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Return to Red River #3
More Than a Dream
Book 3 of RETURN TO RED RIVER by bestselling author Lauraine Snelling. Thorliff's goal of becoming a writer is within reach. Working for a newspaper in Northfield, Minnesota, he is busy writing articles and stories for the Minneapolis Tribune and Harper's Magazine. But his idyllic world comes to a sudden halt when an epidemic hits the town of Blessing, North Dakota, following the Red River flood of 1897. Thorliff returns home to help family and friends recover from the aftermath of the disasters and rebuild their town. A captivating and heartwarming tale of aspiration, struggle, love, and triumph.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
94 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,038 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 1, 2019
looooved this! 🤩
December 6, 2015
I enjoyed Lauraine Snelling's "More Than a Dream". I had to continue the series after reading the two preceding books. I almost liked this book as much as the second, but the latter half of the book had a bit of a rushed feeling. Two years were covered in a short amount of time and I feel readers missed reading about the growth in the relationship between Thorliff and Elizabeth.
I did enjoy the conclusion of the book and would not hesitate to read more of Ms. Snelling's works in the future. Overall, I would rate this book about 4.4 but I would rate the whole series about 4.8.
I did enjoy the conclusion of the book and would not hesitate to read more of Ms. Snelling's works in the future. Overall, I would rate this book about 4.4 but I would rate the whole series about 4.8.
June 26, 2015
What a great book this was! I loved watching Thorliff all grown up in this series after watching him growing up in the first series, "red river of the north." I really loved he and Elizabeth's story! I am looking forward to the next series already, daughters of blessing. Lauraine Snelling has done such an awesome job with these books, with god and family the center of them! Like I have with all of the books in both Red River series I've read, I would totally recommend these books to people that love a good Christian fiction family romance book!
September 5, 2016
This was a well-written Christian historical novel. The characters were well drawn and engaging, and the plot was interesting. I really enjoyed this novel, which is the last one of this particular series. This series (Return to Red River) is a follow-up to the author's Red River of the North series. Then, she has more series of novels that follow this one.
October 24, 2014
LOVE LOVE LOVE Snelling's work! This was an awesome end to the trilogy! Highly recommend this author
July 13, 2015
Another book read to the wife. She loves to be read to, she always has. Reading is one of the few things that we can do together.
This is the third book in the series dealing with Thorliff's dream of becoming a writer. Many things happen in this book. Elizabeth graduates from college and goes back to Chicago for another internship, where it is announced that the hospital will sponsor a medical school and that Elizabeth, if she will commit, will be enrolled as a second year student. She does and is the schools first graduate. Thorliff is successful as a writer for Elizabeth's dad's newspaper and is working on a novel. While home for a break from the hospital, Elizabeth is abducted and .... And it seems that there is something happening with Thorliff and Elizabeth. There is a flood and I'm not going to give away any more details. Diana liked the book - it ended the way that she wanted.
This is the third book in the series dealing with Thorliff's dream of becoming a writer. Many things happen in this book. Elizabeth graduates from college and goes back to Chicago for another internship, where it is announced that the hospital will sponsor a medical school and that Elizabeth, if she will commit, will be enrolled as a second year student. She does and is the schools first graduate. Thorliff is successful as a writer for Elizabeth's dad's newspaper and is working on a novel. While home for a break from the hospital, Elizabeth is abducted and .... And it seems that there is something happening with Thorliff and Elizabeth. There is a flood and I'm not going to give away any more details. Diana liked the book - it ended the way that she wanted.
June 14, 2016
This entire book just felt uninspired and contrived as though the author was just churning out more books for their publisher. The kidnapping and the flood felt like it came out of nowhere for the purpose of adding excitement to an otherwise bland story. I did not find them to be believable in any way. The romance between Thorliff and Elizabeth was set up at the end of book one by their proximity but was not written in any believable way considering that they interacted with each other for all of book two with not a hint of attraction between them except that they liked to argue.
I wouldn't recommend these to anyone except those who have read previous Red River books and have a strong desire to continue reading about the Bjorklund family.
I wouldn't recommend these to anyone except those who have read previous Red River books and have a strong desire to continue reading about the Bjorklund family.
April 1, 2011
This series was loaded with surprises and heartaches. You can't help
but feel for the families involved and encouraged when the characters
are experiencing good times and successes. I find myself skipping ahead
to a chapter when there is a climax in Blessing or a Cliff hanger
in Northfield. Elizabeth struggles as does Thorliff with their
studies in their career choices. Once you have read the other two
in this Series you have to read this one to find out the outcome of
Elizabeth and Thorliff choices.
but feel for the families involved and encouraged when the characters
are experiencing good times and successes. I find myself skipping ahead
to a chapter when there is a climax in Blessing or a Cliff hanger
in Northfield. Elizabeth struggles as does Thorliff with their
studies in their career choices. Once you have read the other two
in this Series you have to read this one to find out the outcome of
Elizabeth and Thorliff choices.
January 31, 2015
I have loved this author and this series. Sad to have it come to an end. The flood was so devastating at the end of the book. I always wondered if Elizabeth and Thorliff would marry but then when he puts her on the train and there is only 1 page left to read I thought not. But her getting off on the other side of the train to say she'd marry him ended the story with a smile on my face :) If there was another book I imagine they would marry and move to Blessing and he would print a newspaper and she would be the town doctor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2015
This book wraps up the Red River series, both Red River of the North and Return to Red River. Oh my, I have watched this family as they forged their way to America from Norway, struggled through so many hardships, buried loved ones, had babies, built the town of Blessing, ND. And now all the little ones have grown up and are marrying and having children of their own, while the town continues to grow and progress. It's been quite a journey for the Bjorklund's, their extended family and friends. And now I must move on to the Daughters of Blessing series. I just can't get enough of them!
July 17, 2008
This book is still following Thorliff's journey but introduces a lovely character compassionate for women's health needs. Elizabeth has a heart for saving women from dying from childbirth. Can a newspaper writer and a young woman who wants to become a doctor during the turn of the century have a future together? Hmmm.
October 24, 2015
Best book in the Return to Red River series. Unfortunately, it is also the final book. I will move on to read the other connected series. I have especially enjoyed learning about the daily lives of the pioneers and it has been fascinating, also, to read about the technological innovations that have improved lives.
August 8, 2017
Hate to admit it, but this one had me weepy for the last couple of chapters. I've grown pretty attached to all these characters. I hate to see the stories end. They are just as good as Janette Oke's.
June 3, 2014
Snelling is one of my favorite authors. I always enjoy reading her books.
July 28, 2014
Book 3 of 3
November 1, 2011
A; Wahoo! Thorliff and Elizabeth finally get together at the end of the story. Now I feel better finishing the Daughters of Blessing series knowing what I'd missed.
January 31, 2012
Really enjoyed this series. I enjoyed getting to know the characters also a humbling reminder of just how fortunate we are today with our modern conveniences.
July 22, 2014
wonderful book. Kept you hanging at the end wanting to know what was next for the new couple.
September 30, 2015
This is a really good book
January 6, 2016
This was a cool end to the second part of the series. Like a true series, it leaves you wondering well, what happened to Ellie and Andrew and Manda and......Definitely will read the rest.
July 31, 2016
Great series
I found myself checking to see the percentage left in this book, I just didn't want to story to end! Another great book in the Red River Series!
I found myself checking to see the percentage left in this book, I just didn't want to story to end! Another great book in the Red River Series!
September 5, 2018
More Than a Dream is the final instalment in a lovely trilogy following the lives of two young dreamers in the late 1800's. We follow Elizabeth to medical school and see Thorliff become well known and loved for his writing. Aside from the two main characters, there are also wonderful and inspiring stories about their family and friends. I very much enjoyed all the relatable lessons Thorliff, Elizabeth, and the people of Blessings learned in this series. The characters throughout the series pray and reference scripture quite a bit and now I have found myself thinking about God or praying just a little bit more as well. Overall it is a sweet and inspiring read.
I was a little disappointed in this last enstallment just because it felt rushed at the end. We speed past the winter/Christmas season with a series of letters (a method that was never used anywhere ele in the series and thus, feels a little out of place.) Thoughts and dialouge seemed lacking towards the very end of the book when I would have liked a little more time to realize what was going on.
Overall I really enjoyed this trilogy and I'm glad there's such clean, good, true, and beautiful fiction available. The authoress does a delightful job and transporting you to the past and drawing you in. I definitely recommend this book (and the series) to anyone who wants to read uplifting, relatable, and clean fiction. Especially to young adults (and by young adults, I always mean 18+).
PS. If anyone would like to make this trilogy into a movie, I would 100% support you!! :D
I was a little disappointed in this last enstallment just because it felt rushed at the end. We speed past the winter/Christmas season with a series of letters (a method that was never used anywhere ele in the series and thus, feels a little out of place.) Thoughts and dialouge seemed lacking towards the very end of the book when I would have liked a little more time to realize what was going on.
Overall I really enjoyed this trilogy and I'm glad there's such clean, good, true, and beautiful fiction available. The authoress does a delightful job and transporting you to the past and drawing you in. I definitely recommend this book (and the series) to anyone who wants to read uplifting, relatable, and clean fiction. Especially to young adults (and by young adults, I always mean 18+).
PS. If anyone would like to make this trilogy into a movie, I would 100% support you!! :D
May 16, 2021
The third in the series in which the main character is Thorliff and his life in Northfield where he is working and attending college. He has not been home for several years much to his family's dismay.
Elizabeth is attending medical college in Chicago where the head doctor has enrolled her in the second year because of her knowledge and experience. The work is exhausting and now she is even teaching some basic classes to the first year medical students. When a young pregnant Irish woman is admitted after being thrown down the stairs by her drunken husband, Elizabeth and her mentor are frightened by the vengeance the young man shows when he comes to the hospital after she dies. Then she starts to sense someone is watching her. That feeling follows her home to Northfield with almost disastrous results.
Thorliff's life is even busier than it was the first couple of years. His employer, Elizabeth's father has purchased a new printing press and is now printing pamphlets and books. The newspaper has so many subscribers, they are now printing 5 days a week!
He realizes he has fallen in love with Elizabeth but is unsure whether she feels the same. Her main focus is to become a doctor and it seems nothing will stop her.
The story switches back and forth to his mother and family back in Blessing and to the trials and tribulations that arise living in those early days. His mother is the one everyone calls for when there is any medical emergency and she is always first to drop everything and help whenever she can.
When a flood hits his parent's farm, he knows he must return to Blessing to help. When he arrives, he finds some of the residents falling ill and sends a letter to Elizabeth asking if she will come to help.
The final book in this series. I'm thoroughly enjoying learning how life was for these early pioneers in the late 1800's in the small farming communities in North Dakota.
Elizabeth is attending medical college in Chicago where the head doctor has enrolled her in the second year because of her knowledge and experience. The work is exhausting and now she is even teaching some basic classes to the first year medical students. When a young pregnant Irish woman is admitted after being thrown down the stairs by her drunken husband, Elizabeth and her mentor are frightened by the vengeance the young man shows when he comes to the hospital after she dies. Then she starts to sense someone is watching her. That feeling follows her home to Northfield with almost disastrous results.
Thorliff's life is even busier than it was the first couple of years. His employer, Elizabeth's father has purchased a new printing press and is now printing pamphlets and books. The newspaper has so many subscribers, they are now printing 5 days a week!
He realizes he has fallen in love with Elizabeth but is unsure whether she feels the same. Her main focus is to become a doctor and it seems nothing will stop her.
The story switches back and forth to his mother and family back in Blessing and to the trials and tribulations that arise living in those early days. His mother is the one everyone calls for when there is any medical emergency and she is always first to drop everything and help whenever she can.
When a flood hits his parent's farm, he knows he must return to Blessing to help. When he arrives, he finds some of the residents falling ill and sends a letter to Elizabeth asking if she will come to help.
The final book in this series. I'm thoroughly enjoying learning how life was for these early pioneers in the late 1800's in the small farming communities in North Dakota.
May 3, 2019
Great Read!
The third book in the Return to Red River series is every bit as good as the first two. I find myself especially invested in this series because my nephew is a Saint Olaf alumni. Furthermore, my home town and area is close to the Red River valley, and in 2002 this county survived a massive flood. Our flood took no lives, but took many homes and businesses. Like in the novel, hard working Minnesotans banned together to assure everyone was safe, fed and sheltered, and later labored to clean up and pick up the pieces. This is the way of small town America, then and now.
The third book in the Return to Red River series is every bit as good as the first two. I find myself especially invested in this series because my nephew is a Saint Olaf alumni. Furthermore, my home town and area is close to the Red River valley, and in 2002 this county survived a massive flood. Our flood took no lives, but took many homes and businesses. Like in the novel, hard working Minnesotans banned together to assure everyone was safe, fed and sheltered, and later labored to clean up and pick up the pieces. This is the way of small town America, then and now.
January 21, 2025
The book was a nice read but I agree with some of the previous reviews, it felt a bit rushed to Elizabeth sensing someone is watching her to her immediately getting kidnapped in the next chapter. I feel as if the problem of her weakness of her hand wasn't explored enough either and also I find it wasn't explored enough the redemption of her kidnapper it feels a bit added on. All this aside I enjoyed reading it.
August 8, 2020
Red River
I've read all 9 the Red River books, 6 North of the Red River and 3 Return to the Red River. As hard as life was in book one, it is the faith of the community that I find missing, sometimes even in churches. But I try to bring that community wherever I go. So many lessons to learn day by day.
I've read all 9 the Red River books, 6 North of the Red River and 3 Return to the Red River. As hard as life was in book one, it is the faith of the community that I find missing, sometimes even in churches. But I try to bring that community wherever I go. So many lessons to learn day by day.
March 16, 2023
In this installment of the Red River series, we get a flood, an abduction, numerous deaths (seriously, what is it with this author and graphic childbirth gone wrong scenes?), someone gored by an farm animal and a great deal of worrying. At least it wasn't dull, and the author tied up some loose ends.
September 12, 2017
In all, I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed reading about Thorliff and Elizabeth. Especially the growth of their relationship. It was very sad at times though. Return To Red River was a good series and I definitely recommend it if you've read the Red River Of The North Series.
April 27, 2021
Lovely story
I read this story out of order. I had read the sequel a year before and I still enjoyed the story knowing the ending. The thing I love about her books is the wisdom for life woven into the story. I always feel like I’ve learned a life lesson by the end.
I read this story out of order. I had read the sequel a year before and I still enjoyed the story knowing the ending. The thing I love about her books is the wisdom for life woven into the story. I always feel like I’ve learned a life lesson by the end.
June 27, 2022
It has been so wonderful to watch as Thorliff and Elizabeth's relationship blossomed into love!
I cried at the loss of Metiz and felt righteous indignation for Ingeborg against Mrs. Vaders!
This book has enough highs and lows, twists and turns, to keep you glued to the pages!
I cried at the loss of Metiz and felt righteous indignation for Ingeborg against Mrs. Vaders!
This book has enough highs and lows, twists and turns, to keep you glued to the pages!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews