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Chasing a Dream
Kilburn, Derbyshire 1950. Stella has her heart set on becoming a writer. However, living in a small mining village with an aggressive father somewhat limits her aspirations.
After the death of her grandpa - the only person to recognise and encourage her ability, Stella is lost and about to give up on her dream altogether. Then Stella meets Will, and they soon become very close. He is very supportive and keen to help her succeed in her quest.
When Stella’s teacher, Miss Hutton, offers to be her mentor, Stella’s dreams of becoming an author seem to be within her grasp. But then a cruel twist of fate, once again, shatters her ambition.
Thankfully she can rely on Will’s support, that is until they find that their relationship has suddenly become the centre of a long-since uncovered secret.
Can their relationship survive, and will Stella find enough strength to triumph above the constant setbacks she faces?
Chasing the Dream is a story of heartbreak, love and tragedy. It follows the journey of a young girl’s determination to overcome life’s challenges to achieve her goal.
After the death of her grandpa - the only person to recognise and encourage her ability, Stella is lost and about to give up on her dream altogether. Then Stella meets Will, and they soon become very close. He is very supportive and keen to help her succeed in her quest.
When Stella’s teacher, Miss Hutton, offers to be her mentor, Stella’s dreams of becoming an author seem to be within her grasp. But then a cruel twist of fate, once again, shatters her ambition.
Thankfully she can rely on Will’s support, that is until they find that their relationship has suddenly become the centre of a long-since uncovered secret.
Can their relationship survive, and will Stella find enough strength to triumph above the constant setbacks she faces?
Chasing the Dream is a story of heartbreak, love and tragedy. It follows the journey of a young girl’s determination to overcome life’s challenges to achieve her goal.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 7, 2025
Chasing a Dream is a historical fiction book set in 1950 in a small mining village in Derbyshire. We are introduced to Stella, who has a dream of becoming a writer. Her family circumstances aren't the best it was always her grandpa who nurtured her dream until his death.
She meets Will, and her life takes a turn for the better. She finds a mentor in her teacher, and her dream begins to feel like it could be real. A sudden twist of fate shatters her life again. Will is her mainstay until a revelation tests their relationship. Can they weather the storm, and is her dream ever going to become reality?
I am a massive historical fiction lover, and this book gave me all the feels. The setting and characters took me far away from 2025. I was immersed in the past. Stella is a character who has had so much happen in her life, and I felt for her. I felt like I knew her, and my heart was breaking for her. I found it quite an emotional read.
Stepping back in time is always a pleasure for me and Alison J. Barley recreated the 1950s so intricately. Along with the setting, the characters felt real, and I felt every emotion with them.
As I read, I attempted to pace myself so I could stay longer in this world, but the storytelling kept me glued to the book, and it was over way too soon. I may have finished the book, but Stella will stay with me for a while yet, I am still thinking about the book long after reading it.
She meets Will, and her life takes a turn for the better. She finds a mentor in her teacher, and her dream begins to feel like it could be real. A sudden twist of fate shatters her life again. Will is her mainstay until a revelation tests their relationship. Can they weather the storm, and is her dream ever going to become reality?
I am a massive historical fiction lover, and this book gave me all the feels. The setting and characters took me far away from 2025. I was immersed in the past. Stella is a character who has had so much happen in her life, and I felt for her. I felt like I knew her, and my heart was breaking for her. I found it quite an emotional read.
Stepping back in time is always a pleasure for me and Alison J. Barley recreated the 1950s so intricately. Along with the setting, the characters felt real, and I felt every emotion with them.
As I read, I attempted to pace myself so I could stay longer in this world, but the storytelling kept me glued to the book, and it was over way too soon. I may have finished the book, but Stella will stay with me for a while yet, I am still thinking about the book long after reading it.
October 3, 2025
When was told about this book and that it was set in Kilburn, Derbyshire where Mum and Dad now live of course it was a must to read
I have to admit to thinking ‘it might be ok’ but didn’t expect it to be such a good read, its kinda gentle in some ways but with a massive bite in others as issues probably not always dealt with in 1950’s village life happen and are faced
Our main character is Stella who wants to be an author and experiences her first love, of course it doesn’t go smoothly but I didn’t expect the revelation’s that she had to face, her Dad is a bully and his menace throughout coukd not stop Stella’s optimism for her life and future
Loved the Skeggy Holiday camp chapters and tbh loved everything about it, not my usual read but hey thats the beauty of reading and variety
Really enjoyed reading about Kilburn and ‘how it used to be’
Really happy read this endearing insightful historical tale
🤗
I have to admit to thinking ‘it might be ok’ but didn’t expect it to be such a good read, its kinda gentle in some ways but with a massive bite in others as issues probably not always dealt with in 1950’s village life happen and are faced
Our main character is Stella who wants to be an author and experiences her first love, of course it doesn’t go smoothly but I didn’t expect the revelation’s that she had to face, her Dad is a bully and his menace throughout coukd not stop Stella’s optimism for her life and future
Loved the Skeggy Holiday camp chapters and tbh loved everything about it, not my usual read but hey thats the beauty of reading and variety
Really enjoyed reading about Kilburn and ‘how it used to be’
Really happy read this endearing insightful historical tale
🤗
August 25, 2025
Wow what a lovely story this is.
Following the journey of 15 year old Stella. Having to navigate the life of a small pit village, an abusive father, and poverty. Then her beloved grandfather dies. The one person who encourages her writing. For that is her big dream She writes short stories and poetry and its agreed shes good.
Then Stella meets Will and young love blossoms.
I have to wonder what poor Stella done to upset the author. She certainly puts her through it. The young lady suffers more within these pages than most people do in a whole lifetime.
She was great though, very sweet with a good heart and loved by everyone she meets.
I loved grandma Elsie, she was quite the character and the wonderful Miss Hutton.
I found myself unable to put this down once I really got engrossed. I had to hope that something good was in Stella's future.
Following the journey of 15 year old Stella. Having to navigate the life of a small pit village, an abusive father, and poverty. Then her beloved grandfather dies. The one person who encourages her writing. For that is her big dream She writes short stories and poetry and its agreed shes good.
Then Stella meets Will and young love blossoms.
I have to wonder what poor Stella done to upset the author. She certainly puts her through it. The young lady suffers more within these pages than most people do in a whole lifetime.
She was great though, very sweet with a good heart and loved by everyone she meets.
I loved grandma Elsie, she was quite the character and the wonderful Miss Hutton.
I found myself unable to put this down once I really got engrossed. I had to hope that something good was in Stella's future.
December 28, 2025
This was such a wonderful book. It follows Stella, a 15 year old girl in 1950s Kilburn, who has ambitions to be a writer. Stella's grandfather is her biggest supporter, and when he dies Stella doesn't know whether to continue with her passion. Then she meets Will, a lovely young man who has recently moved to the area. Their relationship develops as they both spend a week at Skegness miner's holiday camp with their families. After the holiday, Stella returns to the harsh reality of life with her unloving father, but she still holds out hope of getting her work published.
I really enjoyed this book. It is heartbreaking yet hopeful at the same time. Stella and Will are lovely characters and I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom. The historical aspects were intriguing and I especially enjoyed reading about the holiday camp.
I really enjoyed this book. It is heartbreaking yet hopeful at the same time. Stella and Will are lovely characters and I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom. The historical aspects were intriguing and I especially enjoyed reading about the holiday camp.
September 2, 2025
This is such a lovely, family historic fiction.
Set in 1950 Stella has a simple life with a loving mum and a difficult father with her grandparents round the corner to look after her!
She has a turbulent childhood with lots of complications along the way. I really felt for her as a 15 year old in difficult family circumstances. I loved their trip to the miners camp and reading about historic places
If you look on the authors socials she does a tour of the locations and it’s perfect but to see the difference the modern day world has made to what was a simpler life is sad!
It’s a descriptive book in a different time and location which I really enjoyed.
Set in 1950 Stella has a simple life with a loving mum and a difficult father with her grandparents round the corner to look after her!
She has a turbulent childhood with lots of complications along the way. I really felt for her as a 15 year old in difficult family circumstances. I loved their trip to the miners camp and reading about historic places
If you look on the authors socials she does a tour of the locations and it’s perfect but to see the difference the modern day world has made to what was a simpler life is sad!
It’s a descriptive book in a different time and location which I really enjoyed.
September 4, 2025
Chasing A Dream by Alison J. Barley.
This was a lovely read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I did like the writing style and the story. A very moving read. I did feel for poor Stella. She was certainly put through a lot. There is a lot of heartbreak, love and tragedy. I couldn't believe this was a debut book. I will be keeping my eye open for her next book. I do recommend.
This was a lovely read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I did like the writing style and the story. A very moving read. I did feel for poor Stella. She was certainly put through a lot. There is a lot of heartbreak, love and tragedy. I couldn't believe this was a debut book. I will be keeping my eye open for her next book. I do recommend.
September 8, 2025
Review:
Chasing a Dream is by far a touching tale set in the 1950s (so way before I was born!) We follow Stella, a young woman fighting for her dream to write despite the setbacks, secrets, and heartache of loosing her grandpa. A warm and very very hopeful story sharing lots of resilience, love, and proving to never give up on something you wish to succeed in.
Chasing a Dream is by far a touching tale set in the 1950s (so way before I was born!) We follow Stella, a young woman fighting for her dream to write despite the setbacks, secrets, and heartache of loosing her grandpa. A warm and very very hopeful story sharing lots of resilience, love, and proving to never give up on something you wish to succeed in.
October 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end
Fiction but lots of local memories
Fiction but lots of local memories
September 28, 2025
I loved this book, living in Kilburn myself I really liked all the local references. Well done Alison on your first novel, I hope we’ll be seeing more of your talent.
September 7, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Hygge Book Tours.
The story takes us to 1950s Derbyshire, following the journey of Stella after the death of her grandfather. I haven't read a book like this in a while, and I found that I felt at home with the characters. There was something about Stella that I identified with, and I really liked Will as a character too. Once I started reading, the story flowed easily, and while it was a tearjerker in places, it was heartwarming too.
Thank you to Hygge Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
The story takes us to 1950s Derbyshire, following the journey of Stella after the death of her grandfather. I haven't read a book like this in a while, and I found that I felt at home with the characters. There was something about Stella that I identified with, and I really liked Will as a character too. Once I started reading, the story flowed easily, and while it was a tearjerker in places, it was heartwarming too.
Thank you to Hygge Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
September 13, 2025
I purchased this novel directly from the publisher. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have lived in Derbyshire all my life and could easily identify the locations in the book. I instantly warmed with the characters, especially Stella - and enjoyed following her on her heart warming journey.
Whether or not you are from Derbyshire, I would certainly recommend reading this book, I honestly couldn’t put it down.
I do hope to see more from this author in the future.
Whether or not you are from Derbyshire, I would certainly recommend reading this book, I honestly couldn’t put it down.
I do hope to see more from this author in the future.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews