When one bad decision makes you run away!

Synopsis

Note to self: don’t sleep with your flatmate after a curry and three bottles of wine… especially if he’s secretly in love with you and wants you to meet his mum.

Cat Parsons is on the run. She doesn’t do relationships. After ten years of singlehood even the hint of the ‘L’ word is enough to get Cat packing her bags and booking herself onto a two-week holiday.

A European bus tour feels like a stroke of genius to dodge awkward conversations at home. But little does Cat realise that the first stop will be Paris, the city of love itself. 

Joined by new friends, Cat has got two weeks, eight countries and a hell of a lot of wine ahead of her. As they discover hidden treasures and the camaraderie of life on the road, will Cat find a new way of looking at love? 

Discover the beauty of Europe’s most romantic cities in this uplifting and laugh-out-loud novel for fans of Samantha Parks, Alex Brown and Mandy Baggot

My review

After a bad break – up  10 years ago, Cat does not do relationships. So when after sleeping with her roommate, and he suddenly has high expectations, she sees no other option than escaping by booking a holiday.
She finds herself on an European bus tour, seeing the most important cities and places in 2 weeks.
New friendships are made and old friendships appear out of the blue on the first stop in Paris.

As a sister of tour guide in Italy, I found many resemblances with Cat. I could totally see myself in her as asking advice from her sister about some places, but also being on a coach for a rather long time and knowing how exhausting some trips can be.
But also being amazed when discovering places for the first time!

Recognizing partly myself in Cat, made me feel very connected with her. Even if she is resolute to never be in a relationship ever again seems rather a mission impossible.
She enjoys her life until she messes up with her roommate and does the easiest thing: just running away from it.
But this trip is so much more for her. Thanks to the amazing people she meets, she finds herself surrounded with persons that are different than herself, but make her come out of her shelf.

But the bit I liked the most was when Cat and Jean – Luc meet. In first instance they seem like 2 strangers, but when the truth comes out, I was just happy for them to have found each other by just sheer coincidence.
Despite being so many years apart, they feel that their bond has survived all those years.

Jean – Luc is just swoon – material. He’s kind, funny, understanding, caring. Just perfect!
And you feel instantly that there is some real relationship-potential between the two, but is Cat strong enough to put her absurd ideas aside and will she take the leap of faith?

Oh and I DEFINITELY need the address for that restaurant in Rome! The date taking place there was magical, and I need to go there ASAP!!!

An amazing story about finding new friends that will be lasting even after the holiday, correct past mistakes, taking a leap of faith. This all in amazing settings all over Europe.
This book made me long to revisit known places but also visit places I have not been yet!

Every bit of the story was perfect! Thanks Sandy for taking me on this journey!

Trust your instincts or not?

Synopsis

From the moment she met him, Ella Peterson had questions. As always, though, she’s too shy to ask. 

Older and sexy as hell, mysterious Adam Brook soon sweeps sheltered Ella off her feet; but is he as perfect as he appears to be, or is there more to him than he’s telling her? 

Ella’s world has already turned upside down after moving from England to rural Kansas. She and her sisters were hoping for a more secure future, but instead find that life can be tough when jobs are scarce and the stakes often higher than anticipated. 

When events spiral out of Ella’s control, she learns the person she needs to rely on most is herself and her instincts on who to trust in the future. 

It’s just that her instincts are screaming at her to trust Adam; it’s what he tells her that makes that a problem.

My review

Ella Peterson moved with her sisters from England to Kansas. Moving to another continent is hard as is it. But as Ella is a shy young woman, she finds it harder to find her way.
When at the market, trying to sell her eggs, she meets Adam Brook.
He and his friends also have a stand at the same market.

Immediately Ella feels herself drawn to him, as he is the sexiest man she has met. But he is also much older and is very mysterious.
The more she gets to know him, more questions she has. But as her instinct is telling him to trust her, will she trust her instinct or will she let facts speak louder and keep far away from him?

What when you fall in love with someone but he’s a whole other person? And despite everything you found out, you have this feeling that when it come to you and him, you can completely trust him?
Will this fact be enough? Or will the realization that you live totally different worlds will be what will tear you apart?
This dilemma is the one most important thing that kept me reading.

From the first instance we get a glimpse of Adam, I sensed that there was something dodgy about him. But was just being me very wary? Or was my gut instinct right?
The way he treats Ella is wonderful, of course. He’s a real prince charming, trying to help her out however he can. And even if there is a big age difference, the feelings are real.
But the further I got into the story the more my fears grew.
Yes, he’s amazing towards Ella, but you get some glimpses that even Ella cannot ignore.

Ella is a young woman, and being the youngest sibling made her a bit otherworldly. Her father was very protective towards her, making her have lived her life in a safe place. So when she finds herself in situations that are out of control, she finds herself trusting Adam.
But slowly you see Ella grow to a woman understanding the different faces of people. From being a bit in too deep, Ella stands up for herself and is trying to figure out when too much to handle and digest is truly too much.

So a beautiful story about first love, but also about seeing people behind their masks. And making the right decision for YOU and not just to please someone.
A story about growing up and stand up for yourself. And that sometimes some things are just too hard to overcome.
And as this is only the first part, I’m looking forward to know how Ella her story will evolve even more!

A teenager at a crossroad…

Synopsis

Cecily has always had a huge crush on singer Andrew Holiday and she wants to be an actress, so she tags along when her friend auditions for his new video. However, the director isn’t looking for an actress, but rather the girl next door—and so is Andrew. Cecily gets a part in the video and all of Andrew’s attention on the set. Her friend begins to see red and Cecily’s boyfriend is seeing green—as in major jealousy. A misunderstanding leaves Cecily and her boyfriend on the outs and Andrew hopes to pick up the pieces as he’s looking for someone more stable in his life than the models he’s dated. Soon Cecily begins to realize Andrew understands her more than her small-town boyfriend—but can her perfect love match really be her favorite rock star?

My review

Cecily is a happy teenager. She loves her parents, has a bunch of friends, and she has Zach as a boyfriend. Oh yes, and she has a major crush on singer Andrew Holiday.

When the opportunity appears to be cast as an extra in his latest music video, she cannot imagine she will finally meet her idol…

But the meeting exceeds her expectations as she realizes Andrew and she have so much in common!
She gets his songs and what he is trying to tell with them. And Andrew is relieved to have found someone who just accepts him as he is. With Cecily, he doesn’t have to pretend at all!
Both of them share the same interests and they fins to enjoy each other’s company.
But Cecily still has a boyfriend and of course it’s impossible that Andrew really likes her, right?

I truly enjoyed ready this first part!
Cecily is so down to earth. She is also not the typical high school girl. Often in such stories, it’s the head cheerleader or some other popular girl getting the lead.
But having an average girl, with her own insecurities as a main character was really great to read about!

Being a teenager, she somehow even manages to appear very mature for her age.
The way she handles her insecurities concerning Zach are admirable.
And when she received all that attention from Andrew, it’s easy to get carried away. But she remains loyal towards her boyfriend Zach and remains down to earth.

Andrew is obviously mature for other reasons. Being a famous singer, means that he had to grow up faster than other people. But being famous means also being around people with lesser good attentions. So when he meets Cecily, it’s like a breath of fresh air. He likes her honesty and  connects with her on a higher level.

An amazing story about meeting someone so different than you, but with a connection that is hard to ignore.
Also the innocence of it all is refreshing to read. Meaning that in a story there are way too often some sexual innuendos. But here, it’s all sweet and innocent and that makes it even more real.

I smiled a lot while I was reading this story and I cannot wait to read more about Cecily and Andrew! Because let’s face the truth, reading about how a simple girl and her idol meeting, isn’t that everyone of us once wished for?

A chance for following the dream!

Synopsis

When Maisie accepts a celebrated author’s invitation to mentor her, she finds herself leaving Cornwall behind on train tracks bound for the glitter city of Paris. Instead of making beds and serving coffee at the Penmarrow hotel in Cornwall, she’s making notes on her manuscript while sitting in a French cafe, meeting famous writers at private dinner parties, and trying to ferret the secrets behind the author’s unfinished future novel. It’s glamorous, it’s breathtaking … but it’s also an ocean channel away from the place that she loves, and, more importantly, the person to whom she just recently confessed her deepest feelings. Separated from Sidney by distance and circumstances, Maisie fears that their connection will be lost despite her words to him – and maybe because of those words, and the ones she didn’t allow him to say in return.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of things in her new life trying to distract her – the professional editor hired to critique her novel, the eager young literary agent who sees pie-in-the-sky potential for Maisie’s talent, but Maisie finds solace in the eclectic group of amateur writers into whose midst she finds herself by accident. Their critique and advice is fast becoming as important as the editors – maybe even more important than the published author Maisie believed held the keys to refining her skill.  

But it’s missing Sidney that fills Maisie’s thoughts the most, along with her life back in Port Hewer, and she can’t stop wondering whether his feelings are the same as her own. His unspoken answer has become one of the most important pieces of her life, even as she struggles to match the pace of her new life and keep her dreams in sight. And when she unwittingly becomes privy to a seeming literary conspiracy, she must decide what to do in light of its truth – and decide what’s most important in her quest to become a professional writer.

Join Maisie in a whirlwind tour across two of the world’s greatest cities, filled with questions, dreams, and a chance for fame that she believed far beyond her grasp, as she discovers herself as a writer, and how to embrace an unexpected future on her own terms.

My review

Maisie feels her dream is finally coming true! After meeting her favorite author, she jumps at the opportunity to spend time in Paris.
Here she continues writing her manuscript, but also meets a lot of interesting people.
Sometimes she feels out of her depth, but when she meets a bunch of amateur writers, she finds herself at ease.
Despite living the dream, she misses Sidney terribly. Her feelings are clear for her, but does Sidney feels the same? And will they have a chance or is this new chapter in her life the end of Maisie ad Sidney?

This story was a bit different compared with the previous part of this series. While previously there were tender sweet parts with Sidney, this book truly focuses on Maisie alone.

Maisie obviously couldn’t skip this once in a lifetime opportunity. The way she feels during her adventure, are feelings how I exactly imagined them.
Finding yourself in a strange city, with people you don’t know, can be frightening. But it’s admirable how she tries to make the best of it.
Even when she feels awkward, she does not show it, and just goes with the flow.

A silver lining is there when she meets the amateur writers. They are a bunch of people with no real expectations (with exception one…) but they welcome Maisie in their team.
She finds herself at ease, and I felt relieved that at least she had found some people to relate with.

Overall, this story made me feeling initially happy for Maisie, but sometimes I felt sorry for her. I hoped that soon she would find her groove back.
And it was lovely to see how she continued writing Sidney and how she did not forget about him.
But I was a bit disappointed in Sidney’s behavior… I expected more from him, but I suppose that there will be more in the next part of the series!

A great continuation of the series and I will be looking forward to the next part! Because I have to know how the story of Maisie and Sidney will evolve!!!

Another turn pager which keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat!

Synopsis

Kate O’Brien is pure dedication; she believes in the justice system. This feisty, no-nonsense attorney works herself to the bone every day, tirelessly building her reputation and career. She is on the path to being a legal star. That is until her corrupt law partner, Bill Brown, a criminal defense attorney, achieves a degree of notoriety which attracts the interest of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

When the inconceivable happens, Bill is arrested, charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking and money laundering leaving the law firm in chaos. As Kate slowly digs her way out, what she finds sends her down a dark path that could lead to her imprisonment or death. Bill has meticulously set her up to pay for his malevolent crimes. His cohorts, fearing she knows too much, have marked her for death. Can she stay ahead of the FBI and unravel crimes that reach as far as China and Russia? Or will she need to assume a new identity to save her own life?

A fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Suspenseful crime fiction with twists and turns throughout this masterfully plotted novel keeps you on the edge of your seat. It may be read as a standalone and serves as the first book in the series, A Conspiracy of Betrayal.

My review

Kate O’Brien is an attorney who shares her practice with Bill Brown. While Kate focuses on family – law, Bill is more focused on more criminal related cases.
As a favor to Bill, she agrees to represent the wife of a wealthy surgeon, accused of murder.

What starts as a favor, quickly deteriorates for the worse. Her client isn’t cooperative and Bill is unreachable. Kate has no other option than keeping the case, even if she is not familiar with such cases.
When Bill is arrested, she finds out that Bill was in more illegal affairs than just drugs… he set her also up making it seem she was involved with all his activities.
Will she be able to prove her innocence? And most important, staying alive now it seems someone is after her…

She did it again, writing a story where you have no idea through the whole story what is going on, until the very end…
I started reading this in a lazy mood, thinking I would be able to put it away when it was time. Well, I should have thought better!
I found myself wanting to know what was really going on. Just like Kate, I did not have a clue!

When we meet Kate for the first time, we get instantly an idea what she is like. She is good at her job, and sometimes even let other people (read: Bill) get advantage of her.
But she is also feisty, as you will figure out during the story. She cannot stand injustice and believes that you are innocent until proven guilty. But unfortunately not everybody follows this rule.

This story is again a twist after twist. You have no idea where it all will end and what extend the wickedness of people reaches.
It’s again a thriller in its true sense, you have no clue what is going on and you find yourself turning page after page, because you must know what happens next and when the truth will be unfolded.

When a rather unwelcome visitor brings unexpected chances…

Synopsis

When Laura’s bride-to-be sister, Polly, organises a surprise reunion for her fiancé and his long lost American friend, Laura grudgingly agrees to help keep the secret. And when the plain-spoken, larger-than-life Hunter McQueen steps off the bus in her rainy Devon town and only just squeezes into her tiny car, it confirms that Laura has made a big mistake in going along with her sister’s crazy plan. 

But could the tall, handsome man with the Nashville drawl be just what reserved Laura Williams needs to shake up her life and start something new?

My review

Polly wants to surprise her fiancé with a visit from his old from Hunter. So she asks her sister Laura to go picking Hunter up at the bus station and let him stay at her place for a few days.
How can Laura say “no” to her little sister?

When Laura and Hunter meet, it’s rather obvious they couldn’t be more different. Hunter is social, nice and ready to flirt with everyone. And of course he is American.
Laura is not an unpleasant woman, but she has been through so much, that now she is more an introvert person, and not keen on making simple chit – chat.
Will their differences be a catalyst for something worst? Or is it true that opposites attract?

What a funny, sweet story to read!
Laura and Hunter are so different people, that you are just waiting that everything will combust.
But the further you read in the story, Laura is more than just a quiet girl. The way she retort when Hunter makes one of his jokes, shows that still waters run deep.
She is also a caring sister to Polly. Even if she does not agree with Polly getting married, she goes along with the preparations.

Hunter is the total opposite of Laura. But looks can be deceiving. Because there is a dark secret, that also involves Polly’s fiancé. And going to the wedding he sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself.

Laura and Hunter together was a recipe for chaos, but somehow they are able to bring out the best  in each other.
They start as total strangers but the more time they spend together, they feel they can open up towards each other and are able to spill out their secrets.

A lovely story to read, about how a single encounter make you realize what you want and what you are missing out. And sometimes a single encounter is all what you need to take the reins of your life back in hands and dare to take a leap of faith!

Time for promoting this book!

Synopsis

On Christmas Eve 1969, a letter from Australia House, London, brings welcome news for newly-weds Anna and Joseph Fletcher.

Young and idealistic, Anna falls passionately in love with their adopted land. Seven months later, an unexpected event causes their life to take a stressful turn.

Years pass, and Anna retreats to a fictional world she has created. But when a different challenge presents itself, does she have the courage to take the risk… or will she take refuge in fantasy?

Purchase Links 

http://mybook.to/aqoc

About the author

Originally from England, Sue worked in university libraries until taking early retirement in 2008 to concentrate on creative writing. Since then she has written short stories, articles, poetry, a short TV drama script and seven novels: 

Sannah and the Pilgrim, first in a trilogy of a future dystopian Australia focusing on climate change and the harsh treatment of refugees from drowned Pacific islands. Odyssey Books, 2014. Commended in the FAW Christina Stead Award, 2014.  Pia and the Skyman, Odyssey Books, 2016.  Commended in the FAW Christina Stead Award, 2016. The Sky Lines Alliance, Odyssey Books, 2016. 

Chrysalis, the story of a perceptive girl growing up in a Quaker family in swinging sixties’ Britain. Morning Star Press, 2017 

Re-Navigation recounts a life turned upside down when forty-year old Julia journeys from the sanctuary of middle-class Australian suburbia to undertake a retreat at a college located on an isolated Welsh island. Creativia Publishing, 2019.

Feed Thy Enemy, based on Sue’s father’s experiences, is an account of courage and compassion in the face of trauma as a British airman embarks on a plan that risks all to feed a starving, war-stricken family. Creativia Publishing, 2019.

A Question of Country explores the migrant experience through the protagonist’s lifelong search for meaningful identity. Next Chapter (formerly Creativia Publishing), 2020. 

Sue’s current project, working title: Twenty-eight Days, first in The Doorkeeper series, is set in Southern Australia in 2100. It deals with overpopulation and extended life expectancy in an increasingly climate-challenged world and the inhumane solutions adopted by a government determined to rid Australia of unproductive citizens. 

Passionate about peace and social justice issues, Sue’s goal as a fiction writer is to continue writing novels that address topics such as climate change, the effects of war, the treatment of refugees, feminism and racism.  Sue intends to keep on writing for as long as possible, believing the extensive life experiences of older writers can be employed to engage readers of all ages.

Social Media Links – website: www.sueparritt.com. www. http://facebook.com/SueParrittAuthor

Synopsis

Protected by The Beast

Undone by the man

Racing cross-country pursued by danger, widow Lady EllenaSwein isn’t pleased to be taken back to her father’s castle. But with his knight Sir Braedan Leofric, also known as The Beast, as her captor, she has little choice! Ellena is surprised by his honourable and protective nature, even if she shouldn’t trust him. And when all seems to conspire against them, Braedan’ssecret could either extinguish the spark between them or make it burn brighter.

My review

Ellena Swein is happily in charge of her castle after the death of her husband. Not a lot of love has gone lost there, so Ellena is determined to never marry again.
But her father has other plans as he wants to expand his territory. So he asks his best knight, Sir Braedan Leofric to bring her back home.

As Sir Braedan has a nickname as The Beast, Ellena sees him more as her brutal captor and not as someone who wats to bring her home safely.

The journey to the castle is more dangerous than she thought, as there are men with not so honorable motives who want to capture Ellena…
But she has Sir Braedan on her side, and she is surprised by his protectiveness and his resolution to bring her safely home.
During their journey they let down their guard (only towards each other 😀)  and they realize there is a spark which seems impossible to ignore. But Sir Braedan has a secret that will pull them apart… or not?

Talking about an Alpha- male!!! Braedan made me swoon all over the place! Initially he seems like a brute, commanding Ellena around and not taking ‘no’ for an answer. He is in charge and shows it!
But he is also a focused man, not letting anything jeopardize his task.
The moment we get to know him better, we soon realize that his nickname The Beast is an exaggeration and that in real life he is a caring man, carrying the burden of the past with him.

Ellena is also a strong independent woman. Her marriage was not what she expected. But after her husband died, she took hold of the reins and is not giving up for what she fought so hard.
She also wants to keep her independence and is ready to go against her father’s wishes to marry again.

These 2 stubborn people clash more than actually have an understanding. But slowly, when they realize they will have to work together, they see they have more in common. And when their noses point in the same direction, they are a team not to be underestimated.

What I truly liked about this story is how 2 apparently different people find some common ground. Hard times make people come together and fight against a common enemy.
Their situation makes sure that they open to each other. Their bond is also the catalyst for doing some inner search, trying to figure out what they want but also how they can compromise.
Because in life you cannot have everything your way. Sometimes to have to give up a little bit for the greater picture.

An amazing story about 2 strong personalities finding each other in times of need!  It was a pleasure reading it!

Looks can be deceiving!

Synopsis

His heart is a fortress… And she’s trespassing!
After losing all he holds dear in a horrific fire, Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, shuns the world—until he catches Effie Nithercott digging holes on his estate! He banishes the intrepid archaeologist and the unsettled feelings she rouses within him. But she returns even more determined and infuriatingly desirable than before! He wonders just how deep she’s prepared to dig—so far she’ll reach the man beneath his scars?

My review

Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, has been through a lot. After he has been scarred for life, he lost his passion of the sea, he lost his fiancée and people are just scared of him.
So now he hides on his estate and doesn’t want to be bothered by anyone.

But Effie Nithercott has a mission and she will go against his wishes! She is an archaeologist and she just knows that there are real treasures hidden on Max’ estate and just keep digging holes in the ground.

Max is determined to chase Effie away, but Effie is stubbornly refusing to leave. Who will claim victory?

I’ve read several books of Virginia Heath, so I kind of knew what to expect. But this one just stands out as the best one (until she writes even better ones!).
Both Effie and Max are stubborn people not letting someone else dictate them.

Max is reclusive for the obvious reasons. Being scarred, he has seen too many people just looking at the scars and nothing more. And some people are just terrible, as covering children’s’ eyes.
He is certain that nobody sees further than the scars, with of course the exception of his family.
But is he truly the bully he seems to be once you get to know him better?

The way Max invents new names for Effie is hilarious, and it shows that Max is more ‘human’ than we think.
He is a gentle man, thinking about Effie’s welfare and worries of her being outside on her own.
But he is also funny, something you wouldn’t expect at all.

Effie is tired carrying the “burden” of being a woman. She is an intelligent woman, making extraordinary discoveries. But because she is a woman, people do not take her in account. So she is determined to make her voice count!

This pair was just what I needed! They have both their own reasons for mistrusting people, but when they are together they accept each other how they are without any judgment.
A beautiful story about how the inner beauty and intelligence it what truly matters. And that accepting the other just the way he or she is, is what loving someone means.

Escapism to the Highlands!

Synopsis

Escape to the Highland Coral Beach – where broken hearts can be healed

Beatrice Halliday needs a break from life. Booking a trip to the Highlands on a whim, Beatrice hopes learning Gaelic in a beautiful Scottish village might help her heal her grief after losing her baby, her husband and her much loved job in a space of months.

But Port Willow Bay isn’t exactly as the website promised. Instead of learning a new language, she’s booked in to learn the ancient skill of willow weaving, her hotel room is Princess and the Pea themed (with a stack of mattresses for her bed!) and worse still, her tutor is Atholl Fergusson, grumpy landlord of the hotel where Beatrice is staying – and she’s the only one doing the course.

But as Beatrice finds herself falling in love with Port Willow Bay and its people, and as she discovers the kind heart beneath Atholl’s stony exterior, can she really leave?

Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands with this utterly romantic, feelgood book; one visit to Port Willow Bay and you’ll want to come back! Fans of Sarah Morgan, Carole Matthews and Holly Martin will be captivated.

My review

Beatrice is mourning… the best way to cope with it, is booking on a whim a holiday to the Highlands. To clear her mind, she wats to take classes to learn Gaelic. She wants to stop thinking about the loss of her beloved baby and the separation of her husband.

Arriving in Port Willow in Scotland, she soon realizes that her holiday/escape is not how she imagined! Instead of following a course of Gaelic, she finds herself booked in the skill of willow weaving with grumpy Atholl Fergusson.

Despite her initial dislike of her whole holiday, she soon starts to fall in love with the place and its people. Will this holiday be the place she needed to find to process her losses? And is Atholl really just a grumpy man or is he also what Beatrice needs?

This book is just wow… Beatice is going through so much. Slowly we get to know her better, and she opens up to the people around her. but of course this isn’t without any struggle.

From the very beginning you sense that she suffered a great loss. But the hows and whats aren’t very clear.
It’s not only losing her baby that got her on a breakdown, but also the aftermath have left her no other option than a quick escape.
She realizes she is not being herself and acting out on people. She knows she has to change to her former self, but it’s easier said than done.

The minor stories give Beatrice a purpose. So she makes it her goal to help out Gene and Kitty. And also the other people she meet, have their own story, making Beatrice feel more at home.
Thanks to all the kind people, Beatrice starts to feel better each day that passes. She learns new things she never imagined doing.

Also the relationship with Atholl develop for the better. In first instance there is a real dislike towards each other. It even causes Beatrice some real scares. But Atholl is man enough to realize his mistake and is not afraid to apologize.
We also get to know Atholl better and as often, behind the grumpy man is a man who really cares about his brother and is really a nice man. He senses that Beatrice is having a hard time and gives her all the space and time she needs, but also pushes her to go explore things she never thought of.

I felt happiness when Beatrice was finding herself again and allowed herself to move on. And the way Atholl is helping her, and goes the extra length for her, made me all mushy!

It’s heartwarming to see how a community and even totally strangers open their arms and hearts to you, and are prepared to help you process the hard past.
This story shows you also that everyone has a own way of handling grieve, and that there is no strict timeline to know when you can move on.