Dare to dream big!

Synopsis

‘A lovely escape that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Just what’s needed at the moment’ No1 bestselling author Jane Fallon

The world is waiting…but just outside of your comfort zone.

Jo Campbell is perfectly content in a perfectly structured life.
Nothing ever changes in Jo’s life, and she likes it that way.
Or at least, she tells herself she does.
Most of the time, she manages to push down the tiny voice that tells her to chase her dream and maybe, just maybe, open her battered and bruised heart up to love.
But to chase her dreams she needs to take chances that are way out of her comfort zone and learn to not put other people’s happiness above her own.
Most of all she has to learn to trust her heart, which may just be the biggest challenge of all.

My review

Jo Campbell is happy with her life. She owns together with her brother Noah the local pub. Even if at the moment she is staying at her mother’s place, helping taking care of her little sister now that her father is away for work, she does not see it as a problem. On the contrary, she enjoys the fun she is having with that little girl!

On her free moments, she is writing her book and her ultimate dream is to see it published. But the fear of rejection is holding her back. So when her best friend Libby does the unthinkable, Jo is shocked by the effect.
Can Jo dream of having her biggest wish granted?

I found it lovely returning to Ivy Lane! In the previous part we got to know Libby and Noah, and so I was very ecstatic to discover Jo her story.
Reading the first part is not a requirement, but it helps to have some background information.

Immediately it’s clear what an amazing person Jo is. The way she cares about her little sister, and spends time with her, it’s just so admirable and also adorable.
The Campbell’s family is for me the perfect example of altruistic people, opening their house and hearts for those in need.

Because of the way the Campbell’s have raised their children (own children, adopted or fostered), Jo is someone who puts someone else’s need before her own. There isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for someone she cares about.
But it’s because of her altruistic behaviour that she has put her own dreams away. She believes that her book could be a success, but the fear of being wrong, is holding her back.
And when she finally has found the courage to let someone read it, it’s Libby that does the thing Jo should have been doing a long time ago.

When new characters appear on the scene, just like Jo I had my opinion ready. And just like Jo again, the characters surprised me, both in a good way and in a bad way. I’m not going to give anything away, because I want you to discover it all by yourself, while being captivated by the rest of the story.

The main theme of the story is not romance, but daring to dream big, and not be afraid to chase your dreams! The fear of not succeeding should never hold someone back to go for it.
I loved also the love that sparks of the book. Jo is a great sister, but also a great friend and daughter. Even if her past has caused her a broken heart, she has overcome it and is now focused on her future.
Everyone cares about each other in Ivy Lane, and a helping hand is always nearby. For me, it’s like a dream location to live and work! You are never on your own.

This story captivated me, I turned page after page, smiling over the sweet moments, laughing at the mischiefs (thank you Clara 😁), but also heartbroken over the sadder moments, angry over the sleaziness of some people.
This story kind of gave me hope that there are kind people over the world, ready to stand by your side. And that dreaming big doesn’t mean dreaming about the impossible.