Dream Keeper (Dream Team #4) by Kristen Ashley
Publication Date: November 30th 2021 by Forever
Pages: 544
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★
My
Thoughts:
Pepper was screwed over by her daughter's father. She
thought he was it for her until she found out he’d had another woman the entire
time they’d been together. Since then, Pepper’s main focus has been her
daughter, Juno, providing her love and a stable environment. She doesn’t feel
bringing a man into their lives is worth the possible hurt it could bring. But
there is an undeniable pull between her and Augustus, “Auggie”.
Auggie sees everything he wants in a woman when he looks at
Pepper, but he gets mixed signals from her. He can’t blame her for being cautious
and hesitant seeing as she needs to think about her daughter as well. However,
they share a lusty night together that ends badly. He’s been yanked around by
women in the past with drama and game playing and he’s done with that, but a
request from Juno forces them to work together.
Pepper and Auggie have been dancing around
each other for a while and they’re the next couple on Lottie’s matchup agenda, but
these two do not have a drama free journey into love everlasting. I’m not a fan
of angsty, ridiculous couple drama, back and forth, so I’m happy to report that
most of the conflict, other than at the beginning, comes from outside sources. I
loved Auggie and Pepper together! Seeing them bond over their unfortunate pasts
(crazy families!) and unite against whatever came at them was a joy. Juno was a
sweetheart, too, wanting love and happiness for her mom and determined to make
it happen for her.
Pepper and Auggie were fun, signature Kristen Ashley type of
characters. Pepper was big-hearted, sweet with a side of sassy, and Auggie was
the protective, bossy, Alpha male without being a jerk. I enjoyed seeing past
characters, happy and there for their friends. Although Pepper and Auggie’s
story wraps up, that ending made it clear there’s more to come and I can’t
wait!
4 Stars
Book Description:
Spinning off from the bestselling Dream Man and Rock Chick series, this is the emotional and steamy contemporary romance fans of the Dream Team series have been waiting for!
Pepper Hannigan is determined to keep any romance off the table—and out of her bedroom—while her daughter Juno is still young. Sure, a certain handsome commando is thoughtful, funny, and undeniably hot, but Pepper’s had her heart broken before, and she won’t let it happen again. Not to her or her little girl, even if this hero could melt any woman’s resolve.
Augustus “Auggie” Hero can’t deny his attraction to beautiful, warm-hearted Pepper or how much he wants to make a home with her and her little girl, but Pepper’s mixed signals have kept him away. That is, until Juno decides to play matchmaker. Her efforts finally bring Pepper into his arms, but they expose the danger Pepper is in. To protect Pepper and Juno, Auggie will have to live up to his last name and prove happy endings aren’t just for fairy tales.
When you mentioned ridiculous couple drama my first thought was "uh-oh..." but I'm glad to see that wasn't the case here. I like seeing that they acted as a team to face whatever they had to deal with.
ReplyDeleteYes! Same here.
DeleteTerrific review! I'm so glad that the conflict was from outside sources, and not that couple drama that we all are tired of!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy! I know, right?
DeleteYou are a great reviewer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine!
DeleteI love when the cute kid in the story plays matchmaker. And Juno sounds like a very cute character.
ReplyDeleteI do, too! Juno was a sweetie! :)
DeleteSometimes I enjoy her books and sometimes not. A great kid can make the difference in any story.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I agree!
Deletewhat a great review you have of this one here. I also had a blast with this one here. Probably my favorite of the series so far.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Renee! I'm happy we both loved it!
DeleteWhew, glad the angst didn't get over the top. I do love seeing a couple stand beside each other and face the trouble.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm so happy it wasn't over the top and they were a great team against the craziness in their lives!
DeleteThey definitely sound like a fun couple.
ReplyDeleteThey were!
DeleteI need to try her
ReplyDeleteThat's how I like my drama - from outside.
ReplyDelete