3.5 stars
This isnt the first book I've read by Kristen Ashley. It also isnt the best book ive read by her. I liked meeting all the girls and guys that are going to comprise this new series. Evan or Evie starts off being kind of a waffling wallflower but truly comes into her own. You see her nerdy side as well and I love that KA is showing that being a nerdy girl isn't bad. The fact that Danny (Mag) loves that about her makes me feel good about myself being a nerdy girl. I find some of the situations a lot outlandish. Definitely some over the top moments for sure. I wish that the story had focused a little more on their relationship and Danny working through his issues.

Overall it was a quick read and a compelling one. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this new series. :)

Dream Maker is the first book by Kristen Ashley that I've read. Certainly I've heard about her previous series, but with a huge TBR list, I just haven't gotten to them. It could tell early on that if you were someone who had read a lot of her books you were going to love this due to all of the appearances by characters from past books.

Evan "Evie" Gardiner makes her living by working as an exotic dancer and also fixing computers. She's a bit nerdy, sweet, a bit klutzy and loyal to a fault. She's so loyal that her brother's problems have suddenly become her own. When she's set up on a blind date by Lottie (aka Mac), she's not sure it will work out, but she's willing to try.

Danny "Mag" Magnusson is one of Hawk's commando's, but while he is alpha to the core, he's also got a sweet streak and he is super protective over those he cares about. He's got demons of his own, but he works at trying to deal with them the best he can.

The relationship between Mag and Evie is slow to develop and I liked that. They dealt with a lot in a very short time and they were supportive of one another and helped each other through the things that were happening. This book was filled with emotion and heartbreak, but you also had some humor and lighthearted moments as well.

I enjoyed this book and will look forward to additional books in the series.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I have missed the alpha world Kristen Ashley brings to life. Especially when Rock CHicks are involved. Make no mistake though... this is a new gang of gals and hot guys. They are the Dream Team of Dream Makers.

Fun, flirty, and full of non-stop action its KA goodness from start to finish.

From the clothes to the food to the heart pumping storylines and the sexual build-up and tension only Ashley can create, I love it all!

~Tanja

What a great start to a new series!! I absolutely loved both Mag and Evie, they were just so cute together and the action in this book will not let you down. I was so into this book I didn't even realize I was close to the end, I loved every word of this book. Mg was so thoughtful and so alpha male. Evie was sassy, smart, and just the right amount of nerdy. This was an amazing book and I can't wast for the next one.

Evan is a 27-year-old genius who just wants to finish school and make something of herself.  Unfortunately, her family is constantly holding her back.  She works as a computer repair person part time and strips the rest of the time.  When she finally makes enough money to work on her degree further, her family calls and someone always needs some money for something.  She’s under-appreciated by them, to say the least.

When her brother, Mick, gets arrested once again she heads to see him assuming he’ll ask for bail money – but that’s not the case.  This time he asks her to meet someone and do what he says – all very sketchy, scary and shady but she’ll do what he asks because that’s what family does, right?  That same night she has a blind date with someone her friend Lottie set her up with.  She’s not excited about it at all. When she opens the door to Daniel “Mag” Magnusson she’s loving the eye candy, but still isn’t into him.  Things go awry with their date almost immediately and Mag ends up discovering the “meet” she’s supposed to go to for her brother.  He protects her that night and even calls in his friends to help protect her when the shit hits the fan later in the book.

Through a series of events Evie ends up staying at Mag’s condo, but she plans on moving out quickly.  Evie doesn’t count on liking Mag more and more each day, but she does.  Fortunately for her, Mag seems to like everything about her as well. 

While I never read the Rock Chicks series that didn’t impeded my enjoyment of this story.  I was introduced to characters I’d read about in other series, and also the RC’s in all their glory.  

Evan was such a good person.  I liked her so much and just wanted her to get everything she wanted in life.  In this story we watch her blossom into the person she should have been year earlier if her family hadn’t been holding her back and down her whole life.  Watching her come into her own was awesome.

Danny aka Mag was a good guy who had some issues.  He was obviously an Alpha male (of course he was, this is a KA novel!) but also had some problems with anger.  He only really let loose of that anger a couple of times, but I appreciated KA showing us instead of just telling us. Despite the anger he was a kind and giving man.  I thought he was perfect for Evan.

Overall this was a good story.  I stayed up late to finish this one and I’m glad I did.  This one is definitely worth reading – even if you didn’t read the Rock Chick series.   

Rating: 4 out of 5

Rock Chick fans rejoice! Kristen Ashley’s Dream Team Spin-off series is coming soon and it’s so worth the wait! I DID NOT want to put this book down. Since the Rock Chick series is one of my favorites, my excitement for this new series was off the charts. If you’re like me and loved the Rock Chick and Dream Man books, Dream Maker will hit the spot!

Evie's life is somewhat of a disaster, her family has once again found a way to drag her into their mess, and they expect her to help them find a way out of it. In addition to their ongoing drama she has decided that she wants a degree in engineering, which she has the smarts for, but lacks the funds for college. But she has a plan, she can get a job at Smithie's Club, and shake what the Good Lord gave her to earn the money she needs for school. Only she has one little problem... her dancing skills aren't the best!

Little does she know that isn't going to be her only problem, her brother has brought danger to her doorstep, and now the men he wronged are hunting for her and what is owed to them! Good thing she has just met a hunky alpha male that is determined to save the day... and her life!

Between the pages of Dream Maker you will meet a slightly nerdy and very beautiful woman named Evie that is determined to make her dreams come true, and the hunky alpha that is dedicated to keep her safe while doing it. Evie and Danny are about opposite as two people could be, but it's Danny innate need to be a protector that brings them together. From the moment these two unite you can feel a shift amongst the pages, their instant attraction to one another is evident the moment she opens her door, but with each page that follows a powerful bond takes hold. One that helps heal all their old wounds and ultimately helps them finds the courage to trust and open up to one another... and fall head over heels too! Their relationship has a nice progression to it, one with a very natural feel. I loved my time with these two, they brought heat and humor to the pages, and their beautiful love story left my heart so happy. What a fun introduction to a new series, I cannot wait to make a return visit and see who graces the pages of the next installment! Highly recommend this one, it's pages are riddled with everything necessary for a perfect literary escape!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

I love Kristen Ashley's writing, but some of her newer books have been hit or miss for me. This was definitely a hit! If you are a fan of the Rock Chick books or the Dream Man series, you'll see some familiar faces... reunited and it feels so good!

Evie's friend and coworker Lottie has been trying to play matchmaker to all of her girls, and Evie is first on the list. She's setting her up with Lottie's man's (Mo) friend and fellow commando, Mag, aka Danny. While all this is going on, Evie is going through a huge family mess. Her family is a complete and utter trainwreck, and somehow, she always seems to get stuck in the middle of it all.

Danny can tell Evie is in danger with a situation her brother put her into and he's there to help. This book is not just a romance, it's a bit of an adventure. Watching Evie and Danny fall in love amidst all the drama they're going through was just the icing on the cake.

Evie the type of heroine I love. Nerdy and quirky, has a big heart, and funny. Danny is a hero who's never let anyone truly in since he got back from overseas, but Evie changes his mind and his heart just by being her. I loved this couple together!

This book reminded me of all the things I love about KA's writing. The sisterhood, the alpha males, the endearing heroines. It was a great start to this new series and I can't wait to read more about this world and Danny & Evie's friends!

I am not expert in Kristen Ashley’s books, but I have read over 30 of them. For me, Ashley is at her best when she doesn't go too far off course from her typical formula (damsel in distress/women in peril + alphahole + over the top drama + interesting cast of characters + overly long descriptions and conversations).

I found that Dream Maker didn’t stray too far from the tried and true Kristen Ashley formula. Evan is a woman in peril when her terrible brother involves her in some stupid shit. Daniel “Mag” is introduced pretty early and serves the role of the alphahole. There is lots of over the top drama that is very reminiscent of almost every single Rock Chick and Chaos book and the situations in those books.

Some spoilery stuff ahead- proceed at your own risk.

This book is a spin off of Rock Chicks and Chaos so it shouldn’t be a surprise to know that so many of the characters/things from those series make appearances- including but not limited to- The Hot Bunch, Commandos, The Rock Chicks, Fortnum’s, cheese boards, interrupted sex, a few of the guys from Chaos (although not nearly enough Tack, I want all the Tack I can get). Honestly, it felt like being back with family. That is part of Ashley’s magic.

There were two things in this book that really stood out to me as being different. Evie/Evan (of course she has two names, that is the way with so many KA heroines) attempts to save herself. And Mag is one of the most emotionally fluent hero’s I think I have read from KA. Especially compared to the parent series (Rock Chicks & Chaos). Danny uses full sentences when he talks to Evie about things, even when he is upset. There is hardly any grunting (except during the sexy times). It was delightful.

There was scene where Evie gets mad at Danny and calls him by his preferred name “Mag” instead of “Danny” and he loses his shit in the way that only a KA hero can and demands that she only call him Danny because it makes him feel like the person he was before he became a commando. This is the stuff I love about KA. In the real world this would drive me bananas in a partner, but I love the way she does it.

There’s a subplot with Lottie from The Quiet Man and how she is trying to match up the rest of her friends with guys from Mo & Danny’s friend group. It felt like it got a little too much page time. Clearly Ashley was trying to set up the next three books. I think some readers will love this though.

SPOILER- It seems one of the upcoming couples will be in a D/s relationship and that has me worried. I didn’t read The Honey Series, but I didn’t hear great things about it.
END SPOILER

The one thing that always confuses me in every KA book is the timeline. I think this is supposed to be a few years after Rock Chicks and Chaos, which would put most of those characters currently in their late 30-late 40s, if not even older. And yet Indy & Gwen want to hang out with Evie and Lottie and their girls (early 20s). That is a part that doesn’t work for me and I can’t think too much about it or else I will see too many things that don’t make sense.

Of course it wouldn’t be a KA book without some problematic elements. Evie is a bit of a Mary Sue, so much so that even her kidnapper falls for her (didn’t that happen with Gwen or Indy). Danny’s ex-girlfriend is a harpy shrew. Evie’s mom is the WORST, because there always has to be at least one mother in a KA book who is depicted as a bad mother. The book was too long (too many descriptions of things that do not matter) and could have definitely used some editing. But if the editor had to make a choice between making the book shorter or making Danny a hero that spoke in sentences, I am glad they went with the latter.

I think that if you enjoyed early KA books (Rock Chicks, Chaos, Colorado Mountain) and have been waiting for her to return to that type of setting and story telling I think you will enjoy this book. I think KA superfans will love this. If you’ve never read KA before, you can probably read this and enjoy it.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It’s rich with found family. The storytelling was engaging with a couple of eye rolly moments. The most toned down hero I remember reading of hers, I might call him just an alpha and not an alphahole. Seeing all the characters from the previous books is like getting a hug from friends.

Release date: 5/26
Grade: B

Beloved author Kristen Ashley delivers in her newest novel. Dream Maker.If you enjoy interesting heroines who bring alpha heroes to their knees then you won't want to miss this one! I've been a big fan of the authors books and while some are a little bit long for my personal liking, this one felt absolutely perfect! Highly recommended!

This was another break out amazing story that I could not put down. I have loved Ashley since I first started reading her books years ago and this one was even better. She has grown so much as another and man I can not wait for more. This was a very fast paced story of a girl in trouble and a guy who comes to her rescue. Perfect!!

4.5 Stars

OG Kristen Ashley fans rejoice because Dream Maker kicks it back and kills it. It’s damn near perfect.

For the KA fan: Rock Chicks, Dream Man, and Chaos vibes for days. This new series brings in the old but is adding a lot of new to it too.

For new KA readers: Quirky cute heroine with a mountain of trouble weighing her down. Alpha hero with a dark history and a dangerous job. A multitude of secondary characters to bring life to the story.

So this is the first book in a what will be a series that are also standalone romances. So we’re being introduced to a lot of recurring characters. Bring on all the strippers and commandos (haha, not a sentence I ever thought I’d write). I only wish there had been more story set at Smithie’s (the strip club that has been a recurring setting in KA’s books) if only because I wanted more Smithie, I miss him.

Okay, I don’t want to give away spoilers. But I loved the plot of this book! Evie has family troubles and it was wonderfully emotional and heartbreaking. Mag has his issues but I like the way he and Evie work together to deal with both of their past and present together. It just worked.

Plus there’s crazy action and shenanigans! And even a little bit of Tex (one of my favorite characters ever).

My only serious critique would involve Mag’s backstory and resolution... I wanted a little more time spent on it. I see what the author was going for (no spoilers) but I wasn’t totally sold.

But whatever! I’m going to be rereading this one for months to come. And I can’t wait for more in the Dream series.

*I received a free advance e-copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book is everything that I didn’t know I needed in a scary pandemic time.

KA brings back the Rock Chicks, Nightingale, Chaos and Smithie’s in an all new story that will capture your heart, strum your pulse and make you feel complete. All I can say is that I want more, more, more of these women and these men and their stories. Once again a beautifully crafted and spun masterpiece by Author Kristen Ashley!!!

Full review to follow

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my digital review copy.

So with the current state of the world, I needed to escape a bit. Romance does that for me. Good choice Amy, as I pat myself on the back for picking up Dream Maker.

What a fantastic read. I had not read Kristen Ashley before and I promise you this will not be my last. Although this is the start of a new series, I was not familiar with the characters as I should have been had I read her Rock Chick series. At the end of the day…I don’t think it effected my enjoyment of the novel…at. All. I smiled. I laughed. I blushed. I got mad. Can you ask for more? I don’t think so.

These characters were brilliant. I adored Mag and Evie. Cute does not even begin to express them. Full of heart and full of spice. I can’t wait for book two y'all.

This was a smidge steamy….but so well done. It had a fantastic story line and I felt like the steam accented the story….