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Ivy Morgan #2

Wicked Dreams

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Detective Jack Harker is living in his dreams – only they’re really nightmares.

Ivy Morgan wants to help, especially since she’s become a frequent visitor in his subconscious – only she doesn’t know how.

When a battered teenage girl shows up in Ivy’s greenhouse, the duo must put aside their misgivings and constant miscommunication so they can try and help.

Sixteen-year-old Kelly Sisto is living in a nightmare of her own, and whether through trauma or refusal, she can’t tell Ivy and Jack what happened to her.

Shadow Lake’s favorite witch and newest police transplant have their hands full with Kelly, but it’s their hearts that are getting away from them.

When the truth of Kelly’s sad life is finally revealed, everyone is in danger, and they’re going to have to work together if they want to survive – and find a happy ending.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2015

1065 people are currently reading
281 people want to read

About the author

Lily Harper Hart

238 books766 followers

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5 stars
1,403 (53%)
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836 (32%)
3 stars
303 (11%)
2 stars
45 (1%)
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16 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
Profile Image for Carol.
14 reviews
November 28, 2015
I really didn't like this book. It failed to pull me into the story because the the characters are flat and unrealistic. Actually the whole story line never really rang true. Sure it's a small town and you're good friends with the police chief, but what professional cop is going to not take a suspected victim of abuse to a hospital to get checked out. I don't care if she wont talk or not. Seriously it went downhill from there. It seems the characters have nothing better to do than spend their time speculating when the two main characters are going to have sex with each other and that one of those involved in the speculation happens to the be the brother and father of the female lead is disturbing and icky. The plot relies very heavily upon coincidence and cliche: the poor little foster child sucked into an abusive relationship with a seemingly benign older authority figure, the neglectful money-hungry foster parents, the long lost brother who just happens to be living mere miles away all this time. And even a therapeutic horse riding event for no apparent reason. I struggled to finish reading this book and I won't be continuing this series.
Profile Image for Theresa .
1,856 reviews77 followers
November 16, 2020
4.5 Stars... When a battered teenager turns up in Ivy's greenhouse, a dark mystery unfolds leading Ivy and Jack on a hunt for a predator... What they uncover is both chilling and disturbing, but only these two can set it to rights... As they navigate this mystery, they are also challenged with their growing attraction to one another that has taken on a supernatural twist... When Ivy is seemingly pulled into Jack's nightmares, only she can aid him in overcoming his past and setting his sights on the future... An exhilarating read that couples some dark premises with the love of family and friends and even touches of humor to lighten the intensity... An intriguing series for sure that seems to have much to unveil:)
Profile Image for Katter.
345 reviews9 followers
February 18, 2018
This book was so good! It has the same sweet and cozy atmosphere as the first one. There are some very dark and sickening implications in this installment but I do not think that they take over the whole story, though they are integral to it.

A little while after the whole cult thing from the previous novel, Ivy heads out to her greenhouse to get a sapling for a customer when she finds a young woman hiding behind them, dirty, frightened, and bruised. The poor thing doesn't say a word and just starts to scream when encountered.

Naturally Ivy calls Jack and Brian out, but because of the girls terrible reaction to people, Ivy is the one that maintains contact and tries to help her out. Eventually the hider starts to speak and comes around to trusting Ivy. Now that she does, Ivy is determined to help the child and figure out what is scaring her so.

Since the poor dear has been traumatized, she will be staying with Ivy until she is ready to talk, much to Jack's dismay. The two of them butt heads a lot in 'Wicked Dreams' but it is always with the best of intentions, and it is truly apparent how much they care for one another. That is the top note at play in this book.

Even though there is a seriously dark undertone to the story, it is lightened up by the sweet silliness that seems to follow the heroine around. The side characters also play a large roll in spurring the romance on, and Max is once again relentless with teasing his sister. It's quite amusing!

I think that is one reason that the Ivy Morgan books are so good. They may dip into some dark subjects but it never goes in too deep. The stories maintain levity which makes them quite enjoyable. I would imagine it's difficult to balance those two spectrum's but I think Hart does it amazingly well!

Her writing is engaging and the characters are endearing. The two lovebirds are getting closer and closer, and the mystery and suspense of the background story is ever threateningly present. This is a fantastic read! I almost completely read it in one setting because I didn't want to put it down!

Everything ends on a happy note and I am really excited to see where the author is going to take Ivy and the rest of her cast. It's such a delightful setup and I find the side characters, though occasionally pushy, to be a great addition to the books. I can't wait for more fluffy moments between Ivy and Jack. I will have to read the next one real soon!
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2022
entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series

This is an entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. A funcast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Ivy Morgan is basically a witch. She’s not aware of all the powers she has yet but as time goes by she will discover more and more. She lives in a small town in Upper Michigan. She lives in a magical world that has a number of other characters and books in that same world that will occasionally cross over. This is a great series as Ivy oh and Sharon nursery and is at the very beginning of a relationship that she is unsure if she’s willing to get into With a new police detective. As he has his own issues he is unsure if he wants to get into a relationship. Yet everyone around them seems to feel they are destined for each other. Read on and see the story that unfolds in this book. Together they help a young girl in trouble And hopefully come out with a good evening at the end. Check it out
Profile Image for JadeShea.
3,235 reviews60 followers
November 19, 2018
Ivy thought that she wouldn't see Jack again, but when he keeps showing up unexpectedly she doesn't know what to think. She can't stop her thoughts from wondering what it would be like to be with him, but he doesn't want a relationship. However, when Ivy finds a teenager girl who has been hurt things start to look really bad. She and Jack must work together to figure out what happened and how they can help.

However, Jack is relieving his nightmares, and he may not be the only who can see them.
This adds a lot of frustrating and drama to this story, but it made it extremely interesting, and I thought the book was really good.

I enjoyed Jack and Ivy, and I can't wait for them to get together. They are great! I also really liked the story line as well. It was extremely good, and now I look forward to more.
Profile Image for Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton.
770 reviews28 followers
October 30, 2015
This was amazing! I LOVE this series! Very deep subject matter - child abuse/molestation handled with kid gloves and in an amazingly compassionate way. It seems so out of date that the townsfolk think of Ivy as a "witch" since she does not adhere to Christian Doctrine and so they vilify her because they do not understand (nor do they make any attempt to understand) her point of view. The reality of that is 180 degrees - she is a compassionate individual, secure in her Spirituality, who works to ensure the best of all those in her world and to protect the truly innocent. I enjoy an author who teaches thru her writing and shows us that our differences are what make us all special, not what make us scary. It's the evil we intend that makes us scary.
Profile Image for Jamie.
869 reviews31 followers
June 23, 2021
Ivy Morgan is back with another mystery in the small hamlet of Shadow Lake. This time, a young girl needs her help before danger gets too close.

Summary:
After helping him catch a killer, Ivy Morgan didn’t think she’d be seeing Detective Jack Harker again. Luckily for her, it’s looking like Jack just can’t stay away. Not only has she seen him in person, but she’s also been seeing him in her dreams. His proximity comes in handy, though, when Ivy finds a battered and traumatized teenage girl hiding in her greenhouse. They both will have to set aside their fears and miscommunications in order to try to help the frightened teen. It’s clear Jack and Ivy will have their hands full with their sixteen year old charge, since she’s not talking. Whether from trauma or outright refusal remains to be seen. One thing is clear. Until Kelly tells them her story, danger lurks around every corner. In the name of security, Jack appoints himself as their protector. But his nightmares are ever-present, too, and he’s somehow pulled Ivy smack in the middle. Can Jack and Ivy get it together to not only slay Jack’s demons, but also the very real demon that stalks them in reality?

I have mixed feelings about Wicked Dreams. In some ways, I liked it, but in others that I think I should have, I didn’t. I really wanted to see progress in Jack and Ivy’s relationship, and we did. I loved that doors and communications were opened. Jack and Ivy have an intense chemistry that sparks when they’re in each other’s vicinity. I also loved that. The banter between them can be cute, but it can also be overdone. I just felt that a lot of the bickering was a tinge childish and annoying. IMO, it happened too frequently and with no real results. Both Jack and Ivy were determined to not want the other. I couldn’t help but feel the majority of the book was them just yelling at each other. That said, I do enjoy watching Jack and Ivy together. I think they’ve both been hurt in the past and the other is just what they need to heal and move forward, but I want to see a push/pull dynamic that sees them taking steps towards each other. Ivy is still very stubborn, and just scared of having her heart broken again, but Jack has trust issues and guilt about past actions to overcome. I did enjoy seeing them eventually navigate their issues to some extent and come to a compromise that isn’t a promise of a future, but is a promise to try. As for the mystery, it was sad and made my stomach upset, but it came up lacking in the thrilling department. Don’t get me wrong, a mystery like this isn’t good entertainment, but it is supposed to be a mystery that keeps me turning the pages. Unfortunately for me, I had already pretty much figured out the situation and players long before the end of the book. My favorite part of the book had to be the dreams and how Ivy and Jack reacted to them. It gave us a ton more history for Jack and a little bit better understanding of why he’s so adamant about being alone. In the end, I did enjoy stepping into Jack and Ivy’s world once again. I’m still bummed that there isn’t more magic, though. I have hope that Ivy is just being stubborn about putting a label on herself, though, and that future books will see her accepting it so we can see more. ♡
Profile Image for Karyn.
210 reviews
November 10, 2024

Another fun series from Lily Harper Hart


Once again, the characters are amazing. The reader is immediately transported in to Shadow Lake's community, and knows the central figures almost immediately. Ivy is a slightly damaged soul - she doesn't care about the idiots who bad mouth or shun her, but she is petrified of being hurt. She'd rather be alone. Jack is badly damaged emotionally, and refuses to care for anyone. And then they meet, and neither can ignore the explosive chemistry between them (although they sure do try!)


Ivy is now dreamwalking in Jack's dreams almost every night, but she doesn't understand how or why, or how to stop it. But when she finds a battered girl in her greenhouse, she takes her in while Jack investigates.


Both Jack and Ivy are ridiculously annoyed with their well-meaning family (hers) and friends who keep trying to push them together, when neither is ready for it. Jack is still badly damaged, and Ivy doesn't want anyone who's going to leave her. And when Ivy tells Jack that she's dreamwalking, he is furious at the invasion of privacy. Can they get over that?

Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews10 followers
January 18, 2020
A terrified teenager appears in Ivy's greenhouse..

.. and it's obvious that she's been abused. Kelly Sisto won't talk about what's happened to her so Ivy decides to take the young girl in while Jack and Brian try to dig into her life.

With foster parents who have no idea she's missing, a guidance counsellor who doesn't seem to know much and an older brother who she was separated from when their parents died and hasn't seen since, Kelly isn't getting the love and care she should be.

After an intruder breaks into Ivy's home in the middle of the night searching for Kelly, Jack moves in and he and Ivy find it harder and harder to keep their feelings for each other hidden..

She begins to open up to Ivy, Jack and Max and when they track down her brother Jordan and he reveals the reason he stayed away Kelly starts to heal but will she be able to reveal the wrong that's been done to her before it comes close enough to kill not just her but the new friends who are trying to protect her.
Profile Image for Thereadingbell.
1,433 reviews40 followers
October 29, 2019
In book 2 of the Ivy Morgan Mysteries we get further into Ivy and Jack's relationship. Ivy finds a young teenager near her nursery. Kelly is running away from something and Ivy and jack are determined to find out what she is running away from. She has bruises all over her body so someone is hurting her. Kelly stays with Ivy while they try to get her to talk to tell them what is going on. Kelly life is filled with tragedy and she fell through the cracks in the system. Ivy finds herself visiting Jack's dreams which he is calling her to join him there. The development of the characters was a breath of fresh air in the build up. I also like Max who happens to be Ivy's brother who is a ladies man so to speak. I also like that the story touched a bit on Ivy's abilities pointing to them being a little magical. You need to read the book to see what has happened to Kelly and who is the one hurting her. It is fast paced and it does not disappoint.
Profile Image for Loretta TheMoodyRedhead.
1,049 reviews4 followers
August 11, 2021
Finally! It’s about time Jack and Ivy admitted they are hot for each other and want to give it a go! Ya, forget about all the drama with Kelly. Lol. I want the couple to get down! Get to kissing and hugging and rolling around!

It’s cool how they have the same dream and that Ivy saved Jack in his dream. His eyes were opened and he admitted he wants Ivy.

This book was not really from Jack’s or Ivy’s perspective, rather it was from both peoples. I would like to see Kelly and Jordan in future stories of this series, so I hope that happens. I also hope there are more shared dreams and more growing of Ivy and Jack’s relationship.

For a cozy town romantic mystery, this was a cute read. Nothing particularly special and different about this book, but cute nonetheless.

Onto book 3 (Wicked Times).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dharia Scarab.
3,255 reviews8 followers
March 26, 2017

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 26, 2018
Fears and triumphs

Outstanding. Our fiesty heroine finds a traumatised teenage girl hiding in her greenhouse. Overcoming any objections, she takes her home. What is the cause of the trauma? Who or what is she running away from? Add in neglectful foster parents, someone trying to get to the girl, attacks and stonewalling from the girl, she and her detective try to unravel her past. As well as dealing with the phenomenon of her walking in his dreams. Can they create a happy ending for the girl? Terrific plot, although it was really obvious who the "baddie" was. Really showed the pitfalls that are around for vulnerable teens and the shortcomings of the foster parent system. The characters have really opened up in this book.
Profile Image for Ambrosia.
515 reviews14 followers
January 22, 2022
Unfortunately some issues are too traumatic to be dealt with properly in such a fluffy format. Also, because of the issue, it was particularly frustrating that the villain was so obvious - but the supposedly experienced police officers had no clue. There were so many other issues. Notnto mention a number of typos and this author's usual continuity failures. (Simple ones too). I guess when you're churning out the same series over and over under two different nom de plume, you don't bother paying attention to the stories. Finally it felt like the heroine's personality took a one-eighty in this book.
2,873 reviews11 followers
July 13, 2024
When Ivy Morgan finds a battered young woman, Kelly Sisto, sixteen years old, in the greenhouse of her garden store, she calls Jack Harker. He wants to take Kelly to Social Services but relents to Ivy's need to nurture and protect Kelly herself to learn who hurt her. Meanwhile, Ivy begins to have shared dreams, or nightmares, with Jack.

This Paranormal Witches & Wizards Romance is exquisite. This story will likely draw the reader in. The snarky banter and arguing between the main characters is captivating. The end is spectacularly precious.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Page-turner. Romantic. Scary. Steamy. Tragic. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
17 reviews
February 23, 2021
Very STRESSFUL book

I finally got sick to my stomach from the two characters doing nothing but constantly bickering and arguing and repeatedly doing the same thing over n over! Very little of a plot n just couldn't read anymore! I love reading n books of all kinds but this author is the first in my life that disappointed me enough to make sure not to read any other books from that author again! This is the second book in series and it's worse than the first! So totally stressed me out! I only put 1 star because it wouldn't accept a 0!!
Profile Image for Melissa.
128 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2018
Obvious, but Enjoyable

I liked the plot even though it was predictable. The culprit was very obvious.

I would really like to see some differences in the way the characters speak. All of the author's characters in all of her books speak the exact the same. It tends to get boring after awhile.

In can forgive it to an extent (if the story is good). This series has a bit of potential, but I want the language to be different.I am tired of "schmaltzy" and repetitive dialogues.
Profile Image for Claire Jones.
38 reviews
August 28, 2019
This book really needs a trigger warning for abuse survivors.
The main characters annoy me. They are both whiny and shouty which is aggravating and although we are supposed to like Jack and despise the abuser, there are many controlling and dominating aspects arising in his personality.
Finally, in what world would a victim, especially a teenager be left in the care of a random woman and not be taken to hospital for a rape kit test?
Profile Image for Dawn Gee.
2,995 reviews12 followers
September 4, 2019
Fun series to read

Ivy stumbles upon an abused and traumatized girl. The abuser wants the girl back and set out to try to get her from Ivy. Jack isn't going to allow that to happen. The are scenarios of Ivy's unique abilities in this book. Max and Felicity are interesting people. I can't wait to see if Felicity helps Ivy embrace what she is capable of because Ivy does have some power.
Profile Image for Deborah.
182 reviews
July 22, 2024
Okay, this book we get to learn the detective's deep dark terrible secret... except it wasn't deep or dark or terrible. I think that was the lamest dark past I've ever read. It was talked up like it was something so much worse.

Also Ivy has no sense of self preservation, and it was really annoying in this book.

I'm only continuing with this series because it's on kindle unlimited, and I'm too lazy to track down a better series until I really can't stand it anymore.
1,372 reviews13 followers
August 26, 2025
Really enjoyed this addition to the series!

Fantastic storyline and the characters were very interesting. Lily Harper Hart writes the most fascinating series! I've been reading every one of them. My favorite was the Ghostly series with Zander. Now there's the Magical series that has several of her series leading ladies plus Zander and I absolutely love that one. Absolutely phenomenal author!!!
166 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2025
Soul mates

Soul mates, hardly ever happen these days. But a book is a place where they can happen. The jouArney begins, great love cannot be denied for long. Truth is very important, acceptance that humans are not perfect. But we can find ways to support each other with equality. I will continue to read about Ivy and Jack and I am glad there are more stories to follow in this series! Thank you for this uplifting work, Lily Harper Hart!
766 reviews3 followers
December 6, 2017
Child abuse comes to town.

Ivy found a beaten teen girl in her greenhouse. Ivy and Jack help her come out of her shell. When her abuser comes back Ivy and Kelly outsmart him, and get away before help can arrive. Thing get a lot worse soon. This is a page turner, ups and downs all the way through.
Profile Image for Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru.
1,544 reviews104 followers
December 24, 2017
Great Sequel

I loved this one even more than the first. There's a little more magic involved and Ivy and Jack are too cute. They're making their way towards happiness. This time, they have a terrified teenager to save and everyone bands together to pitch in. I love Ivy's family. I also love how much Jack opens up. These two are so good for each other.
866 reviews7 followers
March 9, 2020
I'm on the fence regarding this series. I want to like it rather more than I actually like it. In some ways it comes close to but just misses the mark. Perhaps the pacing doesn't feel right (to me) and the characters don't behave quite the way it seems they ought. It is certainly not bad in any way. It just feels as if it could have been better.
Profile Image for tabitha bradshaw.
718 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2020
“We have forever, and everywhere.”

Ivy and Jack are moving closer as they deal with a young girl found hiding in Ivy’s greenhouse. The secret she’s hiding could be bigger than either one can live through. Another super series! Great characters and fun scenes. Awesome read! Enjoy!!!
667 reviews7 followers
November 21, 2021
Wicked Dreams (An Ivy Morgan Mystery book 2

This was another winner. I love this Author and all her different series. I have read over 50 of her books and loved every one of them. I highly recommend all her books and different series. They all have great characters in each series and she has a great imagination and great storylines. Diana Romano
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
439 reviews
July 2, 2022
Hugs and fights.

Ivy is an usual woman. She meets Jack who is an unusual man. Then Kelly comes into their lives.
I think most of us suspected Kelly's problem but the who was a bit harder. Enjoyed this second story of Ivy and Jack and think I will have to read more....like Book 3!
Recommend
Profile Image for Birgit.
1,337 reviews17 followers
November 13, 2024
The of-course-not-romance between Jack and Ivy continues, and we learn more about Jack's past, while they look after a runaway teenager who seems to be in danger from someone.
Good narration style, mixed with a good plot, likeable characters and lots of humour makes this a very enjoyable read, like the first book in this series.
52 reviews
May 25, 2017
Oh Wow! An unexpected climax to a horrifying tale

Hart wraps up the story of a terrified teenager with an edge-of-your-seat climax while following up the love story that wends through the series. A very satisfying read, indeed!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews

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