The Secret Life of DaydreamsAuthor: Lucinda Whitney
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook • Pages: 256
Published: January 3, 2016
Publisher: Lange House Press
Source: Author/Publisher
Sometimes the dream you never planned for is the one you can’t live without.
Six years after a painful divorce, Josh Conrad is happy traveling the world as a photographer. When he arrives in Portugal, he plans to complete the assignment as quickly as possible. What he doesn’t plan for is Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier on an LDS mission, and soon he’s making excuses to prolong his trip.
Sofia Monteiro leads a structured life in Braga, Portugal, teaching high school by day and caring for her mother by night. After she reconnects with Josh through mutual friends, the memory of a failed relationship and her new graduate program are enough reasons to stay away from him.
As they collaborate on a project, Josh is wary of repeating his old mistakes and Sofia hesitates to spend time with an American who’s only passing through.
Can two people with wounded hearts bring themselves to trust their dreams to each other?
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Sweet, Clean Debut Romance
Sometimes “debut” means not quite up to the competition, but that’s not the case with The Secret Life of Daydreams. It’s well-written and kept my interest through the entire story. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Sofia and Josh first meet when he is in Portugal on an LDS mission. He taught Sofia about his religion and she joined the church. This story takes place years later, when Sofia and Josh meet again. Because of the issues they are both facing, there is a strong message of faith and repentance, with quite a bit of LDS theology scattered throughout. It’s not what I’d call preachy, but it definitely covers concepts and principles that will seem foreign to those outside the faith.
What did I think?
I like that this is more than a romance. While that’s the primary story, it also deals with losing and regaining your faith, living with an aging parent, and more.
I liked the characters, but I loved the setting! I’ve never been to Portugal, but I found the descriptions well-drawn. I liked getting a quick dip into the culture.
If you like LDS contemporary romances, or if you’re not LDS but you like faith-centered stories, you’ll like this one. I give it 4 STARS.
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