DREAM SPINNER is the third instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult DREAM TEAM erotic, romance series focusing on a group of exotic dancers who call themselves the ‘Dream Team’. This is twenty-six year old dancer/ artist Hattie Yates, and thirty four year old, former soldier turned commando Axl Pantera’s story line. DREAM SPINNER and the Dream Team series is a spin-off from the author’s Rock Chick, Chaos and Dream Man series. DREAM SPINNER can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in orders as there is an ongoing plotline throughout.

Told from first person perspective (Hattie) and third person (Axl) including a couple final chapters from Pepper and Lee, DREAM SPINNER follows the building romance and relationship between twenty-six year old dancer/ artist Hattie Yates, and thirty four year old, former soldier turned commando Axl Pantera. For months, Hattie Yates has refused all advances from our story line hero but someone has placed a target on our heroine’s back, and Axl is livid that she called in help from someone else. Taking control of the situation, Axl moves Hattie into his house, and resumes protection and guardianship of the woman that calls to his heart. Using all of the resources offered by Hawk and his team of commandos (a group of former US soldiers who now work domestic civilian contracts for Hawk Delgado), Axl and his friends must come to terms that sins of the past are threatening the women they love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Axl and Hattie as our couple navigate the fall-out of dysfunctional family dynamics, and the threats to our story line heroine.

Meanwhile, Axl and Hattie have personal family issues that are about to implode. Axl Pantera knows the disappointment of rejection first hand as he struggles with the mess of his father’s misplaced affection. From his long-suffering mother to his father’s inability to see beyond the bottom line, Axl refuses to become what his father has always expected. Hattie Yates is in a co-dependant relationship with her father, a man uses his ill-health to control the only woman left in his life. Hattie’s mother left years before but our heroine refuses to sit back and watch her father destroy his life.

The relationship between Hattie and Axl began months before as Hattie continues to rebuke Axl’s advances believing herself not worthy of love or a happily ever after but as the threats to our heroine take on a more personal and sexual nature, Hattie slowly discovers that Axl is the man that calls to her heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but once again, I struggle with the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story line.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including many from the author’s previous series. We welcome the return of Hawk Delgado, Augustus Auggie Hero; Mo and Lottie, Ryn and Boone, Mag and Evie; Elvira; the ‘Dream Team’ dancers, Pepper, and Ava; their boss Smithie, and security specialist and Smithie’s nephew Dorian; Mama Nana, and her security guard Jorge; and Cicso aka Brett Rappaport, as well as the introduction of both Hattie and Axl’s parents.

DREAM SPINNER is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of dysfunctional family dynamics, revelations and acceptance; romance and love. The premise is engaging, intriguing and captivating; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are broken but healing. DREAM SPINNER ends on happily ever after-for now, as the people threatening our story line heroine have yet to be revealed.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/dream-spinner-dream-team-3-by-kristen-ashley-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3701962942


AMAZON. COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3STSUU11PL8YE/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3154419663


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

Ibooks (Sandy sch) posted

GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

I’ve loved the entire Dream Team series so far, what’s not to love about a series that reconnects me in so many ways with other slightly connecting series that have created a universe of their own over time. I think that Axl and Hattie connect for me in a different way and some of that is what I (as a reader) know of who the original Axl was to the author or how Ms. Cleo is the embodiment of the cats she has loved and currently have in her life. It’s those undertones to the story that touches my heart in Dream Spinner. And makes for more interesting reading, for me.

I get Hattie, in that she’s afraid to reach for the man that seems just too good to be truly interested in her so she shies away, making excuses to herself and to Axl. Ones that she’s convincing herself that she believes (even though she knows that’s a bald-faced lie) and has almost convinced Axl as well. Fortunately for Hattie, Axl isn’t about to give up completely but a man can only bash his head against a steel-plated door for so long before he wonders why he keeps on trying. Both Hattie and Axel have issues from their pasts (and some from the present, as well) that really need to be dealt with straight on but that will take a while and some trust on both sides. I liked them individually but together they are on fire.

There were a few things that gave me pause and had me wishing that they’d been more fully addressed. It certainly didn’t take anything away from the story but I still had questions that may or may not be answered in the next story. Overall, I had a very good time back in this beloved world once again for a story that has a slow burn feel to it at some points, and that familiar head straight into danger feel in others. That this couple has sizzling chemistry is a given, and do they ever heat up once they finally acknowledge what they are to each other. I had fun here, and isn’t that the entire point? Catching up with familiar faces, wondering what answers we’ll find in Dream Keeper come November of this year… yeah, I was pulled firmly back into this Dream Man, Rock Chicks, Dream Team world and I loved every single moment.

As a final note, there are some things, some events that may have a triggering effect for some readers. I felt those moments were handled tastefully and with care… you’ll need to make up your own mind on that.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever 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.* *I also purchased an e-book edition for my own Kristen Ashley collection*

Love love love this book!
It feels like I have been waiting for forever for Hattie and Axls book and like a true Kristen Ashley book, this one did absolutely not disappoint!
I love Hatties and Axls chemistry, as well as their deeper connection. Axl is perfect for Hattie since he kind of understands what she is going through with her dad.
The beginning is off to a rocky start with Hattie being in danger and not telling any of the girls or the commandos. But like a true commando Axls barges into Hatties life to show her that he is the man she needs!
I’m definitely looking forward to the last book in this series, as I have loved every single one so far.

Drama, angst, danger, steam, and suspense fill the pages of Dream Spinner, the third book in the Dream Team Series. This is my first Kristen Ashley read but it won't be the last.

Axl Pantera works as a commando for Hawke. They cross lines that police won't cross but it's all done in the name of the greater good. I love alpha, super protective men who know how to treat their women, and the Dream Team Series is full of them. Axl is all of this added with a sweet, soft spot for Hattie. He is crazy about Hattie and has repeatedly attempted to win her over but she keeps avoiding him. He starts off a bit of a jerk but I get that he was more frustrated than angry. He has his issues too but he has the patience of a saint when it comes to Hattie.

Hattie Yates is a dancer at a club, Smithie's. She's vulnerable, scared to let anyone in, and has very low self-esteem due to the abuse she has suffered in her lifetime, at the hands of her father. She is attracted to Axl but doesn't think she deserves him and doesn't have the nerve to take him up on his obvious attraction to her. When a stalker begins to terrorize Hattie, she is forced to open up and ask for help. I loved watching Hattie try to overcome her issues and open up to the people who care about her. There were times that she was frustrating but I understood that Hattie had deep issues.

The book was fast-paced with a cast of colorful, wonderful, and supportive characters. I liked the suspense and intrigue. The sexual tension and banter between Axl and Hattie made for sexy and steamy times that heat up the pages. This has a good storyline with just the right amount of humor, steam, drama, suspense, emotion, healing, and most of all, love. This is a standalone with appearances from characters in the previous books. I recommend reading the other books to get a better understanding of the characters' dynamics.

***ARC received in exchange for an honest review.***

I am a long time fan of Kristen Ashley and I love this series that includes cameos by previous characters! Dream Spinner is book three of this series and like the first two I definitely enjoyed this book. Hattie and Axl were perfect together and while he was kind of a jerk at the beginning he definitely won me over!

Yay Dream spinner is the one I've been waiting for in the Dream Team series and I really enjoyed it , this can be read as a standalone but I do recommend that you read in order starting with Quiet Man . I really liked the fact that the relationship wasn't drawn out and frustrating like it has been from the start . I thought this was good but it felt like it was missing something like some more action or little more drama but over all this was a good one . The chemistry between the couple was super intense I really felt like they were meant to be with one another . Hattie did frustrate me at times with how she handled things but she did snap out of it thanks to the hero and her friends . Axl was super dreamy I liked how he didn't hide how he felt for the heroine and just let it out and how protective he was of her . Them as a couple was beautiful I loved how they stood up for the other when some one came and hurt them . I can't wait to read were this story goes and just to see how it ends, I am a little scared to see what happens and I'm really excited to see how the next couples story goes I know there is going to be some major frustration with the heroine but I can't wait .
stars 5
hero 5
heroine 4.5
steam 4
secondary characters 5

I was looking forward to this book after reading the synopsis and seeing so many great reviews. It just was not for me. I picked it up 4x to read it and each time I got through some chapters it was just bizarre. The writing felt like two different people were writing the story the grammar was weird to me.

I know a lot of people loved this book but it just wasn't for me.

This is the third book in the “Dream Team”series and a high-energy, steamy romance involving Axl and Hattie, two broken people trying to navigate a relationship they’ve been edging around for quite some time. A series with a hilarious and loyal friend group, action-packed scenes involving criminal activity, and a stripper club with spunk! Another quick and satisfying read!

Hattie is used to running away from her problems, but when Brett finally pushes Hattie to work things out with the straightforward and brutish Axl, the two find they are extremely compatible. And while navigating their new relationship, they must also deal with an unsolved murderer and a mysterious stalker.

What I love most about this series is the banter and the group of friends that stand by each other through everything. Ashley creates a world of strippers and their undercover boyfriends who work on outing a few dirty cops. Filled with wit, excitement, and lots of steam, this is one series I don’t ever want to end!

I was prepared to be an emotional wreck reading this book, I had a new box of tissues beside me and everything. But I didn’t need them for the most wonderful of reasons, because this book was so empowering! Hattie and Axl had such growth, filling the pages with their flaws, their doubts, their pain, and they didn’t overcome it. No, no they recognized it, they named it, and they worked with it, and it was pure beauty to watch. There were sweet moments, a lot of them, and there were sexy moments, a lot them too, and a couple of moments that had me barking with laughter (looking at you Mag at the dress fitting). The seriousness of the on-going big bad escalates even more, and the joy of the already established couples brings big swoons, and Brett “Cisco” becomes even a bigger player in the story, making us fall in love with him even more. Moments made me gasp, in shock and delight, moments made sigh, as these men are wont to make you do, and moments made me cringe, as happens as you figure things out, but at the end of Hattie and Axl’s story, a sense of peace settled on me, that all was great in their world, after a lifetime of not so great. And that was just so freakin’ wonderful <3

Striving to be a good enough dancer and never quite reaching her father’s expectations over the years has made Hattie struggle with self-confidence and opening herself to others.

She’s been crushing on Axl and he’s definitely been into her, but Hattie runs every time Axl tries to get close and finally he’s wondering if he’s wasting his time trying. Surprisingly enough, it’s the semi-bad guy Brett who lights a fire under Hattie’s butt and convinces her to take a shot before she loses Axl for good. What pushes them together even more is the anonymous creepy calls and notes Hattie starts receiving. Stalker behavior for sure! Hattie needs protection and Axl wants her safe.

As usual, Axl was a bit of a jerk to Hattie before they came together but seeing things from his side I didn’t really blame him. They both just needed to get on the same page and then it was all heart eyes for me.

I can’t write up Dream Spinner without mentioning Cleo, Axl’s very prissy cat! I just loved Cleo! Kristen Ashley nails cat behavior so well, (we live to serve them, obviously!), making me giggle every time Ms. Cleo stepped onto the page!

I’ve been enjoying the Dream Team series. Dream Spinner had all the hallmarks of an old-school Kristen Ashley read: solid female friendships, bossy Alpha men, and a sweet likeable heroine with a bit of sass! Pepper’s story next and it seems like it’s going to be a bit of drama, in the best way, of course! I can’t wait!

There's a reason Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite authors and this is it. Dream Spinner was freaking fantastic! Amazing story with incredible characters and a solid storyline that contained the perfect amount of humor and heat, drama and suspense, emotion, healing, and love. This had it all!

I loved the remarkable journey Hattie was on. I loved her coming out of her shell, all her revelations, and really soaring! Axl was so incredibly protective, caring, and sweet and I loved learning all about him. I loved the back-and-forth tension and pull between them, they had undeniable chemistry. When walls start to come down and they open up and share, I could feel all the emotion. Hattie’s got a difficult history with her dad and Axl's got some things from his past he’s dealing with as well and I loved the healing involved, the growth that took place, and how they were there for one another, building each other up. There was drama, pain, and emotion and I got choked up more than once but I loved them coming out on the other side. There were a lot of lighter, entertaining moments mixed in and I loved seeing their playful sides as well, their connection was awesome. When things heat up, these two were smokin’ hot!

I loved all the different characters involved. I adored the women and their bonds and the men and their camaraderie, there were a lot of wonderful moments that had me tearing up. I loved all the different
connections and seeing favorite characters from other series. There were some new characters introduced as well and I liked what they brought to the story. I also loved what was introduced with Pepper and Augie. Their book is next and I know they will get their happily ever after but holy heck it's going to be a heck of a ride getting there.

A real stand-out character for me was Brett, aka Cisco, who has been in the other books in the Dream Team series. He’s a total anti-hero with a big heart and I loved him. I liked him in the other books but the man shined bright in this story. He’s protective and caring and I love the role he's taken upon himself with the women. It outright delights me. Dear Kristen Ashley, please oh please give Brett his own story. This man needs a HEA.

There was excellent development as all the details were laid out and layers were pulled back. It was thrilling to read! I loved the suspense element that was happening and I was on the edge of my seat. I love the overall storyline for the series that continues and all the different working parts involved. This book was a game-changer for sure. I cannot wait for the conclusion.

This story was really entertaining but it had an intense and emotional vibe mixed in. I loved the drama with the families, the fun time with friends, and I absolutely adored Axl's furry friend. I was hooked until the very end! And the epilogue, setting everything up for the next book, there were so many bread crumbs leading to more revelations, I cannot wait. Absolutely incredible read!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is book three in this series, but of course, it gives us the goodness of Indy, Ally, Gwen, Tyra, their men, and of course Smithies! So fans will find themselves amongst friends and well aware of all the crazy that has been going on in the lives of this group of friends. If you are not up to speed, then you might want to start at book one to give yourself a chance. I am going to assume that you have in my review.

After the drama of previous stories, I spent a lot of time waiting for something really dramatic to happen, and Hattie really didn't help keep me calm as she wasn't the most careful person! The guys are now all working together to try and work out who is behind all the problems they have been having. There is one scene where the level of hotness in the room deciding how to move forward almost burned my Kindle!

For me, the most touching moment in this book is when Axl meets Hattie's father and realises that although he has been abusive to Hattie, he loves her. Axl compares this to his own father and comes to realise that there is no such emotion there. It is such a poignant moment. The whole story changes at that point, as Axl understands the difference, and gives Hattie a second chance to have a positive relationship with her dad. He also knows he needs to provide more support to his mum.

I loved the descriptions of Hattie's dancing, and how it finally brings her joy – and even the work at her studio is brought to life by Kristen Ashley's writing, more by the emotions they elicit than anything else. It was fun too when Hattie recognises from his house that she and Axl have a lot more in common than she ever expected.

Although we knew that these two had been matched by Lottie, and so were expecting a successful romance, Hattie's reluctance to open up had been holding them back from being a couple. Once she allows herself to imagine a happy future, Axl immediately shows her just how much her holding back had affected him, and how the future would be – danger or otherwise. It is utterly delicious once we get to share their newly won happiness.

I must also not neglect the star of the whole book – Axl's cat Cleo... in case there was any doubt!!


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
DREAM SPINNER was unexpected. Unexpected because I was expecting massive angst and while there is some initial angst, once our couple start to date, things are actually pretty solid. It is the world around them that causes problems.

A stalker, two badly behaving fathers. two good mothers that deserve better, and the ongoing hunt by the commandos to find a group of bad guys, if they can figure out who the bad guys are, keeps the story interesting and had me turning the pages. There were times when I was reading Hattie and Axl’s romance that I was so wrapped up in their love story that I forgot about the drama that was going on around them. There were other times that drama sucked me in and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The scenes with Hattie and Axl away from the drama, just being a regular couple I think were my favourite. I like their idea of spending Sundays together, just the two of them connecting is a great idea. I might just have steal that idea.

I had a great time reading DREAM SPINNER . I loved the pace, the drama, the romance, and it helps that our couple are sexy and lovable. Cute even. But for me, the ongoing story arc in this series with the good guys of Denver we know and love from Kristen Ashley stories, trying to track down and beat the bad guys has me totally hooked. I look forward to reading the next book, DREAM KEEPER, to find out what is going on. Also, from the tiny snippet at the end of DREAM SPINNER , I get the feeling Pepper and Auggie’s story is going to be epic.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Somewhat emotionally abusive childhood references

Hattie is an amazing dancer. Now that her job has changed some and she and her fellow dancers are able to really use their own creativity, she loves it! With a father who never approved of her, despite how hard she worked, Hattie is her own worst critic. And even though said father isn't good at taking care of himself, she allows herself to be put down time and again in order to make sure that her father is being taken care of. She can't just leave him.

Axl is someone who know what he wants. He's wanted Hattie for a long time. He thinks he's put in the work, taken his time to get to know her, allowed her to see the true him, but she has walls that even he can't scale. When he sees what she puts herself through and understands the reason behind it, he's livid.

Then throw in some shady doings and Axl's protective side comes bounding to the front. Axl and Hattie have a great friendship, but I felt that their chemistry lacked a little. I wanted to like this far more but found myself kind of just ho-humming along. It didn't wow me. I will continue with the series though because I do love these women.


Shelby – ☆☆☆
This is going to be a quick, no-spoiler review. I must start by saying I love most of Kristen Ashley's books and find it difficult to review them.

Book three in the Dream Team series is Axl and Hattie's story. This has been building for a while and I was excited to finally see them come together.

Unfortunately, I am just not loving it.

I feel like most of the situations are recycled (i.e.: girl in trouble, protective man moves her in, slight friction, fully in love), and the characters aren't fully developed or are just one dimensional.

Don't get me wrong, there are definitely sweet moments and the series storyline is continued, which is good. I just didn't love this book but didn't hate it either... it's just, meh.

I'm hoping, and have confidence, that book four will redeem this series for me.

4 stars!

I loved this book. A fantastically sweet, sexy and swoony romance with an alpha hero who completely stole my heart. This is KA doing what she does, and I loved it!

Axl and Hattie are the third couple in this series to be set-up by their mutual friend Lottie. He is a badass commando working with Hawk, and she is a stripper working in Smithie’s bar. They have met, there is a mutual attraction, but although Axl has made a movie, Hattie has knocked him back repeatedly, terrified of being hurt again after a lifetime of abuse at the hands of her father. She’s also feeling a whole lot of shame after Axl witnessed her at her lowest, and as a result, she has withdrawn from everybody in her life.

Axl gets that Hattie has walls up, but when she becomes the target of a stalker, he wades on in like the badass alpha that he is, giving Hattie the wake-up call that she needs, and setting her on the path to letting those close to her in – and that includes finally giving Axl a chance.

I really enjoyed watching this relationship begin. Axl and Hattie already have a bit of murky history between them, but they address everything head on. They are honest and open, and they work through their issues to get to the place where they both want to be. They don’t rush it, which builds the chemistry beautifully, and there’s this great sense of anticipation waiting for them to get where we know they’re going to be. It’s a really gorgeous journey watching them come together.

“Is there … making up?”
“Yeah,” he confirmed.
“Don’t you have to kind of be together to make up?”
“Hattie, this is the longest non-relationship relationship in history. We’ve been together since the first time you shot me down for a date and I think you know that better than me.”

I love Axl so much! He’s the same kind of hero that KA writes so frequently, but this one actually smiles! He smiles, laughs, and teases, and he has this wonderful playfulness about him. Plus, he’s completely open about his feelings, and he guides Hattie into a functional relationship that is sweet, emotional and super sexy.

“One kiss and a whole lot of mindfuck and we’re here. We’re here because we both want this, we both know it and we both know how bad we want it.”

And when they finally get to a place where they’re ready to be together, they throw themselves in whole-heartedly, and they have a wonderfully entertaining dynamic. I just love them together.

"I’d never really noticed how magnificent lips were when they moved.
Especially lips like Axl’s.
“Hattie?”
“Yes?”
“Do you wanna kiss me?”
“Yes.”
“Then, baby, kiss me.”

But while Axl and Hattie are falling in love, they’re still dealing with Hattie’s stalker, and the ongoing case of crooked cops that the boys are investigating with the help of the Rock Chick, Dream Man and Chaos boys (love those cameos!). There’s also family drama in this one, with both Axl and Hattie having issues with their parents, and I really enjoyed those storylines. There are some fantastic ‘come to Jesus’ moments, and great character development, and though I would have loved to have seen some of those issues teased out a little more, I loved the way they were handled, and I was fully satisfied with the resolution.

I really enjoyed this read. Axl and Hattie’s love story is just beautiful, and I smiled and giggled and swooned my way through it from start to finish

“I can dare to dream. Because I have what I need. I know who I am. And the thing that makes it safe is that I’m in love with a really great guy who also loves me.”

And after all of the teases dropped in this one, I cannot WAIT for Auggie and Pepper’s book up next!

4 stars!

This book was beyond amazing, I could not get enough of it. It moves along at a great pace, making for an easy and enjoyable read. It has interesting characters that you will fall in love with and a story that will capture you and not let you go until the end. This is a book that needs to be read, there is no doubt about it, so add it to your TBR list, you will not be sorry.

Can you tell me what is so addictive about KA's books? No? Yeah, neither can I. All I know is that I'm hooked!

There's Hattie, who has suffered many years of abuse from her father, who has built up walls that allow her to deny herself her greatest wish, walls that do their best to keep Axl out. Then there's Axl, a man who has been through a lot. He has his own demons, he has a huge heart, he's compassionate and patient, he's bloody awesome!

I wasn't Hattie's biggest fan in the beginning, but I grew to like her as the story developed. Now Axl, I loved him from the start. Again, this is something I find with many of the KA books I've read. Love the hero, like the heroine, ecstatic over the journey to get to the end.

Dream Spinner gave me tons of feels, oodles of laughs, and a story I could really sink my teeth into. Whether you're an old hat like me or new to this author, this is definitely a book to fall in love with.

Definitely a page turner. Definitely a classic Kristen Ashley read.
I love when this particular author teases the reader with potential future books by introducing spicy characters. Axl and Hattie though - wow. Hattie's life is in shambles - family drama leading her to push her friends away and absolutely block potential love matches. Cue the crazy dude harassing Hattie. Now we have a prime opportunity for Axl to slide into her life and blow things up with passion, love, friendship, and protection. Definitely a 5 star book!

This is very much quintessential Kristen Ashley. Both Hattie and Axl have trauma in their past. Hattie is incredibly shy and dealing with damage from her father over the years. She has recently started to pull away from her friends and isolate herself, including from Axl with whom she has an intense attraction. Then when trouble comes her way, she can't continue to isolate and ignore those in her life.

This definitely hit with one of the tropes I love - the incredibly shy woman and the over protective alpha. This installment in the series was by far my favorite. The story and dialogue flowed naturally and one of the things I loved about this was getting to see so much of Hattie and Axl together and how they grow as a couple. I also loved that we get to see a lot of the friends from previous books, but in this book it flows naturally and doesn't feel forced. I'm really looking forward to Auggie and Pepper's story!

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book and have voluntarily left an honest review.

Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley is book Three in the Dream Team Series. This is the story of Hattie Yates and Axl Pantera. I have read the previous books which did add to my enjoyment of this one. With that said, I do feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Axl knows that Hattie is the women for him but Hattie isn't going along with that plan. Then her life is put in danger giving him an opening to protect or and to work toward making her his. Hattie wants Axl and her feelings runs deep. But with the way she was treated by her father and failure to reach her dream of a being a ballerina has her doubting herself with Axl. I am crazy about this author as she provides some great reads that give me the break I need from the craziness of life. I do recommend her writing and this series. I can't wait to read more from her.

I have been loving this new series from KA, so I read Dream Spinner right away! While each book features a new couple, there are over arching plotlines that make it better to read in order.

This is Hattie's story. We know she has issues with her father and that there was some abuse. We also know she likes Axl but won't pursue the relationship. These two danced (literally) around each other and when it seemed like it just wasn't meant to be, things change. I think their relationship was great because each understood the pain the other felt at the hands of their family. They support each other in really productive ways that allow for the building of a really strong foundation. This book is lighter on the danger/suspense angle, which at times was a slight disappointment for me, but the focus is really on Axl and Hattie.

If you love stories with lots of character development and relationship building, Dream Spinner is a 5 star pick for sure. One thing I love about this series is that the previous couples never go away. There are so many interesting supporting characters as well that the book feels so full!

Finally, I have to mention the narration. Susannah Jones did a fantastic job with Dream Spinner! Her voices were great and she didn't distract you from the story. She did the male voices well-which I always think is a difficult area. Audiobook fans will have no complaints!

This gets a serious lip curl from me - I did not like it AT ALL. It’s very rare that I dislike a book so much within the first few chapters, but that was definitely the case here. I continued on because I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, but things did not improve, and I ended up skimming a significant amount of the back half. There are SO MANY things that rubbed me the wrong way, and I honestly feel like most of the relationship development happened in the books prior to this. These two are already inevitable when the book begins - Hattie just needs to say yes... and Axl needs to stop sleeping with the girl he's seeing.

Fair warning: there are several triggers in this book, from abuse to self harm to stalking to kidnapping - and beyond. The story follows Hattie and Axl, two people who have been dancing around their feelings. After Hattie rejected Axl, he started seeing someone else, but he still thinks about her all the time and butts into her life in a big way. This (toxic) alpha male just can't seem to stay out of Hattie's business, so when she starts receiving some scary messages and hanging out with a questionable guy, Axl is quick to intervene. Once Hattie starts letting Axl in, it's not long before they're crossing the line and starting up a relationship.

I just... didn't like anything that happened in this. It felt SO, SO toxic, and very cringeworthy. I'm not a longtime KA fan, but I've always heard such great things about her work. Dream Maker WAS a pretty solid read, so I expected a LOT more from this. I skipped Dream Chaser because of the Dom/sub storyline, and apparently most of Hattie and Axl's feelings must've developed during that book, because it certainly didn't happen here. This jumps right in with Hattie befriending her former kidnapper (did I read that right?), and Axl trying to win Hattie over despite the fact that he already has a woman in his life. There are tons characters from past books included, and it's just assumed that you'll already know everyone. There was nothing good for me to latch onto here, so it was a total miss for me. I do enjoy KA's unique writing style, but storyline-wise? No thank you. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this suspenseful romance.