Title: Shattered Dreams
Author(s): Natasha Madison
Series: Dream #1
Published by Natasha Madison on October 18, 2024
Pages: 294
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: eBook
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Heat Level:
Montgavin Township will never be the same when one night changes the lives of six people. The course of their lives and the trajectory of the town sets them on a collision course for disaster.
Charlie
It was supposed to be a regular day out.Three couples celebrating the last days of summer.When tragedy struck.I thought I was going to marry her.Instead, I was burying her.I blamed the world for my pain.I buried it all.I became a man I didn’t even recognize.
Autumn
In a blink of an eye, everything changed.My best friend was gone, and I was responsible for it.I may not have been driving the truck, but I didn’t stop it.Escaping the town was the only thing I could do to survive the guilt.I thought I was strong enough to go back.I was wrong.One look from him and I knew I wasn’t welcome.But this is my home, and I wanted to come back.One night turned into more. But at the end of the day, I know he’ll never love me.Besides, we all have shattered dreams.
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“Shattered Dreams” is a romance novel that details the journey from friends to enemies to lovers, centering on Autumn and Charlie. Eight years prior, they were friends, and Charlie was dating Autumn’s best friend. He felt on top of the world with the love of his life by his side and surrounded by good friends. But tragedy struck in an instant when a car accident claimed his girlfriend’s life. His world crumbled, and he held one person accountable for his profound pain and sorrow.
Autumn appeared to have it all, but beneath the surface, she was silently suffering. It was only after a tragic car accident that she found a bittersweet release from her pain. However, the devastating loss of her best friend’s life and the esteem of her hometown marred her newfound freedom. Overwhelmed by grief and judgment, she made the heart-wrenching decision to leave everything behind. Eight years have passed, and Autumn finds herself back home, grappling with the heart-wrenching news of her father. Meanwhile, Charlie, still reeling from his own loss, confronts the resurgence of old wounds as he comes face to face with Autumn, the one he holds responsible for that ill-fated night.
Autumn’s courage shines through the story, touching the reader deeply. Profound loss marked her journey. She endured the pain of losing her best friend, the esteem of her community, and now, the looming threat of her father’s battle with cancer. Such losses might shatter someone less resilient, but Autumn stands unwavering. Despite all of this along with the vitriol Charlie spewed at her, her strength never falters.
Eight years later, Charlie remains trapped in the past, seeking solace at the bottom of a bottle. Autumn’s reappearance sets off a storm within him, leading to a barrage of harsh words directed at her. Throughout the story, we observe Charlie navigate the tumultuous phases of grief, ultimately releasing the anguish that held him captive. In a twist of fate, he begins to embrace life once more, eventually finding himself drawn to the very woman he once held responsible for his profound sorrow all those years ago.
The journey of Autumn and Charlie from adversaries to soulmates was truly heartwarming. It was a delight to see them find joy in each other’s company. Yet, the story could have benefited from a deeper exploration of their emotional connection. The emphasis leaned more towards their physical connection, overshadowing the emotional bond that love entails. The story could have benefited from a deeper exploration of Autumn’s reasons for returning home. This element was somewhat overlooked, preventing the reader from fully engaging with the father-daughter relationship.
Despite the issues, “Shattered Dreams” was an enjoyable read, and I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
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About Natasha Madison
When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…
