Nicholas Sparks is an author who hardly needs an introduction. With over 105 million copies of his books sold and a backlist that consists of thirteen #1 New York Times bestsellers, chances are you’ve either read one of his books or watched an on-screen adaptation. Now, the bestselling author of The Notebook and The Wish returns with a poignant love story about risking everything for a dream – and whether it’s possible to leave the past behind.
Dreamland follows Colby Mills, a man who once felt destined for a musical career, until tragedy grounded his aspirations. Now the head of a small family farm in North Carolina, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home.
But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, making him wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need dictate his life forever. The daughter of affluent Chicago doctors, Morgan has graduated from a prestigious college music program with the ambition to move to Nashville and become a star. Romantically and musically, she and Colby complete each other in a way that neither has ever known.
While they are falling headlong in love, Beverly is on a heart-pounding journey of another kind. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, she is trying to piece together a life for them in a small town far off the beaten track. With money running out and danger seemingly around every corner, she makes a desperate decision that will rewrite everything she knows to be true.
In the course of a single unforgettable week, two young people will navigate the exhilarating heights and heartbreak of first love. Hundreds of miles away, Beverly will put her love for her young son to the test. Fate will draw all three people together in a web of life-altering connections… forcing each to wonder whether the dream of a better life can ever survive the weight of the past.
Part love story, part gripping page-turner, Dreamland adopts dual storylines following both Colby and Morgan’s whirlwind romance and Beverly’s desperate escape. As you read, you’ll root for Colby whose life hasn’t turned out the way he expected, having to give up his dreams to run the family farm and look after his aunt and sister. Beverly’s storyline is especially gripping, with echoes of Sparks’ earlier novel Safe Haven, however Sparks takes this story in a completely different direction. Initially, the connection between both Colby and Beverly is not clear to the reader, but Sparks seamlessly draws them together, resulting in a completely unexpected conclusion, and an engrossing read from start to end.
If you’re looking for the perfect book to curl up with this weekend, look no further. Heartfelt and compelling, Dreamland is yet another unputdownable read from Nicholas Sparks.
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