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Ballad of Dreams: A Novel with Music
“It’s never too late to make a new dream, It’s never too late to reach for the stars. It’s never too late when the fear won’t subside. It’s never too late, to try.”
Audrey McKenna is a vibrant grandmother and mother of thirteen. When her granddaughter pursues a career onstage, Audrey is confronted with the unfulfilled dreams of her youth to perform at Carnegie Hall. With the help of her best friend and cousin Rose, they journey to the New York Theater scene of their past, exploring choices, sacrifices and experiences that shaped them. While their paths are drastically different, the one constant throughout is their friendship. Through trials and triumphs, love and loss, Rose and Audrey redefine their identities as independent women in a time where society tried to define that for them.
Inspired by a true story, Ballad of Dreams sings of the power of friendship and dances through different eras of society from the 1930s to early 2000s. It combines the richness of storytelling and flare of musical theater by seamlessly weaving musical lyrics with the narrative.
Ballad of Dreams by Allyson Hernandez inspires us to fill our own cups by chasing after our dreams.
Audrey McKenna is a vibrant grandmother and mother of thirteen. When her granddaughter pursues a career onstage, Audrey is confronted with the unfulfilled dreams of her youth to perform at Carnegie Hall. With the help of her best friend and cousin Rose, they journey to the New York Theater scene of their past, exploring choices, sacrifices and experiences that shaped them. While their paths are drastically different, the one constant throughout is their friendship. Through trials and triumphs, love and loss, Rose and Audrey redefine their identities as independent women in a time where society tried to define that for them.
Inspired by a true story, Ballad of Dreams sings of the power of friendship and dances through different eras of society from the 1930s to early 2000s. It combines the richness of storytelling and flare of musical theater by seamlessly weaving musical lyrics with the narrative.
Ballad of Dreams by Allyson Hernandez inspires us to fill our own cups by chasing after our dreams.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2022
4 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 23, 2022
You might be thinking: "Can a musical really be put into a book? And songs? How does that work?"
Author Allyson Hernandez defies the norm and truly makes this work! I felt like I was watching a broadway show the entire time I was reading this book. The characters have deep, rich stories to share. The themes of love, loss, music, and history come together to make a stunning novel. I was so emotionally invested in this book that I cried and laugh out loud several times. This is a must-read!
Author Allyson Hernandez defies the norm and truly makes this work! I felt like I was watching a broadway show the entire time I was reading this book. The characters have deep, rich stories to share. The themes of love, loss, music, and history come together to make a stunning novel. I was so emotionally invested in this book that I cried and laugh out loud several times. This is a must-read!
January 18, 2022
what a sweet journey
This story is truly a gem. It weaves the lives of
two women through ups and downs and the decisions that create a roadmap neither of them expects. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. Great read!
This story is truly a gem. It weaves the lives of
two women through ups and downs and the decisions that create a roadmap neither of them expects. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. Great read!
January 7, 2022
If you're a fan of historical fiction set in New York City, this one doesn't disappoint. The book follows the lives of two inspiring female protagonists with relatable struggles and beautiful stories. The author has written songs that accompany the story (fitting for a book about Broadway) and I am anxiously awaiting the audiobook release so I can hear them.
February 3, 2022
What a great story of loss, struggle, realization, and triumph.
This is a great true tale of theater, music, and the uniqueness of motherhood.
The entire story includes a script that adds to the story and provides a better insight into the author's mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the visuals that are created with great descriptions of the scenes of the story.
The text is for anyone who has experienced lofty expectations and felt pressure to perform. Hope and grace ultimately come to the rescue in a beautifully planned but uncontrolled way.
It's ok to feel behind in life and never too late to catch up and get ahead. The dark times and light times both belong in our lives and we are better for it.
This is a great true tale of theater, music, and the uniqueness of motherhood.
The entire story includes a script that adds to the story and provides a better insight into the author's mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the visuals that are created with great descriptions of the scenes of the story.
The text is for anyone who has experienced lofty expectations and felt pressure to perform. Hope and grace ultimately come to the rescue in a beautifully planned but uncontrolled way.
It's ok to feel behind in life and never too late to catch up and get ahead. The dark times and light times both belong in our lives and we are better for it.
March 24, 2022
I loved this book. I wanted to be each of these women st one point. Most importantly I found my self doing some soul searching and reflecting as I read the story. The story and characters pulled me in to their lives and I could picture it all. The lyrics in the music spoke to me and I can’t wait to hear the songs come to life❤️
January 18, 2023
Amazing!
I am so happy to have run across this book. It is full of wisdom, love, loss, laughter and so much more. This book could help those in the World who are giving up on their dreams to know all is not lost however old or young you are. Bravo to the Author, Allyson Hernandez.
I am so happy to have run across this book. It is full of wisdom, love, loss, laughter and so much more. This book could help those in the World who are giving up on their dreams to know all is not lost however old or young you are. Bravo to the Author, Allyson Hernandez.
March 21, 2022
Congratulations, Allyson
So proud of you, Allyson, and your debut novel. Cheers - and so hoping to see Ballad of Dreams on stage some day!
So proud of you, Allyson, and your debut novel. Cheers - and so hoping to see Ballad of Dreams on stage some day!
February 27, 2022
I love this book. It had me from almost the beginning: “I was eight years old when my choir director screamed at me to ‘blend’ because voices are supposed to blend in a choir. Mine never did…I’ll be working on not blending for the rest of my life…”
I love the celebration of being authentic, following your dreams and heart, celebrating who you uniquely were made to be!
I’ve heard the author sing and man, is she talented. Can’t wait to hear the songs from the book!!
I love the celebration of being authentic, following your dreams and heart, celebrating who you uniquely were made to be!
I’ve heard the author sing and man, is she talented. Can’t wait to hear the songs from the book!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews