‘the beautiful thing about life, [is] it begins when we let it. ‘Picking up the Pieces’ is about learning to rebuild yourself when life shatters you.

Nora is a lonely child, born to Bohemian parents who seem to have little care for her existence. She seeks stability by marrying a military man. However, ultimately, because Nora felt unloved as a child, she feels unloveable; keeping everyone at a distance. ‘It’s hard to love when you have grown up without being loved.’ When her sister Kiki reaches a crisis point, Nora is forced to step in, step up and question her own misconceptions. She realises that it’s human connection, shared memories and vulnerability that makes life meaningful.

Amanda Prowse has written a poignant book which gracefully deals with mental health, love and connection. I did find the first half of the book slow to build, but the second half unfurled to reveal real warmth and honesty. Overall a good piece of contemporary fiction.

This novel is set from the perspective of a military wife seeking permanency and longing for that. The wife is questioning whether or not she wants a more permanent placement and begins to question her marriage. She is surprised when she becomes the custodian of her nephew despite never having desired to be a mother. This was a good ready! This was read as an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

Another thoroughly enjoyable book from Amanda Prowse. However, I did find that it was a little slow in places but overall, a good read. The sub-plot about returning a painting to the rightful owners I found a little unnecessary and the subsequent endings to that part of the story a little rushed however, this did not detract at all from the main plot. All the same, this is a book to enjoy

4.5 Stars

Amanda Prowse is the UK Queen of women's heartfelt fiction. This is my sixth book by the author and every single one of them has been a four or five-star read and Picking Up the Pieces is no different.

In this tale, Nora goes to help look after her nephew while her sister is recovering in the hospital. Nora is not close to her sister and she barely knows her young nephew, Ted, at all. At the same time, she has taken all this on her marriage is in crisis. We also get a look at Nora's childhood and how she lost her distant parents at such a young age. I know it seems like a lot is going on but it all makes sense and weaves together beautifully in the end.

I liked how the book touched on the mental health aspect, it was portrayed in such a realistic manner and with such sensitivity. I also felt I learned something from it, never be ashamed of needing or asking for help. It can be such a touchy subject matter but the author writes about it in an educational and sensitive manner.

With her life falling apart at the seams, can Nora handle what life's thrown at her? You'll have to read the book to find out! This was such a heartwarming and uplifting read and I enjoyed every page of it, Ms. Prowse is such a magnificent teller of tales. I hugged this when I was done.

This title is perfect!
The main character, Nora, is just not happy with her life.
What changes does she need to make to find contentment?

Then.... Nora is abruptly thrown in to the role of "parent" when she is called to help care for her seven year old nephew. She doesn't even know this young boy or how to be a parent.
Nora sees some of what she has been missing in her world these past years.
Unconditional love, and helping others as well as being loved are what Nora needs.

This book is well written, emotional and definitely so well done.
I quickly got absorbed into this broken family. It is a wonderful family story that all will enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

Picking Up the Pieces, by Amanda Prowse, is a moving novel about the bonds of family and being there for each other. The characters were interesting, well written and most of them were extremely likeable. Nora is understandably a bit standoffish at the beginning but she slowly allows herself to open up throughout the story in such a beautiful way.
*I'm not sure if there's a stigma with psych meds but I've noticed a pattern of them being a bit misrepresented in books from the U.K.. Nora's sister talks about trying such meds, once, but they zoned her out so she never tries any others again. It doesn't go into any depth but it sounds like her doctor sent her home with "controlled" meds instead of "non-controlled" daily meds and never followed up.*
Nora’s been struggling since her parents died back when she was a teenager. Not to mention how neglectful they were while they were still alive. The only stability that she's had in her life has been her husband but now that relationship seems to be hanging by a thread.
Then a tragedy has Nora running back to England to take care of her nephew, Ted. She never even wanted to be in a parental role but now that's exactly what she needs to be for her nephew. Suddenly she's learning how unconditional love works, as well as how wonderful & stressful it can be.
Now as she starts learning to let others in, she's also seeing another version of herself. Since she likes this version of herself better, she starts to hope that maybe it can lead to hope for her marriage, after all.

The story of two sisters, orphanned at an early age and who due to circumstances are not close. Nora, the older sister, steps up to care for her nephew when her younger sister is admitted to hospital.
The book concerns the long reaching effects their parents deaths had in the lives of the sisters, as well as the time before and after. In true Prowse style emotions are dealt with sensitively and realistically and the story is theartwarming . It makes for a great read, with plenty of advice along the way.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars

First off, thank you to Amanda Prowse, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a Kindle ARC of this book.

This is the eleventh book that I have read by Amanda Prowse. Yes, I love her gift for storytelling, her beautiful writing, and how strong her characters are. She is one of my very favorite authors, and I am slowly reading the books she wrote BEFORE I discovered her. I still have quite a few to read - YEAH, ME!!

All of her novels, so far, have involved the intricacies of family, marriage, and life. I love that I can relate to the characters and their lives even if they are usually somewhere in England. Her books are one of the reasons that I really am working on researching my family genealogy - I have a LOT of English in me that I never knew about!! These beautiful novels just transport me - sometimes books are read for joy and this book is THAT!! Just joyful!

This novel was no exception to the incredible stories that Amanda writes. Another beautiful summer read or mid-winter read - it is just a lovely book.

HIGHLY recommend!!!

"Picking up the Pieces" covers so many issues, including the difficulty of being a military wife and mental health. Nora and Kiki are sisters but there is a 12 year age gap. Whilst Nora knew their parents, although not that well, Kiki was a baby when they died. There are 2 broken/breaking marriages in this story; Kiki is divorced and a single parent, while Nora's relationship with her husband has issues. We see the women struggling with parenting (as a crisis requires Nora to look after her 7 year old nephew Ted), family relationships and friendships.

Both of the main female characters are complex, which doesn't help with Ted's confusion. Luckily there are friends, friendly teachers and Nora's husband Gordon on hand to help. A question is raised, which will get many thinking, as to whether some couples should actually have children. This is a complicated and thought provoking book which is well worth reading.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a sad but heart warming story. A broken family brought back together after a family emergency.
I loved all the characters and sympathised with them all.
The ending was amazing. Definitely recommend

A tale not to my taste. Too wordy and over written. Did not finish the book as I found it too ling winded. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this emotionally-drawn story of two estranged sisters and their complicated lives. I kept turning the pages and my heart was warmed and satisfied as I saw each of them growing and changing, and moving towards each other.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Picking up the Pieces is another Amanda Process triumph. It's a story of loneliness, learning how to love and be loved and finding family, whatever that means to you. Would highly recommended.

I’ve just finished this beautiful book well past my bedtime. Amanda has done it again, I was left with a warm feeling and an admiration of how great a storyteller she is.

Nora is married to Gordy a British Army Officer. It has been her job to support her husband and follow him from post to post. She has reached a point in her life when she begins to question her life and happiness. Past childhood experiences have left an imprint on her life and Gordy provided a safe haven for her to escape those experiences but she now wonders has she lost her way along the way.

Nora’s younger sister Kiki has been a distant part of her life. She has always seemed happy and carefree to Nora but a phone call reveals Kiki is far from happy and in fact she in hospital following a suicide attempt.

Nora travels kiki’s home to help look after Ted her seven year old nephew. Navigating the unfamiliar parenthood role gives Nora a purpose and joy she never expected. It leads her to open up more and allow others to come into her life, making unexpected friends and reconnecting with her sister and her husband in turn.

I loved the second story based in Spain which was a large part of Nora’s story and one which ran throughout the book . It really made me understand Nora more. I was willing the beautiful letter to wing its way to its rightful owner and what a story it created itself as well.

This book covered so many topics all which most people will experience in their own lives. One in particular, mental health was portrayed in an enlightening and informative way. It touched my heart and made me feel like I knew the characters personally. A truly beautiful book and one which I didn’t want to end.

Another absolutely stunning and heartbreaking book by Amanda Prowse. This book is beautiful.

It tells the story of Nora whose husband is in the army. They are currently on the move again, uprooting their lives in sunny Cyprus and moving back to England. Nora has started to question her life and the regrets that she has at not following her own dreams. Questioning if the life she is currently living is the one she really wants at all.

It is at this point that tragedy enters Nora's life and she suddenly becomes the legal guardian of her seven year old nephew. Navigating the unfamiliar world of parenthood Nora begins to see the world and herself through the eyes of Ted. Knowing that she deserves to give him the life she never had Nora starts to rewrite the story of hers and Ted's life.

Amanda Prowse has done it again in producing another super story. This time I’m sure she drew on her experiences she witnessed as an Army wife which enriched this tale.
Nora and her British Army Officer husband Gordy have moved home so many times, as expected with his job, but when he is stationed back to England after Cyprus Nora starts to have doubts if this is the life she wants to continue with. Nora dreams of settling in a permanent house where she can follow her passion and garden to hearts content.
Just as they begin to pack up Nora receives a phone call that turns her life upside down, as she suddenly finds herself responsible for her seven-year-old Nephew Ted. Nora decided very early on that mother hood was not for her but faced with new experiences she begins to realise that this decision affected both hers and Gordy’s life.
This heart-warming story explores loneliness, relationships and mental health showing that support can come from surprising sources. I loved this story and its characters.
My thanks to Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for the advanced copy.

What a wonderful book. I have not read any of Amanda Prowse previous books so wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed reading this book. It is a book that anyone in a military family can relate to but everyone can enjoy reading.

The story of a woman, Nora, being away from family, wanting to support those who need her but also needing to support herself and her life and marriage. It has all the events life through at us and covers details and emotions most people can relate to and have dealt with at some stage in their lives.

It is such a well written book and the characters are people you feel you know and you can feel their angst and pain as well as their happiness. And it wasn't by any means predictable so the story kept me involved and wanting to read more.

A great book and an author who I now need to read more of. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Wow, another great Amanda read, loved every page, the characters, the story line, everything came together for a wonderful read

A book that is exquisite, delicate, and really touches the heart.
Past and present childhood experiences, mental health concerns, marital and relationship troubles, as well as the beautiful gift of friendship, community, and family ties.
Due to their very dissimilar childhood experiences and memories, Nora and her sister Kiki are not incredibly close. Nora is married to a military man named Gordy and is well-traveled and financially comfortable, but she is unhappy in her marriage and feel empty.

Once Nora accepts the unexpected responsibility of caring for her nephew Ted, she begins to soften, embrace her friends, reestablish contact with her sister, feel a child's love, and ultimately rediscover her love for her husband as her barriers are broken down and a newfound sense of acceptance and joy takes hold.

This book is great for readers who enjoys heart-warming story about family and friends.

This is the first Amanda Prowse book I gave read and I chose it because of how much my friends rave about her. Unfortunately, this just didn't hit the mark for me - I found it very difficult to get into the actual story which made it difficult for me to want to pick it up. As such, it was a hard slog to complete. Whilst there is nothing exactly wrong with the book, it just wasn't for me. I felt the story was slow but then the ending was rushed.

I've chosen to give it 3 stars as once I did get into it, I enjoyed parts of the story and actually felt a connection with Nora. I'm hoping to try another Prowse book before giving up entirely as I do hear lots of good things.