Once She Dreamed

Once She Dreamed #2

by Abbi Glines

The second and final addition to Sammy Jo Knox story... what began as one thing will end in another. A love she wasn't looking for becomes something she can't hold. And the hero may just be someone you knew all along...

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Smut

99 pages, ebook

First published December 8, 2016

About the author

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Smoke, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but she now lives in New England and that's as close as it is going to get. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, watching Netflix and all the introverted stuff.
You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways. She uses social media to procrastinate.

Reviews

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS



Sammy Jo Knox is now living her dream in Manhattan all on Hale’s dime. He’s a very confusing boss at times it seems he expects more from her and at other times I was even left confused by his expectations. Anyway, she’s getting closer to Ezra who is very taken with her and throws out warnings to her while keeping his personal information very private.

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This second installment was very interesting and though I think much more could have been done with Sammy and Hale’s interactions I enjoyed a big surprise that the author delivers.



This is a good installment and once again I wish it was longer and more in depth. I’m excited to see what is to come in the next book. There is another book one right?

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was happy with this little surprise in this one, but I just wanted more from the story. I wish there was another installment with more of a conclusion.

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I immediately started this as soon as I finished part one last night. Sammy Jo is now in New York and living her dreams. The plot in part 2 is better as Hale becomes hot and cold towards Sammy and we get to meet a new character: Ezra. I'm so right on my suspicions on Hale and shit hits the fan. Sammy learned her lesson and I feel bad as well because that dream ended quickly.

That twist on Ezra surprised me. Goddamn it, I'm in denial it ended like that. You can't just CLOSE IT LIKE THAT. DAMN IT. WHY?! Seriously, I want a part 3.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will just copy/paste my review to book #1 here and add a bit here and there...

I don't even know what to say!
I love Abbi's books and I was looking forward to finally reading these 2.
But - jeez. At first I thought WTF??? Did Abbi write this when she was a 13-year old school-drop-out in the Alabama sticks? The language and writing is horrible! I know that some of it needs to be like that, because we are in a tiny town in Alabama, but it felt ... offensive somehow, to those people living there. They come across as stupid and naive and smallminded and whatnot. A good editor would've really helped here. Everything sounded reallllly weird.
The heroine? Such a stupid little girl. She's 19, but acting and talking and dreaming like a 12 year old. And then the guy - there was some hope for something more, something better to come, for her and the reader - but once you read book #2 you know how that turns out...
Anyway. I didn't love this book at all. Yes, I cried and felt for them all, but it was just way too ridiculous and waaaay too exaggerated Southern.

And once in New York - it's not getting better - why did Abbi suddenly make Hale the bad guy? He was all along, but it was never hinted at at all. There was potential for him being the prince who saves her. But then bam - there's the 2nd guy - and surprise surprise - not telling what the surprise is - it would spoil too much - but bam - plot-twist-ish and ... gah - it was just waaaay too ridiculous.

But I'm glad I read these books. I'm hoping for more one day. Or maybe Abbi will put these two books PLUS a few more chapters into a real full-length book and make it all a bit more grown-up and not as ridiculous as it is now.
Because the end??? Jeez!!!! Both parts of the end were horrible!

BUT - as Abbi fans you still want and need and have to read this. Especially the everything toward the end of book #2 ☻

[Pea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I really, really, really enjoyed the twist and I didn't expect that :)

The book was towards the end a little bit rushed but I loved it nevertheless. I liked the epilogue but I didn't like the end. So I hope we will hear more from Ezra (with or without Sammy Jo). At the moment I don't like her very much. I hope she will turn into a confident, independent woman who fulfills her dreams and then she will be worth of Ezra.

[Madeleine Knutsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointed.

[♡Julalicious Book Paradise♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come.

[Kato · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the everloving f*** did I just read?! Where do I start? Part one? OMG. Sammy Jo is like a retarded 12 year old. She is a little better in part two, but in general, I do not see the point to this story. Major was there. So what? Never liked him anyways. There was supposed to be some personal growth with the heroine, but absolutely NOTHING happened! She went to NY, was in a bad professional/personal relationship, escaped said relationship and returned to the small town she always claims she hated. What exactly was her dream? Why didn't she stay in NY to try to make her own way? And then there's the oh so pointless masturbation scene at the end of part one, which leads me to believe she's not only a 12 year old, but a very easily aroused 12 year old.

Generally, I have somewhat of a love-hate relationship with Abbi Glines, because of the whole overly tragically tragic heroines (with a whole lot of tragedies), but Sammy Jo is just the worst of them all, and she's not even tragic! But it's not just the story. Generally, when I don't like a story, I can still give a rating star based on the skill of the writer. This one is anything other them well written. it's not ever mediocre. It's simply awful.

[Mhay · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a very short book and because of that I felt it was rushed and nothing felt developed, which makes all the characters feel shallow. Also it's kind of obvious who the guy is. There is really no secret there especially if you've read Glines series.

[Nancy The book junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Cassandra W · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! I just want to say it out loud but I am not go to. that was a big surprise I did not see that coming. Why did it have to end like that I need more!!!!!! there is going to be a part 3 right???

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes dreams turn into nitemares.



Wow this book wasn't what I expected. I actually don't know how I feel about this book. There are still loads I wanted answered. I enjoyed this book more than the first. But still it's wasn't as good for me. I m a huge fan of Abbi Glines books but this duet just wasn't great for me. I liked the story I luvd how Sammy Jo had these big dreams to see the world and I know dreams don't alway come turn. But I felt so sorry for Sammy Jo she deserved so much more from life. I wanted her to get her dream she is a sweet caring girl, I really liked her character. Ezra is also so good I just felt like I didn't know him enough. I wanted more of his character. The ending was good in one way but bad in another. I did enjoy parts of this book and the rest just left me wanting more. I m a lil disappointed in this duet. I think it would of been better if there was another book or if they were longer. Sammy Jo is what made this story good for me.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

No, No, No, No, NO… It can’t end like that!!
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, YES... That ending *High Five*!!
I am in a glass case of emotions right now...
What do I feel? Hope? Sadness? Glee? All of the above!

This book sure shakes up everything we have read before it. I freaking loved it, hot diggity. Hats off to you Ms. Glines not that I wasn’t before you I am a fan for LIFE!
Narration again as I stated in Part 1, I really enjoyed Maxine’s performance, and her male voice was perfect.

#Shocking #Who #RisenFromDeath #NeedMore #GirlsKickButtToo #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pierced Reader Review

After disliking the first one a great amount, I read this on the sole idea that Abbi Glines is one of my favourite authors. And I couldn't put into words how much I enjoyed this book. It was unexpected, and with the little spin in the end of the story I just couldn't handle it.



Sammy Jo's character, although still very frustrating, was more bearable. She started to have more personality then the stale "Mary Sue" persona she had in book 1. However, I was more intrigued by Ezra then Hale. Although I feel Glines could've made Hale and Sammy's confrontations and conversations more believable, I was still quite happy with the outcome. I had wished the book had a little more length, and perhaps not a different ending, but a more detailed one. It was confusing in some ways.

As I've mentioned, Glines is one of my favourite authors, I still would recommend this series last to any of her others as I feel this one is inferior to Rosemary Beach or Sea Breeze.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt, to me, unfinished ... I was happy (very, very happy!!!!!!) to learn who Ezra was but I didn't like the epilogue... I wanted more.
I respect the end of the book because the writer wrote it and it's her book (right?!) but I don't have to like it... Perhaps it will be a part 3 or another book in the future?!? We'll see!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars actually.


Spoilers ahead:




I'm a die hard Abbi Glines fan but this ending killed me! KILLED ME!!! I'm not happy with Ezra/Major...I suspected Ezra was Major in part 1 but finding out he was indeed Major made me so happy. I was happy to catch back up with him and I was so happy he had found Sammie Jo. I was also happy that Sammie Jo let go of the fairy tale dreams that had taken her away from her family and saw Hale for how he truly was. I was happy when she returned home and I was ecstatic when Ezra showed up as well. However, that was short lived because he left! AGAIN! I know that he could have stayed in that small town and just took a different identity because it's small and no one would have thought anything about it. I'm so made at him for leaving! I hope this isn't the end, I'm praying this isn't the end!

[Cikita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pushed aside my current reading for awhile only for reading this book, i loved the first part and couldn't wait patiently to read this. I was so excited yesterday and reading it right away. After in the middle part i was like it all vanished. Really I disappointed, it was like unfinished story of Sammy Jo and still wanted to get her more story after this, but i had heard before, Abbi said, this was the end of book.

Really it could be more! After her high hope of dream, it felt like she didn't get another good, i meant worth closure of what she had been through

Okey i will let you know my more review of this book soon on my blog :)

[Nono · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a waste of time!!! Where did the author who wrote some of my favorite books ever go? This heroine sucked and so did the story from the first part to the end!

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t feel this story finished well or completely. I rolled my eyes a lot during the book but then the ending seemed rushed. I love Abbi Glines but her newer books just seem like they have been rushed to write and press publish.

[Preet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need more of Sammy Jo and the man that steals her heart!

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 *Fuck*ng MAJOR plot twist* Stars
*Sarcasm*

First of all, shouldn't this bilogy be part of the Rosemary Beach series? Anyway whatever.

Second, our hero. In second part our male protagonist is clearly defined. Now why would Abbi give his own story to HIM just to end it like this? That is beyond my understanding. I keep thinking about it and it doesn't make any fuck*ng sense.

Sammy Jo, our protagonist is a little better here, but... I think that if she isn't able to achieve her HEA, at least she should have achieved her fuck*ng dream, maybe not the original, people change, their dreams do it too, then some other dream could have fulfilled, the fact that I didn't do it more than unfair is fuck*ng cruel, I say what's the point? She doesn't get her happy ending, she doesn't fulfill her fuck*ng dream, she returns to the starting point alone, broken and bruised, yep I call that shit.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sammy Joe is pretty sure she was living her dream but will New York be enough? What are Hale's intentions? Can Ezra keep her happy? Will his secrets be too much? I'm not sure if I liked the ending but the beginning was pretty good. An unexpected turn made me question everything I read and then the ending left me with more questions and feeling flat.

[Mary McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was much better then the first book, but I believe both books could have just been one big book rather then two novellas. Oh "Ezra" oh I'm so happy to see you again, you've been missed and I'm glad you got a book but I wanted so much more for you.

[Kelly (the book hussy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can't be it!! Seriously?? I really hope Abbi is pulling our leg and Ezra and Sammy Jo's story continues. If not, I am one unhappy reader!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed part 2!!! I did feel like it was a bit rushed, but overall, really good. That twist had me like whoa!!! I feel like there could be more (and I really hope there is) to the story.

[sarah.booksanddreams · Rating 2 out of 5]

„Once She Dreamed – Für immer verliebt“ schließt die gleichnamige, zweiteilige Novelle von Abbi Glines ab.
Nach dem Träumen von einer glorreichen Zukunft im ersten Teil,
beschäftigt sich Band zwei mit der knallharten Realität.

Wie schon der erste Teil kann auch dieser Zweite mit einem verträumt schönen Cover punkten.
Der Schreibstil ist auch hier sehr einfach und leicht.
Erneut taucht man in die Perspektive von Sammy Jo ein.

Obwohl ich nach Teil eins noch Hoffnung auf einen guten Abschluss hatte,
wurde ich leider enttäuscht.
Sammy Jo ist leider noch genauso naiv
und obwohl sie direkt auf die Gefahr hingewiesen wird,
ist keinerlei Handlung ihrerseits vorhanden.
Die größte Enttäuschung für mich ist Hale.
Er legt hier so eine drastische Wandlung hin,
die mir beinah völlig an den Haaren herbeigezogen scheint.

Mein Höhepunkt ist die Wendung in der Liebesgeschichte.
Als großer „Rosemary Beach“-Fan war ich natürlich absolut begeistert auf ein bekanntes Gesicht zu treffen!
Zu schade, dass die Autorin ihnen kein Happy End gegönnt hat,
und die Story meines Erachtens nach so völlig aus dem Nichts heraus beendet hat.
Wo bitte, war hier das Ende? Es gleicht mehr einem völlig desaströsen Abbruch …

Leider wirkt auch der zweite Teil der Novella völlig unüberlegt,
manche Inhalte gar an den Haaren herbeigezogen.

Ich hoffe, dass die nächsten Bücher der Autorin wieder besser werden …
Allerdings, und das gefiel mir ganz gut, versteckt Abbi Glines eine Moral in der Novelle.

Mit „Augen zu drücken“ für das gut gelungene Element des Crossovers zur „Rosemary Beach“-Reihe und die versteckte Botschaft,
vergebe ich
2 von 5 Sterne.

Ich danke dem Piper Verlag für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionsexemplars!

[Wsb · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I read books one and two together as a set in audio format. When book one was over I was confused. Like is this really it? Can I even call this a book? It read like a short essay. One thing that I was sick of was hearing about how Mouton, Alabama sucked (Again, I got it in audio so I'm not even sure how Mouton is spelled).

Then I got to book two. I actually had high hopes for it. I watched Sammie Jo turn into Sam and then Samantha. Things truly got confusing. Bottom line, Hale was exactly what we expected him to be. Then there was Ezra. I had really high hopes for him until I found out who he actually was. He was an asshole when we first met him and continued to be the same in this book.

With that being said - It pains me to think that young girls would read this book looking for inspiration. Here you had a girl with big dreams who ran into a jerk and decided that her dreams were a nightmare. Sammie Jo goes on to get her EA without the H. This book could've taken so many different turns however in the end it was just a disappointment.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sério que acaba assim?!...Preciso de mais, isto não pode ser o fim...

A Sammy cresceu um pouco neste livro e adoro a relação que cria com o Ezra - ele adora-a por quem ela é e não por causa da pessoa que o Hale quer que ela seja.

O Hale é horrível - god no...

O Ezra é um amor - claro que sim, ele sempre assim foi...(meu lindo, as saudades que eu tinha). Quero/preciso mais do Ezra (a minha teoria estava certa - yes, eu adoro-o).

Mas o final dele e deste livro - não! Eles mereciam um final feliz, e não ficar com a história inacabada...

Gostei do epílogo, aquilo era mesmo necessário e foi brutal de saber - bravo Ezra.
Mas os últimos capítulos em si, foram muito tristes pois foi uma despedida sentida e sei que não vai acabar como eu gostaria que acabasse...

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DIDN'T EXPECTED THAT! WHY WHY WHY ABBI DO YOU DO THIS TO MY ME? WHY TO PLAY WITH MY EMOTIONS LIKE THAT? I LOVE YOU ANYWAY!

[Barbie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

That twist. Damn it. Ezra you little shit. :))