown in many ways from the country charm, the multi-generational cast of characters, easy and gentle flow of the story, some fun and some poignant moments. I felt cozy and glad to be back in familiar territory with the author's writing.
But, it also lacked something that other similar books she wrote has. It offers very little angst or tension that a story of this nature should have naturally produced. I'm not one for over the top drama or unnecessary angst, but I counted many times when the opportunity to add some excitement in a confrontation moment with the ex or one of the women's exes was non-existent. I also felt there should have been more anxiety in the house when Hannah had the frightened abused women and kids staying with her when the shelter was full or needed to hide these folks. Again, it was all unicorns and rainbows. Even Hannah's daughter, Sophie is this perfect princess girl that behaves like she never had an abusive father (though he never abused her- he ignored her existence) or that she is a young kid who should act out now and then. All the adults love this kid and fell over themselves making her world a dream. It was over the top and beyond unrealistic.
By no means did I dislike this story, but it finished with something lacking
Brittany Pressley was a familiar narrator and she got the Texas drawl, the variety of voices, and the mood of the scenes really well. She's easy to listen to for the gently paced country charmers like this story.
So, I liked it, but didn't love it. I definitely want more of the author's books. They are comfy escape read/listens that I can recommend.
After seven years of abuse and being controlled by her husband, Hannah is free and she got her daughter free and clear, too. It will take some time for the internal scars to disappear, but with the support of best friends, Liv, Darcie, Cal, and Travis and her neighbors, Aunt Bertie and Miss Rose, she and Sophie stand a wonderful chance at finding their happy.
Hannah's old farmhouse that once belonged to her grandmother and the settlement money that mean she doesn't have to work again if she wants give her ideas. She will turn the place into a home for abused women when the local shelter is full. While everyone supports her decision, they also worry that it is too much too soon. Hannah has a feeling that it will help her heal instead.
Meanwhile, she worries over her friend Liv who is in her own abusive marriage, but wants no help, her friends Darcie and Cal who secretly have loved each other all their lives, and she wonders about the sparks that fly whenever she is near quiet carpenter, Travis.
The Lullaby Sky is signature Carolyn Brown in many ways from the country charm, the multi-generational cast of characters, easy and gentle flow of the story, some fun and some poignant moments. I felt cozy and glad to be back in familiar territory with the author's writing.
But, it also lacked something that other similar books she wrote has. It offers very little angst or tension that a story of this nature should have naturally produced. I'm not one for over the top drama or unnecessary angst, but I counted many times when the opportunity to add some excitement in a confrontation moment with the ex or one of the women's exes was non-existent. I also felt there should have been more anxiety in the house when Hannah had the frightened abused women and kids staying with her when the shelter was full or needed to hide these folks. Again, it was all unicorns and rainbows. Even Hannah's daughter, Sophie is this perfect princess girl that behaves like she never had an abusive father (though he never abused her- he ignored her existence) or that she is a young kid who should act out now and then. All the adults love this kid and fell over themselves making her world a dream. It was over the top and beyond unrealistic.
By no means did I dislike this story, but it finished with something lacking
Brittany Pressley was a familiar narrator and she got the Texas drawl, the variety of voices, and the mood of the scenes really well. She's easy to listen to for the gently paced country charmers like this story.
So, I liked it, but didn't love it. I definitely want more of the author's books. They are comfy escape read/listens that I can recommend.
March 20, 2017
ספר חביב ואפילו "נקי" מידי שעוסק בנושא כאוב של אלימות במשפחה.
חנה אומיילי מתגרשת ממרטין אחרי 7 שנים של טירור, אלימות מילולית ופיזית. מרטין מגיע ממשפחה עשירה וחנה לא והוא מוצא סיבות רבות להיטפל אליה ולמרר את חייה.
ביום הגירושין חנה מקבלת משמורת בלעדית על בתה סופי ומקבלת חזרה את בית סבתה. בית שמרטין שכנע אותה להעביר על שמו.
בעזרת חבריה הטובים, חנה מתאוששת וחוזרת לחיות חיים מלאים. היא הופכת את בית סבתה למקלט זמני לנשים מוכות ואפילו מוצאת אהבה.
ספר חביב, פחות נכנס לפסיכולוגיה של נשים מוכות והתאוששות מהטראומה.
חנה אומיילי מתגרשת ממרטין אחרי 7 שנים של טירור, אלימות מילולית ופיזית. מרטין מגיע ממשפחה עשירה וחנה לא והוא מוצא סיבות רבות להיטפל אליה ולמרר את חייה.
ביום הגירושין חנה מקבלת משמורת בלעדית על בתה סופי ומקבלת חזרה את בית סבתה. בית שמרטין שכנע אותה להעביר על שמו.
בעזרת חבריה הטובים, חנה מתאוששת וחוזרת לחיות חיים מלאים. היא הופכת את בית סבתה למקלט זמני לנשים מוכות ואפילו מוצאת אהבה.
ספר חביב, פחות נכנס לפסיכולוגיה של נשים מוכות והתאוששות מהטראומה.
March 17, 2017
DNF'd when I read this:
"What the ..." Travis picked up the shotgun and ejected both shells. "Aunt Birdie, you brought a loaded gun over here with that baby?"
"She'll be six years old in a few weeks. And there ain't a way in hell I can kill a man with an unloaded gun. I don't have the strength to beat him to death with the butt," Aunt Birdie fussed.
WTF!!!!!!
A LOADED GUN WITH A SIX YEAR OLD?? Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. Sometimes I despair of the world.
One star for the utter utter stupidity.
"What the ..." Travis picked up the shotgun and ejected both shells. "Aunt Birdie, you brought a loaded gun over here with that baby?"
"She'll be six years old in a few weeks. And there ain't a way in hell I can kill a man with an unloaded gun. I don't have the strength to beat him to death with the butt," Aunt Birdie fussed.
WTF!!!!!!
A LOADED GUN WITH A SIX YEAR OLD?? Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. Sometimes I despair of the world.
One star for the utter utter stupidity.
November 27, 2016
Cheesy
This book was not particularly interesting, beyond the premise. Ten years after high school, all the women friends are in abusive relationships. Conveniently, the guy friends have been in love with the victims since high school. They never acted on their love because they were embarrassed to be a romance writer and a fashion designer. But they all lived happily ever after.
This book was not particularly interesting, beyond the premise. Ten years after high school, all the women friends are in abusive relationships. Conveniently, the guy friends have been in love with the victims since high school. They never acted on their love because they were embarrassed to be a romance writer and a fashion designer. But they all lived happily ever after.
November 4, 2017
DNF. I don’t usually leave a book incomplete, but I am finding myself agreeing with the negative reviews that I’m reading here. It’s incredibly boring and unrealistic. Tired of the shining 5 year old that NEVER gets tired or upset, the constant “she must have something new everything time someone leaves the house”, and complete lack of conflict to drive the story forward.
I’m usually happy with a fluffy read, but this one was flat.
I’m usually happy with a fluffy read, but this one was flat.
July 26, 2019
Romance, Family Life Fiction, Contemporary, Divorce, Abusive Relationship
Hannah O’Malley is now officially divorced from her scumbag husband who abused and cheated on her for years. Hannah is glad that her marriage is finally over and she got to keep her 5-year-old daughter Sophie. After her ordeal she decide with the help of her good friends to set up her home as a shelter for other abused women who need safe place to stay. They name this place "The Lullaby Sky".
I liked that Hannah dumped her no-good-husband! Although I don't understand why Hannah hooked up with him in the first place. Also it was weird . And all this "evil ex-husbands" was too clichéd and some reactions over the top. Its like most men who do not spend their time writing romance books or sewing clothes are obsessive, have an anger management and mental health problems. Sadly both men and women can be violent, cheat and become obsessive.
The dialogue was rather flat, there were many characters but they were not very well fleshed out. Also some POVs gave away information that would have come as a surprise if it hadn't been revealed already I really disliked that adults carried around guns when they were in the company of a 5-year-old child!
But overall I liked this story and hopefully all women who live in an abusive relationship will find courage to leave their scumbag husbands!
Hannah O’Malley is now officially divorced from her scumbag husband who abused and cheated on her for years. Hannah is glad that her marriage is finally over and she got to keep her 5-year-old daughter Sophie. After her ordeal she decide with the help of her good friends to set up her home as a shelter for other abused women who need safe place to stay. They name this place "The Lullaby Sky".
I liked that Hannah dumped her no-good-husband! Although I don't understand why Hannah hooked up with him in the first place. Also it was weird . And all this "evil ex-husbands" was too clichéd and some reactions over the top. Its like most men who do not spend their time writing romance books or sewing clothes are obsessive, have an anger management and mental health problems. Sadly both men and women can be violent, cheat and become obsessive.
The dialogue was rather flat, there were many characters but they were not very well fleshed out. Also some POVs gave away information that would have come as a surprise if it hadn't been revealed already I really disliked that adults carried around guns when they were in the company of a 5-year-old child!
But overall I liked this story and hopefully all women who live in an abusive relationship will find courage to leave their scumbag husbands!
April 1, 2017
This was a fun book tackling a very serious subject: domestic abuse. I enjoyed the audiobook although the accents were sometimes overdone. Also, I loved the fact that my favorite bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle, was included!!! I'm a Kentucky-born girl and I love my bourbon!!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
August 1, 2019
Another good one!!
Women rule!!! Very Powerful story on how you can over come anything God throws your way good or bad. You can change you and you can change your surrounds. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TOO!!!
Women rule!!! Very Powerful story on how you can over come anything God throws your way good or bad. You can change you and you can change your surrounds. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TOO!!!
August 19, 2017
What an absolutely awesome book. The characters were rich and full body with life and seasoned with spunk. They had a good sense of family and friends yet a healthy dose of we can’t help you until you ask for it.
It was amazingly well balanced in how it was done especially when dealing with an abusive situation a lot is at stake. Not only for the one being beaten but for those around them and those they may be trying to protect.
Carolyn showed that Hannah O’Malley’s abuser used high tech savviness to keep her in check. Her belief in God and her feeling of knowing the house that she grew up in had a different vibe since her now ex-had stepped foot in it saved her life. Thank goodness, she paid attention. His OCD to the nth degree was a worry for her that someone would move an item of his and he would notice and measure it with a measuring tape it was just better to visit with others across the street.
So, she met up with friends across the road at her great aunt Birdie’s or her best friends, Ms. Rosie’s when she wanted to have friend’s visits. Yet, she only told them small bits never about the physical abuse. There was Liz who her ex-hated because she gave Hannah a job as an aide at the school where Liz was a principal. Liz said to herself he would have to stand in line as far as hating her because her long-haul trucker husband was first in line. He is an abuser too although she hasn’t admitted yet.
Hannah had great friends and support. Calvin is a designer in New York but comes home often. Darcy is a bank president in Gainesville and Travis her longtime friend, she’s known since birth is an all-around handyman who has a secret job that he has made a very good living at or should I say an outstanding living at and he has come home to Crossing, Texas to try to get over the crush of his true love, Hannah herself. Never thinking she would finally be free from the man he hated more than anything.
See how Hannah finally wins her freedom and daughter as well as the man of her dreams. No woman should have to face this. If they do you hope there is a Lullaby Sky for every one of them. I give this 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
It was amazingly well balanced in how it was done especially when dealing with an abusive situation a lot is at stake. Not only for the one being beaten but for those around them and those they may be trying to protect.
Carolyn showed that Hannah O’Malley’s abuser used high tech savviness to keep her in check. Her belief in God and her feeling of knowing the house that she grew up in had a different vibe since her now ex-had stepped foot in it saved her life. Thank goodness, she paid attention. His OCD to the nth degree was a worry for her that someone would move an item of his and he would notice and measure it with a measuring tape it was just better to visit with others across the street.
So, she met up with friends across the road at her great aunt Birdie’s or her best friends, Ms. Rosie’s when she wanted to have friend’s visits. Yet, she only told them small bits never about the physical abuse. There was Liz who her ex-hated because she gave Hannah a job as an aide at the school where Liz was a principal. Liz said to herself he would have to stand in line as far as hating her because her long-haul trucker husband was first in line. He is an abuser too although she hasn’t admitted yet.
Hannah had great friends and support. Calvin is a designer in New York but comes home often. Darcy is a bank president in Gainesville and Travis her longtime friend, she’s known since birth is an all-around handyman who has a secret job that he has made a very good living at or should I say an outstanding living at and he has come home to Crossing, Texas to try to get over the crush of his true love, Hannah herself. Never thinking she would finally be free from the man he hated more than anything.
See how Hannah finally wins her freedom and daughter as well as the man of her dreams. No woman should have to face this. If they do you hope there is a Lullaby Sky for every one of them. I give this 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
February 18, 2017
This book has nothing to move the story forward. The only conflict is resolved in the first chapter.
The sayings in this book are supposed to sound "country". Instead they sound like someone who's never been to a rural community's idea of "country".
Overall, I couldn't wait to for this book to be finished.
The sayings in this book are supposed to sound "country". Instead they sound like someone who's never been to a rural community's idea of "country".
Overall, I couldn't wait to for this book to be finished.
July 26, 2020
Misty tear running down my face.... beautiful love story! Carolyn Brown's book are amazing!
March 6, 2018
It seemed a little surreal to have so many characters in bad and abusive relationships, but the point was made. Details of OCD behaviors in a spouse were enlightening. It was too bad that all of the book was about husband abuse of the wife. It would have been nice to see what it is like from the point of view of a wife with OCD and how the husband deals with it and the children. Of course, the husband cannot go to a shelter for women and usually doesn't suffer the physical abuse that these women did. Mental abuse is almost worse, since it is so much harder to recognize and define. This book does an excellent job of doing that. I guess I expected that more of the husbands would track down their wives and there would be more confrontations. The only one, and that one not described, is one that resulted from stupidity to my way of thinking. Still, the book lacked something. Possibly a sense of immediacy.
February 11, 2018
The Lullaby Sky by Carolyn Brown is a novel about Hannah O'Malley who after many years of spousal abuse is official divorced and set free. Part of her divorce settlement is to retain her grandmother’s home and full custody of their daughter. With the support of her grandmother and circle of her closest friends including her high school love, Travis Wilson, Hannah embarks on a journey to put her past behind her. Hannah turns the family home into a safe house called Lullaby Sky, helping other women escape abuse.
This audio book was narrated by: Brittany Pressley. I found narration just okay; the older women’s voices were rather rough or scratchy sounding.
This audio book was narrated by: Brittany Pressley. I found narration just okay; the older women’s voices were rather rough or scratchy sounding.
August 10, 2018
I'm glad that's over with. There was so much potential for this to be a great story. The premise sounded interesting and strong.
In truth it was not good. Not good at all. The dialogue was flat, boring, and unbelievable. The analogies were worse!
"The pregnant silence hung in the air like smoke at an old honky tonk."
That was used twice (honky tonk first, bar second)
At one point there was a three month old baby present that everybody was taking turns holding. Then the baby was "crawling around chasing" the cat. What?
So many inconsistencies and frustrating points. I wanted to walk away but once I start a book, I can't not finish it.
In truth it was not good. Not good at all. The dialogue was flat, boring, and unbelievable. The analogies were worse!
"The pregnant silence hung in the air like smoke at an old honky tonk."
That was used twice (honky tonk first, bar second)
At one point there was a three month old baby present that everybody was taking turns holding. Then the baby was "crawling around chasing" the cat. What?
So many inconsistencies and frustrating points. I wanted to walk away but once I start a book, I can't not finish it.
March 5, 2020
The Lullaby Sky
Very enjoyable. Love Hannah's daughter Sophie. Seemed in some ways the secondary characters were the most prominent in this book. Every girl should be lucky enough to have a Travis.
Very enjoyable. Love Hannah's daughter Sophie. Seemed in some ways the secondary characters were the most prominent in this book. Every girl should be lucky enough to have a Travis.
August 23, 2017
Sweet. Sappy but sweet.
January 6, 2018
Romance
I'm not a romance novel fan. But the stories of women healing from bad relationships made reading a romance novel worthwhile
I'm not a romance novel fan. But the stories of women healing from bad relationships made reading a romance novel worthwhile
July 7, 2019
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
September 18, 2019
A beautiful heartfelt story on sensitive topic but out of it you get strong friendships, love stories & amazing family
January 29, 2022
Throughly enjoyed
March 20, 2025
Families who love!
The intertwining of sadness, joy, disrespect, love, secrecy, family and redemption are woven together seamlessly by the author! Each personality drew me in to their life story. Weather laughing or crying with them as they weathered life's storms and celebrations, I felt a part of their families! The author addressed each sensitive issue with honesty and hope!
The intertwining of sadness, joy, disrespect, love, secrecy, family and redemption are woven together seamlessly by the author! Each personality drew me in to their life story. Weather laughing or crying with them as they weathered life's storms and celebrations, I felt a part of their families! The author addressed each sensitive issue with honesty and hope!
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