Early Goodreads Reviews:

"I absolutely loved The Season of Impossible Dreams. It blends ambition and vulnerability so naturally - that feeling of chasing something big while still trying to stay grounded in who you are - and the Aussie slang, culture, and basketball life make it feel like home. The emotional beats land because the world is so real, and the multiple character perspectives keep the story witty, immersive, and full of heart. It’s a brilliant read for anyone who loves basketball, is Australian, or just wants an authentic Aussie spin on the sport and the people who live it." Tani McMu

“I thoroughly enjoyed The Season of Impossible Dreams. Marianne de Pierres’ writing is very intelligent. I found the characters authentic & relatable. The structure of the novel with short, succinct chapters pushed the story forward. Without giving too much away, the handling of the DV & other issues were done with respect. There was a lot of truth and authenticy in her writing.” Elizabeth Morris, Goodreads

“Loved this book so much I read it twice! Not usually into sports-related themes but this was obviously written by someone very familiar with the game, which brought the action to life. High school sports stars in regional Australia battle through relationship and family issues while trying to score their big break in international basketball. Secrets complicate friendships and team alliances, while others come back to haunt them from their parents’ generation. The biggest secret of all nearly gets someone killed. The characters were well-written and realistic. Their problems were relatable and the story-line compelling. I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up as a movie or mini-series.” Julie Gormly.

“Finally! A great fictional story that encompasses the burgeoning junior Australian basketball scene, whilst acknowledging the competitive endgame of getting a scholarship in America. Any person who grew up around the game, or has been involved in the game at the junior level will love the ease with which Marianne is able to tick many of the familiar boxes, from not wearing your boots to the gym, to Coach commanding drills as a penalty. The primary characters map easily to central roles on every team, whilst gradually revealing individual personalities that engage the reader as romance, hardship and tragedy unfold in a very real and engaging drama. An absolute pleasure to read, and so compelling I had to read in one sitting!” Steve Mellor

“The Season of Impossible Dreams is a suspenseful young adult mystery with basketball as a backdrop. Teens face real issues, and their interactions with other characters are believable.

It is easy to relate to the characters through their alternating storylines. We find out how they see themselves and others, and how they deal with their problems. The basketball aspect of the story is handled deftly, and is drawn from Marianne’s de Pierres’ extensive experience with the game.” Ieva K

“The Season of Impossible Dreams follows the lives of a group of high school seniors trying their best to achieve their dreams while ‘real life’ just keeps getting in the way. The story deals with concerns around trauma and mental health thoughtfully and compassionately. Highly recommended.” Deb Gates

“My first foray into contemporary basketball fiction, this story was well paced, and the characters were all relatable in their own way. As someone who grew up with movies like The Breakfast Club this felt like a blast from the past. Multiple povs and each added to the story well. You can tell Marianne used her knowledge of basketball to her advantage. I’m keen to see what she comes out with next.” Mel McCormack