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Promise Me a Dream is a gentle, tender story about two people coming together at a turbulent time in American history. Unsparing when discussing racial violence, it also tells a lovely story of community and first true love. And while I had a couple of issues with the stiffness of its prose, overall it is a richly rewarding, sweet tempered novel.
Chandra Williams dreams of becoming a dancer and actress, and of moving to New York City from her Barbados home. When she eventually emigrates to America to live with her mother, she finds the country amazing yet feels a little homesick for her island. Working as a librarian while hoping for her acting break, she happens to be in the right place at the right time when a handsome man sits beside her on a park bench with his lunch.
Joel Donovan is a recent college graduate who is going to law school in the fall but utterly dreads the notion of attending. If he’s being honest with himself, he knows he’s doing it to please his formidable mother, but something – something important in his life – is missing. One of those somethings proves to be Chandra. The other is provided by the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, which galvanizes Joel in the direction of justice and fairness.
When Chandra finds out about the burgeoning civil rights movement, she vows to become a part of it, and together, they’re going to find their way toward a better life – for better or for worse.
Promise Me a Dream is a nice book that’s both high on conflict and low on relationship drama. There’s not a lot keeping Chandra and Joel apart once they start to get to know each other, and for some folks that kind of low-drama romance is going to be a bit on the dull side. All of the book’s conflict comes from the police state in which Chandra and Joel live, as well it should.
The book is a really nice exploration of two people who’ve been looking for love for a long time, their romance, and it captures in a lovely way the world of the late sixties in New York.
I liked Chandra’s relationship with her mom, which is congenial and loving. I really liked Joel’s various friendships, which also expand upon the sort of person he is, and the sort of relationships he cultivates.
There is an excellent subplot that discusses both racial inequality and police brutality. Neither is given short shrift, and each gives the reader a lot to contemplate.
The book’s biggest problem is a tendency to lean on somewhat wooden phraseology and prose. It was something I didn’t mind, but some readers might find it annoying.
Promise Me a Dream is a sweet romance with a secret punch that will surprise readers and delight them all the same.
Buy it at: Amazon
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Grade: B+
Book Type: American Historical Romance|Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 15/10/19
Publication Date: 08/2019
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
Lisa Fernandes is a writer, reviewer and recapper who lives somewhere on the East Coast. Formerly employed by Firefox.org and Next Projection, she also currently contributes to Women Write About Comics. Read her blog at http://thatbouviergirl.blogspot.com/, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/thatbouviergirl or contribute to her Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MissyvsEvilDead or her Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/missmelbouvier
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Thank you so much for the kind review. I consider this story my miracle book as I am recovering from a stroke I had in 2018. I didn’t know if I would ever write again. Thank God, I can.
So happy you are better Wayne. I loved The Decades project you created. And this cover is gorgeous!
I saw you had health issues when I was looking for the 1960s book from the Decades series. I am thrilled you were able to complete it and wish you the best in your recovery.
Thanks, Caroline…I’d doing really fine. Some lingering issues, but getting better every day….I am also back at work and driving…
Thanks, Dabney….it was a pleasure to work with the other authors.
Glad you’re healing up and still with us, Wayne!
Yes, I feel blessed.