Picking up the Pieces by Amanda Prowse @MrsAmandaProwse

Book Description:

In this heart-warming story from million copy bestselling author Amanda Prowse, Nora has given up on finding happiness. But has it been waiting for her all along?

As Nora and her British Army officer husband, Gordy, pack up yet another home and leave the sun of Cyprus for the drizzle of England, she can’t shake a feeling of regret—at her failure to follow her own dreams, but also, if she’s honest, at having ended up an officer’s wife at all, drifting through a life of temporary homes and temporary relationships.

Since losing her parents at a young age, Nora’s life has been lacking an anchor: someone or something to make her feel secure. Her marriage has been her only permanent relationship, and just as even that appears to be fizzling out, a tragedy forces Nora into the role of legal guardian to her seven-year-old nephew, Ted. Faced suddenly with a responsibility she never dreamed of, how can Nora possibly offer the boy the kind of unconditional love he deserves, when she’s never experienced it for herself?

But as she navigates the precarious and unfamiliar world of parenthood, Nora begins to see herself through Ted’s eyes, as someone worthy of love and even joy. When she’s welcomed into the previously intimidating huddle of mums at the school gate, she has to wonder: is it too late to smash down the other barriers she’s built—and to have a second chance at a happy marriage with Gordy?

My Thoughts:

I have to admit I wouldn’t like to be an army wife. On meeting Nora I felt for her having to move around and not daring to get too settled or be able to make too many commitments. It must be hard more so when she pretty much keeps herself to herself so doesn’t have any real friends. When she gets a call that her sister is in hospital and she needs to go back to England, in some ways it is a blessing in disguise.

I found some parts more than emotional throughout this story. The storyline includes mental health which is heartbreaking in itself but reading of Nora’s past and how her own childhood has held her back in adult life and what she has missed out on, my eyes filled up a few times. I loved the growing relationship between Nora and Ted. It was so innocent and lovely to read. It really becomes the making of Nora and it was wonderful to see her blossom. Also her relationship with Gordy which is on the brink of collapsing, I was praying in my head that they could get passed the issues they were having and make a new start. I really liked Gordy’s character, in fact there really are some wonderful ones in this story.

Picking up the Pieces was an emotional rollercoaster of a story. The author raises the subject of mental health of which she does a great job at highlighting what goes on in some ones head when they are at their lowest point. One thing I especially loved about this story was the importance of letting people into your life and how wonderful it can be to have a great support network. Good friends can really be worth their weight in gold. A beautifully written story that will tug on your heart strings.