Dreams Come True at Glendale Hall

Glendale Hall #5

by Victoria Walters

Lorna Ferguson has dreamt of opening her own bed and breakfast in the village of Glendale for as long as she’d pictured falling in love. While her love life remains frankly hopeless, Lorna is determined to secure Dove House – the home she imagined living in as a child – to start this new venture with her family.

Along with brother Adam, Lorna starts restoring the house to its Art Deco glory, but faced with a whole host of renovation problems and their money fast running out, they worry that Dove House will never be ready to open in the New Year.

When a mystery man turns up, needing to fulfil a promise he made to his dying father and find the object he left at Dove House many years ago, Lorna’s heart goes out to him. But what they find there is going to change both of their lives forever.

Facing problems at every turn, and distracted by her heart, Lorna is going to need all the magic that her beloved Glendale can supply to make all her dreams come true…

An uplifting, inspirational and romantic read that will warm your heart. Fans of Jenny Colgan and Heidi Swain will love this.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Romance

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2022

About the author

Victoria Walters is a full-time author living in Surrey. Victoria writes sweet and spicy rom coms including the BookTok viral hits THE LOVE INTEREST, THE PLOT TWIST and THE PARIS CHAPTER. She used to work in publishing and a bookshop, and has been a bookworm since childhood.

Victoria is also the author of the bestselling uplifting and romantic series GLENDALE HALL and the cosy crime series THE DEDLEY END MYSTERIES. Find out more about her by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on X at @Vicky_Walters or on Facebook and TikTok at Victoria Walters author.

Her new grumpy/sunshine spicy romance LONG STORY SHORT is out now.

Reviews

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

How lovely it was to be able to return to Glendale, and to feel right at home once the familiar characters popped up.

I'm sorry to say I'd forgotten that Lorna had appeared before, took until the authors note at the end for me to even realise, but given how much I enjoyed the book, I think that means I can easily say it works as a standalone novel

For the main story and relationships in this are all brand new. And there is even an early mystery to work out, as well as a lot of renovations and talk of dreams. Well more than talk of dreams, for dreams really do come true in Glendale, and it really is an apt title for this book.

I loved getting to know Lorna and her entire family, and was willing her and Adam on in realising their dream of owning Dove House, and turning into a cosy B&B.

There were plenty of various side plots going on, which I really enjoyed and found myself rooting for practically all the characters we meet. From familiar faces, to the new this was just a lovely cosy story to read.

So incredibly enjoyable and I really hope this isn't the last we see of the Glendale Hall gang.

Thank you to Hera for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria didn’t let me down at all and has so helped me get back in to reading was a brilliant book from the first page to the last with great characters and plenty of romance and mystery and following your dreams and showing you can do what you have dreamt of. Was lovely to go back to the village and follow two different people
Lorna and Adam are brother and sister and both of them aren’t happy in their jobs and when the house comes up for sale that they have always wanted to buy they decide they want to try and buy it. They are following on from their mothers dreams of running the house as a B&B but her mother never got the money together. They are worried they won’t have enough so see if they can find someone to help them. They put a bid in but also wrote a letter to the present owners saying why they wanted it and hoping they will get the house of their dreams. They do get the house as the owners want it to go to a family who will put the love back into it. They know they have a lot of work to carry out to make it a B&B and they start working but soon realise they are running out of money and bath wonder if they have taken on more than they can manage. But when a family member says they will help they realise they can do it. But also when a mystery man called Finley turns up what will they find out about him and will there be romance in store for someone and will there dream come true and get what they want.

[Emma Star Crossed Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.




Thank you to Victoria for my copy of this book and to Rachel for letting me take part in this tour. This is the 5th book sent in Glendale. All books can be read as standalones as they all follow different main characters.



This time we meet Lorna. Lorna is an easy character to like and root for. I found it easy to identify with her coming from a large family too. I absolutely loved the idea of running a B&B. I mean it's too much physical work and much too sociable for me, but I love the idea. I also loved hearing all the restoration stories and imagining how Dove House went from the disrepair at the beginning to the restored Art Deco version at the end.



Victoria’s books give me that real comfort feeling when I read them. I love to get a blanket and a hot drink and snuggle down into the fictional world she has created. I loved being back in Glendale and the autumnal start of the book is perfect for this time of year. I love autumn and I love Christmas and this book gave me both!



I absolutely loved this visit to Glendale and I hope we return again soon.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book very much. It was a feel good romance and about family and friendship!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is 5th book in The Glendale series and it is a wonderful one to read. The author has based her fictional village of Glendale in Scotland, it is a community with a warm welcome and once you have arrived you never want to leave.

Lorna and Adam are siblings, their mother took them to visit the wonderful Art Deco Dove House when they were small children. They have always loved the cottage and had dreams of one day owning the cottage and running it as a B&B. A huge undertaking but one that they suddenly have the chance of buying and making their dreams come true.

I adored the feeling of coming back to this community and the characters of Glendale and the surrounding area. Having read and followed this series, each book is a wonderful chance to sit and immerse myself in.

The challenge of renovating Dove House is a massive task, it will take all of Lorna and Adam's time, money and effort to get it to a stage where it can once again become habitable. Both are single and both are looking forward to starting this new venture, they have the support of their family and friends, well mostly! Some don't see the dream coming to fruition though.

There is something more to Dove House than either sibling realised, a mysterious visitor wanting to fulfil a final wish, a chance to start again, admissions as to feelings and being open to change is just the tip of the iceberg.

This is another fabulous instalment in this series, it has the warmth and familiarity of the previous books, and yes this is where I would suggest reading the series in order. To be fair though, each book could be read as a stand-alone as the author does give the basics of family and friendship connections from previous books.

If you are a fan of contemporary fiction stories that are centred around communities, friends and family then this is a book and series you really need to have on your list. The author creates each story with a wonderful heartwarming essence, nothing is straightforward and there are bumps in the road, but then that is very much what life is like.

Gorgeously written, with wonderful characters and a wonderfully heartwarming story that I would definitely recommend.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely get a coming home feeling when I read any of the Glendale books from Victoria Walters and I think Dreams Come True at Glendale Hall might be my favourite yet.
I loved Lorna’s story - having been introduced to her before, this story really shows her true character - the dreams and the setbacks that make up her life.
Dove House sounded beautiful and the way it had been brought back to life sounded idyllic- the perfect place to spend a night.
Vicky has that way of making you feel like you know her characters intimately- they’re friends who you care about and invest in their lives -
I loved the little fact that Lorna loved autumn and has a pumpkin mug ❤️

[Kate ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in a day!

Another great read, I loved the journey with this one and the nostalgia and the slow burn and i felt it wrapped up everyone's village story nicely.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a book series so thoroughly! I shall miss Glendale immensely

Just brilliant!

[Proud Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• References to a relationship broken up by parents
• Financial stress.
Characters
Lorna Ferguson is the middle child of her family and shares a dream with her older brother, Adam, to turn a local art-deco home into a B&B. Like a lot of people, Lorna is also plagued by doubts when things don’t quite go just right although she tries to stay optimistic like Adam.
Storyline
Unlike the other Glendale books I’ve read, this one felt more like a self-worth and confidence kind of story rather than a romance. Yes, there were elements of romance in it, but the story felt like it more heavily rotated around Lorna and Adam doing up Dove House into a successful B&B.
We go from the house coming on the market again, purchasing the house and then all the drama’s that come with renovating such an old house back into its prime and ready to open as a business.
Overall Thoughts
The biggest thing that I noticed with this one compared to previous books in the series is the style in which it’s written. All the others felt like it had a natural flow, super relatable characters (even if they were more relatable to people I knew rather than me personally) and realistic problems cropping up.
But this time, a lot of the conversations felt a bit stilted and forced, and the biggest financial setback shouldn’t have even been a setback unless the insurance industry in the UK has completely deviated to how Lloyd’s first established it back in the 1800’s (sorry yes, I work in Insurance and Finance designing the training for teams so I know very well what is and isn’t covered by insurance).
While I understand writing it that way to increase the drama, my work brain wouldn’t shut up and let me enjoy the twist. Instead it was shouting at me how wrong it was. And I completely acknowledge that insurance in the UK may be different enough to here in Australia, but this was a fairly basic part of insurance that I’m pretty sure wouldn’t be different… At least, not based on people I’ve spoken to in the industry.
But, if you don’t have that level of insurance knowledge you’ll have a great ride following the highs and lows of setting and setting up Dove House to be a great B&B with a side of just there romance that is super sweet and turns into the happy ending we all know we want.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fifth return to Glendale is as welcoming and reassuring as ever. The familiar characters are all there but this story revolves around Lorna, who has a lifelong dream to fulfil and her growing friendship with Finlay. Lorna is established as a distinct and credible character. Lorna's brother, Adam, is a supportive and encouraging brother. In fact, you are introduced to a whole new family and a secret from the past is unearthed. Lorna's family is as supportive as you can want, despite a few sibling rivalry ripples. It is interesting to see how some are able to revisit the past but at the same time, look forward and be grateful for the present. There is also a feeling that some things are not meant to work out but lead you ont to a better future.

You also feel the turn of the seasons as Autumn arrives and gradually makes way for Christmas. The yearly calendar of events at Glendale Hall moves on, with Hallowe'en and the winter trail featuring in the story. As the title suggests, several characters have dreams for their futures and in many ways, the community in the village work to help each other. This makes for a warm, feelgood flavour, just right for this time of year.

In short: a mystery to uncover and dreams to fulfil
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Victoria's work for a while now. I have read and loved each and every book that she has released to date. I have a particular fondness for her Glendale Hall series. When I heard that Victoria was going to release another book in the series, I knew that I had to read it as soon as I possibly could. Well ladies and gents, the wait is over because the fifth book in the series is called 'Dreams Come True At Glendale Hall' and it was released on 22nd September 2022. It's another cracker of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.

As soon as I started reading, I knew that there was a fair chance that I wouldn't be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day. I was blown away by the story and by how much I warmed to the main characters. I found that I just couldn't put the book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to see if I was on the right track or if I had the wrong end of the stick entirely. The pages were turning themselves that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and the page numbers became a blur. I kept everything crossed that things would work out well and that the characters would get the 'happy ever after' endings that each of them deserved. I soon got to the end of the story and I had to say 'goodbye' to Glendale Hall and the characters. I found 'Dreams Come True At Glendale Hall' to be a delightful story with lots of uplifting moments and the odd bit of romance too.

'Dreams Come True At Glendale Hall' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Victoria Walters. Victoria has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Victoria's books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. For me, this story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly gentle pace throughout. Victoria clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. The characters started to feel as though they had become friends of mine and I cared about what happened to them. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Dreams Come True At Glendale Hall' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreams Come True at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Lorna is following her dreams. But can she follow her heart?

Lorna Ferguson has dreamt of opening her own bed and breakfast in the village of Glendale for as long as she’d pictured falling in love. While her love life remains frankly hopeless, Lorna is determined to secure Dove House – the home she imagined living in as a child – to start this new venture with her family.

Along with brother Adam, Lorna starts restoring the house to its Art Deco glory, but faced with a whole host of renovation problems and their money fast running out, they worry that Dove House will never be ready to open in the New Year.

When a mystery man turns up, needing to fulfil a promise he made to his dying father and find the object he left at Dove House many years ago, Lorna’s heart goes out to him. But what they find there is going to change both of their lives forever.

My Opinion

I have only read one other of the books in this series so far, but it was nice to be welcomed back to Glendale. I can also vouch for the fact that this works well as a standalone.

This is an enjoyable and magical read, I found myself reading on to find out if Lorna's dream would come true. Set in Autumn, this is the perfect as the season begins to change. A lovely, uplifting read with some great characters.

Rating: 4/5

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams Come True At Glendale Hall is Book 5 in the Glendale Hall series. It was absolutely lovely to be back at Glendale Hall, with old and new characters. Such a superb story, with some wonderful surprises too. We meet back up with Lorna and her brother Adam who have always dreamed of opening their own Bed and Breakfast, but not just anywhere. Ever since they set foot in Dove House in Glendale when they were younger, that was the perfect house for their business. But there was a lot to overcome before they became the owners of Dove House but they did it! They certainly made their dreams come true! And with their determination, their spirit and the support of their family, friends and community, Dove House became not only their business but their home too. I loved the mystery part to the book and I did not work it out beforehand but it was a brilliant twist and addition to the story and I loved how it all turned out :-)

The book is set in the Autumn, which following Victoria Walters on social media, I know this is her favourite (and the best!) season and you could see so much of the author's favourite parts of Autumn shining throughout the story too.

An absolutely magical read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have loved all the Glendale Hall books but I think this may be my favourite! Everyone has dreams and with courage, dedication and persistence, just like Lorna and Adam, these can come true!

I hope that there is a Book 6 in the Glendale Hall series!

[Hannah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting a series with the final book isn’t always the recommended approach but I felt like the story still flowed really nicely and I was able to enjoy the storyline and all of the characters in the book. I really liked Lorna as a character, especially when she was with her brother Adam, as they make such a good team together. They just get on so we’ll with each other, I mean their whole family dynamic is lovely and it’s clear how close they all are.

I quite like browsing home accounts on Insta and watching DIY and home shows on tv so I really liked the whole renovation aspect of the book and could easily visualise the house and what Lorna was creating. It really did sound like such an incredible place with that charm that local B&Bs have.

So much of this book reminded me of Heidi Swain’s Wynthorpe Hall which has made me want to read more because I feel like I need to know more about these characters and their back stories. It’s just got that same charm and community feeling of everyone coming together that is so comforting as a reader.

It’s the characters and settings in this book that are making me feel like I’ll definitely return to Glendale Hall as I think I’ve missed out on their past. If you’re thinking of reading this and haven’t read the others then I think I’d read them first – I’ll do that and then let you know my verdict 😉 but I’m sure these characters and businesses will all have amazing stories of their own to tell.

[Readsandeats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in this series and it finished in a lovely way. I would recommend that you read the books in order.
We meet Lorna and her brother Adam, whom we met in the previous book. There is a house in the village that they have both loved since their childhood, their Mum used to visit the house when she was in her teenage years and always thought they would live there. The house, Dove House, is back on the market and Adam wants them to try and buy it again. 5 years previously they tried but were beaten to it. Lorna is not sure but with the help of Beth, the owner of Glendale Hall, they put a bid together and are successful.
We follow them as they renovate Dove House back to its Art Deco glory. There is also a romance for each of them, which helps round the series off. The plot is such that you keep turning the pages to find out what happens, the characters are well thought out and they feel like you are meeting friends. I love that we meet characters from the previous books and see what they are doing.

I have loved this series and its characters. You are drawn into their stories and also the setting. If you like clean romance with great characters and a setting you want to visit, then this is the series for you.

[Emma Mcvittie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the whole feel of the Glendale Hall series,if you haven’t read the others then you should.Victoria Walters this is your ‘bread and butter’

Feel good,light hearted,charming romance that will leave you smiling and give you all the cosy feels, even if a little repetitive in parts.I loved the whole family ,Kathleen was a favourite and lovely to see familiar characters pop up.
Art Deco is not my vibe,found it hard to imagine the b&b ! (Personal taste)
Lovely descriptions of Glendale.

An attempt at Scottish dialect had been made with ‘bonny baby’ but it’s Bonnie and a mention of Hogmanay but there was definitely room for much much more .
I think a ‘wee’ nod to Scottish stereotypes would of been nice.
Cans of coke,where’s your Irn Bru ?
A Mention of a ‘tattie scone’ at breakfast not just bacon,eggs and toast.
A tradition Scottish theme maybe in the renovation, even tartan cushions on the beds.
I won’t go on as I’m sure you get my point and that’s not to say just because your Scottish you only drink Irn Bru but when in Scotland…….

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have very much enjoyed all the previous books in the Glendale Hall series, so I was excited to get my hands on a copy of Dreams Come True at Glendale Hall.

I really enjoyed this story. The Art Deco Dove House sounds like such a great building, and I loved Lorna and Adam’s ambition to restore it and turn it into a small B&B.

I thought both Lorna and Finlay were great characters. I enjoyed watching the gentle romance between them develop, and each of them choosing the life that they want. The second romance was fun too. I also loved Lorna and Adam’s family. But Tabby was, of course, my favourite character!

Overall, this was a hugely enjoyable story, with two lovely romances. Perfect to curl up with on a chilly day!

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure heading back to Glendale. It just feels like going home!

This is our fifth visit to Glendale and this time the story belongs to Lorna with her brother Adam also having his story told. The siblings have always had a dream to tr buy Dove House, the house they both fell in love with when they were little. Nothing was going right for either of them, both unlucky in love, they don't love their current jobs and then their dream house comes back up for sale! Maybe, just maybe their luck is about to change in more ways than one.

I absolutely adored this book, from the very first page until the very end! I hope it's not our last visit to Glendale!

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a standalone and loved it so much that I immediately went and bought the first 4 books in the series.

This book just oozes community, feel good, family & friends, the excitement of a renovation of a B&B and even a mystery to solve.

The story is told first person by Lorna and she was so easy to love! Reading it as a stand-alone I have no idea if any of the characters were returning, but what I do know is that the characters, the setting, the story and the emphasis on dreams and living your dream was just lovely!

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved being back in Glendale as it’s such a friendly community where everyone looks out for each other. Lorna and her brother Adam are following their dream to have a bed and breakfast and they have set their hearts on Dove House which they visited as children with their mother. They have some setbacks along the way but family and friends help them to realise their dream. The art deco theme sounds beautiful and I would love to spend a few nights in this magical location. Full of warmth this was a cosy and uplifting read.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really gives you the feeling like you've just returned home after a long day with beautifully detailed settings and wonderful characters. I loved Lorna and her family and friends, I found myself cheering for them all. It also has lots of little side stories and a bit of mystery which I enjoyed and as the title says dreams really do come true. Overall it was a heartwarming and enjoyable read. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have followed all of this series and enjoyed them so regretfully this one was a disappointment. From the get go I struggled to place Lorna and, from the repetitiveness, I got the impression that the author did too. I never did feel part of it and was glad to finish it so I could start another - it was not quite bad enough to give up. They got there in the end but the lack of confidence made me wonder how they ever would. Hoping for better next time.

[Tenzing · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book needed a good editor. i was looking forward to coming back to glendale but this was an endlessly hammering the same sentiments over and over again. the timeline was ludicrous etc etc. i would have cut at least a third , asked for more reality and give the reader the chance to grow along instead of being hammered to embrace lorna's sentiments.... a pity, it could have been a treat but now i just want to check my enamel if it didnt crack with this immature sugary tale

[Mandy Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, I hadn't read any of the others on the apparently five book series and it really didn't detract from the story as it seems that each character has their own standalone story. Four and a half stars I think

[Gulsen Rizki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I love Glendale I want to go and live there and meet all the lovely people,hang on a minute they're not real, Victoria writes so beautifully about the characters they feel real. Highly recommend her books.

[Hannah Clarke (Love Books Actually) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh it’s so lovely to be back in Glendale! It’s like coming home to family. ‘Dreams Come True at Glendale Hall’ is the fifth book in the Glendale Hall series but can easily be read as a standalone. My advice though, read them from the beginning as they are all so lovely, it’s one community you’ll want to be part of.

Lorna has dreams of opening a bed and breakfast in the quaint village of Glendale since she was a little girl. Lorna’s mum introduced her to the beautiful ‘Dove House’ when she was young and it was love at first sight. No other place has ever come close. With Dove House back on the market, Lorna along with her brother Adam are determined to make their dreams into a reality.

Of course, It wouldn’t be a Glendale story without a few bumps in the road. Renovation problems, money worries and a mystery man turning up on the doorstep plus a loft full of history and secrets. With the grand opening in the New Year fast approaching, will Dove House be ready or will Lorna let her heart distract her.

Victoria Walters is a wonderful writer, creating beautiful settings, realistic characters bringing the autumn vibes that I’m all for! It is always an absolute joy to read her books and escape reality for a while. ‘Dreams Come True at Glendale Hall’ is a heartwarming story featuring family, friends, love and DIY! As always the Glendale series books leave me feeling warm and cosy with a big smile on my face. Nothing better than catching up with old friends!

Please be a sixth book to the series!!!

[patricia mctaggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was brilliant i hope you wright another very soon thank you

[Grace Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite series of books ever. Waited patiently for this book and I didn’t want it to end!!!! I hope there’s a new book in the series out asap! I love escaping to Glendale xxxxxxxx

[Kathryn Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story ❤️

[Elizabeth Dewfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favourite Glendale book so far

[Amna Waqar · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRB, packing all my stuff to move to Glendale.