I've enjoyed many of this author's books in the past, but this one just felt "off." I can't quite put my finger on it, other than to say it seemed a bit predictable and repetitive. I felt like the characters were glossed over a bit, and that I knew what their next steps would be. I'm looking forward to more reads in the future, but just didn't care for this one very much.

I received Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber for free from NetGalley for an honest review. Any Dream Will Do has to be my favorite book by Debbie Macomber. She truly wove a magical story of second chances and second chances at love. Pastor Drew Douglas is the leader of the towns local church and father to Mark and Sarah. One night he meets a young woman and unknown to them, what second chances are all about. Shay Benson, her heart and mind may not agree upon things, but realizes that the heart and mind can reconnect. When they reconnect, wonderful things can and do happen. Any Dream Will Do is truly a,wonderful, relatable story, and I wished that the story would continue on. I liked the pacing of the story, the characters grew, and for one of the most down to earth stories that I have read in a long time. Thank you Debbie Macomber.

Enjoy another book by Debbie Macomber... Must read.

Sometimes predictable is just the thing you need, especially when it’s painted with the brush of faith and hope. Macomber is an expert in helping her characters gain faith in humanity and hope for themselves – even when it seems impossible.

Any Dream Will Do is the motto of Shay’s new friend — the one who will help Shay save herself from the pit of despair she needs to step out of. But Shay hasn’t believed in dreams in so long, that’s a tough order to fill.

I enjoyed this quick read centered around redemption and loving others. I’m not sure the story was quite realistic – there were some hokey parts where I suspended my disbelief – but it certainly was hopeful. And although only a small part of the book focused on romance, Macomber wrote a lovely happily ever after.

Shay was fortunate enough to get out of drugs and get a good job at a bank.
But eroded by guilt, when her brother came to ask for help - or he would be dead the next day - she reluctantly helped him.

And she ended up in prison for 3 years.

When she left the Washington Corrections Center for Women, alone, with nowhere to go, she remembered the time in jail when she received religious letters from a volunteer teacher. Even if she did not have the faith of that woman, Shay sought shelter from the cold inside a church when the bus left her there.

Shay prayed but did not expect to get an answer.
When she saw a priest coming toward her, she imagined he would expel her, but he asked her the right questions and helped her.

What she couldn't imagine was that she was a prayer answer as well.

Drew Douglas had decided to help people find the right path, the path to God.
But after years in which his wife struggled with ovarian cancer - and lost the war - seeing his children shattered by loss, he did not know where to find the strength or hope to stay active.
Day by day he saw his words being empty, as was his congregation.

With Shay's arrival, Drew had to contact the Hope Center, run by his friend Kevin. From there, help for Drew solidified.
Over time, within the Hope Center, a rehab program for people with no future or hope, Shay and Drew begin a friendship that could lead to something more.

The author gives a lesson in motivation, hope and faith in this book.
A charming story, suitable for the present day.
5 stars

I have always liked every book that Debbie Macomber had written and this one was no exception. This was a very different type of story but as usual it was one of second chances.

This is such a wonderful, hopeful story. I just loved it! The characters are so well developed and likeable, you are rooting for them from the start!

I love Debbie Macomber's Christmas stories. I haven't read too many of her books that aren't set during Christmas time so this was a fun change of pace for me and her books. I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the different characters, the pacing, the lapse of time, the theme, the plot. Definitely an all around good read.

Shay is one of those characters that you feel torn about. Not torn in a bad way but torn because you see the struggle and dilemma that she is faced with and you are torn hoping the choices she makes would be a little different. Now if she followed those choices then the novel wouldn't be what it is of course. So you sit back, keep reading, turning pages and silently cheering this character on in your mind. Hoping that her goodness will be seen and her trust in others with be worth the risk.

Drew, another character you're torn about. Someone who has lost a strong foundation in his life. He's trying to rebuild it but struggling with the load and pain of the labor. He's floundering under the heavy load, and when he is at his breaking point, there's a lightening, a lifting off of the weight. Not all at once but slowly and the ability to breath and keep building that foundation is possible again.

Two characters from two completely different backgrounds are brought together. Alone they struggle and are drowning but together their ability to succeed and inspire and help those around them is beyond what anyone would or could imagine. Especially considering their vast differences.

That might seem very vague but it truly summarizes this story and the two main characters. Of course there is so much more involved because I haven't added any details or information about the other characters who also play a part in the growth and change. There's lots of pain, sorrow, heartache, loss of dreams, hope, trust, healing, love, peace, friendship (especially the very unlikeliest of friendships), anger, feeling of absolute loss after hope, forgiveness, safety, redemption, acceptance, prejudice, achievements.

I probably could keep going but I'll stop there with all my descriptive words.

I was very invested in these characters while reading. I've decided that they're my new book friends. Shay and Drew and many more, Lilly, Richard. Yep most definitely my new book friends. As I was writing my previous review I realized that that book was also very similar in themes and the process of healing and redemption. Two completely different storylines except for those themes. I love how no matter the story or situation, those themes are always very prevalent and true in any aspect of our lives. This is a Christian fiction novel for sure but for those who aren't Christian and don't believe that, I still believe that everyone has that feeling of hope or the desire of hope in their lives. Hope for a better future, hope to do well, hope to overcome mistakes. Hope for something.

If you are or are not a Debbie Macomber fan, I highly recommend this book. It's different than other books I've read by her, and yet it's similar. Read it, savor it and hopefully you'll fall in love with the characters like I did.

Content: Clean. Talk of drug use, but nothing graphic. Talk of past relationships but nothing graphic. Kisses, the couple talks about not having a physical relationship until after marriage. A character gets attacked by a gang member.

I received a copy from the publisher, Random House Publishing-Ballantine, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Heroine Shay definitely takes good advantage of the second chances offered to her in the story, I did find it took a while to get into the story--Macomber quickly glides thru Shay's prison time (served all three years of her embezzlement charge) to her release. The chapters alternate between Shay and Pastor Drew, which propelled the story into a smoother rhythm as it went along. It was a nice, easy read.

Debbie Macomber has a way of writing her stories that a reader can really relate to the characters and the story lines. She often deals with real life issues that many face every day. Many times I forget that I am reading a book and will pray for the characters. I also root for them to succeed.

Any Dream Will Do does not disappoint. Shay adores her little brother Caden. However, when he gets in trouble Shay crosses a line that she knew was wrong. Having paid the price for her indiscretion, Shay wants to make up and find a fresh start. Wondering into a church looking for a place to stay, Pastor Drew Douglas finds her there. He is a discouraged pastor. His life is in a tail spin after loosing his wife. His flock has become disenchanted with him. Will his friendship with Shay lead to a reawakening or a change of occupation? I found this story a fun and interesting read. I highly recommend this book. I received a copy through Netgalley. I review was not required.

This was a quick read for me. I enjoyed the story and did not mind the religious tones at all. I normally shy away from any book that contains too much religion. It can get in the way of the story, in my opinion.

But, this book was a beautifully written story about starting over and forgiveness and it really struck a chord in my heart and my thinking. The characters were well developed from Shay to the most minor character. I felt a part of the story which is rare.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a fantastic one by Debbie Macomber. Fourth in the New Beginnings Series, it focuses on Shay Benson and Drew Douglas. Shay is a young woman whose loyalty to her troubled brother got her into trouble and resulted in a prison sentence. Drew Douglas is the pastor and widowed dad of two who tries to help Shay get back on her feet when she is released from prison.

These were wonderful characters that I grew to care about. Their story was poignant and touching. I was kept interested throughout the story and was sorry to see it end. A really good one from Macomber!

This is my second book from Author Debbie Macomber and I can honestly say it won't be my last by far. I was shocked to find an author who can honestly take you completely into the characters lives like Ms Macomber was able to do. She also has a very special way of making you feel as if you are in the same place the characters are while you are reading the books she writes.

The latest stand alone novel from Debbie Macomber, Any Dream Will Do, is Christian fiction at its best. Protagonist, Shay Benson, is a sympathetic character who would do just about anything to protect her younger brother, Caden. Shay is forced to start over in life after making a poor choice to protect Caden from drug dealers who want him dead. That choice earns her three years in prison. Antagonist, Drew Douglas, a local pastor, is still struggling to raise his two children and put his life back together four years after the death of his beloved wife.

When the bus drops Shay off in front of Drew’s church on the day she left prison, she ventures inside to escape the cold. As Drew helps Shay re-enter life on the outside, his sense of purpose is reignited. Gradually, their friendship grows, but the two are faced with obstacles such as disapproving church elders, the appearance of an abusive former boyfriend, Shay’s difficulties with trust and self-esteem, and even her brother, Caden.

This complex novel deals with current social issues:  the bullying of Drew’s son, homelessness, drug dealers, grief, Christians who don’t always behave in a Christ-like manner toward others, and briefly with the role of a male pastor’s wife.

The story unfolds smoothly, not in flashbacks, as many do, making it a quick, easy read. It’s a romance, a mystery, and oh, so much more. I was disappointed when it ended.

What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?

No much. Only the usual things like split-infinitives and improper word usage:  the word “loan” was used repeatedly when “lend” is what should have been used. Yes, I’m very picky. Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer

Any Dream Will Do
Debbie Macomber

While I admit to being a fan of Romance, and most often anything Debbie Macomber writes, I didn’t love this book. I didn’t care for the alternating point of view chapters, between Shay, the protagonist, and Drew, the love interest. Mostly because it felt like reading parts of their personal journal, and I want characters to interact more. The number of times these two conversed, or more, was very limited. The result was a set of cardboard characters who only did the right thing or the wrong things. Characters, like people, need to have depth for me to feel invested in them. There was ample opportunity for this, but that wouldn’t serve what felt like the simplistic happily ever after that we knew was coming.
I’m especially disappointed with the way the author handled Shay’s family… while she was willing to give up her dreams, job, and reputation for her brother, by stealing money for him and going to prison, he seemed to have no feelings for her at all. Shay befriends a couple of homeless people along the way, but we get very little of their story as well. Why not let Shay have conversations with these people? The story is merely told, not experienced.

I’ve been a long time Macomber reader and while I was disappointed with this book, I don’t think it will keep me from reading her next one. I know her writing well enough to know she could have done better.

I accepted this copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Always a fan of Debbie Macombers books. This one was no different and I mostly enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed the two main characters of the book. I felt they were both complex characters and I appreciated how they handled their issues head on after the start of the book. I liked that Shay's background was a bit darker and there was some grit mixed in through the book. The grit in this book added an extra bit of oomph that I really enjoyed.

Shay and Drew, who are two totally different walks of life, have a chance run in after Shay is released from prison. Their lives intersect slowly over time and slowly start careening faster and faster. I loved the moral of this story about not judging a book by its cover, as well as second chances in life. A very powerful message.

I did have a little bit of a struggle towards the end of the book. I know Debbie's books are very feel good, feelings, etc. but the last couple chapters I felt like screaming "I know! I know you have feelings, and they're deep!" It just felt a little redundant even though you are reading as the characters feelings themselves. Otherwise, this was another Debbie Macomber book that fits well in with her other books and usual style of writing.

I am local to where her books are set and that's always a nice bonus when I read her novels!

Debbie Macomber's books can always be counted on to provide a lovely, sweet read. I found this book to be a slightly different read than some of her previous stories. It is the story of how easily we can be led astray and betrayed by those we love, but also how we can bring ourselves back from terrible circumstances, especially when others offer a second chance. It is a love story, but one filled with trepidation and caution. Two lost souls find each other, and the road to their romance is not easy, or easily accepted by others. It's a story of faith and trust, as well.

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for a review. As always, I am glad to read books written by Debbie Macomber. Her writing is filled with sweet goodness, and it can be a relief to escape into the worlds Macomber creates; her words can be a balm in an increasingly complicated world.

I just couldn't get into this book as much as other reviewers. I found Shay and Drew to be almost annoying, and so I couldn't really get into their developing relationship. I did, however, love the relationship that Shay developed with Drew's children from the beginning. I love other books by Debbie Macomber and certainly will read her future work.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Feels forced, as if the characters had to be placed in the right place at the right time for the story to work. Just ok.

Debbie Macomber used to be one of my favorite authors. The last two books of hers that I have read, however, have changed that. The book Any Dream Will Do was way too religious for my taste. Perhaps that is what Debbie is going for these days. Her books in the past have been clean and wholesome, but not filled with references to God. Being an atheist, this was a big turnoff. I do read Christian romance, mostly because I look for an actual story, not just sex., as most of the contemporary romance seems to be these days.

That being said, even if one is religious, the book Any Dream Will Do was just too far-fetched. The beginning of the book skipped over all the "difficult" aspects of being charged with a crime, going to prison, being released from society and getting back to a normal life. The idea for the book was a good one, but apparently Debbie didn't want to deal with reality and instead went for a fairy tale.