This novel takes readers on an emotional journey, vividly capturing what it was like to grow up during the 1980s and 1990s. The author realistically portrays the social, political, economic and religious landscape of the time.

At the heart of the book is Kiara, a compelling main character whose personal growth we closely follow. I appreciated her resilience and determination—she never gives up, constantly fights for herself, and ultimately finds a way to thrive.

One aspect that didn’t quite resonate with me was the way the children's dialogues were written. Their conversations often felt too mature or serious, more reflective of adult speech than how children typically talk.

Overall, this is a heartfelt story about self-discovery and the strength it takes to overcome life’s challenges.

I’m giving this book 4 stars.

Content warnings: divorce, bullying, neglect, abuse and trauma.

Thank you to Net Galley and Amanda LaPera for an advanced copy of, “Dare to Dream”.

I felt a connection to Kiara so quickly as I was also a kid who often felt like they didn’t fit in anywhere.

“Even in her mom’s embrace, Kiara couldn’t, no matter how hard she tried, feel loved.”

Kiara spends so much time trying to figure where she fits into the small desert town her mother moved her and her little brother to after their dad left them. She had to feel the repercussions of her what her mom was dealing with as she struggled to be a single parent.

I was not a latch key kid myself and grew up with a SAHM but the way Kiara’s relationship with her mother mimics my own in so many ways tugged at my heart strings. There is definitely a group of us who grew up with our own parents who weren’t shown love and affection in their own childhoods and therefore didn’t show that to their own children.

Her relationship with Juan reminds me of my own first high school relationship with a boy one year older. It’s funny when you’re raised in a toxic home, you seem to automatically just settle for less. You let someone talk you into thinking that the behavior they present to you is not only normal but acceptable for long term. Kiara wanted to feel the same connections her friends were having and she was willing to accept less than she deserved.

In the back of her mind, Kiara knows it’s not normal and has spent her entire life trying to figure out how to break free and essentially “dream” of something better. But she constantly battles with feeling like it’s out of reach for her. This is a story of unresolved trauma and the fight to push past it all.

Having grown up in a small desert town myself, I have to applaud the author of this book. No work of fiction has ever come closer than this tale, as to what it means to live in such a place. I really felt like I was back in my childhood. Back in a place, I won’t even visit. Amanda manages to weave real history and very real feelings into Kiara’s compelling story. I cried so many times I lost count. The desert, or any small town, doesn’t leave much opportunity to thrive or grow, it crushes almost everyone stuck there, adults and children alike. What Amanda is able to capture is that in an environment like this family, this town, daring to dream a way out, is sometimes all you can do. And the dreaming is brave, audacious, and the only garden where hope can really grow. This book is especially relevant in times like these. I think that everyone who has lived in a small town will see themselves in the characters in this book. Bring tissues, take breaks, and dare to dream just like Kiara and her friends.

Although I am not typically a YA reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Kiara’s story was extremely compelling and relatable. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series!

Wow!!! I really enjoyed reading Dare to Dream! This author has such a way with words that I felt as if I was transported right into the Mojave Desert with the character, Kiara. It is the type of book that I just wanted to hurry and do all my things so I could get back to reading. It’s been a while since a book has captured my attention like this and I’m so looking forward to reading more of the Desert of Dreams series.