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Dreamland
Fate drew them together . . . but will their dreams tear them apart?
Colby Mills once felt destined for a musical career, but tragedy grounded his dreams. Now the dust has settled, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home.
But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, and Colby can't help but wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need dictate his life forever. Morgan is on her way to Nashville with plans to become a star and she wants Colby to come with her.
While they are falling headlong in love, Beverly is on a heart-pounding journey of another kind. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, she is trying to piece together a new life in a small town far off the beaten track. Danger is never far and her money is fast running out.
In the course of a single unforgettable week, three very different people will have their own ideas of love put to the test. As fate draws them together, they will each be forced to question whether the dream of a better life can ever overcome the weight of the past.
Colby Mills once felt destined for a musical career, but tragedy grounded his dreams. Now the dust has settled, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home.
But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, and Colby can't help but wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need dictate his life forever. Morgan is on her way to Nashville with plans to become a star and she wants Colby to come with her.
While they are falling headlong in love, Beverly is on a heart-pounding journey of another kind. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, she is trying to piece together a new life in a small town far off the beaten track. Danger is never far and her money is fast running out.
In the course of a single unforgettable week, three very different people will have their own ideas of love put to the test. As fate draws them together, they will each be forced to question whether the dream of a better life can ever overcome the weight of the past.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2022
About the author
Nicholas Sparks
443 books241k followersNicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 92 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,951 reviews
May 30, 2022
2.5 stars
I love Nicholas Sparks' writing and I enjoyed reading parts of this book, but unfortunately it was definitely not my favorite.
There are two main POVs and I loved the one that focused around Beverly, a lady who is fleeing an abusive husband. Her chapters were filled with heart and suspense and I felt very connected to the character and her journey. I couldn't put the book down when I was reading her chapters. I also really enjoyed the ending and of course it wouldn't be a Nicholas Sparks book if I didn't end in tears.
Now for the other POV, I really just didn't buy the relationship between Morgan and Colby at all; it seemed very shallow and was just missing something that made me believe it. It really seemed to focus on how physically beautiful Morgan was. The whole what would a "beautiful" on the outside girl like her want with a guy like me thing went on for way too long. He kept being shocked by how smart or sophisticated she was even though she was really pretty and totally surprised that she was more than just a pretty face. He was always commenting on how tiny she is. Twice in less than five pages he says how she doesn't weigh enough to tip the kayak and asked her "you eat cookies? You don't look like you eat cookies." And that for breakfast she only eats green tea and green juice. Is that something to admire? I mean it's fine if that is your thing, but he seemed to be proud of how tiny she was and how little she ate. I really feel that the descriptions of Morgan could use some major editing to make her more relatable. It would change the book for me entirely as the overall premise and plot line was very good!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Nicholas Sparks' writing and I enjoyed reading parts of this book, but unfortunately it was definitely not my favorite.
There are two main POVs and I loved the one that focused around Beverly, a lady who is fleeing an abusive husband. Her chapters were filled with heart and suspense and I felt very connected to the character and her journey. I couldn't put the book down when I was reading her chapters. I also really enjoyed the ending and of course it wouldn't be a Nicholas Sparks book if I didn't end in tears.
Now for the other POV, I really just didn't buy the relationship between Morgan and Colby at all; it seemed very shallow and was just missing something that made me believe it. It really seemed to focus on how physically beautiful Morgan was. The whole what would a "beautiful" on the outside girl like her want with a guy like me thing went on for way too long. He kept being shocked by how smart or sophisticated she was even though she was really pretty and totally surprised that she was more than just a pretty face. He was always commenting on how tiny she is. Twice in less than five pages he says how she doesn't weigh enough to tip the kayak and asked her "you eat cookies? You don't look like you eat cookies." And that for breakfast she only eats green tea and green juice. Is that something to admire? I mean it's fine if that is your thing, but he seemed to be proud of how tiny she was and how little she ate. I really feel that the descriptions of Morgan could use some major editing to make her more relatable. It would change the book for me entirely as the overall premise and plot line was very good!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2022
2.5 stars
This book fell short in every possible way. The characters were flat and one-dimensional, the plot was contrived and unnecessary, and the ending was a total cop-out.
The characters in this novel were nothing more than archetypes. Colby Mills was your average, brooding, uneducated farmer type. Morgan Lee was the spunky, Gen Z, Tiktoker all-American girl next door. Beverly was the abused wife and mother. And Paige... well I can't go into it without spoiling the book. These characters lacked any depth or development, and as a result, I found it difficult to care about them or their plight.
The plot of this novel felt completely contrived and unnecessary. It seemed as though Sparks was trying to force a happy ending onto a story that didn't need one. The entire plot felt like it was just a vehicle to get to the sappy, sentimental ending that no one wanted or needed. The romance between Colby and Morgan is sweet (very very insta-love if that's your type of thing), but it's marred by the author's insistence on inserting heavy-handed moralizing about mental illness into the plot. This is particularly jarring given that Sparks seems to have little interest in mental health when it's not serving as a plot device.
Beverly's story was a powerful story of domestic abuse, and it could have been told without the ridiculous plot twist at the end.
Finally, the ending of this book was a total cop-out. It felt as though Sparks was trying to avoid dealing with the complicated issues that he had created by opting for an easy solution. This book fell short because it lacked any real substance or depth.
This book fell short in every possible way. The characters were flat and one-dimensional, the plot was contrived and unnecessary, and the ending was a total cop-out.
The characters in this novel were nothing more than archetypes. Colby Mills was your average, brooding, uneducated farmer type. Morgan Lee was the spunky, Gen Z, Tiktoker all-American girl next door. Beverly was the abused wife and mother. And Paige... well I can't go into it without spoiling the book. These characters lacked any depth or development, and as a result, I found it difficult to care about them or their plight.
The plot of this novel felt completely contrived and unnecessary. It seemed as though Sparks was trying to force a happy ending onto a story that didn't need one. The entire plot felt like it was just a vehicle to get to the sappy, sentimental ending that no one wanted or needed. The romance between Colby and Morgan is sweet (very very insta-love if that's your type of thing), but it's marred by the author's insistence on inserting heavy-handed moralizing about mental illness into the plot. This is particularly jarring given that Sparks seems to have little interest in mental health when it's not serving as a plot device.
Beverly's story was a powerful story of domestic abuse, and it could have been told without the ridiculous plot twist at the end.
Finally, the ending of this book was a total cop-out. It felt as though Sparks was trying to avoid dealing with the complicated issues that he had created by opting for an easy solution. This book fell short because it lacked any real substance or depth.
March 4, 2023
3.5⭐
When a familiar author puts out a new book, I just get it without reading the synopsis. Nicholas Sparks is one of those authors for me.
Dreamland follows Colby Mills from North Carolina who found a quick music gig in St. Pete Beach, Florida. There he met Morgan Lee. Their lives are the opposites, he's from a farming family and she's from the affluent Lincoln Park Chicago area. They do share a love for music. The second voice is of Beverly who is escaping her abusive husband with her young son in tow.
Eventually, these two stories connected but I was wondering the whole time how. I don't think there's any way I was going to guess it correctly. Overall, Dreamland is a good love story balancing personal dreams and family. A solid read but not his best.
The audiobook is excellent. Read by Austin Nichols and Thérèse Plummer.
When a familiar author puts out a new book, I just get it without reading the synopsis. Nicholas Sparks is one of those authors for me.
Dreamland follows Colby Mills from North Carolina who found a quick music gig in St. Pete Beach, Florida. There he met Morgan Lee. Their lives are the opposites, he's from a farming family and she's from the affluent Lincoln Park Chicago area. They do share a love for music. The second voice is of Beverly who is escaping her abusive husband with her young son in tow.
Eventually, these two stories connected but I was wondering the whole time how. I don't think there's any way I was going to guess it correctly. Overall, Dreamland is a good love story balancing personal dreams and family. A solid read but not his best.
The audiobook is excellent. Read by Austin Nichols and Thérèse Plummer.
September 8, 2022
A bit of a mixed bag.
Oh, how I wanted to love this, and yet, Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks didn't quite work for me.
Believe it or not, Dreamland is the first book by Nicholas Sparks that I've ever read. I've seen all of his movies but had never read one of his books till now. I decided to read this one, simply because they've stopped making his books into movies.
This novel has two POVs/timelines. The first is Colby, the second is Beverly.
Colby is a farmer who used to be a musician when he was young. When he gets the chance to take a little time off, he heads to the Florida coast and plays a few gigs at a local bar. There, he meets Morgan, who is visiting from out of town for a week. The two instantly fall in love. I wish I could say that I bought into their romance, but I didn’t, nor did I care for either character.
Beverly’s story on the other hand, I found to be gripping, and very realistic. Beverly is an abused wife and mother. After getting up the courage, she escapes with her six-year-old son. Every moment of every day, Beverly is scared for her life and that of her son, and yet she works to try and build a life and move on. Unfortunately, she is always looking around every corner, deathly afraid. If the book had been all about Beverly, I would have loved every minute of it.
Throughout most of the novel, we have no idea how the characters of Colby and Beverly are connected, and then boom! Worlds collide. While I didn't love this novel, I enjoyed the writing and plan to read other Nicholas Sparks novels in the future.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for the arc.
Oh, how I wanted to love this, and yet, Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks didn't quite work for me.
Believe it or not, Dreamland is the first book by Nicholas Sparks that I've ever read. I've seen all of his movies but had never read one of his books till now. I decided to read this one, simply because they've stopped making his books into movies.
This novel has two POVs/timelines. The first is Colby, the second is Beverly.
Colby is a farmer who used to be a musician when he was young. When he gets the chance to take a little time off, he heads to the Florida coast and plays a few gigs at a local bar. There, he meets Morgan, who is visiting from out of town for a week. The two instantly fall in love. I wish I could say that I bought into their romance, but I didn’t, nor did I care for either character.
Beverly’s story on the other hand, I found to be gripping, and very realistic. Beverly is an abused wife and mother. After getting up the courage, she escapes with her six-year-old son. Every moment of every day, Beverly is scared for her life and that of her son, and yet she works to try and build a life and move on. Unfortunately, she is always looking around every corner, deathly afraid. If the book had been all about Beverly, I would have loved every minute of it.
Throughout most of the novel, we have no idea how the characters of Colby and Beverly are connected, and then boom! Worlds collide. While I didn't love this novel, I enjoyed the writing and plan to read other Nicholas Sparks novels in the future.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for the arc.
October 2, 2022
This was not my favorite Nicholas Sparks book by far, and I've read most of them. There are two separate storylines that had no connection until the very end of the book. Both storylines dragged out longer than necessary and I was very disappointed by the "twist" at the end connecting the stories. There was also a lot of repetition in the book. Colby remarks how thin and beautiful Morgan is a little too often, and in the Beverly storyline, there's only so many times you need to tell me she's making a sandwich, soaking beans, or painting the kitchen yellow because it is a horrible orange color.
July 29, 2022
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks has two completely different storylines that eventually come together for a compelling finale. Spark's unexpected plot twists once again prove why he is a best-selling author.
Synopsis:
A family tragedy dashed Colby's dreams of a music career. He now oversees a farm and produce business owned by his family in North Carolina. In a rare occurrence, Colby accepts a temporary gig playing at a bar in St. Pete's Beach, Florida. It is there that Colby meets Morgan and the two fall for each other. Does love at first sight really exist?
Beverly flees with her six-year-old son to escape her abusive husband. To start a new life, they live in a house near a small rural town. As money begins to run low, Beverly makes an agonizing choice that will change their lives forever.
Dreamland is a slow burn that leaves readers scratching their heads. The duel storylines are mysterious and unconnected until Sparks sneaks in a mind-blowing turn around. Reading the book felt a bit repetitive at times, but the ending absolutely blew me away!
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks is available on September 20th.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, for sharing this heart touching book with me. Your kindness is appreciated!
Synopsis:
A family tragedy dashed Colby's dreams of a music career. He now oversees a farm and produce business owned by his family in North Carolina. In a rare occurrence, Colby accepts a temporary gig playing at a bar in St. Pete's Beach, Florida. It is there that Colby meets Morgan and the two fall for each other. Does love at first sight really exist?
Beverly flees with her six-year-old son to escape her abusive husband. To start a new life, they live in a house near a small rural town. As money begins to run low, Beverly makes an agonizing choice that will change their lives forever.
Dreamland is a slow burn that leaves readers scratching their heads. The duel storylines are mysterious and unconnected until Sparks sneaks in a mind-blowing turn around. Reading the book felt a bit repetitive at times, but the ending absolutely blew me away!
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks is available on September 20th.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, for sharing this heart touching book with me. Your kindness is appreciated!
November 19, 2022
The farmer Colby finally takes a vacation after a long time and meets the young singer Morgan. Sparks fly immediately and through the music, they get closer and closer. A love story begins. On the other side, is Beverly, who flees with her son from her dangerous husband, but is this really the truth? or is there not something else behind the story of Beverly. Once again Nicholas Sparks managed to write a wonderful novel. He grabbed me from the first second and at the turn, I was stunned. It describes a struggle for the love of family and a mental illness.
October 17, 2022
I would like to start off with a bit of a rant. I read fiction to escape reality. I don't mind if the book takes place in a real location, but that's all that should be real. I DO NOT want to read the f'ing word "COVID" in any fictional book. Nor, do I want to see "TikTok" mentioned 800 times. Those two words were mentioned really early on and made me want to throw the book. On top of that, the first 50, or so, pages were a real snoozefest. The book was broken up into Colby and Beverly parts. It was like reading two totally different books. I had no idea how they were going to come together.
Colby's parts, especially for 3/4ths of the book, were about as exciting as watching paint dry. Young love, TikTok, romance, TikTok, sunsets, TikTok, repeat. Colby's TikTok star love interest tried to teach us how damaging TikTok is for young girls and their self imagine. I get it. Do you know why I get it? BECAUSE EVERY GENERATION OF WOMEN HAS HAD SOME "IDEAL" THAT THE MAJORITY OF WOMEN CAN'T LIVE UP TO!!! Try growing up when Kate Moss is the ideal and you're a 5'3 girl of Polish/German/Irish decent. Somehow, I've always shined bright like a diamond. I digress.
Beverly's parts were an exciting mystery that kept me guessing! I dreaded when one of her parts ended, because then it was back to "Days of Our TikTok Lives."
When the book was coming to an end, and the parts still hadn't come together, is when I figured it out. It was still a 😲 moment and I do give Sparks credit for being able to keep the characters stories separate for so long...maybe almost too long.
Even when everything came together, it still felt a little disjointed. I have a like/dislike relationship with this book and teeter between 2 and 3 stars.
Colby's parts, especially for 3/4ths of the book, were about as exciting as watching paint dry. Young love, TikTok, romance, TikTok, sunsets, TikTok, repeat. Colby's TikTok star love interest tried to teach us how damaging TikTok is for young girls and their self imagine. I get it. Do you know why I get it? BECAUSE EVERY GENERATION OF WOMEN HAS HAD SOME "IDEAL" THAT THE MAJORITY OF WOMEN CAN'T LIVE UP TO!!! Try growing up when Kate Moss is the ideal and you're a 5'3 girl of Polish/German/Irish decent. Somehow, I've always shined bright like a diamond. I digress.
Beverly's parts were an exciting mystery that kept me guessing! I dreaded when one of her parts ended, because then it was back to "Days of Our TikTok Lives."
When the book was coming to an end, and the parts still hadn't come together, is when I figured it out. It was still a 😲 moment and I do give Sparks credit for being able to keep the characters stories separate for so long...maybe almost too long.
Even when everything came together, it still felt a little disjointed. I have a like/dislike relationship with this book and teeter between 2 and 3 stars.
February 26, 2023
I really don’t have much to say about this book. The writing and storyline was decent enough, but it wasn’t anything to write home about. Maybe I’m just getting old and bitter, and I don’t believe in true love anymore… Regardless, this story was pretty predictable from the first page all the way through to the last page.
We have a young man named Colby, who is playing a few gigs at a local bar in Florida. Colby is a full time farmer in North Carolina, and traveling to Florida is his first ever vacation. There in Florida, he meets the love of his life (yep, didn’t see that coming). Will this relationship work with him having to go back home to care for his family and farm?
We also have the story of Beverly, a woman on the run from her abusive husband. How does Beverly and Colby’s stories connect? With that, I can’t reveal too much or I would give too much away. However, I will say that Beverly’s story was pretty interesting.
I’ve only read a couple of Nicholas Sparks novels with ‘Every Breath’ being my favorite so far. I will give in and continue to read more from this author, although I already know what to expect. Lol!
We have a young man named Colby, who is playing a few gigs at a local bar in Florida. Colby is a full time farmer in North Carolina, and traveling to Florida is his first ever vacation. There in Florida, he meets the love of his life (yep, didn’t see that coming). Will this relationship work with him having to go back home to care for his family and farm?
We also have the story of Beverly, a woman on the run from her abusive husband. How does Beverly and Colby’s stories connect? With that, I can’t reveal too much or I would give too much away. However, I will say that Beverly’s story was pretty interesting.
I’ve only read a couple of Nicholas Sparks novels with ‘Every Breath’ being my favorite so far. I will give in and continue to read more from this author, although I already know what to expect. Lol!
September 17, 2022
I'm really torn on this one. I enjoyed the love story, and I don't always enjoy love stories. It was written really well, as all of Sparks' books are. However, it employs a plot device that I absolutely hate and which I personally feel is a copout. Thus I cannot give it more than three stars.
The plot device that was used was the "this never really happened" device. The reader goes through so much turmoil or action with a certain character only to find out later that things are not as they seemed and it was all in the character's head. This book has great characters and a great story, but I ultimately felt cheated by that particular tactic. Others may not have a problem with it at all.
I received a copy of this book from Random House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
The plot device that was used was the "this never really happened" device. The reader goes through so much turmoil or action with a certain character only to find out later that things are not as they seemed and it was all in the character's head. This book has great characters and a great story, but I ultimately felt cheated by that particular tactic. Others may not have a problem with it at all.
I received a copy of this book from Random House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2022
Possibly the worst Nicholas Sparks book I’ve ever read. Literally putting me to sleep every other page. Total struggle bus to even stay awake. Also, it’s written as two seemingly totally unrelated storylines, but predictable in that my guess for how the story was going to come together was spot on. Ugh.
October 19, 2022
DREAMLAND is such an emotional story and it absolutely shredded my heart! Nicholas Sparks speaks to my heart with each and every novel he has written and DREAMLAND is no exception. What a beautiful story of second chances, love, guilt and fate. Colby is a farmer who is also an awesome singer, but due to family obligations, his musical ambitions have to take a backseat. After awhile he decides to take a quick vacation down to Florida where he is playing in a bar. Florida is where he gets noticed by Morgan Lee, who Colby feels is totally out of his league. Hold on tight readers! This such an inspirational story!
During the last few chapters of DREAMLAND I had full blown tears. So let me warn you, have tissues ready and not just one or two! While Colby and Morgan are spending more time together and the reader thinks everything is wonderful between them, there is another story taking place. It is the tale of Beverly and her son who are on the run from her abusive husband. While their story never connects with Colby and Morgan’s until the end, when it does you won’t believe how! That’s all I can say because I want you to be blown away with this as I was. Nicholas Sparks does a great job of capturing my emotions and pulling hard on my heart strings as he always does! This heart warming novel had me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down until the very last page!
DREAMLAND will surely pull at your heart strings and make it very hard for you to put down. If you are like me, you won’t be able to stop until you know what happens to Morgan and Colby. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea get your favorite blanket and get on the couch. DREAMLAND is an awesome way to spend the afternoon or evening. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down and will find yourself cheering for Colby and Morgan as they try to navigate their way through a very different and unique situation. Nicholas Sparks will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go! How a man can write such emotional and heart tugging contemporary romance is beyond me, but I have loved all of his books and he is forever one of my auto buy authors!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
During the last few chapters of DREAMLAND I had full blown tears. So let me warn you, have tissues ready and not just one or two! While Colby and Morgan are spending more time together and the reader thinks everything is wonderful between them, there is another story taking place. It is the tale of Beverly and her son who are on the run from her abusive husband. While their story never connects with Colby and Morgan’s until the end, when it does you won’t believe how! That’s all I can say because I want you to be blown away with this as I was. Nicholas Sparks does a great job of capturing my emotions and pulling hard on my heart strings as he always does! This heart warming novel had me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down until the very last page!
DREAMLAND will surely pull at your heart strings and make it very hard for you to put down. If you are like me, you won’t be able to stop until you know what happens to Morgan and Colby. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea get your favorite blanket and get on the couch. DREAMLAND is an awesome way to spend the afternoon or evening. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down and will find yourself cheering for Colby and Morgan as they try to navigate their way through a very different and unique situation. Nicholas Sparks will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go! How a man can write such emotional and heart tugging contemporary romance is beyond me, but I have loved all of his books and he is forever one of my auto buy authors!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 16, 2023
i really didn’t like this book. i disliked both narratives as i found every character unbearable in their own way. this was my first time reading a nicholas sparks book and it will probably be my last. the never ending references to TikTok made me physically cringe. the whole plot felt painfully overdone, i felt like i knew the entire story before i read it, except it took me a while to figure out how the stories linked which had me bored for 3/4 of the book until i figured it out.
beverly’s plot line really irritated me, im SICK of hearing about her decorating her fuck ass house and talking to herself. every goddamn paragraph reads like this:
“beverly looked at the shit stained wall and thought to herself this is what i deserve. she opened one of the cabinets and found another can of paint. beverly disliked this color, but it was better than the shit. beverly began to paint the wall, one stroke at a time. beverly began to cry ‘wall please don’t tell Gary my whereabouts’ but she knew the wall already did. beverly’s stomach growled so she made tomato soup out of ketchup and water.”
colby is also on my nerves. i’m sick of him being all goo goo ga ga over the fact that morgan is more than a pair of tits and a teeny tiny itty bitty baby waist…she’s also a TikTok star. 🤮 i never felt any of their chemistry and it stressed me out how fast they moved. after realizing he was in “love” i kept the book closed longer than colby could keep it in his pants. not to mention all the weird comments about morgan being so small 🥺 BUT she’s not like all the other skinny bitches because she can eat a cookie if she wants 😎
i only finished this book because i bought it, and it felt like a waste of my time.
beverly’s plot line really irritated me, im SICK of hearing about her decorating her fuck ass house and talking to herself. every goddamn paragraph reads like this:
“beverly looked at the shit stained wall and thought to herself this is what i deserve. she opened one of the cabinets and found another can of paint. beverly disliked this color, but it was better than the shit. beverly began to paint the wall, one stroke at a time. beverly began to cry ‘wall please don’t tell Gary my whereabouts’ but she knew the wall already did. beverly’s stomach growled so she made tomato soup out of ketchup and water.”
colby is also on my nerves. i’m sick of him being all goo goo ga ga over the fact that morgan is more than a pair of tits and a teeny tiny itty bitty baby waist…she’s also a TikTok star. 🤮 i never felt any of their chemistry and it stressed me out how fast they moved. after realizing he was in “love” i kept the book closed longer than colby could keep it in his pants. not to mention all the weird comments about morgan being so small 🥺 BUT she’s not like all the other skinny bitches because she can eat a cookie if she wants 😎
i only finished this book because i bought it, and it felt like a waste of my time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2023
25 year old Colby Mills leaves the farm where he lives with his aunt and sister Paige and has taken a long overdue holiday in Florida. He feels great responsibility for his aunt who along with her husband took Colby and Paige in when their parents were killed. Once, Colby had dreamed of a music career but then his uncle’s death and other events left him holding the farm together and helping his aunt and sister. But this time he has managed to get away and is playing a gig at a Florida bar. Nothing had prepared him to meet 21 year old Morgan. Love blossoms. But Morgan has her own music dreams, of going to Nashville.
Beverly is also on a journey. With her young son Tommie she is fleeing from her abusive husband Gary. After careful planning she arrives in a small town to begin a new life. That is unless Gary finds her. During the course of a week, these three people have their ideas of love put to the test.
This book, bought for me, has been sitting on the shelf for a few weeks, tempting me while I tried dutifully to ignore it and read the library books here. The lure of a new Nicholas Sparks book finally won out.
I liked both Colby and Morgan, and all the music info and shared every aspect of fear with Beverly. I never wanted to put this book down once I started-and was positive this would be a five star read but then I had some issues with aspects of the ending that just did not ring true to this reader. So dropped the rating back to 4. Up till then I adored it. And it was a really good read. Now I will return to the book I put aside to read this one.
Beverly is also on a journey. With her young son Tommie she is fleeing from her abusive husband Gary. After careful planning she arrives in a small town to begin a new life. That is unless Gary finds her. During the course of a week, these three people have their ideas of love put to the test.
This book, bought for me, has been sitting on the shelf for a few weeks, tempting me while I tried dutifully to ignore it and read the library books here. The lure of a new Nicholas Sparks book finally won out.
I liked both Colby and Morgan, and all the music info and shared every aspect of fear with Beverly. I never wanted to put this book down once I started-and was positive this would be a five star read but then I had some issues with aspects of the ending that just did not ring true to this reader. So dropped the rating back to 4. Up till then I adored it. And it was a really good read. Now I will return to the book I put aside to read this one.
January 14, 2023
Very enjoyable Nicholas Sparks novel. Not his best, but still very good.
August 8, 2022
Nicholas Sparks spins the most beautiful, heartfelt stories that evoke emotions whether they be joy, sadness, love, sympathy or distress. He just has a way of pulling them from you. His characters always seem realistic and fully developed.
This book is no different, weaving Cody's story and Beverly's story in two different timelines until the stories collide. This is a story of family and responsibility as well as growing up. There is loss here as well as love. The romance is adorable. I loved the music connection in the story and found the songwriting collaborations fun. This would make a great summer beach read.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 20, 2022.
This book is no different, weaving Cody's story and Beverly's story in two different timelines until the stories collide. This is a story of family and responsibility as well as growing up. There is loss here as well as love. The romance is adorable. I loved the music connection in the story and found the songwriting collaborations fun. This would make a great summer beach read.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 20, 2022.
April 5, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining contemporary romance novel. It is fast paced with mystery and intrigue, a heart warming romance, twists and turns, and an unexpected conclusion. The song is beautiful! I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrators, Austin Nichols and Thérèse Plummer, have captivating voices and are truly talented. Mr. Sparks' contribution in reading his author's note is a nice touch!
May 5, 2022
I just finished reading Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks and what a ride it was. Here is my review..
Colby wasn’t looking to meet anyone when he took on a gig in Florida for 3 weeks, away from his aunt and sister and the farm they all run together but fate had other plans the day he clapped eyes on the beautiful Morgan Lee.
With their shared love of music and the beautiful songs they have been writing together, the 2 embark on a whirlwind that leaves them both breathless and wondering if they make this work when they are both heading in different directions but as they work out their love for each other, Beverly is on the run with her son…. Running from a man so dangerous she fears she won’t make it out alive if he finds them….
This book took me on a tailspin of a ride that I didn’t want to get off of. Right in the brilliant way the author always executes his books, you will be left feeling windsweep and satisfied.
You will fall in love with Colby right from the beginning. The way he fought to figure out who he was and then came to become the man to bring their farm from the brink of ruin and take care of his sister Paige and his Aunt. His story is so tragic you will want to fold him up in a blanket and tell him it will all be ok.
Morgan I had reservations about but like me, you will come to love her quirky and sweet personality and you will see why they fell so deeply in love.
Beverly's story will tear you apart inside and the twist at the end will have you in so much shock and awe that you may need a few minutes to recover, or if you are like me, the rest of the night. I don’t want to spoil the book for you so I won’t say too much but if you see the ending coming, I will eat my hat!
I found the whole read to be well paced, expertly written and up to the standards we have come to know and love from the author. One of the best ones yet for me!
If you love a great love story with a whirlwind of a twisted ending, this is the book for you!
5 stars!!
Thank you to netgalley and random house publishing group for my review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
Colby wasn’t looking to meet anyone when he took on a gig in Florida for 3 weeks, away from his aunt and sister and the farm they all run together but fate had other plans the day he clapped eyes on the beautiful Morgan Lee.
With their shared love of music and the beautiful songs they have been writing together, the 2 embark on a whirlwind that leaves them both breathless and wondering if they make this work when they are both heading in different directions but as they work out their love for each other, Beverly is on the run with her son…. Running from a man so dangerous she fears she won’t make it out alive if he finds them….
This book took me on a tailspin of a ride that I didn’t want to get off of. Right in the brilliant way the author always executes his books, you will be left feeling windsweep and satisfied.
You will fall in love with Colby right from the beginning. The way he fought to figure out who he was and then came to become the man to bring their farm from the brink of ruin and take care of his sister Paige and his Aunt. His story is so tragic you will want to fold him up in a blanket and tell him it will all be ok.
Morgan I had reservations about but like me, you will come to love her quirky and sweet personality and you will see why they fell so deeply in love.
Beverly's story will tear you apart inside and the twist at the end will have you in so much shock and awe that you may need a few minutes to recover, or if you are like me, the rest of the night. I don’t want to spoil the book for you so I won’t say too much but if you see the ending coming, I will eat my hat!
I found the whole read to be well paced, expertly written and up to the standards we have come to know and love from the author. One of the best ones yet for me!
If you love a great love story with a whirlwind of a twisted ending, this is the book for you!
5 stars!!
Thank you to netgalley and random house publishing group for my review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
September 25, 2022
Wow 😱 Wow
DO NOT READ the BOOK DESCRIPTION!!
Just ENJOY the story.
I picked up this book on its publication day.
I didn’t read the blurb as to what it was about.
I was confused at first & it had lots of reminiscent hints from Safe Haven in some parts.
But then…💥 BAM 💥
It’s one of the most uniquely crafted stories I’ve read in a long, long time. It’s a love story, of almost every relationship in our lives.
In the end… I cried 😢… the way Nicholas Sparks always makes me cry with the aching heart full of love.
DO NOT READ the BOOK DESCRIPTION!!
Just ENJOY the story.
I picked up this book on its publication day.
I didn’t read the blurb as to what it was about.
I was confused at first & it had lots of reminiscent hints from Safe Haven in some parts.
But then…💥 BAM 💥
It’s one of the most uniquely crafted stories I’ve read in a long, long time. It’s a love story, of almost every relationship in our lives.
In the end… I cried 😢… the way Nicholas Sparks always makes me cry with the aching heart full of love.
September 2, 2022
I love the new direction Nicholas Sparks has taken in this novel and think it might be my favourite one! It's worth all the stars!
Sparks explores what it involves to risk it all in pursuit of a dream and questions if it’s ever possible to leave the past behind.
To do so, he’s crafted three incredible characters. Colby Mills is a 25 year old guy with a big heart who was headed for an aspiring musical career when he was sidelined by family duties. Readers will instantly love him and will be invested in his journey from the start. After so much heartache, I just wanted him to be happy. I loved his introspection in these questions: “Did love carry with it the power to make a person question everything? Did love make a person want to become someone new?”
Morgan Lee, the 21 year old influencer with aspirations for a singing career was annoying, asked too many questions, and was too in your face, but she was perfect for Colby. Despite not appreciating her personality, I loved her determination and loved her insight into the fake world of social media influencers.
The timeline with Beverly and her six-year-old son, Tommie, was my favourite. I was instantly hooked reading about her escape and was on the edge of my seat hoping they’d make it to safety. I honestly couldn’t imagine how these two timelines would merge and was blown away when they did - a manoeuver only an accomplished writer can pull off!
This needs to top your reading list…NOW!
I absolutely loved the heart-pounding suspense, the introspection, the romance, and the twists I did not see coming!
I was gifted this advance copy by Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Sparks explores what it involves to risk it all in pursuit of a dream and questions if it’s ever possible to leave the past behind.
To do so, he’s crafted three incredible characters. Colby Mills is a 25 year old guy with a big heart who was headed for an aspiring musical career when he was sidelined by family duties. Readers will instantly love him and will be invested in his journey from the start. After so much heartache, I just wanted him to be happy. I loved his introspection in these questions: “Did love carry with it the power to make a person question everything? Did love make a person want to become someone new?”
Morgan Lee, the 21 year old influencer with aspirations for a singing career was annoying, asked too many questions, and was too in your face, but she was perfect for Colby. Despite not appreciating her personality, I loved her determination and loved her insight into the fake world of social media influencers.
The timeline with Beverly and her six-year-old son, Tommie, was my favourite. I was instantly hooked reading about her escape and was on the edge of my seat hoping they’d make it to safety. I honestly couldn’t imagine how these two timelines would merge and was blown away when they did - a manoeuver only an accomplished writer can pull off!
This needs to top your reading list…NOW!
I absolutely loved the heart-pounding suspense, the introspection, the romance, and the twists I did not see coming!
I was gifted this advance copy by Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
November 16, 2022
My neighbor loaned it to me. I will never look at her the same way again. Vapid.
October 18, 2022
What a disappointment! This is the 5th Nicholas Sparks novel for me. And it was the worst in quality. I nearly graded it 2 stars but the last quarter of the book picked it up for me.
It was a dual timeline and I just couldn't get invested in our romantic couple. Plus the dream of musicians trying to make it never thrilled me in the first place. The second storyline had to do with a mother trying to escape from an abusive husband. And that storyline was much better and uncomfortable to read at times.
I look forward to better works from Nicholas Sparks.
It was a dual timeline and I just couldn't get invested in our romantic couple. Plus the dream of musicians trying to make it never thrilled me in the first place. The second storyline had to do with a mother trying to escape from an abusive husband. And that storyline was much better and uncomfortable to read at times.
I look forward to better works from Nicholas Sparks.
December 13, 2022
Ciekawa historia o tym, jak ważne jest podążanie za marzeniami i jak owe marzenia mogą nas czasem poprowadzić ścieżkami, których się nie spodziewamy. Z jednej strony mamy tutaj wakacyjny romans pomiędzy Colbym oraz Morgan, który może przerodzić się w coś więcej a z drugiej historię Beverly, która wraz ze swoim synkiem ucieka od męża tyrana. Przez sporą część książki nie wiedziałam, jak te historię się połączą. Co tu dużo mówić. Sparks mnie zaskoczył :)
July 28, 2022
I am such a fan of this author, but sometimes his books are either amazing or they can be hard to connect with. Sadly the latter was the case for me and this book.
The beginning was a bit slow to start. This is told from two different POV but not in alternating chapters. It’s grouped by parts and trying to figure out how each part fits with one another was a bit hard to understand. It felt like two different stories that didn’t belong, but this is the author's MO. He’s a storyteller of characters with a damaged past and the slow reveal of his stories is what keeps the reader hooked. Initially I didn't understand where the author was going and how Beverly and Colby’s world intertwined and unfortunately I think that was my downfall for this book.
The short chapters made this a fast read and kept my attention, but I had a hard time understanding the story as a whole. As individuals, I really enjoyed Colby and Beverly’s story, but trying to understand how their worlds collided didn’t make sense. Their narratives also threw me off with one being first person while the other was in third person. I feel that if the author took Beverly and Colby’s story’s and made two separate books it would have been the moving story I was hoping for. Though I didn’t connect with this book, I do see how this can resonate with other readers better than it did with me. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC
The beginning was a bit slow to start. This is told from two different POV but not in alternating chapters. It’s grouped by parts and trying to figure out how each part fits with one another was a bit hard to understand. It felt like two different stories that didn’t belong, but this is the author's MO. He’s a storyteller of characters with a damaged past and the slow reveal of his stories is what keeps the reader hooked. Initially I didn't understand where the author was going and how Beverly and Colby’s world intertwined and unfortunately I think that was my downfall for this book.
The short chapters made this a fast read and kept my attention, but I had a hard time understanding the story as a whole. As individuals, I really enjoyed Colby and Beverly’s story, but trying to understand how their worlds collided didn’t make sense. Their narratives also threw me off with one being first person while the other was in third person. I feel that if the author took Beverly and Colby’s story’s and made two separate books it would have been the moving story I was hoping for. Though I didn’t connect with this book, I do see how this can resonate with other readers better than it did with me. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC
February 19, 2023
This book was just not it for me. The insta-love…🤢 Just no. It seemed all very rushed and thrown together so the love story was just very unbelievable to me. The characters lacked any depth so I had a difficult time feeling connected to any of them. There didn’t seem to be much resolution. The ending was very unsatisfying and forced. I like how the two stories tied together and that’s about the only part I enjoyed about this book.
November 3, 2022
I’m sorry Nichols Sparks, this was not it. The main characters were a singer and a TikToker and it felt like he used a Wikipedia article as his reference for the two subjects. Really slow moving storyline, and waaay too much packed into the epilogue.
September 21, 2022
Thank you Random Publishing House & NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.
I have NEVER been more disappointed in a Nicholas Sparks novel than I am with this one. So, if you're a fan or you loved the book or you want to give it a try... I would stop reading my review right here. I cant DNF books because ultimately I've had a few that will redeem themselves in the last 50 pages, but this one didn't. It was just painful. I think it was more painful for me because I really loved his last novel The Wish.
The love story between Colby and Morgan was just BAD. I truly really liked Colby in the first chapter or so and that was about it. Farm boy meets TikTok famous brat. They instantly fall in love in 2 days. Nope. My BIGGEST problem with this book (and there were a few) was that it felt like Nicholas Sparks was trying WAY to hard to 'keep up with the times'. I need him to stick to old school men writing a girl 365 letters. This was just not it. AT ALL. I am actually upset to have to write this.
FINAL THOUGHTS: I hope Nicholas Sparks' next novel goes back to OG Nicholas Sparks. I called the 'twist' ending about 50 pages before it happened and that was the ONLY reason I kept going. The Beverly POV chapters were the only redeeming part of this story. And then we should just classify it as a mystery/thriller. Leave it at that. Don't get this book if you're expecting anything close to his old work.
I have NEVER been more disappointed in a Nicholas Sparks novel than I am with this one. So, if you're a fan or you loved the book or you want to give it a try... I would stop reading my review right here. I cant DNF books because ultimately I've had a few that will redeem themselves in the last 50 pages, but this one didn't. It was just painful. I think it was more painful for me because I really loved his last novel The Wish.
The love story between Colby and Morgan was just BAD. I truly really liked Colby in the first chapter or so and that was about it. Farm boy meets TikTok famous brat. They instantly fall in love in 2 days. Nope. My BIGGEST problem with this book (and there were a few) was that it felt like Nicholas Sparks was trying WAY to hard to 'keep up with the times'. I need him to stick to old school men writing a girl 365 letters. This was just not it. AT ALL. I am actually upset to have to write this.
FINAL THOUGHTS: I hope Nicholas Sparks' next novel goes back to OG Nicholas Sparks. I called the 'twist' ending about 50 pages before it happened and that was the ONLY reason I kept going. The Beverly POV chapters were the only redeeming part of this story. And then we should just classify it as a mystery/thriller. Leave it at that. Don't get this book if you're expecting anything close to his old work.
March 28, 2022
I've enjoyed Sparks' releases, they're emotional and thought-provoking while making you truly feel you're within the setting with the characters.
Even so, nothing prepared me for how much I Loved this book - with a fresh and all-consuming premise, it's two stories in one - which perfectly collided in a stunning jaw-dropping way.
With wanting each reader to have their own wowza experience, I don't want to say anymore - just preorder this book today!
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
Even so, nothing prepared me for how much I Loved this book - with a fresh and all-consuming premise, it's two stories in one - which perfectly collided in a stunning jaw-dropping way.
With wanting each reader to have their own wowza experience, I don't want to say anymore - just preorder this book today!
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
December 27, 2022
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘Hold on to Dreamland
Forever, not just today
Someday Dreamland will be ours
Hold fast, don’t fall away’
Famous around the globe for his bestselling books and films based on his novels, Nicholas Sparks presents his readers with Dreamland, his latest release. Two worlds collide in this engaging new Sparks tale, holding the reader completely captive with this risky love and life story.
Dreamland unveils the lives of two core protagonists in this poignant new journey tale from Nicholas Sparks. We meet Colby, a man who has big dreams of making it in the music world, but family pressures and obligations have got in the way of his career goals. But out of the blue, Colby agrees to take part in a gig that will change his life forever. Colby’s temporary dalliance in the music world leads him into the arms of Morgan, a star on the rise. Morgan soon inspires Colby to reignite his passion for music and she encourages him to take a chance on a new life with her. As Colby and Morgan forge an unforgettable bond, Beverly is a woman on a drastic journey. Escaping her violent husband and protecting her young son from his abuse, Beverly must forge a new undercover existence in a town where no one knows her name. With the constant threat of her husband finding out where she and her son are hiding, Beverly lives on the edge. Will Beverly find her safe haven? How will the lives of these three souls intertwine as their dreams collide with their past ?
Nicholas Sparks is one of my unquestionable auto buy authors. Although Dreamland was published in September, I reserved this latest Sparks release for the Christmas period. It is always a book treat to read a Nicholas Sparks novel and I’m happy to report that this was another fine read by the global bestselling author.
Told over seven page turning parts and sixty-eight engrossing chapters, Dreamland is the twenty fourth release from Nicholas Sparks, an author who needs no introduction. Utilising an alternating form of narration between a man named Colby and a woman named Beverly, Sparks presents two vastly different viewpoints. It is hard to see how and when Sparks will make the character linkage, but I placed my complete trust in one of my favourite writers. Eventually I was presented with a huge collision between the lives of Colby and Beverly. I loved how Sparks managed to bring these two contrasted protagonists together in a crushing turn of events. Poignant, sad, full of meaning and sacrifice, Dreamland was a moving read. I found most of the novel addictive and it really ramped up towards the last third of the story. I couldn’t turn the pages of Dreamland quick enough in the latter addictive stages of the novel.
Dreamland features a very immersive narrative style which allowed me to develop a lasting bond with Beverly. I was less enamoured by Colby and Morgan’s story, but they were still well rendered protagonists. I was itching to get back to Beverly’s journey each time Sparks made the switch back to Colby. I’m not sure why I found Colby’s story and romance plot less attractive. Beverly’s story had me riveted, as it featured some crime and mystery vibes. I was reminded of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy while following Beverly’s tense story. Sparks really involves the reader in Beverly’s narrative, so we feel an overwhelming sense of urgency, despair, nervousness and fear. Tying in themes of grief, loss, health, mental illness, parenting, family care and domestic violence, Sparks illuminates some rather heavy ground within the format of a highly accessible contemporary narrative. With periphery ideas on music, careers, love and hope, Dreamland is a bittersweet tale.
Do have a few tissues on hand as in true Sparks style this double story is both happy and sad, but Dreamland will leave your heart full.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘Hold on to Dreamland
Forever, not just today
Someday Dreamland will be ours
Hold fast, don’t fall away’
Famous around the globe for his bestselling books and films based on his novels, Nicholas Sparks presents his readers with Dreamland, his latest release. Two worlds collide in this engaging new Sparks tale, holding the reader completely captive with this risky love and life story.
Dreamland unveils the lives of two core protagonists in this poignant new journey tale from Nicholas Sparks. We meet Colby, a man who has big dreams of making it in the music world, but family pressures and obligations have got in the way of his career goals. But out of the blue, Colby agrees to take part in a gig that will change his life forever. Colby’s temporary dalliance in the music world leads him into the arms of Morgan, a star on the rise. Morgan soon inspires Colby to reignite his passion for music and she encourages him to take a chance on a new life with her. As Colby and Morgan forge an unforgettable bond, Beverly is a woman on a drastic journey. Escaping her violent husband and protecting her young son from his abuse, Beverly must forge a new undercover existence in a town where no one knows her name. With the constant threat of her husband finding out where she and her son are hiding, Beverly lives on the edge. Will Beverly find her safe haven? How will the lives of these three souls intertwine as their dreams collide with their past ?
Nicholas Sparks is one of my unquestionable auto buy authors. Although Dreamland was published in September, I reserved this latest Sparks release for the Christmas period. It is always a book treat to read a Nicholas Sparks novel and I’m happy to report that this was another fine read by the global bestselling author.
Told over seven page turning parts and sixty-eight engrossing chapters, Dreamland is the twenty fourth release from Nicholas Sparks, an author who needs no introduction. Utilising an alternating form of narration between a man named Colby and a woman named Beverly, Sparks presents two vastly different viewpoints. It is hard to see how and when Sparks will make the character linkage, but I placed my complete trust in one of my favourite writers. Eventually I was presented with a huge collision between the lives of Colby and Beverly. I loved how Sparks managed to bring these two contrasted protagonists together in a crushing turn of events. Poignant, sad, full of meaning and sacrifice, Dreamland was a moving read. I found most of the novel addictive and it really ramped up towards the last third of the story. I couldn’t turn the pages of Dreamland quick enough in the latter addictive stages of the novel.
Dreamland features a very immersive narrative style which allowed me to develop a lasting bond with Beverly. I was less enamoured by Colby and Morgan’s story, but they were still well rendered protagonists. I was itching to get back to Beverly’s journey each time Sparks made the switch back to Colby. I’m not sure why I found Colby’s story and romance plot less attractive. Beverly’s story had me riveted, as it featured some crime and mystery vibes. I was reminded of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy while following Beverly’s tense story. Sparks really involves the reader in Beverly’s narrative, so we feel an overwhelming sense of urgency, despair, nervousness and fear. Tying in themes of grief, loss, health, mental illness, parenting, family care and domestic violence, Sparks illuminates some rather heavy ground within the format of a highly accessible contemporary narrative. With periphery ideas on music, careers, love and hope, Dreamland is a bittersweet tale.
Do have a few tissues on hand as in true Sparks style this double story is both happy and sad, but Dreamland will leave your heart full.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
September 22, 2022
Two separate stories in this mesmerizing book kept me anxiously anticipating how they would come together. First, Colby is farmer and musical performer from North Carolina. At St. Pete Beach in Florida, he meets Morgan, a musician with aspirations of a musical career in Nashville, Tennessee. Secondly, Beverly escapes with her young son from an abusive husband, looking for a new and safe beginning in a small town. When the alternating parts of the book merge, the stunning events are heart pounding and moving.
I love the musical connections of Colby and Morgan, through song-writing and singing. With different backgrounds, their relationship was poignant as they navigated where their next steps would take them in career, personal life, and family. Beverly's struggles to overcome her memories and past took her to places I did not expect. Sparks' writing, as always, brings his readers to soaring peaks of emotional responses in this dramatic and breathtaking novel.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House, Random House
for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
I love the musical connections of Colby and Morgan, through song-writing and singing. With different backgrounds, their relationship was poignant as they navigated where their next steps would take them in career, personal life, and family. Beverly's struggles to overcome her memories and past took her to places I did not expect. Sparks' writing, as always, brings his readers to soaring peaks of emotional responses in this dramatic and breathtaking novel.
Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House, Random House
for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
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