Member Reviews

Traci Hunter Abramson does it again!! A beautiful story of love and grit. She pulls you in from page one and there you stay until the very end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Was this review helpful?

Watching Tyler and Amaliya grow through this new story has been a joy. This new story of them trying for the Olympics was full of beautiful moments, and watching them grow through their different trials was very rewarding. I can't wait to see where this series will go next.

Was this review helpful?

Such a great continuation to this story! I love this throwback to years past and the simplicity of the relationship. The world of ice skating is complex! There is a lot in this book, which was amazing and has me wondering what comes next!

Was this review helpful?

#DreamsOfGold #NetGalley

I've loved reading this series. Amaliya and Tyler, continue to work towards placement in the Olympics. I love how Traci Abramson, shows all the steps and hard work it takes to work towards competing in the Olympics. I love the relationship between Amaliya and her mom, and how closely she works to help Amaliya to push harder. I read the two short connecting books as well. I'm hoping for another book in the series.

Was this review helpful?

I liked book 1 better. It was okay and I liked the ice skating, the drive and character development. I also liked the relationship. I love a good sports romance.

Was this review helpful?

As Tyler and Amaliya continue their quest for the Olympics, setbacks continue. A freak on-ice accident makes Amaliya lose her nerve for quite a while, but eventually, they are able to pick up the pieces and (semi-spoiler) qualify for the Olympics in Leningrad. This has special importance to Amaliya, because it is near to where her mother grew up, and she has only recently learned that she still has family there. This discovery adds to her motivation to make it onto the Olympic team. She and Tyler have become more than partners on the ice, forging a romantic relationship as well.

I particularly enjoyed the subplot of Amaliya meeting her mother’s family, especially considering that she was the American child of a defector. I am surprised at the ease with which she was allowed to visit her uncle and cousins in their home, and worried for the family’s fate after entertaining Americans. The somewhat sourpuss male cousin made me wonder if somehow he was going to rat them out for something, but nothing came of that.

The book ends with Amaliya and Tyler looking forward to the World Championships and seeing Amaliya’s cousin Sonya (a singles skater) again.

This book is not yet released, but I am assuming that Abramson is planning another one, as there are some definite loose ends that could be tied up. Not enough that it couldn’t end here, but I strongly suspect there’s at least one more.

Possible objectionable material:
Drama between competitors. Kissing. Some readers might need some historical context on the Soviet Union. There’s nothing here that I think would be inappropriate for a 12-year-old.

Who might like this book:
Those interested in ballet and/or ice skating. The protagonists are late teens/early 20s. Those who like innocent romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-dozen-by-traci-hunter-abramson.html

Was this review helpful?

Traci Hunter Abramson is an auto read/auto buy for me, and this book solidified that even more.

I get excited when I see something new come from Traci, but this series has brought this love that I used to have as a kid back. I wanted to be Tara Lipinski as a little girl in the 90's, and now all I want to do is lace up some skates and get on the ice.

Amaliya and Tyler are such a cute pair. There are traumas in this book that would be hard for anyone to go through, and to go through it alone would be a nightmare. But having a system of people that love and adore you and would go to such lengths for you is shown in this book. The love of family, friends, partners, and coach creates this haven for this partnership to become something special. It allows them a place to be themselves, and to go through not only the highs, but the sorrows of life.

Tyler is achieving his dream, and Amaliya is finding that her dreams were not so cut and dry as she had once imagined. An injury and some healing allows the couple to evaluate their true dreams. While healing takes place, a family discovery takes place and it ignites a passion and fight to transform their dreams into a reality.

Was this review helpful?

Sometimes sequels are a bit of a let down, but not this one! It delivers on the powerful punch from the first book. I enjoyed every bit and hope there are more coming!

(Public review will be posted closer to release)

Was this review helpful?

Another excellent addition to Traci’s newest series. One of my favorite movies from the early 90s was The Cutting Edge and these books definitely have that vibe. I highly recommend reading the novellas that go along with these books. They add so much depth to the side characters.
If you enjoy sports romances, especially figure skating, check out this series. It was sweet, wholesome, and already has me excited for the next book.
I love all the great lessons in Tyler & Amaliya’s story. Traci does a great job of conveying all the emotions these characters experience as they prepare to go to the Olympic. The courage, determination, passion, vulnerability, and just hard work that goes into competitive sports.
She really gets you invested in these characters and their families. I look forward to seeing where the next book takes us on their journey. Thanks to Netgalley and Covenant Communications for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I was so happy to see that this book was on NetGalley! I loved it. I loved seeing the continual character growth from the previous book as well as the tie-in from Broken Dreams.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second in the (Dream's Edge series) and they should be read in order. There are only a few sentences to catch you up from the first book, "An Unlikely Pair". This is a sports romance set in the world of pairs figure skating during the 1980's. (I chuckle every time I read VHS tape or Walkman.) Tyler has dreamed of Olympic Gold his whole life. Amaliya was a ballet dancer but grew up on the ice rink as her father is a professional hockey coach and former player. The first book tells of their meeting and partnering up. This continues on immediately after the first as they prepare for National's, Worlds and hopefully to make it to the (fictional) 1984 Olympics in Leningrad.

Along the way they struggle with new training, confidence issues, injuries and outside influences. In addition to being skating partners Tyler as her boyfriend must also deal with Amaliya's dad's overprotective side. Amaliya learns more about her Russian heritage too. I am a big fan of Abramson as a writer but I'm more drawn to her international spy thrillers series like Saint Squad and the Guardian. I'm still invested in Tyler and Amaliya's story but outside of training and interacting with their coach and family these young (19 & 21 year olds) have no life or friends. (Which is probably realistic for their level of completion.) I got a little weary of breakfast, practice and watch a movie or listen to music day after day. I began to wonder if it really needs to be a longer series. I also felt the romance didn't evolve during this story. The action picks up at the end and Abramson had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the final results.

This is for people who enjoy squeaky clean, wholesome romances that includes a little kissing. I do want to know what the author has planned for the couple in the next adventure. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Another wonderful book from Traci Abramson
Such a beautiful story of love, supporting those around you, and reaching with everything you have to achieve your dreams. What does it take to reach your dream of a gold medal? What are you willing to give to reach that dream? That is what Amaliya and Tyler need to decide. Is it worth the hours of training? What about when you are injured just before competition? What about when fears of failure haunt your dreams and waking hours? Amaliya and Tyler are skaters working towards Olympic Gold as partners in figure skating and these questions demand answers every day. As they work together and support each other their love grows but the questions and life problems are their partners as much as they are to each other. As you watch them grow together as partners and as a couple, you also see how many, many more people are involved in their success. Each character lending their strength, insights and experience. Mix in a family lost, a stalker, and injuries by others, and you have a wonderful, compelling book that will draw you in and have you cheering for Amaliya and Tyler. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I just finished reading Dreams of Gold by Traci Hunter Abramson and it was fantastic! I loved the other books in this series and enjoyed this one just as much.

It probably shows my age to admit that this book really took me back in time, as this book was set in the word of figure skating in the 1980s. I well remember the tension and mistrust surrounding the Soviet Union during that time period. It is a fun read with plenty of trials and conflicts to keep you invested in the story.

The only complaints I have with this series is that the novellas Dancing for Freedom, and Broken Dreams is only available in a digital format. I have read and loved them both and they add a lot to the story. As a book store worker I have many frustrated customers when they see these books listed as part of the series but they are not able to read them since they do not read digitally. It would be great if they could be printed!

I highly recommend reading Dreams of Gold as well as the other books I this series. You can’t hep loving and becoming invested in these characters lives!

Was this review helpful?

I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one as well! I love all books by this author. She always provides a fun read and this one did not disappoint. Amaliya and Tyler have everything it takes to be Olympic ice skaters, but one thing after another seems to stand in their way. Will their Dreams of Gold ever be realized? You won't be able to put this book down until you see if they make it all the way.
#DreamsOfGold #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I had loved the first book of the series, "An Unlikely Pair", just as I love this second book, "Dreams of Gold". Both books are easy to read, comfortable, with a little bit of drama, and a lot of wholesomeness.

I enjoyed following our two skaters, Amaliya and Tyler's training, struggles, challenges, and victories, on their way to the Olympic Games in Leningrad in the 1980s. We cannot help but root for them during the year and a half that they spend training, training, and training again with an incredible dedication. While this book could have gotten a little repetitive with the first one, the author brought new elements. For instance, this book touched upon important topics, such as sexist violence and sport injuries, in a way that was very sensitive, and important to address. It could however have been interesting to mention these elements all along the book, instead of "closing the parenthesis" once the topic was satisfactorily addressed.

Although Amaliya and Tyler are likeable and somewhat relatable, their relationship and personalities' evolution could have been developed more. We don't know that much about their personalities apart from the main lines (hardworking, dedicated, serious, humble...). They don't have many dialogues or deep conversations. However, I appreciated the slightly unusual choice of the author to follow a third character in her books (in the first book, it was Amaliya's mother, here it is the skaters' coach, Gordon) as it adds a different perspective.

I enjoyed the author's knowledge about figure skating and the accuracy of the skating details of the book, despite having to do my own research online to better understand the different figures and jumps involved, and understand what the figures part of the competition consisted in (as it isn't part of international competitions anymore). As an added perk, as I also practice ice skating (at a very amateur level), I actually got a tip or two from the books (such as to keep "straight ankles") that helped me in my own practice from reading the book.

While the series could have concluded were it did, it seems that a third book might be in the works. If so, I'll very much be looking forward to reading it, as well as the #1.5 novella of the series, "Broken Dreams'!

*I received an eARC and this is my honest opinion*

Was this review helpful?

The second book in Amaliya and Tyler's story is such an engaging read. From the beginning where they end up in second to the end where they get to live out their dreams- so much happens and I am on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what is going to happen. There are so many barriers and possible barriers that I wanted to close one eye because I felt so emotionally invested. While Traci Abramson is open about not being into research- she must have done something right because the way she wrote the Russian section of the story brought feelings of anxiety and fear to my heart in a lesser way then I am sure Amaliya's mom experienced. I couldn't imagine going through everything these characters experience which makes the whole story so much more satisfying. I can't wait to see what comes next in the Dream's Edge saga. Dream's of Gold drew me in even deeper into their world.

Was this review helpful?

This was so good! I didn’t want to put it down. Dreams of Gold is the second book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s series, Dream’s Edge. This book was a continuation of the first book and it was really good! At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it because I generally read series that contain standalone books but I loved Dreams of Gold!
Amaliya and Tyler were working towards competing in the Olympics and winning gold, but there were a lot of obstacles that stood in their way. The path to gold had a lot of twists and turns. A painful injury and situations in life shake their confidence and it will take all of their willpower to keep on going. However when Amaliya learns of her connection to the Soviet Union, she is given a drive to make their Olympic dreams come true.
I really enjoyed reading more about Amaliya and Tyler. It was fun because I had liked them from the first book and it was cool to read about them connecting and growing. They had a lot to overcome and it was sweet to read about them coming together. It was interesting to read the obstacles they faced and learn to overcome them. They faced injuries but they also had to learn to work through hard relationships. I liked how real Amlaiya and Tyler felt, they were just two people working towards their dreams. It was definitely cute to read about them interacting with each other, reading about them falling more and more in love.
The storyline was so interesting, Abramson keeps you on the edge of your seat. I didn’t know how the story would turn out, but I was definitely interested. Although this book is more of a slice of life book, there were still some twists and turns. I don’t want to say anything else, but this is definitely a must read book. I also loved seeing characters from the first book, and getting to see their Coach more. I enjoyed the family aspects of these characters and how they came together to help each other throughout the trials they were facing.
Dreams of Gold was an amazing book! I could not recommend it more. I loved Dreams of Gold but you do need to read these books in order because it really adds to the story. I can’t wait to read the next book, there are still some questions to be answered. Dreams of Gold is a clean romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

I posted my review on Goodreads and Barnes and Nobles on 11/14/2021

Was this review helpful?

DREAMS OF GOLD is the second novel in the Dream’s Edge series by TRACI HUNTER ABRAMSON, and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first one. I love the ice skating theme, the wonderful characters, the way the author draws us into their highs and lows, and the scenes in Helsinki and Leningrad with the Winter Olympics. What a really gripping story of two young people and their coach who work hard to obtain their goals in spite of many setbacks.
Amaliya Marcell and Tyler Linden are pairs skaters whose love for one another and for skating shines through their performances. Gordon Alexander is their single-minded coach who keeps them in rigid training, both on the ice and at home. He reiterates the importance of fighting one’s doubts and trusting one’s self abd one’s partner, and never giving up.
I like to see the support given to Amaliya and Tyler by their families and the way Robert Marcell eventually warms to Tyler after his original mistrust of his daughter’s boyfriend. I also like the way Amaliya learns more about her Russian mother’s story.
This is a book that holds your interest from start to finish. I found it most exciting and inspirational and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?