Proof that a mother’s love is with us through it all…
Meet Savannah, the thirty-something owner of Life Celebrations, a party planning business. Despite losing both parents as a teenager, Savannah is creating a positive life for herself, surrounded by friends and co-workers who are now her family. But she also has a secret—as much as she wants to settle down and have children, she is afraid … and have children, she is afraid of getting sick too, and having to leave them without their mother, as she herself was left behind years ago.
Her mother is Deirdre Rose. She continues to watch over Savannah, who feels deeply connected to her mother whenever a dragonfly crosses her path.
Now meet Ben, a good-looking, talented recording artist who is already a household name. Yeah, he’s famous, but he’s also painfully lonely. He trusts few people because it seems everyone wants something from him instead of getting to know who he really is.
As fate would have it, Savannah and Ben cross paths at a yoga retreat in the Massachusetts Berkshires.
They are drawn to each other’s creativity and outlook on life.
She sees beyond his celebrity and he admires her strength in what she’s had to overcome.
What happens when the retreat ends and they’re forced to go their separate ways?
Will they be able to make a long distance relationship work?
Can Savannah put aside her fears, and will Ben allow himself to be truly vulnerable?
Above all . . . what message do Deirdre Rose and Dragonfly have for both of them?
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One Sentence Summary: Savannah lost her mother and father in the span of six months as a teenager, but her mother continues to watch over her, and helps guide her to Ben, a superstar looking for one true connection.
I don’t really consider myself to be a romance reader, but I was intrigued by the metaphysical aspect of this novel, of the idea of a mother continuing to watch out for her daughter beyond death. As a mother of a daughter myself, this struck a chord in me, so I felt I needed to read this story. It turned out to be saccharine sweet, but the constant flow of a mother’s love shining through on every page, as well as the maturity both Savannah and Ben showed, made it palatable and just right. The author’s note at the end also made the premise a lot easier to swallow.
The Plot: Such a Sweet Story
Dragonflies at Night is a very sweet romance with a touch of the supernatural. Savannah has suffered through several heartaches throughout her life, starting with the loss of both of her parents within months of each other when she was only a teen. But she still feels her mother looking over her from beyond, especially when she sees her mother’s favorite creature, the dragonfly. Ben is a wildly popular singer who can’t go anywhere without having to travel incognito and he isn’t particularly interested in a relationship. But there’s a spark between Ben and Savannah when they unexpectedly meet at a yoga retreat.
This is a cotton candy sweet novel, but it’s also the most realistic romance I’ve ever read. Yes, it does fall into the template for a romance novel and, yes, I did find it a little too sticky sweet, but it also really showcases a couple who are established in their lives trying to find a middle ground in which to let their love flourish, who are willing to risk in order to find the happiness and love they both deserve. And, sweetly, the love Savannah’s mother knows her daughter will have.
There isn’t a ton of tension in this novel. It all unfolded quite naturally and almost too easily for a romance novel, which was actually quite refreshing. Reading it felt more like I was shadowing a couple, listening in on the complications they happen to need to navigate around. I liked that Ben’s fame needed to be taken into consideration and that Savannah very seriously and maturely considered what it would mean for her and the life she had worked hard to build for herself. Most of all, though, I adored how mature they both were about their relationship. While most stories would lean heavily on miscommunication and fired up emotions, Savannah and Ben were so mature, so down to Earth, that I couldn’t help but know it would flourish no matter what.
But there’s another layer to this story, a supernatural element. Savannah lost her mother to cancer when she was a teen, but her mother continues to look after her. I really enjoyed the interludes narrated by Deirdre Rose, Savannah’s mother, as it showcased so beautifully and so fully how a mother never stops loving, worrying, and caring about her child. There’s a connection between mother and daughter throughout the entire novel that’s just so tender.
Dragonflies at Night did seem to unfold a little too easily, a little too conveniently. Of course, there were some hurdles, but they were not of the insurmountable sort. It read more like a fantasy or dream with how easily and quickly it flowed. From love at first sight to the easy slip into a serious relationship with no major issues, this makes for a light read that might have a reader screaming about how unrealistic it is, but that also gives it it’s fantasy feeling, one that let’s the reader’s imagination ask what if?
The Characters: A Couple Made in Heaven
Dragonflies at Night is the story of Savannah and Ben, of two souls that didn’t know they needed each other. At the beginning, both seemed quite content with their lives, but meeting each other somehow made their lives more complete.
Savannah is sweet and fun and so incredibly understanding. Despite her losses, it seems that knowing her mother is still watching out for her and loving her from beyond enables her to still love openly and freely. She was neither particularly spunky or quiet and shy, but quite down to Earth and comfortable in her own skin. Ben, for being so famous, was remarkably down to Earth as well. He was humble, but still an artist at heart. Sometimes his incredible focus on his music, even while with Savannah, annoyed me, but it was also kind of endearing since he was so inspired by her, showing her he loved all parts of her and understood her as well and deeply as lifelong partner should. Together, Savannah and Ben were like a match made in heaven. They fit perfectly together, making their love at first sight seem somehow easier to swallow and their romance absolutely magical.
There’s also a large supporting cast around them, from Savannah’s deceased mother to Ben’s bodyguard. From the love and care that surrounds the couple from these people, it’s clear they’re special. There were times when I did feel doubtful of one character or another, but they really pulled through for their friend, which could make an already sweet story even sweeter, but it melted my heart a little because it can be so hard to find friends who love each other like that.
The Setting: Bi-Coastal
Dragonflies at Night mostly takes place on one coast of the US or the other. Savannah is based in the New England area while Ben makes his home in Los Angeles. I didn’t get a clear sense of either location, except one felt more prone to rain and the other had a lot of sun and heat, which let me down a little bit since I live in LA. But I did like that it created a layer of uncertainty, an obstacle for Savannah and Ben to jump over. If anything, dealing with the distance was probably the only real tension and major hurdle in the story, but it was used remarkably well over the entire middle section, keeping it from being a bit of a lull as middle sections are wont to do.
Overall: A Very Sweet Perfect Love Story
Yes, Dragonflies at Night is super syrupy sweet and, yes, the love at first sight and falling in love with a celebrity do seem a bit unrealistic and over the top. But it also worked out really well for this story. Savannah and Ben were the perfect vehicles, especially since they’re in their thirties and have lived life a little. Their maturity and understanding made their story easier to swallow, and, honestly, invited readers to indulge in their own fantasies of a romance with a celebrity. I also liked the light supernatural touch and the unwavering love and devotion of a mother. It was neither too much nor too little, but really served to sew the story up nicely. It gave an added layer of depth to Savannah and said a lot about Ben in the way he handled her loss and fears. Overall, very sweet, very tender, but definitely a warm and fuzzy kind of read.
Thank you to author Anne Marie Bennett and publicist Penny Sansevieri for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The key themes of this book are loss, love and family. We meet three main characters: Deidre Rose, Savannah and Ben. There are also some supporting characters which help the storyline move along. This story is told in multiple point of views which at first threw me off on a loop but you know who the chapter is going to be about since they are named to the corresponding characters.
Deidre Rose is Savannah’s mom and she passes away due to cancer. The dragonfly symbolizes her throughout the whole story. Savannah is grieving the loss of not just one but both her parents. She does have a great support system through her friends that lift her up when she needs it. She goes to a yoga retreat and falls for celebrity/musician Ben. Their love story is sweet and told in a day by day narrative. By the end of the book a year has passed.
This is my first book by Anne Marie Bennett and she did a great job at having the reader understand that celebrating life in the now is what really matters and that above all things love always remains.
I should note that this is not a Christian Fiction piece. It also teeters on the line of a clean read. When I first signed up for the book I was told that there would be one “closed door” scene but I felt like there were too many sexual scenes, multiple references to nudity and multiple conversations regarding to it as well. I am not opposed to clean reads but just wanted the readers that follow me to be aware.
(I received this book from the author as part of the Prism Book Tour. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
Right from the beginning, the first sentence, I was hooked. The book started in a place that was so surprising and shocking I had to know more. I am not usually one to like a book that starts in such an odd fashion, but this one is definitely worth the read.
We start the story following one of our main characters Savannah, who after losing both of her parents and going to live with her aunt for the rest of her teenage years, is now a thirty something party planner. Savannah wanted to go to one of her favorite places to unwind and relax, and she never thought she would meet someone so famous. In walks Ben, a celebrity musician, who is looking for time away from the spotlight and for some good yoga. Their two very different worlds collide in the solitude of yoga and the fresh air and everything clicks into place. This book was a wild ride of changing point of views and great storytelling on both sides of the relationship, as well as from Deirdre Rose, our narrator from beyond the grave.
Dragonflies at night is exactly what the title implies. It’s more than a love story, it is a narration of love and loss, and a journey of healing for a woman and a man who need this more than they ever thought they would.
I really enjoyed reading Dragonflies at Night by Anne Marie Bennett because it was such a fantastic book about Savannah and Ben. Savannah had been rocked by tragedy in her life and struggling to balance her life. Ben was a famous musician who loved his fans but was lonely. These two meet and thus begins a whirlwind romance that neither expected so quickly. I loved the interaction of Savannah’s mom and aunt in between the stories. I teared up at those. I also loved all the dragonfly facts and that dragonflies were the one thing in Savannah’s life that was constant. It was her lifeline to her mom. These book made me think about things and tear up a lot. It was such a moving book that I highly recommend reading. I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest opinion. I absolutely loved it.
Overall Rating = 4.08
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.75
Editorial = 4.5
Dragonflies at Night is a tale about Savannah, a party planner, and Ben, a celebrity singer and songwriter, and the effect their love has on them and the other people in their lives. Savannah, a woman who has suffered loss and grief, harbors fears relating to her long-distance relationship with Ben, while he wants nothing more than someone who loves him for himself.
This novel leans heavily on the romance between Savannah and Ben, and, early on, I thought I knew in which direction the plot was heading, only to be proven wrong. The story conveys an important message of positivity and hope. I especially enjoyed the spiritual connection between Savannah, her mother, and her aunt, along with the symbolism of the dragonfly. Occasionally, the pace is slowed by too much detail, but the author does an admirable job of engaging the reader with well-fleshed-out characters.
Sublime Line: “The power of love is the theme of this well-written story about a couple who have to overcome their fears and insecurities in order to find happiness, while drawing on the support of loved ones, both present and past.”
Savannah lost both her parents as a teenager but has still built a positive life for herself. She owns a business with her best friend called Life Celebrations that does parties and is very successful. She still feels a connection with her parents, especially her mother, and whenever a dragonfly appears she knows her mother is near. Ben is a talented and popular musician/singer but often feels alone. He wants to find someone who wants to get to know the person he is, not get something from him. When the two meet at a yoga retreat, it’s Fate in the making as they feel an immediate connection that goes deeper than the physical.
I received a free ARC of this book from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review. This book is absolutely wonderful! It’s a tearjerker at times and will tug at your heartstrings throughout. It’s a beautiful and moving love story with a spiritual element as we learn the lessons of Dragonfly. The story is about more than the love of two people. It also embraces family, both natural and chosen, and friendships as well as that which comes from those we’ve loved and lost. I highly recommend this book, it’s an absolute must-read for anyone who believes in love.
Thank you in advance to the author, Anne Marie Bennett, for providing a review copy through Prism Book Tours. A positive review was not required or requested and all words are my own.
What drew me right off to this book by a new-to-me author was that super gorgeous cover. My goodness! Could anything be more perfect? The colors are my favorite so that is a bonus.
But, beautiful covers don’t make a book a great read – it is the characters and plot that drive the story.
The characters in this book are nearly flawless – Ben and Savannah are as darling as can be. I even warmed up to Ben’s bodyguard/best friend Brando, who surprised me as he warmed up to Savannah.
There were other minor supportive characters that are just as wonderful, but it is Ben and Savannah who take the literal center-stage. Ben is one of those celebrities who wants to be seen more as regular person than what he does for a living. Thus their relationship is more about being friends and being themselves than focusing on his celebrity. The author shows some diversity with two minor characters that are gay/bi-sexual. Ben’s sister Lila has a minor role at the end, though I didn’t like how strong she came on with Savannah.
With regard to the plot? Who could not love a story about falling in love with a celebrity, especially one you’re very fond of. Oh, do I have my own wish. And, Bennett’s writing “style” only added to this unique story.
The story is told from multiple POVs. The “ludes” are told in first person either through the departed Deirdre Rose (prelude/ two interludes/postlude), Savannah’s mom, or Aunt Suzanna (two interludes). This is similar to the style of Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones” where the character of Susie is watching her family from her “heaven”. Only it is Savannah’s mother and aunt who are watching her.
The story takes place in six parts with 27 chapters with Ben and Savannah’s perspectives told in third person. Some chapters are long, others are short. They’re named for the characters or scene that is taking place. The prelude is the most heart-breaking part.
I slightly identified with Savannah’s character due to the fact my mother is a cancer survivor.
Bennett takes the readers through a journey – starting with the heart-breaking loss of Savannah’s mom to the beginning of her splendid life. It is interesting that Savannah’s business is called Life Celebrations. The way she treats her staff and appreciates them is precious. She has truly shown bright despite the darkness that took both parents.
When Savannah meets Ben it is instantaneous love. And, I wondered if perhaps her mother had something to do with it.
As soon as Ben meets Savannah his music takes a different direction. Most of his songs are from things she says, does, or his feelings for her. Though, I do wonder how long that would last.
The story for the most part is uplifting and inspiring. There were some things that could’ve been left out. I would have been very interested to see how his fans took to his relationship with Savannah. I would also have liked to know, past one issue, how well Savannah and Lila did get along given the animosity that Lila originally showed.
The relationship factor was definitely whirlwind – by the end the couple had been together a year. Most of the book is about their “day to day” life which could drag down a reader who wants a more concise read.
There are a few “relationship” hookups that are quite predictable, at least I saw them coming to fruition in the story. Some readers may see them, others may not.
There were some punctuation and grammar issues, but they were not that distracting.
This is more or less a “slightly clean” read. I say that because there is no foul language, but one character does take the lord’s name in vain. For some Christian readers, this might be a bit offensive. There are multiple references to nudity. With regard to sex – there are multiple sex scenes, though not told graphically. I was a bit surprised by the amount of sex in this novel as I thought it was one “closed door” scene. There is multiple conversations about the sex as well. This acts as a warning to some readers who might want cleaner content.
The lessons are numerous in this poignant, inspiring, and beautiful story – celebrate the life that is given, long or short; also that no matter what happens, the love remains.
In the postlude, Deirdre Rose has some beautiful words – “we are all made up of light and we can all reflect that that light in powerful ways if we choose”. This is one lesson that is the most important.
Fans of the author or those who enjoy this genre will probably enjoy this. This has some elements of magical realism to it.
There was a sweet moment I enjoyed, yet cried – on pages 320/321, Ben is humming a song that has a very dear meaning to me. It is Art Garfunkel’s “All I Know” which I heard on a TV show back between 2003-2010.
In some ways, every time I hear the song – it is like a message, much in the way the dragonflies are a message to Savannah.
I got the chance to read Dragonflies At Night by Anne Marie Bennett and found it to be a wonderful book. I mostly read cozies but I am so glad I took a chance and read this one. It has great character development, and a very uplifting story line. I can’t begin to guess what category to put this book in, other than to say I hope everyone reads it as you will be glad you did.
Ebook Review: DRAGONFLIES AT NIGHT By Anne Marie Bennett
(D) arkness
(R) eleases
(A) nger
(G) uilt,
(O) utright
(N) eutralizes,
(F) orever
(L) ove’s
(I) nvitation
(E) nlighten’s
(S) oul
(A) s
(T) ime
(N) ears
( I ) nvaluable
(G) ift
(H) eightens
(T) rust
DRAGONFLIES AT NIGHT, soothe the soul.
Lost their way, seeking the light.
Time of sorrow, hit when young.
The tomorrows took, and left alone.
Along comes one, life’s book opens.
World of possibilities, if but trust.
Doesn’t come easy, every day questioning.
Happiness and sorrows, come and go.
When you let, light shine through.
Those around you, see the changes.
Brightens their day, and continues on.
So too did, book for me.
Now it’s your, turn to glow.
DRAGONFLIES AT NIGHT, at your fingertip.