Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber is a feel good, rose colored glasses tale of redemption. Shay is a young woman who is both physically and verbally abused and taken advantage of for most of her life. She ultimately ends up in jail. Having completed her sentence, she is released with almost no resources. Having nowhere to go, she tucks into the back pew at the church closest to the bus stop. This is where she meets Pastor Drew. He recognizes her need for a support system and puts her in touch with friends who run a program that offers a safe place to reestablish oneself over the course of a year. As long as Shay keeps her nose clean and works hard, she will be given the opportunity and skills for a fresh start.

During that year, Shay makes amazing progress. Although she hits many stumbling blocks, thanks to her new support system she maturely works through each and every situation. She develops strong personal relationships and turns to God for support, something she had never done in her past.

While well written, this story is not really my cup of tea. It glosses over the bad elements in Shay’s life and focuses on every tiny good thing that happens making it too unrealistic for me. I’ve personally seen the struggles people have when trying to recover from the things that Shay has gone through and in real life, things rarely go from rock bottom to flying high with such ease.

Darn you Debbie, one of these days I'm going to make it through one of your books without crying. I think you secretly enjoy making us all a little weepy.
This is a story of second chances. Shay has nowhere to turn when Hope comes into her life. Drew has lost Hope and is trying to find the light. Together they find a path that had bumps and turns but brings them to the place they were meant to be.

Another Debbie Macomber book that I read in just a few days. I loved the characters and the plot in Any Dream Will Do. It's such a great, feel good story. This book had me from the start and it was hard to put down. It's a sweet read about second chances, faith, love, letting go, and finding happiness. Basically what we all want (and need) in life.

After reading the synopsis I was sure I knew what type of story I'd be reading, but I was very surprised to find out what a wonderful book Any Dream Will Do is. I honestly think it is my favorite Debbie Macomber novel ever.

This book, in my opinion, is a pretty big departure for Debbie Macomber. Yes, there's a love story, but in this story there is prison, crime, homelessness and much more. Debbie's books are usually uplifting, with a HEA, but this one really dug beneath the surface and explored deeper issues of abandonment, loyalty, standing up for oneself, second chances and redemption.

I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to everyone. I kept reading faster and faster, wanting to reach the end, but not wanting to either, because then it would be over.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has everything and yet, just enough. Give it a chance, you'll be happy you did.

Thank you very much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for making an ARC available to me.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the author in return for an honest review. Shay and Drew are not your typical couple. Shay starts off by going to jail for embezzling money from the bank she works at in order to help her brother, and Drew is a recent widow with 2 children who happens to be a Pastor.

The two meet on the day Shay gets out of jail, when she stops in Drew's church for a while to figure out where she's going to spend the night. Drew helps get her in a program that helps people turn their lives around, and Shay helps Drew recover from the death of his wife.

The story takes place over several years, and you meet Drew's children, parishioners, and several other characters who all help give the main characters depth.

A most beautifully written, engrossing and inspiring novel about trust, hope, love and about finding one's faith. Debbie Macomber's words are so carefully chosen and written in this most uplifting novel. Bringing laughter and tears, but most of all hope --- it is a book to not only be read, but to be cherished and re-read to remind us all of what we can accomplish with good friends, a strong support network and perseverance. Thank you so much for the opportunity to have read this title before publication ---- it was a definite joy!

I know I can always depend upon a Debbie Macomber book to be uplifting, and a good read. Her characters are real people with real struggles, that you could easily meet standing in line at a grocery store. They are the type of books that I like to curl up with after a long, hard day and unwind.

This book did not disappoint. It is a story about starting over and second chances. One character made a mistake and paid the price, and is trying to start over. Another suffered a huge loss, and is trying to work past the grief and learning to move forward. Just as in life, there are ups and downs, people who need a little help (and those why may not be ready to accept it) but the overall mood of the story is hopeful and it is nice to see things working out for the main characters.

If you are looking for a great book to sink into that has a little romance, and a lot of heart, this is the book for you!

When I started reading this book I was sure I'd already read Any Dream Will do. As the story progressed I realized it was like another story. I did enjoy the read and will always read Debbie Macomber books.

"Any Dream Will Do" by Debbie Macomber... put it on your MUST read list!! Can you guess? I loved this story. Shay and Drew will keep you turning those pages. As you share their fears, heart-breaks, joys, and growth. This is definitely a 5-star worthy must read. I would go on,,, but then I might tell you too much of the story and I spoil the read for you. I loved that I only knew it was a "Debbie" story... and I met everyone for the first time as I read the book.

I have been looking forward to this book since January when I found it was in the works. I read the email from Debbie and began counting the days. Obviously, I was thrilled to read this ARC.

Debbie Macomber is the A#1 Author for me- I have been buying, reading, and loving her for many years. I was able to meet her at a book signing and she was better in person, and I fell more in awe of her. She is incredible. I can use her books to escape my life and live in hers while I am reading. I encourage everybody to read her books. I have even bought her books and given them to strangers to encourage others to read her. I got the Independent Book Store by me to carry her books (he now has an entire section for her books).

This is an amazing story of second chances both at life and love. I enjoyed the Seattle Seahawks talk (we are fans) -especially that they beat the Patriots. The pair both have pain in their past and need help to get past that pain and on to a brighter future. They need to learn to trust their feelings and each other to find redemption.

Another winner for Debbie Macomber- I highly recommend!!

Debbie Macomber creates a delightful story all about second chances, love, friendship and family. Shay has never been good with making the right choices. She has even turned her back on her brother and family which leads her to going to prison. The day she is released from prison, she catches a bus and ends up getting off at a stop that is in front of a church. This is where her life starts to take a drastic change. Shay gets a chance to change her life and ends up falling in love with Drew who has two children. Without given too much of the story away, I will say that their relationship is put to the test. I will say I was completely drawn into this amazing read. I have read many books written by Debbie Macomber and loved them all. I find that this book does not disappoint. ** I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.**

This is a wonderful story about second chances. Shay has not always made the best decisions, including helping out her brother which left her in prison. The day she is released the bus drops her off in front of a church, and hat is where he life changes. Overtime, Shay is given a lot of opportunity to change her life, including finding love with Drew and his two children. Shay and Drew are put to the ultimate test, but in the end their faith in each other leads to a heartwarming happily ever after. Debbie Macomber has a way of bringing characters to real life. The story line had me from the first opening pages and I loved every moment of the book. This emotional journey is one not to be missed and I highly recommend this book.

I typically think of Debbie Macomber romances as the lightest of light reading. Any Dream Will Do was very pleasantly surprising. I liked the characters in the book and the strong theme of overcoming past mistakes. I thought of it more as women's lit than fluffy romance. I liked it!

What an uplifting read. I can't sing the praises enough on why you should read this. Debbie Macomber delivered a powerful tale resonating with themes of forgiveness, redemption, second chances, faith and the power of love. Shay endured a terrible home life and as a result ended up spending time in prison. When we meet her, we fight a young woman lost, dejected and rejected by society. She has nowhere to go and enters a church on a whim. Shay doesn't even know why she is there. She doesn't believe in prayer. But, that's when her life begins to change.
Shay meets Pastor Drew Douglas and he decides to help her. As the story progresses, we will see this young woman come into her own and her true nature will begin to shine through despite all her adversities. We will also see Drew overcome his issue and wonder, will he open his heart?
What I loved is that Debbie Macomber didn't rush the story, but gave her readers a chance to savor every moment and rejoice with every step of Shay and Drew's journey. Debbie Macomber didn't shy away from serious topics, but tackled them with such authenticity that I felt as if I were there in the scenes. Great use of secondary characters. I admit I got teary-eyed at the end. I highly recommend.

Quotes that ministered to me.
"When we worry," Drew continued, "we take reality and move it in the realm of fiction. What is real is transferred into the land of monsters and dragons, which are far bigger and frightening than they really are."
"I never confused God with the church. We're all human. We all make mistakes. The key is not allowing anyone to stand in the way of how we view our Lord."
"I refuse to focus on our past mistakes; God takes each one of us exactly where we are and so do I. Instead of focusing on the past, I prefer to look at the potential God has given each of us."
Thank you NetGalley.