Any Dream Will Do is a pleasant, undemanding escape. The book revolves around Shay, who has just been released from prison, and details her path back into society, and back into a positive life. Any Dream Will Do would make a good gift for an older, church-going relative.

Debbie Macomber once again has written a book that is sure to please each of her loyal fans as well as many new readers. What a fabulous story of someone with a rough past making changes and going through the different stages of making these changes. It was not just a feel-good, easy on the ears kind of a story. This showed the nitty-gritty of the struggles for both Lily and Drew to deal with these difficult circumstances. Thank you Debbie!!!

Any Dream Will Do is the third book in Debbie Macomber's Second Chances series. Shay Benson has spent three years in prison because she was lured into helping her brother. When she is released, the prison bus stops in front of a Seattle church. On such a chilly day and with nowhere to go she enters the sanctuary seeking warmth. What she finds is a second chance.

Pastor Drew Douglas has been struggling since the death of his wife Katie,, who succumbed to ovarian cancer. He is doing his best for their two children, but he is hollow inside and lost. As he is praying at the front of the church, a beleaguered young woman carrying an old fashioned suitcase enters. He was praying for help, for a sign, and here is this person in need.

And thus begins a story of how second chances come when least expected from the most unlikely sources. The plot twists, the storyline keeps you guessing, and we all root for a happy ending. Debbie Macomber again weaves an interesting story of people from different walks of life. I do recommend this book

Shay Benson is a felon having served time for embezzling money from her employer to help her younger brother pay off loan sharks. Drew Douglas is a widower with three young children. He is pastor of the church where Shay seeks shelter after being released from prison.

"Any Dream Will Do" is about Shay's and Drew's lives; how they sometimes take separate paths and at other times intersect.

The story started out a little slow for me, but in true Macomber style, eventually pulled me in with interesting characters and their developing relationships.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely the most uplifting book I’ve read this year. After reading many deep and troubling novels, some that I just couldn’t finish, I was so happy to come across this gem that is filled with hope and love! Shay Benson made bad choices in her life, but was on her way up when she makes the worst choice ever, which was to illegally help her worthless brother out of a financial jam. Needless to say, Shay pays the price for this horrible lapse in judgement by spending three years in prison. After her release, she meets Drew, a widowed pastor, who is also searching for what is missing in his life. He directs her to a fresh start at a halfway house. Shay’s dream of rehabilitation and a good clean life come together with the help of Drew, his children and a community of friends, but not without a few bumps in the road. These bumps are what make this story so very wonderful and realistic. I cannot recommend this book enough. As I said, very uplifting without being too preachy. Have a tissue or two handy!
Thanks so much to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this advanced copy.
1 like

This isn't a typical romance. I really enjoyed it. It moved me to tears too. It is all about love, sacrifice, second chances and redemption. The hero and heroine are not the typical types. A pastor and an ex-con. Although Shay isn't the criminal type, she did spend 3 years in prison. Drew had suffered a great loss when his wife died and left him with 2 children. Shay came into his life and helped him to see that he needed to live again, not just exist. So many are against their relationship and the question is what are they willing to sacrifice to be together.

So we have Shay who apparently has had a horrible upbringing, sleeping around and dating a drug dealer and then up in jail for embezzlement so she could help her brother. After 3 years she is let out of jail and she ends up in a Church to get warm and to figure out what to do with her life.

Drew is a pastor that is struggling with his life ever since his wife died 3 years ago and left him with 2 children.

Drew helps Shay get into Hope House to get her a new lease on life. Even though they don't really ever see each other they think about each other all the time.

It was a cute romance but the background and character development was lacking. If Shay was this bad ass girl, you couldn't tell cuz she was so cute and fluttery all the time.

Shay becomes friends with Drew when she seeks shelter from the cold in his church. He's a widower with two children and wants to help Shay find a job and a place to live. Their friendship becomes more as they learn more about each other and and the children come to love Shay. When money is stolen from the church Shay is accused. She didn't do it but knows who did and promised not to tell. This is a story of faith and love. Debbie Macomber is a master with this line. Never too preachy but a nice balance of love mixed with faith.

I was taken by surprise by the Christian themes and obvious romantic plot in this book. I also felt that the very beginning where she steals money for her brother was a little unbelievable. Couldn't get past the first 25% of the e-book, and wouldn't recommend. There are better Macomber books to read than this.

When I see the name "Debbie Macomber" on a book jacket, I know I am in for a treat. Her books are filled with uplifting emotion that make the reader want to keep turning the pages. This book, ANY DREAM WILL DO, features two people who have had heartbreak in their lives. The story line weaves around their lives and learning to have faith enough to love again. It is a little darker than some of Ms. Macomber's work, but no less special. I felt encouragement in Shay's experiences and convictions. This truly is a feel good story that is well worth your time. Highly recommend!

Debbie Macomber does it again with her latest book. One of the themes in this book, second chances, is one that Macomber often writes about but this time the presentation is different. The author is dealing with a wide-spread problem in today's America but is presented with a different style. One can find the storyline through the children, Shay and Drew, as well as their various friends and foes. Congratulations, Debbie, for taking a social problem and addressing it with the truth and, yet, having light-hearted/humor intertwined in the story. I thank NetGallery and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An Ex-Con and a Pastor Find Love

Shay has just been released from prison for embezzling from the bank she worked for. The victim of an abusive father, a mother who died young, and a manipulative brother, Shay hasn’t had much of a chance. She pulled away from a relationship with Shooter, a drug dealer, but when her brother owed money to Shooter and others, she felt she needed to get the money for him and took it from the bank.

Feeling that she’s lost her chance at a good life, Shay is lonely and depressed when she gets off the bus from prison. It’s freezing and there’s a church in front of her. She enters to get warm, and it changes her life.

Drew Douglas, pastor of the church, feels that he is losing his faith after his wife’s death. He’s praying when Shay walks in. Meeting her, he wants to help and by helping gives them both a chance at a more fulfilling life.

This is a Christian romance. The emotion between Drew and Shay is powerful, but all at the level of propriety, no bedroom scenes. Shay has a hard time giving up her defensive attitude to accept help and friendship from others. I found this the most realistic part of the book.

As usual in a romance, the course of love doesn’t run smooth. In this case, it’s due to Shooter and Shay’s brother reappearing in her life, as well as her prison past coming back to haunt her. I enjoyed the book. Some of it seemed too good to be true. However, it was an enjoyable, quick read.

If you like Christian romance, Debbie Macomber is always a good choice.

Loved, loved this book. Redemption, second chances and forgiveness are important lessons to learn in life and Debbie showcased all of these admirably in this book.

Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber was the perfect read for me this summer! This book is all about starting over, finding faith, forgiveness, redemption, change and of course, romance. It remained true to Ms. Macomber's writing style of realistic characters, well defined relationships and a good strong plot full of clean romance.

What really touched my heart the most was the sub-themes Ms. Macomber wove into her story. Those of faith, redemption, forgiveness, finding one's self and living true to that self. Accepting someone for who they are and not turning away from them if they aren't who we usually would socialize or reach out to.

We all have made poor choices and mistakes; some big and some small. Some with repercussions that quickly pass and others that can last a life time. Within this book, Ms. Macomber showed that anything can be accomplished through God's love and faith if we just reach out to Him.

Any Dream Will Do is a heart touching story that is well written and moved me emotionally on many levels. I highly recommend it!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Macomber, Ballentine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Any Dream Will Do is a wonderful story of the power of faith, of love and of redemption. I was caught up in the book in the first chapter and could not put it down. Debbie Macomber writes such beautiful stories with the element of faith woven in and I always enjoy the time I spend reading one of her books. This one is no exception.

Shay Benson feels a strong sense of loyalty to her brother Caden and that loyalty costs her dearly. She is lost and alone when she stumbles upon a church with an open door. She finds her way in from the cold and is confronted by the pastor (Drew Douglas) who reaches out to her and wants to help her get on her feet.

As the story progresses, Shay finds herself growing stronger in her convictions and in her ability to stand on her own two feet. Drew is drawn to her as he befriends her and he realizes that he is starting to develop feelings towards her.

The congregation that Drew serves is skeptical of his relationship with her and does its best to discourage him from helping her. They are more concerned about appearances than about helping someone in need. When a crisis occurs that puts Shay in danger, Drew stands up for her and is willing to turn his back on his calling to that church.

Just as they are feeling that things are finally working out for them, an incident in the church threatens to undo the trust that Shay has built up in herself as well as in Drew and his family. The outcome depends on Shay betraying a secret which she is reluctant to do.

The romance that develops between Drew and Shay is a sweet one which grows slowly through the book. They both have pain in their lives… Drew is a widower who lost his wife and the mother of his two children…..Shay was betrayed by her brother and paid an awful price so trust is hard to come by. Watching them help each other come to a place of freedom and of redemption was the best part of the book.

I would recommend this book without hesitation and offer here my honest review.

Loved this book. As always Debbie Macomber never disappoints. You always know that it will have a happy ending but that is why I enjoy her books and recommend them to friends and when I am working in the bookstore. Thanks so much for the advanced copy!

Another homerun for Debbie Macomber! Such a sweet story about love, life, and overcoming life's challenges. Shay and Drew were seeking signs from a higher power to help steer them to the next steps for their lives, and found it all in each other. A very easy flowing quick read.

Any Dream Will Do --- It is so true, when your faith, love and dreams have been crushed, that it is hard to dream again. Why bother?

Debbie Macomber writes a story of hope where hope seems futile. Other reviewers have provided great summaries of this story and the main characters, Shay and Drew. I'd like to focus on the underlying theme: Love wins.

Life is hard; terrible things happen to good people. It's so easy to become bitter, to lose trust in others, to always expect the worst from people, to anticipate disappointment. Why should we bother dreaming about a better future?

That is the heart of "Any Dream Will Do". A seed of hope can flourish and bloom. God presents opportunities when they are least expected. When we keep hope alive and keep our eyes and hearts open, miracles are possible. This story reminded me of those truths, and I needed that reminder.

I am grateful to Random House Publishing- Ballantine and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to Debbie Macomber for for reminding me that miracles can happen.

Another great read by Debbie Macomber. This book is a story about redemption and starting over. Shay is standing in a church, freshly released from prison with no money, family or plan. One step away from being homeless she is given a chance for recovery. This was a truly warm, fuzzy read as most of Macomber's books are. Yes there is tragedy and bumps along the way, but you feel better about life at the end. I really can't explain it, but her books always make me believe in happily ever after and in this crazy world who doesn't need a little of that.
A perfect escape from life and a great beach read.

Debbie Macomber is known for her stories of overcoming mistakes and regrets. Of people changing and finding new paths. And also connecting with those that are seemingly opposite’s in every way. But this story seems to take that theme to a different level.

I’m not sure what it is that made this book different for me. Two completely opposite people that are struggling to find an answer to what is missing in their lives? To find happiness? Or maybe it’s the fact that it is an unacceptable relationship for many?

The fact of the matter is, and as the author poignantly points out, is that recognizing and feeling a connection between two people is God’s will and not our will. The only thing we have to do is be open and excepting of that relationship, as long as it is healthy.

This story is rich with deep emotion and intense feelings. We get to know these two people on an intimate level. I am not talking physically, but emotionally. Choices can be difficult – right or wrong and everyone involved in the story had something to learn and deal with. It was a powerful read for me.

While I think some of the background on Shay could have been explored more intensely so we could connect with her better, there is only so much an author can pack in without overwhelming the reader. The author chose to focus on the present and not too much from the past. It was enough for me.

Overall, this book is brought to us from a Christian point of view and is a lovely romance for all ages. Another winner with Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber. Don’t miss it!