Another great novel from queen Brayden!

When I pick up a Melissa Brayden novel, I expect to escape for a few hours into a world where the world is perfect and the romance is adorably sweet. Brayden just has a way of always delivering exactly what I want in a lesfic romance, even when I didn't realize that was what I wanted in the first place! This novel is no exception, and I was instantly hooked.

Set in a small beach town in the middle of nowhere and just a dot on the map, Brayden created not only rich main characters, but also wonderfully fleshed out secondary characters. There were no throw away names in this book, each and every character had their purpose and I loved how even the smallest scene left us feeling like we knew each and every person in the town. MC Elizabeth had a unique voice to her character also, and her upbeat personality jumped off the page. She's likeable, upbeat, and filled with personality, and she's also different than any other main that I've read in Brayden's novels previously. Personally, I loved seeing this freshness!

When MC Devyn is forced to come back home to take care of her sister, she and Elizabeth
form a quick bond that slowly develops into much more. There's no insta-love in this one, which I loved, and the development and pacing felt very natural and authentic. Even thought the troupe is nothing new, but the way Brayden handed the dialogue and character development really stood out. There was no unnecessary drama between mains, and I loved how communication played a large part in their success.

This novel is Brayden at her best, and if you're a romance fan, I highly recommended this read! 4.5 stars.

**Many thanks to Bold Strokes for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

Melissa Brayden has done it again!! I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end!! Devyn and Elizabeth went through school together in a small town on the coast of South Carolina. Elizabeth stayed and created her own business doing “on the spot” jobs for the townsfolk of Dreamer’s Bay while Devyn went as fast and far away building a life is in Philly selling commercial real estate. Devyn came back to Dreamer’s Bay when he sister went missing and Elizabeth’s caring nature and superior organizational skills were the reason Jill was found. Elizabeth and Devyn were complete opposites yet complimented one another perfectly. Elizabeth was probably one of the nicest and kindest literary characters I’ve ever encountered. Their relationship from more than friends developed naturally and was truly believable. I loved the main characters as well as all of the supporting characters in this book. While some may say this is simply a book about a women coming back home ( which has been done hundreds of times), it’s so much more than that and Melissa Brayden’s amazing humor, romance, and quirkiness shines through in this. Thank you Melissa for another amazing read!!

Hey Melissa: What is up with you NAILING almost every single book you put out there ?? Woman, do you ever disappoint??
Now my review :) ok so this one was UNBELIEVABLY good! What a BRILLIANT, WONDERFUL, ROMANTIC book!
The 2 MCs were so adorable together.. Elizabeth is a ray of sunshine while Devyn is so badass .. this combination worked for me and I fell in love with their chemistry and how their relationship developed throughout the story.
This book I think is one of the longest I’ve read by this author, and the most interesting part is that I didn’t even want it to end.
There’s actually not a single thing that I disliked about this book. It’s full of love and just the right amount of angst. Even that town where the MCs lived, I want to visit it one day and attend their festivals and eat the fried Twinkie’s :)
Melissa Brayden has a talent, she makes you connect so much with the characters and the setting that you actually end up even having a connection with Scout the dog!
This is a very solid 5 for me and I highly recommend it ! Thank you miss Brayden for putting a smile on my face :)
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”

Another excellent book by Melissa Brayden. A small town slow burn romance, very heavy on the romance :)

'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'

**'The principle of true storytelling is not to portray but to evoke..I have found that a really good story leaves a deeper impression when it is impossible to tell which side the writer is on..'

'BEAUTIFUL DREAMER' is a romantic love story with the dynamics of family, friendship and a neighborhood -- offering both a penetrating and exquisite portrayal of authentic intimacy,physical & emotional longings,angst,heartache and the solvable or unresolvable issues surrounding a relationship that might end up being a threat to destroy or saving it.
Readers will come to discover on these pages that true Love is found in an unexpected place between a number of unmindful individuals. They will also encounter a slowly developing romance that might persevere through distance, status, patience and family trauma etc.
For the two leading characters, carrying us the overzealous readers on their roller coaster beginning from being standoffish, excited, engaging and then that anticipation of courtship to that deep connection of genuine commitment.
This storyline also did reveal the fractious and remarkable journey that their relationship took even with an enrichment of chemistry and that drive of soul searching on what or who was the most important to either.
With all that other reviewers have said and will say I will add that Melissa Brayden has written a long list of exceptional books so for all interested readers, 'BEAUTIFUL DREAMER' is just another one of her masterpiece.

Melissa Brayden has yet to disappoint. Another excellent book which I read in "one go." I only took a break because I had to go to work. A small town, with character full people, old friends, and the past coming back. The romance between Elizabeth and Devyn grows slowly but steadily. With a burst of angst in the end. A great read for the summer.

*****Some Spoiler in this review*****
I won't recap the story sine other reviewers have done that...I'll just let you know that this is classic Melissa Brayden. I love that her women characters are strength personified. In this case, Elizabeth was a sweetheart and owned it. She loved being happy and saw the good in everyone and was not afraid to show it. But in the end, when Devyn hurt her, she didn't just bend over backwards and thank her lucky stars that Devyn realized that she was indeed worthy. Melissa Brayden was able to have the characters relatable and they are always likeable. I loved the book!

Falling in love in a small town.

Devyn is a work-a-holic real estate broker in Philadelphia. She left Dreamer's Bay behind for bigger and better things. Elizabeth is Dreamer's Bay's sweetest resident. She couldn't imagine anyone not loving it in the small town. An incident requires Devyn to return, and the two women end up spending time together. As they become closer, Elizabeth will have to deal with her growing feelings when she knows that Devyn is not there to stay.

This starts off exciting as we are taken on a bit of a mystery and grass roots investigation. It's not for long, but it certainly made a great way to begin the story. From this incident, we get a glimpse of who the main characters are in this story. Devyn is uptight and a bit snobby. Elizabeth is down to earth and a bit quirky.

Brayden sure knows how to build a relationship from 'no way' to 'meant to be.' She takes the time with lots of interactions and cute moments that literally light the characters up on page. Plus, she writes adorable leading ladies. Who could not have a big old crush on Elizabeth Draper? Ever the positive, kind, and dorky woman of Dreamer's Bay. Sigh.

But this was not just a light and breezy romance. There was quite a bit of depth as it dealt with abandonment and being closed off to love. There was a bit of family drama and facing lightweight bullies. The growth of both Devyn and Elizabeth was an awesome journey to go on with them.

The best part of this book was the angst and having to overcome mistakes. I had watery eyes for the last 20% of the book, I believe. This was unique in that there isn't just a speedy happy ending. And it was really satisfying to see some work toward happily ever after. Especially when it was called for.

Overall, this was a great love story. Cute and likable characters. Fun outings. Swoon worthy flirty banter.

I recommend this to everyone. Friends with benefits, romance, abandonment, bullies, priorities, small towns, second chances, courting, and corn hole.

Like every other lesfic romance reader on the planet, I was looking forward to this book. I have enjoyed every Melissa Brayden book in the collection, but I find myself more impressed with her standalones than the series. For me, sometimes in series the pairings are forced, finding the perfect mate for each of the core group. Beautiful Dreamer, for me, falls into the "masterpiece" category that applies to only about 1 in 20 or 25 books I read.

Even though the MCs are "opposites attract" with small town/big city and warming outgoing/dedicated to job subtexts, I loved both of them. The side cast of characters added a lot as well. I just kept finding little phrases that I highlighted as I read, phrases that were completely original. "Oh so we're flirting?" just felt so right in this book because both Elizabeth and Devyn are totally genuine in their own ways. Elizabeth calling out the high school "Senior Stars" right to their faces for their condescending attitudes was so perfect because she was just sad about what had happened and wasn't going to take it anymore. So many great little touches that I hope all readers notice and appreciate.

This book took me 6 hours to read (rather than the typical 4 or 5 hour books), but it didn't drag for me at all. The entire first half setup was needed to make us fall in love with the characters. Even the "70% of the way through curveball" was done in a refreshing and different way, and I loved that the resolution we all knew would come happened with enough time for a satisfying ending.

This is a great book.

Philadelphia real state broker Devyn Winters left her small hometown of Dreamers Bay a few years ago. She likes the fast pace of a big city and works hard in her successful career. When she comes back to Dreamers Bay due to a family emergency, she meets again with former high school classmate Elizabeth Draper. Unlike Devyn, Elizabeth likes the slow pace and small-town dynamics. They couldn’t be more different from one another, but their attraction is undeniable. They both know that any relationship will be temporary. How are they going to avoid heartbreak?

This is a return to hometown lesbian romance book between two former high school classmates who didn’t share the same social circles in the past and seem to have opposite personalities. Elizabeth lives in Dreamers Bay and is the sole owner of a small company that does odd jobs, she’s sociable, perky and cute. Devyn is a go-getter, successful real state broker who only socialises for work purposes and has no friends. Do opposites attract?

Even though ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ started with a bit of a fast-moving mystery, quite unusual for this author, it felt as if the book dragged a bit in the first half and I couldn’t feel that sizzling chemistry and tension between the mains that Ms. Brayden is so well known for. However, in the second half, the book picked up the pace and the romance developed beautifully.

As usual, Ms. Brayden’s writing is superbly filled with witty dialogues, a sweet romance, and a well-devised plot. Her depiction of the beautiful landscape and the small town dynamics is perfect. It’s enriched with a few multilayered and funny secondary characters, including a cute dog.

I liked that the main conflict develops naturally, feels realistic, heartbreaking but not overly dramatic, and the resolution takes its time without rushing to the end. In that sense, Ms. Brayden is great at writing almost cinematographical happy ending scenes. The pent-up tension, the strong feelings, and the feel-good finale leave the reader happy and satisfied. It definitely won’t disappoint lesbian romance fans.

Overall, a well-written and entertaining romance in a small town setting. 4.5 stars.

ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com

I loved this! Those who know me know I don’t give out full 5 star ratings too often, but I had to with this book. Yes, I’m in an extra good mood because the US Women defeated Sweden today 2-0 (a team the US normally loses to), but my good mood is not why I loved this book. I loved this book because it is everything I look for when I pick up a romance. We all know Brayden is one of the Queens of lesfic romance, but I have to admit some of her Seven Shores books didn’t wow me. I’m so happy to say that this to me was classic Brayden and a big reminder why she’s one of my favorite authors.

This book hooked me instantly. It actually started off with a bit of excitement and got my heart pounding a little. Then we get to enjoy this perfect small beach town setting. It was the best setting for a romance and I loved every secondary character and even appreciated the ones we are not supposed to like. I actually thought the setting was better than Seven Shores and wish there was more books to come from this place.

Besides the secondary characters, which were all well done with unique voices, the two mains were wonderful. I loved both of them but thought Elizabeth was extra special. She really felt like an original character to me. While Brayden has written upbeat and kind characters before, Elizabeth had this depth to her that I wasn’t expecting and I just thought she was so damn likeable.

Of course where this book really shined was the romance. This was such a sweet slow-burn romance. I dislike insta-love and I was so happy not to get it here. The romance was believable and you could see the characters just building and building their connection and it completely worked for me. The dialogue between the mains was really well written and besides the one drama part, the characters actually communicated. It was much more communication than we see in most romances which was another big plus for me. And while you could see the relationship drama part coming a mile away, it still had me grabbing for the tissues because I cared so much.

I don’t have any complaints. I enjoyed every single thing about this book. It’s actually on the longer side but it never dragged once. Every interaction between the characters was important; there was no boring filler and the whole book just worked for me. If you are a romance fan I absolutely recommend this one. I feel Brayden is really back on track with this book and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

If you're ever in the mood for a feel-good romance, you can't go wrong by picking up a book by Melissa Brayden.

Whoever said angst is necessary to drive a plot was wrong. Melissa has such a way of making you fall for her characters, drama for the sake of drama isn't needed.

With that said, these two did have to work for their happy ever after.

Loved the setting, loved the characters, and loved Devyn's big sis. Oh, and the chemistry between the two leads was delicious.

So, hot shot Real Estate broker Devyn and sweet, "boring" small town girl Elizabeth meet again, many years after high school. An unfortunate event that involves Devyn's sister brings them together. Devyn is still hot, amazing, trendy, like she was as a cheerleader in high school, but is Elizabeth still the boring, uneventful, overly sweet girl like Devyn thought? Somehow, her opinion of Elizabeth starts to change, and Elizabeth has nothing, or everything to do with it?
I always expect the best romance from Melissa Brayden. This book hasn't disappointed either. She has a well known recipe for sweet romances, and they work all the time. Her talent for amazing, funny, ever-flawing dialogues is there all the time.
I have to say I'd love to see her get out of her comfort zone sometimes soon... to "spice up" a bit her usual pattern.

Devyn is a Commercial Real Estate Broker and lives in Philadelphia. She returns to the small town of Dreamers Bay when her sister needs her help. Elizabeth runs a Business doing Odd-Jobs for the residents of dreamers Bay. Dreamers Bay is the small town which both Devyn and Elizabeth both grow up in and went to school there. However, both of them hung out in different circles.

I feel Elizabeth wears her heart on her sleeve. She is a very trusting person, even to them that do not deserve it. Devyn is Cut-throat She trusts no one and work is her number one priority. When Devyn returns to the Bay, she spends more and more time with Elizabeth and they become friends and then the relationship develops into a relationship. I loved both of them and the banter between them both. Great story line and too me the pace was perfect. The biggest majority of the secondary characters were a great bunch.

All in all, if you have read any of Ms Brayden's previous work then you will not be disappointed. IMO, the more she writes the better she gets.

I received an ARC copy of the book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

I have known for a while that Melissa Brayden is the queen of contemporary lesbian romance. All of her books have beautiful stories with characters you fall in love with and settings that you wish you could live in. Her latest novel, Beautiful Dreamer, is just more proof of her expertize at writing wonderful romance stories.
Set in a small fictional town called Dreamer’s Bay, along the southern coastline of South Carolina, this book tells the story of two women who grew up in this idyllic setting. Devyn Winters, now an extremely successful real estate agent in Philadelphia, rushes back to her childhood home when she receives a distress call about her sister. While in Dreamer’s Bay she receives help from Elizabeth Draper, a woman she knew from her time in high school even though the two never ran in the same social circle. The two become friends and more while they both work to help Devyn’s sister, but Devyn’s life and work is in Philadelphia, and Elizabeth has a life and work in Dreamer’s Bay. This may be a problem that destroys their budding relationship.
Ms. Brayden chose the perfect spot for this small town. This real life area would make a beautiful beach town for those who would like a less commercial and more scenic vacation experience than places like Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head. Both main characters are well-drawn; likeable, beautiful, but with flaws and insecurities that make them more human. The story is sweet and lovely with just the right amount of angst.
I see this as a perfect summer romance, the kind you want to take to the beach to enjoy as you soak up the sun and sea breeze. I would pack this book into my beach bag right alongside my beach towel, sunscreen, sun glasses, floppy hat and flip flops. Beautiful Dreamer would make that a perfect day.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

This is another lovely, mostly slow-burn, romance with characters that are easy to become invested in. Devyn Winters returns to the small town she grew up in when her sister needs her. She’s a high flying property broker on the verge of a huge deal but her sister comes first. Elizabeth Draper was in her year at school but not somebody she ever really go to know because they didn’t run in the same circles. As adults though, Elizabeth’s irrepressible cheerfulness is hard to resist.

I loved both of the characters in this novel and especially how they developed. The way they see each other is continuously shifting and the first impressions they had of each other bear little resemblance to who they are in the end. It is not an uncommon trope but its difference is brought out in the depth and characterisation of Devyn and Elizabeth.

Brayden’s writing style really appeals to me and I haven’t been disappointed yet.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

This author continues to grow, and most importantly, evolve her craft while elevating the lesbian romance genre into a serious contender instead of light and fluffy as it is often referred to. Beautiful Dreamer has instant attraction, but the story is lovingly unfolded with a kind of patience and reverence that avoids the intsa-love cliches that is commonly seen in this genre. Beyond that is the complexity of the characters that reveal layers no one expects, reader and character alike. It surprisingly produced a level of unexpected suspense that had me literally cheering them on out loud in solidarity. The end result is a delightful and organically grown romance that hooked me in, and had me wishing their story to keep going. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. Wow. This book drew me in immediately; Elizabeth's character was outstanding. The sweet, dorkish amazing small town girl, and her passion and pull for her small town and how that drew Devyn to her was outstanding. The plot line kept me, and I loved all the small town charm, it literally pulled me into Dreamers Bay. The connection and attraction between the two characters made this romantic read outstanding, a full five stars, this book met and exceeded all my expectations; you will not be disappointed when you pick it up!

Let me start off this review by saying that Melissa Brayden is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her romances and I find that she has set the standard for what I enjoy in a romance.

For me Beautiful Dreamer is not my favorite Brayden romance but I still did enjoy it. This romance features Devyn Winters and Elizabeth Draper. Devyn left the small Coastal City right after High School and never looked back. She is now a successful Real estate Broker in Phildelphia. Elizabeth moved away only for college and came back after because she loves her little small town. She isn't concerned about money, but is concerned about being helpful and kind to others. These MC's went to HS together around 15 years ago and are thrown back together when Devyn returns home for a family emergency.

These two MC's could not be more different. But they do say that opposites attract. As Elizabeth helps Devyn during the weeks to come, they become closer. They are both attracted to one another, but the chemistry for me wasn't were I wanted to to be for the first portion of the book. I think by the middle of the book, the chemistry became evident. As I read this one, I honestly really liked Devyn. Sure she makes some mistakes, but that even makes her more real. Elizabeth on the other hand was a little too nice for me. I didn't dislike her character, I just found that she irked me some. By the time I got to the end, I was really proud of Elizabeth for standing up for herself.

As I mentioned earlier this wasn't my favorite romance by Brayden. After reading so many of her books, I tend to expect a little bit more. Maybe it was because the books seemed a little long and took me a while to get to where I could actually see Devyn and Elizabeth as a couple. Oh, but I did get there and loved the way that Devyn did the right thing in the end.

I will rate this one a very solid 4 stars.

"Beautiful Dreamer" is a sweet and sexy romance, with the bonus of interesting secondary characters and a cute small-town setting. Devyn and Elizabeth were classmates from different social strata in high school. Today, Devyn is a high-powered, career-focused real estate broker in Philadelphia, while Elizabeth enjoys living in their hometown, running an odd jobs company called On the Spot. When Devyn's sister is involved in a traumatic car accident, Devyn returns home to care for her, bringing her into close contact with town good girl Elizabeth. The development of their romance, alongside Devyn's development as a character, was fun to read. I would recommend this to romance novel readers.