Cover done by: Mae I Design
Synopsis
Mia Murphy may be married to the man of her dreams. But the man in her dreams is the one that got away—her high school crush.
Mia’s stuck in a rut, just like every other stay-at-home mom, and the only thing saving her from her monotonous routine is her perfect husband, Declan. He’s gorgeous, he adores her, and the man stole her heart with his sexy singing voice. Mia feels like the luckiest girl in the world, until she discovers that Mr. Perfect is not Mr. Faithful. Mia is devastated. Everything she once believed about Declan and their marriage is now covered in a big cloud of doubt and regret. On impulse, she kicks the cheating bastard out, pushing them into a separation that could mean the end of the picture-perfect couple.
But when Mia receives an invitation to her high school reunion, she finds herself abandoning the present for the oh-so-alluring pull of the past. Although her heart still belongs to her husband, inescapable thoughts of her crush, Noah, resurface. And ten years later, Noah isn’t afraid to make his move. When the build-up of fantasies and ‘what ifs' comes to a head, sparks fly and it’s Mia’s turn to question if her marriage is everything she wants out of life. Searching for answers, Mia dives head first into dating Noah, falling further away from her husband and closer to her old flame.
But Declan’s not giving up so easily. Mia is his one and only and he’s not about to let another man win her heart.
I think I'll get right to the point with this review and say that Man of My Dreams was fan-freakin'-tastic and I loved every single bit of this book! As much as this book deserves a mile long review, this one is probably going to be short and sweet. The synopsis sums up the story very nicely, but there are definitely some unexpected events that I won't get into because you'll have to experience it for yourself. I will say that, for those of you who are turned off by unfaithful characters and infidelity, don't let that deter you from reading this book. That issue often takes a back seat in this novel, and there are issues of miscommunication on both sides; lots of grey areas that will leave you feeling sympathetic to everyone involved.
I've found that I absolutely love to read novels that take place AFTER the happily-ever-after. I love a good falling-in-love story as much as the next girl, but I always find myself wondering what next? and this is one novel that definitely gives you a gritty, authentic representation of the struggles that could occur the characters say "I do." I really need to start reading more books like this because I adore them. Something else I love while reading, and Man of My Dreams definitely had this, is a good and flawed character! Real life is messy. Real people make mistakes and are impulsive and misguided. Not everyone is perfect. Faith Andrews understands this and wrote these characters, flaws and all, beautifully.
I was connected to the characters in this book from the very beginning, and the writing was so seamless that I read this one in one sitting. Something that was completely frustrating, yet totally fascinating to me was that this author could make me love everyone. With a book dealing with infidelity and troubled marriages, this definitely doesn't happen often!Although I was absolutely irritated with Mia at times and cursed her judgment, I rooted for her the entire way. As for Declan and Noah, well, there were times when I was on the fence about one or the other, but the right guy for Mia won out in the end and I was very pleased with the outcome. This book definitely takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions-- I laughed, I cried, I wanted to shake my fist at some of these characters-- and you will fall head-over-heels for all of them along the way. And, along with Mia, you'll see that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and sometimes things really aren't as they seem...
Man of My Dreams is this author's debut novel-- DEBUT! And it was incredible! Faith Andrews is definitely on my authors-to-watch list and I cannot wait for her next book to be released. I have a feeling she's going to be huge! This one is a must read.
Buy Man of My Dreams on Amazon
Read an excerpt from Man of My Dreams...
Read an excerpt from Man of My Dreams...
Declan’s voice comes booming
over the sound system, breaking me of my silent wonderings. “I’m sure most of
you are wondering why the music’s stopped and what I’m doing up here.” He
fiddles with whatever is in his pocket, concentrating on me and me alone.
“I’ll get to the point so
everyone can get on with their night.” He looks down at his feet, rocking back
and forth on the heels of his shoes. Why
is he so nervous? He’s been up there before.
“Two years ago tonight, I
stood up here and sang to that stunning girl over there.” He points to me as
the crowd draws out an awwww in
unison and miraculously, or deliberately, the spotlight is pointed on me. Thank
God it’s only for a second. I think I just died a little of embarrassment.
Declan becomes the center of
attention again and continues, “That night I told her how much I wanted her.
But now that she’s fulfilled every want I’ve ever had, it’s time for me to tell
her just how much I need her.”
My heart is drumming so
loudly I can barely make out what Declan is saying, but when I see him get down
on one knee, removing his hand from his pocket to produce something very shiny,
I don’t need to hear any words.
“Mia Page, I’ve spent the
last two years getting to know you and falling in love with everything about
you. Will you let me spend the rest of my life loving you…as your husband?”
All of my breath is trapped
in my throat. I feel lightheaded and my brain won’t let my body do anything.
Grace stands up and nudges
me toward the stage. “Snap out of it, Mia. If you don’t go up there and say
yes, I will!”
I peer over my shoulder for
one more jolt of encouragement and my legs finally break free of the
imprisonment my brain imposed on them. I clasp my hands to my heart, taking
long strides towards the man who has just proposed to me in front of this room
of strangers and friends alike. This seems incredibly surreal. An out-of-body
experience.
When I get to the foot of
the stage, where Declan is still waiting on bended knee, I look into his
gorgeous blue eyes and see my future. Without even realizing it, the tears
start to dampen my face. I nod up and down, unable to say the word that is
supposed to seal our destiny.
Declan’s eyes grow wide. His
smile expands even wider. “Are you saying yes?”
My voice decides not to fail
me in this epic moment of my existence. “Yes,” I manage to squeak out before
being pulled up on stage by strong loving arms.
Declan places the
sparkling diamond on my trembling hand. I stare at the dazzling ring, then up
at my even more remarkable fiancé. Gazing into his eyes, I feel like we are
floating in a bubble, the only two people in this crowded space
About the Author:
Faith Andrews lives in New York where she is happily married to her high school sweetheart. They have two beautiful daughters and a furry Yorkie son, Rocco. If she isn’t listening to Mumford and Sons or busy being a Dance Mom, her nose is in a book or her laptop. She’s a sucker for a happily ever after and believes her characters are out there living one somewhere . . .
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