Historical Romance Book Review: The Dreams We Knew

-
 

About the Book

Title: The Dreams We Knew 

Authors: Rachel Scott McDaniel 

Genre: Historical Romance 

Publisher: Kregel Publications  

Release Date: February 25, 2025 

Click here to purchase a copy of this novel. 

Publisher's Book Description

"Can two opposites come together to solve the murder of a rising star? 

 

In the glitz and glam of New York City's elite circles, Delvina Salvastano Kline walks a delicate line between her privileged upbringing and her murky past. Adopted into wealth and opulence, she contends with the legacy of her birth father, a notorious crime boss. In an act of defiance, Delvina sheds the smothering label of "society's misfit" by carving her own path as a private investigator. 

 

When a promising young fashion model is found dead, Delvina is hired to unmask the killer lurking behind the city's shimmering facade. She reluctantly teams up with detective Kent Brisbane, the man she once loved, who knows a secret that could shatter her carefully crafted persona. As they plunge deep into the shadows of New York's underbelly, they discover the stakes are higher than they'd thought. Amidst glittering parties and whispered secrets, the duo races against time to uncover the truth. 

 

Rachel Scott McDaniel delivers a riveting blend of mystery and second-chance romance with gentle undertones of faith in this Roaring Twenties novel."

 

My Review

The Dreams We Knew, by Rachel Scott McDaniel, is a truly engrossing piece of historical fiction! This captivating novel is beautifully written from beginning to end. Set during the 1920s in New York City, this book is filled with mystery, intrigue, history, romance, and surprises. Unforgettable characters and plenty of drama are highlights of a story that is as memorable as it is entertaining. 

 

Ms. McDaniel’s writing style is detailed, expressive, witty, and sprinkled with the tone of New York more than a century ago. Her attention to detail and nuance makes this novel especially immersive and engaging. The characters in this novel are also noteworthy. As they develop and respond to the situations and mysteries around them, they grow in their authenticity and vulnerability. I found myself eagerly turning the pages to learn more about them and their fears, their motivations, and their relationships. They show themselves to be determined and clever as they make tough choices and face difficult, dangerous situations. They are consistently relatable as they search for answers, even as they grapple with insecurities and regret. As clues multiply and they draw closer to the truth, hope is renewed as the characters find that a fresh start might be possible after all. 

 

Furthermore, throughout the novel, Ms. McDaniel also successfully explores meaningful thematic combinations of guilt and forgiveness, lies and truth, heartache and hope, and loss and restoration. With an emphasis on the importance of friends and family, this book overflows with affirming examples of humble endurance, perseverance, and redemption. With the addition of these themes and attributes, this book becomes especially remarkable, relevant, and touching. 

 

Page after page, The Dreams We Knew offers a thoroughly satisfying blend of history, romance, faith, drama, and mystery. With dangerous secrets, mysterious motives, and even shady criminals playing prominent roles in the plot, Ms. McDaniel has crafted a love story that is vibrant and altogether engrossing. It is a compelling, inspirational novel that I recommend wholeheartedly.  

 

*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher/author and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

 

About the Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel

“Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids.” --Biography from Rachel Scott McDaniel’s author page on Amazon.com.

Click here to visit Rachel Scott McDaniel's website. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Historical Fiction/Time-Slip Book Review: Hidden Among the Stars

-
Image
Publisher's Description "From the award-winning author of Catching the Wind , which Publishers Weekly called “unforgettable” and a “must-read,” comes another gripping time-slip novel about hidden treasure, a castle, and ordinary people who resisted evil in their own extraordinary way. The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan―even their very lives―in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone. Eighty...
Read more

Historical Fiction Review: The Seamstress

-
Image
  About the Book Title: The Seamstress Author: Allison Pittman Genre: Historical Fiction Release date: February 5, 2019 Publisher: Tyndale A beautifully crafted story breathes life into the cameo character from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities . France, 1788   It is the best of times . . . On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins—Renée and Laurette—have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Émile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace. It is the worst of times . . . Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton...
Read more

Historical Romance Book Review: Meeting Her Match

-
Image
  About the Book Title: Meeting Her Match   Series: The Matchmakers , Book 3   Author: Jen Turano   Genre: Historical Roman ce   Publisher: Bethany House Publishers   Release Date: J uly 16 , 2 02 4   Click here to purchase a copy of this novel.   Publisher's Book Description “ Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.     After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.   ...
Read more