The Dream is a work of fiction in the chick lit, romantic drama and women’s fiction sub-genres, and was penned by author Whitney Dineen. Forming the fourth novel in The Creek Water Series, we return to this charming and delightful slice of life series set in Missouri for another stand-alone tale. This time the leading lady is Ashley, who is still hung up on high school life and the identity that was formed around her in her youth. When her big crush Davis comes back into her life through some very sad circumstances, he doesn’t even remember her. So begins a careful journey of unpicking the past from the present and finding new light and love along the way.

Author Whitney Dineen has crafted another light and highly entertaining work of chick lit, and I for one was delighted to be back in Creek Water for this fresh installment. Dineen’s writing style encourages readers to smile in the work, with intricate portraits of the central characters that show us their true hearts through the whole gamut of emotions. Ashley is a girl that many readers will relate to for her complex of not feeling ‘good enough’, and that comes across with a really talented portrayal of dialogue and body language whenever she meets Davis. These touches give a cinematic quality to the read and enhance our imaginations, bringing everything to life with wonderful detail. Overall, I would highly recommend The Dream to chick lit and romance fans looking for a heartfelt but ultimately fun and uplifting read.

In Whitney Dineen's The Dream, moving to Creek Water was meant to be a new start, a new beginning for her and her mum. But on the first day of school, Chad ensured she would never fit in, never belong. No one gave her the time of day unless it was to ridicule her. Seeing Davis, her secret high school crush, was the only thing that got her through, until in her final year she finally made a friend, Buck. Years later, still determined to prove herself, she works 2 jobs, one of which brings Davis back into her life. Fearful he may recognize her, she pretends not to know him, which was a blessing since he seemed to have forgotten her, but her heart remembers. Ready to take a chance on romance, she finds herself once more pining for her high school crush, when Buck returns, causing all manner of confusion. Her best friend already loves her, they are two sides of the same coin, but Davis has been her dream. With her past hanging over her and insecurities looming, she can't trust her own mind anymore. Can she discover who and what she wants before it's too late?

The Dream is book 4 in Whitney Dineen's The Creek Water Series. I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, I cried and was taken on a full rollercoaster ride of emotional investment. I loved the characters so completely that I never wanted the story to finish. I enjoyed how Whitney Dineen combined the past and present to give us a full picture of Ashley's life. The high school journal entries starting most chapters allowed us to see the past which haunts Ashley's present and added to her mindset of insecurity. I couldn't believe how much this book spoke to me as a reader; there was not one wasted word. Emotionally charged, beautifully penned, and such an amazing story, it deserves a place among the great rom-coms. It is perfect and guaranteed to please even the fussiest reader.

One of the things I loved most was it wasn't just a love story, it was also a message about accepting yourself, and letting go of the past. Evolving friendships, high school crushes, and demons from the past are just the icing on the cake. The vivid characters are so believable you start to feel like part of the family and experience the highs and lows with them in a visceral way. It has been a long time since a book has affected me in such a deep manner, and that it did is a testament to the writer's skills. This book has earned its place on my exclusive recommended reads list and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone; after all, I will now be judging every rom-com I read by this exceptional standard.