A Heartwarming Romance that Sizzles and Charms

4.5 out of 5 stars

Listening to Chasing Dreams by A.L. Brooks, beautifully narrated by Sophie Daniels, felt like a delightful escape into a world where love blooms in the most unexpected places. As a fan of Brooks’ previous works, I was eager to dive into this story and I was not disappointed. This enemies-to-lovers tale set in the quaint town of Eagle Cove, Oregon, is as heartwarming as it is captivating. I looked back at my reviews of the two titles I read (A Heart to Trust and The Long Shot), and I noticed a theme in Brooks’ work – slow burn. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

From the moment venture capitalist Claire Pressley decided to swap the hustle of New York for the tranquility of Eagle Cove, I was hooked. Her plan to renovate a homestead into a guesthouse quickly becomes complicated when she crosses paths with the town’s beloved librarian, Ruby Jordan. Ruby, who has her heart set on turning the same homestead into an animal shelter, sees Claire as the ultimate antagonist. Their clashes are fiery and their chemistry is off the charts, making for an irresistible narrative. I found myself rooting for both characters, each with their own flaws and dreams, as they navigated their way from animosity to a deep, undeniable connection.

One of the standout aspects of Chasing Dreams is the palpable tension and sizzling chemistry between Claire and Ruby. Brooks masterfully builds their relationship, allowing the tension to simmer without rushing into romance. The perfect slow burn. The restraint only heightens the eventual payoff, making their journey from adversaries to lovers all the more satisfying.

The character growth in this novel is commendable. Both Claire and Ruby undergo significant personal development, overcoming their insecurities and learning to trust not only each other but also themselves. The comedic moments, often involving quirky townsfolk and supportive friends, add a layer of light-heartedness that kept me smiling throughout.

Sophie Daniels’ narration deserves special mention. Her ability to infuse warmth and humanity into the characters made the audiobook experience even more enjoyable. Daniels’ nuanced performance brought Claire and Ruby to life, capturing their emotions and personalities with precision. Her narration added depth to an already compelling story, making Chasing Dreams a truly immersive experience.

Chasing Dreams is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance that ticks all the right boxes. A.L. Brooks has once again delivered a story that is not only entertaining but also deeply touching. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, this audiobook is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

Book Description:

A warm, feel-good, enemies-to-lovers, lesbian romance about chasing your dreams—wherever they might lead.

Powerful venture capitalist Claire Pressley is done with stressful New York and has set her sights on a “treechange”—renovating a homestead in Eagle Cove, Oregon, to make a gorgeous guesthouse.

Her plan isn’t quite so simple when it turns out Eagle Cove’s beloved town librarian Ruby Jordan had been saving to buy the homestead herself. Worse, Ruby had some grand, beautiful dream to turn it into an animal shelter.

Claire couldn’t look more like a villain in her new town if she tried. Now she has to find a way to make peace with the locals, as Ruby furiously works out a Plan B for her animal shelter.

But even as the hot-headed women keep clashing, it’s hard not to notice their sizzling chemistry, and how attractive they find each other.

It seems unlikely they’ll even manage to be friends at this rate. And being more than friends . . . that would be just ridiculous! Right?

Chasing Dreams by A.L. Brooks
Narrator: Sophie Daniels
Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
Published by Tantor Audio, Ylva Publishing Genres: Enemies to Lovers, LesFic/Sapphic Fiction
Also by this author: The Long Shot, A Heart to Trust
Brian
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