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Where Dreams Seattle #1

Where Dreams Are Born

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One calendar. Twelve lighthouses. Two hearts.

Cassidy Knowles stands on the wind-torn bluff and clutches the calendar of lighthouses. The last gift from her father, with a dozen letters for a final year-long journey “together.” From vineyard roots, Cassidy has climbed up the food-and-wine critic ladder, leaving her rural roots far behind.

Russell Davis, #28 on the latest “most eligible” list, the last guy on the planet Cassidy wants. Fine with him. He has no desire for the driven, urban-fashionista, never-touch-nature Cassidy Knowles. He sets his dream by a calendar of lighthouses. The genesis of a sailing a journey. A journey that keeps leading him to the last woman he’d ever want.

Where can two hearts chart the same course? In the warmth around Angelo’s Hearth.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2011

334 people are currently reading
549 people want to read

About the author

M.L. Buchman

324 books613 followers
USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestseller M. L. “Matt” Buchman started writing on a flight south from Japan to ride his bicycle across the Australian Outback. Just part of a solo around-the-world trip that ultimately launched his writing career.

From the very beginning, his powerful female heroines insisted on putting character first, then a great adventure. He’s since written over 60 action-adventure thrillers and military romantic suspense novels. And just for the fun of it: 100 short stories, and a fast-growing pile of read-by-author audiobooks.

Booklist says: 3x “Top 10 of the Year.” PW says: “Tom Clancy fans open to a strong female lead will clamor for more.” His fans say: “I want more now…of everything.” That his characters are even more insistent than his fans is a hoot.
As a 30-year project manager with a geophysics degree who has designed and built houses, flown and jumped out of planes, and solo-sailed a 50’ ketch, he is awed by what is possible. More at: www.mlbuchman.com.

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5 stars
176 (46%)
4 stars
113 (29%)
3 stars
56 (14%)
2 stars
20 (5%)
1 star
14 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Stephanie.
137 reviews
July 5, 2018
A great concept - it has the potential to be so romantic with two people having the same lighthouse calendar and turning up there on the same date each month. But the story was so poorly executed and I didn’t even want to finish the book, but seen as I started I thought I’d finish.
The two characters are awful - pretentious up themselves snobs who are so unlikeable that I’m surprised they have any friends at all in the book. They also miscommunicate so many times that it’s frustrating - come on, you’re meant to be fully grown professional adults and yet you behave like petty teenagers?! They seem to have so much hate between them and yet end up together, a relationship that seems to be more from convenience than anything because I don’t see how they could love each other with their attitudes and constant bickering.
I also hated the constant name drop of designer labels by the author - yes we get these are rich people, you don’t need to bang on about her Michael Kors parka every 30 seconds.
I know a lot of time and effort goes into writing a book, hence why I won’t give it only 1 start, but god I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I’ve hated the main characters so much!!! So unrelatable!!!
Profile Image for  Chele.
495 reviews32 followers
July 17, 2016
I had a hard time connecting with the writer. I couldn't pinpoint what it was. The story wasn't free flowing, therefore I felt disconnected from the MCs. The premise was good but it didn't hold my interest, I had to skim through. I didn't warm to the hero.

I read the author's notes at the end of the book and the author revealed his gender. I wonder if I had a hard time connecting to this story because the author is a man? I found this contemporary romance unromantic. I had this experience once before when I read a romantic suspense. I later found out the author was male. I wonder if it is the same author? I need to check on that.
Profile Image for Jeene Hobbs.
558 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2018
Puget Sound, lighthouses, and romance

I downloaded this some months back because of the setting, Puget Sound, and the lighthouses. I just opened it last night. This is a great little romance. Think “You’ve got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle”.

Each chapter begins with the name, location, and history of a Puget Sound lighthouse. POV switches back and forth between Russell and Cassidy. It’s got a good cast of supporting characters. Some of them will have stories of their own.

The wines, the locale, the sailing, and the lighthouses are all written about with accuracy and familiarity.

While the characters have their struggles, humor is present throughout. e.g. “Every guy here wanted to whistle at the girl but was too inhibited. So I did it for them. It’s just the kinda helpful person I am .”
Profile Image for Kerry H .
343 reviews
May 1, 2019
These characters and their story won't be leaving me any time soon.

Stunning visuals kept the technicolor movie running in my mind throughout this lyrical yet honest narrative of two people's passions. The history of the lighthouses, in a region I love, brought this story together in an extremely clever way. This goes into my short stack of books to read again. These characters and their story won't be leaving me any time soon.
1 review
August 18, 2018
I enjoyed this so much as it was refreshing to read without all the smut plus have a it interesting and not be able to put it down . Thank you it is definitely a five star

I enjoyed this so much. It was a light read without all the crude language but interesting to hold your attention to the very last word. Definitely a five star!
918 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2018
Amazing Read

The hero of this book, written by a man, has a much deeper and more realistic characterization than in most romance novels. Other details, such as the m rebuilding of a sailboat, also benefit from both the author's viewpoint and experience. This is one not to be missed.
3 reviews
February 22, 2019
Wonderful read

Don’t miss this wildly touching and romantic book. It’s so refreshing to find a book with a unique story. The characters were real authentic and flawed. The plot fresh and unusual. It’s not your usual rich playboy independent woman trope. The characters evolved and we’re utterly believable in their development. Rarely has a male author written romance so well.
Profile Image for Paula Bothwell.
1,642 reviews44 followers
December 19, 2022
Where Dreams are Born--R
Violence: no
Language: fewer than 185, including deity and Fbombs (<15)
Sex: Yes. Easily skipped.
Probably a great book if you are remotely interested in boats and lighthouses. Mostly boats, and ropes on boats, and types of boats. The Hero is an emotionally immature moron. Ugh. I did NOT like this book.
Profile Image for Clara Smith.
424 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2017
Good hurricane reading - kept me interested while the electricity was out. Strong characters with interesting, sharp personalities. It's a good thing they found each other because each was just quirky enough to make matchmaking difficult.
Profile Image for Evonne Hutton.
1,342 reviews10 followers
June 4, 2018
Dreams! They come from the heart and is not always understood by the head!
This book chronicles the journey of two people that listen with their heads until they understand the importance of looking to the heart instead.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews102 followers
June 7, 2018
Beautiful

Finding love was not what Cassidy was looking for, she was dealing with the death of her dad and his wish to see the Washington state lighthouses. Russell was giving up on MY and bought a fixer up boat when he meets her.
12 reviews
June 7, 2018
Really liked this book///the sailing descriptions were very realistic .. also the food , the wine ,, the lighthouses .. I enjoyed it all .. feel like Ive been on a trip.. one of those books you hate to have end..
Profile Image for Norma.
513 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2018
Loved this story

There is so much to love about this book. The writing is good, as is the plot. The characters are memorable and become like friends. Pour yourself a glass of wine and lose yourself at these lighthouses.
Profile Image for karen.
1,627 reviews
June 29, 2018
I liked this book less as it went on. The ending ended ok but Russell was such a jerk so much of the time. The way he and Cassidy miscommunicated was so frustrating. Hopefully the other books in this series are better. I like thesetting and the idea of this book but it was lacking
Profile Image for Ashley.
881 reviews16 followers
June 4, 2018
Way too much description and not enough story. Gave up. So boring.
6 reviews
June 5, 2018
Excellent read

Great knowledge about lighthouses, really believable and loved characters. I loved this book. I'm really looking forward to the next read.
Profile Image for Nibrock.
1,731 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2018
A fun, back and forth romance. Learned a lot more about wooden sailboats & wine than I needed, but a fun, flirty romance.
1,292 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2018
Fascinating

A wine and good reviewer meets a "retired" ad man/photographer. Neither one has ever had a deep love relationship. They get off to a very rocky start.
18 reviews
November 12, 2018
Slow, sure love story

This is a different direction than other books by this author-less action packed-get just as good. This was a slowly layered story that keeps you hooked.
Profile Image for Linda Rae Williams.
286 reviews3 followers
August 20, 2020
Perfect romance

Just the right amount of tension, just the right amount of growing up, just the right amount of love. Great story
Profile Image for Dione.
341 reviews8 followers
February 8, 2021
I usually love M.L. Buchman's books, but I couldn't really get into this one.
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,682 reviews9 followers
May 15, 2014
What a great read. I wasn't even sure Russell and Cassidy were even going to get together at all. They had such a rough start, mutual dislike. You pretty spend the entire book with them even getting to a point of liking one of another. That's the best part all they work through and the different directions their lives take. If you are looking for a typical romance where they fall into bed then figure out the relationship this book is not for you, but if you want a more true to life romance read this book.
Profile Image for Bungluna.
1,134 reviews
April 29, 2014
I really enjoy this author's military romances and didn't know what to expect in this new (to me) series, except for great writing, of course!

The main characters are expatriate New Yorkers seeking a new path, both personal and professional. I enjoyed the slow unfolding of the story, developing their relationship in a strong, realistic way. The settings added to the depth of the story and made me long to visit them. Recommend to anybody looking for an emotional romance.
4,556 reviews29 followers
December 31, 2024
It started off a bit rocky, with the male protagonist being very difficult for very little reason. However it was rewarding to see them slowly get to know and like each other over the whole book. I wish they had communicated better. It was frustrating that they didn’t resolve the conflict until the last page!
Profile Image for Cat Sheely.
Author 10 books4 followers
September 21, 2014
Too much specialist description. I really don't care for precise and detailed descriptions of shopping in an outdoors store or wine tasting or the minute details of a sailing boat. I kept losing the story in this minutiae.
79 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2013
For me this book was neither bad nor great. I can't think of anything I didn't like about it, and I enjoyed reading it, but I didn't LOVE it like I loved the first two Night Stalkers books.
343 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2014
great read. loved the sailing scenes, characters, and realistic story line. I hope this is a series!
Profile Image for Nicole.
2,877 reviews10 followers
March 24, 2019
Beautiful story about love, both family and romance. Cassidy and Russell have quests that share a link with the lighthouses around Seattle. I enjoyed the history around these, as well as the info on grape growing and wine-making.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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