This was just a big letdown for me. Too many alternating storylines, not enough heart and focus. I usually like Nicholas Sparks books, but this one just didn't have the same effect on me at all.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this read. Maybe next time.

Over the last few years, I have developed a love/hate relationship with Nicholas Sparks. Unfortunately, this one is going to fall into the latter category for me. Almost everything about this book seemed pointless, especially Colby and Morgan's story. I have never been a fan of insta-love stories, and I sometimes forget that NS uses them often. It's not even that he uses them but the meetings and characters are so flat and one-dimensional that it's hard to understand how they fell so quickly in love. I wish Paige's story would have been fleshed out more and that would have been more of a focus in the story. I don't want to give too much away about the story, but I also hate that Nicholas Sparks seemed to have uses the stereotypical portrayal of bipolar disorder in this book. It doesn't really appear that he did any kind of research about it, but instead just used the dramatic and sensationalized version of it that exists in the movies and TV shows. This feels somewhat harmful because it just feels like its perpetuating a false stereotype rather than educating the reader on BPD. Also, speaking of stereotypes, it seemed Sparks was trying to go for a Bradley Cooper/Lady Gage type love story but he included so many mundane details and their dates were basically set up the same way that so much of it felt repetitive, but this was just not the sweeping and epic love story that I want to read. Another miss for me. 2/5 stars

This was one of those books where there was a dual plot and one of them held my interest, while the other did not. I will admit that there was a twist that really impressed me, so I am glad that I pushed through. Not a favorite, but still worth the read. ⭐⭐⭐

This one was a miss for me. I have read all of this author's books and have enjoyed them, but this one just didn't keep me engaged. I can't really say why either because I'm not sure.

I liked this book - fast moving plot, good characters, and fun to read. The author did a great job with the story, plot, and setting. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

**Slight spoiler ahead. Proceed with caution!

The two different stories in this novel combine in the end in a way that I did not see coming. This is a sweet love story of Colby and Morgan, two young people from very different worlds that have a love of music and who meet at the beach while on vacation. The other storyline involves Beverly who has run away from her abusive husband with her young son and is trying to start again. Tough choices have to be made by all of these characters and they struggle with what is best for them and what is best for the ones they love.

What worked for me:
- characters (Colby and Morgan) who were so likable and real; also there were some great side characters here
but we don't get a lot from them
- setting - the beach setting and then the farm setting were great
- plot - Colby and Morgan's love story is very sweet and believable. I felt like they were people I could have
known when I was growing up.
- a problem that truly seems to have no perfect solution and it tugged at my heartstrings

What didn't work for me:
- I struggled with Beverly's story line.
- I really hate the "different" name plot point. It makes me feel tricked and I don't think it takes a lot of skill to
use it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I haven't read a Nicholas Sparks book since teens, but this took me right back to his classic of 'The Notebook' and 'A Walk to Remember.' Sparks still writes about beautiful North Caroline and love stories. This book delivers the goods. If you like a good love story, read 'Dreamland.'

I wanted to like this book I really did. I have been a huge Nicholas Sparks follower for years. This book really fell flat for me. I felt the characters were really one dimensional and had to like spark to them. Not to mention the ending of the book. What was that? I was really rooting for Sparks to really talk about the issues especially because he has such a huge platform and then he just didnt follow through. it was frustrating. I do know most people will probably end up loving this book

Nicholas Sparks has been kind of hit or miss for me in the past because I prefer happy endings and his books don't always end that way. I found Dreamland to be an easy read and had it read/listened to in 2 days. Therese Plummer is one of my favorite narrators so that made this one enjoyable for me and both story-lines were easy to follow. All in all this was an entertaining book for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own,.

Published 20 September 2022

Dreamland is a book that I enjoyed because it has many things that make you feel hopeful is one of those stories that you feel there is going to be a great conclusion and something to keep, with two characters whose stories were very different but had so much to bond.

Colby is looking for a new opportunity in his music career, working on his family farm is not what he wants for his career or life so looking for a change he accepts a great opportunity for a gig in Florida where his life is about to change forever.

Beverly is a living hell, her husband is an abusive person that has already made their lives a living hell, Beverly has to move out of that house soon before she or her son have any more problems than they already suffer at the hands of that monster.

A dual story, a POVs timeline, that will keep you, turning the pages of this book and wanting to know more about these amazing characters.

The only reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is that I felt like something was really missing at times, it felt kind of rushed at times, I also felt the story about Beverly had more potential but at the end, it felt a little short for my test like there was more to fill in.

This was my first book by Nicholas Sparks, I really enjoy his writing style, the emotions I felt while reading, the story and all.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of Dreamland in exchange for my honest review.

Great touches on mental health. I much enjoyed the Beverly POV & wanted more towards the end.
Didn’t feel right for Colby to be telling her side of it. I was looking forward to more about her. What parts of the breakdown was she pulling from her real life & which parts were not.

WOW!

Colby once thought he'd be a musician, but when life comes in the way, other things take priority. He lays eyes on Morgan Lee and that's it for him. She's the one.. The complete each other personally and professionally.

His sister, Beverly is on a different journey. She's trying to escape her abusive husband with their child without him finding out. She devises a plan, they escape and make it to a new town without anyone knowing. They start surviving but then little things start popping up. Beverly is forced to make a choice that changes everything.

Then comes the plot twist.... It's fantastic in that Nicholas Sparks way. I had no.idea.it.was.coming. none...

I just reviewed Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks. #Dreamland #NetGalley

This was trope heavy, and almost felt like he was phoning it in. There was no character development or depth, and the ending was rushed and not worth the ride to get there.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

I think I say this every time I read a Nicholas Sparks book, but I truly cannot wait to see this book turned into a movie. Movie producers, I hope you're listening 👂

✨Brief Summary✨

Colby Mills is taking a working break in St. Pete Florida. His day job is working on his family farm in North Carolina. However, he also has a passion for music so he agrees to a gig playing at a bar in Florida for a few weeks. While he is in Florida, he falls in love with Morgan Lee. But will they ever be able to make it work with his responsibilities back at the farm and her desire to become a musical star? And who exactly is Beverly? Will she be able to escape from her abusive husband and get the love she deserves?

✨My Thoughts✨

I pretty much go into every Nicholas Sparks book knowing that I'm going to cry. This book was no exception 😂😅

When I first started the novel, I had no idea how the two storylines of Colby and Beverly would ever intertwine. The twist at the end certainly surprised me!

Nicholas Sparks has such a poetic way of writing that makes you fall in love with both the characters and the love story. I was rooting for Colby and Morgan from the very beginning. And I was even rooting for Beverly, even though I had no idea who she was 😂

I already cannot wait for the next book by this author to come out!

A captivating storyline that was intriguing to read. Of course there is a romance… it’ Nicolas Sparks…but there is also so much more. A strong cast of characters that are likable right from the start. Add in a few unexpected twists that you won’t see coming and I found this one hard to put down. Highly recommended for all the “Sparkies” out there and even those who are not. Read this one in 48 hours!
Thank you #NetGalley, Random House & Nicholas Sparks for the ARC. My review is strictly voluntary.

I enjoyed reading this emotional story. This is an author that I have been reading for years. This is one of my favorite books yet by him. I never hesitate to pick up one of his books. I enjoyed how he uses his writing style to keep the story engaging and hard to put down. A well written story where the details make the characters come to life. I found them to be relateable and the emotional roller coaster they took me on was great. There is great growth with the plot and the characters throughout the story. They will make you question if a better life is worth going back to the past. Is one better than the other? I really enjoyed this story and what the characters brought to the story just made it even better. A great, easy, entertaining story that I highly recommend.

I try not to associate any book with being guilty pleasures, but I secretly put my Nicholas Sparks books in that category. There's just something so decadent about sitting down and reading a Sparks book, which I have been doing since The Notebook.

Dreamland brings three people together in ways they would not have imagined and the connections they make will change their lives.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Meh! I enjoy Nicholas Sparks books, but this on was just Meh for me. Honestly, I read this a few weeks ago and already forgotten the plot. Definitely not my favorite book by this author, but still an interesting read was reading. Just not memorable for me.

Not my favorite Nicholas sparks, but still gives all the warm and fuzzy feelings of love just the same! For anyone who adores this author as much as I do, I would still recommend picking this one up!!

The first Nicholas Sparks ever that I just couldn't enjoy. I tried so many times and ended up buying the audiobook hoping that would help. It did not. I feel like he's running out of ideas and going a little off his normal game.