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Dream Team #4
Dream Keeper
Spinning off from the bestselling Dream Man and Rock Chick series, this is the emotional and steamy contemporary romance fans of the Dream Team series have been waiting for!
He’s perfect—but he can’t be hers.
Pepper Hannigan is determined to keep any romance off the table—and out of her bedroom—while her daughter Juno is still young. Sure, a certain handsome commando is thoughtful, funny, and undeniably hot, but Pepper’s had her heart broken before, and she won’t let it happen again. Not to her or her little girl, even if this hero could melt any woman’s resolve.
Augustus “Auggie” Hero can’t deny his attraction to beautiful, warm-hearted Pepper or how much he wants to make a home with her and her little girl, but Pepper’s mixed signals have kept him away. That is, until Juno decides to play matchmaker. Her efforts finally bring Pepper into his arms, but they expose the danger Pepper is in. To protect Pepper and Juno, Auggie will have to live up to his last name and prove happy endings aren’t just for fairy tales.
He’s perfect—but he can’t be hers.
Pepper Hannigan is determined to keep any romance off the table—and out of her bedroom—while her daughter Juno is still young. Sure, a certain handsome commando is thoughtful, funny, and undeniably hot, but Pepper’s had her heart broken before, and she won’t let it happen again. Not to her or her little girl, even if this hero could melt any woman’s resolve.
Augustus “Auggie” Hero can’t deny his attraction to beautiful, warm-hearted Pepper or how much he wants to make a home with her and her little girl, but Pepper’s mixed signals have kept him away. That is, until Juno decides to play matchmaker. Her efforts finally bring Pepper into his arms, but they expose the danger Pepper is in. To protect Pepper and Juno, Auggie will have to live up to his last name and prove happy endings aren’t just for fairy tales.
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 30, 2021
299 people are currently reading
2079 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Ashley
138 books39.5k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews
October 11, 2021
4 stars
Pepper and Auggie is the couple I’ve been waiting for. Out of all the couples of the ‘Dream Team’ series, this is the story I wanted. Auggie has it bad for Pepper, but Pepper has a complicated life. She has a kid and she hasn’t been with anyone since she split from her ex three years ago. Her daughter is her number one priority and I respected her for that.
I knew some of Pepper’s story, though the family thing threw me for a loop, but what really hit me in my feels was Auggie’s story. Learning about his past relationships and family dynamic broke my heart. I wanted so much more for him. When Pepper and her daughter Juno brought him into their family, I melted. Juno’s chapters of the book were definitely my favorite. And can I say that I really want a Cisco book? I never thought I’d say that, but I would love it!
There seemed to be a lot of side drama going on in many different aspects of the book. I wish it would have been narrowed down some, it seemed to be a lot between Pepper’s family, Auggie’s family, the commando conflict, and then Pepper’s ex. I still loved the book, but I think it would have been better for me if there was just a little less drama.
Overall, this was such a great installment in this series. I’m not sure if it’s the final ‘Dream Team’ book, but it’s definitely one of the best in the series! Emotional, action packed, steamy, and sweet, this was a win!
Pepper and Auggie is the couple I’ve been waiting for. Out of all the couples of the ‘Dream Team’ series, this is the story I wanted. Auggie has it bad for Pepper, but Pepper has a complicated life. She has a kid and she hasn’t been with anyone since she split from her ex three years ago. Her daughter is her number one priority and I respected her for that.
I knew some of Pepper’s story, though the family thing threw me for a loop, but what really hit me in my feels was Auggie’s story. Learning about his past relationships and family dynamic broke my heart. I wanted so much more for him. When Pepper and her daughter Juno brought him into their family, I melted. Juno’s chapters of the book were definitely my favorite. And can I say that I really want a Cisco book? I never thought I’d say that, but I would love it!
There seemed to be a lot of side drama going on in many different aspects of the book. I wish it would have been narrowed down some, it seemed to be a lot between Pepper’s family, Auggie’s family, the commando conflict, and then Pepper’s ex. I still loved the book, but I think it would have been better for me if there was just a little less drama.
Overall, this was such a great installment in this series. I’m not sure if it’s the final ‘Dream Team’ book, but it’s definitely one of the best in the series! Emotional, action packed, steamy, and sweet, this was a win!
December 3, 2021
I'm a glutton for punishment.
How many times have I stated I should quit KA? I'm legit like an addict that can't quit.
I haven't had much luck with this series, so far respectively rating the books 2 stars/skip/2 stars. I should have left it at that. Instead I'm back with another 2 stars. A generous 2 stars.
I don't even know where to start. I ultimately grabbed this one because the heroine is a single mom and from what I could glimpse in the previous books, the man KA decided to pair her with looked all kinds of awesome. A badass commando named Hero, strong, loyal but also super soft. A cinnamon roll.
I also love the author's touch with new found family dynamics and friendships and she once again delivered in that aspect.
A few scenes between Pepper and Auggie were sweet, there's actually one sex scene in particular that was SO FREAKING HOT, I liked them TOGETHER alright but ugh, heroine drove me nuts with how much she was in her head when it concerned her feelings for Auggie.
With that being said... I regrettably have to say there's isn't much I enjoyed in this story.
-Definitely not the bonkers "suspense" plot. Just no.
-Even less so the Jerry Springer's family drama on both sides.
-Certainly not the abondance of cameos—please let the old characters rest in peace in their respective books.
-I wasn't impressed by the supposedly badass commando guys investigation skills.
-I'm not at all sure about the idea of having an eight year old child having secret phone conversations with an adult of ambivalent persona that wasn't introduced to her by her parents or family, with whom she plots to get her mom and hero together. It's wasn't all that cute, it read rather creepy to me.
And honest, the author almost made me feel like a bad mom because I don't prepare my kid's breakfast much anymore. The weekends when there's time sure, but the rest of the week my teenager is alright with a bowl of cereals or making himself toast and hot chocolate before heading to school.
The portrayal of some of the hero's childhood hangs up seemed so dramatic. The rationale about parents not feeding their kids healthy home made and from scratch meals equaling not loving them was shitty. Some parents can't afford cooking from scratch, some can't afford healthy food, some don't have the time, some are disabled, some just don't have the spoons to do so, some just never learned to cook so they manage with frozen stuff and such.
Anyway, until the next release, lol.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
How many times have I stated I should quit KA? I'm legit like an addict that can't quit.
I haven't had much luck with this series, so far respectively rating the books 2 stars/skip/2 stars. I should have left it at that. Instead I'm back with another 2 stars. A generous 2 stars.
I don't even know where to start. I ultimately grabbed this one because the heroine is a single mom and from what I could glimpse in the previous books, the man KA decided to pair her with looked all kinds of awesome. A badass commando named Hero, strong, loyal but also super soft. A cinnamon roll.
I also love the author's touch with new found family dynamics and friendships and she once again delivered in that aspect.
A few scenes between Pepper and Auggie were sweet, there's actually one sex scene in particular that was SO FREAKING HOT, I liked them TOGETHER alright but ugh, heroine drove me nuts with how much she was in her head when it concerned her feelings for Auggie.
With that being said... I regrettably have to say there's isn't much I enjoyed in this story.
-Definitely not the bonkers "suspense" plot. Just no.
-Even less so the Jerry Springer's family drama on both sides.
-Certainly not the abondance of cameos—please let the old characters rest in peace in their respective books.
-I wasn't impressed by the supposedly badass commando guys investigation skills.
-I'm not at all sure about the idea of having an eight year old child having secret phone conversations with an adult of ambivalent persona that wasn't introduced to her by her parents or family, with whom she plots to get her mom and hero together. It's wasn't all that cute, it read rather creepy to me.
And honest, the author almost made me feel like a bad mom because I don't prepare my kid's breakfast much anymore. The weekends when there's time sure, but the rest of the week my teenager is alright with a bowl of cereals or making himself toast and hot chocolate before heading to school.
The portrayal of some of the hero's childhood hangs up seemed so dramatic. The rationale about parents not feeding their kids healthy home made and from scratch meals equaling not loving them was shitty. Some parents can't afford cooking from scratch, some can't afford healthy food, some don't have the time, some are disabled, some just don't have the spoons to do so, some just never learned to cook so they manage with frozen stuff and such.
Anyway, until the next release, lol.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
December 4, 2021
Oh wow... it was all about Auggie for me!!
KA has such a talent with creating Alpha heroes with hearts of gold. This man... THIS MAN!! He had far more patience than was warranted. Honestly... I kinda wanted him to give up and move on. C'mon, if I had a friend who was basically pining for someone who repeatedly shut him down, then let him in, only to tell him HE was a mistake... yeah, I'd tell him to let her go.
But Auggie persevered and I couldn't knock the man for trying because it eventually pays off. And I can't lie, I enjoyed the makings of what Auggie and Pepper built.
Don't even get me started on how much sunshine little Juno brought to this story. The idea of The Parent Trap was so sweet and I loved how Mr. Brett Cisco got happily roped in. When am I getting a story for this man?! He needs a happy ending STAT!!
Dream Keeper gave me so much of what I needed!
❥ a hero to make my heart sing
❥ a heroine who drove me nuts and yet made me cheer her on
❥ a sweetheart of a child who seemed to be wise beyond her years
❥ side characters who were once main characters who continue to be fun characters
❥ Brett in all of his glory. Seriously, this dude needs to find the love of his life. PLEASE!
❥ I even had a little somethin' somethin' for Pepper's ex. Is it wrong of me to want this man to find some forever happiness too?
Great writing as always. Great story. And a wealth of emotion. That's what I got with this book. If I wasn't aggravated, I was smiling. If I wasn't frustrated, I was weepy. If I wasn't annoyed, I was swooning. Sweet and charming and full of KA pizzazz (yeah, that's me using the word), Dream Keeper is a must-read for lovers of romance.
Find my full review here
KA has such a talent with creating Alpha heroes with hearts of gold. This man... THIS MAN!! He had far more patience than was warranted. Honestly... I kinda wanted him to give up and move on. C'mon, if I had a friend who was basically pining for someone who repeatedly shut him down, then let him in, only to tell him HE was a mistake... yeah, I'd tell him to let her go.
But Auggie persevered and I couldn't knock the man for trying because it eventually pays off. And I can't lie, I enjoyed the makings of what Auggie and Pepper built.
Don't even get me started on how much sunshine little Juno brought to this story. The idea of The Parent Trap was so sweet and I loved how Mr. Brett Cisco got happily roped in. When am I getting a story for this man?! He needs a happy ending STAT!!
Dream Keeper gave me so much of what I needed!
❥ a hero to make my heart sing
❥ a heroine who drove me nuts and yet made me cheer her on
❥ a sweetheart of a child who seemed to be wise beyond her years
❥ side characters who were once main characters who continue to be fun characters
❥ Brett in all of his glory. Seriously, this dude needs to find the love of his life. PLEASE!
❥ I even had a little somethin' somethin' for Pepper's ex. Is it wrong of me to want this man to find some forever happiness too?
Great writing as always. Great story. And a wealth of emotion. That's what I got with this book. If I wasn't aggravated, I was smiling. If I wasn't frustrated, I was weepy. If I wasn't annoyed, I was swooning. Sweet and charming and full of KA pizzazz (yeah, that's me using the word), Dream Keeper is a must-read for lovers of romance.
Find my full review here
September 24, 2021
5 STARS
This book remind me why I love Kristen Ashley so much . It was just amazing , heartwarming sigh intense and so lovely! I fell in love with the hero and heroine was sweet!
This book remind me why I love Kristen Ashley so much . It was just amazing , heartwarming sigh intense and so lovely! I fell in love with the hero and heroine was sweet!
December 1, 2021
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I had to think on this book for a few days and I'm still feeling conflicted about it. On one hand it almost felt like going back to the old KA days with the books that I still re-read a million times. But on the other hand it felt more jumbled than that and had me wanting to skip over some really drawn out scenes.
Pepper and Auggie have been circling each other for the past few books and it's had me excited to see them finally get together. Which wasn't an easy thing for them but I really enjoyed getting to see their journey together and it had me captivated. Which is why I'm a little sad there was a lot of drama from other people that was brought into the book and took away from the romance. It felt like too much, especially with so much drama just surrounding Pepper.
But again, I still liked the characters and seeing them together so I can forgive some dramatics. Back to the writing, though. KA is known for her crazy style of writing and it works for her but there were times it didn't work in this book. There were scenes that felt too repetitive or overly detailed to the point I lost focus and didn't even know what the inner dialogue I was reading was about anymore. There was also some weird thing that kept happening where Auggie, in his thoughts, kept referring to Pepper and her daughter Juno as the "blonde and brunette" I'm probably over exaggerating how often it happened but it was so odd that it really stood out to me when a scene would come up and instead of just saying a character's name it was
Bottom line, it was a fun book to read and I'm still a fan of this author. I'm not sure if this is the last book in the series since I think some things are still unresolved but it's the last of the girl group I believe. And there is definitely a character I would still love to see get a book.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I had to think on this book for a few days and I'm still feeling conflicted about it. On one hand it almost felt like going back to the old KA days with the books that I still re-read a million times. But on the other hand it felt more jumbled than that and had me wanting to skip over some really drawn out scenes.
Pepper and Auggie have been circling each other for the past few books and it's had me excited to see them finally get together. Which wasn't an easy thing for them but I really enjoyed getting to see their journey together and it had me captivated. Which is why I'm a little sad there was a lot of drama from other people that was brought into the book and took away from the romance. It felt like too much, especially with so much drama just surrounding Pepper.
But again, I still liked the characters and seeing them together so I can forgive some dramatics. Back to the writing, though. KA is known for her crazy style of writing and it works for her but there were times it didn't work in this book. There were scenes that felt too repetitive or overly detailed to the point I lost focus and didn't even know what the inner dialogue I was reading was about anymore. There was also some weird thing that kept happening where Auggie, in his thoughts, kept referring to Pepper and her daughter Juno as the "blonde and brunette" I'm probably over exaggerating how often it happened but it was so odd that it really stood out to me when a scene would come up and instead of just saying a character's name it was
"Then he met up with another girl, this one brunette, in order to make dumplings.
Bottom line, it was a fun book to read and I'm still a fan of this author. I'm not sure if this is the last book in the series since I think some things are still unresolved but it's the last of the girl group I believe. And there is definitely a character I would still love to see get a book.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2021
Single parent mum to an 8 year old daughter.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
We know from previous books that she turned him down a few times, what I liked in this book is in-between the time of that and getting together he isn't with anyone else, unsure of the time scale.
He even says that the previous couples the men moved on and that seriously affected the future of the woman wanting to start things with the guy.
It is dual POV, mostly the heroine, a few even from the 8 year old daughter.
There is still some lengthy description of deco, outfits, more deco.
If you've read the author's previous then you will recognise some of the scenes have been rehashed in this book.
There is nothing wrong with that but ...
We have meddling in the relationship by the kid who wants them together- Game of the heart- the teenagers and more recently the daughter who kept thinking she's French in the rain series.
We have a scene where the girl posse are 'investigating' and the macho men come along as drag one out of a car and talk on the street - Rock Chick books, Jet and Eddie.
The religious group which is a cover for nefarious crimes, this time sister wives to cover making money but in Golden Trail it was a sex trafficking.
I did feel that as many KA readers were fond of previous characters and the author keeps bringing many of these past characters back in but it is in danger of stealing the light from the main couple.
There are so many extras that appear plus 3 new men for the series to continue if the author doesn't get distracted by writing something else or maybe even event get around to Wood's book or Mace and Stella in LA.
There is lots of macho speak that is a signature mark for the author but it means at times you need to read a sentence again to work out what is being said.
No other woman drama, though he is jaded from past experiences and those are mentioned/discussed.
She has an ex, the kid's father who takes an interest when the heroine seems to be finally moving on from him.
Overall it is okay.
I did have a serious concern.
So Cisco, the sort of baddie, Marcus Mark 2 from the Rock Chicks, has met with the heroine's 8 year old child, who she didn't previously know.
He is helping her plot the romance with her mother and the Hero.
He has bought her a phone, secretly, even though her mother is trying not to encourage technology, mobile phones etc.
He says when she admits lying to carry out their plans that "desperate times call for desperate measures".
So the kid is lying to her mother for the greater good and an adult man is encouraging it.
Isn't this how some pedo's operate?
Despite the realms of romance, I can't see any parent being comfortable with this scenario.
HEA, sort of.
The couple are happy together and sorted.
There is an enemy thread running through the series and this continues in this book.
It does not get resolved but more details are revealed and the plot involving this is left open for the next book.
TBC.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
We know from previous books that she turned him down a few times, what I liked in this book is in-between the time of that and getting together he isn't with anyone else, unsure of the time scale.
He even says that the previous couples the men moved on and that seriously affected the future of the woman wanting to start things with the guy.
It is dual POV, mostly the heroine, a few even from the 8 year old daughter.
There is still some lengthy description of deco, outfits, more deco.
If you've read the author's previous then you will recognise some of the scenes have been rehashed in this book.
There is nothing wrong with that but ...
We have meddling in the relationship by the kid who wants them together- Game of the heart- the teenagers and more recently the daughter who kept thinking she's French in the rain series.
We have a scene where the girl posse are 'investigating' and the macho men come along as drag one out of a car and talk on the street - Rock Chick books, Jet and Eddie.
The religious group which is a cover for nefarious crimes, this time sister wives to cover making money but in Golden Trail it was a sex trafficking.
I did feel that as many KA readers were fond of previous characters and the author keeps bringing many of these past characters back in but it is in danger of stealing the light from the main couple.
There are so many extras that appear plus 3 new men for the series to continue if the author doesn't get distracted by writing something else or maybe even event get around to Wood's book or Mace and Stella in LA.
There is lots of macho speak that is a signature mark for the author but it means at times you need to read a sentence again to work out what is being said.
No other woman drama, though he is jaded from past experiences and those are mentioned/discussed.
She has an ex, the kid's father who takes an interest when the heroine seems to be finally moving on from him.
Overall it is okay.
I did have a serious concern.
So Cisco, the sort of baddie, Marcus Mark 2 from the Rock Chicks, has met with the heroine's 8 year old child, who she didn't previously know.
He is helping her plot the romance with her mother and the Hero.
He has bought her a phone, secretly, even though her mother is trying not to encourage technology, mobile phones etc.
He says when she admits lying to carry out their plans that "desperate times call for desperate measures".
So the kid is lying to her mother for the greater good and an adult man is encouraging it.
Isn't this how some pedo's operate?
Despite the realms of romance, I can't see any parent being comfortable with this scenario.
HEA, sort of.
The couple are happy together and sorted.
There is an enemy thread running through the series and this continues in this book.
It does not get resolved but more details are revealed and the plot involving this is left open for the next book.
TBC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2021
3 stars
Kristen Ashley is one of my all-time favourite authors and I’ve read almost everything she’s written. I know some people don’t like the long sentences and the very original style of dialogue but I do. It feels real. I get lost in it and that’s what I’m looking for in a book.
With her recent series however, I find that my expectations are high and that I can’t help being somewhat disappointed with the books released for the last couple of years. Having said that I was very excited to hear about the offshoot series from the rock chicks and was hoping Ashley would go back to her roots.
I had high hopes for Pepper and Auggie as I’m a sucker for a single mom romance and while the spark was still there this series just isn’t working for me.
I miss the wacky action and humour of the rock chicks. There’s something darker in the dream team that doesn’t quite work for me. With the rock chicks you are happy to go on a wild ride. With the dream team I don’t want to go along for it for some reason.
The dream team series seems to have too much going on. Too many cameos and too much focus on other characters rather than the relationship. While I like to know what happened to some of those old favourites I’m happy with it being in an extended epilogue. In this book I just wanted to know about Pepper and Auggie. I got too many conversations. Too much talking and not enough action. When there’s so much talking about serious issues, I feel that it gets diluted and can’t all hold as much meaning as when it only happens once or twice in her books. (I’m thinking of Joe and Vi in At Peace)
About 70 percent in I got very excited when the chapter ended with a classic Kristen Ashley one liner promising things were about to go very wrong. What we are given in the next chapter is some simple drama about the estranged husband giving the daughter a phone and her brother showing up.
I read for escapism and that’s the main reason this book went wrong for me. 99 percent of this book is drama over everyday things I have to deal with and it’s really not very exciting.
The steam rating for this one was hot but I was pleased to see the kink level was at a minimum. There is one mention of submission and control but it wasn’t overly focused on that as has been the case in some of her more recent novels.
I do prefer the early Ashley novels. The Burg, Mountain and Rock Chick series are perfection for me. I really hope she goes back to her roots as I will always pick up one of hers in the hopes of getting some old magic back.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy of this from the publisher and am grateful to them and Netgalley for the opportunity in exchange for honest feedback.
Kristen Ashley is one of my all-time favourite authors and I’ve read almost everything she’s written. I know some people don’t like the long sentences and the very original style of dialogue but I do. It feels real. I get lost in it and that’s what I’m looking for in a book.
With her recent series however, I find that my expectations are high and that I can’t help being somewhat disappointed with the books released for the last couple of years. Having said that I was very excited to hear about the offshoot series from the rock chicks and was hoping Ashley would go back to her roots.
I had high hopes for Pepper and Auggie as I’m a sucker for a single mom romance and while the spark was still there this series just isn’t working for me.
I miss the wacky action and humour of the rock chicks. There’s something darker in the dream team that doesn’t quite work for me. With the rock chicks you are happy to go on a wild ride. With the dream team I don’t want to go along for it for some reason.
The dream team series seems to have too much going on. Too many cameos and too much focus on other characters rather than the relationship. While I like to know what happened to some of those old favourites I’m happy with it being in an extended epilogue. In this book I just wanted to know about Pepper and Auggie. I got too many conversations. Too much talking and not enough action. When there’s so much talking about serious issues, I feel that it gets diluted and can’t all hold as much meaning as when it only happens once or twice in her books. (I’m thinking of Joe and Vi in At Peace)
About 70 percent in I got very excited when the chapter ended with a classic Kristen Ashley one liner promising things were about to go very wrong. What we are given in the next chapter is some simple drama about the estranged husband giving the daughter a phone and her brother showing up.
I read for escapism and that’s the main reason this book went wrong for me. 99 percent of this book is drama over everyday things I have to deal with and it’s really not very exciting.
The steam rating for this one was hot but I was pleased to see the kink level was at a minimum. There is one mention of submission and control but it wasn’t overly focused on that as has been the case in some of her more recent novels.
I do prefer the early Ashley novels. The Burg, Mountain and Rock Chick series are perfection for me. I really hope she goes back to her roots as I will always pick up one of hers in the hopes of getting some old magic back.
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy of this from the publisher and am grateful to them and Netgalley for the opportunity in exchange for honest feedback.
September 27, 2021
Not gonna lie, I enjoyed alot of this. Maybe it's because it's sweater weather and I was in the mood. I don't know what to tell you, but even when things get a little potentially cringe/problematic, I wasn't mad at it. So buckle up, Buttercup, I'm going to do my usual ramble to suss out my feelings via review with this lol 🙃
Bottom Line - Auggie and Pepper and Juno are a cute family unit and their story clicked for me, so I'd put this up there with the first book as my fave (in this series, at least).
**ARC provided via netgalley for review**
Bottom Line - Auggie and Pepper and Juno are a cute family unit and their story clicked for me, so I'd put this up there with the first book as my fave (in this series, at least).
**ARC provided via netgalley for review**
December 1, 2021
How many times does an author have to disappoint you before you stop reading their books? I think I’m almost there with Kristen Ashley.
Controversial opinion to some but I actually like the run on sentences and descriptions of places. I like her dialogue, except when she’s trying to hard to come across ‘hip’ and young. I really do love her writing style.
Sadly, it seems I no longer enjoy her actual stories.
Dream Keeper is another example of potential but no pay off. The dream team series as a whole is an example of this.
These guys are commandos so I expected more high stakes drama and danger, more excitement, more suspense but all I got was a promise of great things to come and then a fall flat. A prime example for this book is the chapter that ended foreshadowing dire trouble followed up by some minor ex drama and some family drama that was washed away pretty quickly. Then the whole way through they were investigating the church, looking into how fucked it was, building up to a climax and then it was resolved by someone who wasn’t a commando or a stripper. How.. predictable at this point.
And am I the only one that thought the dirty cop thing would be resolved here? Like isn’t this the end to the series? I’m baffled by this.
And!! Stop with the endless cameos. Please. They take away from the characters we’re supposed to be falling in love with.
What did I like? Juno and Brett, I read someone else thought it was pretty pedo ish but I didn’t see it that way at all, I actually love Brett as a character and I thought this element was a sweet add to the book. I also liked the girls as a group here without unnecessary pop ups included from rock chicks that aren’t needed. As friends I think they go well together, more so in this book than the others.
Will I read another book by her, probably, I’m a glutton for punishment at this point.
Maybe the next one will have a memorable moment, I’m sure I’ll forget this one as quickly as I have the other three.
Controversial opinion to some but I actually like the run on sentences and descriptions of places. I like her dialogue, except when she’s trying to hard to come across ‘hip’ and young. I really do love her writing style.
Sadly, it seems I no longer enjoy her actual stories.
Dream Keeper is another example of potential but no pay off. The dream team series as a whole is an example of this.
These guys are commandos so I expected more high stakes drama and danger, more excitement, more suspense but all I got was a promise of great things to come and then a fall flat. A prime example for this book is the chapter that ended foreshadowing dire trouble followed up by some minor ex drama and some family drama that was washed away pretty quickly. Then the whole way through they were investigating the church, looking into how fucked it was, building up to a climax and then it was resolved by someone who wasn’t a commando or a stripper. How.. predictable at this point.
And am I the only one that thought the dirty cop thing would be resolved here? Like isn’t this the end to the series? I’m baffled by this.
And!! Stop with the endless cameos. Please. They take away from the characters we’re supposed to be falling in love with.
What did I like? Juno and Brett, I read someone else thought it was pretty pedo ish but I didn’t see it that way at all, I actually love Brett as a character and I thought this element was a sweet add to the book. I also liked the girls as a group here without unnecessary pop ups included from rock chicks that aren’t needed. As friends I think they go well together, more so in this book than the others.
Will I read another book by her, probably, I’m a glutton for punishment at this point.
Maybe the next one will have a memorable moment, I’m sure I’ll forget this one as quickly as I have the other three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2021
4.5 'My end all, be all' Stars!
ARC provided via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
I am a sucker for single parent romance. I am also a sucker for all things Kristen Ashley. So, when I have those two things together? Well, I am sure a happy lady! Not only that, we are also having the amazing Dream Team crew back together, we have a heroine that lives for her daughter’s happiness (and is extremely afraid to love) and a hero that is all the protective alpha goodness I was expecting from Kristen. Yes, I do have to confess that I was a bit scared too because I have crazy high expectations when it comes to this author, but I am happy to say this time those were reached very early in the game.
So, Dream Keeper is the fourth installment in Kristen Ashley’s Dream Team series, and it tells the story of Pepper Hannigan and Augustus ‘Auggie’ Hero. We’ve been teased about this couple for a while now and it’s their time to finally get their happy ending. But it’s not easy at first. Pepper is decided to keep romance off the table while her daughter Juno is still young. She did not have the best luck with her last relationship, and she is definitely not ready for Auggie. But Auggie is nothing but patient (and Juno is more than happy to play matchmaker!). Our hero wants his two girls in his life and, while it’s not an easy journey, it’s oh-so-worth it. Even when there are many obstacles and difficulties on the way.
“I want you for you,” I stated. “I don’t want you for an orgasm. I don’t want you in order to get something out of it for me. To make myself feel desirable. To end a dry spell. To feel more solid in what we’re building,” I explained. “I just want you. To be with you. Just for you.”
We are back with Kristen’s typical style of writing and, once more, it was so easy to fall in love with these characters. I love the familiarity between this crew, it reminds me of how and why I fell in love with KA’s books. I love seeing the girls interacting, I love this crew of alphas being protective and loving their sassy women and I love getting new characters involved. But let’s focus on Pepper, Auggie and Juno. These three! What an adorable family they created! Juno is so sweet, and I loved how she manages to bring this couple together (with a little bit of help!). When finally Pepper and Auggie get to the next level, it’s all I was expecting from KA. And that is completely fine, because I love her style and how she develops her stories and characters. And of course, the chemistry. Not lacking on that department either! As well as some drama and suspense, which is always good to keep us more interested in the story. So overall, Dream Keeper is a great addition to the series!
“Is Auggie ours?” she demanded to know.
Ummmmm…
“He is,” she answered her own question (correctly, I’d add). “And we take care of what’s ours, don’t we, Mom? You take care of me. I take care of you. We take care of what’s ours.”
Therefore, I am rating Dream Keeper with 4.5 STARS because, as I said, it’s the story this couple deserved and a lovely addition to the Dream Team series. I loved Pepper and Auggie together, how they finally act on their burning chemistry and how they develop as a family together with the adorable Juno. I also loved seeing more of these characters and I am definitely excited to have more stories in the series (I really hope Brett gets his HEA because I am soooooo curious about this man!). So, if you are a fan of KA’s writing and you have enjoyed the previous installments, I am pretty sure you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one because it’s, for sure, one of my favorites in the series!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
I am a sucker for single parent romance. I am also a sucker for all things Kristen Ashley. So, when I have those two things together? Well, I am sure a happy lady! Not only that, we are also having the amazing Dream Team crew back together, we have a heroine that lives for her daughter’s happiness (and is extremely afraid to love) and a hero that is all the protective alpha goodness I was expecting from Kristen. Yes, I do have to confess that I was a bit scared too because I have crazy high expectations when it comes to this author, but I am happy to say this time those were reached very early in the game.
So, Dream Keeper is the fourth installment in Kristen Ashley’s Dream Team series, and it tells the story of Pepper Hannigan and Augustus ‘Auggie’ Hero. We’ve been teased about this couple for a while now and it’s their time to finally get their happy ending. But it’s not easy at first. Pepper is decided to keep romance off the table while her daughter Juno is still young. She did not have the best luck with her last relationship, and she is definitely not ready for Auggie. But Auggie is nothing but patient (and Juno is more than happy to play matchmaker!). Our hero wants his two girls in his life and, while it’s not an easy journey, it’s oh-so-worth it. Even when there are many obstacles and difficulties on the way.
“I want you for you,” I stated. “I don’t want you for an orgasm. I don’t want you in order to get something out of it for me. To make myself feel desirable. To end a dry spell. To feel more solid in what we’re building,” I explained. “I just want you. To be with you. Just for you.”
We are back with Kristen’s typical style of writing and, once more, it was so easy to fall in love with these characters. I love the familiarity between this crew, it reminds me of how and why I fell in love with KA’s books. I love seeing the girls interacting, I love this crew of alphas being protective and loving their sassy women and I love getting new characters involved. But let’s focus on Pepper, Auggie and Juno. These three! What an adorable family they created! Juno is so sweet, and I loved how she manages to bring this couple together (with a little bit of help!). When finally Pepper and Auggie get to the next level, it’s all I was expecting from KA. And that is completely fine, because I love her style and how she develops her stories and characters. And of course, the chemistry. Not lacking on that department either! As well as some drama and suspense, which is always good to keep us more interested in the story. So overall, Dream Keeper is a great addition to the series!
“Is Auggie ours?” she demanded to know.
Ummmmm…
“He is,” she answered her own question (correctly, I’d add). “And we take care of what’s ours, don’t we, Mom? You take care of me. I take care of you. We take care of what’s ours.”
Therefore, I am rating Dream Keeper with 4.5 STARS because, as I said, it’s the story this couple deserved and a lovely addition to the Dream Team series. I loved Pepper and Auggie together, how they finally act on their burning chemistry and how they develop as a family together with the adorable Juno. I also loved seeing more of these characters and I am definitely excited to have more stories in the series (I really hope Brett gets his HEA because I am soooooo curious about this man!). So, if you are a fan of KA’s writing and you have enjoyed the previous installments, I am pretty sure you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one because it’s, for sure, one of my favorites in the series!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
January 7, 2022
I hope there will be more...
Another great instalment for the Dream Team series and I have my fingers crossed that Kristen Ashley has plans for more. I think KA likes to show her heroes in the worst possible light just so we can see them shine in the end. Oh, those nasty words could lash, but sure enough, we get a great explanation for where he was coming from. And...our heroine was doing too good a job of protecting her heart by pushing him away. Who would have thought that an 8-year-old would put these two numbskulls right?
Great narration and a very interesting storyline kept my earbuds glued to my ears. I couldn't get enough and hated it when real life intruded. I'm sad that I've got no more Dream Team to listen to, but hopefully, there will be more.
Another great instalment for the Dream Team series and I have my fingers crossed that Kristen Ashley has plans for more. I think KA likes to show her heroes in the worst possible light just so we can see them shine in the end. Oh, those nasty words could lash, but sure enough, we get a great explanation for where he was coming from. And...our heroine was doing too good a job of protecting her heart by pushing him away. Who would have thought that an 8-year-old would put these two numbskulls right?
Great narration and a very interesting storyline kept my earbuds glued to my ears. I couldn't get enough and hated it when real life intruded. I'm sad that I've got no more Dream Team to listen to, but hopefully, there will be more.
July 23, 2023
Every time I read a new book in this series I want to say I have a new favorite, but really this particular series is just becoming one of my favorites as a whole. I love these heroines, even with their messed up drama, and the heroes with their own drama. There is just something so great about it all when they come together and heal each other and have each others backs.
I don't want to spoil anything so I will say that my favorite thing about Auggie vs the other guys is that he learned from their mistakes. It made me love him so much more when I realized how patient he was being. He still has a bit of a jerk moment but it's pretty mild and he was messed up about it. To me, if a guy is a jerk and it eats at him, that shows what a great guy he really is.
I'm also a really big fan of single parent tropes. Seeing Auggie fall for Pepper's kid along with falling for Pepper was really sweet. And Juno is a great kid. I loved her part in this series even if she behaved more maturely than maybe a kid her age would really be.
I hated how much Pepper resisted Auggie but thank goodness most of that resistance was when they were side characters in the other books. What I love more than anything is to see a couple together in their book and see them work through their problems together. That's what makes a great romance novel for me. This is that book. It really has me excited to see what more will come in future books of the series. I loved it!
I don't want to spoil anything so I will say that my favorite thing about Auggie vs the other guys is that he learned from their mistakes. It made me love him so much more when I realized how patient he was being. He still has a bit of a jerk moment but it's pretty mild and he was messed up about it. To me, if a guy is a jerk and it eats at him, that shows what a great guy he really is.
I'm also a really big fan of single parent tropes. Seeing Auggie fall for Pepper's kid along with falling for Pepper was really sweet. And Juno is a great kid. I loved her part in this series even if she behaved more maturely than maybe a kid her age would really be.
I hated how much Pepper resisted Auggie but thank goodness most of that resistance was when they were side characters in the other books. What I love more than anything is to see a couple together in their book and see them work through their problems together. That's what makes a great romance novel for me. This is that book. It really has me excited to see what more will come in future books of the series. I loved it!
Read
December 4, 2021I have had such a hard time with this series 😩
I’m a big Ashley’s fan and I love the premises of this story.
Unfortunately all the constant name dropping is ruining the flow. I have to THINK back all the frigging time who is who, and where did I hear about them. I want to focus on this couple, not the whole series 🥸
”Because Ian was there.
As was Smithie.
As were Rush, Shy and Dutch, all from the Chaos MC.
And Beck, Core and Eightball of the Resurrection MC.
Last, Malik, Elvira’s husband, one of the cops on their crew.”
”And in came Lee Nightingale, and his right-hand man, Luke Stark.
With them were Eddie Chavez and Hank Nightingale, both cops.”
I prefer her stand-alones. I get it, you have a hole universe of characters, but now it’s getting to a point where it’s hard to keep up with all of them 🤣 It’s not a town any more, it’s a country.
Maybe I will give it a try later 🤷🏻♀️ This is probably just my problem, not the book.
I’m a big Ashley’s fan and I love the premises of this story.
Unfortunately all the constant name dropping is ruining the flow. I have to THINK back all the frigging time who is who, and where did I hear about them. I want to focus on this couple, not the whole series 🥸
”Because Ian was there.
As was Smithie.
As were Rush, Shy and Dutch, all from the Chaos MC.
And Beck, Core and Eightball of the Resurrection MC.
Last, Malik, Elvira’s husband, one of the cops on their crew.”
”And in came Lee Nightingale, and his right-hand man, Luke Stark.
With them were Eddie Chavez and Hank Nightingale, both cops.”
I prefer her stand-alones. I get it, you have a hole universe of characters, but now it’s getting to a point where it’s hard to keep up with all of them 🤣 It’s not a town any more, it’s a country.
Maybe I will give it a try later 🤷🏻♀️ This is probably just my problem, not the book.
November 30, 2021
Kristen Ashley produces a sexy and pull at your heart strings story in her Dream Team series.
Although the ending suggests otherwise and I couldn’t agree more, Auggie and Pepper are the last couple to be paired up by their Cupid friend Lottie.
Augustus Hero, veteran marine and security expert, has been very open about wanting to have a serious relationship with Pepper from the moment he laid eyes on her. But Pepper has an 8YO daughter to consider and some relationship baggage to contend with. Therefore, she’s been pushing back. That is until her daughter Juno intervenes.
As will all of KA’s heroes, Auggie is all kinds of patient, caring, and alpha male protective and Pepper is equally loving, a great mother with a big heart. I loved how both of them shown light on their very worthy traits. They showed each other how a good and loving relationship should look like through all the family drama.
I always like how KA’s couple communicate and steer the curveballs that are thrown their way.
“Life isn’t dodgeball. Life is softball. Sometimes you just hang out in centerfield under the sun, ready for something to happen. And sometimes you race for the ball hit in your direction. You might catch it and be the hero of the game. You might miss it because it’s out of reach. You might drop it and feel like cr@p. But in the end, it’s over. And you go get ice cream.”
There’s trace of suspense and an overall series arc going on which was moved forward with a plot twist at the end I didn’t see coming and loved. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters both new and old, especially Juno’s POV. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Dream Keeper book #4 of the Dream Team series by Kristen Ashley. A spinoff the Dream Man & Rock Chick series. Told from various points of view, with a happy ending. Subgenres: Contemporary Romance with a dash of suspense
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3FCG3HE
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
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Although the ending suggests otherwise and I couldn’t agree more, Auggie and Pepper are the last couple to be paired up by their Cupid friend Lottie.
Augustus Hero, veteran marine and security expert, has been very open about wanting to have a serious relationship with Pepper from the moment he laid eyes on her. But Pepper has an 8YO daughter to consider and some relationship baggage to contend with. Therefore, she’s been pushing back. That is until her daughter Juno intervenes.
As will all of KA’s heroes, Auggie is all kinds of patient, caring, and alpha male protective and Pepper is equally loving, a great mother with a big heart. I loved how both of them shown light on their very worthy traits. They showed each other how a good and loving relationship should look like through all the family drama.
I always like how KA’s couple communicate and steer the curveballs that are thrown their way.
“Life isn’t dodgeball. Life is softball. Sometimes you just hang out in centerfield under the sun, ready for something to happen. And sometimes you race for the ball hit in your direction. You might catch it and be the hero of the game. You might miss it because it’s out of reach. You might drop it and feel like cr@p. But in the end, it’s over. And you go get ice cream.”
There’s trace of suspense and an overall series arc going on which was moved forward with a plot twist at the end I didn’t see coming and loved. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters both new and old, especially Juno’s POV. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Dream Keeper book #4 of the Dream Team series by Kristen Ashley. A spinoff the Dream Man & Rock Chick series. Told from various points of view, with a happy ending. Subgenres: Contemporary Romance with a dash of suspense
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3FCG3HE
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
Stalk me on FaceBook ★ Instagram ★ More reviews
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December 2, 2021
2.5 stars
Dream Keeper was neither here nor there for me. I found it to be a pretty lukewarm read overall. There wasn't anything about it that captured my heart like other KA books--though that seems to be the case for most books in this series.
I actually really liked the single parent element with Pepper and Juno. It was fun to read about their dynamics and how their relationship worked, especially with everything they were both going through. However, Juno did not read like a kid to me and I was a bit bothered with some of the sections from her POV.
The romance was really nothing much. I felt no sparks. I really disliked the beginning with the hot-and-cold thing from Pepper and, imo, August was right to be a dick to her lol I guess I just wasn't into their love and, because of that, didn't care much about their story.
The subplot regarding Pepper's family was way too over the top for me. I actually severely disliked how that was resolved. The drama with her ex-husband was more interesting to me than that. It was something way too dramatic and serious to be addressed in the way it was.
I was also kind of annoyed at the introduction of new commandos? I guess KA wants to continue the series? Or have another spin-off? Which I think it's not necessary at this point...
Dream Keeper was neither here nor there for me. I found it to be a pretty lukewarm read overall. There wasn't anything about it that captured my heart like other KA books--though that seems to be the case for most books in this series.
I actually really liked the single parent element with Pepper and Juno. It was fun to read about their dynamics and how their relationship worked, especially with everything they were both going through. However, Juno did not read like a kid to me and I was a bit bothered with some of the sections from her POV.
The romance was really nothing much. I felt no sparks. I really disliked the beginning with the hot-and-cold thing from Pepper and, imo, August was right to be a dick to her lol I guess I just wasn't into their love and, because of that, didn't care much about their story.
The subplot regarding Pepper's family was way too over the top for me. I actually severely disliked how that was resolved. The drama with her ex-husband was more interesting to me than that. It was something way too dramatic and serious to be addressed in the way it was.
I was also kind of annoyed at the introduction of new commandos? I guess KA wants to continue the series? Or have another spin-off? Which I think it's not necessary at this point...
January 3, 2023
Omg I really enjoyed this one. The first of this spin off series I’ve actually finished. It’s been a while. Like with other recent KA’s, the huge cast of characters and the too early resolution of the romantic angst were a problem but there was enough going on in this to keep me invested. Thank goodness for that.
November 30, 2021
5 stars. I'm a big fan of Kristen Ashley's, and this is my favorite book from her in a while. It's also, coincidentally, my favorite book so far in the Dream Team series. This book focuses on the relationship between Pepper, a single mother and dancer at Smithie's, and Auggie, a former marine/ sexy commando working for Hawk Delgado (fans of KA will recognize the name). I like my books to be both character and plot driven (equal amounts), and while this was def. more of a character driven story, it did have enough plot to keep me interested. Not only was there still the dirty cop scheme Hawk and the boys are investigating (which is a story line prevalent in the past 3 books as well), but there was also some drama surrounding Pepper’s overly religious/ part of a cult family. In fact, both Pepper and Auggie have some serious family issues, and the both grow tremendously, separately and with one another, throughout the book.
In my opinion, there are several things that Kristen Ashley exceeds at, and I'm always happy when they are present in her books. Hands down, KA writes THE BEST alpha males out there. From their mannerisms down to their vocabulary, they are ALL alpha, and completely swoon-worthy. At this point, they may not be the most original, but I don't care. I love them all, and Auggie was no exception. KA also writes kids really really well, and Juno, Pepper's daughter, was a fantastic addition to this book. I loved her relationship with her mother, but I also loved her relationship with Auggie. And I really really really loved her relationship with Brett "Cisco". This brings me to something else KA does well-- the anti-hero. Cisco is so deliciously bad and good at the same time and he is 100% my favorite character in the series. I will be gutted if he doesn't get his own book (or even his own series a la Hawk and his boys did). Given that Auggie and Pepper are the last of Lottie's set ups, I was sad thinking this might be the last book in the series, but with that epilogue, KA made it clear that there will be more commandos and Smithie's girls in our future. Yay!
PS- fans of the KA-verse will love all the cameos from favorite characters in her other books.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you netgalley, Forever Romance and of course Kristen Ashley for the early read.
In my opinion, there are several things that Kristen Ashley exceeds at, and I'm always happy when they are present in her books. Hands down, KA writes THE BEST alpha males out there. From their mannerisms down to their vocabulary, they are ALL alpha, and completely swoon-worthy. At this point, they may not be the most original, but I don't care. I love them all, and Auggie was no exception. KA also writes kids really really well, and Juno, Pepper's daughter, was a fantastic addition to this book. I loved her relationship with her mother, but I also loved her relationship with Auggie. And I really really really loved her relationship with Brett "Cisco". This brings me to something else KA does well-- the anti-hero. Cisco is so deliciously bad and good at the same time and he is 100% my favorite character in the series. I will be gutted if he doesn't get his own book (or even his own series a la Hawk and his boys did). Given that Auggie and Pepper are the last of Lottie's set ups, I was sad thinking this might be the last book in the series, but with that epilogue, KA made it clear that there will be more commandos and Smithie's girls in our future. Yay!
PS- fans of the KA-verse will love all the cameos from favorite characters in her other books.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you netgalley, Forever Romance and of course Kristen Ashley for the early read.
January 1, 2022
Dream Keeper by Kristen Ashley
Narrated by Susannah Jones
Book 3 in the Dream Team Series. Stands alone but better if read in order.
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Dream Keeper by Kristen Ashley had my favorite element of a great Kristen Ashley novel, a child. I just love the way she writes blended families. The Dream Team Series is kind of like a big reunion special. Many of her series overlap here, including Dream Man, Rock Chicks, Chaos and there may have been other crossovers as well but I will leave that for you to find.
It’s a little campy, a little silly (every match Lottie made worked out perfectly), but it’s feel-good, alpha male/sassy female Kristen Ashley goodness. Pepper is the last of Smithie's dancers to hold out on the commando who she is destined for, but she had good reason—her 8-year-old daughter, Juno.
But Juno has other ideas. She wants her mom happy and enlists help behind her back to get her mom and Auggie together. It didn’t take long, and I’m glad we didn’t wait a whole book. But they had SO MUCH happen to them from both of their crazy families.
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Sigh…I loved Juno and how Auggie immediately fell for her, and like any good KA alpha, he took good care of what he had.
“I’m making you mine. Juno mine. You’re both gonna be in my life. And I look after the people in my life that I care about.”
Likes:
•I loved the story of Pepper’s family.
•Felt more like the old KA, and her style wasn’t overblown this time.
•Juno. I love her so much!
•The found family and friendships that are such a huge part of the Kristen Ashley experience.
•Since the overreaching dirty cop story wasn’t wrapped up, that means there will be more to the series.
•I love visiting with the other couples from this series.
•Once again Kristen Ashley wrote an amazing child, and she stole the show for me.
•Can we have Cisco’s book please? I love him.
Dislikes:
•Though it was sometimes cute and a main part of the story, It was kinda creepy that this 8 year old is having secret conversations with an adult male that isn’t family or family friend. And this man is encouraging the lies. When I overlook this, these convos are some of my favorite moments, so I’m torn.
•The investigative skills of the commandos wasn’t so impressive this time.
•A few parts really made me feel like a shitty mom. My kid grabs a pop-tart on the way to school, I don’t cook a homemade breakfast for him.
•Too many cameos and side stories taking away from the main couple, and even more new characters are introduced. There are characters from almost every series in this book.
The Narration:
Susannah Jones is synonymous with KA heroines for me, and she did a great job.
The Down & Dirty:
Kristen Ashley did what she does best in Dream Keeper: families, both born and found. I love when she writes children and blended families, and both the girls at Smithies and the commandos are like family. Dream Keeper combined romance, friendship, some action, some crazy, and a curveball I didn't see coming. This far into a series that combines 3 other series there are a LOT of characters to keep straight. I've gotten to the point where I don't know who goes with who anymore, but I just go with it and love it anyway. This is a book for KA lovers, and this KA lover...well...loved it!
Rating: 4.25 Stars, 4 Heat, 4 Narration
Purchase Dream Keeper (Dream Team #3) by Kristen Ashley
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December 11, 2021
𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 is The fourth book in the 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 which is a spinoff of the Dream Man and Rock Chick series. Lottie once again plays matchmaker and this time aims her arrow at Auggie and Pepper.
Pepper is a single mother of an 8-year-old daughter and works with the girls at Smithies’ former strip club which is now more of a showcase. She’s reluctant to get into a relationship until her daughter is old enough to understand what it means. Pepper’s ex husband on the other hand has as many women as he has wanted throughout the years, making his home a revolving door of new women for Pepper’s daughter Juno to have to deal with. Pepper takes a lot on in the form of blame and responsibilities.
Auggie, Augustus Hero works with Hawk and has been interested in Pepper for 3 years. Auggie and Pepper each have family issues that makes up part of the plot. The budding romance is cute, the scenes with Juno were cute and I’d say that my general consensus is that this book is just okay with a little boredom added in to be honest.
The characters, story and writing are classic KA. To me, there’s two types of KA books, the ones that are like this when you have a “bad guy” and not that much romance with a lot of silly things. Then there are the ones I like where she focuses on love and human emotion. I’m not a big Dream Team fan or Rock Chick fan but I do love as in LOVE other novels of hers so it’s hit or miss.
This book was light in the emotion department and feels very much just like the rest of the books in the series. I didn’t get anything new reading this or really enjoy it because I felt too many over the top things kept happening that made my eyes roll at times.
That being said I love Pepper and Auggie as characters. I adored the parts where Juno was strong and defensive. I loved that Justice was served and the end was a cute HEA.
I am so grateful to have received an ARC and am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 21, 2021
Kristen Ashley produces a sexy and pull at your heart strings story in her Dream Team series.
Although the ending suggests otherwise and I couldn’t agree more, Auggie and Pepper are the last couple to be paired up by their Cupid friend Lottie.
Augustus Hero, veteran marine and security expert, has been very open about wanting to have a serious relationship with Pepper from the moment he laid eyes on her. But Pepper has an 8YO daughter to consider and some relationship baggage to contend with. Therefore, she’s been pushing back. That is until her daughter Juno intervenes.
As will all of KA’s heroes, Auggie is all kinds of patient, caring, and alpha male protective and Pepper is equally loving, a great mother with a big heart. I loved how both of them shown light on their very worthy traits. They showed each other how a good and loving relationship should look like through all the family drama.
I always like how KA’s couple communicate and steer the curveballs that are thrown their way.
“Life isn’t dodgeball. Life is softball. Sometimes you just hang out in centerfield under the sun, ready for something to happen. And sometimes you race for the ball hit in your direction. You might catch it and be the hero of the game. You might miss it because it’s out of reach. You might drop it and feel like cr@p. But in the end, it’s over. And you go get ice cream.”
There’s trace of suspense and an overall series arc going on which was moved forward with a plot twist at the end I didn’t see coming and loved. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters both new and old, especially Juno’s POV. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Although the ending suggests otherwise and I couldn’t agree more, Auggie and Pepper are the last couple to be paired up by their Cupid friend Lottie.
Augustus Hero, veteran marine and security expert, has been very open about wanting to have a serious relationship with Pepper from the moment he laid eyes on her. But Pepper has an 8YO daughter to consider and some relationship baggage to contend with. Therefore, she’s been pushing back. That is until her daughter Juno intervenes.
As will all of KA’s heroes, Auggie is all kinds of patient, caring, and alpha male protective and Pepper is equally loving, a great mother with a big heart. I loved how both of them shown light on their very worthy traits. They showed each other how a good and loving relationship should look like through all the family drama.
I always like how KA’s couple communicate and steer the curveballs that are thrown their way.
“Life isn’t dodgeball. Life is softball. Sometimes you just hang out in centerfield under the sun, ready for something to happen. And sometimes you race for the ball hit in your direction. You might catch it and be the hero of the game. You might miss it because it’s out of reach. You might drop it and feel like cr@p. But in the end, it’s over. And you go get ice cream.”
There’s trace of suspense and an overall series arc going on which was moved forward with a plot twist at the end I didn’t see coming and loved. I also enjoyed all the secondary characters both new and old, especially Juno’s POV. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
November 19, 2021
I'm loving this series so much, but can we really be surprised? I mean its KA and it has some of my all-time favorite characters showing up.
Little Juno (Peppers daughter) definitely stole the show on this one for me. Auggie was a close 2nd. And while I wanted to throttle her sometimes, I still just adored Pepper.
While frustrating as hell to read, Pepper giving up her chance at a happily ever after with Auggie because she is more worried about her kid's feelings is definitely a good reason. But Juno basically parent trapping Auggie and Pepper with her secret helper was so freaking awesome.
This book follows the same tend as the last couple in this series. They are fun, and enjoyable with low angst. They bring me to my happy place. It is a good mix of Rock Chicks and Dream Man. I can't wait to see who is next!
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Little Juno (Peppers daughter) definitely stole the show on this one for me. Auggie was a close 2nd. And while I wanted to throttle her sometimes, I still just adored Pepper.
While frustrating as hell to read, Pepper giving up her chance at a happily ever after with Auggie because she is more worried about her kid's feelings is definitely a good reason. But Juno basically parent trapping Auggie and Pepper with her secret helper was so freaking awesome.
This book follows the same tend as the last couple in this series. They are fun, and enjoyable with low angst. They bring me to my happy place. It is a good mix of Rock Chicks and Dream Man. I can't wait to see who is next!
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December 3, 2021
Pepper has been reluctant to start a relationship with Auggie for a while, no matter how much she is attracted to him. She's a single mom that comes from a dysfunctional family, one we learn a whole lot more about in this story, and her ex goes through women like it's a race so she wants to keep things simple for her eight year old daughter Juno and maybe somewhere down the line years from now she'll think about dating again. But there are things that are out of Pepper's control and she's no match for her eight year old matchmaking daughter.
Auggie has a interesting family of his own, but that hasn't swayed him from knowing a good thing when he sees it. Only problem is Pepper is sending him mixed signals and he doesn't like being played with.
I have been waiting for Pepper and Auggie to get together for a while now, Lottie has been playing matchmaker to all of her friends and this couple is the last of them...for now anyway. But no one expected the biggest hand in getting them together would be Juno, and can I just say that I loved this little girl so much she knew what was best for her mom and went about getting it for her...even if it was a little sneaky.
Dream Keeper is the fourth book in the DREAM TEAM SERIES but can be read as a standalone. I listened to the audiobook and Susannah Jones did a fabulous job with bringing this story to life.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Single Mom Romances, Friends to Lovers Romances, or Romantic Suspense I would highly recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Read an #Excerpt here: http://bit.ly/NBReviewDK
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**
I purchased and listened to the audiobook version of this book
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
Auggie has a interesting family of his own, but that hasn't swayed him from knowing a good thing when he sees it. Only problem is Pepper is sending him mixed signals and he doesn't like being played with.
I have been waiting for Pepper and Auggie to get together for a while now, Lottie has been playing matchmaker to all of her friends and this couple is the last of them...for now anyway. But no one expected the biggest hand in getting them together would be Juno, and can I just say that I loved this little girl so much she knew what was best for her mom and went about getting it for her...even if it was a little sneaky.
Dream Keeper is the fourth book in the DREAM TEAM SERIES but can be read as a standalone. I listened to the audiobook and Susannah Jones did a fabulous job with bringing this story to life.
If you enjoy Steamy Contemporary Romances, Single Mom Romances, Friends to Lovers Romances, or Romantic Suspense I would highly recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Read an #Excerpt here: http://bit.ly/NBReviewDK
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**I purchased and listened to the audiobook version of this book
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
November 30, 2021
Pepper was screwed over by her daughter's father. She thought he was it for her until she found out he’d had another woman the entire time they’d been together. Since then, Pepper’s main focus has been her daughter, Juno, providing her love and a stable environment. She doesn’t feel bringing a man into their lives is worth the possible hurt it could bring. But there is an undeniable pull between her and Augustus, “Auggie”.
Auggie sees everything he wants in a woman when he looks at Pepper, but he gets mixed signals from her. He can’t blame her for being cautious and hesitant seeing as she needs to think about her daughter as well. However, they share a lusty night together that ends badly. He’s been yanked around by women in the past with drama and game playing and he’s done with that, but a request from Juno forces them to work together.
Pepper and Auggie have been dancing around each other for a while and they’re the next couple on Lottie’s matchup agenda, but these two do not have a drama free journey into love everlasting. I’m not a fan of angsty, ridiculous couple drama, back and forth, so I’m happy to report that most of the conflict, other than at the beginning, comes from outside sources. I loved Auggie and Pepper together! Seeing them bond over their unfortunate pasts (crazy families!) and unite against whatever came at them was a joy. Juno was a sweetheart, too, wanting love and happiness for her mom and determined to make it happen for her.
Pepper and Auggie were fun, signature Kristen Ashley type of characters. Pepper was big-hearted, sweet with a side of sassy, and Auggie was the protective, bossy, Alpha male without being a jerk. I enjoyed seeing past characters, happy and there for their friends. Although Pepper and Auggie’s story wraps up, that ending made it clear there’s more to come and I can’t wait!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever in exchange for an honest review.
Auggie sees everything he wants in a woman when he looks at Pepper, but he gets mixed signals from her. He can’t blame her for being cautious and hesitant seeing as she needs to think about her daughter as well. However, they share a lusty night together that ends badly. He’s been yanked around by women in the past with drama and game playing and he’s done with that, but a request from Juno forces them to work together.
Pepper and Auggie have been dancing around each other for a while and they’re the next couple on Lottie’s matchup agenda, but these two do not have a drama free journey into love everlasting. I’m not a fan of angsty, ridiculous couple drama, back and forth, so I’m happy to report that most of the conflict, other than at the beginning, comes from outside sources. I loved Auggie and Pepper together! Seeing them bond over their unfortunate pasts (crazy families!) and unite against whatever came at them was a joy. Juno was a sweetheart, too, wanting love and happiness for her mom and determined to make it happen for her.
Pepper and Auggie were fun, signature Kristen Ashley type of characters. Pepper was big-hearted, sweet with a side of sassy, and Auggie was the protective, bossy, Alpha male without being a jerk. I enjoyed seeing past characters, happy and there for their friends. Although Pepper and Auggie’s story wraps up, that ending made it clear there’s more to come and I can’t wait!
A copy was kindly provided by Forever in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2021
Dream Keeper is the final book in the Dream Team series and features a single mom who is not looking for love. Auggie ruins her plans!
So, in previous books, you have meet all the players, and there is an overarching plot involving dirty cops that Auggie and his team are working on. All that is still in play, but really, this story barely touches that. The focus is more on Pepper's horrid ex and his sudden desire to win her back and Pepper's family who are involved in a very shady cult (is there another kind of cult?). Throw in Auggie's dysfunctional family and Cisco's involvement and you have some major drama-llama!
Pepper and Auggie have a rocky road to get together, and then a rocky road of dealing with all the drama. Through it all, you get to see the previous girls and Pepper's adorable daughter Juno. Dream Keeper is filled with crazy drama, hot sex, and heartwarming romance.
I switched back and forth between the book and the audio for Dream Keeper. I enjoyed the audio, but the narrator wasn't my favorite. It was still a solid 4 star narration, I just found her voice to be a bit too high pitched for me.
POV: 1st (Pepper) and 3rd (Auggie and Juno)
Tears: a few-these two really went through hell
Trope: single mom, dysfunctional family
Triggers: none
Series/Standalone: series
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
hot and steamy romantic suspense like the KGI series by Maya Banks, the Mafia Royals series by Rachel Van Dyken, the Zodiac Tactical series by Janie Crouch...then you will probably like Dream Keeper!
Dream Keeper
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See full review on The Book Disciple
December 5, 2021
French & English reviews
Sans surprise, une déception ...
Je ne vais pas écrire des paragraphes et des paragraphes sur ce livre, ce sont plus ou moins les mêmes remarques que j'ai fait pour les précédents livres : l'histoire est plate et manque de rebondissements (l'histoire avec la famille de l'héroïne se finit avant d'avoir commencé, celle avec la famille du héros pareil et je ne parle même pas de l'histoire des flics corrompus qui s'éteint sans vraiment d'explications !), les personnages sont des pales copies des Rock Chick et autres personnages de KA, les anciens personnages font de trop nombreuses apparitions (on a l'impression qu'il n'y a que eux à Denver !) et surtout il manque ce petit je-ne-sais-quoi qui faisait que je dévorais tous les livres de KA avant !
Le livre n'est pas horrible en soi, c'est juste que c'est décevant et on a l'impression que l'auteure a cherché à se renouveler avec des personnages qui sont censés être plus jeunes ... Sauf que ça ne fonctionne pas et que ça fait plus cliché qu'autre chose (avoir la vingtaine ne veut pas dire qu'on est obsédé par le yoga / l'environnement / qu'on est vegan / qu'on est anti-électronique ...)
Bref, je pense que pour moi c'est fini ! C'était le dernier livre de cette série (enfin je pense) et le dernier KA que je lirais ! Trop de déceptions et je préfère relire les anciens que j'apprécie toujours autant !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unsurprisingly, a disappointment ...
I am not going to write paragraphs and paragraphs about this book, these are more or less the same remarks that I made for the previous books : the story is flat and lacks twists (the story with the family of the heroine ended before having started, the one with the family of the hero same and I do not want to even mention the story of the corrupt cops which is finished without really any explanations !), the characters are pale copies of the Rocks Chick and other characters written by KA, the old characters make too many appearances (we have the impression that there is only them in Denver !) and especially it lacks this little je-ne-sais-quoi that made me devoured all of KA's books before !
The book itself isn't horrible, it's just disappointing and it feels like the author has sought to renew her style with characters who are meant to be younger ... But it doesn't work and it's more cliché than anything else (being in your twenties doesn't mean you're obsessed with yoga / the environment / that you're vegan / that you're anti-electronic ...)
Anyway, I think it's over for me ! It was the last book in this series (well I think) and the last KA I would read ! Too many disappointments and I prefer to reread the old ones that I still appreciate so much !
Sans surprise, une déception ...
Je ne vais pas écrire des paragraphes et des paragraphes sur ce livre, ce sont plus ou moins les mêmes remarques que j'ai fait pour les précédents livres : l'histoire est plate et manque de rebondissements (l'histoire avec la famille de l'héroïne se finit avant d'avoir commencé, celle avec la famille du héros pareil et je ne parle même pas de l'histoire des flics corrompus qui s'éteint sans vraiment d'explications !), les personnages sont des pales copies des Rock Chick et autres personnages de KA, les anciens personnages font de trop nombreuses apparitions (on a l'impression qu'il n'y a que eux à Denver !) et surtout il manque ce petit je-ne-sais-quoi qui faisait que je dévorais tous les livres de KA avant !
Le livre n'est pas horrible en soi, c'est juste que c'est décevant et on a l'impression que l'auteure a cherché à se renouveler avec des personnages qui sont censés être plus jeunes ... Sauf que ça ne fonctionne pas et que ça fait plus cliché qu'autre chose (avoir la vingtaine ne veut pas dire qu'on est obsédé par le yoga / l'environnement / qu'on est vegan / qu'on est anti-électronique ...)
Bref, je pense que pour moi c'est fini ! C'était le dernier livre de cette série (enfin je pense) et le dernier KA que je lirais ! Trop de déceptions et je préfère relire les anciens que j'apprécie toujours autant !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unsurprisingly, a disappointment ...
I am not going to write paragraphs and paragraphs about this book, these are more or less the same remarks that I made for the previous books : the story is flat and lacks twists (the story with the family of the heroine ended before having started, the one with the family of the hero same and I do not want to even mention the story of the corrupt cops which is finished without really any explanations !), the characters are pale copies of the Rocks Chick and other characters written by KA, the old characters make too many appearances (we have the impression that there is only them in Denver !) and especially it lacks this little je-ne-sais-quoi that made me devoured all of KA's books before !
The book itself isn't horrible, it's just disappointing and it feels like the author has sought to renew her style with characters who are meant to be younger ... But it doesn't work and it's more cliché than anything else (being in your twenties doesn't mean you're obsessed with yoga / the environment / that you're vegan / that you're anti-electronic ...)
Anyway, I think it's over for me ! It was the last book in this series (well I think) and the last KA I would read ! Too many disappointments and I prefer to reread the old ones that I still appreciate so much !
October 10, 2024
This was wonderful!
The drama.
The arguments.
The girlhood.
The motherhood.
The fights.
The WINDOWSCENE.
The 🍆💦.
The intrigue.
It was just right up my ally and why I continue to support KA. I adore how much she cares for these characters, and I adore she is never shy to listen when she knows we need a story.
I will buy whatever she makes until she runs out of stories to tell. Which I dearly hope will be never.
Read: 06.10.2024
1st rating: 5 stars
Genre/tropes: Contemporary romance/suspense/action
Cover: 3 stars
POV’s: Dual - (Auggie & Pepper)
Will I recommend: Yes.
The drama.
The arguments.
The girlhood.
The motherhood.
The fights.
The WINDOWSCENE.
The 🍆💦.
The intrigue.
It was just right up my ally and why I continue to support KA. I adore how much she cares for these characters, and I adore she is never shy to listen when she knows we need a story.
I will buy whatever she makes until she runs out of stories to tell. Which I dearly hope will be never.
Read: 06.10.2024
1st rating: 5 stars
Genre/tropes: Contemporary romance/suspense/action
Cover: 3 stars
POV’s: Dual - (Auggie & Pepper)
Will I recommend: Yes.
March 16, 2022
Oh boy. This one just made no sense to me.
Cisco and the kid were the best parts of the entire story. He keeps stealing the show for sure.
I didn’t get any of what was happening with the church/cult and how it connects to everything else. I didn’t get the sister and brother at the end either. I dunno.
Worse, the series is over but the ongoing case is not? Am I right about that?
Ugh. Just not my favorite.
Cisco and the kid were the best parts of the entire story. He keeps stealing the show for sure.
I didn’t get any of what was happening with the church/cult and how it connects to everything else. I didn’t get the sister and brother at the end either. I dunno.
Worse, the series is over but the ongoing case is not? Am I right about that?
Ugh. Just not my favorite.
December 1, 2021
I want him, but I can't. Let's have sex! Oh no, it was a mistake! I love your smell! Get away from me!
Jeez Louise....DNF@12%.
Jeez Louise....DNF@12%.
January 13, 2022
Underwhelmed
I said I wouldn't do it but I did, I clicked on a new KA book.....I shouldn't have. Making a mental note - no more new KA reads.
I said I wouldn't do it but I did, I clicked on a new KA book.....I shouldn't have. Making a mental note - no more new KA reads.
October 30, 2021
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Forever in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dream Keeper is the fourth book in the series and at first I thought that this would be the finale in the series, but alas, it isn't haha but you don't really see signs for others books until this book because the previous book didn't really hint at it that much or I might have just missed the signs that was conveyed there. In Dream Keeper, this is a romance that has been teased all the way through the series so its definitely highly anticipated for sure, but I will say that it did start out slower than I expected it too. Normally Kristen Ashley will sweep me up so quickly, but I don't know if its just me or maybe her writing is changing, but they aren't hooking me in as much as her previous works but I still enjoyed this one quite a bit, it just wasn't quite as engaging as the previous books in the series. But there were so many aspects of this story that truly worked for me in so many ways and I was thrilled to finally get Auggie and Pepper's romance.
Dream Keeper is a slow and steady romance that features:
Auggie -Ex Military-current working as a commando for Hawke, alpha male, protective, loves kids, family issue
Pepper-Exotic dancer, divorcee, single mother, nurturing and creative, has vulnerabilities in self esteem
Dream Keeper is a romance that takes us back to Auggie and Pepper and actually begin's with Pepper's daughter, Juno. Juno wants her mom to have a husband that will truly love and cherish her and she wants a true family. She knows that her parents won't be getting back together and trying to live with that reality. So Juno convinces a man she knows that she can trust to help her bring Auggie and Pepper together. She sees the way that Auggie looks at her mom, and her mom is being "stupid" in resisting him and so she begins to work her innocent magic in bringing these two unrequited lovers together. Auggie has been trying to get Pepper to go on a date with him, but Pepper is resistant. At first it was for her daughter's sake, but in reality, Pepper has so much drama in her family and in her past that she doesn't feel like she could ever be worthy of Auggie. Her life is rough and the drama is extreme and no man should have to deal what she has to on a regular basis so she intends on driving him away. Only it doesn't work the way she expected to, and before she realizes it she shows how she cares for him, and he sees through her defenses and is more than determined to prove to her they are worth taking a risk on....
Dream Keeper was such a powerhouse of a romance and I had a blast with this book and I am so grateful that I was able to get this in ARC format (although I would have purchased it too) I have really been so entertained by this series and they are reminiscent of the Dream Man and Rock Chick series, but they are in the same world, so you see all the connecting characters throughout these books and its such fun. This series is the rest of the men on "Hawke"s team and seeing these commando's get their HEA. I love that Kristen Ashley wrote these books, and they definitely showcase the similar vibe that we found in those connecting books. I absolutely adored this one though. Pepper drove me nuts though, just the way that she treats Auggie, was too much in my opinion, it was a bit of emotional abuse. But then she realizes what she does to him and course corrects so I did like seeing her growth in that. There is some political stuff (nothing too obvious or anything, and I only noticed it in the beginning so fair warning on that aspect. But this portion doesn't reflect on my review at all, since it wasn't anything controversial or soap box-like, just common sense.
The romance that builds between Auggie and Pepper is so sweet once we get all the angst out of the way. The one aspect I really adore in this author is that the inner conflict between the main couple gets resolved pretty quickly, and then we get to see the growth in their relationship, the HOT smexy times (some of the hottest scenes I have read from this author I swear she put in this book), Juno's matchmaking, family drama that builds with each chapter, it really comes together. I enjoyed seeing how the first half of the story is the focus of the romantic intimacy between Auggie and Pepper, and then the second half, is where we get to all the family drama and dealing with religious cults. Now these are true cults dealing with abuse, manipulation, polygamy. (Polygamy and the way she wrote is was correct as I am LDS (the non polygamy one) so I know the difference in the various religions that practice and don't so I respect that this author did her research correctly) I really felt for the heroine and what her family has to deal with this cult. Because wow it was really bad here. Kristen Ashley really showed healthy religion versus toxic cult like religion and how one is positive and uplifting and the other is damaging and abusive to the people involved.
Overall I found Dream Keeper to be a stunning addition to this series that is so reminiscent of previous sagas we have loved from this author, its a story that will entertain you with its plot, charming characters to bring a smile to your face, and a love story that will have you swooning on each page....DELECTABLE IN EVERY MOMENT!
Dream Keeper is the fourth book in the series and at first I thought that this would be the finale in the series, but alas, it isn't haha but you don't really see signs for others books until this book because the previous book didn't really hint at it that much or I might have just missed the signs that was conveyed there. In Dream Keeper, this is a romance that has been teased all the way through the series so its definitely highly anticipated for sure, but I will say that it did start out slower than I expected it too. Normally Kristen Ashley will sweep me up so quickly, but I don't know if its just me or maybe her writing is changing, but they aren't hooking me in as much as her previous works but I still enjoyed this one quite a bit, it just wasn't quite as engaging as the previous books in the series. But there were so many aspects of this story that truly worked for me in so many ways and I was thrilled to finally get Auggie and Pepper's romance.
Dream Keeper is a slow and steady romance that features:
Auggie -Ex Military-current working as a commando for Hawke, alpha male, protective, loves kids, family issue
Pepper-Exotic dancer, divorcee, single mother, nurturing and creative, has vulnerabilities in self esteem
Dream Keeper is a romance that takes us back to Auggie and Pepper and actually begin's with Pepper's daughter, Juno. Juno wants her mom to have a husband that will truly love and cherish her and she wants a true family. She knows that her parents won't be getting back together and trying to live with that reality. So Juno convinces a man she knows that she can trust to help her bring Auggie and Pepper together. She sees the way that Auggie looks at her mom, and her mom is being "stupid" in resisting him and so she begins to work her innocent magic in bringing these two unrequited lovers together. Auggie has been trying to get Pepper to go on a date with him, but Pepper is resistant. At first it was for her daughter's sake, but in reality, Pepper has so much drama in her family and in her past that she doesn't feel like she could ever be worthy of Auggie. Her life is rough and the drama is extreme and no man should have to deal what she has to on a regular basis so she intends on driving him away. Only it doesn't work the way she expected to, and before she realizes it she shows how she cares for him, and he sees through her defenses and is more than determined to prove to her they are worth taking a risk on....
Dream Keeper was such a powerhouse of a romance and I had a blast with this book and I am so grateful that I was able to get this in ARC format (although I would have purchased it too) I have really been so entertained by this series and they are reminiscent of the Dream Man and Rock Chick series, but they are in the same world, so you see all the connecting characters throughout these books and its such fun. This series is the rest of the men on "Hawke"s team and seeing these commando's get their HEA. I love that Kristen Ashley wrote these books, and they definitely showcase the similar vibe that we found in those connecting books. I absolutely adored this one though. Pepper drove me nuts though, just the way that she treats Auggie, was too much in my opinion, it was a bit of emotional abuse. But then she realizes what she does to him and course corrects so I did like seeing her growth in that. There is some political stuff (nothing too obvious or anything, and I only noticed it in the beginning so fair warning on that aspect. But this portion doesn't reflect on my review at all, since it wasn't anything controversial or soap box-like, just common sense.
The romance that builds between Auggie and Pepper is so sweet once we get all the angst out of the way. The one aspect I really adore in this author is that the inner conflict between the main couple gets resolved pretty quickly, and then we get to see the growth in their relationship, the HOT smexy times (some of the hottest scenes I have read from this author I swear she put in this book), Juno's matchmaking, family drama that builds with each chapter, it really comes together. I enjoyed seeing how the first half of the story is the focus of the romantic intimacy between Auggie and Pepper, and then the second half, is where we get to all the family drama and dealing with religious cults. Now these are true cults dealing with abuse, manipulation, polygamy. (Polygamy and the way she wrote is was correct as I am LDS (the non polygamy one) so I know the difference in the various religions that practice and don't so I respect that this author did her research correctly) I really felt for the heroine and what her family has to deal with this cult. Because wow it was really bad here. Kristen Ashley really showed healthy religion versus toxic cult like religion and how one is positive and uplifting and the other is damaging and abusive to the people involved.
Overall I found Dream Keeper to be a stunning addition to this series that is so reminiscent of previous sagas we have loved from this author, its a story that will entertain you with its plot, charming characters to bring a smile to your face, and a love story that will have you swooning on each page....DELECTABLE IN EVERY MOMENT!
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