Love is the most unexpected thing that happens to anyone. Scarred Dreams by Barbara Whitaker - proves that love and fears are the fore more strength a human can endure during a lifetime. I love that she brings the unexpected with fear, courage, and love combined together with it.


I just reviewed Scarred Dreams by Barbara Whitaker. #ScarredDreams #NetGalley
[https://www.netgalley.com/member/book/273084/review]

Predictable but a very good wartime romance story. It was a great escape read.
Many thanks to Wild Rose Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Scarred Dreams
by Barbara Whitaker
Pub Date: 12 Dec 2022

This was a war time romance between a wounded/scarred soldier and his nurse. While there was nothing wrong with the writing if felt too much like "been there, done that" and unfortunately nothing really stood out special about the book. It followed a cookie cutter formula with the expected happily ever after. If you are looking for a simple war time story with the predictable outcome, this is something to check out.

3 stars

WindMilt becomes Annie’s patient he is a broken man with broken dreams in no hope and although Annie has dreams of using her talents to get away from her egregious parente’ neither one of them recognizes their are the puzzle pieces that will fit perfectly inside each other‘s life. Sometimes our dreams obviously different from what we actually need to make us happy. I love Barbara Whitaker‘s books and I saw a review were someone said this is a typical story but there is a lot to be said for writing a book where the reader knows the ending yet still wants to go on the journey to see how they get there that is a true testament to the talent of the author in a desk case I think Barbara Whitaker is one of the best I love her books and the journeys she’s taking me on. I highly recommend this book for lovers of love and sweet romance and especially historical fiction something the author shines at. I received this book from NetGalley and wild Rose press but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

A deeply wounded veteran hero features in “Scarred Dreams”, by Barbara Whitaker (Wild Rose Press), a historical romance novel dealing with physical and psychological scars from the war and latent childhood issues.
I liked the decorated war hero (although he’s almost modest, certainly reserved about the medals), and the fact his extensive ailments hinder him in a realistic way and aren’t cured miraculously.
The recovery is slow. There’s also the psychological trauma of war and Milt’s “darkening moods”.
The pain Milt feels about having to give up his dream of being a baseball player is always present, and I liked how the author made it such an important dimension of the plot, making us realize how much he lost.
We are also aware of the feelings of inadequacy and now despair because the war wounds add to the secret issue he’s been dealing with (poorly) since childhood, intensifying the sense of worthlessness.
The author paints a pretty visual portrait of the hero’s physical appearance and demeanor: besides the war wounds, the very sexy and cool “almost smile”, the blue eyes; I really enjoyed those aspects.
I enjoyed the slow process through which the hero regains joy in life, confidence and learns to do things differently. We watch him adjust to his new visage and limitations.
The other issue/”inadequacy” Milt fought with was extensively depicted throughout the story but its revelation in the end seemed too abrupt.
The relationship between Annie with her family and Brice often annoyed and exasperated me, but I admit some of her prejudices, fears and reservations felt adequate to the historical period.
Historically the story seemed well researched and I appreciated its sometimes contemplative, evocative tone.

In a nutshell, this is a very standard wounded soldier + army nurse romance in which everything is so predictable and standard you couldn't see the difference from hundreds of similar romances with this trope. He goes to war, gets blown up, recovers at the hospital, pretty caregiver girl sees him, they fall in love, some drama due to overbearing dad and a forgettable cartoon cutout rival for her affections ensue, all is solved, the war ends, they go back home to 'Murica, the end.

Post script: And I was bored from beginning to end.

Wow I really enjoyed Scarred Dreams! It was well written, the characters were introduced well, the story flowed easily! I loved this thrilling and romantical historical fiction!