Name: Dream Keeper
ISBN: 9781538733967

Kristen Ashley

Spinning off from the bestselling Dream Man and Rock Chick series, this is the emotional and steamy contemporary romance fans of the Dream Team series have been waiting for!

Dream Keeper

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Forever in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

  
    
  






Dream Keeper is the fourth book in the series and at first I thought that this would be the finale in the series, but alas, it isn't haha but you don't really see signs for others books until this book because the previous book didn't really hint at it that much or I might have just missed the signs that was conveyed there. In Dream Keeper, this is a romance that has been teased all the way through the series so its definitely highly anticipated for sure, but I will say that it did start out slower than I expected it too. Normally Kristen Ashley will sweep me up so quickly, but I don't know if its just me or maybe her writing is changing, but they aren't hooking me in as much as her previous works but I still enjoyed this one quite a bit, it just wasn't quite as engaging as the previous books in the series. But there were so many aspects of this story that truly worked for me in so many ways and I was thrilled to finally get Auggie and Pepper's romance. 



 Dream Keeper is a slow and steady romance that features:  



 
   Auggie -Ex Military-current working as a commando for Hawke, alpha male, protective, loves kids, family issue  
 



 
   Pepper-Exotic dancer, divorcee, single mother, nurturing and creative, has vulnerabilities in self esteem  
 



Dream Keeper is a romance that takes us back to Auggie and Pepper and actually begin's with Pepper's daughter, Juno. Juno wants her mom to have a husband that will truly love and cherish her and she wants a true family. She knows that her parents won't be getting back together and trying to live with that reality. So Juno convinces a man she knows that she can trust to help her bring Auggie and Pepper together. She sees the way that Auggie looks at her mom, and her mom is being "stupid" in resisting him and so she begins to work her innocent magic in bringing these two unrequited lovers together. Auggie has been trying to get Pepper to go on a date with him, but Pepper is resistant. At first it was for her daughter's sake, but in reality, Pepper has so much drama in her family and in her past that she doesn't feel like she could ever be worthy of Auggie. Her life is rough and the drama is extreme and no man should have to deal what she has to on a regular basis so she intends on driving him away. Only it doesn't work the way she expected to, and before she realizes it she shows how she cares for him, and he sees through her defenses and is more than determined to prove to her they are worth taking a risk on....



Dream Keeper was such a powerhouse of a romance and I had a blast with this book and I am so grateful that I was able to get this in ARC format (although I would have purchased it too) I have really been so entertained by this series and they are reminiscent of the Dream Man and Rock Chick series, but they are in the same world, so you see all the connecting characters throughout these books and its such fun. This series is the rest of the men on "Hawke"s team and seeing these commando's get their HEA. I love that Kristen Ashley wrote these books, and they definitely showcase the similar vibe that we found in those connecting books. I absolutely adored this one though. Pepper drove me nuts though, just the way that she treats Auggie, was too much in my opinion, it was a bit of emotional abuse. But then she realizes what she does to him and course corrects so I did like seeing her growth in that. There is some political stuff (nothing too obvious or anything, and I only noticed it in the beginning so fair warning on that aspect. But this portion doesn't reflect on my review at all, since it wasn't anything controversial or soap box-like, just common sense. 



The romance that builds between Auggie and Pepper is so sweet once we get all the angst out of the way. The one aspect I really adore in this author is that the inner conflict between the main couple gets resolved pretty quickly, and then we get to see the growth in their relationship, the HOT smexy times (some of the hottest scenes I have read from this author I swear she put in this book), Juno's matchmaking, family drama that builds with each chapter, it really comes together. I enjoyed seeing how the first half of the story is the focus of the romantic intimacy between Auggie and Pepper, and then the second half, is where we get to all the family drama and dealing with religious cults. Now these are true cults dealing with abuse, manipulation, polygamy. (Polygamy and the way she wrote is was correct as I am LDS (the non polygamy one) so I know the difference in the various religions that practice and don't so I respect that this author did her research correctly) I really felt for the heroine and what her family has to deal with this cult. Because wow it was really bad here. Kristen Ashley really showed healthy religion versus toxic cult like religion and how one is positive and uplifting and the other is damaging and abusive to the people involved. 



Overall I found Dream Keeper to be a stunning addition to this series that is so reminiscent of previous sagas we have loved from this author, its a story that will entertain you with its plot, charming characters to bring a smile to your face, and a love story that will have you swooning on each page....DELECTABLE IN EVERY MOMENT!

'Kristen Ashley's books are addicting!' JILL SHALVIS, bestselling author 'I don't know how Kristen Ashley does it; I just read the damn books and happily get lost in her world' FROLIC Single mom Pepper Hannigan has put all she has into one goal -- giving her daughter Juno the best life possible. That means no risks. No reckless nights. And no romance. Pepper refuses to let any Tom, Dick, or Harry romance his way into her family of two, only to break both her and her little girl's hearts. But Juno has other plans . . . August Hero may have a storybook name, but the serious, stern commando believes he's anything but a knight-in-shining-armor. He can't deny, however, how badly he wants to play Prince Charming for Pepper and her little girl. But when Juno's matchmaking brings danger into their homes, August will need to save both Pepper and Juno to prove to Pepper that happy endings aren't just for fairytales. Find out why readers are addicted to Kirsten Ashley's books . . . 'I'm surprised this book didn't self-combust from the degree of utterly swoon-worthy, bossy, possessive, unapologetic, sweet, tender, badass, HOT UBER ALPHA males in it! This book is pure over-the-top deliciousness!' Aestas Book Blog 'Those who like a dash of sweetness in their suspense will be delighted' Publishers Weekly on Dream Maker 'Kristen Ashley books are a haven , a safe place I go to when I am having a bad day or when i just want to destress' Goodreads review 'A non-stop wild ride!' Goodreads review 'A light-hearted, funny romp with enough drama to take you to that deeper level we crave in romance' Goodreads review 'This book has it all: to-die-for hero, a sassy, smartass heroine, lots of action, hot hot sex, secret lairs, badass bikers, romance, a few misty-eyed moments, laugh out loud humor, alpha males out the wazoo and just general over the top fun!' Goodreads review

Linda Quintanilla

I'm kinda conflicted about how I should write this book review. Half of me is annoyed, but then the other half is happy. Let me start from the beginning.
From the beginning of the book, I became very annoyed with Pepper (the main character). She was acting way too much, especially with Auggie. I don't know what it is, but Pepper really bugs me throughout the book. I really could not get over her behavior whatsoever. But the good part was her daughter, Juno. She is really adorable and smart for her age. And I really enjoy her chapters in the book. She really is the best part of Pepper. 
Now, Auggie is who I love. He really pulled his part. He may have some baggage, but who doesn't? He really tries his best with Pepper. It's not his fault that Pepper is stuck in the past. She is the one that needs to let go and move on. It takes a few chapters, but she finally gets there with Auggie. He really does have the patience of a saint in dealing with her because I really would not deal with her. But love can conquer everything, especially their relationship. 
I think the thing that bugs me the most is Pepper's behavior. I understand getting cheated on for years will affect you, but not every man is like that. Auggie has never rushed her whatsoever. It was always up to Pepper to set the pace, so it's really her to blame. He never pushes her into any situations, so I'm not understanding what's her issue.  


Dream Keeper

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