PEMBROKESHIRE mum Amanda Montague has been penning short stories since her youth, but it took a vivid dream to act as the catalyst for the 52-year-old to finally expand her work into a full-blown novel.

Since its recent release, The Designer Shoe Shop by the Sea has attracted five-star reviews from captivated critics. The story follows the fortunes of heartbroken 20-something Cara as she attempts to rebuild her life.

Readers have described Amanda’s new romantic novel as ‘an absolute delight’, ‘a cosy romance’ and ‘a little gem’.

But the mother-of-three from Pembroke admits the outline for her absorbing storyline came to her in a dream.

Amanda, whose own favourite authors include Tracey Rees, Anne Rice and Holly Hepburn, said: “I know it’s a cliché, but I remembered the scene - where Lucca asks Cara out on a date - completely when I woke, so I wrote it down, and the story developed.”

Exploring themes of trust and love, The Designer Shoe Shop by the Sea is more than just another beach romance. Amanda explained: “The Designer Shoe Shop by the Sea is about having your heart broken, then learning to trust again.

“It’s about being totally swept off your feet without expecting it and daring to find your happy ever after. It's also about finding what's important to you and trusting your instincts.”

The former paddle-boarding business owner revealed the book’s cinematic quality is intentional: “I wrote the book like it was a film, seeing each scene in my mind’s eye - even who would play each character.”

Despite the warm reception for The Designer Shoe Shop by the Sea on its release, Amanda has no plans for a sequel.

For more information, visit Amazon and search for Amanda Montague, where the paperback and Kindle versions of The Designer Shoe Shop by the Sea are available.