Carolina Dreaming

By: Virginia Kantra

Narrated by: Sophie Eastlake

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

RITA Award winner, Contemporary Romance, Mid-Length, 2017.    

When it comes to love, anything can happen on Dare Island - especially in this latest novel from New York Times best-selling author Virginia Kantra. 

After escaping a disastrous marriage, bakery owner Jane Clark has convinced herself that she has everything she needs - her precious son, a thriving business, and a roof over her head. But the arrival of a handsome stranger on the island shows her exactly what she's been missing. 

The only home Gabe Murphy ever had was the Marine Corps. He's working hard to rebuild his life. It will take a special place, and a special woman, to make him want to stay. Now Gabe is determined to prove that he's worthy of Jane's trust - and her love. But when her past reappears, that trust will be tested, and Jane and Gabe will have to fight hard to hold on to their love and make their dreams a reality. 

©2016 Virginia Kantra (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Wimpy lead.

This girl was way to wishy washy. Thorough most of the book she was indecisive and whinny. And her grouchy bully of a father did not help matters. I did not like or enjoy either of them.

Exceptional!

I listened to the audio version of this book. This book was a fantastic addition to the Dare Island series.
The characters of Gabe and Jane were great alone, but together they were fantastic. Jane gave Gabe the acceptance he wasn't sure he would ever find and he gave Jane the safety and security to go with her heart. That's not to say they didn't have their moments of dissent along the way as the man who had been arrested for murder tried to stay away from sweet Jane. Jane knew what she wanted (boy, did she ever want Gabe!) but knew she had to protect her son. Jane's past complicated things even more.
The story moved right along and the narration by Sophia Eastlake was exceptional!

Get Lucky with Gabe

Gabe was a pleasant surprise, a homeless veteran who was as gentle as he was strong. Gabe came to Dare Island to reconnect with Luke Fletcher, an old Marine buddy, and promptly fell for single mother Jane. Gabe showed his true nature when he fed a stray dog when he didn't have enough to eat himself.

While I was sympathetic to Jane's situation, an abusive ex-husband and grumpy father who never let her forget that she married a jerk, I thought Jane was a bit of a martyr. Since she was smart enough to start her own business, she should have realized that she needed therapy to resolve her abandonment issues and not waited 7 years to live again.

This 5th book in the Dare Island series was mildly entertaining, with updates on the Fletcher family and local residents. I just don't care for the damsel in distress type of heroine, but the hunky guy, cute kid and rescued dog Lucky almost made up for it.

I loved every minute of this book!

Just as with all the previous books in this series, I loved the characters, the wonderful narration, the interesting, absorbing, and heart-warming story. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it ended. However, I'll enjoy the whole series again and again, since my enjoyment of these books is not dependent on the suspense of wondering what will happen next.

Touching and Wonderful Series

There are some series that really touch you when you are listening to them. Virgin River for one, The Troubleshooter series for another. I put these books right there with them. I just hope there are more books coming in the near future. Thanks for a really enjoyable listen.

Sophie Eastlake is one of the best .

DARE ISLAND is THE place to be for richly fulfilling romance. Kantra has done it again!

Quality writing and rich characterization fill out the wonderful pages of Virginia Kantra's novels. The Dare Island series is so wonderful you will want to move there permanently. Gabe Murphy has hitchhiked his way from prison in the fracking fields of North Dakota to the one place where he has felt comfortable and welcome, Dare Island. When he's greeted with both hostility and warm welcome, the conflict has just begun. He is attracted to the daughter of the most hostile person on the island, Officer Hank Clark. Beauty, intelligence, warm generosity, and a seven year old son are only the most obvious traits of lovely and talented Jane Clark. Gabe's life has been seriously damaged by his instinct to protect women in trouble and he is willing to fight that instinct this time. Find out how their lives come together for the good of all in this well-written book by award-winning author, Virginia Kantra.

Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra

What made the experience of listening to Carolina Dreaming the most enjoyable?

I could visualize the story, scenery, characters and feel what the H&H were feeling, good or bad by hearing it read out loud.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Carolina Dreaming?

When Gabe explained to Jane what she meant to him, how she had changed him and how he saw their life together unfold.

What does Sophie Eastlake bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It just seems more real and I can remember details better by having it read out loud.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Second chances!

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next one in the series!

Sofie and Virginia winning pair

Sofie Eastlake is the best! you can't go wrong with Virginia Kantra. Family love and responsibility we need so much more of it. I love the whole series.