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Once Again #1
Dreaming of Provence
A deathbed promise could open the door to a promise of love.
When Julia Bellerman loses her husband to cancer, she’s cast adrift. For ten years, her whole life has been about caring for him. Now, before she can move on with her life, she must fulfill her husband’s deathbed wish to scatter his ashes in Provence. And to let Ryder Wilding go with her.
Ryder, her husband’s best friend. And the man she fell in love with a lifetime ago.
Ryder’s first mistake was walking away from Julia. His second mistake was marrying the wrong woman—a marriage that ended in a nasty divorce. He’s spent all the years since wrestling with the guilt of loving his best friend’s wife. Now Ryder must take Julia to Provence to scatter her husband’s ashes. He thought losing his best friend was painful, but keeping his hands off Julia will be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
Can love overcome grief and guilt to give them a second chance?
A later in life, friends to lovers holiday romance set in the beauty of Provence…
When Julia Bellerman loses her husband to cancer, she’s cast adrift. For ten years, her whole life has been about caring for him. Now, before she can move on with her life, she must fulfill her husband’s deathbed wish to scatter his ashes in Provence. And to let Ryder Wilding go with her.
Ryder, her husband’s best friend. And the man she fell in love with a lifetime ago.
Ryder’s first mistake was walking away from Julia. His second mistake was marrying the wrong woman—a marriage that ended in a nasty divorce. He’s spent all the years since wrestling with the guilt of loving his best friend’s wife. Now Ryder must take Julia to Provence to scatter her husband’s ashes. He thought losing his best friend was painful, but keeping his hands off Julia will be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
Can love overcome grief and guilt to give them a second chance?
A later in life, friends to lovers holiday romance set in the beauty of Provence…
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2021
486 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Skully
97 books319 followersIf you like your romantic suspense fast-paced and laced with humor, try award-winning author Jennifer Skully. Jennifer adores quirky characters. The whackier the better! And you’ll find a whole cast of them in each and every Jennifer Skully book. Of course, being in the same body with alter ego Jasmine Haynes, she doesn’t let you down on the hot, sexy love scenes either.
After a long hiatus, Jennifer Skully is back!
After a long hiatus, Jennifer Skully is back!
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February 23, 2022The writing was good for this second chance romance although I am struggling with the reveal and what it meant for the h and what she gave up. I am glad she had her HEA but I’m still processing.
The book begins with the h having just lost her husband after his 10 years with cancer. His best friend (the H) has been a support to them over the last 10 years and he and his (now ex) wife used to holiday and double date with the h and her husband.
The h and H dated in college before the H asked if they could move on and date other people (specifically the woman who would end up becoming his wife). She was apparently a bit of a siren. All too late he saw the signs that she was quite toxic. The best friend was there for the h in her heartbreak and they fell in love. The H married toxic siren but loved h secretly throughout the years. He has been divorced from the toxic siren for 4 years.
The h loved her husband throughout their marriage but did sometimes think about the H.
The h and her husband had planned a trip to France to celebrate their 20th anniversary, even knowing it would not happen due to him being so unwell. The h and H are going to go on the trip to spread the ashes of the husband-his death bed wish.
Every five chapters or so we get a chapter from the spirit of the husband who knew that he was a second choice but loved his wife and would like for her to get together with the H. He feels guilty over something. A little more is revealed in each of his chapters.
There is a HEA but for me it is spoiled by the reveal-but then I guess not many HEAs don’t have a bumpy road on the journey to get there. The ramifications of the reveal are bigger than what was smoothed over though (I thought).
The book begins with the h having just lost her husband after his 10 years with cancer. His best friend (the H) has been a support to them over the last 10 years and he and his (now ex) wife used to holiday and double date with the h and her husband.
The h and H dated in college before the H asked if they could move on and date other people (specifically the woman who would end up becoming his wife). She was apparently a bit of a siren. All too late he saw the signs that she was quite toxic. The best friend was there for the h in her heartbreak and they fell in love. The H married toxic siren but loved h secretly throughout the years. He has been divorced from the toxic siren for 4 years.
The h loved her husband throughout their marriage but did sometimes think about the H.
The h and her husband had planned a trip to France to celebrate their 20th anniversary, even knowing it would not happen due to him being so unwell. The h and H are going to go on the trip to spread the ashes of the husband-his death bed wish.
Every five chapters or so we get a chapter from the spirit of the husband who knew that he was a second choice but loved his wife and would like for her to get together with the H. He feels guilty over something. A little more is revealed in each of his chapters.
There is a HEA but for me it is spoiled by the reveal-but then I guess not many HEAs don’t have a bumpy road on the journey to get there. The ramifications of the reveal are bigger than what was smoothed over though (I thought).
February 24, 2022
.
Se supone que es un libro de segundas oportunidades, pero para mi no fue así.
~Spoilers ~
Tengo que desahogarme porque todo fue muy triste y a la vez desesperante.
Las actitudes sobre todo de Julia parecían más de una adolescente que de una mujer de 45 años
Ahora si spoilers
No tiene sentido que Ryder terminara su relación con Julia porque no quería comprometerse, lo cual tiene sentido porque eran jóvenes (20 años) y el claramente le dijo que quería salir con otras personas, pero sólo salió con Elaine y terminó casándose y formando una familia (justo lo que se supone no queria 🤔).
Will aprovecho el estado de Julia para conquistarla y pues ella se dejó querer. Tampoco entiendo porque ñsiguió con Will, no lo amaba, tal vez lo quiso al principio, pero nunca lo amo. La único que se me ocurre es que profirió estar en una relación mediocre en la que iba a tener la oportunidad de ver a Ryder.
Fue muy triste ver como la vida de Julia simplemente quedó en el limbo y no pudo tener lo que siempre quiso.
Me molesto que pintaran a Will de la víctima cuando el desde el principio se alió con Elaine para conseguir lo que querían (Julia y Ryder).
Lo que hizo durante la remisión fue asqueroso y me alegre que siempre supiera que fue la segunda opción.
No me gustó que al final lo pusieran como una buena persona que redimió sus errores al juntar a su esposa y a su amigo.
Elaine es un monstruo, podría hacer una lista de todo lo que está mal con ella.
No entiendo como Ryder no le quitó a lo niños, o sea les decía cosas que unos niños no deberían saber y todo por celos.
Se supone que es un libro de segundas oportunidades, pero para mi no fue así.
~Spoilers ~
Tengo que desahogarme porque todo fue muy triste y a la vez desesperante.
Las actitudes sobre todo de Julia parecían más de una adolescente que de una mujer de 45 años
Ahora si spoilers
No tiene sentido que Ryder terminara su relación con Julia porque no quería comprometerse, lo cual tiene sentido porque eran jóvenes (20 años) y el claramente le dijo que quería salir con otras personas, pero sólo salió con Elaine y terminó casándose y formando una familia (justo lo que se supone no queria 🤔).
Will aprovecho el estado de Julia para conquistarla y pues ella se dejó querer. Tampoco entiendo porque ñsiguió con Will, no lo amaba, tal vez lo quiso al principio, pero nunca lo amo. La único que se me ocurre es que profirió estar en una relación mediocre en la que iba a tener la oportunidad de ver a Ryder.
Fue muy triste ver como la vida de Julia simplemente quedó en el limbo y no pudo tener lo que siempre quiso.
Me molesto que pintaran a Will de la víctima cuando el desde el principio se alió con Elaine para conseguir lo que querían (Julia y Ryder).
Lo que hizo durante la remisión fue asqueroso y me alegre que siempre supiera que fue la segunda opción.
No me gustó que al final lo pusieran como una buena persona que redimió sus errores al juntar a su esposa y a su amigo.
Elaine es un monstruo, podría hacer una lista de todo lo que está mal con ella.
No entiendo como Ryder no le quitó a lo niños, o sea les decía cosas que unos niños no deberían saber y todo por celos.
June 15, 2025
A story of loss and a new beginning
The beginning of the book started the day after the death of Julia's husband with an emotional intensity that immediately drew me in. Her husband's best friend Ryder has been an incredible support through the ten years of Will's battle with cancer. His dying wish was that Julia and Ryder take a trip to Provence to spread some of his ashes at a lovely remote broken bridge there. Some people are against them making this trip together, including Julia's sister and Ryder's ex-wife (a particularly nasty individual). In spite of this drama, they head off on their trip and this is where they started to lose me. Page after page of graphic sexual description doesn't appeal to me and there was way too much of it that I found myself flipping through. While I enjoyed the rest of the story, I won't be reading more in the series.
The beginning of the book started the day after the death of Julia's husband with an emotional intensity that immediately drew me in. Her husband's best friend Ryder has been an incredible support through the ten years of Will's battle with cancer. His dying wish was that Julia and Ryder take a trip to Provence to spread some of his ashes at a lovely remote broken bridge there. Some people are against them making this trip together, including Julia's sister and Ryder's ex-wife (a particularly nasty individual). In spite of this drama, they head off on their trip and this is where they started to lose me. Page after page of graphic sexual description doesn't appeal to me and there was way too much of it that I found myself flipping through. While I enjoyed the rest of the story, I won't be reading more in the series.
July 3, 2024
DNF. Oh lord I was hoping to like this but the editing was bad, the characters were just not my cup of tea, and the story just felt weird. Plus the spicy scenes were written so strangely. “That feels crazy good” lol like no thanks
But thanks for taking me back to France!
But thanks for taking me back to France!
February 11, 2022
You have to look long and hard to find a writer who does romance and emotions better
Julia Bellerman lost her husband a few months ago to cancer. She’s struggled with grief but what lies before her might be harder yet. In his final wishes, her husband requested that she scatter his ashes in Provence, France. He had found a painting in a book of flowering bushes just beyond a fence and next to a stream. He was so moved by the painting that he and Julia had planned a trip to that specific spot. Instead, he’s asked Julia to go on the trip without him—but with his best friend, Ryder. The three of them have known each other since college. In fact, what neither Julia nor her husband knew was that Ryder had loved Julia all those years. Ryder had missed his chance with her and bore the pain of being with them because he valued their friendship. Now he bowed to his old friend’s last wish and accompanied Julia to France. He has to wonder though, did his old friend know the feelings he secretly harbored for his wife? Was this a setup?
What I marveled at all through this book was how Ms. Skully built the romance arc while at the same time showing the pair’s grief at losing their friend and partner. I laughed a little and cried for sure. Very skillful writing (as I’ve come to expect) and wonderful characters. Plus, I felt I was in Provence. This is a wonderful book! Highly recommended!
Julia Bellerman lost her husband a few months ago to cancer. She’s struggled with grief but what lies before her might be harder yet. In his final wishes, her husband requested that she scatter his ashes in Provence, France. He had found a painting in a book of flowering bushes just beyond a fence and next to a stream. He was so moved by the painting that he and Julia had planned a trip to that specific spot. Instead, he’s asked Julia to go on the trip without him—but with his best friend, Ryder. The three of them have known each other since college. In fact, what neither Julia nor her husband knew was that Ryder had loved Julia all those years. Ryder had missed his chance with her and bore the pain of being with them because he valued their friendship. Now he bowed to his old friend’s last wish and accompanied Julia to France. He has to wonder though, did his old friend know the feelings he secretly harbored for his wife? Was this a setup?
What I marveled at all through this book was how Ms. Skully built the romance arc while at the same time showing the pair’s grief at losing their friend and partner. I laughed a little and cried for sure. Very skillful writing (as I’ve come to expect) and wonderful characters. Plus, I felt I was in Provence. This is a wonderful book! Highly recommended!
October 27, 2023
This book was a steamy emotional roller coaster that is written around 4 people entangled for 25 years. Julia the heroine, gave up her career and looked after her husband Will diagnosed with cancer. Ryder, Julia's first and only love who devastated Julia by breaking up with her in college for Elaine. Elaine the shrew, enough said. Will, the dead character who is as despicable as Elaine.
Julia and Ryder are together in college. She wants commitment, Ryder is not ready at 20 years, so he walks away from Julia. Will Ryders best friend steps in to comfort Julia and love develops between them.
Ryder in the meantime is manipulated by Julia into a marriage and 2 kids. She makes his life hell. They have been divorced for 4 years now. Through both their marriages the R, J W remain friends.
Fast forward 25 years, Will is now dead after battling with cancer for 10 years and wants his ashes spread in Provence and requests that Ryder and Julia do it together. During the trip the passion and love that never died rekindles.
Secrets about Will surface through chapters of his reflection. And that's when you find that he is an absolutely horrific person.
I liked this book, I was a complete tear jerker, and Ryder and Julia are terrific. But I was not sure I would have been so forgiving about Will. Yes he's dead, but I would have not memorialized him at all.
Julia and Ryder are together in college. She wants commitment, Ryder is not ready at 20 years, so he walks away from Julia. Will Ryders best friend steps in to comfort Julia and love develops between them.
Ryder in the meantime is manipulated by Julia into a marriage and 2 kids. She makes his life hell. They have been divorced for 4 years now. Through both their marriages the R, J W remain friends.
Fast forward 25 years, Will is now dead after battling with cancer for 10 years and wants his ashes spread in Provence and requests that Ryder and Julia do it together. During the trip the passion and love that never died rekindles.
Secrets about Will surface through chapters of his reflection. And that's when you find that he is an absolutely horrific person.
I liked this book, I was a complete tear jerker, and Ryder and Julia are terrific. But I was not sure I would have been so forgiving about Will. Yes he's dead, but I would have not memorialized him at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2021
This was my first read my by this author, discovered this book when the first few chapters were read in a reading group. Immediately purchased it, just had to find out how the trip to Provence went. The story of Julia, Will, Ryder and a few supporting characters was so engrossing.
The author dealt with cancer and the subsequent death from it in a sensitive and dramatic manner that hit the perfect emotional tone. I prefer the duo point-of-view and in this book we're provided a treat with a third point-of-view.
After her trip to Provence, Julia paid a visit to Will's parents. That was my absolute favorite part of the book when Julia practically ran home and went a little crazy. I laughed out loud when I pictured that scene. I really enjoyed this book and will certainly read other works by this author.
The author dealt with cancer and the subsequent death from it in a sensitive and dramatic manner that hit the perfect emotional tone. I prefer the duo point-of-view and in this book we're provided a treat with a third point-of-view.
After her trip to Provence, Julia paid a visit to Will's parents. That was my absolute favorite part of the book when Julia practically ran home and went a little crazy. I laughed out loud when I pictured that scene. I really enjoyed this book and will certainly read other works by this author.
July 22, 2021
Dreaming of Provence may have a light and sweet cover, but this is Skully’s most raw and probing novel to date. It’s no spoiler to say the novel opens within the first day of Julia’s widowhood, but it was a welcome surprise to get frequent insights into her husband’s perspective and thoughts throughout the story. For the most part, this book is a feast of slowly unfolding pleasures after a raw grief that feels all too real. Both Julia and Ryder miss Will; she was his wife and Ryder was his best friend. Both move through their grief in different ways as they travel through France together as part of Will’s last wishes. By the end of the novel, their not-so-unpredictable coming together provides a much-needed joy in a novel about what it means to love and lose and find love again. Also? I need to find that perfect French cheese!
June 7, 2021
I've never heard of Provence but author does an excellent job taking me along with Ryder & Julia, all the locales and explorations are very descriptive and seem so peaceful and freeing. This relationship dynamics is realistic and the way it is written is most unique, in my reading experience. It is obvious they belong together and most of the characters are very likeable, I do think Julia is a strong character but obviously naïve about most of the people that her life was so intricately entwined with. It's entertaining to read, heavy on the dramatic side though for someone in Julia's already overwhelming predicament but a very interesting series starter. 3 1/2* I received a free advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to read and leave a review.
April 30, 2025
I enjoyed this book but I did feel like her situation about being a widow and the guilt she had about crushing on his best friend was repeated over and over again, and also how he was all about her pleasure and making her priorities the most important thing. It was actually a bit annoying at times. I did like that there was a lot of valid points about why they couldn’t be together in regards to their family but I was able to guess the big twist early on. I really enjoyed reading the second book, but if I had read this book first, I probably wouldn’t have been so excited to read any others. I did like the epilogue though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2023
This is my fourth book by this author. I'm disappointed with the editing on this book as there are several errors which takes away from the read, hence the three stars. The plot is predictable and enjoyable.
August 2, 2023
I almost never stop reading a book once I’ve started but I just had to stop reading this one. So much emotional angst that made no sense at all. I wanted to just slap both of the main protagonists and tell them to just be honest with each other. Really, adults behaving like teenagers.
January 11, 2025
I tried to enjoy this, but the storyline dragged on too much and ended up being super weird. The editing was terrible aswell - Proofreading goes a long way, and the amount of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes in this book was shocking.
June 21, 2021
💞Realistic second chance on a fabulous trip🍞🍷🧀🌄
4.5🌟 stars
This book has plenty going for it. Told in alternating point of view, there's guilt-ridden recent widow Julia, long ago lover Ryder who was her dead husband Will's best friend, touchy family dynamics for both main characters and a sun-filled trip to the towns and flowery fields of southern France to scatter Will's ashes per his detailed instructions.
I found the story and descriptions well-focused and relevant to the plot's progression. The romance is heated but an HEA not a foregone conclusion. And slowly-uncovered secrets that Will reveals to us, the readers, but never to his loyal, long-suffering wife or his best friend. Oh, yes, never to be forgot, Elaine, Ryder's bitter, pot-stirrer ex. She's a bit of a horror, that one, and the only character that came through as one dimensional.
The descriptions of Julia and Ryder's time in Provence are especially lovely and made me a bit envious. Chateaux and quaint B&B stays, scrumptious food, photo-stealing fields of lavender, quaint bridges and Roman ruins to name a few of the wonders of their adventure: it's all quite marvelous and a great setting for reblooming romance.
For me, the intimate scenes were a bit prolonged but I really enjoyed the story and recommend it. I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
4.5🌟 stars
This book has plenty going for it. Told in alternating point of view, there's guilt-ridden recent widow Julia, long ago lover Ryder who was her dead husband Will's best friend, touchy family dynamics for both main characters and a sun-filled trip to the towns and flowery fields of southern France to scatter Will's ashes per his detailed instructions.
I found the story and descriptions well-focused and relevant to the plot's progression. The romance is heated but an HEA not a foregone conclusion. And slowly-uncovered secrets that Will reveals to us, the readers, but never to his loyal, long-suffering wife or his best friend. Oh, yes, never to be forgot, Elaine, Ryder's bitter, pot-stirrer ex. She's a bit of a horror, that one, and the only character that came through as one dimensional.
The descriptions of Julia and Ryder's time in Provence are especially lovely and made me a bit envious. Chateaux and quaint B&B stays, scrumptious food, photo-stealing fields of lavender, quaint bridges and Roman ruins to name a few of the wonders of their adventure: it's all quite marvelous and a great setting for reblooming romance.
For me, the intimate scenes were a bit prolonged but I really enjoyed the story and recommend it. I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 15, 2022
Este el primer acercamiento con la autora , y debo decir que me gusto bastante su forma de escribir. De primera instancia la portada es super bonita, me dan ganas de viajar solo de verla.
Pero volviendo a la historia, se trata de Julia una mujer de 45 años que esta viviendo el peor momento de su vida, su esposo Will esta en su etapa final del cáncer.
TRAMA
Después de cuidar por mas de 10 años a su esposo enfermo, el muere. Julia después de muchos años de sufrimiento para ella es un momento de descanso, ahora no sabe que hacer con su vida , pero Ryder el mejor amigo de Will y ex novio de ella esta ahí para ser su apoyo emocional. De acuerdo con Will , ella y Ryder deberán ir a Provence, Francia, para ir a tirar sus cenizas, no lo que no saben es que es un plan para hacer que se vuelvan a reencontrar y poder ser felices por fin juntos.
OPINION CON SPOILERS
El libro trata de segundas oportunidades, de volver a rencontrarse a si mismos y por fin ser felices.
En general me gusto mucho el libro, he de decir que hay partes que te conmueven por el sufrimiento de la protagonista, pero he de decir que Will al final no se comporto como debería, entiendo que estaba muy enfermo pero traicionar a su amigo con la mujer de este y también Julia se me hizo muy bajo, Julia a pesar de no estar tan enamorada de el como lo estaba con Ryder nunca lo traiciono y se quedo con el hasta al final, siento que no hay justificación para ello.
Julia perdió muchos años de su vida cuidándolo para que al final el la traicionara así, ya que Will era un aliado de Elaine para retener tanto Julia como a Ryder, al final siento que las cosas se acomodaron solas, al principio Julia no quería estar con Ryder por culpa y se entiende pero me gusto que al final a pesar de los obstáculos pudieron lograr su felices para siempre.
Al final me gusto la historia y seguiré con la serie, estoy esperando poder leer el segundo que se va a desarrollar en Roma, al igual que seguiré leyendo mas libros de la autora.
Pero volviendo a la historia, se trata de Julia una mujer de 45 años que esta viviendo el peor momento de su vida, su esposo Will esta en su etapa final del cáncer.
TRAMA
Después de cuidar por mas de 10 años a su esposo enfermo, el muere. Julia después de muchos años de sufrimiento para ella es un momento de descanso, ahora no sabe que hacer con su vida , pero Ryder el mejor amigo de Will y ex novio de ella esta ahí para ser su apoyo emocional. De acuerdo con Will , ella y Ryder deberán ir a Provence, Francia, para ir a tirar sus cenizas, no lo que no saben es que es un plan para hacer que se vuelvan a reencontrar y poder ser felices por fin juntos.
OPINION CON SPOILERS
El libro trata de segundas oportunidades, de volver a rencontrarse a si mismos y por fin ser felices.
En general me gusto mucho el libro, he de decir que hay partes que te conmueven por el sufrimiento de la protagonista, pero he de decir que Will al final no se comporto como debería, entiendo que estaba muy enfermo pero traicionar a su amigo con la mujer de este y también Julia se me hizo muy bajo, Julia a pesar de no estar tan enamorada de el como lo estaba con Ryder nunca lo traiciono y se quedo con el hasta al final, siento que no hay justificación para ello.
Julia perdió muchos años de su vida cuidándolo para que al final el la traicionara así, ya que Will era un aliado de Elaine para retener tanto Julia como a Ryder, al final siento que las cosas se acomodaron solas, al principio Julia no quería estar con Ryder por culpa y se entiende pero me gusto que al final a pesar de los obstáculos pudieron lograr su felices para siempre.
Al final me gusto la historia y seguiré con la serie, estoy esperando poder leer el segundo que se va a desarrollar en Roma, al igual que seguiré leyendo mas libros de la autora.
December 11, 2021
DREAMING OF PROVENCE by Jennifer Skully is the first book in the Once Again series This is some of Skully's best work, where she straddles the fence between steamy romance and women's fiction.
Julia Bellerman gave up her career and motherhood to care for the man she loved. Now he's dead, and she's promised him she'll scatter his ashes at a bridge in Provence, France.
Ryder Wilding was best friends with Will Bellerman, Julia's husband, since college. He stood by Will and Julia as the cancer stole his best friend. Will's last request—go with Julia to spread his ashes in France.
Now Julia has a chance at long, lost love with her husband's best friend, Ryder, her first love. DREAMING OF PROVENCE is a story of love, loss, and a heartwarming happily-ever-after that stays with you long after the end.
Julia Bellerman gave up her career and motherhood to care for the man she loved. Now he's dead, and she's promised him she'll scatter his ashes at a bridge in Provence, France.
Ryder Wilding was best friends with Will Bellerman, Julia's husband, since college. He stood by Will and Julia as the cancer stole his best friend. Will's last request—go with Julia to spread his ashes in France.
Now Julia has a chance at long, lost love with her husband's best friend, Ryder, her first love. DREAMING OF PROVENCE is a story of love, loss, and a heartwarming happily-ever-after that stays with you long after the end.
June 21, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It’s a great second chance for Ryder and Julia. Julia’s husband Will recently died of cancer. He’s also Ryder’s best friend. It’s an emotional journey as they promised Will that they would take a journey to Province to throw his ashes there. Will they take a chance on love? Ryder has a vengeful ex wife and there’s some twist that I didn’t see coming. Had some happy tears for them in the ending. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.
June 23, 2021
This is one of this author's best books in my humble opinion. Will, you dirty dawg you!!!!
I went through all of the stages of grief ober Will's characters. I started out empathizing and loving him and ended up just smh and saying " you creep". He made a 180 im my eyes. What a disappointment he turned into , even though he tried to redeem himself!! I can't forgive him. I was happy for Julia and Ryder in the end. Elaine was pure evil, and I wouldn't have minded if she got swallowed up by an earthquake. I cried, laughed , and agonized and had ALL the feels reading this. Spectacular ending.
I went through all of the stages of grief ober Will's characters. I started out empathizing and loving him and ended up just smh and saying " you creep". He made a 180 im my eyes. What a disappointment he turned into , even though he tried to redeem himself!! I can't forgive him. I was happy for Julia and Ryder in the end. Elaine was pure evil, and I wouldn't have minded if she got swallowed up by an earthquake. I cried, laughed , and agonized and had ALL the feels reading this. Spectacular ending.
October 22, 2021
Wow. This book was so unexpected. I shed lots of tears as Julia works through the relief & grief if loosing her husband to a long battle with terminal illness. Maybe because Im travelling that road as well As she fulfills his request to travel with his best friend to spread his ashes they discover there is more to this trip than they had planned. Family challenges almost tear them apart but with help from an unexpected
source they start their lives together. There is life after loss
Very well done!!
source they start their lives together. There is life after loss
Very well done!!
June 6, 2025
Best Book!
I have to say this is one of the best books I have ever read. It is so well written and so unusual. The plot is different from most of the books I read. I don’t want to give the plot away. If you are a believer in second chances, please do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not be disappointed. I will look for other books by these authors. Amazing job, ladies!!
I have to say this is one of the best books I have ever read. It is so well written and so unusual. The plot is different from most of the books I read. I don’t want to give the plot away. If you are a believer in second chances, please do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not be disappointed. I will look for other books by these authors. Amazing job, ladies!!
October 4, 2025
Hmm. Having some pretty mixed feelings about this one…
Loved the descriptions of Provence, the sensuality of the scents and sounds and flavors was lovely. The romance was sweet. But is reveal was just weird / nasty, yet somehow easily forgiven? The pacing sometimes felt jerky… and there were some minor editing misses (like misspelled words?!), that managed to take me out of the flow.
Still, a mostly enjoyable / quick read!
Loved the descriptions of Provence, the sensuality of the scents and sounds and flavors was lovely. The romance was sweet. But is reveal was just weird / nasty, yet somehow easily forgiven? The pacing sometimes felt jerky… and there were some minor editing misses (like misspelled words?!), that managed to take me out of the flow.
Still, a mostly enjoyable / quick read!
May 27, 2025
This was a fun read for a lazy Sunday. Julia’s husband has just died after a ten year battle with cancer. His dying wish was that his best friend, Ryder, and Julia would take his ashes to scatter in Provence. Julia and Ryder were actually involved before she married Will, and feelings resume during this trip. There is so much more though to this fabulous story and you won’t want to miss it!
June 22, 2025
Written for controversy!
If you don't read graphic sex, avoid this! However, if you can get by that I found it to be an interesting book, and a "feel good book"! Getting back together, with an old flame, should never be so complicated. Finding what had been lost, was an experience that the whole family benefited from!
If you don't read graphic sex, avoid this! However, if you can get by that I found it to be an interesting book, and a "feel good book"! Getting back together, with an old flame, should never be so complicated. Finding what had been lost, was an experience that the whole family benefited from!
July 27, 2022
Good story. Excellent twists in the plot
An excellent story with surprising twists. Well written. Encouraged thoughts of going to Provence. Loved the food detail and travel guide
An excellent story with surprising twists. Well written. Encouraged thoughts of going to Provence. Loved the food detail and travel guide
August 2, 2023
Great Vacation Book
This book is well written and one you won't want to put down. It's one you won't want to finish either. I really enjoyed these authors work and look forward to reading more of their books.
This book is well written and one you won't want to put down. It's one you won't want to finish either. I really enjoyed these authors work and look forward to reading more of their books.
September 17, 2023
Don’t read this in Public!
This was the best, great-wrenching, glorious story! I bawled like a baby many times (that’s why you should read this in public!!!) and rejoiced in the love. Sad the book is now complete but all good things come to an end!
This was the best, great-wrenching, glorious story! I bawled like a baby many times (that’s why you should read this in public!!!) and rejoiced in the love. Sad the book is now complete but all good things come to an end!
November 13, 2023
lovely second chance story.
This was a great read with twists and turns that surprised me. Loved the travelogue aspect of Provence which made for a Dre,ya backdrop. Have a read. All the feels.
This was a great read with twists and turns that surprised me. Loved the travelogue aspect of Provence which made for a Dre,ya backdrop. Have a read. All the feels.
January 19, 2025
Exceptional look at an area of real life
Heartbreaking and heartwarming both. The setting descriptions are a wonderful backdrop for a story of a dying man making amends, and a story of new love for his widow.
Took off a star because it needs one more pass by the proofreader.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming both. The setting descriptions are a wonderful backdrop for a story of a dying man making amends, and a story of new love for his widow.
Took off a star because it needs one more pass by the proofreader.
June 23, 2021
Review of Dreaming of Provence: Once Again
I really enjoyed this book and I will recommend their books to anyone who loves romance novels. They are wonderful writers.
I really enjoyed this book and I will recommend their books to anyone who loves romance novels. They are wonderful writers.
July 6, 2021
A sweet and sexy second-chance romance in spite of terrible tragedy? Sign me up. I loved this story of strength, courage and forgiveness. A true romance in every way!
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