Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Color of Heaven #4

The Color of a Dream

Rate this book
An emotionally charged tale of a young woman who has fought hard to survive a heart transplant, but soon finds that her new heart is engaged in another kind of battle...

Nadia Carmichael has had a lifelong run of bad luck. It begins on the day she is born, when she is separated from her identical twin sister and put up for adoption. Twenty-seven years later, not long after she is finally reunited with her twin and is expecting her first child, Nadia falls victim to a mysterious virus and requires a heart transplant.

Now recovering from the surgery with a new heart, Nadia is haunted by a recurring dream that sets her on a path to discover the identity of her donor. Her efforts are thwarted, however, when the father of her baby returns to sue for custody of their child. It’s not until Nadia meets his estranged brother Jesse - a heroic rescue helicopter pilot - that she begins to explore the true nature of her dreams, and discover what her new heart truly wants and deserves…

Includes Bonus Content: A Bookclub Discussion Guide

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2014

2306 people are currently reading
1414 people want to read

About the author

Julianne MacLean

78 books4,343 followers
Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.

For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
3,522 (58%)
4 stars
1,839 (30%)
3 stars
570 (9%)
2 stars
91 (1%)
1 star
35 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
Profile Image for Lynda Kelly.
2,216 reviews110 followers
November 14, 2020
Another in this series I've greatly enjoyed. It followed on from book 3 and I read that book 5 also sticks with these characters so where they were standalones, it seems like she's gone to keeping all the same people in future. I don't really mind either way as I always read a series in order. I had forgotten parts of book 3 but it gradually came back to me. That's the thing with a series....you often forget the most recent back story. And I never binge-read a set of books by the same author. I like a break in-between so I'm bound to forget some of this, too, by the time I start book 5.
I have to say that she made Nadia sound a little bit of a dopey nitwit in this as she queried Jesse about what a gearbox is and asked if the rotors are the blades on his helicopter !! Rick didn't come out of this well again, either. I hated to read about Francis and did wonder where Bentley disappeared to as well !! Jesse never said. No wonder he fell out with Rick, though....he was a prize sh*t and his parents encouraged his appalling behaviour as well. No wonder he felt he was entitled to everything going just as it suited him. I liked that Nadia met Audrey and hope they'll get to know each other better in the next book.
I did spot the odd apostrophe mistake and missed fullstops or commas and she spelt pedal as peddle and stuck a needless space in blood flow. This had fewer mistakes than book 3, though, so that's an improvement.
It was odd, too, reaching the end of the prologue and we were 25% in by then. Has to be a record length for a prologue !! And we ended at 79% because again she headed off into chapters of upcoming books then. I hate it when authors do this. I have book 5 downloaded and ready so look forward to seeing where we go next.
Profile Image for Vikki Vaught.
Author 12 books159 followers
July 9, 2018
Another winner in this remarkable series. This book has amazing characters and another unique plot. The narrator is growing on me as well. Can't wait to read the next one. Happy reading/listening!
Profile Image for Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams.
2,705 reviews5 followers
July 18, 2019
The Color of a Dream (The Color of Heaven Series Book 4)

The love story of Nadia and Jesse. Diana and Jacob are planning to get marry. Nadia's new heart is working and all thinks look great for her and Ellie. Than Rick wants fall custody of this daughter. Diana want to know all about Rick, so she call his brother,Jesse. Jesse want to help but he has not seen his brother in over 10 years. One look at Nadia and it's love for him. Will Rick win fall custody of Ellie? Great story.
Profile Image for Gabriela.
273 reviews
May 1, 2022
Book 4 in this loosely connected series did not disappoint. Each story is unique and kept me at the edge of my seat at times. I look forward the the next installment.
1,036 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2022
Must read series

This series is the most realistic stories I think I've ever read. The characters and the story line are crazy good!
Profile Image for SandyL.
3,748 reviews
January 27, 2020
I'm not sure what keeps drawing me to these books - when I read them they are just okay. But I guess the idea of fate or something more, coincidence or divine intervention, make me interested in this series. This book focuses on Rick's (from the last book - Diana's former boyfriend and the Nadia's baby daddy) childhood and his brother, Jesse as well as Nadia. Nadia's life is moving on after having her baby and recovering from her heart transplant. Then she receives a notice from Rick that he wants custody of the daughter he told Nadia he had no interest in. Nadia and Diana track down Rick's brother, Jesse, to try and convince Rick to stop the custody battle. Then Nadia and Jesse fall for each other - it all seems a bit incestuous! My biggest issue with this book is how unrealistic it was
3,818 reviews8 followers
December 27, 2017
I am really enjoying this whole series so far. Technically they are all standalones, but I think the experience is better if you read them all in order.

This tells Natalie's story after her heart transplant. We also get some more insight into Rick and his motivations. Natalie is raising her daughter alone with the help of her twin sister after Rick walked away wanting nothing to do with either of them. Then she gets papers in the mail saying he is suing her for full custody.

They locate his estranged brother, Jesse, to try to help their case in court. Jesse has his own issues with Rick and his family.

I don't want to spoil anything, but you must read this series.
Profile Image for Ranjini.
316 reviews18 followers
February 5, 2017
This book, in fact this entire series, is such a feel-good one.

You do learn to believe in miracles, especially the miracle of life and there definitely exists goodness in humanity - and we need to remember and believe that.
Profile Image for Alisha.
12 reviews
January 12, 2018
Captivating

This is a sweet story that held my interest so much that I didn't want to take any breaks while reading the book. I enjoyed the emphasis on hopes and dreams helping the characters push through their challenges. Encouraging indeed.
16 reviews
January 15, 2018
All of these books have been so compelling.

The characters seem very real as you're reading. I enjoyed the point of view from the different main characters. Reading each of these stories has made me appreciate each day as a gift.
738 reviews6 followers
September 29, 2018
A Bit Far Fetched

Unlike the other books I've read by MS MacLean, this one seemed far fetched. The book was filled with coincidences like the others but this was over the top. Not her best book.
Profile Image for Irene.
321 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2016
Wonderful story, hard to put down. Just like all the other "color" books she wrote, that I have read.
374 reviews
April 6, 2020
Another great, thought-provoking book in the series.

First, I recommend the previous books in the series. Although they are each stand-alone novels, I believe the character development is enhanced through the previous books.

Second I whole-heartedly recommend this book and the series. They extremely well written and well edited which is always a good experience in my opinion. It will definitely pull at your hear strings and give you lots to think about.

Third, I suggest you read the questions at the end of the book which are given to prod discussion for book club readers; however, I have found them interesting and making me give a little more thought to the characters and events in the books.

Fourth, these books all are told in three segments. You read the background and character-development of one of the main characters then you read the background and character-development of the other main character. Finally, the rest of the book is about the meeting and interaction of the two characters together. It’s a very interesting approach and a great way to tell their stories.

Finally, I now anxiously await the next book in the series and I’m immediately ordering another of her books that is excerpted at the end of this book.
Profile Image for Bookfan36.
441 reviews
January 22, 2022
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
Nadia Carmichael has had a lifelong run of bad luck. It begins on the day she is born, when she is separated from her identical twin sister and put up for adoption. Twenty-seven years later, not long after she is finally reunited with her twin and is expecting her first child, Nadia falls victim to a mysterious virus and requires a heart transplant.

Now recovering from the surgery with a new heart, Nadia is haunted by a recurring dream that sets her on a path to discover the identity of her donor. Her efforts are thwarted, however, when the father of her baby returns to sue for custody of their child. It’s not until Nadia meets his estranged brother Jesse - a heroic rescue helicopter pilot - that she begins to explore the true nature of her dreams, and discover what her new heart truly wants and deserves…

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

General Fiction



Review:

I like this book because it’s an uplifting feel good story. The characters are mostly interesting and nice people. They show real character traits such as hope, sadness, perseverance and love. This made them true to life. The story deals with interesting subjects such as, loss of health, injustice and single motherhood.

This book is part of the Color of Heaven series but can be read as a standalone.


Strong points; a well developed nicely written plot, the story flows well and explores interesting spiritual point of views.
Weak points; you have to be able to appreciate the spiritual part of the story and accept it; if you are unable to do this, this book is not for you.
Profile Image for Janice Spina.
Author 53 books111 followers
May 28, 2025
The Color of a Dream is book 4 in this Color of Heaven Series. It is touching, emotional and heartfelt collections of stories involving different couples who are connected in different ways. Each story is about one couple and their lives, loves and heartaches.

This story is about Nadia who has been unlucky all her life. Each time she tries to rise up something in life knocks her down again. She was separated at birth from her twin sister and didn’t meet her until many years later. She had a setback after having a virus which affected her heart enough to warrant a heart transplant. She managed to deliver her baby before her transplant and had the support of her twin sister, Diana, which was a Godsend. She finally felt as if her life would be better until her former boyfriend, father of her child, threatens to take his daughter away from her mother. Can Nadia survive another setback? Will she be able to win custody of her daughter? Will the brother of her former boyfriend come to her rescue?

This was an enjoyable and heart wrenching read. I look forward to more in this memorable series.
Profile Image for Sandra.
1,139 reviews45 followers
May 5, 2022
This is a truly, intriguing, thought-provoking book of heartache, disappointment, love, joy, happiness and yes, dreams, and what they could possibly mean.

As I read through this 'The Color of Heaven' series, I am really beginning to understand what the author did, and it is rather brilliant. I love how she blends and weaves her various stories of heaven experiences over the years of her characters. As there is substantial time between when I read one book and when I get to the next one, sometimes it takes me a bit before I remember characters from previous books, and they start to fit into place, then it all comes flooding back.

Seeing Diana and Nadia later in life is so rewarding, and then seeing how Rick and Jesse come together warms my heart and gives me hope that bitterness doesn't have to remain forever in our lives.

Looking forward to the next book in this series - The Color of a Memory - Book 5 by Julianne MacLean.
Profile Image for Moon.
3 reviews
September 17, 2022
Ga sengaja nemu buku ini di Ipusnas dan iseng minjem dengan tujuan untuk ngilangin suntuk di kelas. Ga nyangka ceritanya bakal sebagus ini. Dari awal baca entah kenapa saya ngerasa ada magnet kuat yang bikin saya ingin menyelesaikan buku ini secepat mungkin. Saya suka cara author membawakan cerita ini di mana alurnya juga dibuat runtut, selain itu konfliknya juga termasuk ringan dan gak dipaksakan. Cuma satu yang saya kecewa di mana penulis ga menampilkan reaksi kedua orang tua Jesse (selaku pemain utama pria) saat tau kalo Jesse melakukan itu (saya sengaja ga menyebutkan kejadian apa karena takut jadi spoiler). Well sebenarnya ada juga beberapa detail kejadian penting yang dilewatkan oleh penulis, meski begitu saya masih bisa menikmati cerita ini. Kesimpulannya buku ini wort it untuk dibaca
10 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2023
I couldn’t put it down!

I am a Christian. I firmly believe that nothing happens by coincidence. I lost custody of my 4 year-old son right after announcing my engagement to remarry. My alcoholic, abusive ex husband was able to gain sole custody due to his wealth and power. His motive was revenge. I could relate to how the mother felt the moment she learned of the judge’s decision. Sadly, our son is now 40 and has been addicted to drugs and alcohol since he was a boy. The good news is that he became a sober Christian and is a wonderful father to his four children. I went to college and became a Christian counselor after I lost him. I specialized in custody evaluations, and was able to help many divorcing couples act in the best interests of their children. God used my pain for others’ gain.
Profile Image for Lisa Russo-Rodriguez.
97 reviews3 followers
August 30, 2019
Just Amazing!

This has got to be my favorite so far in the series. I couldn’t put it down and read it in 3 hours. I just had to know what would happen for Nadia. Her story was deep and meaningful. When she was facing that heart wrenching situation custody battle I just burst into tears. Being a mother I put myself into her shoes and I wouldn’t be able to handle that. I just love how Juliane creates such a great story of struggle, hope and inspirations. It’s not my typical read but o am glad I stumbled upon this series.
Profile Image for Eva Marie Everson.
Author 64 books367 followers
September 14, 2021
Excellent reading . . . and my introduction to the author. My only complaint (critique) would be that, with my background in family court, I know of no incident where a small child would be placed with an unknown parent without first having a slow introduction. The plot could have still been carried out without this "picking her up tomorrow" decision.
Spoiler Below:
The end was perfect. And, all along, I thought Jesse was dead . . . so I kept holding my breath for that, but, in the end, it was Owwix (sp?).
Profile Image for Jeanne Chepko.
342 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2022
Page turner

Wow, what a story. You will feel every emotion possible when reading this book. Incredible characters, excellent interactions...makes you feel like you know them. It deals with a lot of difficult life events, sickness, loss, parenting, organ transplantation, family angst and more. This one really makes you think about what is important in life and to live everyday to the fullest.
Hope to read another in this series soon. Loved it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions in this review are my own.
Profile Image for James Steele.
Author 1 book14 followers
May 14, 2023
This author is outstanding! Her books challenge the reader in every positive way. Great characters, storyline, and a superb ending. This book in particular dealt with twins Diane and Nadia. Amazing story of birth separation and how they navigated their lives and then reconnected. The author then wove an amazing story around the twins and their love lives. It was a rich satisfying story, so well crafted, that it tugs at every sinew of one’s heart in a good way. Kudos to Julianne Maclean for another stellar reading experience!
15 reviews
March 29, 2022
Great book With an amazing ending!

I enjoyed this book a lot. It had complex characters, difficult interactions, some thoughts about organ transplants and how they effect recipient. It reinforces the idea that people often are able to put themselves in another person's shoes. I read this book in an evening and an early afternoon! I really enjoyed it and plan to read another book by this author!
Author 2 books2 followers
October 5, 2022
Nadia has a heart transplant and a baby. Maybe, her string of bad luck has ended? Everyday is a fresh challenge, living right to protect her heart, ensuring that baby Ellen has the childhood she had only dreamed of, and making up to her sister, Diana, who she had so carelessly betrayed. But life has never been easy for Nadia, and it does not cease to throw her new curve balls. Rick demanding his rights, flying dreams, a new man.
58 reviews
November 24, 2022
Well written thought provoking story of how dreams and reality may connect. A young woman who has vivid dreams which help guide her through a new relationship after being deeply hurt in a previous romance. She is a single mother trying to raise her daughter while still recovering from heart surgery. The complication of her health, the unexpected demand of her child's father and her new relationship collide in a unexpected way.
3 reviews
April 14, 2023
At Long last happiness for Nadia!

Oh my gosh! Tear jerkers big time. This is another great read after The color of hope which is my favorite of all time!
I didn’t like this character from the color of hope series. She seemed a very selfish person who backstabbed her sister but her character grew on me and finally after such a bad start in life I can understand her selfish behavior was rooted in her horrible upbringing. So Nadia… here’s a toast to you.
Profile Image for Janet Graham.
2,506 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2025
Sometimes Coincidences Happen
This book is the fourth in a series that should be read in order. In particular, the reader needs to read book 3 prior to reading book 4. This story is a continuation of the life of a main character of book 3. It is a clean story with no foul language, violence, gore, or bedroom scenes. There is much drama, some sadness, and some 'mysticism'. I really enjoyed this story and am going to read the next book in the series now.

444 reviews5 followers
May 17, 2025
too much

I gave this book 3 stars because the writing is acceptable. A couple of places are a little confusing when the pronoun I is referencing two different characters’ thinking. The first part of the book is from Jesse‘s point of view, the second Nadia’s, etc., I should refer to the character from whose point of view that section is written. Not so on the other hand, the story is just too much to be imagined.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.