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A Million Dreams
Before Beth's husband died, they made the decision to freeze an embryo so that she could still have his child. But Beth has just been told that the embryo was implanted in the wrong woman seven years ago. What should she do?'A captivating story that packs an emotional punch' Heidi Swain. Beth Brandon always dreamed of owning a florists, but today the bouquets of peonies and bright spring flowers are failing to calm her nerves. Because today, Beth has a life-changing decision to share with her husband.Izzy Vaughan thought she and her husband would stay together forever, but sometime last year, their love began to fade. They both find such joy in their young son Noah – but is he enough to keep them together?Eight years ago, something happened to these two women. Something that is about to bring them together in a way no one thought possible...Thought-provoking, emotional and uplifting, this is a gripping love story for fans of Jojo Moyes and Alice Peterson.Reviews for A Million Dreams :'Beautifully written... A simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting tale of love, loss and sacrifice' Heat .'Atkins writes with immediacy and compassion' Mail on Sunday .'Powerful. Ruthlessly honest. Hauntingly moving. The characters ripped my heart wide open in this beautiful story about love and loss and heart-rending choices. Dani Atkins does not shy away from asking tough questions, and her answers are ones that will make you weep. Intense and emotional, I loved every moment of it' Kate Furnivall.'A stunning, heartfelt story of fierce maternal love, sacrifice and second chances' Alice Peterson.'A beautifully told story about a careless mistake that changes the lives of everyone involved... Deeply moving' Ella Harper.'A gorgeous story with a perfect ending... Heart-breaking' Faith Hogan.'A breathless read of hope and resilience... You'll never forget it' Penny Parkes.'A true love story, written by a mother's heart' Milly Johnson.
448 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2019
1128 people are currently reading
2807 people want to read
About the author
Dani Atkins
25 books1,167 followersDani was born and brought up in Cockfosters- a small London suburb at the end of the Piccadilly Tube Line.
This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself.
When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.
Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published.
This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself.
When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.
Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
October 6, 2020
Ein absolutes Lesehighlight von einer meiner Lieblingsautorinnen. Sie hat es wieder geschafft mein Herz zu berühren, mir Bauchkneifen zu verschaffen und so mit ALLEN Protagonisten mit zu fühlen. Ein sehr gefühlvoller Roman mit einer schwierigen und dramatischen Thematik,der mich richtig begeistern konnte.
January 2, 2024
I have a million laudatory comments about this "Million" book.
Since I strive for brevity when writing reviews, I will not be posting all of my comments.
(You're welcome!)
"A Million Dreams" is a heart-wrenching character-driven domestic drama about what transpires between two families when it's discovered that the wrong embryo was implanted in the wrong woman eight years ago.
The book was unpredictable, well-plotted, unputdownable, and MUCH MORE.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, and gasp.
This is the third "I took home the wrong baby from the hospital" book that I have read ("Playing Nice", "In A Single Moment"), and Dani Atkins did a superb job of putting her own distinctive spin on this topic.
I listened to the audiobook read by Rosie Akerman, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
Since the book unfolded from the POVs of the two mothers, I would have preferred two narrators but Rosie Ackerman pulled off the book's narration with signature flair.
Kudos to author Dani Atkins for writing such a powerful and ultra-compelling book.
Since I strive for brevity when writing reviews, I will not be posting all of my comments.
(You're welcome!)
"A Million Dreams" is a heart-wrenching character-driven domestic drama about what transpires between two families when it's discovered that the wrong embryo was implanted in the wrong woman eight years ago.
The book was unpredictable, well-plotted, unputdownable, and MUCH MORE.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, and gasp.
This is the third "I took home the wrong baby from the hospital" book that I have read ("Playing Nice", "In A Single Moment"), and Dani Atkins did a superb job of putting her own distinctive spin on this topic.
I listened to the audiobook read by Rosie Akerman, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
Since the book unfolded from the POVs of the two mothers, I would have preferred two narrators but Rosie Ackerman pulled off the book's narration with signature flair.
Kudos to author Dani Atkins for writing such a powerful and ultra-compelling book.
November 11, 2019
Beth and Izzy meet in very unusual circumstances. Their lives are turned upside down by a mistake that happened eight years ago. These two women were left with a very difficult decision to make and I could sympathise with both of their views.
I did enjoy this book but I did find parts of the story predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy this book but I did find parts of the story predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2019
There are two things that can be guaranteed with a book by Dani Atkins. One is the need for tissues. The other is that the reader is in for a heartrending read. Having sobbed my way through a previous book (Our Song), I was in no doubt what I was letting myself in when I was offered the chance to review A Million Dreams.
You need to go into this unprepared and as the blurb gives the minimum of details, it would be unforgiveable of me to reveal any more of the plot. What I can say is that yet again Dani Atkins has created an emotional and sensitively written powerful story which has at its heart a dilemma of epic proportions.
All the characters are so well written they made a long lasting impression on me and my heart ached for all of them – especially the two women – Beth, who has finally realised her dream of having her own florist shop, but at huge personal cost and Izzy whose over protectiveness of her son Noah has shut out those around her. Both women find themselves in an extraordinary situation and my sympathies were with both of them but for different reasons.
Characterisation and pace is faultless, Atkins certainly puts all her characters through the mill and no-one gets an easy ride. This may be a poignant and emotional read but there is a little touch of humour throughout together with a strand involving two characters that kept me captivated wondering how it would end up!
I did ❤️ this and I really want to say more but I daren’t because I don’t want to reveal something that could be a spoiler. A Million Dreams is currently only 99p to download on Amazon UK – this would be a wonderful read at any price but for 99p, come on, you can’t pass this one by!
You need to go into this unprepared and as the blurb gives the minimum of details, it would be unforgiveable of me to reveal any more of the plot. What I can say is that yet again Dani Atkins has created an emotional and sensitively written powerful story which has at its heart a dilemma of epic proportions.
All the characters are so well written they made a long lasting impression on me and my heart ached for all of them – especially the two women – Beth, who has finally realised her dream of having her own florist shop, but at huge personal cost and Izzy whose over protectiveness of her son Noah has shut out those around her. Both women find themselves in an extraordinary situation and my sympathies were with both of them but for different reasons.
Characterisation and pace is faultless, Atkins certainly puts all her characters through the mill and no-one gets an easy ride. This may be a poignant and emotional read but there is a little touch of humour throughout together with a strand involving two characters that kept me captivated wondering how it would end up!
I did ❤️ this and I really want to say more but I daren’t because I don’t want to reveal something that could be a spoiler. A Million Dreams is currently only 99p to download on Amazon UK – this would be a wonderful read at any price but for 99p, come on, you can’t pass this one by!
January 19, 2021
From the start I knew this book would be an emotional rollercoaster. The prologue wasn't finished yet when my heart was torn. I really felt for Beth. The way she met Liam, how their lives intertwined and how they connected and understood each other was so well thought through. Even the small details fitted perfectly.
And then there was Izzy and Pete who let there marriage fizzle out, but still love each other and fight for their family. I did have some difficulties with connecting to Izzy. If I tried hard I could imagine why she was like she was and did what she did without judging her, but I don't have much tolerance for overprotecting and anxious people irl. So that made it a little less amazing than I'd like to admit.
This story contained everything I could wish for in a book: a strong family bond, serendipity, something to think about, loyalty, drama/angst and unique, unwavering love...
And then there was Izzy and Pete who let there marriage fizzle out, but still love each other and fight for their family. I did have some difficulties with connecting to Izzy. If I tried hard I could imagine why she was like she was and did what she did without judging her, but I don't have much tolerance for overprotecting and anxious people irl. So that made it a little less amazing than I'd like to admit.
This story contained everything I could wish for in a book: a strong family bond, serendipity, something to think about, loyalty, drama/angst and unique, unwavering love...
February 9, 2020
Dani Atkins is a brilliant writer. She broke my heart into a million pieces and joined them together with hope. Every word written in this book was etched in my heart bringing with it emotions which had tears coursing down my cheeks and a smile trying to flutter through amidst them.
2 women stuck in a dilemma which had no solution at least nothing which could be called fair and just. Izzy and Pete, separated parents, had a son Noah. Beth was a widow who had lost her husband and longed to be a mother. Both their lives had intersected 8 years ago by fate and an accident, and the results affected them today. What was justice and would it be served by the same fate?
Having read a book by this author after a long time, I was pulled into the book from the first line, enjoying the scenes as they unfolded in front of me. They were lucid and clear and gave me powerful imagery via my emotions. I was pulled in different directions by both those women as I felt keenly for both. Dani’s writing was superfluous in etching them, carving them out of real life.
The love that was shown kept me anchored firmly into the story. I didn’t realize that time had moved on while I was reading it. Nothing could have ever stopped me from completing the book at one go.
I loved, loved, loved the book with the million pieces of my heart. Ah, a fabulous storyteller was this author who told me the million dreams a mother has for her child.
2 women stuck in a dilemma which had no solution at least nothing which could be called fair and just. Izzy and Pete, separated parents, had a son Noah. Beth was a widow who had lost her husband and longed to be a mother. Both their lives had intersected 8 years ago by fate and an accident, and the results affected them today. What was justice and would it be served by the same fate?
Having read a book by this author after a long time, I was pulled into the book from the first line, enjoying the scenes as they unfolded in front of me. They were lucid and clear and gave me powerful imagery via my emotions. I was pulled in different directions by both those women as I felt keenly for both. Dani’s writing was superfluous in etching them, carving them out of real life.
The love that was shown kept me anchored firmly into the story. I didn’t realize that time had moved on while I was reading it. Nothing could have ever stopped me from completing the book at one go.
I loved, loved, loved the book with the million pieces of my heart. Ah, a fabulous storyteller was this author who told me the million dreams a mother has for her child.
January 27, 2020
Honestly, the cover alone gave me the indication that I might be greatly affected by the story. I was right. You have one woman desperate for a child who loses her husband in death. In Vitro was unsuccessful while he was alive, and eventually she decides to try what is her last and only time. Imagine her shock when she discovers that her eggs were implanted in another woman and that a child has been born as a result of that. No chance to have a baby.
Then you have a second woman, mother to said child, and child becomes terminally ill. Well, worlds collide because the woman without a child fights for said child in court. Should she take the child away from his parents? Or will she walk away and never have the child that would tie her to her deceased husband?
Was I vague enough? Too specific possibly? I hope so in either case. Why? This book comes highly recommended (although the requisite box of tissues is not supplied) and is a must-read for any woman who has ever loved a child. A Million Dreams could be called "A Million Pieces" because that is what it did to my heart. Kudos to Dani Atkins for writing such an effective story.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Then you have a second woman, mother to said child, and child becomes terminally ill. Well, worlds collide because the woman without a child fights for said child in court. Should she take the child away from his parents? Or will she walk away and never have the child that would tie her to her deceased husband?
Was I vague enough? Too specific possibly? I hope so in either case. Why? This book comes highly recommended (although the requisite box of tissues is not supplied) and is a must-read for any woman who has ever loved a child. A Million Dreams could be called "A Million Pieces" because that is what it did to my heart. Kudos to Dani Atkins for writing such an effective story.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 25, 2022
Beth Brandon had twee grote dromen in haar leven: moeder worden en een eigen bloemenwinkel openen. Ze is ontzettend trots op haar zaak, maar haar eerste droom is nog altijd niet verwezenlijkt. Herhaalde IVF-pogingen hebben helaas geen resultaat gehad, maar nu heeft ze een belangrijke keuze gemaakt, een keuze die ze vandaag met haar man zal gaan delen.
Izzy Vaughan houdt nog steeds van Pete, met wie ze zoon Noah heeft, maar ze is bang dat haar droom om samen gelukkig oud te worden niet zal uitkomen. Ze zijn steeds verder uit elkaar gegroeid, maar als hun zoon zijn beide ouders hard nodig heeft, vormen ze een team. Zal dit genoeg zijn om hun huwelijk te redden?
Beth en Izzy kennen elkaar niet, maar het lot heeft deze twee vrouwen jaren geleden onlosmakelijk met elkaar verbonden. Wanneer beide vrouwen een grote schok moeten verwerken en haast onmogelijke keuzes moeten maken, zorgt dat ervoor dat er een conflict ontstaat, een hartverscheurend conflict waardoor de levens van alle betrokken nooit meer hetzelfde zullen zijn.
“‘Er is geen zaak die je niet kunt winnen, Beth,’ zei hij zacht. ‘Je moet alleen goed weten welke prijs je daarvoor wilt betalen.’”
Wanneer je een boek van Dani Atkins openslaat, dan weet je dat je je moet voorbereiden op een emotionele rollercoaster, op een boek dat je kippenvel bezorgt, op een verhaal dat je diep zal raken. Ook Dromen van jou maakt die verwachting helemaal waar. De personages zijn krachtig en levensecht uitgewerkt en door de afwisselende perspectieven leer je zowel Beth als Izzy goed kennen, kun je je in beide standpunten verplaatsen en zul je intens met hen mee gaan leven.
Het verhaal is meeslepend, liefdevol en met veel gevoel geschreven, waardoor de emoties voelbaar zijn en het boek op sommige punten echt niet weg te leggen is. Enkele wendingen zag ik aankomen, andere waren verrassend, de personages krijgen heel wat voor hun kiezen en de details kloppen. Het zet je aan het denken en hoewel het me geen ugly cry bezorgde, is dit verhaal over rouw, afscheid moeten nemen van een droom, familiebanden, veerkracht, hoop, (moeder)liefde, intense dilemma’s, opoffering en kracht zeker een must-read voor iedereen die klaar is voor een boek dat zowel hartverwarmend als hartverscheurend zal zijn. Het is ontzettend mooi! ❤️
4-4.5⭐️
Izzy Vaughan houdt nog steeds van Pete, met wie ze zoon Noah heeft, maar ze is bang dat haar droom om samen gelukkig oud te worden niet zal uitkomen. Ze zijn steeds verder uit elkaar gegroeid, maar als hun zoon zijn beide ouders hard nodig heeft, vormen ze een team. Zal dit genoeg zijn om hun huwelijk te redden?
Beth en Izzy kennen elkaar niet, maar het lot heeft deze twee vrouwen jaren geleden onlosmakelijk met elkaar verbonden. Wanneer beide vrouwen een grote schok moeten verwerken en haast onmogelijke keuzes moeten maken, zorgt dat ervoor dat er een conflict ontstaat, een hartverscheurend conflict waardoor de levens van alle betrokken nooit meer hetzelfde zullen zijn.
“‘Er is geen zaak die je niet kunt winnen, Beth,’ zei hij zacht. ‘Je moet alleen goed weten welke prijs je daarvoor wilt betalen.’”
Wanneer je een boek van Dani Atkins openslaat, dan weet je dat je je moet voorbereiden op een emotionele rollercoaster, op een boek dat je kippenvel bezorgt, op een verhaal dat je diep zal raken. Ook Dromen van jou maakt die verwachting helemaal waar. De personages zijn krachtig en levensecht uitgewerkt en door de afwisselende perspectieven leer je zowel Beth als Izzy goed kennen, kun je je in beide standpunten verplaatsen en zul je intens met hen mee gaan leven.
Het verhaal is meeslepend, liefdevol en met veel gevoel geschreven, waardoor de emoties voelbaar zijn en het boek op sommige punten echt niet weg te leggen is. Enkele wendingen zag ik aankomen, andere waren verrassend, de personages krijgen heel wat voor hun kiezen en de details kloppen. Het zet je aan het denken en hoewel het me geen ugly cry bezorgde, is dit verhaal over rouw, afscheid moeten nemen van een droom, familiebanden, veerkracht, hoop, (moeder)liefde, intense dilemma’s, opoffering en kracht zeker een must-read voor iedereen die klaar is voor een boek dat zowel hartverwarmend als hartverscheurend zal zijn. Het is ontzettend mooi! ❤️
4-4.5⭐️
October 2, 2019
I was lucky enough to receive an e book copy of this wonderful book from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review.
Danni Atkins is one of my favourite authors and I was beyond excited to read this book. I think it would be impossible for me not to enjoy a book by Danni Atkins because her writing is so beautiful and emotive it’s difficult not to find yourself emotionally invested in the characters and the storyline.
I enjoyed the story on the whole however I wasn’t crazy about the court battle aspect and I thought it was a bit of a cliche how Beth was needed to help Noah. That being said though there was so much more to the storyline, parts of it made me cry and I felt every single emotion that Beth and Izzy went through thanks to Danni’s unique and extraordinary way of story telling. This is one that I’d definitely recommend, along with every book that she’s ever written.
Danni Atkins is one of my favourite authors and I was beyond excited to read this book. I think it would be impossible for me not to enjoy a book by Danni Atkins because her writing is so beautiful and emotive it’s difficult not to find yourself emotionally invested in the characters and the storyline.
I enjoyed the story on the whole however I wasn’t crazy about the court battle aspect and I thought it was a bit of a cliche how Beth was needed to help Noah. That being said though there was so much more to the storyline, parts of it made me cry and I felt every single emotion that Beth and Izzy went through thanks to Danni’s unique and extraordinary way of story telling. This is one that I’d definitely recommend, along with every book that she’s ever written.
January 16, 2021
This book genuinely deserves all the stars in the world. It was so heartbreaking, but so good! This story was so intense and I definitely have shed some tears while reading the book. The subject of this book and the course that it took, it was just heartbreaking. I loved the writing style, everything felt so real and all was described so well and with just the right words. But really, the one thought that really stays with me after finishing the book is: I hope no one ever has to go through this.
March 11, 2022
Dani Atkins has a knack of writing absolute heart-wrenching books. Such an emotional story which was so well written with fantastic characterisation. Both sides of the story were told incredibly well so it was hard to choose one even if I had wanted to! I didn’t want the book to end and will be thinking about it for a long time after I’m sure.
April 8, 2022
Wauw, wat een prachtig, aangrijpend boek! Echt heel erg mooi. Uitgebreidere recensie komt op mijn blog Marieke's Books
February 4, 2024
Dani Atkins is one of my favourite authors and has written another wonderful book. My heart felt for Beth and Izzy and I loved this book.
February 19, 2020
A Million Dreams is the first book I have read by Dani Atkins and I wasn’t sure exactly what the book would entail as the summary was rather brief. But, when I saw it was an emotional and gripping love story and perfect for fans who love books by Amanda Prowse and Jojo Moyes, well, I just knew I had to read it. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill and I am more than happy to say Dani Atkins really blew me away with a powerful story that encompasses so much between its pages.
This is really a story where you should go in blindly and I really don’t even want to give anything away with my own brief synopsis. One thing is for sure though, Atkin’s has written an emotionally heartbreaking story that will tug on your heartstrings and yet at the same time it is so uplifting and sprinkled with little bits of humor thrown in that made the story flow so easily. Don;t get me wrong this is a heavy book and deals with a lot of issues such as death, sickness, infertility, adversity and also love - the love a child and the love of a partner.
Beth and Izzy are such well written immersive characters and I could not help but like them both equally. They are both so different and yet the same. They both are fighters, but each in a different way. They would do anything for the people they love and it shows over and over again throughout this story. Both Beth and Izzy find themselves in a situation that is rather unusual and it will test them both in ways no one could ever imagine.
A Million Dreams is a thought provoking, heartbreaking and captivating story that will stay with you for a long time even after the last page is read. I highly recommend this beautifully and emotionally written book.
This is really a story where you should go in blindly and I really don’t even want to give anything away with my own brief synopsis. One thing is for sure though, Atkin’s has written an emotionally heartbreaking story that will tug on your heartstrings and yet at the same time it is so uplifting and sprinkled with little bits of humor thrown in that made the story flow so easily. Don;t get me wrong this is a heavy book and deals with a lot of issues such as death, sickness, infertility, adversity and also love - the love a child and the love of a partner.
Beth and Izzy are such well written immersive characters and I could not help but like them both equally. They are both so different and yet the same. They both are fighters, but each in a different way. They would do anything for the people they love and it shows over and over again throughout this story. Both Beth and Izzy find themselves in a situation that is rather unusual and it will test them both in ways no one could ever imagine.
A Million Dreams is a thought provoking, heartbreaking and captivating story that will stay with you for a long time even after the last page is read. I highly recommend this beautifully and emotionally written book.
June 13, 2022
Ich liebe das Buch und ich liebe diese Autorin.
Jedes Buch von ihr ist so herzzerreißend gut
Jedes Buch von ihr ist so herzzerreißend gut
March 14, 2022
Dit was mooi!
Een recensie zal nog volgen, eerst even dit verhaal laten zakken ;-)
Een recensie zal nog volgen, eerst even dit verhaal laten zakken ;-)
February 14, 2020
This is the first book I have ever read by Dani Atkins, and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was beautifully written and I did get choked up in places. I felt for both Beth and Izzy but I did find it a bit predictable in places and I found the ending quite odd which is my reason for the 4 stars.
February 8, 2023
Predictable yes, but I enjoyed the story. A storyline I hope is never true, about an embryo switch in a clinic, results in a tale of two mothers. I did cry at the end, happy tears of course 💙.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
I always know I am going to get a heart-wrenching, tear-jerker from Dani Atkins and A Million Dreams did not disappoint. I lapped it up and went through a whole rollercoaster of emotions with Beth, Izzy, Pete and Liam. It would make a fantastic film and I highly recommend it.
January 28, 2020
I've spent the past 24 hours extremely resentful of real life separating my from reading at times, regretful that I didn't read this while I was on holiday and would have been able to read it in one sitting, and regularly on the verge of tears, due to the sheer emotion and power behind the words of this book.
It has really got to me, and is easily one of the best books of the year so far for me.
A lot of the power and emotion I feel has come because I had no idea what to expect. The blurb gives very little away, and even the first thing to be revealed, not too far into the story, I think I appreciated all the more because I had no idea it was coming. (OK, I had an inkling perhaps a chapter before but wasn't convinced, and I had the same realisations at couple of times in the book, but never more than a chapter before it happened). And even if I did think i knew what was about to happen, nothing could have prepared me for the way it was written and the impact it had on me.
I was completely immersed in this powerful story, and its one that will hopefully stay with me for a long time. It covers something that would be completely and utter worst nightmare scenarios for the two families involved, and really does take you on a roller coaster of emotions.
I suspect I would have been crying for most of the book if I had my own children, instead I just had a massive feeling of empathy regardless and really did love all the main characters.
For this is an epic love story - but not romantic love, but of a mother's love for their child. It is written from two perspectives and from that you great insight into how both Beth and Izzy cope with a situation that I've never read about before anywhere.
A uniquely wonderful story from an author who always writes powerful stories that grab your heart and don't let go.
Or in short, it left me speechless, I have no idea how anything else I read for a few days will compare to this and just wow!!! If you are a fan of anything with an emotional kick to it, you need to read this book.
Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It has really got to me, and is easily one of the best books of the year so far for me.
A lot of the power and emotion I feel has come because I had no idea what to expect. The blurb gives very little away, and even the first thing to be revealed, not too far into the story, I think I appreciated all the more because I had no idea it was coming. (OK, I had an inkling perhaps a chapter before but wasn't convinced, and I had the same realisations at couple of times in the book, but never more than a chapter before it happened). And even if I did think i knew what was about to happen, nothing could have prepared me for the way it was written and the impact it had on me.
I was completely immersed in this powerful story, and its one that will hopefully stay with me for a long time. It covers something that would be completely and utter worst nightmare scenarios for the two families involved, and really does take you on a roller coaster of emotions.
I suspect I would have been crying for most of the book if I had my own children, instead I just had a massive feeling of empathy regardless and really did love all the main characters.
For this is an epic love story - but not romantic love, but of a mother's love for their child. It is written from two perspectives and from that you great insight into how both Beth and Izzy cope with a situation that I've never read about before anywhere.
A uniquely wonderful story from an author who always writes powerful stories that grab your heart and don't let go.
Or in short, it left me speechless, I have no idea how anything else I read for a few days will compare to this and just wow!!! If you are a fan of anything with an emotional kick to it, you need to read this book.
Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 10, 2019
Dani Atkins is a brilliant writer. She broke my heart into a million pieces and joined them together with hope. Every word written in this book was etched in my heart bringing with it emotions which had tears coursing down my cheeks and a smile trying to flutter through amidst them.
2 women stuck in a dilemma which had no solution at least nothing which could be called fair and just. Izzy and Pete, separated parents, had a son Noah. Beth was a widow who had lost her husband and longed to be a mother. Both their lives had intersected 8 years ago by fate and an accident, and the results affected them today. What was justice and would it be served by the same fate?
Having read a book by this author after a long time, I was pulled into the book from the first line, enjoying the scenes as they unfolded in front of me. They were lucid and clear and gave me powerful imagery via my emotions. I was pulled in different directions by both those women as I felt keenly for both. Dani’s writing was superfluous in etching them, carving them out of real life.
The love that was shown kept me anchored firmly into the story. I didn’t realize that time had moved on while I was reading it. Nothing could have ever stopped me from completing the book at one go.
I loved, loved, loved the book with the million pieces of my heart. Ah, a fabulous storyteller was this author who told me the million dreams a mother has for her child.
2 women stuck in a dilemma which had no solution at least nothing which could be called fair and just. Izzy and Pete, separated parents, had a son Noah. Beth was a widow who had lost her husband and longed to be a mother. Both their lives had intersected 8 years ago by fate and an accident, and the results affected them today. What was justice and would it be served by the same fate?
Having read a book by this author after a long time, I was pulled into the book from the first line, enjoying the scenes as they unfolded in front of me. They were lucid and clear and gave me powerful imagery via my emotions. I was pulled in different directions by both those women as I felt keenly for both. Dani’s writing was superfluous in etching them, carving them out of real life.
The love that was shown kept me anchored firmly into the story. I didn’t realize that time had moved on while I was reading it. Nothing could have ever stopped me from completing the book at one go.
I loved, loved, loved the book with the million pieces of my heart. Ah, a fabulous storyteller was this author who told me the million dreams a mother has for her child.
April 18, 2022
Gelezen via kobo plus
Een Dani Atkins boek is altijd een gezellig onderonsje.
Al haar boeken laten het lot bepalen van haar personages. Ieder boek is uniek en oh zo aangrijpend mooi.
Dromen van jou is eveneens opnieuw een parel van haar hand.
Wonderbaarlijk hoe zij personages laat leven. Veel respect!
Ik kijk al uit naar een volgende!
Een Dani Atkins boek is altijd een gezellig onderonsje.
Al haar boeken laten het lot bepalen van haar personages. Ieder boek is uniek en oh zo aangrijpend mooi.
Dromen van jou is eveneens opnieuw een parel van haar hand.
Wonderbaarlijk hoe zij personages laat leven. Veel respect!
Ik kijk al uit naar een volgende!
April 1, 2022
Ontzettend mooi verhaal! Hier en daar een beetje voorspelbaar, maar dat deed voor mij geen afbreuk! Ik hou van de schrijfstijl van deze schrijfster, mooi en ook heerlijk vlot maar net weer niet te, zeg maar. Een dikke 4 sterren!
July 30, 2022
Dromen van jou is het eerste boek dat ik van Dani Atkins heb gelezen en ik ga sowieso meer van haar lezen!
Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit twee perspectieven; vanuit Izzy en vanuit Beth.
Beth staat op het punt om iets belangrijks te delen met haar man. De relatie tussen Izzy en haar man loopt niet helemaal lekker, maar ze doen hun best voor hun acht-jarige zoon Noah.
Maar acht jaar geleden is er iets voorgevallen, waardoor nu, acht jaar later, de beide levens van de vrouwen op de kop wordt gezet.
Dit is een prachtig en emotioneel verhaal over de verlangens van beide vrouwen. Afwisselend wordt het verhaal dus verteld en beide vrouwen worden dan ook duidelijk en uitgebreid beschreven. Beide vrouwen wekken sympathie op en met beide leef je mee.
De schokkende gebeurtenis wordt met respect en liefdevol beschreven en dat maakt dat de emoties van het papier spatten. Erg mooi geschreven! En de nodige tranen zijn gelaten..
Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit twee perspectieven; vanuit Izzy en vanuit Beth.
Beth staat op het punt om iets belangrijks te delen met haar man. De relatie tussen Izzy en haar man loopt niet helemaal lekker, maar ze doen hun best voor hun acht-jarige zoon Noah.
Maar acht jaar geleden is er iets voorgevallen, waardoor nu, acht jaar later, de beide levens van de vrouwen op de kop wordt gezet.
Dit is een prachtig en emotioneel verhaal over de verlangens van beide vrouwen. Afwisselend wordt het verhaal dus verteld en beide vrouwen worden dan ook duidelijk en uitgebreid beschreven. Beide vrouwen wekken sympathie op en met beide leef je mee.
De schokkende gebeurtenis wordt met respect en liefdevol beschreven en dat maakt dat de emoties van het papier spatten. Erg mooi geschreven! En de nodige tranen zijn gelaten..
January 23, 2022
Prachtig boek, net zoals alle anders boeken van deze schrijfster.
January 31, 2023
2.5. A quick light read that won’t rock your world and I don’t think will be particularly memorable. Every one annoyingly linked in unnecessary ways that adds nothing to the plot. A good palette cleaner, I guess.
December 19, 2019
A beautifully written and heart wrenching story with an original plot and good characterisation. At many points there were various directions the story could have taken which ensured my interest throughout. Dani has a really engaging style of writing that made this book a pleasure to read despite the emotive subjects it covered.
February 6, 2023
Easy to read. Utterly predictable. Would’ve preferred the story to finish earlier.
December 2, 2019
Can I give more than 5 stars? A Million Dreams shot daggers through my heart. If you want to read a novel with heart and emotion you need to read this! I was completely lost in this novel again, just like it happened when I read This Love.
I loved that novel so I didn’t have to think twice when I saw the title of this new book and that there was a book tour being organised for it. So yes I was expecting to love it but I loved it even more than I thought, which is especially impressive given the baseline of this novel.
Now, I don’t know if anyone’s noticed it yet, but I usually stay away from novels that deal with that unfulfilled dream of having a child. I always fear that I won’t be able to experience it and feel it as deeply as someone who already has or wants to have children. Well, if there’s someone who has no problems squeezing my heart, then it’s certainly Dani Atkins.
Two women are prepared to fight for what they wanted most in life, except that it was the same dream they had. Oh the dilemma, it was excrutiating to follow and to decide on my own whose side I was on before the story told me the outcome. Alternating chapters following Beth and Izzy show their side of the story and of course the most unwelcome thing happened (winkwink), I liked both women immediately. After a while they were on opposite sides and I didn’t know who to cheer on. They were both right! How were they going to get out of this? How was this going to be solved? I actually know a real true story of a similar situation so I knew what the outcome was there and I did wonder if this would have the same one, but I had no idea how it was going to play out. Well I did say it’s an emotional story, right? It’s a story about a mother’s love that is sooo deep.
You really shouldn’t be allowed to read this novel outside of your home. A Million Dreams got me choked up as much in the beginning of the novel as at the end, and everything in between was a rollercoaster of happy, sad, hopeful, and every other feeling of the rainbow.
Enough said I think… I’m calling this one out as another winner by Dani Atkins!
I loved that novel so I didn’t have to think twice when I saw the title of this new book and that there was a book tour being organised for it. So yes I was expecting to love it but I loved it even more than I thought, which is especially impressive given the baseline of this novel.
Now, I don’t know if anyone’s noticed it yet, but I usually stay away from novels that deal with that unfulfilled dream of having a child. I always fear that I won’t be able to experience it and feel it as deeply as someone who already has or wants to have children. Well, if there’s someone who has no problems squeezing my heart, then it’s certainly Dani Atkins.
Two women are prepared to fight for what they wanted most in life, except that it was the same dream they had. Oh the dilemma, it was excrutiating to follow and to decide on my own whose side I was on before the story told me the outcome. Alternating chapters following Beth and Izzy show their side of the story and of course the most unwelcome thing happened (winkwink), I liked both women immediately. After a while they were on opposite sides and I didn’t know who to cheer on. They were both right! How were they going to get out of this? How was this going to be solved? I actually know a real true story of a similar situation so I knew what the outcome was there and I did wonder if this would have the same one, but I had no idea how it was going to play out. Well I did say it’s an emotional story, right? It’s a story about a mother’s love that is sooo deep.
You really shouldn’t be allowed to read this novel outside of your home. A Million Dreams got me choked up as much in the beginning of the novel as at the end, and everything in between was a rollercoaster of happy, sad, hopeful, and every other feeling of the rainbow.
Enough said I think… I’m calling this one out as another winner by Dani Atkins!
December 30, 2019
From the time Dani Atkins had me reeling when I finished Fractured, she has managed to impress me with each novel she writes. So I was excited to hear about the publication of A Million Dreams. The synopsis sounded interesting and I couldn't wait to check it out. What I found inside was not what I expected and it kept me guessing the entire time.
At first, I worried the story would be predictable based on the initial build-up to the conflict. However, it went in directions I wasn't expecting. There was a Jodi Picoult feel to part of the story and I didn't know which woman to root for. Both were sympathetic characters who had compelling cases in their favor. I love how Dani brought about the Christmas mood at one point in the novel.
Overall, it was a sweet story about motherhood and love that was enjoyable throughout and carried a strong emotional appeal. The only downside, if I can even call it that, was that I kept getting a song from The Greatest Showman in my head. Quite the ear worm...
I believe I still have some other books of Dani's on my shelf that need attention and now I am even more eager to add them to my TBR!
Movie casting ideas:
Beth: Felicity Jones
Izzy: Laura Haddock
Pete: Gwilym Lee
Liam: Luke Evans
At first, I worried the story would be predictable based on the initial build-up to the conflict. However, it went in directions I wasn't expecting. There was a Jodi Picoult feel to part of the story and I didn't know which woman to root for. Both were sympathetic characters who had compelling cases in their favor. I love how Dani brought about the Christmas mood at one point in the novel.
Overall, it was a sweet story about motherhood and love that was enjoyable throughout and carried a strong emotional appeal. The only downside, if I can even call it that, was that I kept getting a song from The Greatest Showman in my head. Quite the ear worm...
I believe I still have some other books of Dani's on my shelf that need attention and now I am even more eager to add them to my TBR!
Movie casting ideas:
Beth: Felicity Jones
Izzy: Laura Haddock
Pete: Gwilym Lee
Liam: Luke Evans
Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews