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Once She Dreamed #1
Once She Dreamed
Everyone in the small country town where Sammy Jo Knox had been born and raised, never left. They made their life there. Got married, had kids, lived in the same houses that were always there along the streets that never changed. The whole white picket fence and tree swing might look good on greeting cards but in real life it was boring, at least to Sammy Jo.
When Sammy Jo was a little girl she began dreaming of something bigger. Brighter. Something that wasn’t her town. She wanted to see the world and experience it all. Just how she was going to do that she had no idea. Because if her momma had her way, she’d marry one of the boys in town and be spitting out babies and going to church on Sunday with them all lined up in a row.
The day Hale Christopher Jude III walked into the bakery she worked at, she knew he was it. That part of life she was missing. He smelled of foreign places and exciting things. He represented all the bright lights she dreamed of and simply put, she hoped he was her way out of this place.
What Sammy Jo didn’t realize was things that appear perfect… aren’t. And chasing her dreams could lead to something very different.
When Sammy Jo was a little girl she began dreaming of something bigger. Brighter. Something that wasn’t her town. She wanted to see the world and experience it all. Just how she was going to do that she had no idea. Because if her momma had her way, she’d marry one of the boys in town and be spitting out babies and going to church on Sunday with them all lined up in a row.
The day Hale Christopher Jude III walked into the bakery she worked at, she knew he was it. That part of life she was missing. He smelled of foreign places and exciting things. He represented all the bright lights she dreamed of and simply put, she hoped he was her way out of this place.
What Sammy Jo didn’t realize was things that appear perfect… aren’t. And chasing her dreams could lead to something very different.
107 pages, ebook
First published October 9, 2016
220 people are currently reading
3266 people want to read
About the author
Abbi Glines
118 books86.4k followersAbbi 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.
You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways. She uses social media to procrastinate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
December 22, 2016
3 STARS
Sammy Jo Knox only wants one thing out of life and it’s to leave her small town of Moulton, Alabama and see the world. Oddly, she has zero aspirations like a career that would pay for this dream or even a talent to rely on. I think the author should have given her a singing or photography talent just something other than her good looks and country kindness. She has big dreams of not getting stuck in this town but really zero plans on how to achieve this goal and so she falls for charms and job offer of Mr. Expensive a.k.a Hale Christopher Jude III.
Sometimes things that are too good to be true are exactly that. Naïve Sammy eagerly takes a housekeeper position for Hale in Manhattan and Hale is a bit of a confusing character. He’s sending all sorts of mixed signals to country girl Sammy now known as Samantha. Is she to be more than his housekeeper? What are his plans for her?
There is a security guard of Hale’s named Eriza who has sparked Sammy attention as well. The story does end on a cliff and Sammy Jo should have listened to her mama’s sage advice from the get go:
”You can’t pick a man because of his address. Love happens or it don’t. Men with that kind of money love their way of life, love buying what they want, not necessarily what they need.”
Overall, this was a very short read that the first portion set in Alabama just felt too silly southern for me. Still, I liked the story enough to read on.
Sammy Jo Knox only wants one thing out of life and it’s to leave her small town of Moulton, Alabama and see the world. Oddly, she has zero aspirations like a career that would pay for this dream or even a talent to rely on. I think the author should have given her a singing or photography talent just something other than her good looks and country kindness. She has big dreams of not getting stuck in this town but really zero plans on how to achieve this goal and so she falls for charms and job offer of Mr. Expensive a.k.a Hale Christopher Jude III.
Sometimes things that are too good to be true are exactly that. Naïve Sammy eagerly takes a housekeeper position for Hale in Manhattan and Hale is a bit of a confusing character. He’s sending all sorts of mixed signals to country girl Sammy now known as Samantha. Is she to be more than his housekeeper? What are his plans for her?
There is a security guard of Hale’s named Eriza who has sparked Sammy attention as well. The story does end on a cliff and Sammy Jo should have listened to her mama’s sage advice from the get go:
”You can’t pick a man because of his address. Love happens or it don’t. Men with that kind of money love their way of life, love buying what they want, not necessarily what they need.”
Overall, this was a very short read that the first portion set in Alabama just felt too silly southern for me. Still, I liked the story enough to read on.
October 12, 2016
Once She Dreamed follows Sammy Jo, a naive young woman who dreams of leaving her small town for adventures in the big city. She plans on accomplishing her dreams by any means possible, even if she has to rely on a man to take her away.
I love Abbi Glines. She's an automatic buy author and I always know I'm in for a good time when reading her books. However, this novella was awful. The main character is so naive and sweet it was annoying and had me rolling my eyes every other page. The trope of the blond haired southern girl who doesn't know how beautiful she is and the effect she has on men is annoying and quite frankly insulting. The character comes off as stupid.
The love interest is a stereotypical rich man. He exudes wealth and makes sure everyone knows it.
I felt no connection between he main characters. Sammy Jo is too naive to understand what men want so she's oblivious to the man's advances. It was like reading from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl getting advances from a grown man. It was gross and left a foul taste in my mouth.
The arrangement between the main characters is so ridiculous and obviously fake that it pulled me out of the story. If an offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
The last chapter of the novel intrigued me and it's the reason I rated this novella two stars instead of one.
Overall, Once She Dreamed was an absolute disappointment. Sammy Jo is a naive girl who has no plans for her future other than moving away from her hometown and is perfectly content letting a man swoop in and fix all her problems. I do not enjoy reading characters who are naive and cannot think for themselves.
I love Abbi Glines. She's an automatic buy author and I always know I'm in for a good time when reading her books. However, this novella was awful. The main character is so naive and sweet it was annoying and had me rolling my eyes every other page. The trope of the blond haired southern girl who doesn't know how beautiful she is and the effect she has on men is annoying and quite frankly insulting. The character comes off as stupid.
The love interest is a stereotypical rich man. He exudes wealth and makes sure everyone knows it.
I felt no connection between he main characters. Sammy Jo is too naive to understand what men want so she's oblivious to the man's advances. It was like reading from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl getting advances from a grown man. It was gross and left a foul taste in my mouth.
The arrangement between the main characters is so ridiculous and obviously fake that it pulled me out of the story. If an offer is too good to be true, it probably is.
The last chapter of the novel intrigued me and it's the reason I rated this novella two stars instead of one.
Overall, Once She Dreamed was an absolute disappointment. Sammy Jo is a naive girl who has no plans for her future other than moving away from her hometown and is perfectly content letting a man swoop in and fix all her problems. I do not enjoy reading characters who are naive and cannot think for themselves.
February 6, 2017
This one is definitely intriguing and has me ready to read part 2. It's hard to rate serials because the first ones always leave you with lots of answers and wanting more. Regardless, I like Sammy Jo and I am excited to see what comes next.
April 1, 2017
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
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.
I'm writing this now that I've read the 2nd book too and it's not getting better - even worse... 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.
BUT - as Abbi fans you still want and need and have to read this. Especially the everything toward the end of book #2 ☻
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
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.
I'm writing this now that I've read the 2nd book too and it's not getting better - even worse... 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.
BUT - as Abbi fans you still want and need and have to read this. Especially the everything toward the end of book #2 ☻
June 8, 2017
I finished this novella in one sitting and I'm frustrated with the story and its characters. I have a love & hate relationship with the heroine, Sammy Jo. She's country girl who dreams of travelling places and doesn't want to be stuck in her small hometown. I don't mind ambitious heroines as long as they know what they're doing but in Sammy's case, she's too naive and foolish.
I'm annoyed when she easily trusted Hale when he offered her a job in New York as his housekeeper. For her, it's a great opportunity and escape but I don't trust the guy at ALL. I feel like he has a different agenda. I'm terrified for Sammy to be honest and my bet is she made BAD decision on this.
I'm annoyed when she easily trusted Hale when he offered her a job in New York as his housekeeper. For her, it's a great opportunity and escape but I don't trust the guy at ALL. I feel like he has a different agenda. I'm terrified for Sammy to be honest and my bet is she made BAD decision on this.
October 13, 2016
Here's a surprise..I loved this book. Once again Glines' drew me in and kept me entertained. I even used my Kindle *gasp* so for those of you who know me, know just how amazing that is. I'm not a digital book reader but I will drag it out for certain authors. Anyways back to the book.
I'm sad it's only a novella I wanted to much more of Sammy Jo, Hale and Ezra. It had just got to the really good part when it ended which made me sad. I hope the next one comes out soon because I'm going to be sitting on the edge of my seat.
Normally, novellas feel rushed to me but this one actually built really well. The plot was well thought out as well as the characters. I love Sammy Jo! I'm just not sure about Hale. I seem to be more of a fan of Ezra right now.
I'm sad it's only a novella I wanted to much more of Sammy Jo, Hale and Ezra. It had just got to the really good part when it ended which made me sad. I hope the next one comes out soon because I'm going to be sitting on the edge of my seat.
Normally, novellas feel rushed to me but this one actually built really well. The plot was well thought out as well as the characters. I love Sammy Jo! I'm just not sure about Hale. I seem to be more of a fan of Ezra right now.
July 5, 2017
review to come.
July 15, 2018
Follow your dreams.
Sammy Jo Knox has been dreaming of a better life for herself. It's not that her life is crappy or anything. But she wants more from life she does want a farmer boy and loads of kids at a young age. She wants to see the world and travel. But not many people get that dream in Moulton Alabama. Sammy Jo had seen how life is in Moulton and it just wasn't for her. She didn't think people were crazy for wanting that life it just wasn't for her. Sammy Jo lived with her mom and 3 sisters and brother. Things have been easy for the family but the girl helped there mom do what needed to do to get by. Sammy Jo helped out in the bakery her mom worked at, she enjoyed it. Her mom was quite strict but she did have her reason for it. Sammy Jo was a beautiful girl there were not all over Moulton that wanted a chance but she wasn't interested in any of them. She had a dream and she would make it come true no matter what.
I m enjoying this lil duet so far. I m looking forward to the next book. I m dying to know what's goin to happen to Sammy Jo. I would of liked more from Hale I feel like I don't know him at all. He wasn't really in the book much. So I m hoping for much more of him in the next book. The story is good I do think it was a lil dragged out in parts. I wanted more of Sammy Jo and Hale. I think I would of liked to have Hale's POV so I could of gotten to know he character better. But I like Sammy Jo's character so far the way she dreams big and doesn't care about what's around. Once she sets her mind on something she does it. I can't wait to see whats goin to happen with her. I just hope that she gets her HEA.
Sammy Jo Knox has been dreaming of a better life for herself. It's not that her life is crappy or anything. But she wants more from life she does want a farmer boy and loads of kids at a young age. She wants to see the world and travel. But not many people get that dream in Moulton Alabama. Sammy Jo had seen how life is in Moulton and it just wasn't for her. She didn't think people were crazy for wanting that life it just wasn't for her. Sammy Jo lived with her mom and 3 sisters and brother. Things have been easy for the family but the girl helped there mom do what needed to do to get by. Sammy Jo helped out in the bakery her mom worked at, she enjoyed it. Her mom was quite strict but she did have her reason for it. Sammy Jo was a beautiful girl there were not all over Moulton that wanted a chance but she wasn't interested in any of them. She had a dream and she would make it come true no matter what.
I m enjoying this lil duet so far. I m looking forward to the next book. I m dying to know what's goin to happen to Sammy Jo. I would of liked more from Hale I feel like I don't know him at all. He wasn't really in the book much. So I m hoping for much more of him in the next book. The story is good I do think it was a lil dragged out in parts. I wanted more of Sammy Jo and Hale. I think I would of liked to have Hale's POV so I could of gotten to know he character better. But I like Sammy Jo's character so far the way she dreams big and doesn't care about what's around. Once she sets her mind on something she does it. I can't wait to see whats goin to happen with her. I just hope that she gets her HEA.
November 7, 2016
Oh, Abbi, what happened?
I swear Abbi Glines used to be one of my four go to authors. I didn't have to read the blurbs, I just clicked and read. But over the last few books I have found they didn't have a spark. I don't know if that makes sense, but I just felt like I was reading words on a page... I wasn't experiencing the story like I had in her other novels.. I didn't feel.
And, unfortunately, this book was the same. I felt like the characters had no chemistry, the characters were so boring and flat, and it left me hanging. It led to nowhere. I was bored.
I swear Abbi Glines used to be one of my four go to authors. I didn't have to read the blurbs, I just clicked and read. But over the last few books I have found they didn't have a spark. I don't know if that makes sense, but I just felt like I was reading words on a page... I wasn't experiencing the story like I had in her other novels.. I didn't feel.
And, unfortunately, this book was the same. I felt like the characters had no chemistry, the characters were so boring and flat, and it left me hanging. It led to nowhere. I was bored.
November 14, 2018
Abbi for me always makes me feel like even if the books are not long I never miss who or what the character is like. That especially goes for Part 1 of this 2 part series. Sammy Jo has big dreams and will not stay in her small town in Alabama she doesn’t know how but she does know she won’t live her life there like so many others want or do. She wants more for her life.
Hale Christopher Jude III comes to town and offers Sammy Jo something she has always wanted, now the question remains does she make the right choice?
I am loving that I don’t know and I need to know…ON to book 2
I have always liked Maxine Mitchell’s voice but I don’t think I was truly listening before, because I am finding with this book I can’t get enough of her voice.
#Unknown #DreamBig #ReachForMore #NeedCupCakes #SmallTown #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes
Hale Christopher Jude III comes to town and offers Sammy Jo something she has always wanted, now the question remains does she make the right choice?
I am loving that I don’t know and I need to know…ON to book 2
I have always liked Maxine Mitchell’s voice but I don’t think I was truly listening before, because I am finding with this book I can’t get enough of her voice.
#Unknown #DreamBig #ReachForMore #NeedCupCakes #SmallTown #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes
October 11, 2016
OMG why did I read it without looking at the end. I hate cliffhanger endings but I'm a sucker for stories like this and I can't wait until part 2 will be released
October 13, 2016
Gah! How long do we have to wait for the next book?
My imagination is going wild and I want to know more about Ezra because I think I'm rooting for him...
My imagination is going wild and I want to know more about Ezra because I think I'm rooting for him...
kindle-freebies
May 22, 2017kindle freebie 5/22/17
https://www.amazon.com/Once-She-Dream...
https://www.amazon.com/Once-She-Dream...
August 16, 2020
I don't read much of Abbi Glines and I didn't love this book either. It was okay, but it didn't really grab me or excite me. It was a very short book so the plot and character development for me just wasn't really there. The Knox family was okay, but I didn't love them and I really hate it when I don't like a mother. She was super strict which I do understand but I just couldn't love her. She was a single parent (as was I after a divorce and I had 5 children), so there needs to be a strictness which I get but I didn't get the feel of deep down love from her. If I read book 2, hopefully that'll become clearer to me.
February 5, 2017
My live review is now on my new blog too!
Pierced Reader Review
I feel that maybe I'm being to hard on this book. But then I remember the ending.
I love Abbi Glines; I haven't given one of her books a rating lower then 4 in a very (very, very) long time. I've read every book she's released as a New Adult contemporary romance and loved the entire journey. I've been eagerly waiting for what comes next and when I saw that she ALREADY had not one BUT TWO books released?? I went to Amazon and bought it on kindle right away. First off they felt very easy to read (which I found out is because they're novellas which I obviously didn't know), so that was a plus. However, I expected more. Normally I love Abbi's characters, and their counterparts. Something about Sammy Jo bothered me.
Sammy Jo Knox was so encompassed about leaving Moulton it was sickening. Her character also really annoyed me in the fact that she contradicted herself a couple times. She also was too perfect; I'm assuming this is something I'm starting to notice because of my getting older. The contradiction was how Sammy Jo "never lies". It's seen throughout the first 50%. Most important when Hale comes into the cupcake shop and asks her recommendation for dessert, and she thinks to herself that she never lies and couldn't recommend because she's never tried them. Then, when Hale asks her out, she says to herself that she'd "lie to Momma if I have to". Ohhh that made me very angry.
Hale I didn't like, wasn't charmed by in the least. It was around 85% of the story that I decided against reading the second because of how shitty Hale was. I hated him and everything that came with his character (the money, the clothes, the penthouse, blah blah blah). Then all of a sudden Hale wants to be all "I love you" to 'Samantha' and just make out with her. That wasn't even the worst, it's that Sammy believed it was so romantic and shit.giphy1
By the end of the book I was ready to toss my computer at a wall, and Sammy all of a sudden turns this book into a New Adult real fast. It was awkward, out of place, and overall a disappointment. I will be reading the second one.
Pierced Reader Review
I feel that maybe I'm being to hard on this book. But then I remember the ending.
I love Abbi Glines; I haven't given one of her books a rating lower then 4 in a very (very, very) long time. I've read every book she's released as a New Adult contemporary romance and loved the entire journey. I've been eagerly waiting for what comes next and when I saw that she ALREADY had not one BUT TWO books released?? I went to Amazon and bought it on kindle right away. First off they felt very easy to read (which I found out is because they're novellas which I obviously didn't know), so that was a plus. However, I expected more. Normally I love Abbi's characters, and their counterparts. Something about Sammy Jo bothered me.
Sammy Jo Knox was so encompassed about leaving Moulton it was sickening. Her character also really annoyed me in the fact that she contradicted herself a couple times. She also was too perfect; I'm assuming this is something I'm starting to notice because of my getting older. The contradiction was how Sammy Jo "never lies". It's seen throughout the first 50%. Most important when Hale comes into the cupcake shop and asks her recommendation for dessert, and she thinks to herself that she never lies and couldn't recommend because she's never tried them. Then, when Hale asks her out, she says to herself that she'd "lie to Momma if I have to". Ohhh that made me very angry.
Hale I didn't like, wasn't charmed by in the least. It was around 85% of the story that I decided against reading the second because of how shitty Hale was. I hated him and everything that came with his character (the money, the clothes, the penthouse, blah blah blah). Then all of a sudden Hale wants to be all "I love you" to 'Samantha' and just make out with her. That wasn't even the worst, it's that Sammy believed it was so romantic and shit.giphy1
By the end of the book I was ready to toss my computer at a wall, and Sammy all of a sudden turns this book into a New Adult real fast. It was awkward, out of place, and overall a disappointment. I will be reading the second one.
October 23, 2016
It's not that I didn't like reading Once She Dreamed. It's just that I had very high expectations, because well it's Abbi Glines and all those quotes I saw littering around Instagram, made me hungry for an incredible read. Too bad, it's not really what I got.
At first, reading this novella made me feel sad, because it resembelled all the things that irritated me while reading The Vincent Boys novels. Very long descriptions, but minor details. The story itself didn't really tell you much. A very immature heroine. Because of the heroine's immaturity I couldn't connect with her at all. She was supposed to be 18, almost 19, but she behaved like a 14-year-old. Her dreams were noble, but unrealistic. Because I couldn't feel that empathy for the main character, immersing myself into the story proved to be very difficult.
The only things I liked, were the Mr. Expensive parts. He intrigues me. I don't trust him one bit. I can't wait to find out what his motives are.
So, it might not have been the best story I've read so far from Abbi Glines, but that last part certainly has me intrigued and makes me want to read the next part in this series. Because Once She Dreamed did end in a cliffhanger and I want me some answers.
At first, reading this novella made me feel sad, because it resembelled all the things that irritated me while reading The Vincent Boys novels. Very long descriptions, but minor details. The story itself didn't really tell you much. A very immature heroine. Because of the heroine's immaturity I couldn't connect with her at all. She was supposed to be 18, almost 19, but she behaved like a 14-year-old. Her dreams were noble, but unrealistic. Because I couldn't feel that empathy for the main character, immersing myself into the story proved to be very difficult.
The only things I liked, were the Mr. Expensive parts. He intrigues me. I don't trust him one bit. I can't wait to find out what his motives are.
So, it might not have been the best story I've read so far from Abbi Glines, but that last part certainly has me intrigued and makes me want to read the next part in this series. Because Once She Dreamed did end in a cliffhanger and I want me some answers.
October 22, 2016
I want to start out saying I have loved all of Abbi Glines other books so was prepared to enjoy this one but unfortunately that didn't happen. This read like a knock off of Fifty Shades of Grey or at least that is where it looks like it is going but since it's so short I could be wrong the book seemed to end in the middle and since I found myself never really liking any of the characters (mostly it was who to disliked the least) I don't even want to see where the story goes hopefully Abbi Glines will get her grove back and go back to writing original characters and stories. Overall I'm not saying that it was a bad book, I just found it rather boring myself.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
July 2, 2017
I haven't read very many books written by this author but the ones that I have, I have enjoyed. Sadly though, I did not like this book. There was something about the way this story was written that I couldn't get on with. I ended up skim reading the majority of the story just so I could finish the book but I could have easily have stopped part way through and left it as a 'DNF'. I won't continue reading this series.
December 26, 2016
who is that guy? ? ...and what is he up to?
October 18, 2016
Review coming soon!
May 6, 2022
~ DNF 40%
Nein, einfach nein.
Ich hätte nie gedacht, jemals ein Buch von Abbi Glines abzubrechen, aber ich konnte mit der Novella "Once She Dreamed - In Sehnsucht vereint" überhaupt nichts anfangen. Ich habe mich beim Lesen gelangweilt, aber gleichzeitig tierisch aufgeregt für Sammy Jo.
Sammy Jo ist blond, blauäugig und das hübscheste, aber wahrscheinlich dümmste Mädchen in der Stadt. Sie ist geldgierig, materialistisch und ichbezogen. Sie kriegt selbst nichts auf die Reihe, will aber die große, weite Welt sehen. Tja Mädel, sowas geht nur, wenn man selbst hart arbeitet (oder wie du es gerne hättest: reich heiraten). Sie war mir von Anfang an unsympathisch und für ihre 18 Jahre zu kindlich/naiv. Sie muss ständig ihre "Momma" (wie ich dieses Wort hasse) um Erlaubnis bitten. Wie man merkt, habe ich in Sammy Jo eine neue Freundin gefunden - nicht! 😫
Die Handlung ist platt und nichtssagend und konnte mich in keinsterweise abholen.
Der Schreibstil ist so anders als in der Rosemary Beach bzw Sea Breeze Reihe.
Für mich leider ein kompletter Flop.
Nein, einfach nein.
Ich hätte nie gedacht, jemals ein Buch von Abbi Glines abzubrechen, aber ich konnte mit der Novella "Once She Dreamed - In Sehnsucht vereint" überhaupt nichts anfangen. Ich habe mich beim Lesen gelangweilt, aber gleichzeitig tierisch aufgeregt für Sammy Jo.
Sammy Jo ist blond, blauäugig und das hübscheste, aber wahrscheinlich dümmste Mädchen in der Stadt. Sie ist geldgierig, materialistisch und ichbezogen. Sie kriegt selbst nichts auf die Reihe, will aber die große, weite Welt sehen. Tja Mädel, sowas geht nur, wenn man selbst hart arbeitet (oder wie du es gerne hättest: reich heiraten). Sie war mir von Anfang an unsympathisch und für ihre 18 Jahre zu kindlich/naiv. Sie muss ständig ihre "Momma" (wie ich dieses Wort hasse) um Erlaubnis bitten. Wie man merkt, habe ich in Sammy Jo eine neue Freundin gefunden - nicht! 😫
Die Handlung ist platt und nichtssagend und konnte mich in keinsterweise abholen.
Der Schreibstil ist so anders als in der Rosemary Beach bzw Sea Breeze Reihe.
Für mich leider ein kompletter Flop.
October 30, 2016
“I want to fall in love. Not with a boy here, but with someone who wants to travel the world. Someone with more ambition than to build a house with a white picket fence and have babies till their uterus falls out.”
I loved what was in mind of this main character she wanted to change her life, didn't depend on what had excited around her!
To be honest what she dreamed is similar what i have in mind,
Although I didn't like the ending of this book
But Overall i loved this book!
Couldn't stand any longer to the next part! I hope it comes soon!
Review posts now up on my blog :)
https://cikitabooks.wordpress.com
I loved what was in mind of this main character she wanted to change her life, didn't depend on what had excited around her!
To be honest what she dreamed is similar what i have in mind,
Although I didn't like the ending of this book
But Overall i loved this book!
Couldn't stand any longer to the next part! I hope it comes soon!
Review posts now up on my blog :)
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August 30, 2017
*3 Stars*
I normally absolutely love Abbi Glines books, but this one I only liked. Sammy Jo was a bit naive for me and something about her I just couldn't connect with.
I enjoyed the storyline in a way, but in other ways it annoyed me. I don't particularly like Hale, but I think we're going to get a lot more answers in part 2. Part 1 has lot of questions at the end still.
Ezra is also a mystery I'm hoping we get some answers to. I would like to see how things play out for Ben and Jamie and also for Sammys family too.
Will be reading Part 2 as I would like to know what happens.
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I normally absolutely love Abbi Glines books, but this one I only liked. Sammy Jo was a bit naive for me and something about her I just couldn't connect with.
I enjoyed the storyline in a way, but in other ways it annoyed me. I don't particularly like Hale, but I think we're going to get a lot more answers in part 2. Part 1 has lot of questions at the end still.
Ezra is also a mystery I'm hoping we get some answers to. I would like to see how things play out for Ben and Jamie and also for Sammys family too.
Will be reading Part 2 as I would like to know what happens.
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October 12, 2016
Once She Dreamed is part one in a new novella series by Abbi Glines. I'm a long time fan of Glines and was excited to read some new material. However, I was a little disappointed by this one. I understand that it's a YA storyline, but the main character, Sammy Jo, is very naive and sort of beats you to death with her dreams of leaving her small town to the point where anyone who wants to stay feels inferior to her.
I'm curious to see the direction that Glines takes the story over the course of the 3 part series. I do believe it will come full circle, and she will be back in her small town and thankful for it. I think Hale, aka Mr. Expensive, has good intentions and is trying to show her that her dreams are misguided. We'll see.
I don't like when author's make a novella series, and while I do know why Glines decided to do this, I don't agree with it. I much rather prefer a full length novel. Overall, I enjoyed the story though. It was appealing and the characters were likable enough. Guess we'll wait for the next installment to see if it becomes more likeable.
I'm curious to see the direction that Glines takes the story over the course of the 3 part series. I do believe it will come full circle, and she will be back in her small town and thankful for it. I think Hale, aka Mr. Expensive, has good intentions and is trying to show her that her dreams are misguided. We'll see.
I don't like when author's make a novella series, and while I do know why Glines decided to do this, I don't agree with it. I much rather prefer a full length novel. Overall, I enjoyed the story though. It was appealing and the characters were likable enough. Guess we'll wait for the next installment to see if it becomes more likeable.
April 3, 2018
Da ich ein großer Fan von Abbi Glines bin und ihre Geschichten bislang immer sehr gemocht habe, habe ich mich schon sehr auf ihre neueste Novella "In Sehnsucht vereint", den Auftakt der "Once She Dreamed"-Dilogie, gefreut. Leider entpuppte sich die Geschichte als große Enttäuschung, denn ich konnte mit den Figuren leider rein gar nichts anfangen.
Selbst der sonst so von mir gelobte Schreibstil konnte nicht bei mir punkten, denn die Geschichte liest sich altbacken, bringt viel zu viele Wiederholungen mit sich und auch die Figuren und Dialoge wirken leider alles andere als gut ausgearbeitet. Würde man es nicht besser wissen, könnte man glatt denken, dass die Geschichte in den fünfziger oder sechziger Jahren spielt, allerdings spielt die Geschichte tatsächlich in der Gegenwart, was mich sehr abgeschreckt hat, da es für mich gar nicht zur heutigen Zeit passt. Dies ist einfach nicht der Schreibstil, den ich sonst von der Autorin gewohnt bin.
Auch die Figuren konnten nicht bei mir punkten. Sammy Jo müsste mit ihren achtzehn, fast neunzehn Jahren eigentlich ein selbständiges Leben führen können, doch sie richtet ihr Leben meistens komplett nach ihrer Mutter, die das sagen hat. Sammy Jo darf nur mit ihren Freunden rausgehen, wenn ihre Mutter es erlaubt, sie muss in der Bäckerei arbeiten, darf aber dort nur essen, was ihre Mutter ihr anreicht und allgemein scheint sie kein eigenes Leben zu haben. Während andere in ihrem Alter bereits ans Heiraten und Kinderkriegen denken, weil das in ihrem Ort in Alabama so üblich ist, hat Sammy Jo ganz andere Ziele, denn sie will unbedingt die Welt sehen und raus aus dem Ort, was auch der Grund ist, weshalb sie sich auf keinen Mann aus Alabama einlassen möchte.
An sich ist das eine gute Einstellung, wenn Sammy Jo dabei nicht so wahnsinnig arrogant wäre und alle anderen, auch ihre Freunde, für eine andere Meinung nur belächelt. Gleichzeitig wird auch ständig angemerkt, dass Sammy Jo das hübscheste Mädchen im Ort ist, sie es selbst aber nicht so sieht. Wieso man dies hier immer und immer wieder erwähnen musste, ist mir ehrlich gesagt schleierhaft, da es letztendlich unwichtig ist.
Die ganze Geschichte ist letztendlich darauf ausgelegt, dass Sammy Jo aus dem Ort raus möchte, ob mit Mann oder ohne ist ihr dabei fast schon egal, solange sie der Hölle Alabama entkommen kann. Hier wäre es deutlich schöner gewesen, wenn Abbi Glines nicht mit der Holzhammermethode gearbeitet hätte, sondern sowohl den Figuren als auch dem Setting und besonders dem Schreibstil noch einmal einen Feinschliff verpasst hätte.
Die Covergestaltung ist dagegen wunderschön und ist auch das einzige Element an diesem Buch, was modern wirkt. Die Kurzbeschreibung liest sich vielversprechend, sodass ich die Geschichte unbedingt lesen wollte. Schade, dass der Inhalt letztendlich dann doch nicht überzeugen konnte.
Kurz gesagt: Obwohl ich Abbi Glines bislang immer sehr gerne gelesen habe, hat mich "In Sehnsucht vereint", der Auftakt der "Once She Dreamed"-Dilogie, bitter enttäuscht. Der Schreibstil wirkt altbacken, die Figuren sind unsympathisch und auch sonst habe ich den typischen Stil von Abbi Glines sehr vermisst. Sehr schade, hier wäre mehr drin gewesen.
Selbst der sonst so von mir gelobte Schreibstil konnte nicht bei mir punkten, denn die Geschichte liest sich altbacken, bringt viel zu viele Wiederholungen mit sich und auch die Figuren und Dialoge wirken leider alles andere als gut ausgearbeitet. Würde man es nicht besser wissen, könnte man glatt denken, dass die Geschichte in den fünfziger oder sechziger Jahren spielt, allerdings spielt die Geschichte tatsächlich in der Gegenwart, was mich sehr abgeschreckt hat, da es für mich gar nicht zur heutigen Zeit passt. Dies ist einfach nicht der Schreibstil, den ich sonst von der Autorin gewohnt bin.
Auch die Figuren konnten nicht bei mir punkten. Sammy Jo müsste mit ihren achtzehn, fast neunzehn Jahren eigentlich ein selbständiges Leben führen können, doch sie richtet ihr Leben meistens komplett nach ihrer Mutter, die das sagen hat. Sammy Jo darf nur mit ihren Freunden rausgehen, wenn ihre Mutter es erlaubt, sie muss in der Bäckerei arbeiten, darf aber dort nur essen, was ihre Mutter ihr anreicht und allgemein scheint sie kein eigenes Leben zu haben. Während andere in ihrem Alter bereits ans Heiraten und Kinderkriegen denken, weil das in ihrem Ort in Alabama so üblich ist, hat Sammy Jo ganz andere Ziele, denn sie will unbedingt die Welt sehen und raus aus dem Ort, was auch der Grund ist, weshalb sie sich auf keinen Mann aus Alabama einlassen möchte.
An sich ist das eine gute Einstellung, wenn Sammy Jo dabei nicht so wahnsinnig arrogant wäre und alle anderen, auch ihre Freunde, für eine andere Meinung nur belächelt. Gleichzeitig wird auch ständig angemerkt, dass Sammy Jo das hübscheste Mädchen im Ort ist, sie es selbst aber nicht so sieht. Wieso man dies hier immer und immer wieder erwähnen musste, ist mir ehrlich gesagt schleierhaft, da es letztendlich unwichtig ist.
Die ganze Geschichte ist letztendlich darauf ausgelegt, dass Sammy Jo aus dem Ort raus möchte, ob mit Mann oder ohne ist ihr dabei fast schon egal, solange sie der Hölle Alabama entkommen kann. Hier wäre es deutlich schöner gewesen, wenn Abbi Glines nicht mit der Holzhammermethode gearbeitet hätte, sondern sowohl den Figuren als auch dem Setting und besonders dem Schreibstil noch einmal einen Feinschliff verpasst hätte.
Die Covergestaltung ist dagegen wunderschön und ist auch das einzige Element an diesem Buch, was modern wirkt. Die Kurzbeschreibung liest sich vielversprechend, sodass ich die Geschichte unbedingt lesen wollte. Schade, dass der Inhalt letztendlich dann doch nicht überzeugen konnte.
Kurz gesagt: Obwohl ich Abbi Glines bislang immer sehr gerne gelesen habe, hat mich "In Sehnsucht vereint", der Auftakt der "Once She Dreamed"-Dilogie, bitter enttäuscht. Der Schreibstil wirkt altbacken, die Figuren sind unsympathisch und auch sonst habe ich den typischen Stil von Abbi Glines sehr vermisst. Sehr schade, hier wäre mehr drin gewesen.
March 26, 2017
Man I love this book. I am glad to know that Abbi Glines's recent work are still awesome. Like a Memory was really a downer for me.
Sammy Jo is completely in tune with me. She lives in a small town with her mum and siblings. She work at a bakery with her mum. But she always have big dreams. She dream of something bigger and better. She want to get out of this town and see what this world have to offer, instead of staying in this town, marry a town boy and have some babies. Sammy Jo wants more and she wasn't afraid to grab it . Then a wealthy man came to town and swept Sammy Jo off her feet. Is her dream finally coming true?
Awww I can totally relate to that. But real life is not a fairy tale and I be a complete fool if I think that my life is anything like Sammy Jo. This book is so beautiful. I am blown away and I want Sammy Jo to get her dream.
This book is a little cliff hanger ish . You will wonder if Sammy Jo's prince charming is really who he says he is? what is his intentions???
Sammy Jo is completely in tune with me. She lives in a small town with her mum and siblings. She work at a bakery with her mum. But she always have big dreams. She dream of something bigger and better. She want to get out of this town and see what this world have to offer, instead of staying in this town, marry a town boy and have some babies. Sammy Jo wants more and she wasn't afraid to grab it . Then a wealthy man came to town and swept Sammy Jo off her feet. Is her dream finally coming true?
Awww I can totally relate to that. But real life is not a fairy tale and I be a complete fool if I think that my life is anything like Sammy Jo. This book is so beautiful. I am blown away and I want Sammy Jo to get her dream.
This book is a little cliff hanger ish . You will wonder if Sammy Jo's prince charming is really who he says he is? what is his intentions???
January 3, 2018
Fresh off The Sweet Series by Abbi Glines, I decided to read another from her.
The story of Sammy Jo Know was easy enough to follow. Sammy is a country girl longing to find her way to the big city (the biggest out there NYC). Enter a charming and handsome, but rich stranger in the form of Hale Christopher Jude III.
As much as this one had an interesting plot line I really wasn’t too impressed with it. I much rather enjoyed Abbi Glines’ Sweet Series and this one just fell flat for me. Neither of the two main characters left me wanting to root for them or much less care for them. There is a second one to this series and honestly can't bring myself to care enough to want to read it. Still, I do enjoy Abbi Glines’ writing style and will try to read more from her in the future.
The story of Sammy Jo Know was easy enough to follow. Sammy is a country girl longing to find her way to the big city (the biggest out there NYC). Enter a charming and handsome, but rich stranger in the form of Hale Christopher Jude III.
As much as this one had an interesting plot line I really wasn’t too impressed with it. I much rather enjoyed Abbi Glines’ Sweet Series and this one just fell flat for me. Neither of the two main characters left me wanting to root for them or much less care for them. There is a second one to this series and honestly can't bring myself to care enough to want to read it. Still, I do enjoy Abbi Glines’ writing style and will try to read more from her in the future.
May 2, 2018
Ich weis so gar nicht was ich zu dem Buch sagen soll, normalerweise mag ich die Bücher von Abbi Glines gerne, aber hier bin ich gerade ein wenig überfordert.
Das Buch fängt gut an und lässt sich eigentlich ganz gut lesen. Sammy Jo ist ein süßes, nettes, liebes Südstaatenmädel das von der weiten Welt träumt und die erste Chance ergreift aus ihrem Dorf rauszukommen. So ein richtiges Landei eben, dass die große weite Welt sehen will.
Plötzlich kommt ein reicher, weltgewandter Mann und bietet ihr einen Job an, der sie nach New York führt. Klaro sofort ohne weitere Fragen nimmt sie den nächsten Flug. Ach ich weiß nicht, irgenwie endet das Buch komisch und ich weiß auch nicht ob ich den zweiten Teil überhaupt lesen möchte.
Das Buch fängt gut an und lässt sich eigentlich ganz gut lesen. Sammy Jo ist ein süßes, nettes, liebes Südstaatenmädel das von der weiten Welt träumt und die erste Chance ergreift aus ihrem Dorf rauszukommen. So ein richtiges Landei eben, dass die große weite Welt sehen will.
Plötzlich kommt ein reicher, weltgewandter Mann und bietet ihr einen Job an, der sie nach New York führt. Klaro sofort ohne weitere Fragen nimmt sie den nächsten Flug. Ach ich weiß nicht, irgenwie endet das Buch komisch und ich weiß auch nicht ob ich den zweiten Teil überhaupt lesen möchte.
October 26, 2017
3.5 might be better, I love Abbi's books, and YA is her best, but this was beyond short and so little happened. It starts great and I like the characters, but I can't tell yet if I like all the WHY'S in my head or if they are annoying me. I will read book two and see.
January 29, 2020
I was super intrigued by this one, I absolutely love a rags to riches female story.....then BOOM super short book finished.....no worries, hop over to Amazon to grab book 2. What??!! WTF do you mean its not available on kindle? Only audio and paperback??? Sheesh Abbi come on.....
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