In Your Dreams By Sarah Adams: ARC Review
My excitement level was sky high when I saw the notification that I got an ARC for In your Dreams. How bittersweet it is to be back in Rome, KY with the Walker siblings one last time.
It is weird how some books end up coming into your life exactly when you need them and In Your Dreams was kismet for me at this moment and I will tell you exactly why.
Madison Walker has “failed” a lot as the youngest Walker sibling. She has tried a bunch of different things but hasn’t found her groove. We join her as she’s graduating culinary school in New York City, having avoided telling her siblings about the graduation ceremony as she feels that she didn’t deserve them being there to celebrate as the only reason she graduated at all was the few extra points she received from an extra credit. It isn’t just culinary school that hasn’t gone her way though, life in the city just hasn’t been all that it’s cracked up to be so she finds herself celebrating graduation alone in her apartment.
Until she caves and tries to reach out to family, only to accidentally call her brother’s best friend James Huxley instead of Jack. This conversation gets in motion her return to her hometown of Rome, KY where she has the opportunity to run the new restaurant at James’ family farm, which will hopefully keep the farm from financial ruin (though she isn’t quite aware of that part). It also just so happens that James has been in love with Maddie for years.
Maddie’s youngest child chaos might be something that I usually wouldn’t relate to as a textbook eldest daughter, but right now I feel for the girl and see myself in her. She has been grappling with her career and trying to find the perfect fit for herself amid her siblings who seem to have found it for themselves so naturally. How could she not feel like she’s failing (and failing)? By some strange coincidence, I am in a strangely similar situation. I have been working the same job for 10 years and am at a crossroads. Do I stick with what is familiar, but maybe not the best fit for me or do I venture out there and try to find what is my “calling”? Maddie’s struggles had me in tears within the first few chapters because I feel for her! Also, the last of her siblings to be single, not the easiest position to be in if you are already feeling like a lonely failure.
Enter James, who believes in Maddie, supports her, loves her, BUILDS HER A FREAKING COTTAGE WITH A YELLOW DOOR. James helps Maddie reframe what she had viewed as failures as learning experiences, opportunities for growth, steps along the way to get where she is supposed to be. But it’s not one sided, Maddie helps James see that it is okay to accept help, to prioritize yourself, and to voice your needs. They bring out the best in each other and guide each other to the lives they deserve and that’s the definition of love if you ask me.
So grateful for my little visits to Rome and the comfort, love, and care they have given me. It has been a treat to be able to get to know the Walker siblings and their partners. Now time for Tommy’s book right???? ;)
Favorite Quotes
“A good cry pairs with almost any emotion: happy or sad”
“You could try your whole life—really give it your best shot, and you would still come close to anything but extraordinary. Boring is your antonym.”
“What are you waiting for?” I ask, sounding breathless. Desperate.
“I’m not waiting. I’m savoring.”