What an up-and-down book.

Pam certainly knows how to keep her fans happy,

It was great to be back with Roy and the Raiders. Also in this mix, Livvy Grant has a bigger part and she is making a right nuisance of herself.

This is the last series in this wonderful set of books and it kept me enthralled. I didn't want to put it down and caught myself sneaking back to it to see what was going to happen next
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I have read all of Pam's books and loved them all but, this series is my favourite.

Loads of laughter has me thinking this is the perfect series! There is also tear shedding moments that had me reaching for the tissues. I love that Olivia never loses hope for a brighter future.

Dreams on Mersey Square by Pam Howes takes us back to the final chapter of this saga. It seems as if Livvy is out of Roy’s life for good. The only fly in the honey is that they can’t all fit in Sammy’s cottage. Jack and Harley would be having twins shortly and Jack was still in school, so they were still at the cottage. Plus, Roy’s two little boys. Livvy was coming back to Manchester soon to see them and who knew what kind of problems that would bring. They needed to build an extension to the house. Well, Libby arrived, with a new husband. He seemed like a good guy. He was the drummer in her band, Juice, and a widower. He looked at Livvy with love, but Sammy and Roy trusted nothing. Harley had gotten past the leukemia scare and was ready to welcome her babies and her mother.

As always, this is a plethora of problems. Just when one thinks there is nothing more that could go wrong, something does. Roy and Sammy are getting older and the boys were full of energy. Jon and Jess seemed on solid ground after some disagreements about fostering a child. Eddie and Jane were solid as a rock. Life was good. Everybody was getting older and some were getting wiser, but who knew what the next wind would blow in? Excellent characters, interesting dilemmas, and a never ending string of problems make this a most entertaining saga. Thanks, Pam Howe.

I was invited to read this book by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #PamHowes #DreamsOnMerseySquare

Dreams on Mersey Square by Pam Howes is the fifth book in the Mersey Square Series. I suggest reading the books in order. This is the last book in the series; it’s like saying goodbye to your friends at graduation. Olivia is still annoying and unlikeable. Sammy is a push over, but she loves her children first and foremost. I’m sad that this series is over, but I am looking forward to more books by this author.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is yet another great book in the Mersey Square series by Pam Howes.The lives of the Cantello's and Mellors carry on with their ups and downs.Roy has had an affair with Olivia which does not go down well with Sammy.Thank.you Netgalley and Bookouture.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The last book in the series, is another great read.

The story has you hooked from beginning to end.

I recommend this book.

This is a review for the three Mersey Square novels out in January 2024
I love Pam Howes' series as the characters become sort of book friends and I root and feel for them.
This is a new to me series and I like to read about life after war, the rocker and how it was going to change.
All Mersey Square novels are moving and entertaining, features a cast of well thought characters and a vivid historical background.
I was moved, rooted for the characters, and travelled in time to a a different age even if I was old enough to attend university.
Highly Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Singer Olivia Grant has recently separated from the father of her two small boys and knows that the best place for her children is with their mother. She has a beautiful home in America, and wants to give her sons the childhood she never had, even though their father Roy is unhappy about them living so far away. Olivia is sure she is doing the right thing for her children, she takes them for a visit. As the boys play in the pool and soak up the sun, she knows she's made a good choice. After so much hardship, this is the life they all deserve. But when Roy realises his boys are gone, he's devastated and vows never to let Olivia see them any more.

It's quite bittersweet that this is the last book in the series. There are some hard hitting events taking place. All the familiar character are back, and we get a roller coaster ride throughout this book. I had my favourite characters, and Livvy was definitely not one of them. She is a conniving control freak who sets her sights on something (usually Roy) and doesn't care who she hurts in the process. Once again, my heart went out to Sammy, but not for the usual reasons. Harley has had a hard time too. How much more can that young girl take? I wish there was going to be another book in this series, as I would have liked to know more about how some of the younger characters progressed. This is a gripping read, a fantastic series, but to me, there were a lot of loose ends left dangling that I would have liked to know what happened to them.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #PamHowes for my ARC of #DreamsOnMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly the last in this wonderful series, book five is full of wholesome goodness and brought tears to my eyes reading the chapters. As always family always come first for these characters Roy and Eddie as their loved ones all have troubles and strives but come bouncing back again. I loved every one in this series but this book broke my heart in two its definitely a series you can read over and over again. A perfect end a wonderful book that I truly will keep in my heart, well done to this amazing author.

I really enjoy books by Pam Howes and this serious didn't disappoint, i look forward to reading more by this author.

An irresistible slice of escapism and a joy to read. Compelling, absorbing and highly entertaining. Fast-moving and fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When tragedy strikes, she'll need her friends to help her through...

Not sure who that tagline refers to - Sammy, Harley or Livvy - as they all need the support of their family and friends given what they all endure this time around. Many readers gave up on this series after the third book and I can kind of see why but like a train wreck you really can't look away. It's so addictive on a soap opera scale! And quite frankly, despite some of what's happened over the course of the series, I have grown rather fond of the Mellors and the Cantellos...and picking up another in the series was like reuniting with old friends. The entire series was almost 5 star except for the third book which took something of a different direction that even I found a little nauseating as well as frustrating.

DREAMS ON MERSEY SQUARE is the last in this series and admittedly, despite everything, I will miss being their company and rooting for them from the sidelines. But it also takes on a whole other direction that really could only end in tears. And despite my inward yelling at some of the characters and frustrations, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I have the whole series.

After being jilted at the altar by Roy Cantello on their wedding day when he went into a panic attack at the prospect of his future with her, Livvy Grant has shared custody of their two young sons with Roy and Sammy taking care of them while Livvy toured with her band. But now she is back. And she has news. And she also knows that the best place for her boys is with her. With her beautiful home in America, she plans to relocate there with her children and her new husband.

When Roy gets wind of Livvy's plans, he seeks legal advice and refuses to give his permission for her to take the boys out of the country. But Livvy knows what's best for her children and that is with her back in America...and away from the constant reminder of what she lost. The love of her life, Roy Cantello. And so she makes a snap decision, taking the boys to America with her for the week with the plan to be back in the UK before Roy finds out. They are her boys, after all. But Roy does find out...when trying to make contact with Livvy when tragedy strikes at home. And he's not a happy bunny.

OK, so Roy was an idiot for sleeping with the blonde Glaswegian nymphomaniac. Not once, not twice, but several times. To the point he was about to marry her! But Sammy has been his soulmate from the moment he first laid eyes on her as a teenager almost five decades ago. And she always will be. Whatever happens, he always goes back to Sammy. And she him. Some people think she's just as much an idiot for taking him back. But they have history. Lots of history.

Livvy was an opportunist who saw her chance and she made it her mission to bed Roy from the moment she set eyes on him. No matter what the cost. I hated her from the first moment she sashayed her way into Flanagan and Grey's, and into Roy's life. She is nothing but a manipulative, devious cow. And from her introduction in book 3, she only gets worse. In this one, she takes the cake. In fact, she wanted her cake and to eat it too. And then when things start going awry for her, "it's all Roy's fault!" or "It's all Sheena's fault!" or "It's all Jon's fault!" Not once does the woman take responsibility for the damage she has caused everyone - including her children. Her constant tirade with herself as the victim was exhausting. I wanted to slap her, strangle her and throw her from a speeding train. Me, me, me is all you ever hear from her. Never a thought for her children or anyone else for that matter. Even her longtime best friend suffered her wrath. Like I said, this could only end in tears.

By the book's end, we have closure on the saga that became a soap opera of sorts though I was left wondering about Harley. There were a few questions raised at the end about Harley's withdrawing despite having made some progress previously and I had to wonder...did she hear what went on downstairs one that one particular night? I felt like there were a few unanswered questions in that regard but on the whole, it was a satisfactorily happy end to a chapter that is now firmly closed. And despite some of the content (some of which was questionable to say the least...lol) I thoroughly enjoyed my journey alongside the Mellors and the Cantellos. And despite his lothario ways, I did have a soft spot for Roy.

I am sad to have to bid farewell to them all. I just might have to re-visit them some time in the future...although that means Livvy as well. And can I stomach any more of her antics? Probably since I know how it all ends anyway. A thoroughly entertaining and addictive read from start (from the late 50s) to finish (in the noughties).

For those wishing to read the series (in order):
1. The Girls of Mersey Square (previously That'll Be the Day)
2. The Mothers of Mersey Square (previously Three Steps to Heaven)
3. The Daughters of Mersey Square (previously 'Til I Kissed You)
4. Secrets of Mersey Square (previously Always on my Mind)
5. Dreams on Mersey Square (previously Not Fade Away)

I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #DreamsOnMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.,/b>

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The fifth book in the Mersey square series and again like the previous books it’s a great read. I did at times have to take a minute to remind myself who all the characters were and how they were connected to each other, as there are quite a lot of them. It didn’t in anyway take away from my enjoyment of reading this book. It’s an excellent family saga and whilst it’s an easy read it had me gripped the whole time . I’m not going to say too much as it’s difficult to review without giving away spoilers . All in all this for me was another great addition to this series .