This book honestly had a slow start for me…. But then once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down! The story was romantic and intriguing. I was making predictions and laughing at the couple’s banter all throughout. Kent was such a lovable character - I’m glad he (and Mrs. Brisbane) had a happy ending. I really appreciate the author’s writing style and enjoyed this ARC very much. I would recommend The Dreams We Knew to others and am looking forward to reading more of Rachel’s books!

Last year I read my first book by this author, ‘Walking on Hidden Wings,’ and I instantly fell in love with the main character. She was unique, strong, and defied societal norms at the time being a stunt pilot. It quickly became one of my favorite books of the year.

Naturally I wondered how I’d feel about this latest book. It surpassed all my expectations! The setting transports us to a time period I love reading about, the roaring 20’s, where glamour meets grit.

Delvina ‘Vinnie’ Salvastano Kline is a detective. Despite being a wealthy socialite and heiress to two fortunes, society has ostracized her due to her biological father’s history as a mob boss. Vinnie is unbothered by this and fully embraces her distinctiveness, which is one of the many reasons I adore her character. When Vinnie is hired to locate a kidnapped judge’s daughter, she encounters her husband, Kent Brisbane—or rather, her ex-husband. She hasn’t seen him in four years and after the shock she realizes he’s also been hired for the same rescue mission. From the start, their chemistry is like a dance, hinting at unresolved feelings between them. They join forces again when they are both investigating a suspicious suicide that seems like foul play.

Who can these “sleuthing sweethearts” trust? More importantly, will they learn to trust each other? Their chemistry is electrifying, but is it strong enough to grant them a second chance?

Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York, complete with speakeasies, mobsters, a secret marriage, and several murder mysteries, the novel shines. Yet it’s the relationship between Delvina and Kent that truly makes you fall in love with the author’s writing style. The story is witty, intelligently crafted, fast-paced, and romantic, making it a definite addition to my keeper shelf.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rachel Scott McDaniel’s latest release The Dreams We Knew sweeps you into the roaring twenties and tells you a tale of lies, secrets, and deaths within New York’s social elite. In The Dreams We Knew, readers meet Delvina, a woman who works as a Private Investigator who dubs herself as a “social misfit” after it comes to the light that Delvina is adopted and not actually New York upper crust blood, and Kent, a Private Investigator, who is not only investigating cases of the people who have hired him, but is investigating a case close to his heart. In 1924, four years after originally meeting one another, Kent and Delvina bump into each other again as their current cases intertwine. Reuniting is not necessarily a good thing for Kent and Delvina, after bonding four years ago over a love of Private Investigating–especially when Delvina let Kent in on her entire life, and Kent did not let Delvina in on much of his life at all. As they work together, Kent and Delvina realize that the remnants of their bond is still there and that if intend on solving a case together, Kent needs to let Delvina in and Delvina needs to find the courage to let Kent in again.

I love Rachel Scott McDaniel’s The Dreams We Knew! I love being transported to the 1920s and the mystery that The Dreams We Knew gave me! I love the elements of the mystery and how Ms. McDaniel weaved historical happenings into the mystery. I thought the sleeping sickness aspect in the mystery was very unique for the storyline. Having family members in my own personal family history that have had sleeping sickness, it was nice to see that profiled in the book. I love meeting Kent and Delvina and loved their relationship! I thought the way Ms. McDaniel showed Delvina and Kent’s perspectives on their relationship and how they move forward during 1924 was an interesting take in the plot. I love that through their respective perspectives on their relationship–how both Delvina and Kent both grew and learned from the mistakes they made and how they handled them–that they both vowed to each other and God to do things better. I also loved meeting Delvina’s and Kent’s Contacts and seeing the Contacts devotions and protectiveness towards Kent and Delvina. The Dreams We Knew is great mystery with a lot of flair and sass, that will take you on a roaring trip in the 1920s! I highly recommend The Dreams We Knew by Rachel Scott McDaniel!

Have you read The Dreams We Knew? What did you think of the book?

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher, and Rachel Scott McDaniel for the opportunity to read The Dreams We Knew. I would like to thank Rachel Scott McDaniel for letting me be on the Launch Team for The Dreams We Knew and assisting me in compiling the information I needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Amazon, NetGalley, Goodreads, and my blog Leslie’s Library Escape.

I absolutely loved this book! The prose is beautifully woven together, the story is compelling, and I loved the characters. I had a hard time putting it down, and picked it back up every chance I got!

The Mobster’s Daughter and Walking on Hidden Wings are two of my all time favorite books. So when I found out that The Dreams We Knew connects those two books by giving two great side characters their own story, I was thrilled! This book was everything I was hoping it would be!

It’s a second chance romance, with delightful twists and turns, and the mystery is well written, and I kept changing my mind about what I thought was going on, only to be wrong every time. I loved how this book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I adored how completely it sucked me into the story and kept me turning pages as quickly as I could.

I love when books have flashbacks to the past, especially in a second chance romance, and this book was unique in that the present day chapters are from Delvina’s point of view, and the past chapters are from Kent’s point of view. It was fascinating and so well done!

I could keep gushing about this book, but I’ll end here by saying this is a new favorite story of mine, and I highly recommend it! I would read The Mobster’s Daughter and Walking on Hidden Wings first if you want a full picture of the main characters in this book, but it also stands alone just fine if you haven’t read them first. (They’re incredible though, so I definitely recommend reading them as well!)

I adored this book, and I’m going to have to reread it in the future!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rachel Scott McDaniel delivers a stellar romantic mystery set in 1920’s New York. This second chance romance grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I did not want to put it down. Delvina finds herself thrown into working with Kent Brisbane - the private detective who trained her, and also the one man who she vowed never to be involved with again. As they work together to solve a murder, they realize there is much more at stake than they ever thought - including their own safety. McDaniel kept me guessing until the very end. I truly loved the relationship between Delvina and Kent - their witty banter and desire to watch out for one another as they worked to unravel the mysteries of this case made for some great interactions. I don’t want to share any spoilers, so I will just say this is a story you don’t want to miss. I received an early copy for review. The comments and opinions expressed are my own.

Rachel Scott McDaniel has delivered a dazzling historical mystery filled with romance, intrigue, and heart. The Dreams We Knew transports readers to 1920s New York, where a private investigator and a detective must confront both a murder case and their own unfinished past. The setting is beautifully immersive, the romance is full of swoony moments, and the mystery keeps you engaged from start to finish. A must-read for fans of historical fiction!

Rachel McDaniel has done it again! The Dreams We Knew was fabulous. Set in the 1920s, this book was full of romance, mystery and intrigue. People were mysteriously dying, but kept being ruled as not murders, so Delvina & Kent set out to determine what was going on. There are a couple of interesting side plots that were woven meticulously throughout.
This may be my favorite McDaniel Book yet.

I went in blind on this book and was immediately transported to New York’s Roaring Twenties in what felt like a classic timepiece. This book grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go until the very last page. A mash of genres, including romance, mystery and historical fiction all masterfully woven together. The suspenseful intrigue was mixed with clever and witty banter and such tenderheartedness that pulled at my heartstrings! Despite being closed door, the romance was so swoon worthy, a testament to the author’s mastery of words. Rachel Scott McDaniel created two characters who will stay with me long after the last page in a book that I just couldn’t put down!
Delvina Kline and Kent Brisbane, both private PIs, team up to investigate the mysterious death of an up-and-coming fashion model. Not only do both have secrets from each other, but they share a secret past as well. Their chemistry is undeniable as is their vulnerability. It’ll be hard to top Kent in the book boyfriend arena – he’s broody, he’s protective, he’s in deep. And Delvina is fearless in living life true to herself.
The atmosphere of mobsters, glamour society, speakeasies is so on point you will feel immersed in the setting. The historical details showed the amount of research this author did.
I absolutely loved this book! And cannot wait to read more from this author!

Private investigator Delvina Salvastano Kline, torn between her wealthy upbringing and criminal lineage, is hired to solve the murder of a rising fashion model. Forced to work with her former love, detective Kent Brisbane, they navigate New York’s elite and dark underbelly, uncovering dangerous secrets in this Roaring Twenties mystery.

Pub Day: February 25, 2025

4 stars!

This story had it all - romance, mystery, family drama! Rachel Scott McDaniel delivers an intriguing and mysterious second-chance romance set in the 1920s. Four years after their brief marriage ended in secrets and unanswered questions, private detectives Delvina Kline and Kent Brisbane (The Sleuthing Sweethearts) find themselves unexpectedly working together on a missing person case.

The story shifts focus from the romance, to the histories of the characters, to the current mystery at hand. The book keeps pace and ties up loose ends in a neat little bow (for those who need that and are wondering!). Vinny and Kent are charismatic and full of banter and make for excellent main characters. The Dreams We Knew is a quick read and a unique story that will satisfy many readers!

Thank you UpLit Reads and Rachel Scott McDaniel for providing me with an early copy of this beautiful book!

[Thank you to Kregel Publications and to the author for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

I could NOT put this story down! I was so captivated! I already know it: The Dreams We Knew will make it to my 2025 Top Reads list.

Set in 1924 and flashing back to 1920, this historical fiction was so full of everything I’d hoped for. The pacing was perfect, the chemistry was phenomenal, the setting was vivid, the attention to detail was amazing. I have nothing but praise for this book!

Read this for:

-Roaring Twenties setting (speakeasies, mob references, glamor, parties, etc.!)
-Mysteries
-Second-chance Romance (closed-door, some innuendo)
-Private Investigators
-Daughter-of-an-infamous-mobster FMC
-The BEST banter
-Faith themes (so well-done)

Note: The characters in this story are familiar characters for anyone who has read the rest of Rachel Scott McDaniel’s books. I cannot wait to go back and read all of Rachel’s other books now!

I’ve already personally recommended this title to so many of my off-line friends, and I’m so excited to share about it here, too.

Highly recommend!

I love this time period and Rachel Scott McDaniel always does it so well!

This books had the glitz of New York City, a mystery that keeps you wanting more, and a slow burn second chance romance between two people that make you want to hope for more. More goodness and more faith in people and hope for the future. I loved how the chemistry between these two grew as they understood each other and their past more.

I love how Rachel weaves a mystery with history and complicated characters, who experience life and faith in a relatable way. It left me in love with these characters and their redemption story.

Content: murder. kisses on the page. Fade to black closed door between a married couple.

The Dreams We Knew pulled me in from the very first page and did not let up until the last page. If you love a mix of mystery, romance and historical fiction, especially anything set in the dazzling world of the 1920's then this is the book for you!

The story follows Delvina Kline, a woman caught between two worlds: the high society life she was adopted into the the criminal legacy of her biological father. Instead of accepting the path laid out for her, she carves her own as a private investigator. When a young model is found murdered the adventures begin.

Kent Brisbane, a detective from her past makes a reappearance in her life and boy do the sparks fly! Their chemistry is electric and their banter keeps you engaged. But Kent has his own secrets and as the case unfolds, so do the layers of their complicated past.

I loved the rich, immersive setting. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. What sets this book apart is the thread of redemption and faith seamlessly woven throughout the story. This is a book that will stay with me. I highly recommend grabbing a copy.

Break out the jazz records and dust off your best flapper dress—because Rachel Scott McDaniel has spun a tale so dazzling, even Gatsby would be impressed. The Dreams We Knew is a mystery and a moonlit waltz through New York’s glittering elite, complete with speakeasies, whispered secrets, and a gumshoe duo that had me positively enthralled.

Now let’s talk about Kent Brisbane. Someone get this man a fedora and a “Best Detective” trophy because whew. The romance is absolutely captivating, and his backstory? It’s a beautiful reflection of God’s grace and redemption. Twisty, compelling, and packed with just enough brooding to make a girl weak in the knees. And then there’s Delvina—sharp as a stiletto and determined to carve her own destiny in a city that loves a scandal. The chemistry between these two? Let’s just say, if looks could kill, we’d need another detective.

The mystery? Clever, intricate, and keeps the pages flipping faster than a newsie on a deadline. And while the romance had its moments of “why won’t y’all just TALK already,” the payoff was as satisfying as the last bite of a perfectly frosted cake.

If you’re craving a 1920s caper that blends glamour with a touch of grit, all wrapped up in divine timing and grace, The Dreams We Knew is where it's at. And Kent Brisbane? Let’s just say he’s the cat’s pajamas with a heart that shines brighter than any diamond.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the author, publisher, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

Rachel Scott McDaniel delivers an irresistible blend of mystery, romance, and 1920s glamour in The Dreams We Knew. From the very first page, I was swept into the dazzling yet treacherous world of New York’s high society, where secrets lurk beneath the surface of every glittering party. McDaniel’s prose is beautiful and her storytelling is immersive, seamlessly weaving historical details with gripping suspense. The 1920s setting comes alive through lush descriptions, from the opulence of elite soirées to the shadows of New York’s criminal underworld. Every twist and turn keeps the pages turning, as Delvina and Kent chase a killer hiding behind the city’s dazzling veneer.

Wow!
To say that I loved this book is an understatement. I always have great expectations from Rachel Scott McDaniel. I know that when I read one of Rachel’s books I will get: a satisfying mystery, a moving romance, and a nice glimpse of history. That checks ALL the boxes for me. This book was one I really did not want to put down. I was intrigued, wanting to know who the murderer was and the secret of Kent’s parentage. I loved the two main characters. I enjoyed the banter between them. Their love story was so satisfying! It’s a bonus that Rachel includes author’s notes so the reader can learn about the REAL events that are included in the book. This is a clean read, with no foul aftertaste. I’m now thinking that pre-ordering three copies was not enough!

Really enjoy McDaniel's writing style! All of her books have such pazazz as a result and always keep me reading til the very end. This being a mystery I can honestly say I did not guess the who done it til the very end. The husband-Wife banter was well done in that it made me laugh, they acted like an old married couple even though that wasn't the case. There was some teasing that came across as a bit sensual though so I could see it being too much to some readers who are not married. The faith content was light but present. Overall 4/5 stars. Thank you to the author for my ARC, this is my honest take.

The press calls them sleuthing sweethearts, but will exes Divina Kline and Kent Brisbane re-tie the knot? I loved the flirty banter between rival private investigators Vinny and Kent, who have unresolved issues in their past.
This story loosely connects to other books by Ms McDaniel, but can be read as a standalone. It was fun to see familiar faces.
The plot was compelling, the mystery intriguing, and the romance was dreamy. I liked the setting of the Roaring Twenties and the unlikely friends that Vinny called on to help her dig into the mysterious circumstances. The family connections were complicated, making them an integral part of the story. The author also educated me about an epidemic of sleeping sickness during the 1920s, another aspect that I appreciated.
This second-chance, romance, with an underlying faith thread, was top-notch, and so enjoyable. Kent was troubled, but swoony, and Vinny was smart crafty, and still smitten with him.
Return to the Roaring Twenties for another epic romance that will keep you guessing.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Kregel through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I loved this! Absolutely LOVED.

The things that drew me to wanting to read this:
-the era (roaring twenties, I mean, need I saw more?)
-PI adventure, especially a female PI (in the twenties! love to see it)
-second-chance romance (swoon)

And I got all that and more reading The Dreams We Knew. Like, I really really liked the way this author wrote the story. I loved how much the flashbacks added to the present day part of the story bit by bit. I loved getting to see both Delvina and Kent's POVs of their personal story and the mystery investigating. Every time I picked this book up, I didn't want to put it down. But alas, life was in the way and I had to take longer to read it than I wanted to.

This was my first novel from Rachel Scott McDaniel and it's not going to be my last. I need more of her writing, the way she tells a story just captivated me from the get go. She adds such incredible detail to every aspect of the story, but without it becoming overwhelming or info-dumpy. I just ate up every sentence and paragraph like I had an endless supply. Plus, I love the author's note at the end where she talks about the historical points that helped influence the story.

I am so very appreciative to the author for allowing me to read an early copy of this book through NetGalley.

Rachel Scott McDaniel is quickly becoming my favorite authors of 1920's historical fiction. "The Dreams We Knew" has characters in two of her earlier books "The Mobsters Daughter" and "Walking on Hidden Wings". The book talks about happenings in both books, but can definitely be read as a standalone too.

I really enjoyed this engaging story of two private detectives in a second chance romance filled with danger and intrigue. These two walk amongst the rich of NYC and the seedy underbelly and with their contacts in both worlds, work to solve the murder of a young woman.

This book is nicely paced, The storytelling is amazing and fans of Rachel's other books will enjoy this book as well. The book goes back and forth between the present story set in 1924 and the past events set in 1920. They have great banter back and forth and both characters experience growth during the story.

This is a closed-door romance, but intimacy between a married couple is implied. Possible triggers of adoption and a child raised on the streets are also discussed in detail during this book and are central to the story. There is also some violence and the characters visit a speak-easy so alcohol is also present in the book. The author does a great job presenting these topics in a sensitive way, but I'm mentioning these in case anything may be a trigger to a potential reader. I recommend this book for readers 18+.

It has Christian faith elements that enhance the depth of the characters. There is a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life in this book. I really enjoyed the historical detail and author's storytelling and can't recommend this book enough.

Thank you to the author for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

An enlightening read.
I adored the 1920s setting and the infusion of fashion and hair styles.
I love the lack of cell phones and computers as Delvina and Kent conduct their sleuthing using good old fashioned deduction of reasoning, sniffing around for clues, and asking the right questions.
Delfina’s backstory is known but Kent’s is a mystery that circles back to the found body.
The romance is subtle but always present between the two.
My favorite thing about historical fiction books are the author’s historical note at the end, dissecting what was real and what was partially fabricated.
Get whisked back to NYC and roaring times!