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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Any Dream Will Do is the latest novel by Debbie Macomber. Shay Benson is trying to turn her life around. She is clean (no drugs), working as a teller at a local bank, and taking accounting classes. Then Caden, her brother (and only family), shows up needing help. Caden states he needs $5,000 right away or he will be killed. Promises to get the money back to her within days if she will obtain it from the bank (not through legal means). Caden gets the money and disappears. Shay is sentenced to three years. Three years later, a bus drops Shay off in front of Seattle Calvary. She walks inside and feels a sense of peace. Pastor Drew Douglas has been having a crisis of faith since the loss of his wife three years prior. It has been a struggle managing his children and his flock. Drew is in the church when he hears a noise and encounters Shay Benson. Shay needs assistance (a new start, a place to live), and Drew takes her to Hope Center. Drew keeps track of Shay’s progress in the year long program and they develop a friendship. As time passes, Shay gets to know Drew’s children, finds a job, a place to live, and a church family. Life is good for Shay and romance is blossoming, but then her past comes back to haunt her. Shay’s dreams for her future are threatened. Shay will need to stay strong and hold onto her faith to get through this trial. Will Shay and Drew get their happily ever after?
Any Dream Will Do is nicely written, has a good steady pace, and is set Seattle, Washington (I have always wanted to go there). This book is different from Debbie Macomber’s other novels. She always writes clean, wholesome books, but Any Dream Will Do has a Christian theme. The values of faith, trust, hope, second chances, redemption and love are prevalent throughout the story. Shay is given a second chance, but no one ever said it would be easy (life is full of struggles/obstacles to happiness). Life is fraught with hills and valleys (shadow and light). We get to see Shay and Drew go through good times and bad. I am rating Any Dream Will Do 4 out of 5 stars. The romance takes a backseat in this novel. It places out softly and slowly which I liked. Any Dream Will Do is an uplifting and inspiring novel. The story touches on the plight of the homeless, how people struggle with addiction, and dealing with prejudice (assuming that Shay is bad because she was in prison). Any Dream Will Do does have the expected ending, but it is touching. Any Dream Will Do is a good novel to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon while lying about in a hammock with a cool drink nearby.
Any Dream Will Do is nicely written, has a good steady pace, and is set Seattle, Washington (I have always wanted to go there). This book is different from Debbie Macomber’s other novels. She always writes clean, wholesome books, but Any Dream Will Do has a Christian theme. The values of faith, trust, hope, second chances, redemption and love are prevalent throughout the story. Shay is given a second chance, but no one ever said it would be easy (life is full of struggles/obstacles to happiness). Life is fraught with hills and valleys (shadow and light). We get to see Shay and Drew go through good times and bad. I am rating Any Dream Will Do 4 out of 5 stars. The romance takes a backseat in this novel. It places out softly and slowly which I liked. Any Dream Will Do is an uplifting and inspiring novel. The story touches on the plight of the homeless, how people struggle with addiction, and dealing with prejudice (assuming that Shay is bad because she was in prison). Any Dream Will Do does have the expected ending, but it is touching. Any Dream Will Do is a good novel to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon while lying about in a hammock with a cool drink nearby.
professorsid's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
susanp's review against another edition
2.0
Predictable and boring. Seemed like a rewrite of one of Macomber’s Blossom Street books.
bethywa's review against another edition
2.0
Note: I listened tot he audiobook version.
Shay has found herself in trouble after her brother convinces her to commit fraud for him before disappearing. After she is released from prison she finds herself sitting inside a church to get out of the cold. This is where she meets Pastor Drew. Pastor Drew is a widower with two kids and he helps her get back on her feet. The two become friends and I think you can see where the rest of this goes.
This book is told from alternating perspectives. Each chapter goes back and forth between Shay and Drew narrating. You could see where the story was going pretty well the whole time. The writing was subpar. This woman has almost 200 books under her name. So either she is writing each one in a month (which I would believe based on the quality) or other people write under her name for her.
The narrating was fine for both the man and woman. It is kind of nice to listen to these changing narration books. They keep you a little more interested, but it was not enough to boost this book any higher.
Recommendation: My recommendation is to not waste your time. There is far better light reads to fill your time than this.
Read more at www.bookitus.blogspot.com
Shay has found herself in trouble after her brother convinces her to commit fraud for him before disappearing. After she is released from prison she finds herself sitting inside a church to get out of the cold. This is where she meets Pastor Drew. Pastor Drew is a widower with two kids and he helps her get back on her feet. The two become friends and I think you can see where the rest of this goes.
This book is told from alternating perspectives. Each chapter goes back and forth between Shay and Drew narrating. You could see where the story was going pretty well the whole time. The writing was subpar. This woman has almost 200 books under her name. So either she is writing each one in a month (which I would believe based on the quality) or other people write under her name for her.
The narrating was fine for both the man and woman. It is kind of nice to listen to these changing narration books. They keep you a little more interested, but it was not enough to boost this book any higher.
Recommendation: My recommendation is to not waste your time. There is far better light reads to fill your time than this.
Read more at www.bookitus.blogspot.com
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful story about second chances. Shay has not always made the best decisions, including helping out her brother which left her in prison. The day she is released the bus drops her off in front of a church, and hat is where he life changes. Overtime, Shay is given a lot of opportunity to change her life, including finding love with Drew and his two children. Shay and Drew are put to the ultimate test, but in the end their faith in each other leads to a heartwarming happily ever after. Debbie Macomber has a way of bringing characters to real life. The story line had me from the first opening pages and I loved every moment of the book. This emotional journey is one not to be missed and I highly recommend this book.
jencook29's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this one! It was sweet and well done, as any Debbie Macomber book is. I loved how the two main characters Drew and Shay were struggling and how they found their way out using faith and learning to trust each other. Shay's past is so tragic, but not unlike so many people in the world today. It was a miracle that she found herself a second chance and that she was able to grab it and let it take root. Drew and his two wondering and charming children were hurting too. I love that helping Shay helped the family heal. Watching them find their way together was so heartwarming. Well done!
jeannethinks's review against another edition
4.0
Darn you Debbie, one of these days I'm going to make it through one of your books without crying. I think you secretly enjoy making us all a little weepy.
This is a story of second chances. Shay has nowhere to turn when Hope comes into her life. Drew has lost Hope and is trying to find the light. Together they find a path that had bumps and turns but brings them to the place they were meant to be.
This is a story of second chances. Shay has nowhere to turn when Hope comes into her life. Drew has lost Hope and is trying to find the light. Together they find a path that had bumps and turns but brings them to the place they were meant to be.
sotheylived's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. I listened to the audiobook of this because it was available now and pretty popular. I enjoyed the first half of this book, but it was too long and felt dragged out.