The dream she wants The love she found Lauren Shepherd has traded her hectic office job for a quiet life working on an elderly friend’s farm. Risking everything to move to Alaska might just be the perfect opportunity for her–if Lauren can convince handsome and fiercely protective Patrick O’Shea that she’s not swindling his grandmother. But when financial troubles threaten her dream, Lauren and … her dream, Lauren and Patrick unite in a hunt for a legendary treasure…only to discover something between them more precious than gold.
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I have read and enjoyed books by Beth Carpenter in the past . Alaskan Dreams was no different. I do need to begin by saying that I just adore the cover. So very cute! I loved Patrick and Lauren’s story. I was entertained throughout and is one of those reads that just warms my heart.
I am giving Alaska Dreams four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who love to read sweet and clean reads.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
After reading this novel, now I want to do yoga with goats!!! Alaskan Dreams is a delightful, engaging and fun romance loaded with heartwarming moments, adorable goat antics and a hero and heroine perfect for each other. Patrick’s grandmother is a spunky sweetheart and her yoga ladies are amazing secondary characters that add to the warmth and community within the book’s pages. The hunt for a lost chunk of gold adds to the mystery as all parties pitch in to discover the clues and search for what many have written off as a fanciful story from days gone by. That might have stayed the case if not for a teeny tiny key found by both Lauren and Patrick. The wondering if there really was a treasure to find was a compelling thread woven throughout the story. As a hook, it was effective, but what really grabbed my attention and kept it was watching Patrick and Lauren fall in love. It was wonderful.
Ms. Carpenter wrote this sweet/sensual story with a skill at storytelling that impressed me. I liked the attention to detail when it came to the personalities of Lauren’s goats and learning a little bit about their care, feeding and the challenges that accompany critters who love to climb high and jump for fun. It came in handy during yoga, but poor Patrick’s Jeep didn’t fare so well. I thought Spritz the goat was hilarious, especially when she took a shine to Patrick. I think the doe had good taste.
If anyone raises an eyeball regarding yoga with goats, please don’t scoff too loud. There’s a farm not too far from me that hosts Cow Yoga, sometimes called Farmhouse Yoga, but the cows are the draw. It’s quite popular so I totally believe Yoga with Goats would be just as popular for real. I think it’s an awesome idea.
The character with the most emotional growth is the heroine, Lauren. Her only example of relationships and love came from her mother. Believe me when I tell you that the heroine doesn’t have a clue about how true love and a healthy solid relationship works. She is skittish because she wants to avoid anything that smacks of the path her mother took. Fortunately, Bonnie, Patrick’s grandmother, is wise as she is loving and adventurous. She’s the perfect secondary character to help guide her grandson and Lauren to believe in what could be. They just have to learn how to do one important thing – trust. I think readers are going to get the happy feels when things come to fruition.
The only downside of the book was that one scene that made me sad and gave me the sniffles. I felt so bad but I also appreciated the reality. Such a thing can happen to farmers and often does so I could really relate to Lauren’s emotions. It leads to a few powerful scenes that end up being pivotal in the novel.
Alaskan Dreams is a truly wonderful read. The focus is on what it should be – two strangers coming together, learning about each other and joining forces to follow the dream of someone they both love, Bonnie, Patrick’s grandma. Her dream eventually leads Lauren to realize her own, and Patrick comes to respect and love the woman who took a chance and moved all the way from Oregon because of goats. The love of family, the love of the land, the love that Patrick and Lauren eventually have for each other, all of it is what makes Alaskan Dreams such an amazing read and one I heartily recommend for readers looking for a feel-good story.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Alaskan Dreams was a bit different than any other book I’ve read because of the interesting set of characters here, of which is the goats. How Lauren traveled from Oregon to Alaska in an old beaten up, run down pick up pulling an old run down trailer with goats is a mystery to me. But she mad it to her friend Bonnie’s because this is where Lauren is going to run her goat farm.
This reminds me of years ago when my dad took care of a field full of goats for a neighbor. And in this story, they acted a lot like ours. I think this is the most fun I have had reading a story in a long time. The goats were so much fun, intriguing characters for sure. Bonnie and all of her neighbors were so kind and helpful with the goats. Author Beth Carpenter does a really nice job with this story. The characters were well created and I enjoyed their development throughout this story. And the story was fun and full of enjoyment and entertainment.
If you are in the mood for a clean Romance with a little twist of humor and fun, you will enjoy this one. And even though this is a series, I had no problem reading it as a stand alone. Oh and the cover with the adorable white goad is precious!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I have loved each book so far in the Northern Lights series by Beth Carpenter, but Alaskan Dreams is hands down my favorite. Funny, charming, sweet, and romantic, it grabs you from the first sentence and doesn’t let you go until the last word. I know this because when I started reading it I was super tired and only intended on reading the first couple of chapters… but I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting because it was so entertaining.
The goats are hilarious! Their adorable antics had me laughing out loud on several occasions, but I also found them to be sweetly endearing. Mainly Spritz who definitely decided Patrick was her human – and who knew goats did such a thing? So cute.
Also the perfect combination of hilarious & sweetly endearing – Bonnie and her best friends. Don’t let these senior citizen ladies hear you call them elderly; they’re full of life and activity, with big hearts and well-meaning antics. I wanted to hug them all at one point or another during the book, and they kept a smile on my face throughout.
And then Lauren & Patrick… great banter, sweet friendship, and swoony romance. It doesn’t get much better than that. Their interactions were well-written and engaging, and their personalities shine through perfectly. Lauren was my personal favorite between the two – there are a lot of layers to her backstory & she’s just such a genuine character.
Bottom Line: Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter is an absolutely delightful read from start to finish. Charming & amusing characters (including the mischievous goats!) – plus a treasure hunt! – keep you fully engaged in the story, and the sweet romance will have you swooning more than once. Prepare to read this book with a permanent grin on your face, and a few chuckles too. Fabulous addition to this series!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
I’m going to start with the characters who steal every scene they appear in—the goats! Whether creating havoc, frolicking, or enamored, Lauren’s goats left me smiling every single time they showed up on the page. The jeep scene is hilarious!
Beth Carpenter gives readers an education in goat farming in Alaskan Dreams, and it is an absolute joy to read all about it. Especially when Carpenter adds in a natural romance and some elderly friends who take it upon themselves to help Lauren overcome many obstacles. If that’s not enough to entice you, there’s also a bit of a treasure hunt and the gorgeous Alaskan scenery.
This book has a lot of heart. From the friendships Lauren forms to her tenacity to succeed to the softly blooming romance, Alaskan Dreams is one for the keeper shelf. I did not want this book to end.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
A delightful journey to Alaska! With book six in her Northern Lights series Beth Carpenter brings a lighthearted story to life with ALASKAN DREAMS. It’s a slow burning sweet romance with a fair share of Alaskan folklore/history mixed in.
Lauren Shepherd is a strong and encouraging character. She shows her wit and strong will often as she jumps right in to start up her goat farm immediately upon arriving in Alaska.
Patrick O’Shea is devoted to the woman in his life … his Gran. She’s feisty and determined to live life her way and he loves that spunkiness, but he needs her to be safe, and he needs people to not be taking advantage of her kindness.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quirky small town filled with unique characters who inspire many chuckles as they find their way towards happily ever after.
I know I’ve said this many times, but I love reading books that are set in Alaska. There’s something about that remoteness that appeals to me. I wouldn’t want to live there in real life, but immersing myself in a fictional Alaskan setting is perfect! Alaskan Dreams takes place in Palmer, Alaska which is a real town. It’s about 43 miles from Anchorage, so you get to be remote without being too remote! And it’s the perfect place for Lauren to pursue her dream.
While she was growing up, Lauren lived all over the place. Her mom’s addiction to “being in love” led them to wherever her mom’s current boyfriend lived. Lauren craves the stability that she’s never had, and thanks to an online forum, she thinks she’s found it. Lauren’s dream is to be a goat farmer, and Bonnie has just the place for her…Bonnie’s farm. No, it’s no longer a working dairy farm, but Bonnie lives alone and doesn’t want to move into senior housing. That’s her grandson Patrick’s solution.
I love how realistic the characters in Alaskan Dreams are. Lauren’s upbringing causes her to always expect things to be temporary. Bonnie may be getting older, but that doesn’t mean she wants to leave her home. Patrick is concerned about his grandmother’s safety and skeptical about Lauren’s intentions. All of these things bring conflict to the story, but once the characters begin to consider how the others feel, they develop a family-like relationship.
Bonnie’s friends are so much fun. They’re like the awesome aunts in the family. They pitch in whenever they’re needed. Lauren bonds with the group of friends very quickly even though they are much older than she is. It’s very sweet.
Alaskan Dreams is about following your heart, finding family, falling in love, and learning how to face tough times without running away. I absolutely loved it, and I highly recommend it to clean romance lovers.
Alaskan Dreams
Alaskan Dreams was such an enjoyable book. I loved the goats. Lauren had a lot of learning to do about the goats and lot of work. She traveled a long ways to Alaska to move in with Bonnie on her farm. She had lots of fun traveling with the goats.
There is also a mystery with Bonnie wanting to find a gold nugget. Will she be able to find it?
Lauren meets Patrick who is Bonnie grandson. I loved how Patrick cared so much for his grandmother. He had a job to go to so he couldn’t be there as much as wanted. He did the best he could.
I really got into the characters in the book and could visualize them. They were so real to me. The book had me hooked from the very beginning.
I received an advanced copy of the book from author. This book review is my own opinion.
Lauren had so many obstacles to overcome, but she persevered. She wasn’t afraid of hard work or getting dirty. She traveled all the way from Oregon to Alaska in an old pickup, pulling an old trailer full of 3 goats, one of them was an escape artist, to meet a woman that she had only talked to on the phone & in a Goat People Forum on the internet! Bonnie was an absolute gem & her friends were an amazing group. Patrick, Bonnie’s grandson doted on her & was very leery of Lauren’s motives when she moved into her home. There are many twists, turns, laughs & some sad moments in the book that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. I loved ALASKAN DREAMS by Beth Carpenter & I know you will too.
Once I started reading Alaskan Dreams I could not put it down. This is such a great story. It has a bit of mystery, romance, cute goats, and wonderful friends. Lauren, Patrick, Bonnie and the rest of the Mat Mates are so awesome. The goats and goat yoga just added to the fun. If you enjoy a hard working heroine, an originally suspicious grandson, a feisty octogenarian, wonderful friends and goats plus a century old mystery, you do not want to miss this book.
Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter is a darling tale of romance, hard work, and endurance. I loved it.
Will Lauren find true love or be doomed to follow in her mother’s footsteps?
Lauren
Lauren has a dream of owning and living on a farm. A goat farm to be precise. She has taken classes, learned to make goat milk soap, goat cheese, and has even volunteered on goat farms. Lauren has researched and saved for this for a long time. Then she meets Bonnie on a “Goat People” forum. After many months of correspondence, Bonnie invites Lauren to move to her farm in Alaska. Lauren could live and use the land with the agreement of splitting the profits with Bonnie. Lauren’s dream has come true.
Yet, as we all know, nothing comes that easy. The fences are in disrepair and set up for cattle, not goats. So, Lauren has lots of work to do. She is growing her herd, though. She quickly gets her herd to a little of a dozen. But then the next strike, the laws in Alaska are different from Oregon, and Lauren will need to pasteurize the milk before it can be used in cheese to be sold.
I like Lauren. She is a hard worker, and she’s intelligent and frugal. However, Lauren has a heart of gold, which I think is her greatest attribute. She is caring, loving, and with a little self-doubt to round her out.
Bonnie
Bonnie is in her eighties, and she has recently sprained her ankle. She needs someone to live with her to keep her grandson Patrick off her back. Bonnie and her friends, the “Mat Mates,” are these wonderful older ladies that stick their nose in and get things done before Lauren has time to think. They are always all-in immediately. I would love to be doing yoga in my eighties with such fabulous friends.
Patrick
Patrick wants his grandmother to be safe. However, being alone at the farm where the cell reception is spotting worries him. What if she is hurt and can’t get to the phone. He doesn’t want to lose her. Bonnie loves him too, but she isn’t going to let him tell her what to do.
Patrick is suspicious of Lauren’s motives at first, but once he gets to know her, he is smitten. Yet, Lauren’s heart is fragile, and he finds that he has to take it slow.
I like Patrick and the way he helps his Gram and Lauren. He is a gentleman. Besides, if Spritz (the goat) adores him, what could be wrong?
Bradley’s Heart
Bonnie’s way to fix Lauren’s money issues is to find the gold nugget stolen from the Bradley’s and supposedly hidden on her property. The nugget has a reward that should be enough to set up the facilities for the goat cheese. And finding the heart would be Bonnie’s way of getting back at a reporter that embarrassed her years ago so, as Bonnie is figuring its a win-win.
“Don’t give up on your dream,” Bonnie said. “Sometimes it takes longer than you like, and sometimes the dream changes over time, but if it’s what you really want, keep plugging away.”
Five Stars
A truly marvelous romance isn’t easy, but Ms. Carpenter does weave a fabulous one. Her characters are down to earth, with believable issues and remarkably easy resolution once communication is open. I truly enjoyed the story, with a mix of romance, history, genealogy, community, and love. Therefore, I am giving Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter, five stars. If you are looking for a sweet romance with lots of heart, I recommend Alaskan Dreams.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Prism Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time,
~Jen
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