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Love Story from Portugal #1
The Secret Life of Daydreams
Sometimes the dream you never planned for is the one you can’t live without.
Six years after a painful divorce, Josh Conrad is happy traveling the world as a photographer. When he arrives in Portugal, he plans to complete the assignment as quickly as possible. What he doesn’t plan for is Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier on an LDS mission, and soon he’s making excuses to prolong his trip.
Sofia Monteiro leads a structured life in Braga, Portugal, teaching high school by day and caring for her mother by night. After she reconnects with Josh through mutual friends, the memory of a failed relationship and her new graduate program are enough reasons to stay away from him.
As they collaborate on a project, Josh is wary of repeating his old mistakes and Sofia hesitates to spend time with an American who’s only passing through.
Can two people with wounded hearts bring themselves to trust their dreams to each other?
The Secret Life of Daydreams is a clean and wholesome contemporary LDS romance set in Portugal.
Six years after a painful divorce, Josh Conrad is happy traveling the world as a photographer. When he arrives in Portugal, he plans to complete the assignment as quickly as possible. What he doesn’t plan for is Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier on an LDS mission, and soon he’s making excuses to prolong his trip.
Sofia Monteiro leads a structured life in Braga, Portugal, teaching high school by day and caring for her mother by night. After she reconnects with Josh through mutual friends, the memory of a failed relationship and her new graduate program are enough reasons to stay away from him.
As they collaborate on a project, Josh is wary of repeating his old mistakes and Sofia hesitates to spend time with an American who’s only passing through.
Can two people with wounded hearts bring themselves to trust their dreams to each other?
The Secret Life of Daydreams is a clean and wholesome contemporary LDS romance set in Portugal.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2016
82 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Whitney
22 books1,302 followersLucinda Whitney was born and raised in Portugal, where she received a Master’s degree from the University of Minho in Braga, in Portuguese/English teaching.
She lives in northern Utah with her husband and four children. When she’s not reading and writing, she can be found with a pair of knitting needles, or tending her herb garden.
She lives in northern Utah with her husband and four children. When she’s not reading and writing, she can be found with a pair of knitting needles, or tending her herb garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 6, 2018
4.5 stars. I read this story as part of the A LOVE STORY FROM PORTUGAL box set. This has a storyline I've never read before. A former missionary goes back to the area where he served his mission 11 years later, and meets the young woman he baptized. One of the main issues in the storyline is she's very active at church and will only marry in the temple, and he hasn't been to church in 6 years since his marriage failed.
Sofia has so much going on--working, applying for graduate school, caring for her mother who's recently been diagnosed with dementia--and she tries to do everything by herself. Josh has left behind his career in architecture to become a photographer who travels around the world, rarely seeing his family in Utah.
I liked that the problems each of the characters faced were real life issues and weren't glossed over or easily fixed. I liked that Sofia had friends who supported her and that she didn't use her trials as an excuse not to participate in church. I like how Josh was always there to help her, even with what could seem like little things--to Sofia they weren't little things. He had such a kind heart. I wish we had found out the source of Josh's issues with church earlier in the story than we did. I didn't understand why he stopped going to church just because his marriage ended. It isn't mentioned until almost the end of the book when his grandfather makes him talk about it. The author does a wonderful job describing Portugal and helping me imagine it as I'm reading.
Sofia has so much going on--working, applying for graduate school, caring for her mother who's recently been diagnosed with dementia--and she tries to do everything by herself. Josh has left behind his career in architecture to become a photographer who travels around the world, rarely seeing his family in Utah.
I liked that the problems each of the characters faced were real life issues and weren't glossed over or easily fixed. I liked that Sofia had friends who supported her and that she didn't use her trials as an excuse not to participate in church. I like how Josh was always there to help her, even with what could seem like little things--to Sofia they weren't little things. He had such a kind heart. I wish we had found out the source of Josh's issues with church earlier in the story than we did. I didn't understand why he stopped going to church just because his marriage ended. It isn't mentioned until almost the end of the book when his grandfather makes him talk about it. The author does a wonderful job describing Portugal and helping me imagine it as I'm reading.
November 14, 2016
What a lovely setting! I enjoyed "traveling" to Portugal and experiencing the culture of the region through Sofia and Josh. They are unexpectedly reunited and the time they spend working together makes them never want to be apart, even though there are obstacles to having a long-term relationship. Josh comes to her rescue several times and she helps him open his heart back up. Sofia has some heavy burdens and trials, but her faith and the support of her friends helps her stay strong. Josh is floundering and wallowing in his life's disappointments, yet still reaches out to others and serves with compassion. The plot seemed to drag on in the middle when there wasn't any progress in their relationship or Josh's issues. I felt like he was a stone wall not only to Sofia but also to the reader since any details about his past and spiritual choices were saved for the very end of the book as a sort of reveal. It prevented me from understanding his situation or fully connecting with his character and I definitely felt Sofia's frustration with him. However, the ending wrapped things up nicely and I was happy to see everyone happy again :)
(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)
July 8, 2016
content: clean
LDS fiction
review to come
I really liked the characters
some unresolved questions didn't get answered
LDS fiction
review to come
I really liked the characters
some unresolved questions didn't get answered
February 29, 2016
Of course I'm giving it 5 stars! Josh and Sofia have been through so much and I love their story. It's a clean LDS contemporary romance set in Portugal and I hope you'll love it as much as I do.
February 27, 2016
***3.5 stars***
This is a sweet LDS contemporary romance.
Josh and Sofia met when he served an LDS mission to Portugal. His life has been far from what he planned and he returns broken in many ways. Sofia is a woman whom he baptised 11 years ago. Her memories of him do not mesh with the life that he is now living.
I enjoyed the characters of this book. I like the fact that they have problems and are working to make their lives the best that they can. Together they are stronger than apart. Sofia leans on Josh's strength as she deals with the difficulties of having a mother with dementia. Josh leans on Sofia as he discovers that he does have the capacity to love again and dream of a life that is not lonely.
The book is set in Portugal. I loved how the author was able to bring the Portuguese culture to life for me. The setting sound beautiful and it is now another place that I would love to visit someday.
The book is clean. There is kissing. The premise behind the book is religious, but I didn't find it to preach at me. The characters strove to respect their religious differences.
This is a sweet LDS contemporary romance.
Josh and Sofia met when he served an LDS mission to Portugal. His life has been far from what he planned and he returns broken in many ways. Sofia is a woman whom he baptised 11 years ago. Her memories of him do not mesh with the life that he is now living.
I enjoyed the characters of this book. I like the fact that they have problems and are working to make their lives the best that they can. Together they are stronger than apart. Sofia leans on Josh's strength as she deals with the difficulties of having a mother with dementia. Josh leans on Sofia as he discovers that he does have the capacity to love again and dream of a life that is not lonely.
The book is set in Portugal. I loved how the author was able to bring the Portuguese culture to life for me. The setting sound beautiful and it is now another place that I would love to visit someday.
The book is clean. There is kissing. The premise behind the book is religious, but I didn't find it to preach at me. The characters strove to respect their religious differences.
February 5, 2016
This was a charming LDS romance. It wasn't overly preachy, but many of these people's religion was central to their lives. The characters were fun, and I really liked both Josh and Sofia. I loved especially how Whitney portrayed Josh's growing affection for Sophia, how he wanted to help her and would watch out for her. It did take a long time to get there though. Gorgeous cover and book interiors. 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.
September 27, 2016
*Full Review*
Ok my full review will come soon but for now....
I picked this up in between some other review books I have because I read the author's novella, One Small Chance,that comes after this book. I loved it and wanted to return to Portugal. Beautiful story of pain and change and sorrows and hurt and redemption and joy and peace and love.
I will get a finished review up next week where you can read my many musings and ramblings.
--------------------------------------------
I am finally writing my review, Yay! Life has been busy but I'm excited to once again return to this novel as I am writing this review. I absolutely love the cover, and once you start into the book the other thing that really caught my eye was the design on some of the pages, beautiful! So far I have really loved the characters that Lucinda Whitney has created in her books and I can't wait for more of her stories to be created!
I love second chance stories and this was a well written one. Sofia met Josh years ago when he was serving an LDS mission in Portugal. They had a connection when they met and Josh and his mission companion taught Sofia the gospel and she was baptized a member of the LDS church. Flash forward(I believe it's ten years) and we find Sofia is a teacher, a caregiver to her mother(her father has passed away) and is also about to start on a doctorate program that she has saved for years to attend. We also find Josh back in Portugal. He has returned home from his mission, fell in love, married, the marriage crumbled and Josh crumbled even more and stepped away from everything he knew and loved, including his family. Josh has become a photographer and travels all over, not willing to set down roots to anyone or anywhere. He is back in Portugal on a work assignment and while there connects with one of his old mission companions.
Josh and Sofia reconnect and there is still a spark there for them from when they first met. The question is do they pursue this spark or are there too many hindrances that will keep them stepping back from each other and allowing their friendship to develop?
I loved both of these characters. They each were real and honest and struggling. Each had their own struggles, each had their own heartaches and each had a vision for the future but weren't quite sure how to achieve that vision/dream.
I really enjoy when an author can create a character and develop them in a way that allows us readers to understand them on many levels. From their superficial relationships to their deep emotional relationships and struggles.
Sofia has found so much joy in her life by turning it over to the Lord and allowing him to guide her. Josh has felt betrayed and let down because of the choices he made in regards to his failed marriage. He has pulled away from what he believed and doesn't want to return to that life because he feels he failed it once.
So many wonderful scenes between Josh and Sofia where they helped to slowly heal each others heartaches. Sofia is a full time caregiver/provider for her mother who has dementia. How can she continue to provide for her mother, work full time and continue to progress and achieve her dreams. Josh is a real blessing to her in her life at this point in time. He steps in so many times throughout the story helping her in many ways that he feels are inconsequential yet to Sofia they are blessings because she could not have survived well without his help.
Many sweet moments and a tender romance that blooms and grows throughout the book. The settings that Josh visits to photograph sound absolutely stunning and create a beautiful visual as you are reading the book. I loved the aspect of photography throughout and how it played into the story.
I will admit that it was an emotional read( a good emotional read) and had me thinking back many times on the blessings that have come into my life. Many times in ways that we don't always see clearly as blessings in the moment but looking back there is no doubt that those were blessings from a loving Heavenly Father.
Beautiful love story with pain and healing, sorrow and joy interwoven throughout. The LDS aspects of the story were front and center many times but not preachy. The focus was more on Josh finding peace with what he believes and deciding if he believed in Christ and if he wanted to follow Him.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance full of hope and healing and some kisses. A clean read with a great set of characters and religious talk.
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Reading!!!
Ok my full review will come soon but for now....
I picked this up in between some other review books I have because I read the author's novella, One Small Chance,that comes after this book. I loved it and wanted to return to Portugal. Beautiful story of pain and change and sorrows and hurt and redemption and joy and peace and love.
I will get a finished review up next week where you can read my many musings and ramblings.
--------------------------------------------
I am finally writing my review, Yay! Life has been busy but I'm excited to once again return to this novel as I am writing this review. I absolutely love the cover, and once you start into the book the other thing that really caught my eye was the design on some of the pages, beautiful! So far I have really loved the characters that Lucinda Whitney has created in her books and I can't wait for more of her stories to be created!
I love second chance stories and this was a well written one. Sofia met Josh years ago when he was serving an LDS mission in Portugal. They had a connection when they met and Josh and his mission companion taught Sofia the gospel and she was baptized a member of the LDS church. Flash forward(I believe it's ten years) and we find Sofia is a teacher, a caregiver to her mother(her father has passed away) and is also about to start on a doctorate program that she has saved for years to attend. We also find Josh back in Portugal. He has returned home from his mission, fell in love, married, the marriage crumbled and Josh crumbled even more and stepped away from everything he knew and loved, including his family. Josh has become a photographer and travels all over, not willing to set down roots to anyone or anywhere. He is back in Portugal on a work assignment and while there connects with one of his old mission companions.
Josh and Sofia reconnect and there is still a spark there for them from when they first met. The question is do they pursue this spark or are there too many hindrances that will keep them stepping back from each other and allowing their friendship to develop?
I loved both of these characters. They each were real and honest and struggling. Each had their own struggles, each had their own heartaches and each had a vision for the future but weren't quite sure how to achieve that vision/dream.
I really enjoy when an author can create a character and develop them in a way that allows us readers to understand them on many levels. From their superficial relationships to their deep emotional relationships and struggles.
Sofia has found so much joy in her life by turning it over to the Lord and allowing him to guide her. Josh has felt betrayed and let down because of the choices he made in regards to his failed marriage. He has pulled away from what he believed and doesn't want to return to that life because he feels he failed it once.
So many wonderful scenes between Josh and Sofia where they helped to slowly heal each others heartaches. Sofia is a full time caregiver/provider for her mother who has dementia. How can she continue to provide for her mother, work full time and continue to progress and achieve her dreams. Josh is a real blessing to her in her life at this point in time. He steps in so many times throughout the story helping her in many ways that he feels are inconsequential yet to Sofia they are blessings because she could not have survived well without his help.
Many sweet moments and a tender romance that blooms and grows throughout the book. The settings that Josh visits to photograph sound absolutely stunning and create a beautiful visual as you are reading the book. I loved the aspect of photography throughout and how it played into the story.
I will admit that it was an emotional read( a good emotional read) and had me thinking back many times on the blessings that have come into my life. Many times in ways that we don't always see clearly as blessings in the moment but looking back there is no doubt that those were blessings from a loving Heavenly Father.
Beautiful love story with pain and healing, sorrow and joy interwoven throughout. The LDS aspects of the story were front and center many times but not preachy. The focus was more on Josh finding peace with what he believes and deciding if he believed in Christ and if he wanted to follow Him.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance full of hope and healing and some kisses. A clean read with a great set of characters and religious talk.
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Reading!!!
August 5, 2017
This is a wonderful story that draws you in from the beginning and you just can't put down.
March 2, 2016
For en herlig roman! Jeg satte stor pris på denne romanen av to grunner: Den første er rett og slett fordi handlingen foregår i et mormonmiljø, eller LDS som man sier på engelsk (SDH på norsk). Følelsene og problemstillingene de to hovedpersonene opplever og må ta stilling til er noe jeg kjenner meg igjen i og kan forholde meg til.
Den andre grunnen til at jeg satte pris på denne romanen er at den foregår i Portugal. Jeg likte utrolig godt det faktum at den portugisiske kulturen var blandet med tankegangen man har som mormon eller medlem av Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste Dagers Hellige. Særlig likte jeg at forfatteren er fra Portugal og derfor er bevisst på hvordan folk i Portugal tenker og er. Hennes beskrivelser av de forskjellige luktene, maten og hvordan bygningene ser ut var autentiske og hjalp meg å "se" at historien foregår akkurat der.
Jeg har lenge ønsket å lese en mormonroman med handling i Europa som samtidig også var skrevet av en som kommer herfra. Denne romanen har oppfylt dette ønsket. Jeg elsket det faktum at jeg følte Den hellige ånd mens jeg leste denne herlige historien.
Skriv mer, Lucinda!
Den andre grunnen til at jeg satte pris på denne romanen er at den foregår i Portugal. Jeg likte utrolig godt det faktum at den portugisiske kulturen var blandet med tankegangen man har som mormon eller medlem av Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste Dagers Hellige. Særlig likte jeg at forfatteren er fra Portugal og derfor er bevisst på hvordan folk i Portugal tenker og er. Hennes beskrivelser av de forskjellige luktene, maten og hvordan bygningene ser ut var autentiske og hjalp meg å "se" at historien foregår akkurat der.
Jeg har lenge ønsket å lese en mormonroman med handling i Europa som samtidig også var skrevet av en som kommer herfra. Denne romanen har oppfylt dette ønsket. Jeg elsket det faktum at jeg følte Den hellige ånd mens jeg leste denne herlige historien.
Skriv mer, Lucinda!
January 6, 2016
I really love this book. Such a sweet story. The fact that they knew each other years ago in what basically amounts to a different lifetime then meet again years later when they are both in a position they can develop a relationship is fun. But it's not all cake and ice-cream. They have some serious differences to deal with, handle it very maturely, but there is enough romance, sweetness, and hope to pull you through. And the setting in Portugal makes me want to go visit there some day. A very beautiful story.
February 27, 2016
The Secret Life of Daydreams is a cute LDS love story with a satisfying ending. Sweet romance, beautiful scenery, and a bit of an exotic flavor, it kept me reading (I finished it rather quickly) and entertained, cheering for the couple and hoping everything would work out well in the end. A great first book for an author, and I'm looking forward to more.
I received a free copy for my honest review.
I received a free copy for my honest review.
January 12, 2016
Cindy Whitney's The Secret Life of Daydreams whisks readers away to Braga, Portugal, a setting so vivid with color, texture, and life, they'll want to book a flight and travel there themselves. Josh is the hero many of us dream of, and Sofia a heroine who holds out for all she deserves. Overall a delightful romance far from the ordinary in both distance and scope.
October 20, 2020
This is a beautiful and beautifully written love story. The characters are very real. They face the struggles many of us face - questioning faith, caring for parents, being too busy, etc. Lucinda Whitney brings me another story I do not want to see end!
January 20, 2016
A very sweet, clean LDS romance. Written by a friend of mine, whom I served my LDS mission. Well written, sweet story. So impressed.
May 25, 2017
"The Secret Life of Daydreams (A Love Story from Portugal)" by Lucinda Whitney
A story of love and faith, and, of faith shattered, and well, that is integral to the story, too. I found this story so very compelling that it was difficult to put the book away when it was time to tend to my real life needs, like sleep. Also, via the internet I visited many locales with Josh and Sophia. I received a free copy of this book with the request of an honest review in return. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have. The book is 5 star worthy.
A story of love and faith, and, of faith shattered, and well, that is integral to the story, too. I found this story so very compelling that it was difficult to put the book away when it was time to tend to my real life needs, like sleep. Also, via the internet I visited many locales with Josh and Sophia. I received a free copy of this book with the request of an honest review in return. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have. The book is 5 star worthy.
July 5, 2017
I thought this was a great story. I loved learning about the culture and a little about the language. This LDS love story was very touching and there was Faith, forgiveness, family and love. I really enjoyed this very much!
February 14, 2020
Emotional Romance
This is a outstanding and emotional love story with endearing characters and outstanding moments as they journey towards their happily ever after moment.
This is a outstanding and emotional love story with endearing characters and outstanding moments as they journey towards their happily ever after moment.
May 27, 2019
I enjoyed this story. I liked seeing how the characters faced challenges and how they grew. And I enjoyed learning some out Portugal.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Content: clean
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Content: clean
February 3, 2020
Absolutely Amazing Book
I loved this book so so much. I wish I could have given it more than 5 stars. This was my favorite I have read by this author and I have really enjoyed all of her work. What a beautiful story of a former missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who lost his testimony and fell away after a painful divorce. He returns on a photography job to his mission area in Portugal and spends time with a former companion. The friend’s wife is best friends with a girl (now woman) that he baptized while on his mission. She has had a painful past and works very hard to care for her mother who has progressing dementia. So much of their story is pain, a need to be together but her strong desire to only marry in the temple (especially due to words he was inspired to share with her on her baptism day) for time and eternity as we say in the church. It’s a rocky road and it feels so REAL! I highly recommend this book. It was beautiful through and through. I was so sad it was over!
I loved this book so so much. I wish I could have given it more than 5 stars. This was my favorite I have read by this author and I have really enjoyed all of her work. What a beautiful story of a former missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who lost his testimony and fell away after a painful divorce. He returns on a photography job to his mission area in Portugal and spends time with a former companion. The friend’s wife is best friends with a girl (now woman) that he baptized while on his mission. She has had a painful past and works very hard to care for her mother who has progressing dementia. So much of their story is pain, a need to be together but her strong desire to only marry in the temple (especially due to words he was inspired to share with her on her baptism day) for time and eternity as we say in the church. It’s a rocky road and it feels so REAL! I highly recommend this book. It was beautiful through and through. I was so sad it was over!
October 11, 2017
I really enjoy Ms. Whitney's writing. This story was emotional and charming. I got to understand the LDS religion a little better. I love visting another country. It was an interesting story of two people coming to love and trust in themselves and their religion,
January 29, 2020
Enjoyable
A well written story with characters that tug at your heart. Helps if you understand Portuguese and the religion they belong to. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the story. Was like a virtual visit to the places mentioned.
A well written story with characters that tug at your heart. Helps if you understand Portuguese and the religion they belong to. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the story. Was like a virtual visit to the places mentioned.
January 30, 2020
A Sweet Story
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is so detailed that you almost feel you are actually there enjoying the scenery. Josh and Sofia are such sweet characters. If you like a Christian romance, you will enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is so detailed that you almost feel you are actually there enjoying the scenery. Josh and Sofia are such sweet characters. If you like a Christian romance, you will enjoy this book.
January 26, 2016
Romance, clean, Christian, Latter-day Saint
I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was a beautifully told story of not only love, but hope, friendship, peace, and redemption. While the redemption theme is a background to the story, it was beautiful how it was woven into the story.
Sofia's busy life with work, her mother, her hopes for school, church, and friends was full, but still missing something. When Josh returns to Portugal, and comes to visit his friend, Paulo, Paulo has married Sofia's good friend, and their paths cross again. The first time, Josh was one of the missionaries who taught her the Gospel, and they were acquaintances. Their attraction to each other in their minds, and hearts is there, and as they spend more time together it grows to much more than friendship.
The myriad things in their way, Sofia's sick mother, money worries for Sophia, his limited time in Portugal, and Josh's inactivity in faith of any kind, but in particular, their shared faith that initially brought them together, seem insurmountable obstacles to their building feelings for each other. Their interactions as they try to resolve the differences they face, particularly with regard to faith are so patient, kind, and lovely. As they each struggle to resolve their obstacles and differences, they both realize that what hurts so much is their genuine love and devotion for each other. The resolution is so beautifully told. Any Christian reader would love the story of faith.
The story is so beautifully told. The reader feels their emotions, their worries, their tender and beautiful feelings for each other, and their desires and hopes for maybe a future together, but how??
L. W. pulls this story together so naturally. The beauty of the places they visit for Josh's photography work, and their time together shows us a beautiful picture of Portugal, and I could almost feel the photographs through the writing. It created a lovely setting for a beautiful love story. She captures the characters thoughts, emotions, and feelings, and portrays them so detailed and beautifully to create a beautiful photograph of a lovely story. Real life, real problems, and wonderfully portrayed emotions in this beautiful HEA love story. There are some Portuguese phrases and sentences in the story. Luckily, I learned a tiny bit when my daughter was living in Brazil, it added to the flavor of the story for me, and helped me feel immersed in the story. No translations are offered. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a lovely story with family and religious focus in addition to the beautiful setting and main characters.
I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was a beautifully told story of not only love, but hope, friendship, peace, and redemption. While the redemption theme is a background to the story, it was beautiful how it was woven into the story.
Sofia's busy life with work, her mother, her hopes for school, church, and friends was full, but still missing something. When Josh returns to Portugal, and comes to visit his friend, Paulo, Paulo has married Sofia's good friend, and their paths cross again. The first time, Josh was one of the missionaries who taught her the Gospel, and they were acquaintances. Their attraction to each other in their minds, and hearts is there, and as they spend more time together it grows to much more than friendship.
The myriad things in their way, Sofia's sick mother, money worries for Sophia, his limited time in Portugal, and Josh's inactivity in faith of any kind, but in particular, their shared faith that initially brought them together, seem insurmountable obstacles to their building feelings for each other. Their interactions as they try to resolve the differences they face, particularly with regard to faith are so patient, kind, and lovely. As they each struggle to resolve their obstacles and differences, they both realize that what hurts so much is their genuine love and devotion for each other. The resolution is so beautifully told. Any Christian reader would love the story of faith.
The story is so beautifully told. The reader feels their emotions, their worries, their tender and beautiful feelings for each other, and their desires and hopes for maybe a future together, but how??
L. W. pulls this story together so naturally. The beauty of the places they visit for Josh's photography work, and their time together shows us a beautiful picture of Portugal, and I could almost feel the photographs through the writing. It created a lovely setting for a beautiful love story. She captures the characters thoughts, emotions, and feelings, and portrays them so detailed and beautifully to create a beautiful photograph of a lovely story. Real life, real problems, and wonderfully portrayed emotions in this beautiful HEA love story. There are some Portuguese phrases and sentences in the story. Luckily, I learned a tiny bit when my daughter was living in Brazil, it added to the flavor of the story for me, and helped me feel immersed in the story. No translations are offered. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a lovely story with family and religious focus in addition to the beautiful setting and main characters.
February 11, 2016
Let's start with the cover, shall we? I'll admit, I don't love it, but I totally approve of how they got the little details right. Josh does have a beard and she has long curly hair. I appreciate when the cover matches what the story talks about in the book. Little things....little things.
It took me a little bit to get into this book, and honestly, I'm still not sure what I think about it. Once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading, and when I had to, it made me think about the characters and what they were going through and about choices, and consequences, etc.
Josh carried this story for me, and I wish there was a bit more about his choices. We get a "this is what happened" but not really getting into the nitty gritty.
I love that this took place in Portugal. The author was able to create a very vivid image of every day life over there (so it really wasn't surprising to read about the author and find out she lived there). I was a bit thrown by the use of Portuguese in the book. It would have been helpful to maybe have a list or something in the back of the book telling us what the words meant. Most of the time you could figure it out, and sometimes it seemed similar to Spanish (not that I speak that either), but sometimes I was just a little confused.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the things that it made me think about. Honestly, it probably isn't one I'd reread just because it was more on the heavy side (not a lot, but a little bit) and I tend to reread my fluff novels. But it definitely isn't one I regret reading.
It took me a little bit to get into this book, and honestly, I'm still not sure what I think about it. Once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading, and when I had to, it made me think about the characters and what they were going through and about choices, and consequences, etc.
Josh carried this story for me, and I wish there was a bit more about his choices. We get a "this is what happened" but not really getting into the nitty gritty.
I love that this took place in Portugal. The author was able to create a very vivid image of every day life over there (so it really wasn't surprising to read about the author and find out she lived there). I was a bit thrown by the use of Portuguese in the book. It would have been helpful to maybe have a list or something in the back of the book telling us what the words meant. Most of the time you could figure it out, and sometimes it seemed similar to Spanish (not that I speak that either), but sometimes I was just a little confused.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the things that it made me think about. Honestly, it probably isn't one I'd reread just because it was more on the heavy side (not a lot, but a little bit) and I tend to reread my fluff novels. But it definitely isn't one I regret reading.
January 9, 2016
The Secret Life of Daydreams
By Lucinda Whitney
A very sweet romantic story but isn’t that what daydreams are? The characters are believable and fun to get to know.
This book would be appropriate for just about any age group. I sometimes found myself as a part of the story; someone who was taking a look at myself and my life. It did make me aware of daydreaming myself (I do much more daydreaming that I realized or maybe it was the influence of the story that triggered my thoughts). We all have dreams and we all will occasionally find ourselves daydreaming about thing that we are wishing for and things that we’d like within our own lives. Most of us dismiss daydreams as silly nonsense about things we cannot or will not ever have.
Sophia and Josh are searching for something – could it be peace within themselves. There is almost a religious touch to this story; again, something that some of us dream about attaining in our lives.
The characters are believable, well developed and throughout the book you find yourself cheering for them and wishing they could be people in your own life.
The book is well written, the characters are well developed and the story itself pulls at your heart strings. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good clean story, some interesting characters and just because it is well developed from start to finish.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mary K Jung
By Lucinda Whitney
A very sweet romantic story but isn’t that what daydreams are? The characters are believable and fun to get to know.
This book would be appropriate for just about any age group. I sometimes found myself as a part of the story; someone who was taking a look at myself and my life. It did make me aware of daydreaming myself (I do much more daydreaming that I realized or maybe it was the influence of the story that triggered my thoughts). We all have dreams and we all will occasionally find ourselves daydreaming about thing that we are wishing for and things that we’d like within our own lives. Most of us dismiss daydreams as silly nonsense about things we cannot or will not ever have.
Sophia and Josh are searching for something – could it be peace within themselves. There is almost a religious touch to this story; again, something that some of us dream about attaining in our lives.
The characters are believable, well developed and throughout the book you find yourself cheering for them and wishing they could be people in your own life.
The book is well written, the characters are well developed and the story itself pulls at your heart strings. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good clean story, some interesting characters and just because it is well developed from start to finish.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mary K Jung
March 6, 2016
The Secret Life of Daydreams takes place in Portugal and I loved being immersed in another culture with the food, the people, and the setting. The author even used Portuguese phrases that added an authentic flavor to the novel. (I wish they had been translated sometimes, though, because I didn't understand what they meant!)
We first meet Josh Conrad who is sent to Portugal on a photography assignment. He's world-weary and heart wary after suffering a painful divorce. Being in Portugal reminds him of his time he spent as an LDS missionary and he meets up with some friends, including Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier. She's changed a lot since then and he wants to get to know the woman she's become.
Sofia's life is anything but easy. She takes care of her mother who is suffering from dementia and is hard to get along with. Sofia has hopes and dreams that she can't fulfill because of her family obligations. Yet, when Josh comes back into her life, she sees a ray of hope, that maybe she can reach for those dreams after all. However, since Josh has given up his faith that might be the one thing she can't overlook. Can they find a way to be together or is it just one more dream that will slip away?
This romance was like a summer walk through the park---an easygoing, sometimes long and rambly, comfortable stroll. The characters are fleshed out and realistic, the setting is well-done, and the story is sweet.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
We first meet Josh Conrad who is sent to Portugal on a photography assignment. He's world-weary and heart wary after suffering a painful divorce. Being in Portugal reminds him of his time he spent as an LDS missionary and he meets up with some friends, including Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier. She's changed a lot since then and he wants to get to know the woman she's become.
Sofia's life is anything but easy. She takes care of her mother who is suffering from dementia and is hard to get along with. Sofia has hopes and dreams that she can't fulfill because of her family obligations. Yet, when Josh comes back into her life, she sees a ray of hope, that maybe she can reach for those dreams after all. However, since Josh has given up his faith that might be the one thing she can't overlook. Can they find a way to be together or is it just one more dream that will slip away?
This romance was like a summer walk through the park---an easygoing, sometimes long and rambly, comfortable stroll. The characters are fleshed out and realistic, the setting is well-done, and the story is sweet.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
April 6, 2016
I received the ebook for free in return for an honest review.
The description for this book intrigued me, so when the opportunity arose I requested access to it.
First thing you need to know is that this is LDS/Christian fiction. It is a human story of two people with challenges that have influenced their current life course.
Josh Conrad is a photographer, but that isn't all he is. He was an LDS missionary in Portugal eleven years before the start of the book. He became an architect after returning home. He married but it ended in divorce. He has not attended church in six years.
Sofia Monteiro is a teacher. She is taking care of her mother, who is suffering from dementia. Sofia is attempting to start a graduate program in literature at the university in Braga, Portugal. Sofia was taught the gospel by Josh when he was a missionary, and she joined the LDS church.
Josh comes to Portugal for a photography project. He plans to stay six weeks. He spends time with Paolo, an old mission companion. Paolo's wife is Sofia's best friend, so Josh and Sofia meet again.
There are struggles over Josh being inactive in the church. But he and Sofia still form an attachment.
The story is one of hope. It is a story of how Josh is still a lovely and charitable person even though he hasn't been going to church. It is a love story between two people and a story of how God loves us and seeks to reclaim us when we are off course.
I really enjoyed it.
The description for this book intrigued me, so when the opportunity arose I requested access to it.
First thing you need to know is that this is LDS/Christian fiction. It is a human story of two people with challenges that have influenced their current life course.
Josh Conrad is a photographer, but that isn't all he is. He was an LDS missionary in Portugal eleven years before the start of the book. He became an architect after returning home. He married but it ended in divorce. He has not attended church in six years.
Sofia Monteiro is a teacher. She is taking care of her mother, who is suffering from dementia. Sofia is attempting to start a graduate program in literature at the university in Braga, Portugal. Sofia was taught the gospel by Josh when he was a missionary, and she joined the LDS church.
Josh comes to Portugal for a photography project. He plans to stay six weeks. He spends time with Paolo, an old mission companion. Paolo's wife is Sofia's best friend, so Josh and Sofia meet again.
There are struggles over Josh being inactive in the church. But he and Sofia still form an attachment.
The story is one of hope. It is a story of how Josh is still a lovely and charitable person even though he hasn't been going to church. It is a love story between two people and a story of how God loves us and seeks to reclaim us when we are off course.
I really enjoyed it.
January 22, 2016
LDS Fiction; 3.5 stars
Josh Conrad once had the perfect life. Returned missionary, married in the temple, working as an architect. Until his marriage fell apart six years ago. He left the church and he left his job and his home. He became a freelance photographer traveling all over the world. Until a job brought him to Portugal where he had served his mission.
Sofia Moreira is a teacher who is trying to get into a doctorate program while juggling work and taking care of her mother with dementia. Before her father died, she promised him she would take care of her mother, even though her mother has not been an easy person to take care of. When she goes to her best friend’s house, she is surprised to see Josh Conrad – the missionary who baptized her all those years ago. She’s even more surprised to discover he has left the church.
Josh keeps extending his time in Portugal to work on “projects” he keeps finding, but the only project he really wants to work on is winning Sofia’s heart. But he has no plans to come back to church, and she has no plans to marry outside the temple.
This was a sweet story and I liked learning more about Portugal and the customs and language, but I felt like this story dragged a lot and at times it was hard to keep my interest.
Content: Very clean
Religious: LDS
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)
Josh Conrad once had the perfect life. Returned missionary, married in the temple, working as an architect. Until his marriage fell apart six years ago. He left the church and he left his job and his home. He became a freelance photographer traveling all over the world. Until a job brought him to Portugal where he had served his mission.
Sofia Moreira is a teacher who is trying to get into a doctorate program while juggling work and taking care of her mother with dementia. Before her father died, she promised him she would take care of her mother, even though her mother has not been an easy person to take care of. When she goes to her best friend’s house, she is surprised to see Josh Conrad – the missionary who baptized her all those years ago. She’s even more surprised to discover he has left the church.
Josh keeps extending his time in Portugal to work on “projects” he keeps finding, but the only project he really wants to work on is winning Sofia’s heart. But he has no plans to come back to church, and she has no plans to marry outside the temple.
This was a sweet story and I liked learning more about Portugal and the customs and language, but I felt like this story dragged a lot and at times it was hard to keep my interest.
Content: Very clean
Religious: LDS
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)
January 5, 2016
This is a sweet romance about the sometimes long process of turning your life around back to God. This story is almost a day by day telling of that process for this couple. I love Sophia! And Josh better know just how lucky he is to have her heart - just saying. OK, I really like his character too. Actually all the characters are just adorable people that I would be good friends with in real life.
Something I love about that book is that even thought the characters want to hold to their own standards and beliefs they are not judgmental about others who want to live differently.
The book is for all readers, not just an LDS audience, and feels more like a Christian romance. If you are not familiar with LDS culture you will get it and have a smooth read, but you may not get the depth of all that is culturally implied.
This story was mostly a heart tugging drama. It is full of a few fun cultural snippets, WHICH I LOVE, and a little bit of the Portuguese language, which isn't translated... (I guess I could go look those phrases up, but I get the gist of what was going on.)
Overall, I really like it and would recommend it to all. It is clean, and healing and shows an example of loving someone back into the fold of God.
Something I love about that book is that even thought the characters want to hold to their own standards and beliefs they are not judgmental about others who want to live differently.
The book is for all readers, not just an LDS audience, and feels more like a Christian romance. If you are not familiar with LDS culture you will get it and have a smooth read, but you may not get the depth of all that is culturally implied.
This story was mostly a heart tugging drama. It is full of a few fun cultural snippets, WHICH I LOVE, and a little bit of the Portuguese language, which isn't translated... (I guess I could go look those phrases up, but I get the gist of what was going on.)
Overall, I really like it and would recommend it to all. It is clean, and healing and shows an example of loving someone back into the fold of God.
February 9, 2016
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. Sophia is a high school teacher living in Braga Portugal. She has applied to attend school there to obtain her PHD in English Literature. Unfortunately, her mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the symptoms are setting in very quickly. She has had to move in with Sophia and it is hard for Sophia to watch as her mother’s disease progresses. One night, Sophia goes to her best friend Margarida’s for dinner. When she arrives, she is told that they have another guest coming, Margarida’s husband Paulo’s best friend from America. When the man arrives, Sophia is shocked to be introduced to Josh Conrad, the missionary who baptized her into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints eleven years before. Josh’s hair is longer and he has a full beard but he still has the piercing blue eyes that had drawn her in when she was just 17 years old. Josh and Sophia begin a journey of friendship but encounter difficulties since Josh left the LDS church six years ago. Can they resolve their differences and move from just being friends to act upon the strong attraction they feel toward one another? This book is well written and the characters are very likable.
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