Dreaming of Provence: Once Again, Book 1 Paperback – June 21, 2021

DREAMING OF PROVENCE is a standalone read with a happy ending. There are sexy scenes if that is an issue for you. The story starts in San Francisco, Calif. but the core of the story is in France. Will dies of cancer leaving his widow and no children. This is a great story. It is my favorite kind of romance. Take two characters and give their story. No drugs, villains, mobsters, etc. Just two people trying to live their best life and figure out who they are and what their place in this world is along with who will share their life.Dana, a widow 45, has been her husband's caregiver for the past 10 years as he fought cancer. They met in college and married with big plans for their lives. He is a doctor that was diagnosed when he went in to determine why they were not getting pregnant. That is when they discovered the cancer, and it has been a battle ever since. When he passes, she is an emotional wreck. She feels guilt for feeling relief. He is not suffering anymore but she is also released from the daily grind of caregiving and having her life on hold.Ryder is his best friend since college. He dated Dana first, but when Ryder met Elaine he fell for her wild and free personality. He later regretted his actions as Elaine turned out to be a first-class witch that only wanted the life his career could give her. Two kids later and they divorced. She is still a raging witch and he just deals with it. He realizes his big mistake and that was letting Dana go. But he was a young and stupid guy and now he is paying the price.Will left a letter asking Ryder and Dana to take his ashes to France and sprinkle them under a bridge that he and Dana had planned to visit on their 20th anniversary. They never made the anniversary, but he wants to have that as his final resting place. They make plans to go.This is a great story. I LOVED it. I have read 2 books in this series and so far, they are both 10''s. I have sat down to read and don't quit until I finish the book. Each one took me a day and half and was worth every minute. I HIGHLY recommend this book as well as Wishing in Rome. Great reads. The main characters are older, in their 50's. They are getting ready for the second half of their lives. There are sad parts but lots of humor and fun in both books.I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer, nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am not a bot. I am a reader, and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 7/24/2023.

This one took me a while to get through. It deals with the grief of watching your husband die slowly from cancer, guilt that you hadn’t been enough, anger of betrayal, and eventually finding love with the man you’d loved as a young woman. It took a bit to process this story and there were times I wanted it to move faster but knew that it couldn’t in order to stay true to the characters. It was heartwarming when Julia and Ryder overcame all the obstacles in their way and found the love they had always been meant to have but it was a journey to get there.

Julia Bellerman lost her husband a few months ago to cancer. She’s struggled with grief but what lies before her might be harder yet. In his final wishes, her husband requested that she scatter his ashes in Provence, France. He had found a painting in a book of flowering bushes just beyond a fence and next to a stream. He was so moved by the painting that he and Julia had planned a trip to that specific spot. Instead, he’s asked Julia to go on the trip without him—but with his best friend, Ryder. The three of them have known each other since college. In fact, what neither Julia nor her husband knew was that Ryder had loved Julia all those years. Ryder had missed his chance with her and bore the pain of being with them because he valued their friendship. Now he bowed to his old friend’s last wish and accompanied Julia to France. He has to wonder though, did his old friend know the feelings he secretly harbored for his wife? Was this a setup?What I marveled at all through this book was how Ms. Skully built the romance arc while at the same time showing the pair’s grief at losing their friend and partner. I laughed a little and cried for sure. Very skillful writing (as I’ve come to expect) and wonderful characters. Plus, I felt I was in Provence. This is a wonderful book! Highly recommended!

The story would have been better without it. I skipped pages to get back to the story. Less is more

This was the best, great-wrenching, glorious story! I bawled like a baby many times (that’s why you should read this in public!!!) and rejoiced in the love. Sad the book is now complete but all good things come to an end!

Good read with enough plots and adventures to hold your attention and keep you reading to find out what the end will hold.

This book is well written and one you won't want to put down. It's one you won't want to finish either. I really enjoyed these authors work and look forward to reading more of their books.

I absolutely loved this story and I disagree with the review another person left. It was not graphic sex scenes. In my opinion, the attraction they felt towards each other warranted the words expressed. Beautiful story and highly recommend. I am currently reading the second book in this series and so far it is another winner.

An excellent story with surprising twists. Well written. Encouraged thoughts of going to Provence. Loved the food detail and travel guide

Loved this second chance older romance!!Very believable story line, with great lead characters in Julia and Ryder!Wonderful detail in journey through Provence, which kept me enthralled right up to the climatic ending!Thoroughly recommend this lovely, easy read, romantic story!

This was a great read with twists and turns that surprised me. Loved the travelogue aspect of Provence which made for a Dre,ya backdrop. Have a read. All the feels.

What a story of how to define life, from loving to death, from friendship and jealousy, a rich tapestry illuminating.

Easy to read and kept the reader interested in what was happening. There were. Few curve balls so it made you want to not put it down.