Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber sucked me in right from the beginning and I couldn't believe that it was 352 pages long. It felt like 100. It is delightful, warm and entirely a 'feel good' book. And... just a little different to her other books to make me sigh with happiness when I had finished.

I loved the characters. Shay is a little hard edged to begin with, but then her life has been no picnic and she has had it tough since childhood. Now being 'played' by her brother and having just completed three years imprisonment, she is in danger of being out on the street until she meets Drew Douglas.

Sure Drew is a pastor, but he is still in depression after losing his wife Katie and could himself be in danger of losing his role at the church. However in reaching out to help Shay he finds friends who reach out a hand to him and lift him up and out. He has two adorable children Mark and Sarah, they take  up a good space in the story and I really liked that.

As well there are a circle of people around Drew and Shay who are minor characters but are mostly very likeable or a little prickly but redeemable. There are a couple of homeless men who caught my attention, both wonderful and showed a side of Shay that said so much about her. I would have liked to see a little more of them.

There is a little bit of mystery towards the end that seems to put Shay in danger of losing what she has worked so hard for. That mystery wasn't difficult to work out ( I think the reader was meant to do so), but it all works out of course. 

A charming, warm and uplifting story.

This is a story of second chances at love and at life for both the main characters, Drew and Shay. Shay, after first meeting Drew, found the Hope House. The Hope House took her in, gave her a food and shelter and counseled her while preparing and encouraging her for a future after prison. Drew had been crippled by grief for his late wife, barely keeping it together for his two kids and his congregation. After meeting Shay, he reached out to friends, started interacting more, and became a better Pastor. Their chance meeting became a catalyst that started them both on the right track with their lives. Although obstacles kept getting in their way from Shay's past and Drew's church, they managed to fall in love and be there for each other. I really cared about the characters and cried right along with them through their trials and tribulations. I strongly encourage you to read this book. It has now become my favorite book by Debbie Macomber.

I received this book free from Ballantine Books and Netgalley for an honest review.

ARC - I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
Shay was just trying to help her brother, and for that she went to prison.
Now that she is out, she does not know what she will do.
Pastor Drew gave Shay a chance.
It seems that Shay was in the right track.
She was starting to feel like she belonged again.
Then, everything came crashing down.
Accused of the crime as before, Shay still will not tell the true.
She went to prison to protect a loved one.
Will she do the same thing again?
This was some a moving story.
I was rooting for Shay from beginning to the end of the book.
She deserved a HEA.
Love the book! + Love the ending!

This book is a true to life story that once you fix one thing,another problem lands in your lap! This will be in my favorite books from Debbie! This is a heartbreaker. Drew is a Pastor with two children, Mark and Sarah. Shay has been in prison for her brother. Major Spoiler! He helps her to get in a homeless project. She has worked to get her own renter. Shay gets work in a small cafe where she finds Richard and Chuck sitting by the cafe. She buys coffee for them. Spoiler. Shay's ex-lover gets out of prison in a wrong release!  She is battered. Drew is falling for her. She is also falling. She counts  the church money and some is gone. She is tossed out. There are so many troubles with everyone here. Debbie has a really good read here. You must check this book out to read to the end! Debbie writes the best story lines! I hope you won't let this story get away! I volunteered to read and review this book.

This is  a great story of a young woman starting over after being in jail.  And a pastor with two young children willing to help her. I would recommend this book. I received an advance copy from the author and NetGalley.  This is my honest review.

Could you find it in yourself to give someone a second chance? What if that someone embezzled money to help a family member? What if that someone left you to face the consequences by yourself? 

Debbie Macomber's, Any Dream Will Do, follows Shay from her moment she embezzled money to "save" her brother to trying to get her life back together after a 3 year stint in prison. Macomber does a terrific job in showing all sides of what someone faces when they reenter society after time in prison. The ups and downs of trusting, making friends and learning to love.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the voice Macomber used. As I was reading, it almost felt as if I was reading a true story. The novel is told from both Shay's and Drew's first person point of view. You feel as if you are sitting in  a cozy living room face to face with the characters and listening to them telling you the story.

Macomber makes the reader think how they approach similar situations in their life. Her use of faith is great. Mainstream fiction tries to shy away from having to much faith talk in it but I find myself as a reader looking for it more. Any Dream Will Do has a faith based plot but it is not overwhelming. I would recommend this novel to everyone I see. This book will be with me for some time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my own honest review.

We all need dreams and sometimes even a second chance. This heartwarming story is full of love and hope.

I would like to thank Debbie Macomber, Random House and Netgalley for giving me this book for my honest review!
Review By Stephanie
Caden owns some nasty people a lot of money so he runs (like always) to his sister for help. Shay is living paycheck to paycheck barely making it but there was one way she could get him the money but it defiantly wasn't legal. But he said he would pay her back ASAP so no one would ever know and it would be like borrowing not stealing......well not so much! Once Shay gave Caden the money he ran and never looked back.....even after his sister got arrested.....even after receiving letters from his sister in prison.
Shay was released from prison with the nothing. No place to go, no one to help her so she finds a church with a Pastor names Drew. Drew lost his wife and was raising two kids on his one. Drew helps Shay get into a shelter where she gets the help she needed.
Shay and Drew form a friendship and they really help each other throughout this book. But of course the happiness doesn't last forever...and this is when Caden returns.

It is hard for me to say that any Debbie Macomber book is a romance book.  Yes, of course, there is a HEA, but her stories are so much more than that.  This story is a story of redemption and second chances and I really don't mean that for the romance.  Rather, this story has Faith as its foreground and the Belief that a higher power helps guide us all.  This story wound its way around my heart as all the characters had such depth.  This story had a quiet impact that left me feeling hopeful.  I will leave it to others to summarize the plot.  I just really enjoyed this book.  Thanks as always to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

There are times in life when you have no other choice but to make a fresh new start. Only problem is that Shay has no clue where or even how to get that new life started. She’d done something stupid. Well, helping your brother out of trouble shouldn’t be stupid, only doing the wrong thing that put her behind prison walls would certainly qualify. Now she’s faced with rebuilding a life, with a record. The church seemed like a good place to sit and think, maybe even send up a small prayer. She couldn’t have known that she was in exactly the right place at the right time to start something new… perhaps far more than she could have dreamed possible for her.

Drew has been in mourning over his wife’s lost battle to cancer for years now. As a pastor he knows that she is in God’s hands now, only as a man who loved his wife he really wants her at his side, raising their kids together. Illogical he knows, especially for a man of faith but the heart feels what it wants, and he wants his wife. His family, his congregation are suffering as a result of his continued grief. It’s time to make a life decision. He couldn’t have known that part of his healing was sitting in his church pews right now doing her own soul searching. By reaching out to help a stranger Drew has set his feet upon a path to his future. But nothing always runs smoothly. In time he and Shay will have to face some difficult times. Will what they begin here in this quiet church pew stand the tests to come?

Any Dream Will Do is such a lovely second chance at life story. You can’t help but feel for both Shay and Drew. We’ve all made stupid mistakes and paid for them, most of us have lost a loved one to death and question why for a very long time. This couple isn’t all that different from the average person walking down the street in your own home town… only the circumstances might be slightly different. Drew and Shay begin with a tentative friendship which grows slowly, steadily over time. It feels real, it feels natural and it just feels right for them. When trouble comes calling they will have choices to make. I liked this couple very much. I believe you would as well.

If you’re looking for a realistic, natural moving romance with believable characters then I’d highly recommend Any Dream Will Do. Debbie Macomber once again delivers a touching story with faith, hope and love deeply involved. She is one of my favorite, go to authors and if you haven’t discovered her yet then this story would be a lovely place to start.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This is a must read story about second chances, building friendships and finding love when you least expect it! The story line has regret, guilt, hope and faith. This is an emotional read and I found it hard to put down. The characters are strong but are also vulnerable. With faith and love, anything is possible!

From the first to the last page this story became a compelling page-turner, and I could just see it unfold like a TV movie, and it sure would make a great one.
Shay Benson has not had an easy life, and early on took responsibility for her brother, and in the end it costs her dearly to the point she ends up in jail.
Fate or not, I believe God had a hand in bringing her just where she needed to be on that December day, and just where Pastor Drew needed her to be. Yes, he needed her as much as she needed him, and in turn they are the saving of each other, and the beginning of new lives.
This story has it all, so much love and compassion for fellow man, no matter their station in life. Shay ends up worming her way into the hearts of Drew’s children, and of course Drew, but will the parish ever accept him having a relationship with a convicted felon?
There are life lessons here for everyone, from a little child to an elderly person, from the rich to people living on the street, and you see God working with all of them. A book you don’t want to miss!
I received this book through Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group, and was not required to give a positive review.

Two people from very different backgrounds meet and change each others lives A Pastor and an Ex Con meet by chance and change each others lives in ways either could ever imagine. A very sweet romance develops between both of them as they each have obstacles to overcome..

I've read nearly every Debbie macomber book there is and she NEVER disappoints! This was a great book and I would recommend to everyone! Loved it!

“I decided I could either live my life in fear or I could—simply put—live my life. I refused to look over my shoulder or stop before turning every corner to make sure I was safe. I chose instead to breathe easy, and to put my trust in God. It was either that, or I would soon be afraid of my own shadow.
					-Shay

Debbie Macomber’s latest novel is all about second chances and what we do with them. In this very detailed story of one woman’s opportunity after a lot of bad mistakes, Shay, a quiet young woman, leaves the Washington Correction Center for Women and begins her search for a place to stay. Shay’s life is turned around because of her encounter with Drew Douglas, a pastor who finds a program for women in her circumstance. 

The story follows Shay’s path through the Hope Center program and after her release in to civilian life with all its ups and downs. Her opportunities and choices reflect the difficulties involved in making a life for oneself again. The book highlights the attitudes and prejudices ex-convicts are up against once they leave prison, as well as offering some important perspectives on redemption and forgiveness.

The story is a little bit difficult to believe if you try to accept it as a realistic incidence. However, if you take the book as a fictional story as intended, the story is enjoyable and has a nicely tied up ending. 

I received this book free from Ballantine Books and Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The above thoughts and opinions I have expressed are wholly my own

This is a beautifully told story of mistakes, loss, redemption, healing, faith and love. It's a Debbie Macomber book so we know the writing and characters are top notch but the emotions this story evoke are definitely kicked up a notch.

Shay Benson has made mistakes and paid the price in prison. On the day of her release with no were to go she stumbles into a little church. This one act will have a huge impact on her life.

Pastor Drew Douglas has been going through the motions of living since the death of his wife. His two children need him to be better and he wants to be better but moving forward is hard. Then a woman enters his church who while dealing with her own life issues shows him the way to healing and moving forward.

This story is impactful and simply not to be missed!

I loved it. I really enjoyed this book and reading til the end!

A moving read about second chances and keeping your faith handy even when times are tough! Great characters, fun connections, lots of lessons learned, and just a general good feeling book!

Shay Benson didn't have a great life, but she was on solid footing towards bettering herself when she was faced with a personal dilemma. With the path she chose, she broke trust and confidences and lost her way. Now trying to pick up the pieces, she stumbles into a church to get warm for a few minutes and meets the man that will change her life.

Pastor Drew Douglas is trying to feel his way out of the despair his life became after losing his wife. His two children pull him out of his mind and make him function day after day, and he knows he needs to move forward in whatever way he can. He stumbles upon Shay in the church and offers her comfort. His kindness and the program he refers her to helps her greatly. When they touch base again and she meets and connects with his kid, they strike up a friendship and see each other on occasion ... eventually turning romantic!

I really enjoyed reading Any Dream Will Do.  It was not your typical Debbie Macomber story but still had you cheering for the characters and happy that you spent the time reading the book.