What do you think?
Rate this book
Alinora
She had almost everything she ever wanted. Good friends, a nice house, a thriving career. The only thing missing was love. Until she started dreaming of a carefree romance every night. Her dreams were so vivid they made her doubt her sanity. Was too much time at the office forcing her stressed-out mind to create a retreat at night? Or were her dreams somehow... real?
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2009
10 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 15, 2012
Alinora is about a young woman, Lily, whose real life is turning out nothing like she expected. It’s not fulfilling, and so she turns to the escape she creates in her dreams. And they are just that—dreams—or so she thinks. In this dreamland called Alinora, Lily encounters a handsome man with whom she immediately falls in love, and he with her. But is Alinora really more than it seems?
I don’t mean to be blunt in this review, but I don’t think it can be helped… so I guess I’ll get right to it. The writing style in this book was like a twelve-year-old’s, and someone who didn’t study grammar in middle school, at that. Lockley used sentence fragments throughout the story, in lieu of commas or semicolons. It really bothered me, and even if I weren’t a grammar Nazi, I would have still been taken out of the story every time I noticed something like that. An example:
“She climbed out of her clothes and laid them neatly on the bench at the end of her bed. Peeled off her sheer black stockings and laid them down too.”
This wasn’t even like the artsy kind of beat poet grammar structure. It was just… fragments. Fragments everywhere! *weeps*
The best part of this book was probably when Lily was questioning whether or not she was crazy. There are a lot of ways that Lockley could have taken this story to a better place. For example, she could have made Lily genuinely crazy, and the reader could have witnessed her descent into madness. Or, she could have made it like a ghost/supernatural story and have Alinora really be this dark, insidious place underneath all the creepy perfection (in fact, I was actually anticipating this version, since to me, Alinora seemed way too perfect and utopian to be real). However, I think that would have required a little too much creativity on the author’s part, and so she decided to take the easy way out.
I also couldn’t get over how, from first sight, Lily and Caleb were instantly attracted to each other and falling in love (I use that word liberally here) and sleeping with each other. At least they introduced themselves first. It just wasn’t believable, and it made me like Lily less because she acted like a mooning twelve-year-old with nothing better to do than to pine after some guy she dreamt about instead of actually, I dunno, stopping her complaints about her life and actually doing something to fix it. And talk about whiplash—the book skipped the whole romance buildup and got straight down to the sexing in the woods part. Oh, and Lily considers on more than one occasion killing herself to see if she can stay in Alinora with Caleb and their baby (!) forever. Oh yeah, suicide is super romantic.
Jesus.
Finally, the ending was extremely abrupt. I literally shut off my Nook and stared off into bewildered space for a few moments, trying to process what the heck I had just finished reading. The only analogy I can think of is as if I were in a moving vehicle that was speeding down a street, only to take a sharp turn and abruptly crash into a brick wall. No closure, no warning. Nothing. The end.
I can’t recommend this book. I usually try to find some part of the book I liked but even as I was writing this review I struggled with that. It was a free download, which means that I wasn’t expecting much to begin with, but I was really let down by so many aspects of this book.
____
For more book reviews, visit my blog The Bookshelf!
I don’t mean to be blunt in this review, but I don’t think it can be helped… so I guess I’ll get right to it. The writing style in this book was like a twelve-year-old’s, and someone who didn’t study grammar in middle school, at that. Lockley used sentence fragments throughout the story, in lieu of commas or semicolons. It really bothered me, and even if I weren’t a grammar Nazi, I would have still been taken out of the story every time I noticed something like that. An example:
“She climbed out of her clothes and laid them neatly on the bench at the end of her bed. Peeled off her sheer black stockings and laid them down too.”
This wasn’t even like the artsy kind of beat poet grammar structure. It was just… fragments. Fragments everywhere! *weeps*
The best part of this book was probably when Lily was questioning whether or not she was crazy. There are a lot of ways that Lockley could have taken this story to a better place. For example, she could have made Lily genuinely crazy, and the reader could have witnessed her descent into madness. Or, she could have made it like a ghost/supernatural story and have Alinora really be this dark, insidious place underneath all the creepy perfection (in fact, I was actually anticipating this version, since to me, Alinora seemed way too perfect and utopian to be real). However, I think that would have required a little too much creativity on the author’s part, and so she decided to take the easy way out.
I also couldn’t get over how, from first sight, Lily and Caleb were instantly attracted to each other and falling in love (I use that word liberally here) and sleeping with each other. At least they introduced themselves first. It just wasn’t believable, and it made me like Lily less because she acted like a mooning twelve-year-old with nothing better to do than to pine after some guy she dreamt about instead of actually, I dunno, stopping her complaints about her life and actually doing something to fix it. And talk about whiplash—the book skipped the whole romance buildup and got straight down to the sexing in the woods part. Oh, and Lily considers on more than one occasion killing herself to see if she can stay in Alinora with Caleb and their baby (!) forever. Oh yeah, suicide is super romantic.
Jesus.
Finally, the ending was extremely abrupt. I literally shut off my Nook and stared off into bewildered space for a few moments, trying to process what the heck I had just finished reading. The only analogy I can think of is as if I were in a moving vehicle that was speeding down a street, only to take a sharp turn and abruptly crash into a brick wall. No closure, no warning. Nothing. The end.
I can’t recommend this book. I usually try to find some part of the book I liked but even as I was writing this review I struggled with that. It was a free download, which means that I wasn’t expecting much to begin with, but I was really let down by so many aspects of this book.
____
For more book reviews, visit my blog The Bookshelf!
July 8, 2010
Excelent Sweet Short Story (50 pages). Lily, a house designer and Caleb, a wood furniture / pottery maker meet in a different time deminision when they fall a sleep and enter into their dreams. The deminision is called Alinora, a world where everything is peaceful and happy. They meet, make love, and fall in love as everyone wants their dreams to come true but back in reality when they awake, the strangest thing happens, Lily's pregnancy is not a dream.
Lily feels like she is going crazy because she can't figure out how the pregnancy could be for real. She finds the answers in Alinora from a Seer named Sasha and she learns that Caleb lives in her earthly realm and in her area so Lily searches for him and their relationship starts over slowly in the real world. What brings it to a head is that Lily gives birth to their baby girl in Caleb's house.
Such a wonderful Short Story, I wanted more.
Lily feels like she is going crazy because she can't figure out how the pregnancy could be for real. She finds the answers in Alinora from a Seer named Sasha and she learns that Caleb lives in her earthly realm and in her area so Lily searches for him and their relationship starts over slowly in the real world. What brings it to a head is that Lily gives birth to their baby girl in Caleb's house.
Such a wonderful Short Story, I wanted more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2022
Never gets old
I remember reading this book some years ago and fell in love with it. Reading it again for what seems the 100th time, it just never gets worse.
I do wish Caleb spoke more, but it felt so I tune with his character too. Kind of like the strong silent type guy.
I love the epilogue as well. I had previously had the story on my book before I switched accounts, and there was no epilogue before.
It definitely adds to the story.
10/10 would recommend.
Short, sweet, and the lore is just right.
I remember reading this book some years ago and fell in love with it. Reading it again for what seems the 100th time, it just never gets worse.
I do wish Caleb spoke more, but it felt so I tune with his character too. Kind of like the strong silent type guy.
I love the epilogue as well. I had previously had the story on my book before I switched accounts, and there was no epilogue before.
It definitely adds to the story.
10/10 would recommend.
Short, sweet, and the lore is just right.
March 24, 2025
I love it when a love story ends happily ever after...in two worlds! 🙂❤️
December 9, 2012
In this forty-eight page short story, Kara Lockley has given us a complete fantasy in which Lily owns her own highly successful interior decorating business, but her personal life is barren. Her adoptive parents are dead and she’s all alone in the world. She’d like to fall in love and have a family, but can’t seem to meet the right man.
Lily moves into her new house at the edge of a wild forest, and begins to dream at night of another world called Alinora where everything is perfect. It’s in this perfect world that she meets Caleb. Night after night, as she sleeps, their relationship grows stronger and they fall in love. She begins to yearn for this other world preferring it to the real world to the point that she questions her sanity and decides to consult a therapist.
In Alinora, Lily and Caleb have a house and live together. During one visit Caleb remarks that her stomach is getting round and she happily tells him she’s pregnant. When she wakes from the dream, she wonders how real her pregnancy is. Turns out, it’s very real—she’s pregnant in the real world, too. Somehow, she must learn how her real world ties in with Alinora and find Caleb—if he actually exists. She must also figure out what to tell her friends and employees.
In these few pages, we’ve been given a complete fantasy novel in short form. The characters, the world building, and the way everything wove together seamlessly made this a magical read indeed. Alinora is a delicious bit of dessert after a steady diet of meat and potatoes. I feel almost guilty for enjoying it so much.
Mona Leigh
Lily moves into her new house at the edge of a wild forest, and begins to dream at night of another world called Alinora where everything is perfect. It’s in this perfect world that she meets Caleb. Night after night, as she sleeps, their relationship grows stronger and they fall in love. She begins to yearn for this other world preferring it to the real world to the point that she questions her sanity and decides to consult a therapist.
In Alinora, Lily and Caleb have a house and live together. During one visit Caleb remarks that her stomach is getting round and she happily tells him she’s pregnant. When she wakes from the dream, she wonders how real her pregnancy is. Turns out, it’s very real—she’s pregnant in the real world, too. Somehow, she must learn how her real world ties in with Alinora and find Caleb—if he actually exists. She must also figure out what to tell her friends and employees.
In these few pages, we’ve been given a complete fantasy novel in short form. The characters, the world building, and the way everything wove together seamlessly made this a magical read indeed. Alinora is a delicious bit of dessert after a steady diet of meat and potatoes. I feel almost guilty for enjoying it so much.
Mona Leigh
January 4, 2011
I'm not sure about this one yet. The writing is a bit odd....
I'll update when I'm finished. I think it might take a bit to get through, though. :(
Update: (sort of spoilers)
I finished this tonight. And I have to say, I was not impressed. At all.
It's not very often I read a book (in this case, short story) and say "Wow, that sucked". And I actually hate wanting to say that now. I think this could have had some really good potential but the author just didn't work it out. The writing was choppy and I never felt as if I "knew" any of the characters.
It idea of it was fun. Lily, a work-a-holic single woman builds her dream house and finds out the land she built on is sacred ground. While she sleeps she's transported to "Alinora", which is basically heaven. She meets Caleb, they do it in her dream, fall in love, and "OMGHEISREAL!" blah blah blah. You can guess what happens, the story was too predictable and the ending just fell totally short of what I'd call a "good" ending.
I'll update when I'm finished. I think it might take a bit to get through, though. :(
Update: (sort of spoilers)
I finished this tonight. And I have to say, I was not impressed. At all.
It's not very often I read a book (in this case, short story) and say "Wow, that sucked". And I actually hate wanting to say that now. I think this could have had some really good potential but the author just didn't work it out. The writing was choppy and I never felt as if I "knew" any of the characters.
It idea of it was fun. Lily, a work-a-holic single woman builds her dream house and finds out the land she built on is sacred ground. While she sleeps she's transported to "Alinora", which is basically heaven. She meets Caleb, they do it in her dream, fall in love, and "OMGHEISREAL!" blah blah blah. You can guess what happens, the story was too predictable and the ending just fell totally short of what I'd call a "good" ending.
June 27, 2010
Alinora is a short story full of romance and fantasy. Lily the main character is a workaholic and once she moves into her new house built in the middle of the woods, she starts dreaming. These dreams are vivid, real, and Caleb the man of her dreams, literally, induces her carefree romance that every time she dreams occurs. But problems start as her retreat becomes literal in the real world. And from there Caleb and Lily's romance becomes complicated. Alinora is a great short romance to read, I love the ending and the whole content of the story. Kara does a nice job in the 48 pages and 16 chapters that are written and unlike other short stories builds her characters so that you want more.
September 8, 2011
I liked this book but I could only give it two stars due to the fact that it is in serious need of editing. It's a good story but the writing is at about a grade 9 level. I was almost turned off from the book right from the first page because of this but I wanted to give it an honest try. Thank goodness it was a short story, I would have been hard pressed to finish it if it had been a full length novel.
July 25, 2020
I think this was one of my first adult romance books that I had first read back in 2011. This book is very tame, so reading it on the cusp of high school I do not think did any damage, or at least I do not think it did. It has been awhile since I last read it, so this reread was very much needed. Plus it was updated with an epilogue which made it even more better! If you want a short story about another place that is filled with love, peace, and happiness then pick this book up.
August 30, 2011
This is a very cute story,and a good fast read.A really thought that Caleb was going to be a dead beat dad though :( but he wasn't he was still there for her. Alinora is a beautiful and a unique title for this book,I like how the baby girl was named Alinora too,even though I thought Lily was gonna have a boy.This is a great read for when you wanna pass time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2012
I quite enjoyed the twist in this book between one reality and the other. It was quite a lovely break from traditional romance novels. The fact that it was a short story, Ms. Lockley got right into the heart of it, without multiple pages of ramblings of how muscly the man was or how homely the woman "thought" she was.
February 4, 2010
This one was a B&N freebie so I read it today at work in between stuff. It was sweet and cute and a good length. Sometimes it is nice to have a quick completely unreal love story to read. I enjoyed it.
March 29, 2010
Freebie from B&N. It was a quick little romance that I thought would do well as a full length novel. If it had time for a little more character developement and world building, It would have potential to be awesome.
October 4, 2011
This book was ok. Just okay. The intentions of the author were good and I could see where the story could have headed but... it didn't. Ms. Lockley tried to write a good story but she was too wordy. She probably could have shaved 5 pages off. Sometimes too much isn't always a good thing.
January 12, 2011
This was a cute, short romantic, fantasy story. It was similar to Cecilia Ahearn's "If You Could See Me Now." It would be a good read for a plane or train ride (or in my case, trying to fall asleep late at night!)
January 21, 2011
The idea for the story was good, but the author did not build any of her characters. I thought this was a novel, but was dissappointed to find it is actually a short story. The story line was very predictable, and I had a really hard time getting used to the author's chopping writing style.
March 9, 2011
I keep feeling relieved that this was a short story because I am not sure that I could have handled more than 58 pages. The idea was so over the top that I couldn't really appreciate it. I kept thinking "yeah right". Which is frustrating when you want to enjoy a story.
December 15, 2011
This was a nice fiarly short story about life and romance with a little bit of fantasy to make it all come together. I would recommend for anyone who enjoys a steamy romance(but would only give it maybe a 2 out of 5 on steaminess).
December 21, 2011
I'm not one to rate a book poorly..I can normally find something I like about a book somewhere but I must say this was not worth the read. Thank goodness I got this for free otherwise I would be even more disappointed than I am now. I wouldn't even bother recommending this to anyone I know.
June 13, 2012
It has a unique theme, I said.
I love the idea of 'the other dimension'.
Very appealing actually.
Like I want to go there too.
Coz, how she describe it makes it so wonderful.
I really enjoy this book.
I love the idea of 'the other dimension'.
Very appealing actually.
Like I want to go there too.
Coz, how she describe it makes it so wonderful.
I really enjoy this book.
August 9, 2012
This was seriously the dumbest book ever. The plot moved ahead at lightening speed--and I don't mean that as a compliment. There was no development of character or setting although I think the underlying story could have been a really captivating one. The end was abrupt and so cheesy.
December 17, 2012
Short and sweet. Ive gotta admit, the rape aspects brought about this book made it pretty scary but it was a cute romance and mystery / paranormalstory thay was worth the time. A quick romance that leaves you wanting to know more if you hadnt finished reading it. I read it in one sitting.
January 29, 2013
What a wonderful book. Not at all what I expected. Sometimes I think that romance novels/stories are 'fantasy'. This story was both. It was a pleasant surprise. A MUST read! I highly recommend this book to anyone.
February 7, 2013
This was a quick 1 hour read that I really enjoyed. I really wish there was more to this alternate reality romance short story. The author should consider at least making a whole book from this idea. I would really like to know what happens to the couple.
December 31, 2013
What a terribly written book! Keeping up my New Years Resolution to clear off my Nook, this was one of those freebies that I picked up.
While I liked the general plot, it was so poorly written, so repetitive, so choppy, so badly holed I can't believe this was ever published.
While I liked the general plot, it was so poorly written, so repetitive, so choppy, so badly holed I can't believe this was ever published.
August 25, 2015
This book had a great story but the characters seemed flat and the narration was done in such a dispassionate manner that the people in the book didn't seem real. I didn't feel any emotional connection with them and consequently was uninterested in what fate would befall them.
It was boring.
It was boring.
August 30, 2010
Wonderful book...very good read!
September 6, 2010
The writing style almost turned me off the book, but the story was imaginative enough to get past the style. Short read.
September 15, 2010
Very different and very interesting. Worth a read!
December 31, 2010
The basic sentence structure and progression through the storyline was very banal and made the story difficult to enjoy, though the plot line itself has potential.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews