The details…
- Title: Bringing Me Dreams
- Author: KG MacGregor
- Publisher: Bella Books
- Editor: Katherine V. Forrest
- Publication date: August 18, 2022
- ISBN: 9781642474060
- Available formats: ebook, paperback
- Length: 238 pages
- Genre: Romance, General Fiction
- Themes: overcoming loss, finding love, mental health, suicide, family businesses, family relationships
The blurb from the publisher…
Reeling from her brother’s senseless death, Gianna Del Vecchio finds comfort in an online forum from a woman who suffered a similar loss. Theirs is a club no one wants to join—survivors of a loved one’s suicide. Photos posted to the forum of the woman’s cute therapy dog bring cheer when nothing else can, and Gianna is compelled to reach out to say thanks.
After two years, Keenan McEvoy is still fighting her way back from despair after losing her partner, Annabel. She’s surprised when she connects with Gianna, whose kindness and compassion ignite a spark she wasn’t sure she’d ever feel again.
Their fledgling romance is jeopardized by Jaz, Gianna’s ex-girlfriend and current best friend, who’ll stop at nothing to keep them apart.
My thoughts….
There’s a reason why so many readers remain loyal to MacGregor’s work: She knows how to tell a compelling romance. With 27 books under her belt and at least a dozen envy-worthy awards, she’s more than proven herself a master wordsmith. Readers love her storytelling style. It’s relatable and it’s reliable. More than that though, it’s good.
MacGregor’s new book Bringing Me Dreams is a trademark example of her work. It showcases her fearlessness as a romance writer; she goes where other’s dare not. In the past, she’s written about alcoholism, boarder control problems, the failings of foster care, and the gaps in the juvenile court system. With this book, she adds suicide to that unconventional list. It’s a theme that normally wouldn’t jibe with romance, yet MacGregor uses it to her advantage, ultimately making the story more interesting and dynamic in the end. Most significantly though, MacGregor consistently remains attentive to the the subject matter. The result is a stand out story worth reading.
To the delight of romance fans, Bringing Me Dreams possesses everything readers have come to expect from a fantastic love story. It features two well-developed and fleshed out characters, individuals that are a bit flawed and damaged, but very likable and relatable. Keenan McEvoy and Gianna Del Vecchio are both grieving the death of a loved one, a loss caused by a suicide. They get to know one another in an online support group and an attraction sparks. It’s an unconventional way to go about forging a romance, but MacGregor’s gentle and thoughtful pen paves the way to heart-warming moments for readers, ones that signal solid and well-scripted storytelling.
As far as the lead characters, MacGregor does a fine job with them. Gianna and Keenan are both beautifully drawn and captivating. Readers easily connect with them and sympathize with their pain and loss. Though suicide is not normally an appealing topic for a romance, MacGregor does a lovely job handling their heartbreak and emotional devastation. She accomplishes this in two different ways: through supporting characters and plot.
Enlisting the aid of Keenan’s adorable dog Bennie, MacGregor cleverly helps defuses the pain and trauma of suicide. Bennie is a therapy dog and is well used in the storytelling. Through Bennie, the women are able to round off the raw edges of this horrific trauma and find some comfort. He becomes an emotional blanket and touchstone for them. More interesting though, he becomes a buffer for the readers, too.
MacGregor also uses Jaz, Gianna’s manipulative ex, as a distraction for the pain of suicide. As much as it distracts, it also stirs and advances the plot. Readers get pulled into a complex and riveting tale of cover-up and deception every time Jaz enters the scene. Ultimately, she adds to the story arc and brings it around to a full circle.
Final remarks…
Good literary fiction is threaded with ideas that are startling, unexpected, unusual, weighty or new. Facilitating romance through a shared experience of grief and suicide is most certainly startling and unexpected. Yet, at the same time, MacGregor’s unusual approach to romance is artfully done. She gives readers a story that’s not only compellingly complex, it has heat and heart. Fans of MacGregor’s writing will want to add Bringing Me Dreams to their shelves. It’s another fine example of her work, and and an all-around enjoyable read.
Strengths….
- Original storyline
- Heartfelt and tender
- Well-written, well-plotted, well-paced
- Splendidly drawn characters
- Nicely developed romance
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A bit about the author….
KG MacGregor is the author of twenty-seven books, including the romance saga, The Shaken Series. A proud product of the Xena:Warrior Princess fanfiction community, she has been honored with nine Golden Crown Awards, a Lambda Literary Award, the Alice B. Medal for career achievement, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards. She served as president of Lambda Literary, the world’s premier organization for LGBTQ literature. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she now makes her home in Nashville TN.
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