In Your Dreams

Jack Holland of Manningsport, New York carries deep scars from his time as a police officer in the line of duty. He focuses on running his family's wine business and maintaining his status as the town's most eligible bachelor, avoiding anything beyond casual relationships. Emmaline Neal, a local police officer, requires a date to her ex-fiancé's wedding to prevent humiliation. She recruits Jack as her pretend boyfriend for the weekend, setting up a journey that forces both of them to confront their past traumas and current fears. As Jack and Emmaline navigate their arrangement, they discover connections between their experiences with loss and their hesitation to pursue real relationships. Their story takes place against the backdrop of a close-knit wine country community filled with family dynamics and small-town politics. The novel explores themes of healing from past wounds and finding the courage to be vulnerable again. Through its focus on family relationships and community ties, it examines how people rebuild trust after experiencing betrayal and trauma.

Readers describe this as a lighter romance with humor and heart. Many cite the strong chemistry between Jack and Emmaline and appreciate that both characters feel relatable and flawed. Positives from reviews: - Natural, witty dialogue - Strong supporting characters and family dynamics - Balance of emotional depth with comedic moments - Small-town setting details - Jack's character growth Common criticisms: - Some found the pace slow in the middle - Several readers wanted more resolution with secondary characters - A few felt Emmaline dwelled too long on past relationship issues Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (14,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (530+ ratings) Sample review: "The banter between Jack and Em had me laughing out loud. Their chemistry felt real, not forced. But I wanted more closure on Em's family drama." - Goodreads reviewer "Great romantic tension but the middle dragged a bit. Still worth reading for the satisfying ending." - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Author Kristan Higgins wrote this book as part of her Blue Heron series, set in the fictional Finger Lakes wine country town of Manningsport, New York 💑 This is the fourth book in the Blue Heron series, focusing on Jack Holland and Emmaline Neal's romance during a snowy winter season 🍷 The Blue Heron Winery, a central location in the series, was inspired by real-life wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York 🏆 Kristan Higgins has won multiple RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America, including Best Contemporary Romance for "Catch of the Day" 📚 The author wrote her first novel while caring for her young children, getting up at 4:30 AM every morning to write before they woke up