A Millionaire's Dream: a novel

by Bret Wonnacott

Can the pure love of a dog change a boy's destiny?

Life is cruel to James Crockett. He has lost nearly everything he has ever known, and at seventeen, that isn’t very much. He is lonely, broke, and mourning the death of his mother on what is left of their 1950’s farm. His future looks dark and empty until he meets a gifted English setter puppy and an unlikely mentor who competes in field trials. James deals with the struggles of life, love, and growing up while helping his mentor attempt to fulfill the dream of competing for the highest honor on the western field trial circuit—The Western Championship Field Trial.

253 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2021

Reviews

[Marcie pollack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Millionaires Dream is on point

I am always looking for a great story and first time author Bret Wonnacot hit it out of the park with A millionaires Dream. This book hits on all levels and will be enjoyable to anyone looking for a book you won't want to put down.
You are immediately drawn in to the life of James Crockett and his trials and tribulations of being young man in the 50's.
This books has everything you would want in a great book, an emotional begining, a great middle with plot and character development and a heartfelt ending. The characters in the story are relatable and feel like old friends. Along the way you cross paths with friendly small town folks and a couple villains that will make your blood boil.
The Author did a great job of keeping things historically correct with putting a fictional twist on stuff. He also did a great job of pulling you in and making you feel a part of the story. I promise this book will hit you with all the feels and you won't want to put it down. It's not just a boy and his dog story..it's also a coming of age story that shows that kindness and friendships will always prevail.
Great showing for a new Author!

[michael j talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

If you love the outdoors, bird hunting and bird dogs you will thoroughly enjoy this book. English Setters do rule!!

[Courtney Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A great story for anyone that loves birddogs or field trials.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young teen who loses his mother, his last remaining nuclear family member. He is devastated by the loss but struggles to keep their farm going and to find enough food to sustain his life. I was put off by very repetitious phrases at the beginning of the book, as well as what I felt were overly dramatic depictions of his emotions. Naturally his emotions after losing his mother were strong but I felt they were not depicted well at the start. After I got a ways into the book, I felt the writing became better and more realistic. I felt that the teenaged emotions regarding girls and peers were quite honest. The small town people and their activities seemed very on point. The real meat of the book, however, began when the boy found a dog and met a kind benefactor who introduced him to the world of field trials for hunting dogs, as well as to a very talented trainer and his daughter, adding more people to the new circle of people who cared about him. This is a wonderful coming of age story and a great introduction to the world of supremely talented hunting dogs and their owners, written by an author who knows and loves his subject matter. I think this would be a wonderful book for teens but adults will also love it. With a bit of polishing at the beginning, I would rate this a solid five stars.
*I received this book free of charge through Library Thing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and to TouchPoint Press*

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Millonaire's Dream is a fantastic read! This book really takes you back to some more simpler yet difficult times! I will warn you, you are likely to get misty eyed more than once. There were situations that touched me on a very personal level that I was not prepared for.

The main characters are developed throughout the reading and makes you wish you were standing in the fields with them watching the dogs work! I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys watching dogs work both in the uplands and on the trials circuits!

[Cynthia Prosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely coming of age type story in which the finding of a lost puppy inspires a young man (high school graduate) to come out of his shell after the death of his mother. Through a chance meeting involving a puppy (high quality hunting dog puppy), the protagonist turns his life around, starts trusting people, and successfully enters into the life of the town and beyond. The pacing of the story was slow - but in a good way, mimicing the pace of developing friendships and the change of seasons. The characters were well developed and the novel had a satisfactory ending.

[Mike Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent debut novel from my friend, Brett! I was hooked as soon as Joey the setter came on the scene and the author reeled me in with new characters and storylines. Brett’s knowledge of dogs, training, hunting and conservation are obvious, but what really makes this work is his love for the dogs and birds portrayed. I hope this fine, little book makes its way into English classrooms and school libraries.

[Lisa Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I learned about a sport I had no idea existed. I liked the style of wrlting the author uses. I loved the characters, even the ones you loved too hate.

[Landon LeFevre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent work of fiction!

For anyone who loves a well told and engaging story. Especially if you are a lover of upland hunting and the dogs that accompany it.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching and inspiring story about love, loss, and second chances. The bond between James and his dog is powerful, making this a heartfelt and uplifting read.