I have been a fan of Karen White’s for so long, and this book, Dreams of Falling, epitomizes everything I love about her novels. It is filled with perfectly imperfect characters, people who love fiercely, people who make mistakes, people consumed by the choices they’ve made, people who leave home when they are hurt, people who return home confused and overcome by memories, people who grow and change through all the challenges they’ve overcome. This book is filled with secrets...so many secrets...secrets meant to protect loved ones; this book is filled with love and sacrifice and family and resilience and hurt and forgiveness and heartache. And the setting, an integral living breathing entity...this story couldn’t take place anywhere else with the salt air, the marshes, the humidity, and the small southern town where it takes place.

Dreams of Falling by Karen White is a standalone novel . This is my first book by White, and after completing this wonderful story, it will not be my last. Dreams of Falling is novel about family, loyalty, bonds and friends (past and present), who share devastating secrets that will come to haunt them .

Larkin, our heroine, receives a call that her mother, Ivy is missing. It has been 9 years since she left her home in Georgetown, South Carolina, and though she left on bad terms, she returns to help look for her mother. Larkin is greeted by the two women who helped raise her, as substitute mothers, CeeCee and Bitty. Together they try to find clues where her mother is, and eventually they narrow it down to the old decrepit mansion, Carrowmore, which still belongs to the Darlington’s, which CeeCee is executor. The three of them will find Ivy unconscious, having fallen through a caved in floor. The story will revolve around the POV’s of Larkin, Ivy, and CeeCee, moving smoothly through the present and 50 years in the past. This was so very well done.
Larkin will find out in short time things her mother and the two ladies who brought her up kept secret, including that she is the heir of the land. This is the just the tip of the iceberg, as Larkin will learn many more secrets, which go back 50 years into the past, where CeeCee, Bitty and Margaret (Larkin’s grandmother) were best friends, who were always loyal to each other, even when things took a drastic turn.

We will learn about the fire that destroyed Carrowmore, and caused the death of Margaret and the rescue of baby Ivy from the fire. The mystery of what happened all those years before, and how it affects the lives of everyone was the main focus of this story. Larkin will also have to face the friends (Mabry & Bennett) that she left behind when she decided to run away, and her father, whom she became distant with. Truths will be revealed that will bring Larkin back to her friendships, as she realizes the mistakes and misunderstandings that made her run away.

Dreams of Falling was a wonderful heartwarming and heart wrenching emotional tale of friendships, love, betrayal, family bonds, tragedy, grief; with an amazing cast of characters. I loved Larkin, CeeCee, & Bitty, as well as Larkin’s friends Mabry and Bennett. Bravo to Karen White for this wonderful story that is not to be missed.

Once again Karen White does not fail to deliver in a story that draws the reader in to the characters and storyline.

This is a story of secrets and more secrets, friends and family.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Dreams of Falling is set in the low country of South Carolina. Nine years have passed since Larkin left her hometown and began a new life in New York. She is summoned home to help search for her missing mother. The story then unfolds in flashbacks to the 1950's when a trio of young Southern Belles including Larkin's grandmother Margaret experience adventure and romance during an unchaperoned week at the beach. Flash forward as Larkin's mother is found and lingers in a coma, and the secrets of the past begin to unravel. Dreams of Falling is a light, enjoyable read, a perfect pick to read on the beach this summer with a tall cold glass of Sweet Tea. *I received an Advance Readers Copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

New York Times bestselling author Karen White's best-selling novel, THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT is out in paperback. At the same time, her new anxiously awaited novel, DREAMING OF FALLING (Berkley) has been published! Talk about a Karen White fan's dream come true!

Karen brings her usual warm characters to form a perfect blend of family, friendships and a little romance.

In the low country of South Carolina, on the banks of the North Santee River stands a moss-draped oak that was once entrusted with the dreams of three young girls. Into the tree’s trunk, they placed their greatest hopes, written on ribbons, for safekeeping–including the most important one: Friends forever, come what may. But life can waylay the best of intentions….

Nine years ago, a humiliated Larkin Lanier fled Georgetown, South Carolina, knowing she could never go back. But when she finds out that her mother has disappeared, she realizes she has no choice but to return to the place she both loves and dreads–and to the family and friends who never stopped wishing for her to come home.

Ivy, Larkin’s mother, is discovered badly injured and unconscious in the burned-out wreckage of her ancestral plantation home. No one knows why Ivy was there, but as Larkin digs for answers, she uncovers secrets kept for nearly fifty years–whispers of love, sacrifice, and betrayal–that lead back to three girls on the brink of womanhood who found their friendship tested in the most heartbreaking ways.

DREAMS OF FALLING is about three women who make up two generations of darling women, and alternates back and forth between the past and current times. My ideal way of reading Karen White is either enjoying lovely homemade lemonade, or a really chilled gin & tonic.

I reviewed this title for the June digital edition of RT Book Reviews magazine. Go to their site to view my complete review

Karen White had been recommended to me as an excellent author; and, after reading this book, I have to agree. Her writing and character development are excellent, and I felt like I knew the 4 main characters--Margaret, CeeCee, Ivy, and Bitty. I will be reading more by this author.

Dreams of Falling by Karen White shares the story of three women, their friendships and the men who love them. Told with multiple perspectives both past and present, Dreams of Falling offered mystery, family secrets, love, and romance. Dreams of Falling is the perfect book to toss into your beach tote this summer.

I love Karen White's books!! I've read almost every book she's written, but this one is different in several ways that reflect White's mastery as a writer. The most impressive is having a key character's voice be that of a comatose patient. In other books I've read with that type of character, the patient's voice is presented as though the patient is simply sleeping. That isn't the case here, but going into detail would create spoilers. Suffice it to say that several days after finishing the book, the images from the patient's perspective are some of my clearest memories of this book. Another aspect I found compelling was White's totally realistic portrayal of the types of trauma an overweight teenager can experience through the thoughtlessness and/or cruelty of classmates. At the same time, White included the trademark elements that make me such a fan: good people, loving families, romance, and humor. As always, I want another of her books as soon as I finish the newest one!!!! Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing access to this book before publication.

Karen White always writes enjoyable stories of the lowcountry and how families lives intertwine through tradition. I always enjoy her books, and I love getting to learn about sea turtles as she tells of the "turtle team" on the Isle of Palms. Good read for the pool or beach. I couldn't put it down!

Larkin returns to South Carolina after living in NYC for nine years when she learns her mom has been seriously injured in a fall at the ruins of the family’s ancestral plantation. There she learns more about the secrets her mother, grandmother and best friend have been keeping for more than 50 years.

As Larkin questions things she’s told: “we are all thrown into this world without a roadmap, and it’s up to us to muddle through. We are free to make a mess of it or to make a success out of our lives. Most of us choose something in between.”

I always enjoy Karen White’s low country stories and this one did not disappoint. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Karen White’s books are known for their beautiful, lyrical blend of familial bonds, deep secrets, and the charm of the South. Dreams of Falling is no different.

No one knows where Ivy has gone and Larkin sees no choice but to come home to Georgetown, South Carolina. Nine years ago, she fled to New York and never looked back. Now the disappearance of her mother has brought everything to a head, forcing Larkin to face what she tried so hard to forget.

After finding Ivy unconscious in the old, abandoned family home, Larkin starts searching for answers. Why does she not know more about her mother, her grandmother? Why has no one ever told her? Alternating between an unconscious Ivy, flashbacks to the 1950s, and the world Larkin is living in now, Dreams of Falling explores what we are willing to do, and hide, for our dearest of friends.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

From the moment I started to read I knew I was in for a very enjoyable read so I snuggled down in my favorite chair and lost myself to this beautiful story. There are sniffly moments so you will need some Kleenex. The characters were well fleshed out and the plot had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story. Definitely pre order this book because Karen White never ever disappoints and this book is definitely a winner. Happy reading!

Very much enjoyed the twists and turns...will look for more by this author!

An okay book, set in the South, about all things Southern.

Loved this book, loved the "magical" feel to parts of it.

It is the story of 3 young women in the early 50's, each very different from the other. For their high school graduation they travel to Myrtle Beach & 2 of the girls meet "the men of their dreams".

The story is told in multiple voices & flips from the past to a more current time. Dreams are a huge part of the story & how they have played a major part in the lives of these 3 women & future generations.

It is a story of friendship, promises made & kept, secrets & love.

I very much enjoyed this story, it was a page turner & a little bit of a "who done it".

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing in exchange of an honest review- thank you to both!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Definitely the best I have read this year. A wonderful blend of romance, intrigue, sadness and drama. A must read.

Heather Fineisen's review Apr 05, 2018 · edit
liked it

A charming but predictable story of three friends and the men they love. Told in flashbacks, the characters were well developed and easy to care about. The modern day romance of the granddaughter told in real time was more satisfying although also transparent. Overall, a good read with enough heart and character to offset the predictability.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

I really enjoyed Dreams of Falling. It's the story of three women who were friends growing up in South Carolina and of one of the women's daughter and granddaughter. The narration switches among three of the women - Ceecee, Ivy, and Larkin - and two different time periods, the 1950's and 2010. I loved reading about the three friends in the '50's and their life after graduation. Larkin's life in the 2000's is also interesting. The style of writing is perfect for this novel of the South because their stories are doled out languidly like the movements of the waterways that surround their hometown in the Low Country. The plot has many twists and turns, some inevitable and some surprising. All of the long-kept secrets are revealed by the story's end in a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely recommend this book to all of the women I know.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book.

Karen White’s books are always a perfect blend of family, friendship, mystery, and a little romance. In her latest book “Dreams of Falling” she offers us two generations of strong female friendships. After nine years away, Larkin returns to her childhood home in South Carolina when her mother Ivy takes a life-threatening fall, a fall that becomes the catalyst for exposing long held secrets. Larkin had fled her home insisting she would never return.

When Ivy is found in the burned out ruins of her family’s ancestral home, unconscious and badly injured, Larkin becomes determined to find out why her mother was there. It is in this search that Larkin uncovers the secrets kept by three teenage friends who fifty years earlier had sworn to remain best friends forever, never imagining the heartache that would result from that vow.

I admired the strength of the friendships in this story – the older generation (Margaret, Ceecee, and Bitty) and the younger generation (Larkin, Mabry, and Bennett). Their love for and loyalty to each other is so strong that they keep secrets to protect those they love.

Just as the older generation had their secrets, so too do the younger friends Larkin, Mabry, and Bennett - secrets kept in an effort to protect one of them. But it seems that all secrets are at some point revealed, leading to unknown consequences. This is the true beauty of Karen White’s writings – how do those who loved each other so strongly deal with consequences of those secrets.

Ms. White reveals the flaws in each of her characters, making them more human. She artfully wove together the strands of the backstories, slowly revealing the puzzle pieces one at a time. As the story evolved I found myself asking/guessing what role each character played in the central event. When I reached the end of the story, I marveled at the beauty of the writing and how well, and naturally, it all came together.

This is a story that tugged at my heart as the friends were dealt so much tragedy that normally would have destroyed friendships. Yet these friends stayed true.

I loved the characters, laughing with them, crying with them, asking “What were you thinking” a few times, and so hoping that a little sunshine would fall into their lives. I do highly recommend this book.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book.