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Pictures of Lily
'Will you marry me?' I think of you, then. I think of you every day. But usually in the quietest part of the morning, or the darkest part of the night. Not when my boyfriend of two years has just proposed. I look up at Richard with his hopeful eyes. 'Lily?' he prompts. It's been ten years, but it feels like only yesterday that you left. How can I say yes to Richard with all my heart when most of it has always belonged to you? I take a deep breath and will myself to speak...Ten years ago when Lily was just sixteen, she fell in love with someone she really shouldn't have fallen in love with. Now, living in Sydney and engaged to another man, she can't forget the one that got away. Then her past comes back to haunt her, and she has to make a decision that will break her heart - and the heart of at least one of the men who love her.
394 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2010
104 people are currently reading
6077 people want to read
About the author
Paige Toon
36 books5,626 followersPaige Toon grew up between England, Australia and America and has been writing books set in sun-drenched locations around the world since 2007. She has written fifteen novels, a three-part spin-off for young adults and a collection of short stories. Her books have sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. She loves hearing from her readers so get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PaigeToonAuthor or visit her website and sign up to her free newsletter The Hidden Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews
September 10, 2017
Pictures of Lily is the fourth one of Paige Toon's books I've read now and she's slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite authors! I know that I haven't rated any of her books 5 stars yet but that doesn't matter, her books are just perfect to get me out of any reading slump. I always fly through her books and fall in love with the characters she creates. I especially love how she always brings back some characters from earlier books and thus connects her novels with one another (but they're still standalones, so you don't have to read them in a certain order).
Pictures of Lily was another one of those books and I really enjoyed it. I finished it within 2 days and I couldn't get enough of it. The only things that bothered me a little were that the sixteen-year-old version of the main character was a little too annoying for my liking and I also would've preferred it if the ending had been a little longer because i would've liked to read a little more about the couple that ended up together!
But all in all, this was a four star read for me!
Pictures of Lily was another one of those books and I really enjoyed it. I finished it within 2 days and I couldn't get enough of it. The only things that bothered me a little were that the sixteen-year-old version of the main character was a little too annoying for my liking and I also would've preferred it if the ending had been a little longer because i would've liked to read a little more about the couple that ended up together!
But all in all, this was a four star read for me!
February 1, 2011
‘Pictures of Lily’ is the fourth book from contemporary romance author, Paige Toon.
Lily came to Australia when she was fifteen. She and her mum moved halfway around the world (and took a 24-hour plane trip!) to come and live in Adelaide with her mum’s new fella she met on the internet.
Lily was initially reluctant. Not even her sexy quasi-stepbrother, Josh, could sweeten the deal . . . and then she met the kangaroos, and koalas. Lily’s sort-of-stepfather, Michael, worked at a local conservation park, and Lily found herself enthralled. She discovered a love for nature photography, and developed a special bond with a joey koala. And then Lily met Ben. A fellow ranger at the conservation park, Lily and Ben soon became good friends. It didn’t matter that he was 28 to her 16. They connected, and Lily soon fell in love . . . and then Ben admitted to having a fiancée. A fiancée who lived in England, where he soon moved.
Ten years passed, with Lily constantly pining for what could have been. But she eventually, slowly, moved on. Moved on to Richard, her lovely boyfriend (née, fiancée). Moved on to Sydney and forgetting about Ben.
Until the day he reappears to turn her life upside down.
If ‘Pictures of Lily’ was a packet of chips, it would be plain flavour. Never have I read a more scintillating blurb (underage romance and love triangles!) with a more tepid execution.
I'm not sure what readership Toon is aiming for, whether adult or young adult? The romance is so PG13 that it reads like a thirteen-year-olds diary entry for all the “his arm brushed against mine, his eyes are blue like water” prostrating that Lily keeps up (even into her late twenties). The romance is so innocently dull that I was somewhat disturbed by Ben’s interest in sixteen-year-old Lily. It would have been one thing if Lily had acted older than she was – if she and Ben had partaken of some canoodling or serious flirting – but Lily is so innocent, and she reads so much into the most nonsensical gestures that she does come across as very naive.
The believability of Ben and Lily’s love affair is further hampered by the quick time-frame – from Lily’s arrival in Adelaide to Ben’s leaving for England, the entirety of their ‘romance’ spans a few weeks. It’s not nearly enough time (and nothing really actually happens . . . outside of Lily’s imagining) to warrant her ten-year-pining for the man who supposedly broke her heart.
Even if I didn’t love Lily and Ben’s ‘older man, younger woman’ love affair, I kept reading. I do appreciate a good love triangle, and I wanted to at least see if Toon could turn up the heat when a third wheel was added into the mix.
Sadly, no.
I slogged through 172-pages of Lily’s girlish infatuation in the hopes that her twenty-six-year-old self would be a bit more scintillating. Skip ahead ten years and Lily is engaged to Richard, a fairly nice bloke who is unaware of the affection Lily still carries for the one who got away. Poor Richard is even more clueless when Lily bumps into Ben (now divorced, how convenient!) and starts an affair that will end in tears for all three.
This isn’t fair. I love them both.
Somewhere deep inside me the chasm that cracked and broke open when Ben left splits even further apart. I can’t lose Ben again. But I don’t want to lose Richard, either.
I'm really amazed that between an older-man/younger-woman storyline and a love triangle, ‘Pictures of Lily’ remains determinedly tepid throughout. I could have handled the lukewarm romances if Lily at least had a bit of charisma to carry the narrative. Once again, sadly not. Lily is as tedious as her love life. She’s not funny – though Toon had plenty of opportunity for funny stories about a Pom assimilating across the pond.
I guess the majority of my frustration stems from the ambiguousness of the target audience for ‘Pictures of Lily’. If it’s meant to be a young adult read, then that explains the PG13 romance, but not why the novel skips ahead to twenty-six-year-old Lily coping with an adulterous affair? If this is meant to be for older readers, then why the kid-gloves with the romance?
It feels like ‘Pictures of Lily’ is two different books, mashed together. And as a result, the young-adult half feels unfinished while the adult second-half feels like it was holding back. And what a shame, because the bones of each storyline was scintillating and interesting enough.
Lily came to Australia when she was fifteen. She and her mum moved halfway around the world (and took a 24-hour plane trip!) to come and live in Adelaide with her mum’s new fella she met on the internet.
Lily was initially reluctant. Not even her sexy quasi-stepbrother, Josh, could sweeten the deal . . . and then she met the kangaroos, and koalas. Lily’s sort-of-stepfather, Michael, worked at a local conservation park, and Lily found herself enthralled. She discovered a love for nature photography, and developed a special bond with a joey koala. And then Lily met Ben. A fellow ranger at the conservation park, Lily and Ben soon became good friends. It didn’t matter that he was 28 to her 16. They connected, and Lily soon fell in love . . . and then Ben admitted to having a fiancée. A fiancée who lived in England, where he soon moved.
Ten years passed, with Lily constantly pining for what could have been. But she eventually, slowly, moved on. Moved on to Richard, her lovely boyfriend (née, fiancée). Moved on to Sydney and forgetting about Ben.
Until the day he reappears to turn her life upside down.
If ‘Pictures of Lily’ was a packet of chips, it would be plain flavour. Never have I read a more scintillating blurb (underage romance and love triangles!) with a more tepid execution.
I'm not sure what readership Toon is aiming for, whether adult or young adult? The romance is so PG13 that it reads like a thirteen-year-olds diary entry for all the “his arm brushed against mine, his eyes are blue like water” prostrating that Lily keeps up (even into her late twenties). The romance is so innocently dull that I was somewhat disturbed by Ben’s interest in sixteen-year-old Lily. It would have been one thing if Lily had acted older than she was – if she and Ben had partaken of some canoodling or serious flirting – but Lily is so innocent, and she reads so much into the most nonsensical gestures that she does come across as very naive.
The believability of Ben and Lily’s love affair is further hampered by the quick time-frame – from Lily’s arrival in Adelaide to Ben’s leaving for England, the entirety of their ‘romance’ spans a few weeks. It’s not nearly enough time (and nothing really actually happens . . . outside of Lily’s imagining) to warrant her ten-year-pining for the man who supposedly broke her heart.
Even if I didn’t love Lily and Ben’s ‘older man, younger woman’ love affair, I kept reading. I do appreciate a good love triangle, and I wanted to at least see if Toon could turn up the heat when a third wheel was added into the mix.
Sadly, no.
I slogged through 172-pages of Lily’s girlish infatuation in the hopes that her twenty-six-year-old self would be a bit more scintillating. Skip ahead ten years and Lily is engaged to Richard, a fairly nice bloke who is unaware of the affection Lily still carries for the one who got away. Poor Richard is even more clueless when Lily bumps into Ben (now divorced, how convenient!) and starts an affair that will end in tears for all three.
This isn’t fair. I love them both.
Somewhere deep inside me the chasm that cracked and broke open when Ben left splits even further apart. I can’t lose Ben again. But I don’t want to lose Richard, either.
I'm really amazed that between an older-man/younger-woman storyline and a love triangle, ‘Pictures of Lily’ remains determinedly tepid throughout. I could have handled the lukewarm romances if Lily at least had a bit of charisma to carry the narrative. Once again, sadly not. Lily is as tedious as her love life. She’s not funny – though Toon had plenty of opportunity for funny stories about a Pom assimilating across the pond.
I guess the majority of my frustration stems from the ambiguousness of the target audience for ‘Pictures of Lily’. If it’s meant to be a young adult read, then that explains the PG13 romance, but not why the novel skips ahead to twenty-six-year-old Lily coping with an adulterous affair? If this is meant to be for older readers, then why the kid-gloves with the romance?
It feels like ‘Pictures of Lily’ is two different books, mashed together. And as a result, the young-adult half feels unfinished while the adult second-half feels like it was holding back. And what a shame, because the bones of each storyline was scintillating and interesting enough.
January 18, 2014
I have read this countless times now and it is still one of my top favourites. It's a clean romance *shudders*, but that just shows you how good this is. Closed-bedroom-door is often a deal breaker for me, however, Paige Toon did something really clever and totally tapped into my teenage self.
I WAS Lily and I felt her emotions almost as if they were my own. My life has in no way been similar, but I did fall in love as a teenager and so this book took me back to those feelings in a very sweetly rose-tinted way.
I totally fell in love with Ben & Lily. Ben made the right decision. A 28 year old man absolutely can not have a relationship with a 16 year old girl, even if she does think she's mature. Removing himself from the situation was the sensible thing to do. Poor little Lily did break my heart though, her pain was that tangible.
Sometimes it's just not the right time for a relationship and this was definitely one of those.
I was overjoyed when they met years later. I greedily would have loved a few more scenes between Ben & adult Lily but other than that their reunion was really lovely. It was very emotional and hard for Lily to make the right decision, but felt it was really well done.
It's refreshing to read a book where the existing boyfriend isn't a complete loser. He had his drawbacks, don't get me wrong, but overall Richard was a good guy.
The epilogue was perfect.
I WAS Lily and I felt her emotions almost as if they were my own. My life has in no way been similar, but I did fall in love as a teenager and so this book took me back to those feelings in a very sweetly rose-tinted way.
I totally fell in love with Ben & Lily. Ben made the right decision. A 28 year old man absolutely can not have a relationship with a 16 year old girl, even if she does think she's mature. Removing himself from the situation was the sensible thing to do. Poor little Lily did break my heart though, her pain was that tangible.
Sometimes it's just not the right time for a relationship and this was definitely one of those.
I was overjoyed when they met years later. I greedily would have loved a few more scenes between Ben & adult Lily but other than that their reunion was really lovely. It was very emotional and hard for Lily to make the right decision, but felt it was really well done.
It's refreshing to read a book where the existing boyfriend isn't a complete loser. He had his drawbacks, don't get me wrong, but overall Richard was a good guy.
The epilogue was perfect.
January 7, 2019
Hmmm... this is my first novel from romance author Paige Toon and I am a little conflicted. The book was an easy, fluffy read. The first half is set 10 years in the past and follows a 15 year old Lily, who has just moved to Australia from the UK with her mother. Once there she struggles to adapt, but begins a summer job at a local conservation park where she develops a teenage crush on an older man working there. All pretty straightforward so far, until we discover that this older man also has feelings for the younger girl. At this point I was seriously thinking wtf. This may have seemed romantic when I was a teenager, but now as a 27 year old ( one year younger than the older man) I am seriously grossed out. I can’t imagine being attracted to a teenager at my age.
The book then flashes forward to the present day, where newly engaged Lily bumps into the older guy again and begins the world’s most tepid affair, if you could even call it that. This part was a bit more acceptable given Lily’s older age, but I couldn’t help but feel awful for her fiancé. It seems utterly ridiculous that she never got over some older guy she knew for a few weeks ten years ago. I shared her fiance’s incredulity.
Maybe this is more aimed at a younger audience, but I wouldn’t want it putting bad ideas in their heads.... nevertheless I did enjoy the writing style and it did hold my attention, so three stars it is!
The book then flashes forward to the present day, where newly engaged Lily bumps into the older guy again and begins the world’s most tepid affair, if you could even call it that. This part was a bit more acceptable given Lily’s older age, but I couldn’t help but feel awful for her fiancé. It seems utterly ridiculous that she never got over some older guy she knew for a few weeks ten years ago. I shared her fiance’s incredulity.
Maybe this is more aimed at a younger audience, but I wouldn’t want it putting bad ideas in their heads.... nevertheless I did enjoy the writing style and it did hold my attention, so three stars it is!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2015
Advice: If you are into Paige Toon read Lucy in the sky before this one.
I liked this book a little less than others from Paige Toon.
Mainly because it was a little slower paced and because the big dilemma is not actually there.
You know who Lily’s going to choose, she knows it, the author knew it, and the title says it all.
Also, I know it was the whole point of the book, but I don’t know I didn’t buy Lily and Ben’s love story, I felt kind of skeptical about it throughout the book.
I liked this book a little less than others from Paige Toon.
Mainly because it was a little slower paced and because the big dilemma is not actually there.
You know who Lily’s going to choose, she knows it, the author knew it, and the title says it all.
Also, I know it was the whole point of the book, but I don’t know I didn’t buy Lily and Ben’s love story, I felt kind of skeptical about it throughout the book.
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars
When Lily is 16, she's forced to move to Australia with her mom. Feeling a bit lost, Lily eventually gets a job in a conservation park and meets Ben. Even though he's 12 years older, they have an instant connection and despite nothing ever happening they can't forget each other. Ten years later, Lily is engaged but bumps into Ben - suddenly she has to wonder if Ben is who she should be with or should she forget about him once and for all.
Note: this book has spoilers for Lucy in the Sky.
I've been wanting to read this book for a while and i must admit, I knew the outcome as Lily has a connection with Bronte from Thirteen Weddings (I always recommend reading Paige Toon in publishing order as a lot of characters from past books made cameos). I genuinely really enjoyed this book and all the lovely romantic chemistry that was in it.
I was concerned when I realised that Ben was so much older than Lily as naturally you just believe the story is going into creepy territory and in the past I have had problems with some books that had such a relationship but weirdly, I really loved Ben and Lily. They never even kissed or touched when Lily was young (thank god) but there was a huge amount of chemistry that couldn't be ignored. I also enjoyed the side plot of how Lily crushed on Josh for a while and how their relationship turned out.
The book definitely snagged a tiny bit once it got to the 'present'. From the get go, Lily's engagement with Richard is so awkward and I really hated it as I didnt think she was being fair to him at all or to herself. Their whole relationship felt very forced. I also didn't like that Lily's life had kind of crumbled once Ben wasn't in it and the only time she seems to be able to be inspired is when he's around. A bit too much dependency on what a guy thinks for me, despite Ben being lovely.
I think Ben's character seemed a bit flat and let down in the second part of the book as well. We had gotten to know 28-year-old Ben through Lily in the past but I think the second half relied on this too much and didn't focus on who 38-year-old Ben was. It's been ten years so surely he has changed a bit. He was also a bit too encouraging straight away with Lily, he acted like they were in a relationship from the get go and never actually asked her if she had a boyfriend straight out.
I did like the ending though there was a real summary feel in the epilogue and I don't always like that. It feels like a homework assignment.
When Lily is 16, she's forced to move to Australia with her mom. Feeling a bit lost, Lily eventually gets a job in a conservation park and meets Ben. Even though he's 12 years older, they have an instant connection and despite nothing ever happening they can't forget each other. Ten years later, Lily is engaged but bumps into Ben - suddenly she has to wonder if Ben is who she should be with or should she forget about him once and for all.
Note: this book has spoilers for Lucy in the Sky.
I've been wanting to read this book for a while and i must admit, I knew the outcome as Lily has a connection with Bronte from Thirteen Weddings (I always recommend reading Paige Toon in publishing order as a lot of characters from past books made cameos). I genuinely really enjoyed this book and all the lovely romantic chemistry that was in it.
I was concerned when I realised that Ben was so much older than Lily as naturally you just believe the story is going into creepy territory and in the past I have had problems with some books that had such a relationship but weirdly, I really loved Ben and Lily. They never even kissed or touched when Lily was young (thank god) but there was a huge amount of chemistry that couldn't be ignored. I also enjoyed the side plot of how Lily crushed on Josh for a while and how their relationship turned out.
The book definitely snagged a tiny bit once it got to the 'present'. From the get go, Lily's engagement with Richard is so awkward and I really hated it as I didnt think she was being fair to him at all or to herself. Their whole relationship felt very forced. I also didn't like that Lily's life had kind of crumbled once Ben wasn't in it and the only time she seems to be able to be inspired is when he's around. A bit too much dependency on what a guy thinks for me, despite Ben being lovely.
I think Ben's character seemed a bit flat and let down in the second part of the book as well. We had gotten to know 28-year-old Ben through Lily in the past but I think the second half relied on this too much and didn't focus on who 38-year-old Ben was. It's been ten years so surely he has changed a bit. He was also a bit too encouraging straight away with Lily, he acted like they were in a relationship from the get go and never actually asked her if she had a boyfriend straight out.
I did like the ending though there was a real summary feel in the epilogue and I don't always like that. It feels like a homework assignment.
April 19, 2013
LOOOOVEEEEE.
LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVEEEEE!
Read immediately.
Immediately.
Okay full review:
This book is charming in so many ways it's hard to explain.
I'm a fan of chick-lit books. Chick-lit is more enjoyable to me than romance generally because I like the humor. This book is a sweet ride between hilarious, heart-warming, heart-breaking, surprising, and very sweet.
(SPOILERS)
Sweet young Lily is uprooted to go live in Australia with her mother who is always moving from guy to guy. Lily is pissy at this and decides to try and take it out on people around her. Josh is her hot, bad-ass step-brother who Lily first set sights on. At this point, I thought the book to be predictable. "Oh, there's the hot bad boy. She'll fall for him and he'll reform and they'll live happily ever after because she changed him." WRONG. Lily started working with her mom's boyfriend at the zoo and met Ben, a much older guy who she liked to spend time with caring for koalas. He's smart, kind, funny, and funny. I believe she's 15 or something and he's like 29. Maybe she's 16, I forget. Anyway.
GUESS WHAT GUYS???? That's fucking right- she falls for the NICE GUY! **gasps heard all around** I know. Scandalous, right? This never happens in books and it's AWESOME.
Ben and Lily spend a lot of time together, (nothing sexy or romantic) but poor Lily discovers Ben has a fiance and is leaving soon... I cried at this part.
-10 years later....-
THEY MEET AGAIN AND IT'S HOT AND TORMENTED AND SAD AND HEART-STOPPING. But Lily is engaged. GASP! What will she do???
Read the book immediately and find out.
LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVEEEEE!
Read immediately.
Immediately.
Okay full review:
This book is charming in so many ways it's hard to explain.
I'm a fan of chick-lit books. Chick-lit is more enjoyable to me than romance generally because I like the humor. This book is a sweet ride between hilarious, heart-warming, heart-breaking, surprising, and very sweet.
(SPOILERS)
Sweet young Lily is uprooted to go live in Australia with her mother who is always moving from guy to guy. Lily is pissy at this and decides to try and take it out on people around her. Josh is her hot, bad-ass step-brother who Lily first set sights on. At this point, I thought the book to be predictable. "Oh, there's the hot bad boy. She'll fall for him and he'll reform and they'll live happily ever after because she changed him." WRONG. Lily started working with her mom's boyfriend at the zoo and met Ben, a much older guy who she liked to spend time with caring for koalas. He's smart, kind, funny, and funny. I believe she's 15 or something and he's like 29. Maybe she's 16, I forget. Anyway.
GUESS WHAT GUYS???? That's fucking right- she falls for the NICE GUY! **gasps heard all around** I know. Scandalous, right? This never happens in books and it's AWESOME.
Ben and Lily spend a lot of time together, (nothing sexy or romantic) but poor Lily discovers Ben has a fiance and is leaving soon... I cried at this part.
-10 years later....-
THEY MEET AGAIN AND IT'S HOT AND TORMENTED AND SAD AND HEART-STOPPING. But Lily is engaged. GASP! What will she do???
Read the book immediately and find out.
January 28, 2022
Paige Toon knows exactly what to say! I feel her books are written for me and my enjoyment. In this book, she pushes some teenage boundaries, yet doesnt go too far.
She sets her story during the summer season of the millennium, deep down under where the grass is dry and the wildlife is alive.
I was reminded of my own teenage cringey years as we curled our toes reading about Lily and her 15 year old crushes, but looking at the bigger picture of how she is basicly neglected and left to her own devices in a new country- I can see how she found herself in a situation she really should not have been in at that age.
Lily fell in love. He wasn't right for her then.
But is he right for her now?
I LOVED Lily, loved her little quirks, loved the Australian setting.
Olivia stole the show for me and I really want one for myself 😉.
Is Richard, her attentive current boyfriend who loves her big time her one true love. Or is Ben, the one who got away, but wrong for her 'on paper' her forever after?
Flipping well loved this and all the connections to the other books just kept giving in this one.
She sets her story during the summer season of the millennium, deep down under where the grass is dry and the wildlife is alive.
I was reminded of my own teenage cringey years as we curled our toes reading about Lily and her 15 year old crushes, but looking at the bigger picture of how she is basicly neglected and left to her own devices in a new country- I can see how she found herself in a situation she really should not have been in at that age.
Lily fell in love. He wasn't right for her then.
But is he right for her now?
I LOVED Lily, loved her little quirks, loved the Australian setting.
Olivia stole the show for me and I really want one for myself 😉.
Is Richard, her attentive current boyfriend who loves her big time her one true love. Or is Ben, the one who got away, but wrong for her 'on paper' her forever after?
Flipping well loved this and all the connections to the other books just kept giving in this one.
February 9, 2022
Read before and loved reading again.
Great book following Lily from her early teens to and adult and the bumps along the road in her love life.
Great book following Lily from her early teens to and adult and the bumps along the road in her love life.
June 23, 2016
I think the worst way in which a book can affect you, is none at all. It's complete indifference towards the book and the characters.
Unfortunately, this was exactly the case for me when I read Pictures of Lily. I didn't care about any of the characters - least of all Lily, the main character. She could have died and I would have merely yawned. Probably this makes me sound like a bad person but to justify myself: this novel really was boring and the characters too.
So, this novel is about Lily and how she falls in love with a man who's 12 years older than she is - she's 15 at the time. Unfortunately, this man, Ben, has a fiancée and well actually he doesn`t let anything happen between Lily and himself. Also, they only now each other for some few weeks before Ben has to leave. As a result, the romance stays extremely innnocent. However, this doesn`t keep Lily from truly believing he is her one true love and she never stops pining over him for the next 10 years. And yes, I found this rather weird and hard to believe. Also, I didn't quite get how a 28 year old man would fall in love with a 15 year old, very naive and annoying girl?!
When Lily's boyfriend now (10 years later) asks her to marry him she can only think of Ben but she still says yes. And since this is a novel, she meets Ben again, merely weeks after the proposal. He is divorced by now (of course he is, he couldn't stop thinking about her either). And how ironic, when they first meet it was Ben who had a fiancée and now it's the other way round. How funny, right? So, Lily now has to decide if she wants to marry Richard (who she also loves) or finally take a chance with Ben and give up on everything. One needs to know, up to this point she and Ben never even exchanged a kiss.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see either of her "romances" going anywhere. I don't get why she was together with Richard in the first place and Ben, well I just don't know. So yeah, complete indifference there. I didn't care about Lily and therefore it was hard to care about her decicions either.
Maybe, like 3 years ago, I might have liked this novel. I might have enjoyed the superficial romance, the obvious turning out of events, the mix of YA and Adult Romance, the simple writing - with a, quite frankly spoken, unnatural feel to it - but by now, I think I have read to many good novels (and too many not so good ones) to appreciate this clearly not so good one.
Unfortunately, this was exactly the case for me when I read Pictures of Lily. I didn't care about any of the characters - least of all Lily, the main character. She could have died and I would have merely yawned. Probably this makes me sound like a bad person but to justify myself: this novel really was boring and the characters too.
So, this novel is about Lily and how she falls in love with a man who's 12 years older than she is - she's 15 at the time. Unfortunately, this man, Ben, has a fiancée and well actually he doesn`t let anything happen between Lily and himself. Also, they only now each other for some few weeks before Ben has to leave. As a result, the romance stays extremely innnocent. However, this doesn`t keep Lily from truly believing he is her one true love and she never stops pining over him for the next 10 years. And yes, I found this rather weird and hard to believe. Also, I didn't quite get how a 28 year old man would fall in love with a 15 year old, very naive and annoying girl?!
When Lily's boyfriend now (10 years later) asks her to marry him she can only think of Ben but she still says yes. And since this is a novel, she meets Ben again, merely weeks after the proposal. He is divorced by now (of course he is, he couldn't stop thinking about her either). And how ironic, when they first meet it was Ben who had a fiancée and now it's the other way round. How funny, right? So, Lily now has to decide if she wants to marry Richard (who she also loves) or finally take a chance with Ben and give up on everything. One needs to know, up to this point she and Ben never even exchanged a kiss.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see either of her "romances" going anywhere. I don't get why she was together with Richard in the first place and Ben, well I just don't know. So yeah, complete indifference there. I didn't care about Lily and therefore it was hard to care about her decicions either.
Maybe, like 3 years ago, I might have liked this novel. I might have enjoyed the superficial romance, the obvious turning out of events, the mix of YA and Adult Romance, the simple writing - with a, quite frankly spoken, unnatural feel to it - but by now, I think I have read to many good novels (and too many not so good ones) to appreciate this clearly not so good one.
June 11, 2024
I liked this one very much, but it kinda dragged a little bit till she found him again. I wanted more romantic moments. Also I did not like Richard 🤡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2022
I went into this book knowing nothing so I was excited to get I to it and it didn't disappoint. I really struggled to put it down at certain points. I needed to know which way it was going to go. The last third of it, I flew through!
February 26, 2015
TABOO ROMANCE. SIZZLING. SPARKS.
OFF THE CHARTS CHEMISTRY.
EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL TENSION.
HOT OLDER MAN. BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL.
It's not INSTA-LUST - but a slow build up. There's so much sexual tension that the pages sizzle. Loved the descriptions of Australia and the coming-of-age element too.
Somehow the author has managed to brilliantly manifest the sexual tension between the characters without resorting to constant sex scenes. She captured the sexually charged energy and repressed emotional chemistry without resorting to clichés and constant swooning.
her best book
I liked this book, compared to the author's other books because it's not based on famous rich guys, but on ordinary people, hence less of the fluff. Also I really felt bad for Lily for having to put up with her silly mother. Likable characters.
Also, unlike Daisy (character from another book) Lily isn't an adult, hence her pursuing an almost married man isn't as awful as Daisy in Chasing Daisy.
This book was not based on clichéd rich, dashing superstars and that itself was a good thing.
I really enjoyed this book. Its brilliant for a light, incredibly romantic read.
OFF THE CHARTS CHEMISTRY.
EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL TENSION.
HOT OLDER MAN. BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL.
It's not INSTA-LUST - but a slow build up. There's so much sexual tension that the pages sizzle. Loved the descriptions of Australia and the coming-of-age element too.
Somehow the author has managed to brilliantly manifest the sexual tension between the characters without resorting to constant sex scenes. She captured the sexually charged energy and repressed emotional chemistry without resorting to clichés and constant swooning.
her best book
I liked this book, compared to the author's other books because it's not based on famous rich guys, but on ordinary people, hence less of the fluff. Also I really felt bad for Lily for having to put up with her silly mother. Likable characters.
Also, unlike Daisy (character from another book) Lily isn't an adult, hence her pursuing an almost married man isn't as awful as Daisy in Chasing Daisy.
This book was not based on clichéd rich, dashing superstars and that itself was a good thing.
I really enjoyed this book. Its brilliant for a light, incredibly romantic read.
October 21, 2015
I read this book back in 2013 and I only just remembered that I had read it. So, I decided to leave a review. I HATED This book, The love triangle was annoying as fudge, Lily was very irritating. The whole "romance" (yes I put quotation in romance, because it was pretty much all in Lily's imagination) between a 16 year old girl and a 28 year old guy was very disturbing. There really wasn't much there tbh, it was more of what Lil'y hoped was happening.
As the story progresses and Lily's love for Ben grows, we find out the sick bastard is engaged. (to be a little fair on Ben, he doesn't, in my opinion, show that much interest in Lily other than friendship. You do however, see a few hit of some feelings on his part but not to the extent of what Lily feels for him. But supposedly he's head over heels for her) Ben finds it hard when it should be the easiest thing, to move to England to be with his FIANCÉE! but he does regardless of how he feels.
This leaves Lily heartbroken (RMFE!!)
10 years later Lily has moved on some what (I would like to take this moment to point out how absolutely frustrating it was that she STILL moped about losing her "epic" love. Which wasn't really that epic, it was more of a high school crush that only lasted a few weeks. I found it very hard that she was still moping about a "love" that never moved further than anything but sly looks for 10 years. It just wasn't very believable.) she gets engaged to Richard, who was such a great guy. I honestly thought Richard was better suited for Lily, while Ben brought out her naive and childish mind.
Long story short, all the romance in the book is lacklustre, even though I like Lily and Richard it was certainly not enough to give me that overwhelming love that I get for my favourite couples in books.
P.S. There is cheating in this book and I'm just never ok with that.
All in all, I do not recommend this book. This is one of those books that will have you ripping your hair out from frustration.
As the story progresses and Lily's love for Ben grows, we find out the sick bastard is engaged. (to be a little fair on Ben, he doesn't, in my opinion, show that much interest in Lily other than friendship. You do however, see a few hit of some feelings on his part but not to the extent of what Lily feels for him. But supposedly he's head over heels for her) Ben finds it hard when it should be the easiest thing, to move to England to be with his FIANCÉE! but he does regardless of how he feels.
This leaves Lily heartbroken (RMFE!!)
10 years later Lily has moved on some what (I would like to take this moment to point out how absolutely frustrating it was that she STILL moped about losing her "epic" love. Which wasn't really that epic, it was more of a high school crush that only lasted a few weeks. I found it very hard that she was still moping about a "love" that never moved further than anything but sly looks for 10 years. It just wasn't very believable.) she gets engaged to Richard, who was such a great guy. I honestly thought Richard was better suited for Lily, while Ben brought out her naive and childish mind.
Long story short, all the romance in the book is lacklustre, even though I like Lily and Richard it was certainly not enough to give me that overwhelming love that I get for my favourite couples in books.
P.S. There is cheating in this book and I'm just never ok with that.
All in all, I do not recommend this book. This is one of those books that will have you ripping your hair out from frustration.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2019
The first part of the book is set 10 years past, where 16 year old Lily moves to Australia from the UK with her mother. There she falls in love with an older guy, Ben, that becomes to be one of the most significant and constant feeling of hers. Then the book fast forwards to the present day, where Lily, engaged to Richard, once again crosses path with Ben. And thus starts the complications begin. This is slow burn, heart warming romance being hilarious at times. This is a love triangle done right!

First, Paige Toon is an AMAZING author. Her writing style is so easy that you just fly through the pages! I finished reading it in a day, even though the pace falters a bit in the second part of the story. Also loved, how the long epilogue made up for some gaps that I really wished to be filled in. The narrative is fluffy yet you feel strong emotions.😍😍 The characters likable.
This book is reminds you what it’s like to be young and in love. This book is also about timing. This book is about loooooooove.

First, Paige Toon is an AMAZING author. Her writing style is so easy that you just fly through the pages! I finished reading it in a day, even though the pace falters a bit in the second part of the story. Also loved, how the long epilogue made up for some gaps that I really wished to be filled in. The narrative is fluffy yet you feel strong emotions.😍😍 The characters likable.
This book is reminds you what it’s like to be young and in love. This book is also about timing. This book is about loooooooove.
October 1, 2023
unfortunately this Paige Toon wasn't for me
Age gap, one that got away romance. Started off with Lily, 16, falling for Ben, 28 who got away. When Lily grows up, Ben is all she can think about, even when she get's engaged to another man. I just didn't like the age gap romance from the beginning in this one, even though nothing happened. Plus didn't love how much pining Lily did even as she grew up and hadn't seen Ben in like 10 years, just felt unrealistic to me with how little time they actually spent together when she was 16.
Age gap, one that got away romance. Started off with Lily, 16, falling for Ben, 28 who got away. When Lily grows up, Ben is all she can think about, even when she get's engaged to another man. I just didn't like the age gap romance from the beginning in this one, even though nothing happened. Plus didn't love how much pining Lily did even as she grew up and hadn't seen Ben in like 10 years, just felt unrealistic to me with how little time they actually spent together when she was 16.
February 22, 2014
I lost the will to live reading this. It was mundane plodding and teenage fantasy for the first half of the book. I kept reading to try and understand why someone would write it. Eventually I decided life was too short and I gave up!
September 6, 2015
REVIEW POSTED AT THE HONEST BOOKCLUB
August 8, 2023
This book surprised me. I've owned it for quite some time now and only just decided to finally read it. And I'm actually very glad I did so. I liked following Lily's story from the way she acted when she was a fifteen year old teenager to the 26 year old she is after a time jump. But I do have to say that she did read a bit naive to me (even still in her twenties). I also loved the interaction with the animals in the conservation park that she starts working at when she's a teenager.
July 7, 2010
When Lily moved to Australia with her mother aged 16, the last thing she expected was to fall in love with someone, but fall in love she does. It doesn’t help, though, that the man she falls in love with not only has a girlfriend in England, but is also twelve years older than her. When he departs for England to join his girlfriend Lily is heartbroken and finds that, even 10 years later, she still can’t forget him. So when her boyfriend of two years, Richard, proposes, she’s quite literally gobsmacked before eventually accepting despite the fact she can’t forget the man who broke her heart a decade ago. So what’s Lily going to do when her past comes back to haunt her and she realises that she will have to break the heart of one of the men who loves her?
If you haven’t read any of my Paige Toon reviews then you won’t know just how much I love her books. Until now; I love Paige Toon’s books. Lucy In The Sky was fantastic, Johnny Be Good was even better and Chasing Daisy was stunning. I’ve read them all multiple times and I still marvel at how well written they are and how much I love them. I also love going back and connecting the dots because all of Paige’s characters re-appear in her later books and it’s so good figuring out who we’ve already met in previous books. I’ve been waiting for a new Paige Toon book since, you know, July last year when I read Chasing Daisy. Even more so when I heard about Pictures of Lily, I loved the sound of it and was so happy to receive a copy earlier this week. And, because I have no self control, I started it almost immediately.
Pictures of Lily is done a bit differently to Paige’s previous three books. There’s the standard prologue, which is set in the present day, in which Lily’s boyfriend Richard proposes and whilst Lily ponders the question, we head back to 10 years ago when Lily first moves to Australia. Then for the next 175 pages we learn about Lily’s life as a 16-year-old. What it was like to move to Australia and be wrenched away from everything she’s ever known just so her mum could be with a man she met on the Internet, how she ends up accompanying her mum’s boyfriend Michael to the animal sanctuary where he works and ends up loving it and then, falling in love with someone, Ben, who is twelve years her senior, has a girlfriend and is moving to England to be with said fiancee. I thought it was a stunning opening to the book. I was immediately sucked into Lily’s 16-year-old self and I was hooked.
We then move back to the present day which follows immediately from the Prologue where Lily is being proposed to by Richard (at a wedding, no less). After reading all about what happened to Lily when she was younger, it was easy to see why she was so hesitant and it was equally as easy to see why she was still hooked on Ben. I worried that maybe I would just see it as a teenage crush and that Lily should have gotten over it years ago but it wasn’t like that at all. Paige writes the first 175 pages so well that it would be far too mean to just brush off Lily’s love for Ben because it just comes across so real and all consuming. I must admit, I did find the present day part of the book a little bit slow. After the fast pace of the first 175 pages, it all seemed to slow down a little. That’s not a criticism at all, though, and I eagerly awaited the arrival of someone from Lily’s past because for me, it couldn’t come soon enough!
Much like Lucy, Meg and Daisy before her, I absolutely loved Lily. I adored her 16-year-old self and could have read an entire book about her at that age. She doesn’t have an easy time of it at 16 and she handled it well. To then still be pining over Ben after a decade made for sad reading. It was clear that he had really helped her when she first moved to Australia despite the fact it all took place in such a short amount of time. Like Lucy, Meg and Daisy, Lily is warm and funny and just as down to Earth as the others. I have to say I liked Ben from the off. He’s a huge part of Lily’s new life in Australia, as I said, everything that takes place within the first period of the book made complete and total sense to me. Surprisingly I liked Richard, Lily’s boyfriend ‘now’. He was nice, and was good to Lily. But obviously, I always preferred Ben. There are other characters who make appearances but no one regular enough to be honest. Although I did like Michael and Josh, Lily’s mums boyfriend (and the reason for their move to Australia) and his son.
Paige Toon is an incredible writer. Her writing flows so easily and is such a pleasure to read. I knew that once I began reading Pictures of Lily I would have to finish it on the same day and I did. I managed to finish it in about 5 hours, it was that readable. As I said, the thing Paige does best is bringing back her characters from her earlier books and they’re all mentioned here; Lily is friends with Lucy and Nathan, she sees Luis on the telly (“snogging his gorgeous girlfriend”) and she had posters on the wall of Fence (the band Johnny Jefferson was part of until he went solo) as a 16-year-old. Even Richard, Lily’s boyfriend, appeared in an earlier book, causing me to speed over to my bookshelf to check I was right (I was!). It always makes me smile when I hear from previous characters and to know their life is going well. Pictures of Lily is definitely another hit from Paige and I wholly recommend it. It’s just as good as her previous three books and having read Pictures of Lily, it means the countdown is on for her sequel to Johnny Be Good which is going to be her next book!
If you haven’t read any of my Paige Toon reviews then you won’t know just how much I love her books. Until now; I love Paige Toon’s books. Lucy In The Sky was fantastic, Johnny Be Good was even better and Chasing Daisy was stunning. I’ve read them all multiple times and I still marvel at how well written they are and how much I love them. I also love going back and connecting the dots because all of Paige’s characters re-appear in her later books and it’s so good figuring out who we’ve already met in previous books. I’ve been waiting for a new Paige Toon book since, you know, July last year when I read Chasing Daisy. Even more so when I heard about Pictures of Lily, I loved the sound of it and was so happy to receive a copy earlier this week. And, because I have no self control, I started it almost immediately.
Pictures of Lily is done a bit differently to Paige’s previous three books. There’s the standard prologue, which is set in the present day, in which Lily’s boyfriend Richard proposes and whilst Lily ponders the question, we head back to 10 years ago when Lily first moves to Australia. Then for the next 175 pages we learn about Lily’s life as a 16-year-old. What it was like to move to Australia and be wrenched away from everything she’s ever known just so her mum could be with a man she met on the Internet, how she ends up accompanying her mum’s boyfriend Michael to the animal sanctuary where he works and ends up loving it and then, falling in love with someone, Ben, who is twelve years her senior, has a girlfriend and is moving to England to be with said fiancee. I thought it was a stunning opening to the book. I was immediately sucked into Lily’s 16-year-old self and I was hooked.
We then move back to the present day which follows immediately from the Prologue where Lily is being proposed to by Richard (at a wedding, no less). After reading all about what happened to Lily when she was younger, it was easy to see why she was so hesitant and it was equally as easy to see why she was still hooked on Ben. I worried that maybe I would just see it as a teenage crush and that Lily should have gotten over it years ago but it wasn’t like that at all. Paige writes the first 175 pages so well that it would be far too mean to just brush off Lily’s love for Ben because it just comes across so real and all consuming. I must admit, I did find the present day part of the book a little bit slow. After the fast pace of the first 175 pages, it all seemed to slow down a little. That’s not a criticism at all, though, and I eagerly awaited the arrival of someone from Lily’s past because for me, it couldn’t come soon enough!
Much like Lucy, Meg and Daisy before her, I absolutely loved Lily. I adored her 16-year-old self and could have read an entire book about her at that age. She doesn’t have an easy time of it at 16 and she handled it well. To then still be pining over Ben after a decade made for sad reading. It was clear that he had really helped her when she first moved to Australia despite the fact it all took place in such a short amount of time. Like Lucy, Meg and Daisy, Lily is warm and funny and just as down to Earth as the others. I have to say I liked Ben from the off. He’s a huge part of Lily’s new life in Australia, as I said, everything that takes place within the first period of the book made complete and total sense to me. Surprisingly I liked Richard, Lily’s boyfriend ‘now’. He was nice, and was good to Lily. But obviously, I always preferred Ben. There are other characters who make appearances but no one regular enough to be honest. Although I did like Michael and Josh, Lily’s mums boyfriend (and the reason for their move to Australia) and his son.
Paige Toon is an incredible writer. Her writing flows so easily and is such a pleasure to read. I knew that once I began reading Pictures of Lily I would have to finish it on the same day and I did. I managed to finish it in about 5 hours, it was that readable. As I said, the thing Paige does best is bringing back her characters from her earlier books and they’re all mentioned here; Lily is friends with Lucy and Nathan, she sees Luis on the telly (“snogging his gorgeous girlfriend”) and she had posters on the wall of Fence (the band Johnny Jefferson was part of until he went solo) as a 16-year-old. Even Richard, Lily’s boyfriend, appeared in an earlier book, causing me to speed over to my bookshelf to check I was right (I was!). It always makes me smile when I hear from previous characters and to know their life is going well. Pictures of Lily is definitely another hit from Paige and I wholly recommend it. It’s just as good as her previous three books and having read Pictures of Lily, it means the countdown is on for her sequel to Johnny Be Good which is going to be her next book!
June 2, 2024
Page 44 “I reckon Michael Jackson would have approved.” WHAT. This is the only time Michael Jackson is mentioned in the entire book and I’ve never been so confused in my life. I just don’t understand the relevance of Michael Jackson. Why would she care that he would approve of her only friend??? I DON’T GET IT. I can’t stop thinking about it. 2.5
March 22, 2023
Such a great book! I especially loved the 1st half when Lily was younger and just moved to Australia 🥰
April 20, 2017
Cover
Das Cover ist typisch für Paige Toon. Es ist in schönen, strahlenden Farben (in diesem Fall Blau und Grün) gehalten. Auf dem grünen Gras sieht man ein Pärchen. Der Mann kniet vor der Frau und hält um ihre Hand an. Der Titel des Buches ist in schön geschwungener weißer Schrift über dem Paar geschreiben. Mir gefällt das Cover sehr gut. Es passt einfach wunderbar zu der Geschichte.
Meine Meinung
"Immer wieder du" ist der vierte Roman der australischen Autorin Paige Toon. In diesem Band lernt man Richard aus Band eins etwas besser kennen. Richard ist Lilys Freund und Nates Arbeitskollege.
Lily kommt ursprünglich aus England. Sie ist zusammen mit ihrer Mutter nach Australien ausgewandert, weil diese dort einen Mann kennen gelernt hat. Der erste Teil der Geschichte spielt in Lucys Vergangenheit. Sie lernt den neuen Freund ihrer Mutter, Michael, und dessen Familie kennen.
Als Michael sie zum ersten Mal mit zu sich auf die Arbeit nimmt, ist Lily begeistert. Er arbeitet in einem Naturschutzpark. Dort lernt sie auch Ben kennen, einen Tierpfleger. Sie verliebt sich in ihn. Ben jedoch ist zwölf Jahre älter als Lily und kurz davor nach England zu seiner Verlobten zu fliegen um diese zu heiraten. Für Lily bricht eine Welt zusammen.
Zehn Jahre später ist Lily glücklich mit Richard zusammen und sogar frisch verlobt. Dennoch geistert ihr Ben immer noch im Kopf herum.
Australien war niemals eines meiner bevorzugten Urlaubsländer, bis ich dieses Buch gelesen habe. Paige Toon beschreibt die Arbeit im Naturschutzpark so schön und spannend, dass ich am liebsten selbst hin gehen möchte. Außerdem schafft die Autorin es auch, mich völlig in ihren Bann zu ziehen. Ich habe das Buch erst vor ein paar Wochen beendet und würde am liebsten sofort wieder damit anfangen. Diese Geschichte ist so unschuldig und niedlich, dass ich sie immer wieder lesen möchte.
Mir hat die Unterteilung der Geschichte sehr gut gefallen. Es passt gut, dass man zu Beginn erfährt, wie Lily überhaupt nach Australien gekommen ist. Im zweiten Teil der Geschichte wird dann die Zeit nach dem Heiratsantrag beschrieben. Ich habe sehr mit Lily mitgelitten und wollte ihr ständig gute Ratschläge zu werfen oder sie hin und wieder auch schütteln. Manche ihrer Entscheidungen sind nicht so gut nachvollziehbar, bei anderen kann ich hingegen wieder sehr gut verstehen warum sie so gehandelt hat.
Lily ist eine unglaubliche liebenswürdige Person. Ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzten und habe ihre Geschichte und glaublich gerne gelesen.
Außerdem hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen, das auch vorherige Geschichten wieder aufgegriffen wurden. Man trifft Charaktere die man bereits kennt und lieb gewonnen hat.
Mir hat es alles in allem wirklich gut gefallen. Ich verliere mich zwischen den Seiten und die Autorin beschreibt die Umgebung und Geschehnisse sehr gut.
Es ist eine wunderbare Sommerlektüre, bei der man sich einfach ein sonniges Plätzchen sucht und dort entspannt.
Wertung (5/5)
www.valaraucos-buchstabenmeer.com
Das Cover ist typisch für Paige Toon. Es ist in schönen, strahlenden Farben (in diesem Fall Blau und Grün) gehalten. Auf dem grünen Gras sieht man ein Pärchen. Der Mann kniet vor der Frau und hält um ihre Hand an. Der Titel des Buches ist in schön geschwungener weißer Schrift über dem Paar geschreiben. Mir gefällt das Cover sehr gut. Es passt einfach wunderbar zu der Geschichte.
Meine Meinung
"Immer wieder du" ist der vierte Roman der australischen Autorin Paige Toon. In diesem Band lernt man Richard aus Band eins etwas besser kennen. Richard ist Lilys Freund und Nates Arbeitskollege.
Lily kommt ursprünglich aus England. Sie ist zusammen mit ihrer Mutter nach Australien ausgewandert, weil diese dort einen Mann kennen gelernt hat. Der erste Teil der Geschichte spielt in Lucys Vergangenheit. Sie lernt den neuen Freund ihrer Mutter, Michael, und dessen Familie kennen.
Als Michael sie zum ersten Mal mit zu sich auf die Arbeit nimmt, ist Lily begeistert. Er arbeitet in einem Naturschutzpark. Dort lernt sie auch Ben kennen, einen Tierpfleger. Sie verliebt sich in ihn. Ben jedoch ist zwölf Jahre älter als Lily und kurz davor nach England zu seiner Verlobten zu fliegen um diese zu heiraten. Für Lily bricht eine Welt zusammen.
Zehn Jahre später ist Lily glücklich mit Richard zusammen und sogar frisch verlobt. Dennoch geistert ihr Ben immer noch im Kopf herum.
Australien war niemals eines meiner bevorzugten Urlaubsländer, bis ich dieses Buch gelesen habe. Paige Toon beschreibt die Arbeit im Naturschutzpark so schön und spannend, dass ich am liebsten selbst hin gehen möchte. Außerdem schafft die Autorin es auch, mich völlig in ihren Bann zu ziehen. Ich habe das Buch erst vor ein paar Wochen beendet und würde am liebsten sofort wieder damit anfangen. Diese Geschichte ist so unschuldig und niedlich, dass ich sie immer wieder lesen möchte.
Mir hat die Unterteilung der Geschichte sehr gut gefallen. Es passt gut, dass man zu Beginn erfährt, wie Lily überhaupt nach Australien gekommen ist. Im zweiten Teil der Geschichte wird dann die Zeit nach dem Heiratsantrag beschrieben. Ich habe sehr mit Lily mitgelitten und wollte ihr ständig gute Ratschläge zu werfen oder sie hin und wieder auch schütteln. Manche ihrer Entscheidungen sind nicht so gut nachvollziehbar, bei anderen kann ich hingegen wieder sehr gut verstehen warum sie so gehandelt hat.
Lily ist eine unglaubliche liebenswürdige Person. Ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzten und habe ihre Geschichte und glaublich gerne gelesen.
Außerdem hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen, das auch vorherige Geschichten wieder aufgegriffen wurden. Man trifft Charaktere die man bereits kennt und lieb gewonnen hat.
Mir hat es alles in allem wirklich gut gefallen. Ich verliere mich zwischen den Seiten und die Autorin beschreibt die Umgebung und Geschehnisse sehr gut.
Es ist eine wunderbare Sommerlektüre, bei der man sich einfach ein sonniges Plätzchen sucht und dort entspannt.
Wertung (5/5)
www.valaraucos-buchstabenmeer.com
March 6, 2020
I was hooked into this book right from the word go. Given that it starts with a proposal that remains unanswered until a later point in the book, it is hardly surprising! I’ll admit that I was surprised that the book begins in Lily’s teenage years, I was expecting this to be the usual chick-lit formula starring someone my age, but to begin with, and we are taken back to Lily’s formative years, just as she is turning 16. She has found herself in Australia because her mum fell head over heels for ‘another guy’ over there and she really doesn’t want to be. The theme of escapism and distant lands is really strong throughout the entirety of this novel, something which I found to be common throughout Paige Toon’s writing.
I found Lily to be rather a petulant teenager, but she does begin to mellow when she meets some of the animals in the conservation park she begins working at and I found it easier to read from this point. I did dislike her mum, however, she is written as a very selfish character the whole was through the book and I found her relationship with Lily quite difficult to read, even thought it is written so well.
The male ‘supporting’ characters in this book are quite interesting, they seem to be poles apart and yet Lily has strong feelings for both of them at various points in the novel. Ben is laid back and yet level-headed. His relationship with Lily when she was only sixteen made me a little uncomfortable, I have to admit, but later on in the novel, I too had a major soft spot for him! I disliked Richard as a person, showing how well developed he is as a character, but I really didn’t think he was right for Lily. She seemed to be such a free spirit and he seemed so corporate.
This is book is almost written as if it were in diary form, because it is written entirely from Lily’s point of view and this makes it incredibly easy to read. It also means that as Lily grows up, you get to know her in more and more depth and she begins to feel like a friend to you, adding immensely to the enjoyment of the book. The way the book is structured, split into two time periods, then and now, ten years apart, works really well and meant that there was a clear division for me as a reader to a kind of ‘before Ben’ time and ‘after Ben’ time. Paige Toon also brings in characters from her other books which I really liked, but if you haven’t read Lucy in the Sky, you should probably read that first because otherwise, they ending will be spoiled for you!
This was the perfect read for a hot bank holiday weekend and I got through it pretty quickly because of the strong voice and the author’s writing style. This is the third book I’ve read by Paige Toon and I’m already thinking about which one to read next!
I found Lily to be rather a petulant teenager, but she does begin to mellow when she meets some of the animals in the conservation park she begins working at and I found it easier to read from this point. I did dislike her mum, however, she is written as a very selfish character the whole was through the book and I found her relationship with Lily quite difficult to read, even thought it is written so well.
The male ‘supporting’ characters in this book are quite interesting, they seem to be poles apart and yet Lily has strong feelings for both of them at various points in the novel. Ben is laid back and yet level-headed. His relationship with Lily when she was only sixteen made me a little uncomfortable, I have to admit, but later on in the novel, I too had a major soft spot for him! I disliked Richard as a person, showing how well developed he is as a character, but I really didn’t think he was right for Lily. She seemed to be such a free spirit and he seemed so corporate.
This is book is almost written as if it were in diary form, because it is written entirely from Lily’s point of view and this makes it incredibly easy to read. It also means that as Lily grows up, you get to know her in more and more depth and she begins to feel like a friend to you, adding immensely to the enjoyment of the book. The way the book is structured, split into two time periods, then and now, ten years apart, works really well and meant that there was a clear division for me as a reader to a kind of ‘before Ben’ time and ‘after Ben’ time. Paige Toon also brings in characters from her other books which I really liked, but if you haven’t read Lucy in the Sky, you should probably read that first because otherwise, they ending will be spoiled for you!
This was the perfect read for a hot bank holiday weekend and I got through it pretty quickly because of the strong voice and the author’s writing style. This is the third book I’ve read by Paige Toon and I’m already thinking about which one to read next!
June 3, 2015
I really liked this!
Like Paige's latest book, The Sun in her Eyes, this too focuses on first loves but we actually read it happen so we fall for Ben at the same time. There's an age difference between them but for the ten years later bit it isn't as much of a problem. But what's to happen when Lily is already with someone else?
One thing I really like about these books is that Paige interlinks the books in various ways with characters that were main ones in previous books becoming secondary in later books e.g. Josh from this is one of the secondary characters in The Sun in her Eyes, and Lily from this is the main character in Lucy in the Sky. Everyone's favourite band is Fence, which is Johnny Jefferson's--from Johnny be Good's--band.
Now I'm going to be good with my reading marathon of Paige Toon's books and start reading them in order but first I'll have to read Lucy in the Sky since it was the first book she ever wrote and I've already read books 2 (Johnny Be Good), 3 (Chasing Daisy, 4 (Pictures of Lily)-this one-and 5 (Baby Be Mine
Like Paige's latest book, The Sun in her Eyes, this too focuses on first loves but we actually read it happen so we fall for Ben at the same time. There's an age difference between them but for the ten years later bit it isn't as much of a problem. But what's to happen when Lily is already with someone else?
One thing I really like about these books is that Paige interlinks the books in various ways with characters that were main ones in previous books becoming secondary in later books e.g. Josh from this is one of the secondary characters in The Sun in her Eyes, and Lily from this is the main character in Lucy in the Sky. Everyone's favourite band is Fence, which is Johnny Jefferson's--from Johnny be Good's--band.
Now I'm going to be good with my reading marathon of Paige Toon's books and start reading them in order but first I'll have to read Lucy in the Sky since it was the first book she ever wrote and I've already read books 2 (Johnny Be Good), 3 (Chasing Daisy, 4 (Pictures of Lily)-this one-and 5 (Baby Be Mine
October 2, 2022
I found this book in a public bookshelf so I‘m happy I didn‘t spend any money on it.
The storyline itself could‘ve been fine, the one that got away kinda trope and even the forbidden love kind of thing on Lily‘s side. But the timeline is wrong, everything happens so fast for Lily to be hung up on it for TEN YEARS and that Ben reciprocated those feelings when she was a teenager is just weird and I had to black that out in my mind to keep reading. To be honest though if Ben had acted on those feelings back then I would‘ve stopped reading immediately.
Ten years later she is in a relationship that I noticed from the start is not the right one. Even when she started showing only a little interest in photography again her fiancé does not support her in the slightest. I can understand her struggles with not being in her dream job and everything. That‘s the positive part on the book.
Though again the timeline is really fast. She meets Ben and in a span of only a few days leaves her fiance and gets with Ben. She is so indecisive about it, though I think it was plain obvious, that the decision is not made until 10 pages before the end. The epilogue rushes through even more, either it should‘ve been another chapter or left out at all.
I‘ve finished this book because I hate quitting them halfway in but sometimes I‘d rather done that. I cannot understand the good reviews on this book. I can not recommend it.
The storyline itself could‘ve been fine, the one that got away kinda trope and even the forbidden love kind of thing on Lily‘s side. But the timeline is wrong, everything happens so fast for Lily to be hung up on it for TEN YEARS and that Ben reciprocated those feelings when she was a teenager is just weird and I had to black that out in my mind to keep reading. To be honest though if Ben had acted on those feelings back then I would‘ve stopped reading immediately.
Ten years later she is in a relationship that I noticed from the start is not the right one. Even when she started showing only a little interest in photography again her fiancé does not support her in the slightest. I can understand her struggles with not being in her dream job and everything. That‘s the positive part on the book.
Though again the timeline is really fast. She meets Ben and in a span of only a few days leaves her fiance and gets with Ben. She is so indecisive about it, though I think it was plain obvious, that the decision is not made until 10 pages before the end. The epilogue rushes through even more, either it should‘ve been another chapter or left out at all.
I‘ve finished this book because I hate quitting them halfway in but sometimes I‘d rather done that. I cannot understand the good reviews on this book. I can not recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2016
This is a good read for all you romantics out there that believe true love lasts forever.
The first half is told through the eyes of a 16 year old Lily and focuses on her friendship with Ben, where she soon falls in love with him despite the 12 year age difference. This part reads like a young adult book which to the author's credit works well as you get to enter the mind of a moody teenager who has just moved from the UK to Australia. It's not a typical teenage crush like you would think, but a gradual development of feelings after the kindness he shows towards her. You eventually learn that Ben feels something for Lily too, which I must say I found a bit weird that a 28 year old guy would fall for a school girl, but nothing happens between them and sadly he moves away and Lily's heart is crushed.
Then fast forward to the present 10 years later, and you find Lily is engaged and life is all good until she bumps into Ben. Then the dilemma starts: Should she risk her future with her fiancé to find out if Ben is the one?
Overall it's an enjoyable read with genuine characters and a lovely message about listening to your heart.
The first half is told through the eyes of a 16 year old Lily and focuses on her friendship with Ben, where she soon falls in love with him despite the 12 year age difference. This part reads like a young adult book which to the author's credit works well as you get to enter the mind of a moody teenager who has just moved from the UK to Australia. It's not a typical teenage crush like you would think, but a gradual development of feelings after the kindness he shows towards her. You eventually learn that Ben feels something for Lily too, which I must say I found a bit weird that a 28 year old guy would fall for a school girl, but nothing happens between them and sadly he moves away and Lily's heart is crushed.
Then fast forward to the present 10 years later, and you find Lily is engaged and life is all good until she bumps into Ben. Then the dilemma starts: Should she risk her future with her fiancé to find out if Ben is the one?
Overall it's an enjoyable read with genuine characters and a lovely message about listening to your heart.
July 13, 2014
To be honest I found it abit disturbing that a 28 year old man found a 16 year old girl attractive. Luckily he didn't act on his attraction. Despite 16 year old Lily practically throwing herself at him.
Ben ends up leaving Australia to move to the uk, with his fiancé . And lily tries to get on with her life. Never getting over him. The book then moves on to adult lily. And she is working as a temp secretary . Living with her boyfriend, and having conversations in her head with Ben.
While at a friends wedding, her boyfriend proposes. Lily finds it hard to answer him, as she is still in love with Ben . While out at Sydney zoo with her sisters. Lily bumps into Ben. Whose back home, after a divorce. And the attraction is still, very much present. I won't give away the ending. I will say that, I felt very sorry for her fiancé . He was a nice man, and didn't deserve to have a girlfriend. Who was never fully commited to him. And I found it very silly that lily was still besotted with a guy, she had only known for a short while. Ten years later , ditto for him.
Ben ends up leaving Australia to move to the uk, with his fiancé . And lily tries to get on with her life. Never getting over him. The book then moves on to adult lily. And she is working as a temp secretary . Living with her boyfriend, and having conversations in her head with Ben.
While at a friends wedding, her boyfriend proposes. Lily finds it hard to answer him, as she is still in love with Ben . While out at Sydney zoo with her sisters. Lily bumps into Ben. Whose back home, after a divorce. And the attraction is still, very much present. I won't give away the ending. I will say that, I felt very sorry for her fiancé . He was a nice man, and didn't deserve to have a girlfriend. Who was never fully commited to him. And I found it very silly that lily was still besotted with a guy, she had only known for a short while. Ten years later , ditto for him.
May 3, 2013
**SPOILERS**
If the second half of the book was as good as the first, I'd have given this 4 stars.
I loved the first half. I loved Lily & Ben's relationship & I cried when he lef, not quite believing he would actually go through with getting married! :(
I was going through pages so fast, eager for their reunion but, well, it was a bit of an anitclimax really. I wanted Ben to declare his undying love, say how sorry he was, that he'd regretted his decision to leave her for the past decade. Instead, he tells her that yes, he still has her picture, but it's still sitting in his Nan's loft. Gah!! Does that sound like he had been pining after her for the last 10 years? NO! & I so wanted him to!
I didn't get the chemistry between them in the second half of the book at all. So disappointing. I actually found myself rooting for Richard to be honest!!
If the second half of the book was as good as the first, I'd have given this 4 stars.
I loved the first half. I loved Lily & Ben's relationship & I cried when he lef, not quite believing he would actually go through with getting married! :(
I was going through pages so fast, eager for their reunion but, well, it was a bit of an anitclimax really. I wanted Ben to declare his undying love, say how sorry he was, that he'd regretted his decision to leave her for the past decade. Instead, he tells her that yes, he still has her picture, but it's still sitting in his Nan's loft. Gah!! Does that sound like he had been pining after her for the last 10 years? NO! & I so wanted him to!
I didn't get the chemistry between them in the second half of the book at all. So disappointing. I actually found myself rooting for Richard to be honest!!
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