Everyone thinks Dean Collins is too old for Fallon Blackwood. Her parents, her friends, even Dean himself. In fact, he wants her to date guys her own age.But Fallon doesn’t care about that. All she cares about is that she can’t take her eyes off Dean, her neighbor, her best friend, the guy who taught her to ride a bike and to climb trees.And sometimes Dean can’t take his eyes off her, either. And … either. And sometimes he looks at her like he wants to kiss her.So it doesn’t matter that he’s thirty-two and she’s eighteen.
All that matters is that they belong with each other, and she needs to convince him of that. Good thing they’re taking a cross-country road trip together, right?
California to New York; three thousand miles and a love story in the making…
Featuring Simon Blackwood and Graham Edwards from the ‘Heartstone Series.’*This is a STANDALONE NOVELLA. This was released as a part of Mixtape Anthology. Since then, it has been revised, expanded and re-titled.
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I loved this novella. So cute and romantic. I also loved seeing other characters as well as the segue into another generation’s story.
Captivating, sweet and sexy California Dreamin’ tugged at my emotions until the last page. I loved how Fallon and Dean’s story was a romantic and steamy slowburn that kept me constantly craving more. The friendship Fallon and Dean shared and how it strengthened the deep connection between them made me swoon and root for them all the harder. Age gap romances have become my own brand of kryptonite and California Dreamin’ was just that all wrapped up in a steamy and heartwarming little package.
There is this magic about Saffron’s stories that melts away any resistance you may have when reading.
Let me explain that better, yeah?
I go through horrible, extensive, reading droughts. And not once, not twice, but now on three separate occasions, Saffron’s stories have coaxed me out and wrapped me up in all the swoony, lusty feels a good romance gives.
California Dreamin’ is this wonderful little story that is like a thread weaving other wonderful big stories together.
Fallon and Dean we made for each other. (You’ll see what I did there once you read it) Watching them, watching Dean mostly, come to terms with the all consuming love he has for Fallon is like the perfect bedtime story. Fallon, well, she’s loved him all her life, so she doesn’t have to torture herself over it much, strong, fierce girl that she is. (She would hate that I’m calling her a girl, because Fallon is a grown ass young woman. Periodt.)
Having glimpses into the HFAs (happy forever afters) of characters from Saffron’s other stories was this unexpected bonus that enveloped me in ALL THE FEELS (Medicine Man, still, is one of my most favorite stories ever). And THEN, seeing young love blossoming, (MY HEART!) just about did me in.
All of this, packaged up in under 200 pages, and yet it felt whole. Complete. Nothing felt lacking (except of course I now need more Rosie in my life), and I may have even audibly sighed with utter contentment as I finished reading.
Saffron is magical. She will always be this magical creature who’s words will whisper me out of the dark corner I like to hide in.
This was a delicious forbidden romance. Everyone wanted more of Dean and Fallon and we got our wish!!
Dean may think he is too old for Fallon and has tried to stay away. Well she thinks otherwise and is out to prove him wrong. Not if but when Fallon convinces him there is more in their way than they think.
Why read this book you say?
– Forbidden Romance
– Alpha, sexy hero
– Smart mouthed, strong heroine
– Characters from past books – yes I loved this
– Romantic and steamy
– Quirky and unique characters that you will love.
4.5 Stars!
Anytime Ms.Kent is releasing a new story I can’t wait to pick it up! So when I found out about this novella I couldn’t wait to have it in my life! I picked it up as soon as I could and I didn’t put it down until I reached the end. I loved it!
Saffron you have me now dreaming of forbidden love and men like our serious Mr Collins.
I loved this book when I first read Dean and Fallon’s story in the mixed anthology tale but I loved it even more now how you tied in the family in the end.
Dean and Fallon’s story is just heart warming and beautiful. I mean a girl proposes to a boy when she’s three years old and their friendship blossoms so beautifully over the years with such care and wonderment your heart just goes all rainbows and unicorns. Even though there is a huge age gap between these two, sometimes souls are just kismet.
However every taboo love story has its obstacles to battle and Dean and Fallon are heading straight for the Blackwood freight train. And Simon has a lot to say!!!
Love this story! Fallon and Dean are just too much! The cuteness level is off the charts. And then the insight toward the end that you get to see some of the other characters is so cool! I always love getting all the POV. And this was a great story to read on a relaxing day off work! Totally had me captivated from the very beginning of the road trip! Whew and the possessiveness of all these men makes me need to fan myself….. its just enough to be hot AF but nor creepy and alarming! Definitely love this world that Saffron A Kent has created. And the way that she keeps up writing about mental illness…. not like it is just an illness that you need to fight but that it also is something to be looked at as a blessing!
Need a quick age gap romance? Need a quick read before you start a new book? THIS BOOK IS IT! Saffron is my favorite age gap romance writer. She captures all the right feels. Dean and Fallon have know each other for a long time and Dean happens to be older. Yum. They both fall in love right away but because of the age difference they stay apart. Why do they also do that? Just get together already!! Though this story is a novella; it has the perfect amount of angst and romance. It’s a hot and fast one.
Saffron A. Kent has done it once again.
I have read every single novel this author has written, and completely fell head over heels in love with each of them. This novella is no exception.
California Dreamin’ is a feel good novella, that will have you smiling the entire time. Dean and Fallon are the perfect age-gap couple. Despite the differences in their age, they are the perfect pair. They fit together unlike they would with anyone else. They are able to look at one another, and see the other for who they truly are. They see them, for them.
If you are in the mood for a forbidden read, with plenty of plot and substance, this is the read for you.
4/5 Stars!
Forbidden romances are my lifeline – and that’s one of the reasons I adore Saffron’s books. She crafts such unique characters and writes the stories so beautifully that I can’t help but fall in love with every single thing she publishes. California Dreamin’ was no exception and I really enjoyed Dean and Fallon’s journey. I’m no fan of novellas and since Dean and Fallon have a long history together, I would have loved to read a full length novel. But Saffron manages to give the readers so much in such a short format that I’m sure you’ll be left with a huge grin after reading this, especially if you are a fan of “Medicine Man” like I am.
All in all, a great age-gap romance worth reading.
A quick and easy read, age gap romance. It was also great to get updates on previous books’ characters! Was so happy for Dean and Fallon to get their HEA!
Omg boy was I excited for this one, when I heard that Fallon and Dean would get their own thing I was one happy girl, I mean getting anything from Saffron is like all my favorite holidays rolled into one but I always love seeing where characters from other books are now and getting to hear about their children is something special. You can definitely tell whose child Fallon is, her mother especially. She knew what she wanted, she stood her ground and man did I love her mouth. She’s one of my favorite kind of characters who fights demons every day even when it feels impossible and comes out stronger. I’m a sucker for age gaps and boy did this deliver. I loved the connection between Dean and Fallon and how you could tell how much he loved her even when he pushed her away, it shows what a great guy he is (even if he’s a bit of an ass at times) that he really was just trying to do the “right” thing but where’s the fun in that *grins*. Love is messy and not always easy and doesn’t belong in the lines that society makes for us. And boy when these two come together *boom* fireworks of love, lust, years of longing, tenderness, and everything naughty and nice.
When we got a glimpse of Dean and Fallon in Guys My Age in the Mixtape: A Love Song Anthology. Saffron’s readers went ballistic. I was ecstatic to find out Saffron was giving us more of them in California Dreamin’.
“It’s okay to feel hurt. Because sometimes pain can create beautiful things. Sometimes pain can make you grow up. I grew up because of you.”
Not only will you fall in love with Dean and Fallon all over again, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with which characters from her previous books make their appearances. It will definitely have you smiling from ear to ear. Once it ends, you’ll be begging for more. Loved it!
This forbidden romance novella was a page-turner for me! Before starting on this, I didn’t know that it was a novella. I didn’t pay any attention to the cover or even the blurb. I only took notice of the author’s name and knew that I couldn’t pass this one up. Saffron Kent is one of my go-to authors and once again, she owned me with another AMAZING story. California Dreamin’ focuses on Fallon, the daughter of Willow and Simon, who you may remember if you’ve read Medicine Man.
Fallon has been in love with Dean, the boy her parents took in, since the age of three. He’s her best friend. He watches out for her, cares for her, protects her. In her eyes, he was born for her. The only problem? He’s fourteen years older and that’s too old for her. At least that’s what he tells himself day after day. But now Fallon is 18, in college and tired of pining away for him. She wants to be with him, so she takes matters into her own hands. She engineers a 5 day road trip with him to finally get her feelings out in hopes that he will feel the same.
Although a quick read, I absolutely loved it. I just wish that it had been longer because I loved these characters so much. There’s obviously a back story between them, and I wish we could have gotten more of that. But all in all, this was a fantastic book! If you love forbidden romance, slow-burn romance, age gap romance, palpable sexual tension, angst and heaps of heat, then this is the perfect book! Five stars for Fallon, Dean and California Dreamin’!
California Dreamin’ by Saffron A. Kent
4.5 Stars!
I love a forbidden, age-gap romance from Saffron. I really loved the Medicine Man. Simon and Willow are everything and I couldn’t wait to read about their daughter. This is a novella and I really recommend to read Medicine Man and Dreams of 18 before this book. You will love those stories. Both couples make a cameo here. And that was a real treat for those who are fans of the series. I really loved getting Saffron’s other charaters POV.
Fallon has been in love with Dean since she was a three years old. But he is fourteen years older than her, and has moved away from New York to be an attorney in California. When Fallon turned eighteen, she moved across the country to start college in California, so she could be closer to Dean. Fallon insists on taking a road trip back home. Dean doesn’t want her to travel alone, so Fallon convince him to take a road trip with her.
I really wished this story was longer. You could feel their connection. Their strong bond. I really needed more of these two. To know more about their past relationship, the angst and the longing. Unlike the other couples, these two have a long and deep backstory.
I loved Dean. He was the perfect hero. So protective and possessive. I adored his soul deep devotion for Fallon. Their romance was just as soul shattering as their parents. I just didn’t feel like we got to know them the same way we did Willow and Violet. Dean is just as dreamy as the previous heroes. He is very cold, broody and resistant. He loves Fallon with burning passion. I adore Fallon. She always has to fight the demons inside her head. She is strong and fierce. A fighter. I loved how Dean admired her strength.
This story touch heavy subjects like mental illness and depression. It was a sweet and romantic story. The sexual tension between these two is everything. So steamy. I loved the characters and the story. The heartwarming moments between previous characters. The relationship between Fallon and her parents. Saffron’s writing is so beautiful and poetic. Her stories are always heartbreakingly beautiful.
“All I can think about is destroying every single thing, every single reason, every single person who’s trying to keep me apart from you.”
I liked the novella in the Mixtape Anthology. The sweetness of 3 year old Fallon Blackwood asking teenager Dean Collins to marry her – ahhhhhhhhhhh! Cute. The novella has had a spruce up.
18 year old Fallon is out to get her man. She’s ready to fight for him. She’s determined. Poor Dean he never stood a chance. He’s super hot too. I would love him to call me Tiny, because I am tiny. He could put me in his pocket and I would be as happy as a kid in a sweet shop.
Saffron Kent clearly loves the older man, younger girl storyline. If you like that kind of thing, she’s your gal.
3.5 Stars
In California Dreamin’ Saffron Kent brings another edgy story that circles taboo territory for an angsty read.
Dean and Fallon were two characters that reached out of traditional comfortable zones on a number of levels and their behaviors reflected that. This went beyond a typical age gap story due to the deeply intertwined history of this couple, giving some interesting scenario twist. Ms. Kent did a good job of finding ways to present this pair’s situation so that her audience could get behind her portrayals rational on some level without writing them off. This author gave her readers lots to digest with this couple’s interactions. Her juggling of questionable actions and reactions was well done, and she played Dean and Fallon’s positive attributes well off of their negative attributes. The torment of this couple’s feelings was well conveyed.
Saffron Kent’s bold and thought-provoking writing in California Dreamin’ resulted in a work that was intriguing. Novellas are never an easy task and this writer managed to give her readers a complete and enjoyable story in a limited amount of space. Her ability to delved into forbidden subject matter without presenting it in an extreme or over the top way was commendable and offered not only her characters but her readers a space to explore it without coming to immediate conclusions. California Dreamin’ was a rough journey ending in a well-deserved HEA.
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
*This work was originally released as part of the It was Mixtape Anthology and has since revised, expanded and re-titled.*
Whenever I read a Saffron A. Kent book, I know it would be beautiful and be feeling all the things!! She proved yet again in this story. Fallon and Dean gave me a whirlwind of emotions and I ate up every word! Forbidden love stories and age-gap are weakness! I loved this story so much.
Swoony, sexy and charming this tabooish age gap romance was a quick fun read.
This story was originally featured in the Mixtape Anthology, as an expanded edition.
In this version of Dean and Fallon’s story we learn more about how their story evolved.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ is Fallon Blackwood and Dean Collins love story. Fifteen years ago, Fallon asked a boy to marry her. She was three and he was seventeen. She didn’t realize that was a big age difference. She didn’t know that he was older or what it meant even if he was. A boy of seventeen was her best friend. He made her happy and made her sadness not so sad. Dean Collins was the love of her life. Until he was no longer there for her. He was one of the best prosecutors in L.A. And very far away from her. She could not stand being that far from him, so decided to risk it all to attend college in California.
Fallon wasn’t prepared for Dean to not have time for her once she was in L.A. Seems he was scared of his own feelings for her. She has clinical depression the same as her mother. He is a workaholic and uses that as an excuse to avoid her. Dean was to fly home for Christmas and accompany Fallon on the six hour flight. She outsmarts him with the brilliant idea of driving three thousand miles back to New York. Giving her five days alone with him on their journey. Also giving them time to find away back to each other. He is so wonderful and she just wants to kiss him. Declare her love. She was born for him. She was born to love him. And she feels he was born for her too. He’d always felt the same for Fallen. If she wanted something, he should get it. There is a pride in that. A possessiveness. Happiness. Just because they decide they should be together, doesn’t mean there won’t be roadblocks in their way, when they arrive home.
This is one connection in the Heartstone Legacy. Medicine Man featuring Simon Blackwood and Willow Taylow are Fallon’s parents. Dreams of 18 featuring Graham Edward and Violet Moore play a part, too. You should read them both if you have not already.