Barbara Cartland

Dreaming of You

Preye

Interesting, but not enough to score a reread. Tbh, I read this a few days ago and was underwhelmed so I forgot to put up a review here. Full review to come.

Jaclyn

MY FAVORITE!  

Lisa Kleypas is pure magic!!

Nabiha

This was the sweetest love story i’m obsessed

Lisa Kleypas

When shy and secluded author Sara Fielding ventures from her country cottage to research a novel, she inadvertently witnesses a crime in progress—and manages to save the life of the most dangerous man in London. Derek Craven is a powerful and near-legendary gambling club owner who was born a bastard and raised in the streets. His reputation is unsavory, his scruples nonexistent. But Sara senses that beneath Derek's cynical exterior, he is capable of a love more passionate than her deepest fantasies. Aware that he is the last man that an innocent young woman should ever want, Derek is determined to protect Sara from himself, no matter what it takes. But in a world where secrets lurk behind every shadow, he is the only man who can keep her safe. And as Derek and Sara surrender to an attraction too powerful to deny, a peril surfaces from his dark past to threaten their happiness . . . and perhaps even their lives. Together they will discover if love is enough to make dreams come true.

Shaana Juntunen Cooper

I was curious about Derek Craven’s story after reading Then Came You. But I did not expect to like Derek as much as I did. You could say he’s just a bad boy who finally finds the right girl. But I loved how he admits all the horrible things he’s done in his past and he believes he’s not worthy of Sara’s love.

Becky

Damn!

I mean seriously!

This was such an easy read for me and let me tell you I am swooning over Derek Craven.

Mayra Melo

Amanda J 

Really, really like this one. Felt connection btwn hero and heroine. Heroine was a little out of character for woman of that time...but I don't mind; I mean its romantic fiction. Checked out first then bought.

_Rd in PVD

Taylor McNeely

I have to say that romance bookstagram heavily influenced me to read this book. I mean I found out there’s a week dedicated to Derek Craven, the hero in this book, and I just knew I needed to read it asap. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it’s a Lisa Kleypas book, who I mentioned in my past post, I absolutely love!

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The premise of a woman writer, our heroine, saving a certain hero from harm and then asking to tour his gaming hell for writing material is just an amazing premise in general. Then throw in amazing side characters, amazing chemistry between the main characters, and sunshine one & grumpy one trope that makes for one perfect historical romance book.

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It also had enough tension and angst where your heart was physically hurting for these characters and you just wanted to shout at them to just be with each other already! I definitely know now why people love this book and Derek Craven so much and next time Derek Craven Week comes around, I will be celebrating with everyone else.

b.andherbooks

A country mouse author rescues a devilish owner of a casino with her purse pistol while out researching her next novel. She convinces his people to allow her access to the club and eventually figures out the staid country life and boring fiancee she left back at home are not for her, but Derek Craven, Cockney bastard, is. 

For Derek, Sara is not like any other woman he's been with, especially different from his latest former conquest who is now on a jealous rage intent on harming him when he put her aside. As Derek slowly realizes Sara is the only one for him, he can't help but fear that when he loses his heart he could also lose Sara.

Controversial opinion, but I found Derek Craven to be kind of a big man baby. He has some troubling behaviors, he's very controlling (chooses her clothes, won't let her cut her hair, is extremely jealous), and also seems to be just a little too much of a loose cannon to actually have achieved what he has achieved. I guess I don't get the allure, but this was a fairly fun, if bananas read. 

Also, I just wasn't into the psycho-ex plotline. I felt kind of horrible for that woman, who was forced to marry an old ogre and is acting out because she can. The solution to the problem of this murderous ex was also troubling...

Kleypas is so hit or miss for me.

Re-Read for the Fated Mates podcast:

I'm still dubious of Derek Craven. He has his moments and I appreciate him from a literary standpoint. Would I want to bop him? Eh probably not. If Sarah Fielding loves him and wants him, she can have whatever she darn well pleases because she's my favorite. I really did love the juxtaposition of Sarah and Derek, yet how alike they were in the ways that counted. I also appreciated unpacking some of the problematic elements along with the podcast.

I'm at a loss for words over Dreaming of You. I understand now why it's so often mentioned as readers' favorite Lisa Kleypas book. Derek Craven really is everything. I adored Sara and, well, everything about this story. Sooo many swoons. This book definitely goes in the "reread many times going forward" pile.

Dreaming of You

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