What is your real dream?

Synopsis

There’s a million reasons why I should give you up, but the heart wants what it wants.”

Pierre would give anything not to be falling in Love right now.

A free spirit who makes her own way in life, changing hair colours, tie-dyed skirts and hand painted wellies, she writes funny-wise-honest messages for greeting cards. Even her name is unusual for a girl.

After her last commitment-phobic boyfriend, Pierre promised herself never ever to fall for anyone unless he’s 100% available.

So why can’t she stay away from the wrong man? He’s not hers. Even if he’s in a destructive relationship. Even if he is funny, affectionate, warm, intelligent and talented. Even if he looks like the answer to all her dreams. Some dreams were clearly meant to stay out of reach, right? There’s a million reasons they should stay away from each other…

***** Must read. Fantastic series. Made me laugh and cry. The characters and scenery made me fall in love. Cannot wait for the next book.

*****  Wonderful. Another brilliant book in this series, I enjoyed every word and it is always a pleasure to spend time on the island. Wonderful writing, I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

My review

After her last serious relationship ended badly, Pierre promised herself to never ever fall in love again with a man who isn’t in for the full 100%. However, when the photographer of Millie’s wedding appears to be someone she already met, can she hold on to that resolution? Because Pierre for sure is an excentric person, not afraid to dye her hair in any colour of the rainbow, and is artistic in a unique way, as she loves painting her own wellies in a typical Pierre – way. Yet when she met Gabriel three years ago, there was already something palpable between them. And seeing Gabriel back, Pierre only gets the confirmation that in fact he is a gentle, talented, funny and warm. But he is also in a relationship, with the wedding planner of all people. And even if that relationship is anything but healthy, Pierre tries to not admit what she is starting to feel for him…

What a delight it was to return to La Canette! And I loved it that this story is taking place around the same time that ‘Unwanted Bride’ is taking place, as we can see what is happening to other characters and have more insights.

I knew from the previous books in the series that Pierre is something special, someone unique. And I just couldn’t wait to get to know this wonderful woman a lot better!

While it would be easy to see Pierre as a confident woman (because not everyone would have her courage to go 100 different directions with her hair), it becomes rather quickly clear that in fact, it is just a façade. I am not saying that Pierre is showing a complete different side to people than who she in fact is, but it is more of not letting anyone see *all* her sides. She uses the colours in her life to express herself, but also to not let anyone see what her fears and doubts are.

Because she for sure has them, and her last relationship obviously made those doubts and fears grow bigger. And to make it even worse, it also made her somehow forget about her real dreams. Instead she is settling in doing jobs that yes, she likes, but that don’t thrill her.

As a reader, I cannot deny that I couldn’t identify myself with Pierre. Of course there are aspects that we have in common, and there I felt a connection with her. But even if we are very different, I have to say that if Pierre were a real person, she and I would truly become friends. Because she is that kind of person, to easily befriend. Even if there are moments where it felt like she is a people – pleaser, she is also the kind of person to stand by your side without any hesitation.

In this part of the series, we see how Pierre is trying to figure out where her future lays, what her real dreams truly are. And it saddened me, to see her so at loss… Because Pierre deserves it to follow her dreams, if she knows what they are, and she deserves to find her happiness.

Happiness that doesn’t come easy for her… Especially when Gabriel (re)enters the scene…

I was a bit scared that the instant connection between Pierre and Gabriel would have completely evaporated in the present. Or perhaps exaggerated in both minds.

But I shouldn’t have feared, because once Gabriel is back, sparks start to fly around! So I was even angry, reading that Gabriel wasn’t on the market anymore. And I could live with the fact if it was truly a match made in heaven. But seeing him together with Nicole, of all people, that was something I just couldn’t comprehend…

Gabriel is not only a talented photographer, with an amazing eye for taking the perfect picture, but he is also a warm, gentle, kind person. He also has a great sense of humour, matching perfectly Pierre’s sense of humour.

However, no matter how perfect Pierre and Gabriel would be together, I liked it how their friendship evolved, without ever crossing a line. And while that for a reader is very frustrating, if they would just give in, it would taint the whole story for me, as they are just not that kind of people.

In this story, we see how not only Pierre, but also Gabriel are trying to understand what their dreams truly are. And if the path they have chosen previously is the path that they should continue following. Or is it time to go a different direction?

This book is a real journey, of understanding, learning, appreciating the environment too. With the story taking place in a world, or rather island, that we already know, it was not only a great return to a great place, but it was also a great reencounter with the people that we have already met previously and I was ready to get embraced by them all once again!

Compared to the other books, this one for sure didn’t have to pay the repetitive price! It was a great next instalment of a great series that captured my heart!