Kristina A. reviewed on 8/17/2017 + 1528 more book reviews

Any Dream Will Do is the latest novel by Debbie Macomber. Shay Benson is trying to turn her life around. She is clean (no drugs), working as a teller at a local bank, and taking accounting classes. Then Caden, her brother (and only family), shows up needing help. Caden states he needs $5,000 right away or he will be killed. Promises to get the money back to her within days if she will obtain it from the bank (not through legal means). Caden gets the money and disappears. Shay is sentenced to three years. Three years later, a bus drops Shay off in front of Seattle Calvary. She walks inside and feels a sense of peace. Pastor Drew Douglas has been having a crisis of faith since the loss of his wife three years prior. It has been a struggle managing his children and his flock. Drew is in the church when he hears a noise and encounters Shay Benson. Shay needs assistance (a new start, a place to live), and Drew takes her to Hope Center. Drew keeps track of Shay's progress in the year long program and they develop a friendship. As time passes, Shay gets to know Drew's children, finds a job, a place to live, and a church family. Life is good for Shay and romance is blossoming, but then her past comes back to haunt her. Shay's dreams for her future are threatened. Shay will need to stay strong and hold onto her faith to get through this trial. Will Shay and Drew get their happily ever after?

Any Dream Will Do is nicely written, has a good steady pace, and is set Seattle, Washington (I have always wanted to go there). This book is different from Debbie Macomber's other novels. She always writes clean, wholesome books, but Any Dream Will Do has a Christian theme. The values of faith, trust, hope, second chances, redemption and love are prevalent throughout the story. Shay is given a second chance, but no one ever said it would be easy (life is full of struggles/obstacles to happiness). Life is fraught with hills and valleys (shadow and light). We get to see Shay and Drew go through good times and bad. I am rating Any Dream Will Do 4 out of 5 stars. The romance takes a backseat in this novel. It places out softly and slowly which I liked. Any Dream Will Do is an uplifting and inspiring novel. The story touches on the plight of the homeless, how people struggle with addiction, and dealing with prejudice (assuming that Shay is bad because she was in prison). Any Dream Will Do does have the expected ending, but it is touching. Any Dream Will Do is a good novel to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon while lying about in a hammock with a cool drink nearby.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details