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Magnolia Valley #1
Dreaming of You
Can he convince her love is worth the risk?
Josie Wheeler isn’t a risk-taker. She likes her routine running the Morning Jolt cafe. The last risk she took was asking her dreamy friend Calvin out — and that failed miserably. But as her thirtieth birthday gets closer, that routine starts to feel like stagnation.
After his marriage went up in flames, Calvin Monroe knew love wasn’t for him. Since then, every relationship he’s had has been no-strings-attached. But Calvin’s not nearly as commitment-phobic as Josie thinks he is; he just can’t find anyone that measures up to her.
Josie is vibrant, funny, smart — and Calvin’s wanted her since they first met. But he knows he’s not her type. Josie goes for wholesome guys, not divorcees with bad reputations.
An overheard conversation changes everything. Calvin realizes Josie is — was — into him, but he was too dumb to see it. If he can convince her to take another risk on him, he’ll win her heart. So, he makes her an offer she can’t turn down: Two weeks to try out anything she wants in bed.
Josie knows Calvin doesn’t do forever, but she says yes to his proposition, anyway — it might be just what she needs to get him out of her system and her life out of its rut.
What Josie doesn’t expect is their exhilarating chemistry setting the sheets aflame and entangling her wary heart. But when her cafe is threatened, she has to decide what she’s willing to risk for a love beyond her wildest dreams.
Josie Wheeler isn’t a risk-taker. She likes her routine running the Morning Jolt cafe. The last risk she took was asking her dreamy friend Calvin out — and that failed miserably. But as her thirtieth birthday gets closer, that routine starts to feel like stagnation.
After his marriage went up in flames, Calvin Monroe knew love wasn’t for him. Since then, every relationship he’s had has been no-strings-attached. But Calvin’s not nearly as commitment-phobic as Josie thinks he is; he just can’t find anyone that measures up to her.
Josie is vibrant, funny, smart — and Calvin’s wanted her since they first met. But he knows he’s not her type. Josie goes for wholesome guys, not divorcees with bad reputations.
An overheard conversation changes everything. Calvin realizes Josie is — was — into him, but he was too dumb to see it. If he can convince her to take another risk on him, he’ll win her heart. So, he makes her an offer she can’t turn down: Two weeks to try out anything she wants in bed.
Josie knows Calvin doesn’t do forever, but she says yes to his proposition, anyway — it might be just what she needs to get him out of her system and her life out of its rut.
What Josie doesn’t expect is their exhilarating chemistry setting the sheets aflame and entangling her wary heart. But when her cafe is threatened, she has to decide what she’s willing to risk for a love beyond her wildest dreams.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2018
589 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Cora Reed
7 books25 followersCora writes funny, steamy contemporary romances. She tries to write characters she would like to have coffee with–intelligent, witty women and smart, interesting men with a good sense of humor (and very sexy, of course). She’s always loved to write about people overcoming obstacles to find each other, so writing a contemporary romance series is a dream come true.
She lives in the Midwest but dreams of faraway places. She’s visited Guatemala, Costa Rica, Russia, England, Italy and is going to Iceland in a few months. She always has at least three watched flights on Hopper going at any given time and can frequently be found looking at the AirBnB app on her phone. Some of her dream vacations include Holland, Tanzania, and Austria. While her cat is skeptical of her writing, she is lucky enough to have a perpetually supportive writing group
She lives in the Midwest but dreams of faraway places. She’s visited Guatemala, Costa Rica, Russia, England, Italy and is going to Iceland in a few months. She always has at least three watched flights on Hopper going at any given time and can frequently be found looking at the AirBnB app on her phone. Some of her dream vacations include Holland, Tanzania, and Austria. While her cat is skeptical of her writing, she is lucky enough to have a perpetually supportive writing group
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
March 14, 2018
Josie is turning 30 soon and every year she likes to do something that she wouldn't usually. Her best friend is getting married and her boyfriend is becoming a little too routine. Turning 30 doesn't mean you have to settle and Josie wants to spice it up a little. She suggests something a little naughty in the bedroom and Nate quickly becomes her ex. She's embarrassed and wants to take some time out from dating before jumping back in.
Calvin is her best friend. Josie thinks he friend zoned her a year ago. He doesn't date local women after his divorce. Magnolia Valley is just too small and Calvin got burnt after his failed marriage. He still has a good relationship with his ex-wife, Abigail but the town people weren't as forgiving. He gained the reputation of not being husband material.
One night with friends Calvin learns a couple of truths. First you shouldn't listen in on others conversations and secondly, he had missed a chance to date, Josie. Now he can't get her off his mind.
This is a friend to lovers romance. It's well written and full of sexy scenes. It's a standalone story. The first in a new series. It is a good book and I look forward to the next instalment. This is a Hidden Gem.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars out of 5.
Calvin is her best friend. Josie thinks he friend zoned her a year ago. He doesn't date local women after his divorce. Magnolia Valley is just too small and Calvin got burnt after his failed marriage. He still has a good relationship with his ex-wife, Abigail but the town people weren't as forgiving. He gained the reputation of not being husband material.
One night with friends Calvin learns a couple of truths. First you shouldn't listen in on others conversations and secondly, he had missed a chance to date, Josie. Now he can't get her off his mind.
This is a friend to lovers romance. It's well written and full of sexy scenes. It's a standalone story. The first in a new series. It is a good book and I look forward to the next instalment. This is a Hidden Gem.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars out of 5.
Want to read
December 29, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/29/2018)! 💝
Blurb:
Can he convince her love is worth the risk?
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Josie Wheeler isn’t a risk-taker. She likes her routine running the Morning Jolt cafe. The last risk she took was asking her dreamy friend Calvin out—and that failed miserably. But as her thirtieth birthday gets closer, that routine starts to feel like stagnation.
After his marriage went up in flames, Calvin Monroe knew love wasn’t for him. Since then, every relationship he’s had has been no-strings-attached. But Calvin’s not nearly as commitment-phobic as Josie thinks he is; he just can’t find anyone that measures up to her.
Josie is vibrant, funny, smart—and Calvin’s wanted her since they first met. But he knows he’s not her type. Josie goes for wholesome guys, not divorcees with bad reputations.
An overheard conversation changes everything. Calvin realizes Josie is—was—into him, but he was too dumb to see it. If he can convince her to take another risk on him, he’ll win her heart. So, he makes her an offer she can’t turn down: Two weeks to try out anything she wants in bed.
Josie knows Calvin doesn’t do forever, but she says yes to his proposition, anyway—it might be just what she needs to get him out of her system and her life out of its rut.
What Josie doesn’t expect is their exhilarating chemistry setting the sheets aflame and entangling her wary heart. But when her cafe is threatened, she has to decide what she’s willing to risk for a love beyond her wildest dreams.
Blurb:
Can he convince her love is worth the risk?
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Josie Wheeler isn’t a risk-taker. She likes her routine running the Morning Jolt cafe. The last risk she took was asking her dreamy friend Calvin out—and that failed miserably. But as her thirtieth birthday gets closer, that routine starts to feel like stagnation.
After his marriage went up in flames, Calvin Monroe knew love wasn’t for him. Since then, every relationship he’s had has been no-strings-attached. But Calvin’s not nearly as commitment-phobic as Josie thinks he is; he just can’t find anyone that measures up to her.
Josie is vibrant, funny, smart—and Calvin’s wanted her since they first met. But he knows he’s not her type. Josie goes for wholesome guys, not divorcees with bad reputations.
An overheard conversation changes everything. Calvin realizes Josie is—was—into him, but he was too dumb to see it. If he can convince her to take another risk on him, he’ll win her heart. So, he makes her an offer she can’t turn down: Two weeks to try out anything she wants in bed.
Josie knows Calvin doesn’t do forever, but she says yes to his proposition, anyway—it might be just what she needs to get him out of her system and her life out of its rut.
What Josie doesn’t expect is their exhilarating chemistry setting the sheets aflame and entangling her wary heart. But when her cafe is threatened, she has to decide what she’s willing to risk for a love beyond her wildest dreams.
June 16, 2023
I love a good friends to lovers story.
Small town vibes with fun, relatable characters you grow to love quickly.
A novel filled with stalker ex's, long lost love, second chances and town scandals.
An easy read that's so well written and hard to put down. The anticipation for a HEA won't allow you to put this book down.
Small town vibes with fun, relatable characters you grow to love quickly.
A novel filled with stalker ex's, long lost love, second chances and town scandals.
An easy read that's so well written and hard to put down. The anticipation for a HEA won't allow you to put this book down.
Read
November 15, 2019Read via Kobo.
Made the decision to DNF this romance novella at 45% in. Keeping my thoughts short and brief- I wasn't comfortable with the way some of the characters behaved towards each other. Main character Josie I struggled to connect with also. This is just my personal experiences, please read all of the other reviews before deciding if Dreaming Of You is for you or not.
Made the decision to DNF this romance novella at 45% in. Keeping my thoughts short and brief- I wasn't comfortable with the way some of the characters behaved towards each other. Main character Josie I struggled to connect with also. This is just my personal experiences, please read all of the other reviews before deciding if Dreaming Of You is for you or not.
March 21, 2018
Oh, my! This friends to lovers story was crazy good. I have a major book hangover because I started reading it before bed, and then I ended up reading all night long because I just could not put it down.
Josie Wheeler owns the Morning Jolt Cafe with her two best friends, Gwen and Samantha. She is nearing 30, and suddenly her well-ordered, predictable life becomes completely stifling, as does her completely predictable boyfriend Nate. Josie decides to see if Nate wants to spice up their love life- with disastrous results. Josie and Nate are supposed to be the maid of honor and best man at Gwen's upcoming wedding, but the situation is becoming increasingly awkward after their breakup.
Calvin Monroe has been good friends with Josie for years. He never felt confident enough to act on the feelings of attraction that he's had for Josie since he first saw her at age 14. He always viewed Josie as a good girl, while he was a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. After his divorce, he returns to his hometown of Magnolia Falls, but he won't date anyone else from town.
Josie has a yearly birthday tradition of choosing something daring just for herself. Her previous year's choice was asking her long-time crush Cal out on a date. Cal turns her down without ever realizing she was asking him out, leading to Josie's humiliation and her subsequent relationship with Nate. While out with friends at a bar, Cal overhears Josie telling a mutual friend about why she broke things off with Nate. Josie is furious with him for eavesdropping, and refuses to speak to him, but Cal cannot get her out of his head. Thanks to another friend, he also realizes the mistake he made when Josie had tried to ask him out. For Cal, losing Josie is unthinkable, so he offers her a deal- he'll help her explore her sensual side and fulfill all of her bedroom fantasies until Gwen's wedding two weeks away.
Cal and Josie were such a fun couple! I really enjoyed watching how their friendship changed and grew into such a sweet and sexy love. The author does a terrific job with giving the characters some surprising depth, and with describing the town of Magnolia Falls. The sex scenes are hot and fit well with the story. I also loved all the peripheral characters- especially Cal's relationship with his grandfather. There is just enough angst from the disgruntled ex to keep the story interesting and provide some conflict.
Cora Reed is definitely a new author on my radar, and I will be watching for the next one in this series.
I received an ARC of this book, and I voluntarily chose to write an honest review.
Josie Wheeler owns the Morning Jolt Cafe with her two best friends, Gwen and Samantha. She is nearing 30, and suddenly her well-ordered, predictable life becomes completely stifling, as does her completely predictable boyfriend Nate. Josie decides to see if Nate wants to spice up their love life- with disastrous results. Josie and Nate are supposed to be the maid of honor and best man at Gwen's upcoming wedding, but the situation is becoming increasingly awkward after their breakup.
Calvin Monroe has been good friends with Josie for years. He never felt confident enough to act on the feelings of attraction that he's had for Josie since he first saw her at age 14. He always viewed Josie as a good girl, while he was a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. After his divorce, he returns to his hometown of Magnolia Falls, but he won't date anyone else from town.
Josie has a yearly birthday tradition of choosing something daring just for herself. Her previous year's choice was asking her long-time crush Cal out on a date. Cal turns her down without ever realizing she was asking him out, leading to Josie's humiliation and her subsequent relationship with Nate. While out with friends at a bar, Cal overhears Josie telling a mutual friend about why she broke things off with Nate. Josie is furious with him for eavesdropping, and refuses to speak to him, but Cal cannot get her out of his head. Thanks to another friend, he also realizes the mistake he made when Josie had tried to ask him out. For Cal, losing Josie is unthinkable, so he offers her a deal- he'll help her explore her sensual side and fulfill all of her bedroom fantasies until Gwen's wedding two weeks away.
Cal and Josie were such a fun couple! I really enjoyed watching how their friendship changed and grew into such a sweet and sexy love. The author does a terrific job with giving the characters some surprising depth, and with describing the town of Magnolia Falls. The sex scenes are hot and fit well with the story. I also loved all the peripheral characters- especially Cal's relationship with his grandfather. There is just enough angst from the disgruntled ex to keep the story interesting and provide some conflict.
Cora Reed is definitely a new author on my radar, and I will be watching for the next one in this series.
I received an ARC of this book, and I voluntarily chose to write an honest review.
June 7, 2020
I loved that this was a friends to lovers, which is my favorite troupe, that had a lot of history between Cal and Josie over the past fifteen years. They met as teenagers with both having crushes on each other at the time without either of them realizing it. So there was a lot of good setup and underlying tension between them that had carried over through the years, though it was dampened to a year ago when Josie asked Cal, and Cal rejected her, even though he didn’t because he didn’t realize that she asked him out. That tension carried to the present, but while still maintaining this super close friendship, which I loved seeing that basis right from the get go. It was a strong friendships based on deep caring while hiding feelings of attraction beneath her the surface.
But things came to a head when Cal overheard a conversation between Josie and Samantha (another friend of theirs) about why she broke up with her boyfriend and just some of the issues that she had, which caused her to break up with Nate, who was just beyond horrible. Plus Cal also realized his mistake when he realized that Josie asked him out a year ago. This just really put things into motion.
This book was a lot spicer than I thought it was going to be. It wasn’t a bad thing, but just not an expected thing. I appreciated that t had to be that way due to the subject matter. The whole reason Josie broke up with Nate was when she asked for him to explore things sexually that he made her feel like a deviant and even called her that. Cal did find out about this and since he did feel attracted to her and wanted her greatly once it came to the surface, he wanted to help her explore her sexuality with him in a safe way. So with that level of respect and trust between them as friends it was easy to fall into that type of relationship where they would be able to explore each other and their desires in a safe way. It was very steamy. It was beyond hot. It was very sexy. I don’t think it would have been as steamy and sexy if they didn’t have that respect and trust between them as well as a level of caring before they did hit the sheets. They really stated their wants and needs to each other without fear or judgement as they explored one another. I really liked seeing that side of their relationship grow and develop with the more time they spent in the bedroom together, then the more emotionally intimate they got with every sexual encounter that they had. It was nice to see that progression of physical to emotional in those scenes as they took care each other and met their needs. Plus it was easy to see their feelings for one another grow and deepened the more time they spent together, eroding the feelings that they already had for each other that just laid beneath the surface. I appreciated how the was done.
I really adored that Cal’s fantasy was a first date with Josie. I thought that was really sweet and really adorable. I loved how he made the evening as special as possible for her, and it was almost like an apology for rejecting her asking him out on a date. It just showed so much of how he cared for her and just how special Josie was to him. It was such a special and tender moment that I really enjoyed.
I loved the friendship group between the girls. They were very supportive and loving with one another. They really could count on each other. I just seeing all the interactions that Josie had with her friends. Cal had interactions with his friends as well, which was good to see. I just loved that support system behind them and their romance as they tried to help along the way to get them to their happily ever after.
The one thing that I didn’t care for in this book was how the switched in two different spots to different perspectives of Ethan and Astrid. It just seemed really abrupt and something that took me out of the story a bit. I get it was to tease Ethan and Astrid’s relationship in book the next book, but I don’t think it was necessary to include their perspectives in the story. I think it could have been accomplished with just Josie and Cal observing them and seeing that something was going on between the two of them that could have lead to the next book. I understand that by putting Astrid’s point of view in their and status of her marriage, and the fact that she wasn’t cheating on her husband when she kissed Ethan, therefore the reader could see her in a favorable light. Was it really necessary to show the kiss between Ethan and Astrid when it wasn’t their story? I don’t think it was, and it could have been revealed in the next book that they did kiss at the wedding and go into more details there.
I also didn’t get why it was put into the story that Josie’s mother had been checking up on her for all these years after Josie’s parents abandoned her all those years ago. It didn’t really move the plot forward. There was no confrontation scene. There were no emotional growth form the moment. There was no reunion by mother and daughter. So, what was the point? I just didn’t see it especially without more exploration of that plot point.
Overall I enjoyed this story very much. It had the winning trope of friends to lovers that I love. It had lots of sexy times. It had great building of intimacy between them as their relationship grew and develop as their relationship changed for friends to something more. I loved the love, respect and trust they had between them as they explored their sexual fantasies with one another. I liked seeing them let their guard down with each other. There was just a lot good moments between them that ranged from hot and sexy to loving and tender. I enjoyed seeing the balance between them in their relationship that made it feel very complete and true. It was just a really good friends to lover story that I really appreciated.
But things came to a head when Cal overheard a conversation between Josie and Samantha (another friend of theirs) about why she broke up with her boyfriend and just some of the issues that she had, which caused her to break up with Nate, who was just beyond horrible. Plus Cal also realized his mistake when he realized that Josie asked him out a year ago. This just really put things into motion.
This book was a lot spicer than I thought it was going to be. It wasn’t a bad thing, but just not an expected thing. I appreciated that t had to be that way due to the subject matter. The whole reason Josie broke up with Nate was when she asked for him to explore things sexually that he made her feel like a deviant and even called her that. Cal did find out about this and since he did feel attracted to her and wanted her greatly once it came to the surface, he wanted to help her explore her sexuality with him in a safe way. So with that level of respect and trust between them as friends it was easy to fall into that type of relationship where they would be able to explore each other and their desires in a safe way. It was very steamy. It was beyond hot. It was very sexy. I don’t think it would have been as steamy and sexy if they didn’t have that respect and trust between them as well as a level of caring before they did hit the sheets. They really stated their wants and needs to each other without fear or judgement as they explored one another. I really liked seeing that side of their relationship grow and develop with the more time they spent in the bedroom together, then the more emotionally intimate they got with every sexual encounter that they had. It was nice to see that progression of physical to emotional in those scenes as they took care each other and met their needs. Plus it was easy to see their feelings for one another grow and deepened the more time they spent together, eroding the feelings that they already had for each other that just laid beneath the surface. I appreciated how the was done.
I really adored that Cal’s fantasy was a first date with Josie. I thought that was really sweet and really adorable. I loved how he made the evening as special as possible for her, and it was almost like an apology for rejecting her asking him out on a date. It just showed so much of how he cared for her and just how special Josie was to him. It was such a special and tender moment that I really enjoyed.
I loved the friendship group between the girls. They were very supportive and loving with one another. They really could count on each other. I just seeing all the interactions that Josie had with her friends. Cal had interactions with his friends as well, which was good to see. I just loved that support system behind them and their romance as they tried to help along the way to get them to their happily ever after.
The one thing that I didn’t care for in this book was how the switched in two different spots to different perspectives of Ethan and Astrid. It just seemed really abrupt and something that took me out of the story a bit. I get it was to tease Ethan and Astrid’s relationship in book the next book, but I don’t think it was necessary to include their perspectives in the story. I think it could have been accomplished with just Josie and Cal observing them and seeing that something was going on between the two of them that could have lead to the next book. I understand that by putting Astrid’s point of view in their and status of her marriage, and the fact that she wasn’t cheating on her husband when she kissed Ethan, therefore the reader could see her in a favorable light. Was it really necessary to show the kiss between Ethan and Astrid when it wasn’t their story? I don’t think it was, and it could have been revealed in the next book that they did kiss at the wedding and go into more details there.
I also didn’t get why it was put into the story that Josie’s mother had been checking up on her for all these years after Josie’s parents abandoned her all those years ago. It didn’t really move the plot forward. There was no confrontation scene. There were no emotional growth form the moment. There was no reunion by mother and daughter. So, what was the point? I just didn’t see it especially without more exploration of that plot point.
Overall I enjoyed this story very much. It had the winning trope of friends to lovers that I love. It had lots of sexy times. It had great building of intimacy between them as their relationship grew and develop as their relationship changed for friends to something more. I loved the love, respect and trust they had between them as they explored their sexual fantasies with one another. I liked seeing them let their guard down with each other. There was just a lot good moments between them that ranged from hot and sexy to loving and tender. I enjoyed seeing the balance between them in their relationship that made it feel very complete and true. It was just a really good friends to lover story that I really appreciated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Cora Reed and I will definitely be on the lookout for more. This was a sweet friends to lovers romance with very likable characters. Well, with the exception of the ex-boyfriend anyway. It had good character development and a fun even if predictable story line.
March 12, 2018
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
This is the authors debut book and it really does not disappoint.
Josie and Calvin has fancied each other since they first saw each other, however they have never told one another and have always had other relationships in the way. It is now near Josie's 30th birthday and things take a dramatic turn.
Josie has split up with her boyfriend and Calvin currently single overhears a conversation that has his mind reeling and possibilities spring up in his mind.
Both characters have really good friends and family that support them and kick their butts when needed, they are also very lovable characters and you will so desperately want them to get together as a couple for a well deserved happy ending.
I will certainly be reading more of this author given the chance.
This is the authors debut book and it really does not disappoint.
Josie and Calvin has fancied each other since they first saw each other, however they have never told one another and have always had other relationships in the way. It is now near Josie's 30th birthday and things take a dramatic turn.
Josie has split up with her boyfriend and Calvin currently single overhears a conversation that has his mind reeling and possibilities spring up in his mind.
Both characters have really good friends and family that support them and kick their butts when needed, they are also very lovable characters and you will so desperately want them to get together as a couple for a well deserved happy ending.
I will certainly be reading more of this author given the chance.
March 14, 2018
Dreaming of You is a tale of false starts, lost love and second chances. Cora Reed guides readers through the trials and tribulations of falling in love. The heartache and angst proves even greater when the keeper of your heart turns out to be your best friend. Josie and Calvin are soulmates, yet can never get the timing right. She loves him. He loves her not. He wants her. She fears risking her heart. The drama is real. The emotion is exquisite and the characters relatable. Dreaming of You is an empathetic voice that speaks to the romantic in us all.
January 28, 2021
This was one of those reads that was difficult at times. Josie was a hard person to like. She wasn't very understanding and always wanted to assume the worst. I did like Calvin though. Too bad Josie put him through a lot. Luckily in the end everything works out and they get their happy ending.
May 1, 2022
Unpopular opinion coming up.
The good: A slice of life in small-town America.
The bad: Everything else.
- thirty-year-olds behaving like teenagers.
- grammar, spelling, syntax
- the narration takes too long to get to the point.
- unrealistic way of talking. In fact, the writing, in general, is amateurish.
- Josie wants exciting sex but the sex she has with Calvin is actually quite predictable - the writer seems to have a formula: Do X here, insert Y there, finish with Z. There's no need to get graphic if it doesn't add anything to the plot.
- hijacking a wedding.
March 14, 2018
Dreaming of You is a sexy, sweet friends to lovers story.
Josie is about to turn 30 and after a disastrous breakup with her ex, has decided her famous birthday adventure is going to be...no dating! Yep, she's had such a crap time of it lately that her new birthday bucket list is that she's swearing off men. Last year her birthday adventure was to ask out someone she had feelings for. When Cal, her best friend and the guy she'd had feelings for forever, turned her down, she tucked the hurt inside her and moved on. On to the aforementioned ex, who called Josie something less than flattering when she had the nerve to ask him for what she wanted in the bedroom. Needless to say, he's an ex now and Josie is having a bad time of it lately.
Cal is coming off his own disastrous breakup, a divorce, to be exact, and he's off of relationships now. Until he overhears Josie talking and realizes that she had had feelings for him when she asked him out last year on her birthday. He's pretty amazed that she had shared his feelings, considering that he's been in love with her since they were teens, but he had never felt good enough for her. When the two finally get their shit together and hookup, I was cheering. Sheesh, it took them long enough! But there will be obstacles ahead for our friends turned lovers, obstacles like her sleazy ex, and what happens when their planned two week fling just may turn into more than a fling to get Cal out of Josie's mind.
I liked Dreaming of You. Cal and Josie are pretty great characters with lots of chemistry. I wish they had communicated better, but beyond that I found their relationship to be well developed and passionate. I'm looking forward to more from this author and this series.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Josie is about to turn 30 and after a disastrous breakup with her ex, has decided her famous birthday adventure is going to be...no dating! Yep, she's had such a crap time of it lately that her new birthday bucket list is that she's swearing off men. Last year her birthday adventure was to ask out someone she had feelings for. When Cal, her best friend and the guy she'd had feelings for forever, turned her down, she tucked the hurt inside her and moved on. On to the aforementioned ex, who called Josie something less than flattering when she had the nerve to ask him for what she wanted in the bedroom. Needless to say, he's an ex now and Josie is having a bad time of it lately.
Cal is coming off his own disastrous breakup, a divorce, to be exact, and he's off of relationships now. Until he overhears Josie talking and realizes that she had had feelings for him when she asked him out last year on her birthday. He's pretty amazed that she had shared his feelings, considering that he's been in love with her since they were teens, but he had never felt good enough for her. When the two finally get their shit together and hookup, I was cheering. Sheesh, it took them long enough! But there will be obstacles ahead for our friends turned lovers, obstacles like her sleazy ex, and what happens when their planned two week fling just may turn into more than a fling to get Cal out of Josie's mind.
I liked Dreaming of You. Cal and Josie are pretty great characters with lots of chemistry. I wish they had communicated better, but beyond that I found their relationship to be well developed and passionate. I'm looking forward to more from this author and this series.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
March 19, 2018
Josie owns a cafe Morning Jolt in Magnolia Valley, it is small town and everyone knows everybody and everybody is in everyone’s business.
Josie grew up in Magnolia Valley and ever since her 14th birthday, she has done something every different from her personality on her birthday.
Now she is turning 30 soon and she was ready for a different kind of adventure with her boyfriend. When she wanted to try something in the bedroom with Nate, he turns her down and calls her pervert.... That is it for her with Nate but she had to keep it a secret since her best friend Gwen is getting married and she is maid of honor and her ex-boyfriends is best man. She was trying her best to keep her secret when she was venting out to her friend Calvin over hears their conversation.
Calvin has been back to his home town after failed marriage to Abigail. He wanted to remain bachelor as long as he can and he sworn not to date anybody from Magnolia Valley. He has been coming to cafe to enjoy coffee and enjoy the company of Josie. When he unintentionally eavedrop on Josie’s conversation, their friendship is on the rocks. He couldn’t lose Josie and her friendship.. So he comes up with an idea to have Josie live up her fantasy with Cal until the wedding.
Everything is moving smoothly until her ex-boyfriend decide to wrecking havoc on both. He has his own issues with Calvin and Josie. He wants revenge from both.
Now they have to decide if they can overcome their argument even though they know they are meant for each other.
It is a good friends to lovers book. I can’t wait to read about all of Josie’s friends in this small town.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Josie grew up in Magnolia Valley and ever since her 14th birthday, she has done something every different from her personality on her birthday.
Now she is turning 30 soon and she was ready for a different kind of adventure with her boyfriend. When she wanted to try something in the bedroom with Nate, he turns her down and calls her pervert.... That is it for her with Nate but she had to keep it a secret since her best friend Gwen is getting married and she is maid of honor and her ex-boyfriends is best man. She was trying her best to keep her secret when she was venting out to her friend Calvin over hears their conversation.
Calvin has been back to his home town after failed marriage to Abigail. He wanted to remain bachelor as long as he can and he sworn not to date anybody from Magnolia Valley. He has been coming to cafe to enjoy coffee and enjoy the company of Josie. When he unintentionally eavedrop on Josie’s conversation, their friendship is on the rocks. He couldn’t lose Josie and her friendship.. So he comes up with an idea to have Josie live up her fantasy with Cal until the wedding.
Everything is moving smoothly until her ex-boyfriend decide to wrecking havoc on both. He has his own issues with Calvin and Josie. He wants revenge from both.
Now they have to decide if they can overcome their argument even though they know they are meant for each other.
It is a good friends to lovers book. I can’t wait to read about all of Josie’s friends in this small town.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 5, 2019
Sweet and Funny Small Town Romance
I picked up this book as a freebie, so felt I had nothing to lose when trying out this new to me author. I’m glad I gave it a try because it was a really good book.
There was a nice dry wit to the writing style and some of the internal descriptions made by the characters were laugh inducing.
I liked that whilst the story was about Josie and Calvin it also involved their circle of friends quite extensively. It made their friendship and growing relationship feel more real because it was placed in a convincing context.
Josie and Calvin are interesting characters. Both were raised in unconventional ways with Josie’s parents abandoning her when she was 16 after an argument, and Calvin leaving his mother when he was 15, taking his younger sister with him to come and live with his grandparents after his sister was hurt by one of his mother’s disastrous boyfriends. Both of them moved to better situations but their childhood’s left their mark, making it harder for them to open up to others.
Josie and Calvin have been friends loosely since they were 15 and good friends for 5 years or so. Both had feelings for the other but didn’t know how to deal with those feelings so they suppressed them. After a few misunderstandings and mistimings over time they try and work their way through to saving a friendship and maybe more.
It wasn’t an earth shattering plot but it was interesting enough and the writing style was fun and easy going. The characters were well realised and the sex scenes were steamy. It was a good fun read.
I picked up this book as a freebie, so felt I had nothing to lose when trying out this new to me author. I’m glad I gave it a try because it was a really good book.
There was a nice dry wit to the writing style and some of the internal descriptions made by the characters were laugh inducing.
I liked that whilst the story was about Josie and Calvin it also involved their circle of friends quite extensively. It made their friendship and growing relationship feel more real because it was placed in a convincing context.
Josie and Calvin are interesting characters. Both were raised in unconventional ways with Josie’s parents abandoning her when she was 16 after an argument, and Calvin leaving his mother when he was 15, taking his younger sister with him to come and live with his grandparents after his sister was hurt by one of his mother’s disastrous boyfriends. Both of them moved to better situations but their childhood’s left their mark, making it harder for them to open up to others.
Josie and Calvin have been friends loosely since they were 15 and good friends for 5 years or so. Both had feelings for the other but didn’t know how to deal with those feelings so they suppressed them. After a few misunderstandings and mistimings over time they try and work their way through to saving a friendship and maybe more.
It wasn’t an earth shattering plot but it was interesting enough and the writing style was fun and easy going. The characters were well realised and the sex scenes were steamy. It was a good fun read.
March 16, 2018
The advance copy I read of this book is my first by this author. Ms. Reed appears to be a newly published author with this first book in the Magnolia Valley series, and she shows promise. Not quite a second chance romance, but more of a “chance to finally get it right" story, I enjoyed reading Josie and Cal's story. I love small-town romance and books in a series with recurring characters because each new book feels like returning home or catching up with old friends. While this work could use a little more editing to strengthen minor characters and improve some awkward phrasing, Cal and Josie easily won my heart. I anticipate each subsequent book will be stronger than the last and look forward to returning to Magnolia Valley in the future. I'm eager to see whose story comes next in this series and think you'll enjoy this delightfully entertaining read with its nice mix of sweet, sexy, humor and heart.
*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
March 16, 2018
Josie has not had much luck with men and now upon her 30th birthday she wants to take a risk and ask one of her best friends Calvin out. Calvin is divorced and has always secretly had a thing for Josie he is more into her than she thinks.what a Girls to do she likes Calvin but she was mad with him for something he overheard and her ex Nate keeps calling her and it does not help that he is friends with her best friends fiancé. When Cal and Josie finally get over this hurdle and start to go out. Can they make their relationship work with everyone seeming to be against them seeing each other and her ex that can't seem to understand that they have broken up.
This is a really good friends to lovers romance I loved that it showed that love is not always easy and you have to put i some effort to sometimes make it work.
I voluntarily received an arc copy of this story for my honest review.
Xoxo,
Meme Chanell Book Corner
This is a really good friends to lovers romance I loved that it showed that love is not always easy and you have to put i some effort to sometimes make it work.
I voluntarily received an arc copy of this story for my honest review.
Xoxo,
Meme Chanell Book Corner
March 15, 2018
After his marriage ended, Calvin swore marriage was off the table, especially with anyone in Magnolia Valley. Josie has always played is safe and after breaking up with her now ex-boyfriend, determines to spend the year single. Both have walls up, but cannot help the feelings they have had for years. Will Calvin break his no relationship rule? Will Josie be able to let down her walls to fall in love?
Honestly loved these two characters, even if at times I thought they were both idiots. I didn't blame either for being cautious, but was proud when they took the chances to be together. Loved Calvin's protective nature, even if he occasionally put his foot in his mouth. I was proud of Josie for finally thinking of herself and not others, even if her giving attitude made her, her. Good read and cannot wait for more in the series!
Honestly loved these two characters, even if at times I thought they were both idiots. I didn't blame either for being cautious, but was proud when they took the chances to be together. Loved Calvin's protective nature, even if he occasionally put his foot in his mouth. I was proud of Josie for finally thinking of herself and not others, even if her giving attitude made her, her. Good read and cannot wait for more in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2018
A Review of Dreaming Of You (Magnolia Valley Book 1) by Cora Reed
Josie and Calvin - 4.75 Stars
This is the first book I've had the pleasure of reading by this new author. Two broken teenagers that have been friends off and on for fifteen years finally admit that they like each other. Calvin is a little dense and didn't realize that Josie asked him out on a date last year for her birthday, which made her think he didn't like her in the same way she liked him. Now that she has broken up with her latest guy and he overhears a conversation about her sexual needs, he approaches her with a plan to be the one to give her all the sexual experiments she wants. This is a sweet storyline about second chances that makes you want to see these two get everything they want together.
**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy**
Josie and Calvin - 4.75 Stars
This is the first book I've had the pleasure of reading by this new author. Two broken teenagers that have been friends off and on for fifteen years finally admit that they like each other. Calvin is a little dense and didn't realize that Josie asked him out on a date last year for her birthday, which made her think he didn't like her in the same way she liked him. Now that she has broken up with her latest guy and he overhears a conversation about her sexual needs, he approaches her with a plan to be the one to give her all the sexual experiments she wants. This is a sweet storyline about second chances that makes you want to see these two get everything they want together.
**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy**
March 17, 2018
So fun! Dreaming of You is kind feel-good friends to friends-with-benefits book. The main characters and even secondary characters really make this community enjoyable to read about and once finished, I’m already looking forward to reading more about the other characters. This one is about two people with ugly pasts that have left them fighting some insecurities but also highlight how they’ve overcome them. Each have crushed on each other through the many years they’ve known one another and it’s so much fun to see them embrace their attraction! The story moves well and leaves you wanting the two characters to finally brave the admission that they are meant to be. I’ve never read any of this author’s books before but I will definitely seek out more.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
September 19, 2018
For a debut novel this story has all the makings of a great small town romance series.
The characters and relationships are well rounded and have great depth.
I like the fact that there are already couples in the group of friends.
Cal and Josie have been friends for years... but when Cal offers to help broaden Josie's sexual experiences and indulge her fantasies they both find themselves wanting more....can Cal, the serial playboy, convince Josie the ever romantic, that she is in fact all he needs and wants....? Or will the slimy ex get his way...?
With all the usual new relationship dramas this is a well put together story and worthy of a read.....
Will happy go lucky Ethan get his happily ever after in the next book? Get to know these characters and like me you will want to find out!😉
I received an ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.
The characters and relationships are well rounded and have great depth.
I like the fact that there are already couples in the group of friends.
Cal and Josie have been friends for years... but when Cal offers to help broaden Josie's sexual experiences and indulge her fantasies they both find themselves wanting more....can Cal, the serial playboy, convince Josie the ever romantic, that she is in fact all he needs and wants....? Or will the slimy ex get his way...?
With all the usual new relationship dramas this is a well put together story and worthy of a read.....
Will happy go lucky Ethan get his happily ever after in the next book? Get to know these characters and like me you will want to find out!😉
I received an ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2018
A sweet second chance romance that will warm your heart. Well written with likeable characters and an entertaining story line. Years earlier they never really confided to each other how they felt. Each thought the other one didn't care, but an overheard conversation changes that. Approaching 30, Josie has split from her boyfriend and Calvin's recently divorced so they are free. But each thinks the other is wary of a relationship. When Calvin offers her a no holes barred chance to do anything she wants in bed for two week, she accepts. Lots of drama and decisions. Do they make it permanent, no spoiler here. A cute read that was fun and easy to read. I read a reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.
March 15, 2018
Sweet and a little sexy, Josie and Calvin's story is totally heart-warming. Josie is a woman who likes routine and Calvin is a man now divorced with a bad boy past. Neither grew up in the most promising environment, but I love that the characters are strong and smart. Calvin is a little slow to realize Josie had a massive crush on him, and after one over heard conversation this former bad boy is determined to try and change her mind about him. The pair have great chemistry and a whole lot of heart. I was rooting for Calvin and the couple. Both if them are clearly compatible and they'd be so happy if they took the chance. It's never too late for a first second chance in romance. This is a voluntary review of an advance reader copy.
March 15, 2018
Friends to lovers’ story that is well done. Calvin and Josie knew each other since he was fifteen and she was fourteen. They just never dated but became friends. She has had a crush on him since she knew him. He doesn’t date local as got reputation of not a good risk for long term after he married a local girl and they got divorced. Doesn’t matter that they are still friends. A funny story with good sex scenes that flows well. Pulls you in and keeps you interested in reading more to see what happens. Would recommend and read again as like a story that holds you and mixes humor in. This is a standalone story with no cliffhanger. I did receive an ARC for an honest review from Hidden Gems.
March 19, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book and this is my honest review/opnion. A sweet romance. Followed the typical romance outline with a disagreement between lovers and some kind of external conflict. I liked that the male and female leads were both very likable. Josie and Calvin have secretly loved each other since they met sixteen years prior when they were in high school. They became very close friends in the five years prior to the story. An evening happens where they are both single and Calvin finds out that Josie has feelings for her. Their story goes from there. It was also fun to read the bonus chapter that was available for download at the end. A quick fun read great for a lazy afternoon.
March 22, 2018
Dreaming of you by Cora Reed was a very fun and entertaining story. I absolutely love the writing in this book it kept you engaged the whole time, the characters were a delightful surprise. Josie Wheeler the part owner of the Morning Jolt Cafe decides to take a risk and ask her handsome friend Calvin on a date. But he turns her down, Calvin has a crush on Josie but didn’t understand she was asking him on a date and he missed his chances or did he? Calvin is hoping Josie will take another chance, he has a proposal for her will she accept? This was a fun and sexy read I highly recommended this book and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Absolutely a must read.
March 15, 2018
I've enjoyed every part of this book. The characters are great as is the plot. The relationships throughout are real and believable, it's so easy to read and Cal and Josie are just wonderful together.
This is a new author for me and a new series that I'm going to be following now as I love the world Cora Reed has created and the way that she writes it (I just had to click on the link at the end to download the bonus chapter!) I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an ARC.
This is a new author for me and a new series that I'm going to be following now as I love the world Cora Reed has created and the way that she writes it (I just had to click on the link at the end to download the bonus chapter!) I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an ARC.
March 17, 2018
A great book debut from Cora Reed. This book was well edited, moved at a decent pace and had well developed characters. The H&h have some similarities of crappy childhood, extra judgement from some town members due to parents faults, and this combination of confidence yet poor self esteem in regards to worthiness in relationships. I liked both characters and I enjoyed this friends to lovers romance. I'm also excited to read the next stories in this series. Overall, a solid enjoyable novel. *I received an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 27, 2018
Such a sweet story
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. From the beginning, you can tell there’s a history between these two that no one, including the two of them, realize. They fall so quickly for one another, but are afraid to say anything about it Incase the other doesn’t feel the same. This group of friends are amazing support systems for one another, and you can really see how much they all care for one another. I cannot wait to see what’s next for this series. I’m voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. From the beginning, you can tell there’s a history between these two that no one, including the two of them, realize. They fall so quickly for one another, but are afraid to say anything about it Incase the other doesn’t feel the same. This group of friends are amazing support systems for one another, and you can really see how much they all care for one another. I cannot wait to see what’s next for this series. I’m voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
April 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Even though it could have used some editing, it was a good story with good characters. They were really likable and the romance was steamy and sweet all at the same time. Cal really cared about Josie and kept it locked away for many years. Josie has liked Cal forever and what she thought was his rejection a year ago forced her into another relationship. It was nice to watch the love emerge for both of them. Yes it had cheesy, predictable parts, but the love scenes where steamy and just enough. A nice quick weekend read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 5, 2020
This book was a super slow read for me. It took me a few tries to actually complete it and I started and stopped a few times before actually finishing. The characters need some work, the writing style was slow and stilted and the reader had a hard time staying focused while reading it. This book centers on Josie and Calvin and leave the reader just feeling EH...they can't relate to them, the book is mostly sex scenes and then they instantly fall in love.
I will try another book by this author, but she will not be on the top of my TBR list. Just an Eh read for me....
I will try another book by this author, but she will not be on the top of my TBR list. Just an Eh read for me....
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