Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I haven't read a Nicholas Sparks book since teens, but this took me right back to his classic of 'The Notebook' and 'A Walk to Remember.' Sparks still writes about beautiful North Caroline and love stories. This book delivers the goods. If you like a good love story, read 'Dreamland.'

I wanted to like this book I really did. I have been a huge Nicholas Sparks follower for years. This book really fell flat for me. I felt the characters were really one dimensional and had to like spark to them. Not to mention the ending of the book. What was that? I was really rooting for Sparks to really talk about the issues especially because he has such a huge platform and then he just didnt follow through. it was frustrating. I do know most people will probably end up loving this book

Nicholas Sparks has been kind of hit or miss for me in the past because I prefer happy endings and his books don't always end that way. I found Dreamland to be an easy read and had it read/listened to in 2 days. Therese Plummer is one of my favorite narrators so that made this one enjoyable for me and both story-lines were easy to follow. All in all this was an entertaining book for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own,.

Published 20 September 2022

Dreamland is a book that I enjoyed because it has many things that make you feel hopeful is one of those stories that you feel there is going to be a great conclusion and something to keep, with two characters whose stories were very different but had so much to bond.

Colby is looking for a new opportunity in his music career, working on his family farm is not what he wants for his career or life so looking for a change he accepts a great opportunity for a gig in Florida where his life is about to change forever.

Beverly is a living hell, her husband is an abusive person that has already made their lives a living hell, Beverly has to move out of that house soon before she or her son have any more problems than they already suffer at the hands of that monster.

A dual story, a POVs timeline, that will keep you, turning the pages of this book and wanting to know more about these amazing characters.

The only reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is that I felt like something was really missing at times, it felt kind of rushed at times, I also felt the story about Beverly had more potential but at the end, it felt a little short for my test like there was more to fill in.

This was my first book by Nicholas Sparks, I really enjoy his writing style, the emotions I felt while reading, the story and all.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of Dreamland in exchange for my honest review.

Great touches on mental health. I much enjoyed the Beverly POV & wanted more towards the end.
Didn’t feel right for Colby to be telling her side of it. I was looking forward to more about her. What parts of the breakdown was she pulling from her real life & which parts were not.

WOW!

Colby once thought he'd be a musician, but when life comes in the way, other things take priority. He lays eyes on Morgan Lee and that's it for him. She's the one.. The complete each other personally and professionally.

His sister, Beverly is on a different journey. She's trying to escape her abusive husband with their child without him finding out. She devises a plan, they escape and make it to a new town without anyone knowing. They start surviving but then little things start popping up. Beverly is forced to make a choice that changes everything.

Then comes the plot twist.... It's fantastic in that Nicholas Sparks way. I had no.idea.it.was.coming. none...

I just reviewed Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks. #Dreamland #NetGalley

This was trope heavy, and almost felt like he was phoning it in. There was no character development or depth, and the ending was rushed and not worth the ride to get there.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

I think I say this every time I read a Nicholas Sparks book, but I truly cannot wait to see this book turned into a movie. Movie producers, I hope you're listening 👂

✨Brief Summary✨

Colby Mills is taking a working break in St. Pete Florida. His day job is working on his family farm in North Carolina. However, he also has a passion for music so he agrees to a gig playing at a bar in Florida for a few weeks. While he is in Florida, he falls in love with Morgan Lee. But will they ever be able to make it work with his responsibilities back at the farm and her desire to become a musical star? And who exactly is Beverly? Will she be able to escape from her abusive husband and get the love she deserves?

✨My Thoughts✨

I pretty much go into every Nicholas Sparks book knowing that I'm going to cry. This book was no exception 😂😅

When I first started the novel, I had no idea how the two storylines of Colby and Beverly would ever intertwine. The twist at the end certainly surprised me!

Nicholas Sparks has such a poetic way of writing that makes you fall in love with both the characters and the love story. I was rooting for Colby and Morgan from the very beginning. And I was even rooting for Beverly, even though I had no idea who she was 😂

I already cannot wait for the next book by this author to come out!

A captivating storyline that was intriguing to read. Of course there is a romance… it’ Nicolas Sparks…but there is also so much more. A strong cast of characters that are likable right from the start. Add in a few unexpected twists that you won’t see coming and I found this one hard to put down. Highly recommended for all the “Sparkies” out there and even those who are not. Read this one in 48 hours!
Thank you #NetGalley, Random House & Nicholas Sparks for the ARC. My review is strictly voluntary.

I enjoyed reading this emotional story. This is an author that I have been reading for years. This is one of my favorite books yet by him. I never hesitate to pick up one of his books. I enjoyed how he uses his writing style to keep the story engaging and hard to put down. A well written story where the details make the characters come to life. I found them to be relateable and the emotional roller coaster they took me on was great. There is great growth with the plot and the characters throughout the story. They will make you question if a better life is worth going back to the past. Is one better than the other? I really enjoyed this story and what the characters brought to the story just made it even better. A great, easy, entertaining story that I highly recommend.

I try not to associate any book with being guilty pleasures, but I secretly put my Nicholas Sparks books in that category. There's just something so decadent about sitting down and reading a Sparks book, which I have been doing since The Notebook.

Dreamland brings three people together in ways they would not have imagined and the connections they make will change their lives.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Meh! I enjoy Nicholas Sparks books, but this on was just Meh for me. Honestly, I read this a few weeks ago and already forgotten the plot. Definitely not my favorite book by this author, but still an interesting read was reading. Just not memorable for me.

Not my favorite Nicholas sparks, but still gives all the warm and fuzzy feelings of love just the same! For anyone who adores this author as much as I do, I would still recommend picking this one up!!

The first Nicholas Sparks ever that I just couldn't enjoy. I tried so many times and ended up buying the audiobook hoping that would help. It did not. I feel like he's running out of ideas and going a little off his normal game.

I’d give this novel 3.5 stars. Not my favorite by this author but still a cute and entertaining story. I enjoyed the two separate plots and how they ended up intertwining by the the end with a hint of Sparks’ NC roots sprinkled in. Always a fan of short chapters which lead to a quick read!

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC for my honest review.

I have been a fan of Nicholas sparks for years and this book was not one of his better books for me. This book follows two different people and their stories. In the end the converge and I was not excepting the way the book wrapped up. I was more interested in the Beverly chapters than the ones about Colby . The book deals with ptsd and mental health. I was glad it had a happy ending .

Dreamland was just as it sounds - a wonder of a story that followed the connection between two strangers brought together by a song and a chance. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters and found myself rooting for them from the start. The story definitely exudes all the things a reader loves about a classic Sparks novel. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick read that provides and escape.

I have read every Nicholas Sparks book to date, and I am not sure if the content is getting less quality, or if I have grown bored of his typical structure. Dreamland was a good read, but not fantastic. I did not feel the chemistry between Coby and Morgan, and I saw the twist coming easily.

Typical Nicholas Sparks read- great love story with lots of tender moments, young love, and interesting background on farming in North Carolina. I know that sounds random, but I love learning about niche things in fiction books!

I have read and loved all of Nicholas Sparks' books. They all evoke so much emotion and this one does as well, but it is very different from any of his previous books. Dreamland is a dual narrative with the two stories not seeming to be related at all. Colby Mills had planned a career in music, but tragedy struck his family and now he is working with his aunt to run the family farm in North Carolina. He needs to take a break, so accepts a job playing in a bar in St. Pete's, Florida. He plans on heading home after a few weeks. While there, he meets college girl, Morgan Lee. She has just graduated from a prestigious music program and is the daughter of wealthy doctors in Chicago. They have much in common, and embark on a whirlwind romance. The second storyline is about Beverly and her six-year-old sons. They are fleeing an abusive husband and father and are struggling to make ends meet. They are living in a small town and she is quickly running out of money. She is worried that her husband, who works for Homeland Security is going to track them down. When I started to read it, I actually went back to see if I missed something, then just went with it. I knew it would all come together eventually and when they do, Wow.

I am not going to say anymore about the story or the characters because this is one that you need to experience yourself. All I will say is that the romance is sweet, and I loved how Morgan and Colby connected over music. They both took chances in the relationship and I wanted them to somehow work it all out. Beverly's story is tragic and sad and the ending had me in tears. Once again, Nicholas Sparks has written an extremely emotional and poignant story. One with issues and themes that are realistic and relatable. I recommend you pick this one up and just go with it.