Loved reading this book and author. I highly recommend her books. If you haven't read it I suggest doing so. Happy reading her books

Dream a Little Dream

by Melinda Curtis

After some mysteries and nonfiction, I knew needed to cleanse my reading palate and what better way to do it than with a light, clean, humorous romance by Melinda Curtis. It was a no-brainer to take a trip to Sunshine Valley where the board of the Widows Club is ready to decide on the couple they thought should be romantically linked and provide what they called “nudges.” The diverse group of friends are known for their meddling, and their antics and dialogue are the fun part of Dream a Little Dream.

Romance comes in the form of three-time world champion bull rider Jason whose friendship with Darcy goes way back and developed years ago into a romance. Darcy’s family has a history of falling on the wrong side of the law, but Darcy’s goal is to become a lawyer and leave her family’s reputation behind her as she moves out of town. Her long-time mentor Judge George Harper has other plans for Darcy, but when he dies, he leaves a mess of personal and professional issues for Darcy and his family to sort out. Meanwhile, Jason has been recuperating from a rodeo calamity and wants to restore his relationship with Darcy.

There are problems on all sides. Darcy doesn’t think she is capable of jumping into a judgeship and isn’t sure she can trust Jason. Jason needs to make decisions about what he really wants in the future and what his body can withstand. Both have loyal friends and some opposers in the town. Jason’s final effort to win Darcy comes down to the Widows Club Bachelor Auction for charity. I’m sure you can guess the outcome, but I enjoyed the journey. It was a fun and relaxing read, and I’m looking forward to my next visit to Sunshine Valley.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance

Notes: #2 in the Sunshine Valley Series, but is great as a standalone.

Publication: February 23, 2021—Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Memorable Lines:

Pearl’s voice shook the way a person’s did when they were holding all the smashed inside parts together. It felt like Pearl was one tear shy of a complete collapse.

Darcy smiled at her stepsons. She smiled the way generations of Joneses had when threatened—like she held a royal flush. No one need know it was more like a pair of twos.

“Does he sit at home and watch sports? Don’t laugh. He’s a grown man. It’s not like he goes to bed right after dinner. And he’s too cranky to be bingeing movies every night on the Hallmark Channel.”

This one was an interesting twist on the whole second chance thing. Even though it the hero was "bad boy" he didn't seem like the typical bad boy.

Complementary copy given for my honest review and opinion.
Sweet little romance for those that want a back porch read. I enjoyed it.

This was such a sweet book. This is the 3rd book in the Sunshine Valley series. It can be read as a standalone. This book is a second chance romance, which I found felt very real and natural. I thought all the characters in this book were great. If you’re looking for a good series to read, I recommend checking this one out!

Dream a Little Dream is an endearing small town romance with a fun cast of characters. From the widow club, to the romance between Darcy and Jason, I fell in love with this book and the small town of Sunshine Valley. And you know I love a bad-boy rodeo star!



Widow Darcy Jones Harper finally has the chance to prove herself when she's appointed to replace her late husband as the town judge. But the last person she was expecting to see in her courtroom is the former rodeo star and Sunshine Valley bad boy. Even though she's always had a thing for his rugged charm, she's a new woman who's left her old desires -- and all the trouble that comes with them -- behind. Right?

Jason Petrie is determined to clean up his act and settle down. But no matter what he does, his past seems to follow him, landing him in the court of the only woman he ever wanted. Thankfully, the town's matchmaking Widow's Club is on the case and they plan to lend Jason a helping hand. With their help, can Jason convince Darcy that maybe they both deserve a second chance? Jason Petrie is determined to clean up his act and settle down. But no matter what he does, his past seems to follow him, landing him in the court of the only woman he ever wanted. Thankfully, the town's matchmaking Widow's Club is on the case and they plan to lend Jason a helping hand. With their help, can Jason convince Darcy that maybe they both deserve a second chance?

After trying a few of Curtis’ other titles I’ve found her writing doesn’t work for me and decided not to try this one. I think her books are a little too sweet for me right now. DNF

This is a sweet small town romance and had an enjoyable set of quirky characters. The story is a second chance romance for the main characters. Jason is ready to win her back but Darcy is dealing with finding her spot as the town judge and can't factor the controversy of a relationship with him after the recent death of her husband. The Widow's Club, though, is going to do everything they can to get this couple back together.

On a whole it was a decent story, but there was something a little lacking in the story for me. I didn't swoon for Jason - he seemed a little one track with winning Darcy back. I also didn't really watch the characters fall in love which is a part of a romance. That might be because it was a second chance romance, so the relationship was already established, but I missed the journey of falling in love. Come the end I didn't really care if they ended up together or not. It is a nice story - The Widows were a hoot and Stogey the dog was adorable - but I felt like something was missing This is the third book in the series and the first one that I've read by the author. This book, though, doesn't really have me reaching for the others that I missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Melinda Curtis always writes great stories. The characters are relatable, interesting and fun. Always a good ending. Thanks for a great read!

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Dream A Little Dream by Melinda Curtis

A small-town judge meets her match in a rodeo star troublemaker, but soon they both end up targets of the town’s matchmakers.

This was a different, interesting story. Retired judge, poor girl marries rich man, cowboys and rodeos. I cofounder it very enjoyable. It held a well-developed group of characters. I recommmend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dream a Little Dream gave me lots of characters to loathe. Mostly the side characters because hot damn - they needed a swift kick to the no no zone a couple of times. As for the main characters, Darcy and Jason, I kind of liked them. Or maybe I just liked the idea of them getting another shot at romance together.

These two had great chemistry and it was obvious that the feelings were still there. I just wasn't fully invested in them. It kind of felt like I didn't truly know anyone in this book. Decisions that were made just didn't make sense to me. So I'll admit that I was easily confused when it came to them. Plus the drama about Darcy being a temporary judge just completely baffled me. I just didn't get it.

In the end, it was an okay book and I'm glad that I got the chance to dive into it.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author.

The Widow books are a great series and I love those little old ladies and their meddling.
However this one was probably my least favorite so far. It still had great side characters and town, but the two main characters were less interesting to me than the rest of the cast. I think it was because there was no will they/won't they, no building of their love and romance, it was just there in the background always.

Dream a Little Dream is an entertaining and well written romance. A great plot with good character dynamics. Romance fans will enjoy this book.

Darcy grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, and now with much of her family in jail for their past bad acts, she’s trying (and has tried) to overcome the stigma of being a “Jones” in a town that she believes will never let her forget it. Her one constant and true friend has always been Jason: since landing himself in hot water as a child, he’s always been on Darcy’s side – and the two formed a bond that is stronger than either one of them ever understood. But while Jason chased his dreams, money and fame on the bull riding circuit, Darcy was working on moving forward: going first to university then on to law school all under the patient tutelage of George Harper, local judge and man who always kept an eye on her.

With everything in tumult and Darcy feeling very alone, she accepted George’s proposal of marriage when she believed Jason had moved on. Her reasoning was that she owed George something – and in return George would walk her through her law courses, protect her with his name and polish up her rough edges. But now he’s gone and has manipulated her into taking the ‘appointment’ as judge in his stead: giving her a step up. Of course, he didn’t go quietly –as he’s constantly speaking to her from the grave: but she’s not the only one. With the Widow’s club of Sunshine Valley working their magic to ‘match’ deserving people, one of their own finding her ‘mojo’ again and looking for the opportunity to date again, and the ladies now focused on Jason and Darcy as Jason is healing from a major injury – the story just winds and weaves into a series of laugh out loud moments, a gaseous and toothless dog, some overt and covert interference from George’s true love and one time housekeeper, Darcy’s own lack of confidence and shame about her family name – and of course, Love.

Much like the first in the series, Curtis uses laughter, confidence (or lack of), attraction and some well-meaning (or not so) interference to get her characters into places that they need to be. Friendships and connections between the people in town (and a few new entrants to the Sunshine Valley community) a bit of ‘new tech’ used to bring everyone together (after much masterminding from the Widow’s club) that sense of community and goodwill, and some true moments where hearts and minds are searched, changed and settled make this a lovely story – fun, uplifting and hopeful.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aSB /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Dream a Little Dream is a really sweet romance featuring a couple of my favourite tropes: childhood sweethearts and small town. You can’t help root for Darcy and Jason and their future, given how important they were to one another in the past.

Sunshine Valley is a fun town to escape into and the cast of supporting characters provide humour, warmth and depth.

Thank you to Forever for the finished copy and e-ARC.

Darcy's family has a reputation and she worked hard to get out that view going to school to make something of herself. After her husband passes she's the newly appointed judge and everyone is not happy especially knowing her history. Speaking of history Jason is apart of Darcy's history and finds that both of them still have a connection and see if this can become something.

If you love a good contemporary romance novel you'll like this. Darcy tried so hard to get out of the same category as the family who has raised her but small town and all that makes it hard for anyone to see that person as anything different. She tried her best to be a court judge and it was gonna be tough being a women taking over a her late husbands place after being known as a great and unconventional judge. She's got quite a lot of things to get though and now with Jason and some surprising news coming to light she got a lot on her plate right now. I love a good second chance at romance novel. I love books with characters who are out to prove their worth. And I'm a dog lover and Darcy's dog is a trip you'll see if you read this book. Overall this book was pretty enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the digital advance reading copy of this book.

This is the second book I have read, in the Sunshine Valley series by Melinda Curtis and book number three did not disappoint. The ladies in the Widows Club always have their hands in the matchmaking cookie jar. I love that Bitsy got the two year twitch and enjoyed reading the thoughts going through her mind. I love that Darcy found her own way and fought for the things she wanted. And Stogey was fantastic; a little gas powered pup should make its way into more books.

Can't wait to read the next installment.

I love this series so much and this might just be my favorite. I love Melinda's writing and her storytelling ability is top notch. I definitely recommend this!