Beyond All Dreams {Book Review}

As a member of the Litfuse Publicity Group, I am given free previews of books and other products, in return for honest reviews.

I had the privilege of getting a sneak peek at Elizabeth Camden‘s new book, Beyond All Dreams. I was really excited to read it, since I know Ms. Camden is an accomplished and well-loved author. I love both The Rose of Winslow Street and Against the Tides.

This is a well-researched historical fiction book about a young lady, Anna O’Brien, who has been through a horribly difficult life, yet can still look at things with a positive outlook. She’s been hurt, physically and emotionally, and she is very shy, but she has a very strong personality.

Anna is one of the few female librarians in the Library of Congress, and she loves her job, where she can stay surrounded by books and maps, and away from most people. She especially doesn’t like being around men, other than her best friend, who is an interesting character.

On the one day that she is pushed to do something against her nature (speak in front of a roomful of men), she happens to meet and intrigue a young Congressman, Luke Callahan. It seems from the first meeting that they are oil and water. He’s all good looks and loud noise, while she feels small and insignificant.

When she comes upon a disturbing bit of information that might mean her dead father is actually still living, she enlists an unlikely hero in the congressman. The two become close, and have a bit of an adventure together.

I thought it was a good story. However, at times, it was a little slow for me. It wasn’t one of those that I couldn’t put down. In fact, I had to go back to it again several times.

I admit, I was not a fan of Luke. I feel for him, since I have temper issues myself, but I find it hard to believe someone as timid and quiet as Anna would have put up with his outbursts. If I had been Anna, I don’t think I would have paid him a second glance. I really failed to see the connection there. I mean, I could sense a physical connection, for sure. Ms Camden is great at showing chemistry. But, I think with how she had been hurt before, it would be even harder for her to trust someone so fully like she did…

I also noticed quite a few grammar and punctuation mistakes throughout Beyond All Dreams, which were disappointing, since I know Ms. Camden is such a great author.

I would recommend this book as an adventurous, light read, but don’t expect a lot.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for the digital preview copy. No other compensation was made, and all thoughts and words are my own.

God bless,
Jenn

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