Alright, I've given myself some time to process this one. Gotta start by saying I can't remember the last time I read a Sparks book, so I honestly can't recall if this is just how he writes, or if this particular story was just a dud (for me at least).

I can say that I have very little enthusiasm for the insta-love trope, so that had me cranky from the get-go. I genuinely did not pick up on any of the chemistry between the two leads, and with the timeline being so condensed, everything felt rushed and flat. This vacation love story felt like the side plot, with the compelling part of the book coming from the seemingly unrelated and totally disconnected "mom-on-the-run" POV. Seriously, it felt like two very different novels were forced to cohabitate.

Unfortunately, despite being the more interesting part of the story, Beverly's half wasn't without its own problems-and the twist wasn't exactly a shocker.

I also need to point out that using darker foundation as a disguise tactic rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, this didn't do much for me. 2/5⭐

I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review

I did really enjoy this as the story was super cute. I have a hard time liking Morgan and believing her relationship with Colby. It was an enjoyable read though.

North Carolina storyteller Nicholas Sparks returns with a poignant love story about risking everything for a dream—and whether it’s possible to leave the past behind. DREAMLAND —is an emotional story of family, loss, and love.

North Carolina Colby Mills put his dreams on hold to run his family's dairy farm, giving up his musical career. When he gets the chance to play a gig at a bar in St. Pete Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida for a few weeks, his family urges him to go.

He enjoys his laid-back time on the beach doing what he loves best - MUSIC and meets Morgan Lee from Chicago, whose life is the opposite of Colby's. She has everything at her fingertips, from talent, money, family, and education. Most of all, she is pursuing her dream of music.

Even though the two are opposites, they bond over their love of music. Colby is not jealous of her opportunities but encourages her. He writes music and is talented, and Morgan sees this in him. They fall in love. She wants him to go to Nashville with her.

However, Colby knows this romantic fling cannot last because he is called back to the farm with family obligations and an emergency. How will the two be able to develop an ongoing relationship from a distance? Can they make it work?

In another parallel story (the author does a sly flip twist here), A woman, Beverly on the run from her abusive husband with her son. Her money and time are running out, and she is desperate.

How do these storylines connect? Fate will bring them together in an unforgettable story.

You have to feel for Colby with the world's weight on his shoulders but still with a great attitude. I liked his character.

I have read all Nicholas Sparks novels and am a fan; however, this was not my favorite. I am not a country music fan, but this novel reads like a country music song for some reason.

I am an NC native and have resided in Florida for over 20 years (east coast), I always enjoy the gulf coast and The Don Cesar, St. John's Pass, Indian Rock Beach, cycling, etc., and was delighted to re-visit in a book.

Sure, NS fans will enjoy this one, but for me, I kept waiting for something else to happen. However, will continue to pick up his books in the future.

Thank you, #RandomHouse and #NetGalley, for an ARC to read, enjoy, and review.

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Pub Date: Sept 20, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars
Sept 2022 Must-Read Books

Thank you NetGalley!
I loved Colby, Morgan was alright. I liked her better as the book went on. Honestly I was more invested in Beverly’s story. It was so intriguing! And that conclusion, whew… I wasn’t expecting that. I appreciate the epilogue and that conclusion.

2.5 stars.

Not my favorite Nicholas Sparks book by any means, but it is a quick read. Just felt a little too cheesy. Two of the main characters, Colby and Morgan, are supposed to be 25 & 21, respectively - and no offense to Sparks, but it was definitely obvious in the writing that Sparks is nowhere near that age. The dialogue and inner monologues of Colby felt like an older man trying to be young and “hip” & it just felt kind of stupid. But their storyline is classic Sparks. Beverly’s storyline was more intriguing, for sure. But it was very clear what the “twist” was going to be, so the end just felt kind of dull.

But hey, not every book is a winner, but at least this one held my attention and kept me interested enough to want to finish. Nonetheless, thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks was a VERY different story line than I expected from him. The first 3/4ths of the book builds the story of Colby, a young man who recently set aside his dream of being a musician professionally, to help with a family farm. On a brief hiatus, he is in Florida playing in a bar, when he meets Morgan, also a musician who is headed to Nashville to begin her career. In a second story line we meet Beverly and her son Tommie. They are frantically trying to get away from her abusive husband who works for Homeland Security and has unlimited resources to find his wife and son. When their stories collide, this book takes on a whole new dimension. Definitely a book Sparks fans will want to read!! Thank you NetGalley and Randon House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it hits the market!!!

Comprised of two alternating storylines that are seemingly unrelated and that are as different as night and day, “Dreamland” had me scrutinizing every word I read in search of a connecting thread that would weave these two opposing stories together right up until the moment that they merged into one. Sure, I had a working theory--which did turn out to be spot on--but I still had questions begging to be answered, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

While I can’t say that this is my favorite Nicholas Sparks book to date, it was definitely a unique and twisty tale of a slow-burning romance that seemed destined from the start. It’s a quick and easy read, making for a perfect summertime accompaniment!

Nicholas Sparks does it again! I just finished the Wish recently so I was on a romance novel kick. I was excited when I saw this new one coming out soon. Sparks’ writing is so wonderful for meaningful romance novels. This one is no exception!

Dreamland was very different from other Nicholas Sparks' books I've read. There are two separate stories going on at the same time. One is about a man a farmer on vacation who meets his soulmate and one about a woman who is running with her son from a husband who is a part of homeland security. It took me a long time to figure out how these two stories connected, but when they did it made perfect sense. I enjoyed the characters and the way Sparks writes about finding that special someone. Dreamland is a rich combination of family, obligation and love.

I received this book from Net Galley and have left an honest review.

I wasn't sure where this one was going if I'm being honest but I ended up enjoy it. It's definitely not his best work but I think any book wouldn't live up to what "The Wish" did. Nicholas Sparks is incredible and I could see this one being turned into a limited series.

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks has two completely different storylines that eventually come together for a compelling finale. Spark's unexpected plot twists once again prove why he is a best-selling author.

Synopsis:
A family tragedy dashed Colby's dreams of a music career. He now oversees a farm and produce business owned by his family in North Carolina. In a rare occurrence, Colby accepts a temporary gig playing at a bar in St. Pete's Beach, Florida. It is there that Colby meets Morgan and the two fall for each other. Does love at first sight really exist?

Beverly flees with her six-year-old son to escape her abusive husband. To start a new life, they live in a house near a small rural town. As money begins to run low, Beverly makes an agonizing choice that will change their lives forever.

Dreamland is a slow burn that leaves readers scratching their heads. The duel storylines are mysterious and unconnected until Sparks sneaks in a mind-blowing turn around. Reading the book felt a bit repetitive at times, but the ending absolutely blew me away!

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks is available on September 20th.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, for sharing this heart touching book with me. Your kindness is appreciated!

I read my first Nicholas Sparks book many years ago and when I was offered the opportunity to read “Dreamland”, I jumped at the chance. I was mesmerized by the storyline with its romantic beach setting where Colby meets Morgan and I was intrigued by Beverly’s story as she escaped with her young son from an abusive relationship. I had no idea how their lives would intersect which made the urgency with which I read hectic and nonstop. The characters told their own story as they ventured to new places where they could start over, realize a once forgotten dream, and use their god given talent to entertain the world.

Colby and Morgan’s differences made them special and their talent made them a formidable team. Colby found Morgan to be larger than life and she was fascinated with the stories about his farm. They were genuinely interested in learning everything they could about each other because they knew that time was not on their side. Romantic feelings crept up on Colby and Morgan which they turned into beautiful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. I could only hope that somehow this endearing couple could find a way to always be together.

My heart ached for Beverly as she crossed the country with her son to get as far away as possible from her former life. She traveled light, planned out her route and found a way to blend in with the crowds, while constantly looking over her shoulder. I am sure that once in her life she had her own dreams but now she could only hope that her past would never catch up with her. Protecting her son was her top priority and each afternoon as she waited for his school bus she wondered if they would ever really be happy again.

When I was almost done with the book I once again asked myself what Colby, Morgan and Beverly could possibly have in common? I wasn’t prepared for the answer to my question and the twist and turns of the ending took me completely by surprise. What an amazing book from an imaginative, romantic and life changing author!!

Colby wants to be a musician however family ties hold him to taking over the day to day running of his family’s farm along side his Aunt Angie and sister Paige. When Colby is in Florida taking a break from his farm and performing every night he runs into Morgan, also an aspiring musician. They fall hard and quick for one another and will quickly have to decide how their relationship will continue when it’s time for them both to return home. This book was incredible as all Nicholas Sparks books are. All of the characters were easy to like and there was a mystery added to the story that kept me turning pages and refusing sleep. There are two different stories within this book and though I couldn’t work out how it was all going to come together I had trust that the author would merge it all beautifully in time which he did.

I got this from Netgalley and was so stoked because as cliche as it may be … I love Nicholas Sparks and couldn’t wait to start this!

The cover and title just made me think of Iowa and it fit kind of because it is about a farmer - Colby who you will easily and quickly fall in love with and find yourself really rooting for him!! He is all you dream of for a good ol small town gentleman but also someone who is wise beyond his years and nicer and gentler than most!
I absolutely loved Colby and Morgan … Beverly breaks your heart and makes you feel all kinds of things including terror and anger but also love, empathy, compassion, and hope! I don’t want to give spoilers, but Beverly was not who I expected, and the change up happens fast yet seamlessly and makes total sense it is so well done!!!
For a minute I really thought I was going to hate the ending but then also found myself giving myself a reality check because not all endings are happy and some people are prisoners to their family secrets and family struggles and they don’t get to live their dream for some their bonds are like cell bars, it is so sad but also true - I know many find it honorable but in reality it is sad especially if that person had potential and desire for me …
There is so much about this to talk about, but I don’t want to spoil it so know there are characters to absolutely love and two points of view and a story to lose yourself in!
Def 5/5 for me!! Loved it (read it while running and it made the intervals in the peloton class fly by because it sucks you in - highly recommend!)

I am such a fan of this author, but sometimes his books are either amazing or they can be hard to connect with. Sadly the latter was the case for me and this book.

The beginning was a bit slow to start. This is told from two different POV but not in alternating chapters. It’s grouped by parts and trying to figure out how each part fits with one another was a bit hard to understand. It felt like two different stories that didn’t belong, but this is the author's MO. He’s a storyteller of characters with a damaged past and the slow reveal of his stories is what keeps the reader hooked. Initially I didn't understand where the author was going and how Beverly and Colby’s world intertwined and unfortunately I think that was my downfall for this book.

The short chapters made this a fast read and kept my attention, but I had a hard time understanding the story as a whole. As individuals, I really enjoyed Colby and Beverly’s story, but trying to understand how their worlds collided didn’t make sense. Their narratives also threw me off with one being first person while the other was in third person. I feel that if the author took Beverly and Colby’s story’s and made two separate books it would have been the moving story I was hoping for. Though I didn’t connect with this book, I do see how this can resonate with other readers better than it did with me. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC

I did enjoy this book by Nicholas Sparks. It is two different stories that merge together. The first story iis about Coby who is in Florida on a much needed vacation from his family’s farm. While there he meets Morgan who is also on vacation and the two of them start a relationship. The second story is dark, it is about “Beverly” and her son who are running from an abusive relationship. How these two stories intersect is a very interesting concept. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This was your perfect, quintessential Nicholas Sparks novel!

This had romance, thrills, mystery, twists, etc.

If you are a fan of his writing, you will love this one. I did!

So Colby and Morgan’s love story part of the book will play your heart strings with their music making and sweet slow romance, and then Beverly’s broke and in danger going on the run with her small son part of the book will wrench your heart and bring tears to your eyes. But trust me it’s well worth the read.
Thanks NetGalley for my early copy of this book. I have chosen to read and review it,

Most amazing read this year ! Nicholas sparks does not disappoint. I couldn’t put this book down. So many feels in this book. Unexpected twists seriously a must read.

Okay so first the two POV chefs kiss, one being very thriller/suspense vibey..?!? Unreal, I really enjoyed that story a lot which was about a women named Beverly running away with her son from her abusive husband. Whenever it was a part of the book about Beverly I sped through it.

The other POV was NS bread and butter the romance. About Morgan and Colby meeting and falling in love surrounded by music in Florida.

Lastly the ending … shocked and impressed