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A Winter Dream
The #1 bestselling author of The Christmas Box and master of the holiday novel reimagines the biblical story of Joseph and the coat of many colors, presenting an inspiring modern story of family and forgiveness.
Joseph Jacobson is the twelfth of thirteen siblings, all of whom are employed by their father’s successful Colorado advertising company. But underneath the success runs a poisonous undercurrent of jealousy; Joseph is his father’s favorite and the focus of his brothers’ envy and hatred. When the father seems ready to anoint Joseph as his heir, the brothers make their move, forcing Joseph from the company and his Denver home, severing his ties to his parents and ending his relationship with his soon-to-be fianceé. Alone and lonely, Joseph must start a new life.
Joseph joins a Chicago advertising agency where his creativity helps him advance high up in the company. He also finds hope for a lasting love with April, a kind woman with a secret. However, all secrets hold consequences, and when Joseph learns the truth about April’s past, his world is again turned upside down. Finally, Joseph must confront his own difficult past in order to make his dreams for the future come true.
Joseph Jacobson is the twelfth of thirteen siblings, all of whom are employed by their father’s successful Colorado advertising company. But underneath the success runs a poisonous undercurrent of jealousy; Joseph is his father’s favorite and the focus of his brothers’ envy and hatred. When the father seems ready to anoint Joseph as his heir, the brothers make their move, forcing Joseph from the company and his Denver home, severing his ties to his parents and ending his relationship with his soon-to-be fianceé. Alone and lonely, Joseph must start a new life.
Joseph joins a Chicago advertising agency where his creativity helps him advance high up in the company. He also finds hope for a lasting love with April, a kind woman with a secret. However, all secrets hold consequences, and when Joseph learns the truth about April’s past, his world is again turned upside down. Finally, Joseph must confront his own difficult past in order to make his dreams for the future come true.
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First published October 30, 2012
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About the author
Richard Paul Evans
225 books6,441 followersWhen Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written eleven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is one the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won several awards for his books including the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 841 reviews
November 3, 2012
I usually really like Richard Paul Evans' books. And I was genuinely looking forward to this one. I was anxious to see what he could do with a retelling of the Joseph of Egypt story. I was disappointed.
It was almost as if he were rushing to get the story told. Maybe he had a quick deadline. It read like a fact sheet instead of a story of man who was pushed out of his family. There was no time spent on the grief Joseph Jacobson must have felt as he realized his brothers were banishing him from his entire family and other disappointments he faced. There was hardly any time spent on the conflict that Joseph must have felt when his brothers return, hoping for some help from the brother they betrayed. Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" with all it's humor, at least treated that moment with the poignancy it deserved
"A Winter Dream" just lacked emotion. It got so I was reading only to see how Evans included elements of the original story from the bible into modern day.
This could have been so much more.
It was almost as if he were rushing to get the story told. Maybe he had a quick deadline. It read like a fact sheet instead of a story of man who was pushed out of his family. There was no time spent on the grief Joseph Jacobson must have felt as he realized his brothers were banishing him from his entire family and other disappointments he faced. There was hardly any time spent on the conflict that Joseph must have felt when his brothers return, hoping for some help from the brother they betrayed. Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" with all it's humor, at least treated that moment with the poignancy it deserved
"A Winter Dream" just lacked emotion. It got so I was reading only to see how Evans included elements of the original story from the bible into modern day.
This could have been so much more.
December 21, 2019
A lovely modern re-telling of the story of Joseph (& his coat of many colors). My first by this author. Relatively short but packs a lot of lessons into the story just as the Bible story does. I needed my heart to be uplifted and this did the trick. I'm ready to pick up another by the author, and have requested his first: the Christmas Box, from the library.
December 19, 2015
This may just be my favorite Richard Paul Evans book so far. I was able to relate to many things about this story, and it was such a pleasure to read. Evans' writing is so profound and totally unforgettable. Definitely read this!
December 23, 2017
Richard Paul Evans wrote a beautiful story mirroring the biblical account of Joseph. The beginning started out slow for me, but really picked up and became hard for me to put down. The story reflects the life of Joseph, or J.J., telling the story of his career in advertising. This story is predictable if you know the biblical story of Joseph, but it has a modern day twist with the added love interest of the character April. It was such a sweet story telling of the ups and downs in life and how in the end everything works together for good. It was a wonderful read and as always, I recommended Richard Paul Evans books highly.
December 6, 2025
This book is more of a fable than a realistic novel. If you read it as such, it is quite enjoyable.
December 17, 2023
Really enjoyed this modern take on the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. The only addition is the girl - April, which makes it all worth it. Highly recommend.
December 18, 2017
Unpopular Opinion as most people absolutely loved this book. I am not most people. I guess when you add to the fact the the actual story of Joseph which is found in the Bible is my favorite story - while this story is based on that one - it does it no justice. One vital part was removed. And while it may be comfortable, it just seems like a gaping hole to me.
The reason why Joseph was able to forgive his brothers after they treated him so poorly...God.
The reason why Joseph was able to excel at everything he did so easily...God.
The reason behind the brothers' ability to change...God.
This book would have you think they all did it all themselves. I guess that is what most people think these days though. This is one of the only books Ive actually returned. Someone else can read it.
Maybe it can be an inspiration to read the actual story.
It is awesome.
I also had an issue with the - young man's 'wet dream' aspect of this book - a very basic attitude - all of the women in the book were model thin, model beautiful and two actual models! What are you? 14??!! Even though he was devastated to have lost his gf - a day later he was into another girl with no issues - oh and we are made to know that other men (despite them being with their wives or gfs) found her terribly desirable.
Did we touch on that ridiculously inappropriate "char-baby" nickname? Only someone who has no idea how that could affect someone else - someone who has so much privilege they couldnt imagine not being able to say whatever they want would find that funny. To write that the person who was being called this thought it was a hoot - only someone who has no idea would think that feasible. And if for some reason, youd want to say something like - I know someone who is called this and they love it -
you continue to call that person that. I promise you another person would sock you dead in the face for it.
Don't say I didn't tell you.
I feel like someone told this author, take a Bible story and then turn it into your fantasy life. Slap a $15 price on it and sell it during the holidays.
TThis book was not for me.
The reason why Joseph was able to forgive his brothers after they treated him so poorly...God.
The reason why Joseph was able to excel at everything he did so easily...God.
The reason behind the brothers' ability to change...God.
This book would have you think they all did it all themselves. I guess that is what most people think these days though. This is one of the only books Ive actually returned. Someone else can read it.
Maybe it can be an inspiration to read the actual story.
It is awesome.
I also had an issue with the - young man's 'wet dream' aspect of this book - a very basic attitude - all of the women in the book were model thin, model beautiful and two actual models! What are you? 14??!! Even though he was devastated to have lost his gf - a day later he was into another girl with no issues - oh and we are made to know that other men (despite them being with their wives or gfs) found her terribly desirable.
Did we touch on that ridiculously inappropriate "char-baby" nickname? Only someone who has no idea how that could affect someone else - someone who has so much privilege they couldnt imagine not being able to say whatever they want would find that funny. To write that the person who was being called this thought it was a hoot - only someone who has no idea would think that feasible. And if for some reason, youd want to say something like - I know someone who is called this and they love it -
you continue to call that person that. I promise you another person would sock you dead in the face for it.
Don't say I didn't tell you.
I feel like someone told this author, take a Bible story and then turn it into your fantasy life. Slap a $15 price on it and sell it during the holidays.
TThis book was not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2016
The Biblical story of Joseph and his favorites is my favorite story in the Bible. It is full of so much truth and forgiveness that one cannot comprehend how one does not weep. Needless to say, I was looking forward to reading this book, told from that perspective. I am known to have a critical eye to Christian books,but this was not really in that category. I guess if you take into account that it was written from a biblical standpoint,but I digress.
In the initial pages, I thought that it started off really good about introducing us to the character of Joseph. However it quickly lost my interest with the poor characterization and consistency. If you are going to take the risk of writing a book based on something, then at least make it interesting! Why not talk about how his brothers felt in detail and not a couple of pages here and there? It gravely disappointed me to see that his brothers felt envious for like a second then it went on a tirade of things that was not useful.
This is my problem with books like this, stop adding all of these mini plots that does not even makes sense! It was sloppy all over, a word that I do not use when it comes to the beloved Richard Paul Evans, but this one was a joke.
Beautiful cover and idea, but failed execution.
In the initial pages, I thought that it started off really good about introducing us to the character of Joseph. However it quickly lost my interest with the poor characterization and consistency. If you are going to take the risk of writing a book based on something, then at least make it interesting! Why not talk about how his brothers felt in detail and not a couple of pages here and there? It gravely disappointed me to see that his brothers felt envious for like a second then it went on a tirade of things that was not useful.
This is my problem with books like this, stop adding all of these mini plots that does not even makes sense! It was sloppy all over, a word that I do not use when it comes to the beloved Richard Paul Evans, but this one was a joke.
Beautiful cover and idea, but failed execution.
February 23, 2013
(2.5)
Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors and I turn to his books for a good feel read. This book had a lot of potential given it aligned with the biblical story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers. But this Joseph, Joseph Jacobson, was disappointingly passive. He was quick to accept the extortion from his brothers without a fight or question or depth of feeling. Yes, he did it so that his younger brother, Ben, would not face potential jail time but going along with it actually was a selfish move. How about his parents? His girlfriend he was planning to propose to? The condition was to drop everything and move to another state immediately without any notice. So okay, that was unbelievable but I continue to read and see what happens. Of course, all the ducks came in a row. He meets another woman (who by the way had an outrageous background; my favorite character in this book), had the winning advertising pitch, and comes in full circle in a powerful position. It all came too easy. The conflicts were there but he really didn't do much to get there. I felt that Mr. Evans might have thought that the analogy would speak for itself. Yes, the reunion with his dad did make me cry but for the shear fact that generally a reunion between a parent and child would be moving.
One might say, well Joseph did a good deed and so karma would have it that things work well for him. Fantastic! But that's not the problem in this book. It was the lack of depth in Joseph's character. For instance, what happened to the grieving process? Holy smokes, all his brothers (I'm counting Ben since he let it happen) banished him, where was the passion for any feelings about that?
I still love Mr. Evans and will continue to read his books. This one just didn't rank with the zeal in the story that I've come to expect from his books.
Jinky is Reading
Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors and I turn to his books for a good feel read. This book had a lot of potential given it aligned with the biblical story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers. But this Joseph, Joseph Jacobson, was disappointingly passive. He was quick to accept the extortion from his brothers without a fight or question or depth of feeling. Yes, he did it so that his younger brother, Ben, would not face potential jail time but going along with it actually was a selfish move. How about his parents? His girlfriend he was planning to propose to? The condition was to drop everything and move to another state immediately without any notice. So okay, that was unbelievable but I continue to read and see what happens. Of course, all the ducks came in a row. He meets another woman (who by the way had an outrageous background; my favorite character in this book), had the winning advertising pitch, and comes in full circle in a powerful position. It all came too easy. The conflicts were there but he really didn't do much to get there. I felt that Mr. Evans might have thought that the analogy would speak for itself. Yes, the reunion with his dad did make me cry but for the shear fact that generally a reunion between a parent and child would be moving.
One might say, well Joseph did a good deed and so karma would have it that things work well for him. Fantastic! But that's not the problem in this book. It was the lack of depth in Joseph's character. For instance, what happened to the grieving process? Holy smokes, all his brothers (I'm counting Ben since he let it happen) banished him, where was the passion for any feelings about that?
I still love Mr. Evans and will continue to read his books. This one just didn't rank with the zeal in the story that I've come to expect from his books.
Jinky is Reading
December 27, 2012
I have to say when it comes to inspirational fiction and tales, one of my all-time favourite authors would have to be Richard Paul Evans , his stories though they may be quick reads are utterly amazing and will have you sitting back and thinking as well as leaving the reader captivated as you hurriedly turn through the pages.
A Winter Dream is a modern day rendition of the biblical story "Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat". A hard story to re-capture into modern day but Richard Paul Evans has done an amazing job as we meet Joe - the twelfth brother of thirteen who works hard at his family's business of an advertising agency. With his jealous brothers Joe is forced to resign and with one condition- to never come back or be in contact with his family. So sets Joe's walk and following the tale of Joseph and The Technicolour dreamcoat , you can imagine the sorts of people that Joe embarks on.
Without giving too much away, The Winter Dream is a fabulous rendition of the famous bible story and once you start reading you won't be able to put down and I recommend that after this book , you will sure want to try Richard Paul Evans's other stories,
A Winter Dream is a modern day rendition of the biblical story "Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat". A hard story to re-capture into modern day but Richard Paul Evans has done an amazing job as we meet Joe - the twelfth brother of thirteen who works hard at his family's business of an advertising agency. With his jealous brothers Joe is forced to resign and with one condition- to never come back or be in contact with his family. So sets Joe's walk and following the tale of Joseph and The Technicolour dreamcoat , you can imagine the sorts of people that Joe embarks on.
Without giving too much away, The Winter Dream is a fabulous rendition of the famous bible story and once you start reading you won't be able to put down and I recommend that after this book , you will sure want to try Richard Paul Evans's other stories,
February 17, 2022
A modern retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph that was good, but God was barely included at all.
December 3, 2020
This book was a really great retelling of the Bible parable of Joseph and his coat of many colors. It is rare that I enjoy books from male perspectives, but I really enjoyed this story and loved our Joseph. I loved the setting of the advertising company and was fully engaged in the story. I felt like knowing the Bible story was really helpful because otherwise Joseph was such a pushover it would've annoyed me and the ending would feel a little unrealistic.
This book is about Joseph. He is one of 13 children, 12 boys and 1 girl. They all share the same dad but have different moms. Joseph and Benjamin have the same dad and are his favorites. They all work in the same advertising company and Joseph has a big break and is very successful in the company, further cementing himself as the dad's favorite. Benjamin embezzles money from the company and the rest of the brothers say "If you don't disappear then we will turn Benjamin in to the cops." So, taking care of his brother, Joseph leaves. The journey is hard and people don't treat him well. I won't talk about the rest of the story, but it gets worse before it gets better. He leaves a fiance in Denver and goes to Chicago then New York.
I would highly recommend this story, but again the Christmas element is just the fact that this is a Biblical retelling.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
He eventually gets a big break and his boss says they're buying an agency and he wants him to lead it and its his family one in Denver so he goes home and his brothers apologize.
This book is about Joseph. He is one of 13 children, 12 boys and 1 girl. They all share the same dad but have different moms. Joseph and Benjamin have the same dad and are his favorites. They all work in the same advertising company and Joseph has a big break and is very successful in the company, further cementing himself as the dad's favorite. Benjamin embezzles money from the company and the rest of the brothers say "If you don't disappear then we will turn Benjamin in to the cops." So, taking care of his brother, Joseph leaves. The journey is hard and people don't treat him well. I won't talk about the rest of the story, but it gets worse before it gets better. He leaves a fiance in Denver and goes to Chicago then New York.
I would highly recommend this story, but again the Christmas element is just the fact that this is a Biblical retelling.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
He eventually gets a big break and his boss says they're buying an agency and he wants him to lead it and its his family one in Denver so he goes home and his brothers apologize.
December 1, 2022
A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans
272-page Hardback story ends on page 266
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Romance, Christian Fiction, Inspirational, Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Featuring: Deckled Pages, Acknowledgments, Genesis 37, Epigraphs, Retelling, Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Advertising, Blended Family, Brothers, Book Advertisements - The Walk Series
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations
Songs for the soundtrack: "With or Without You" by U2, "Norwegian Wood" by The Beatles
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎄❤️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 159 of 266 Ch. 17 - So, this is basically a retelling of Joseph and His Brothers or Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors, or Joseph, the Interpreter of Dreams, or whatever you've seen it titled as. I personally wasn't a fan of this Bible story whether it was a motion picture or animated but, I am loving this book and hoping it has a better ending.
I love this story! I could read it again right now. I think this may be the best Evans book I have read to date. I'm going to call my mom and tell her all about it.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This story is fantastic, I think everyone could give it a shot.
272-page Hardback story ends on page 266
Genre: Holiday > Christmas; Romance, Christian Fiction, Inspirational, Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Featuring: Deckled Pages, Acknowledgments, Genesis 37, Epigraphs, Retelling, Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Advertising, Blended Family, Brothers, Book Advertisements - The Walk Series
Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations
Songs for the soundtrack: "With or Without You" by U2, "Norwegian Wood" by The Beatles
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎄❤️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 159 of 266 Ch. 17 - So, this is basically a retelling of Joseph and His Brothers or Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors, or Joseph, the Interpreter of Dreams, or whatever you've seen it titled as. I personally wasn't a fan of this Bible story whether it was a motion picture or animated but, I am loving this book and hoping it has a better ending.
I love this story! I could read it again right now. I think this may be the best Evans book I have read to date. I'm going to call my mom and tell her all about it.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This story is fantastic, I think everyone could give it a shot.
December 18, 2012
This not really a Christmas book but it does have a few events that take place around Christmas so it could fit.
Richard Paul Evans, as always creates a very believable situation with amazing characters. In this case Joseph Jacobson is the main character, a man with 11 brothers and one sister. They all work at the family ad agency, though not happily in some cases. The jealous older brothers manage to make Joseph go away. He leaves reluctantly but in leaving he finds who he really is and he finds that love is never as easy as one might think.
There is a quote in this book that I especially love: "Adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path." We should all be reminded of this!
Richard Paul Evans, as always creates a very believable situation with amazing characters. In this case Joseph Jacobson is the main character, a man with 11 brothers and one sister. They all work at the family ad agency, though not happily in some cases. The jealous older brothers manage to make Joseph go away. He leaves reluctantly but in leaving he finds who he really is and he finds that love is never as easy as one might think.
There is a quote in this book that I especially love: "Adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path." We should all be reminded of this!
June 26, 2017
"Life's greatest lessons are often those we most wished to avoid."
I really enjoyed this book. It is based off of the story of Joseph who was sold by his brothers in Egypt. I found it funny how a lot of the names were the same. I knew where the story was going and when things would change, but it did not take from the story for me. It is a great tale that life does not always go where you plan on, and sometimes we have many surprises and disappointments. But sometimes it is also for the best and opens to door to new opportunities. Love all of Richard Paul Evans' books.
I really enjoyed this book. It is based off of the story of Joseph who was sold by his brothers in Egypt. I found it funny how a lot of the names were the same. I knew where the story was going and when things would change, but it did not take from the story for me. It is a great tale that life does not always go where you plan on, and sometimes we have many surprises and disappointments. But sometimes it is also for the best and opens to door to new opportunities. Love all of Richard Paul Evans' books.
December 8, 2017
A great short read! This is a story that will tug at your heart strings. Family betrayal, lost dreams and hope. This book teaches us that no matter what life deals us, we must have hope and keep moving forward learning lessons along the way.
March 6, 2014
didn't work for me...
NEXT!
NEXT!
December 21, 2024
Totally read this book in less then two days. When I picked this book up I was fascinated with the idea of a modern Joesph. It was great to read after just reading through it in the Bible recently. I loved how instead of shepherds, they did advertising. I learned a ton!
I would have liked this book to talk more about how even though Joesph went through all these hard things, he still trusted God. Would have made it even better.
I did however love the Richard did the scene with his brothers finding out it was Joesph they were talking to in the end. That was very well done.
I wish the cover was better, because I would have never know what this was about till I read the summary. 3.75 stars!
I would have liked this book to talk more about how even though Joesph went through all these hard things, he still trusted God. Would have made it even better.
I did however love the Richard did the scene with his brothers finding out it was Joesph they were talking to in the end. That was very well done.
I wish the cover was better, because I would have never know what this was about till I read the summary. 3.75 stars!
January 3, 2013
Story Description:
Simon & Schuster|October 30, 2012|Hardcover|ISBN: 978-1-2803-6
The author of the bestselling phenomenon ‘The Christmas Box’ presents a new holiday novel about family, fate and forgiveness. Joseph Jacobson is the twelfth of thirteen siblings, all of whom are employed by their father’s successful Colorado advertising company. But underneath the success runs a poisonous undercurrent of jealousy; Joseph is his father’s favourite son and the focus of his brother’s envy and hatred. When the father seems ready to anoint Joseph as his heir, the brothers make their move, forcing Joseph from the company and his Denver home, severing ties to his parents and ending his relationship with his soon-to-be fiance. Alone and lonely, Joseph must start a new life.
Joseph joins a Chicago advertising agency where his creativity helps him advance high up in the company. He also finds hope for a lasting love with April, a kind woman with a secret. However, all secrets hold consequences, and when Joseph learns the truth about April’s past, his world is again turned upside down. Finally, Joseph must confront his own difficult past in order to make his dreams for the future come true.
A Winter Dream is an ingenious modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colours by the master of the holiday novel.
My Review:
In A Winter Dream, Evans reimagines the story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colours from the Old Testament in the Bible.
This modern day retelling involves an advertising firm that is family run. There are 13 children – 12 brothers and 1 sister who all work at the Denver, Colorado firm. Israel or Izzy Jacobson is the father who has been married to four different women. His current wife, Rachel, is the mother of only two of the children – Joseph (JJ) and his younger brother, Ben. Izzy, as the patriarch of the family is President of their firm. Izzy has never been secretive of the fact that JJ is his favourite son and all his brothers are extremely jealous of JJ.
A very important client is about to walk away from the firm until JJ pitches him an idea that he loves and signs the contract. Izzy is so proud of JJ for saving the day that he arranges a family dinner to celebrate JJ’s ingenuity. However, he ends up sharing a dream that JJ had had and told his father about. The dream involved JJ walking through a forest covered in snow when he stumbles upon a tree covered with lights and surrounded by 11 other trees. After a bad storm, the 11 trees all bent toward the lighted tree in the middle. Izzy himself felt that this dream symbolized JJ as the tree of light with his 11 brothers bowing down to him. This dream in and of itself did not sit well with JJ’s brothers to begin with. Then to make matters worse, Izzy presents JJ with his Navy flight jacket from Vietnam and was the most prized and special possession that he owned and was adored and desired by ALL his sons. Once the jacket had been presented to JJ, the special family dinner was soon over. The brothers were not at all impressed or happy about their father’s gift to JJ.
The morning after the dinner, JJ is called into a meeting with his brothers where they inform him that his younger brother, Ben has embezzled a huge amount of money from the company for his gambling addiction that no one was aware of. The brothers want to press charges against Ben and have him prosecuted. JJ is literally dumbfounded that his brothers would want to do this and offers to pay back the money himself out of his own savings. However, the brothers are not at all receptive to this idea but tell JJ they’d be willing to sweep the whole issues “under the rug”, so to speak, if JJ will make a sacrifice. They request that JJ quit the family business, move away, and NEVER return to or speak to his parents or siblings again. JJ realizes they want rid of him and is not only horrified but deeply saddened that his brothers would go these lengths to try and get rid of him. JJ loves Ben and doesn’t want him prosecuted and sent to jail, and although he knows agreeing to their demands will break his father’s heart, he accepts, packs up his office and leaves. He was not only leaving his family, his job, him home, but also his girlfriend who didn’t want to give up her job to go with him. The brothers have already lined up another job with a different advertising firm in Chicago for JJ and he heads off to the windy city. The apartment they rented for him in Chicago was cheap and run-down.
However, JJ ends up doing very well at his new job while the jealous brothers in Denver bring upon themselves ruination and unhappiness.
There is a lot more to the story but I don’t want to give anything else away.
I felt so sorry for JJ and can only imagine the depth of pain and hurt he felt at being turned against by his own brothers. It was an emotionally charged story in so many ways. It is amazing what jealously and greed will do to some people.
Evans has an amazing ability in holding the reader’s attention from the first page to the last. He can evoke emotion in you before you even know what hit you.
A Winter Dream is a story of jealousy, greed, relationships, bitterness, healing, and redemption. This story most definitely tugged at my heart strings as I’m sure it will yours. Kudos to you, Richard, another hit!
Simon & Schuster|October 30, 2012|Hardcover|ISBN: 978-1-2803-6
The author of the bestselling phenomenon ‘The Christmas Box’ presents a new holiday novel about family, fate and forgiveness. Joseph Jacobson is the twelfth of thirteen siblings, all of whom are employed by their father’s successful Colorado advertising company. But underneath the success runs a poisonous undercurrent of jealousy; Joseph is his father’s favourite son and the focus of his brother’s envy and hatred. When the father seems ready to anoint Joseph as his heir, the brothers make their move, forcing Joseph from the company and his Denver home, severing ties to his parents and ending his relationship with his soon-to-be fiance. Alone and lonely, Joseph must start a new life.
Joseph joins a Chicago advertising agency where his creativity helps him advance high up in the company. He also finds hope for a lasting love with April, a kind woman with a secret. However, all secrets hold consequences, and when Joseph learns the truth about April’s past, his world is again turned upside down. Finally, Joseph must confront his own difficult past in order to make his dreams for the future come true.
A Winter Dream is an ingenious modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colours by the master of the holiday novel.
My Review:
In A Winter Dream, Evans reimagines the story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colours from the Old Testament in the Bible.
This modern day retelling involves an advertising firm that is family run. There are 13 children – 12 brothers and 1 sister who all work at the Denver, Colorado firm. Israel or Izzy Jacobson is the father who has been married to four different women. His current wife, Rachel, is the mother of only two of the children – Joseph (JJ) and his younger brother, Ben. Izzy, as the patriarch of the family is President of their firm. Izzy has never been secretive of the fact that JJ is his favourite son and all his brothers are extremely jealous of JJ.
A very important client is about to walk away from the firm until JJ pitches him an idea that he loves and signs the contract. Izzy is so proud of JJ for saving the day that he arranges a family dinner to celebrate JJ’s ingenuity. However, he ends up sharing a dream that JJ had had and told his father about. The dream involved JJ walking through a forest covered in snow when he stumbles upon a tree covered with lights and surrounded by 11 other trees. After a bad storm, the 11 trees all bent toward the lighted tree in the middle. Izzy himself felt that this dream symbolized JJ as the tree of light with his 11 brothers bowing down to him. This dream in and of itself did not sit well with JJ’s brothers to begin with. Then to make matters worse, Izzy presents JJ with his Navy flight jacket from Vietnam and was the most prized and special possession that he owned and was adored and desired by ALL his sons. Once the jacket had been presented to JJ, the special family dinner was soon over. The brothers were not at all impressed or happy about their father’s gift to JJ.
The morning after the dinner, JJ is called into a meeting with his brothers where they inform him that his younger brother, Ben has embezzled a huge amount of money from the company for his gambling addiction that no one was aware of. The brothers want to press charges against Ben and have him prosecuted. JJ is literally dumbfounded that his brothers would want to do this and offers to pay back the money himself out of his own savings. However, the brothers are not at all receptive to this idea but tell JJ they’d be willing to sweep the whole issues “under the rug”, so to speak, if JJ will make a sacrifice. They request that JJ quit the family business, move away, and NEVER return to or speak to his parents or siblings again. JJ realizes they want rid of him and is not only horrified but deeply saddened that his brothers would go these lengths to try and get rid of him. JJ loves Ben and doesn’t want him prosecuted and sent to jail, and although he knows agreeing to their demands will break his father’s heart, he accepts, packs up his office and leaves. He was not only leaving his family, his job, him home, but also his girlfriend who didn’t want to give up her job to go with him. The brothers have already lined up another job with a different advertising firm in Chicago for JJ and he heads off to the windy city. The apartment they rented for him in Chicago was cheap and run-down.
However, JJ ends up doing very well at his new job while the jealous brothers in Denver bring upon themselves ruination and unhappiness.
There is a lot more to the story but I don’t want to give anything else away.
I felt so sorry for JJ and can only imagine the depth of pain and hurt he felt at being turned against by his own brothers. It was an emotionally charged story in so many ways. It is amazing what jealously and greed will do to some people.
Evans has an amazing ability in holding the reader’s attention from the first page to the last. He can evoke emotion in you before you even know what hit you.
A Winter Dream is a story of jealousy, greed, relationships, bitterness, healing, and redemption. This story most definitely tugged at my heart strings as I’m sure it will yours. Kudos to you, Richard, another hit!
August 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this one, as I do them all. However, this one was particularly good because it spanned years and all the RPE books I’ve read only cover about 2 months. Even though one of the reasons I enjoy reading his books is because of the Christmas and winter scenery, it was something different and I really enjoyed it.
January 24, 2019
good book. the story of Joseph in a modern setting. All of RPE books are good and quick reads.
July 28, 2023
Modern day version of Joseph's coat of many colors. A great love story thrown in.
January 1, 2025
Lives up to the title well, just not my favorite style of writing. I’m sure I’ll still read another by him next Christmas though regardless
November 26, 2025
Another excellent heartfelt, uplifting story about love, family, redemption, and emotional journey that only few can do it like RPE.
November 18, 2018
I always enjoy these books. Quick read, with a nice moral to it.
October 27, 2024
A modern take on the biblical story of Joseph in Egypt. Understandably, this is a fairly short book, but so much of the story felt rushed. I also felt like the twist in the romance made zero sense. But if you're looking for a quick, happy ending, it may be for you.
December 27, 2012
I discovered Richard Paul Evans last year, when I listened to The Christmas List. I loved it so much that I vowed to read at least one Evans book each Christmas. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review his latest holiday story.
A Winter Dream is the modern-day retelling of the biblical story, Joseph and The Coat of Many Colours. In this version, Joseph "JJ" Jacobson is a 29 year-old man. He is the 12th of 13 children with 11 brothers and one sister. His father, Israel "Izzy" Jacobson, has been married four times, most recently to Rachel, who is the mother of JJ and his younger brother, Ben. Izzy is the president of an advertising firm in Denver that specializes in retail advertising. All of his children work in the family business. Izzy has never made it a secret that he favours JJ, and his half-brothers are jealous of him. Izzy spent most of his life working hard to make his firm successful. By the time that he married Rachel, his business was already a success and he took to spending more time with his new wife especially after she bore him two sons. The elder sons were resentful of the attention that JJ and Ben received from their father, who was absent for most of their upbringing.
The story begins three years before at a business meeting with a prestigious client. He is unimpressed with the ideas presented to him and threatens to take his business elsewhere, but JJ saves the day with a brilliant pitch. Izzy becomes even more filled with pride, and he plans a family dinner to celebrate the firm's latest success. To his dismay, Izzy shares JJ's dream with the rest of the family, the one in which JJ dreamed of walking through a snow-covered forest and coming upon a tree covered in lights, like a Christmas tree, surrounded by 11 other trees. After a great storm, the 11 trees were bent towards the special tree in the middle. Izzy felt that the dream symbolized JJ as the "tree of light" with his 11 brothers bowing down to him. To show his love for his son, Izzy presented JJ with his Navy flight jacket from Vietnam which was decorated with patches from different places of deployment. It was a prized possession that was coveted by all his sons, and they became even more jealous of JJ.
The following morning, JJ drives his parents to the airport to catch their flight for a much-needed vacation. Back at the office, JJ is summoned to a meeting with his brothers. He learns that his younger brother, Ben, has embezzled a large sum of money from the firm due to a gambling addiction. His brothers tell him that they want to make an example of Ben and bring charges against him. JJ is horrified and offers to repay the sum, but this is not good enough for his siblings. They promise that they will sweep the issue under the rug if JJ is prepared to make a sacrifice: Quit the firm and move away, never to return or speak to his parents again. JJ is horrified that his siblings would use this opportunity to their advantage to get rid of him. He knows that it will break his father's heart, but he agrees to their conditions. They line up a job at a big firm in Chicago and rent a cheap apartment for him. He must leave immediately, before his parents return from their trip.
While JJ thrives at his new job, the brothers get what they so richly deserve and bring ruin upon themselves.
Evans writes the most moving, inspirational stories! I was so touched while listening to this story, which I finished on Christmas Day, that I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Despite being ousted by his family, he manages to pick up the pieces and start anew. JJ handles his challenges with grace and, as the old saying goes, "You can't keep a good man down." This biblical story is one of my favourites, and Joseph reminds us that the best gift that we can give to ourselves and others is that of forgiveness. Such a poignant reminder at this time of the year more than any other!
I loved A Winter Dream, and I will continue with my holiday tradition of listening to an Evans book every Christmas!
Fred Berman is a new-to-me narrator, and he was an excellent choice for this book! His pace was excellent, and I found it very hard to put my iPod down!
I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.
October 6, 2019
Richard Paul Evans and his characters's diaries--I'm a little over the whole diary thing.
The novel is loosely based on the Bibilical story of Joseph found in Genesis. In that sense, if you're familiar with the story, the outcomes are not a surprise. There are also some elements that Evans includes that are not part of the Biblical story.
After a slow start, I grew to care about Joseph ("JJ").
(WARNING: SPOILERS MAY LIE AHEAD--READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION)
Israel Jacobson has 12 sons and 1 daughter from 4 marriages. (The number of sons jibes with the Biblical account.) Though this book mostly focuses on the two oldest (Rupert and Simon) and the two youngest (Joseph and Benjamin). (Note: Some of the sons's names are a bit modernized in Evans's story.) As in the Biblical story, Joseph has dreams--and sometimes the ability to interpret them.
Israel has founded a regional advertising agency in Colorado--and apparently all of his sons (and I think his daughter too) work in the family business.
Joseph's and Benjamin's mother is the current wife. Israel dotes on Joseph (or "JJ" as he is often called).
When JJ comes up with an ad idea that saves the account of a client for the firm, Israel hosts a family dinner, reveals JJ's dream, and gives JJ a prized jacket that JJ always assumed would be passed to the oldest son in the family. Jealousy ensues. Simon uses a blunder by JJ's only full brother Ben to blackmail JJ into leaving not only the business, but the city and his family as well. (A bit of a change from the Biblical story where Joseph is sold into slavery.) I think they both assume that JJ's soon to be fiancee (a change from the Biblical story) will go with him. As in the Biblical story, Rupert (Reuben in the Bible) attempts to mitigate the plans of his brother, though in the Bible, Reuben took an action in going back to the pit to try to free Joseph, and here, Rupert only offers severance pay to JJ. Also unlike the Bible, Simon finds JJ gainful employment at another (larger) advertising agency in a bigger city (in the Bible, Joseph is sold into slavery so he has a job but probably not a paying one).
JJ excels early in his new job, again pulling a winning campaign from a dream he has. He gets promoted and manages other people. It took me a while to connect Peter Potts with Potiphar--I don't know why since the names are similar--maybe only because it's been some months since I've read that story. In the process of JJ's promotion, Tim, who was JJ's boss, gets demoted a step and works under JJ and Len, one of JJ's coworkers, gets sent to the New York office.
JJ meets April at a diner and quickly falls in love with her--only to be told that she's a member of a polygamist marriage in Utah.
Potts is not married (in the Biblical story, Potiphar has a wife), but he is engaged to Brandy. Like Potiphar's wife, Brandy is willing to be unfaithful to him under the right circumstances--and she thinks JJ is the right circumstances. JJ resists her attempts, being wise enough to know that it would be a great way to get on his boss's wrong side, however, Brandy doesn't let up and eventually gets him in a compromising position--unfortunately one her fiance discovers. And apparently despite him knowing that Brandy is lying (in the Bible, we're not told if Potiphar knows his wife is lying or not), Potts banishes JJ to New York also.
In New York, JJ discovers that there is a smaller second New York office where "banished" people get sent to. There are 3 others there when JJ arrives--one being Len. The female was once the assistant to a CEO but was banished when she badmouthed a client CEO while being unaware he was behind her. Bryce was a senior ad exec who fell into the bad graces of his boss. Strangely, they all, other than Len, work well together. Len, knowing some of JJ's history, reveals that JJ has dreams. The others all badger JJ to reveal his dream.
JJ correctly predicts that the female and Bryce will be restored to their former positions. He knows what he saw in Len's box but not what it means: smashed pots. (I connected the pots in the box with Peter Potts long before the author revealed its meaning in the novel. I wasn't quite sure how the author would handle the Peter Potts/Len Sykes dynamic.)
Unlike in the Biblical story, the females showing of JJ's sample ads to her boss happens fairly quickly after she's restored to her assistant status. (In the Biblical story, Joseph languishes in prison for a time until the Pharaoh has a dream that can't be interpreted--there isn't a literal dream from Mr. Farrell in this novel, though Farrell does have an idea he wants to implement in the advertising agency.) In the meantime though, JJ comes to appreciate that Len does have some talent even if it is inconsistent at times, so I was a bit miffed that as JJ rises in the corporate world, he never seems to remember Len and pull him out of the "outcast" office. Perhaps Len would not have been suited for the corporate world even as an assistant. Perhaps Len would have been offended at being offered a lesser job. Perhaps Len is happy where he is because he has less corporate oversight. We don't know because there's never that reveal or conversation. (Of course, as we later find, there is poetic justice in Len staying where he was.)
The program that JJ and Ferrell devise succeeds. Farrell gets promoted to the worldwide office--which is back in Chicago--and takes JJ with him. Farrell also asks JJ to investigate acquiring his family's firm (not realizing that JJ once worked there or was part of the family). So instead of having the brothers traveling to Egypt because of famine, we have two brothers traveling to New York to discuss someone else buying the family firm. As in the Biblical account, JJ takes pains so that his brothers don't easily recognize him. He tests them to see if they tell the truth (to what they perceive as a stranger) and if they are remorseful. Then he reveals himself to be their brother--JJ ends up reunited with his family.
In Chicago, Ferrell and JJ meet with the CEO of the Chicago office and that CEO finds out what Potts did to JJ in the past. Potts still doesn't seem to have faced up to Brandy's actions or forgiven JJ when the two meet--but now Potts finds himself on the receiving end of being on the wrong side of a higher up with a poetic justice twist on who his new boss will be!
JJ also decides he needs to come to terms with the loss of April--but of course, when he goes back to the diner, she's there--because of course, this is fiction, and we need the "happily ever after" ending.
I do agree with Israel's advice to Joseph that when the girl (or guy)'s the right one, you know, you don't have to keep asking if it's right--if there's true doubt, then it's best to not get engaged or married until you are sure. I'm not saying that there won't ever be doubt in a relationship, because there will be. But I think what he means is that deep down, you have to know that the other person would stand beside you no matter what comes and defend you if you needed defending etc. rather than running off and taking the easier path when trouble comes.
I also agree with some of the epilogue ideas. Adversity can shape us in ways we won't understand until we can look back at the times we went through and see where it helped us grow and where it took us. It's easier to see that in hindsight than it is when we're in the midst of the problem, so we need to trust that there's a reason for it until such time as we can look back and see it more clearly.
The novel is loosely based on the Bibilical story of Joseph found in Genesis. In that sense, if you're familiar with the story, the outcomes are not a surprise. There are also some elements that Evans includes that are not part of the Biblical story.
After a slow start, I grew to care about Joseph ("JJ").
(WARNING: SPOILERS MAY LIE AHEAD--READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION)
Israel Jacobson has 12 sons and 1 daughter from 4 marriages. (The number of sons jibes with the Biblical account.) Though this book mostly focuses on the two oldest (Rupert and Simon) and the two youngest (Joseph and Benjamin). (Note: Some of the sons's names are a bit modernized in Evans's story.) As in the Biblical story, Joseph has dreams--and sometimes the ability to interpret them.
Israel has founded a regional advertising agency in Colorado--and apparently all of his sons (and I think his daughter too) work in the family business.
Joseph's and Benjamin's mother is the current wife. Israel dotes on Joseph (or "JJ" as he is often called).
When JJ comes up with an ad idea that saves the account of a client for the firm, Israel hosts a family dinner, reveals JJ's dream, and gives JJ a prized jacket that JJ always assumed would be passed to the oldest son in the family. Jealousy ensues. Simon uses a blunder by JJ's only full brother Ben to blackmail JJ into leaving not only the business, but the city and his family as well. (A bit of a change from the Biblical story where Joseph is sold into slavery.) I think they both assume that JJ's soon to be fiancee (a change from the Biblical story) will go with him. As in the Biblical story, Rupert (Reuben in the Bible) attempts to mitigate the plans of his brother, though in the Bible, Reuben took an action in going back to the pit to try to free Joseph, and here, Rupert only offers severance pay to JJ. Also unlike the Bible, Simon finds JJ gainful employment at another (larger) advertising agency in a bigger city (in the Bible, Joseph is sold into slavery so he has a job but probably not a paying one).
JJ excels early in his new job, again pulling a winning campaign from a dream he has. He gets promoted and manages other people. It took me a while to connect Peter Potts with Potiphar--I don't know why since the names are similar--maybe only because it's been some months since I've read that story. In the process of JJ's promotion, Tim, who was JJ's boss, gets demoted a step and works under JJ and Len, one of JJ's coworkers, gets sent to the New York office.
JJ meets April at a diner and quickly falls in love with her--only to be told that she's a member of a polygamist marriage in Utah.
Potts is not married (in the Biblical story, Potiphar has a wife), but he is engaged to Brandy. Like Potiphar's wife, Brandy is willing to be unfaithful to him under the right circumstances--and she thinks JJ is the right circumstances. JJ resists her attempts, being wise enough to know that it would be a great way to get on his boss's wrong side, however, Brandy doesn't let up and eventually gets him in a compromising position--unfortunately one her fiance discovers. And apparently despite him knowing that Brandy is lying (in the Bible, we're not told if Potiphar knows his wife is lying or not), Potts banishes JJ to New York also.
In New York, JJ discovers that there is a smaller second New York office where "banished" people get sent to. There are 3 others there when JJ arrives--one being Len. The female was once the assistant to a CEO but was banished when she badmouthed a client CEO while being unaware he was behind her. Bryce was a senior ad exec who fell into the bad graces of his boss. Strangely, they all, other than Len, work well together. Len, knowing some of JJ's history, reveals that JJ has dreams. The others all badger JJ to reveal his dream.
JJ correctly predicts that the female and Bryce will be restored to their former positions. He knows what he saw in Len's box but not what it means: smashed pots. (I connected the pots in the box with Peter Potts long before the author revealed its meaning in the novel. I wasn't quite sure how the author would handle the Peter Potts/Len Sykes dynamic.)
Unlike in the Biblical story, the females showing of JJ's sample ads to her boss happens fairly quickly after she's restored to her assistant status. (In the Biblical story, Joseph languishes in prison for a time until the Pharaoh has a dream that can't be interpreted--there isn't a literal dream from Mr. Farrell in this novel, though Farrell does have an idea he wants to implement in the advertising agency.) In the meantime though, JJ comes to appreciate that Len does have some talent even if it is inconsistent at times, so I was a bit miffed that as JJ rises in the corporate world, he never seems to remember Len and pull him out of the "outcast" office. Perhaps Len would not have been suited for the corporate world even as an assistant. Perhaps Len would have been offended at being offered a lesser job. Perhaps Len is happy where he is because he has less corporate oversight. We don't know because there's never that reveal or conversation. (Of course, as we later find, there is poetic justice in Len staying where he was.)
The program that JJ and Ferrell devise succeeds. Farrell gets promoted to the worldwide office--which is back in Chicago--and takes JJ with him. Farrell also asks JJ to investigate acquiring his family's firm (not realizing that JJ once worked there or was part of the family). So instead of having the brothers traveling to Egypt because of famine, we have two brothers traveling to New York to discuss someone else buying the family firm. As in the Biblical account, JJ takes pains so that his brothers don't easily recognize him. He tests them to see if they tell the truth (to what they perceive as a stranger) and if they are remorseful. Then he reveals himself to be their brother--JJ ends up reunited with his family.
In Chicago, Ferrell and JJ meet with the CEO of the Chicago office and that CEO finds out what Potts did to JJ in the past. Potts still doesn't seem to have faced up to Brandy's actions or forgiven JJ when the two meet--but now Potts finds himself on the receiving end of being on the wrong side of a higher up with a poetic justice twist on who his new boss will be!
JJ also decides he needs to come to terms with the loss of April--but of course, when he goes back to the diner, she's there--because of course, this is fiction, and we need the "happily ever after" ending.
I do agree with Israel's advice to Joseph that when the girl (or guy)'s the right one, you know, you don't have to keep asking if it's right--if there's true doubt, then it's best to not get engaged or married until you are sure. I'm not saying that there won't ever be doubt in a relationship, because there will be. But I think what he means is that deep down, you have to know that the other person would stand beside you no matter what comes and defend you if you needed defending etc. rather than running off and taking the easier path when trouble comes.
I also agree with some of the epilogue ideas. Adversity can shape us in ways we won't understand until we can look back at the times we went through and see where it helped us grow and where it took us. It's easier to see that in hindsight than it is when we're in the midst of the problem, so we need to trust that there's a reason for it until such time as we can look back and see it more clearly.
April 13, 2013
Winter dreams should definitely be recommended to every high school student because is one of the best books that was ever published. The book has all kind materials and traits that makes a book interesting and read. Once you read this book you will not be able to stop until the end because the story is very well connected. The book has not hard or difficult to read at all because it is clear and at the same time excited. The author of the book, F. Scott Fitzgerald, did an incredible job making the story clear, easy to read, and full of excitement that will keep the reader interested in the story. Even though Winter Dream was one of F. Scott first work , was one of the best books that was ever published.
The Winter Dream is telling the story of a man with ambition who fall in love and the story will develop and show of drama, excitement, and a lot of surprises that will keep the reader in full attention and excited to see what will happen next. One I read the book ,I felt the joy and he satisfaction of reading such a great book ,and so did all my class mates who read the book and fell in love with it. The author was able to show emotion through the characters in the story ,so the reader can almost go through the same emotion the character is going through, which will make the reader live the story and make one the exciting experiment just by reading The Winter Dream.
The book shows the ambition of a man who wanted the love of a women ,but when he got it ,he could not hold on to it which explain the concept that nothing valuable in life will last forever. Which mean that the book is not only joyful to read but it will teach the reader a lesson that might agree or disagree with the concept. The author was able to show different perspectives of love and different perspective of life, which he shows in his main character, Dexter, and the decisions he made.
This book should be recommended to read in all high schools because it is an outstanding book, that stood out from all other books in so many different ways. I would like to recommend to all people, from all ages and races because this book was one of the best books that was ever published.
The Winter Dream is telling the story of a man with ambition who fall in love and the story will develop and show of drama, excitement, and a lot of surprises that will keep the reader in full attention and excited to see what will happen next. One I read the book ,I felt the joy and he satisfaction of reading such a great book ,and so did all my class mates who read the book and fell in love with it. The author was able to show emotion through the characters in the story ,so the reader can almost go through the same emotion the character is going through, which will make the reader live the story and make one the exciting experiment just by reading The Winter Dream.
The book shows the ambition of a man who wanted the love of a women ,but when he got it ,he could not hold on to it which explain the concept that nothing valuable in life will last forever. Which mean that the book is not only joyful to read but it will teach the reader a lesson that might agree or disagree with the concept. The author was able to show different perspectives of love and different perspective of life, which he shows in his main character, Dexter, and the decisions he made.
This book should be recommended to read in all high schools because it is an outstanding book, that stood out from all other books in so many different ways. I would like to recommend to all people, from all ages and races because this book was one of the best books that was ever published.
January 7, 2013
Well, if you know the story of Joseph, or have seen the musical, there aren't many surprises in this book.
However, I don't read Richard Paul Evans for surprises; that's what I have crime novels for. I read Richard Paul Evans for feel-good books that give me warm fuzzies and make me remember why humanity isn't all bad, and on that front, this book delivered.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five: I thought the inclusion of April was ... a little unnecessary, honestly. I wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't been there. It wasn't that she detracted from the story in any way; it's just that she didn't add to it very much, either, other than to add something kind of resembling a "twist" (and I still don't know why Joseph freaked out so bad about that anyway, if we're being completely honest here).
Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I remembered one scene that was just "trying too hard" to be like the original story and it really fell flat for me:
I did like the quick reference to the musical, when Mr. Farrell said that line about some people dreaming in Technicolor.
Overall, a solid read and a good addition to my other Richard Paul Evans novels.
However, I don't read Richard Paul Evans for surprises; that's what I have crime novels for. I read Richard Paul Evans for feel-good books that give me warm fuzzies and make me remember why humanity isn't all bad, and on that front, this book delivered.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five: I thought the inclusion of April was ... a little unnecessary, honestly. I wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't been there. It wasn't that she detracted from the story in any way; it's just that she didn't add to it very much, either, other than to add something kind of resembling a "twist" (and I still don't know why Joseph freaked out so bad about that anyway, if we're being completely honest here).
Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I remembered one scene that was just "trying too hard" to be like the original story and it really fell flat for me:
I did like the quick reference to the musical, when Mr. Farrell said that line about some people dreaming in Technicolor.
Overall, a solid read and a good addition to my other Richard Paul Evans novels.
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