Violet Moore is in love with a man who hates her. Well, to be fair, she kinda deserves it. On her eighteenth birthday, she got drunk and threw herself at him, causing a huge scandal in their sleepy suburban town.Now everyone thinks she’s a slut and he has disappeared. Rumor has it that he’s been living up in the mountains of Colorado, all alone and in isolation. But Violet is going to make it … isolation.
But Violet is going to make it right.
She’s going to find him and bring him back.
No matter how cruel and mean he is, how much he hurts her with his cold-hearted and abrasive ways, she won’t give up.
And neither will she think about his tempting lips or his sculpted muscles or his strong hands. The hands that she wants on her body, touching her, feeling her skin…
The hands that make her want to forget everything and kiss Graham Edwards – Mr. Edwards, actually – again.
Because you don’t go around kissing your best friend’s dad, do you?
Even though that’s all you ever dream about.
NOTE: A STANDALONE novel set in the world of Heartstone.
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Dreams of 18 tells the story of a young girl (Violet) who is in love with her best friend’s dad (Graham.) Age-gap and forbidden love are my guilty pleasures and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I have seen that it is connected to Medicine Man, but this is my first Saffron A. Kent book and I had no problems following without having read MM (although my interest is peaked about that one so it went on my TBR pretty quick.) I really loved the first part of the book but somewhere in the middle I began to feel disconnected to the characters. I had a hard time liking Graham through most of the book–his treatment of Violet was just too harsh at times. I think maybe, if there was more from his POV, it might have helped me understand him better. I felt for Violet–she had been through so much in her short life and I thought she deserved better than she got from pretty much everyone. I did really like Ms. Kent’s writing style and the sexy times were smoking hot. Overall, I liked the story but not as much as I wanted to. I would definitely read this author again.
Taboo, sexy, forbidden, HOT, addictive, entertaining, All the adjectives! I loved Dreams of 18. The blurb was enough to get my attention but the book itself drew me in. Graham was the perfect amount of stand offish, bit of a jerk, dominate man. His struggle with loving Violet and not allowing himself because everything thought it was wrong was a beautiful torture to read. His strength to resist came off so man at times but Violets sun and shine brought him slowly from the dark and they found their light. Many times, throughout the book I felt the pull of the heart strings, I couldn’t stop reading it honestly, it was a struggle to put it down and I only did because I needed sleep. My only complaint was slight bits of inconsistency with mostly minor characters and can be easily overlooked, I just tend to notice these types of details, but it did not take away from the story overall. I really enjoyed this read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
-Mackenzie
O-M-G. Yes, I’m going to be that person. This book. O-M-G. I can’t even express what this book was. Saffron stole our hearts in The Unrequited, then Gods & Monsters, then in Medicine Man, she broke our hearts . . . then this happens. This is story broke my heart over and over and over again. (no worries there is a happy ending . . .but until you get there). This is every Saffron book combined in one
A ride worth taking!
This is my first book by Saffron Kent and I thought it was extremely well done. The story is taboo in nature, but it is a journey from forbidden love and how two people find their way together. It is not an easy road, but it is worth it in the end.
4.5 “Strawberry Man” Stars
Age gap romances are either a hit or miss with me. I mean, can a 30+ man or woman really fall for someone who’s 18? Come on, really? Yeah yeah, age is just a number and whatever, but honestly, can it ever really work? Anyway, as I was saying, I have to feel that the romance is believable, that it’s not entirely the forbidden aspect of it being something you want, but can’t have. I need that emotional pull—I have to be able to feel, it can’t just be about the sex. So, if an age gap romance can at least have that, then it’ll be smooth sailing.
Now, I’m not going to lie, Dreams of 18 had plenty of hot situations, but it was more than that—it definitely indeed have its share of that emotional pull I was talking about. And when reading those moments it certainly had me in my feels. Violet and Graham are two very complex characters. Each have their fair share of problems, but together—and I don’t know how, they just click.
Violet is the invisible girl who doesn’t know her self worth. She’s every bit the dreamer living in her own world. A world that doesn’t judge her for having feelings for her best friend’s dad. The moment Violet laid eyes on Mr. Edwards time stood still—nothing else mattered, just him. It’s as if in that moment everything became clear and all she could think about and want was him. But sometimes wanting something and especially something that you shouldn’t comes at a price—and in the end you’re left with a question, was it worth it?
Graham is harsh, mean and ruthless, but underneath his hard exterior there’s more to him. He goes with the motion living day by day without a care, but not actually living. Though all that changes when he sees a young girl on her roof. From that day on, Graham’s life will never be the same.
Violet and Graham are explosive. These two shouldn’t go together, but they just work. They just make the other better. Violet, my gosh her unwavering and braveness and not backing down in how she feels had me tearing up. And Graham, wow, that man definitely had me choking up as well. It’s not easy, their relationship, but nevertheless is everything beautiful.
Dreams of 18 is angsty, intense, emotional and beautiful. This forbidden age gap romance is every bit addicting. The chemistry between Violet and Graham is electric and scorching. Their journey is a whirlwind, but it’s worth it.
“Love isn’t about asking someone to love you back. It’s about loving. It’s about finding that thing you love and letting it kill you because you’re going to die anyway. And what better way to go than at the hands of someone you love.”
This was the first book by this author that I have read…it was definitely different from what I’ve read before…I have read multiple taboo romances but this wasn’t what I expected. It was actually pretty good…. Violet and Graham are strong characters and I enjoyed reading about their relationship…
Saffron A Kent has this way of pulling you into a story and making you feel like these are your people! And in case you haven’t been able to tell…. she is a bit of a fan of the older man/younger woman thing! I am a HUGE fan of Violet’s! She is just the most awesome person. She had some issues….and she was letting them define her. But what she didn’t realize is that while they were defining her and she was also changing their definition without even realizing it! And Mr. Edwards! Swoony…. jerk-faced Mr Edwards! If ever there was a more obtuse man I would be oddly surprised! I love the dynamic between them. They work so well together! They just need to realize it! Oh….and BRIAN!!! Man oh man….. please tell me we will get Brian’s story too! I want her best friend to have a HEA! He needs one!!! And that mother of Violet’s is smack worthy! If I could jump into a book and smack some one silly it would totally be her mom! There were a few times when Mr Edwards made me so angry! I was so in love with the book from the very beginning….I totally think that everyone needs some Mr Edwards and Violet in their lives!!!
Holyyyyyyyy….. well i do love me an age gap and single father book. Graham was hot and growly. I loved him and his love for moon girl! Violet was such a stubborn character but i loved her. I loved her from the beginning. Her family can kick rocks. But seriously couldnt get enough of this book. I didnt want it to end.
Saffron A. Kent is one of my favorite authors; she writes with such beauty and captivation. Dreams of 18 did NOT disappoint.
When we first meet Violet (who we actually first met in Medicine Man), she is celebrating her 16th birthday, and her and her sister notice two people moving in next door. One of the guys is Brian, who will become Violet’s best friend. The other is Graham, Brian’s father. Graham is handsome beyond measure, and for two years Violet sits on her roof and watches him.
On Violet’s 18th birthday, she does something that she’s been dreaming of for two years, which results in devastating consequences that she never expected.
Graham and Violet are taboo in every sense of the word. Their chemistry is off the charts, and this is by far the most graphic and explicit book Saffron has written. You can sense the love between them, even when Graham tries to deny it. Their story is full of ups and downs, but one thing remains consistent; you can’t help but love them both and continue to root for them to work things out.
Overall, Dreams of 18 is full of passion, angst, and beautifully portrayed mental health issues. Saffron writes in such a way that you feel in your soul, and this story is no different. Do yourself a favor and read this…you will be so glad you did!
This is a well written forbidden romance story about Violet who has been in love with her best friends’ dad, Graham, and how one drunken night changes them both. This story has angst, emotion, and is a steamy read with complex characters, and the moral of the story is that dreams are worth fighting for. I was enthralled throughout this addictive page turner, and I recommend for all.
Love has no boundaries! Age, Rules don’t meet anything! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
What happens when you meet your soul mate and there is an age gap that is against rules and laws. You wait… Violet falls for Graham when she is sixteen… Graham is twice her age. So you see the problem.
Time and distance is what Graham does… He buried his feelings and never plans to act in them.
Their attraction and love is a challenge!
5 Amazing Stars!
Violet Moore mainly keeps to herself but on her 18th birthday she gets a little drunk and throws herself at her next door neighbor, Graham Edwards. Generally that’s not a bad thing but when he’s the dad of her best friend, Brian, and the high school football coach and they are caught by Brian and her sister, Fiona. Now Violet is called every derogatory name in the book and Graham has vanished.
Now 10 months later Violet is trying to reclaim her life amongst the panic attacks and fear of most people. The only was she knows how is to try and find Graham and put everything to rest.
Yet Graham doesn’t want anything to do with Violet for ruining his life and putting his life into a tailspin. Will Graham accept Violet’s apology and will both be able to heal from the past?
Wow – this was such a great book and really so much deeper than I thought it was going to be in certain ways and in other ways it was pretty hot!!
I really loved Violet and her insecurities and addiction to lollipops. She didn’t want any of the attention she received from the events and she tried to escape from it all and she spiraled downward. I loved her close friendships with Willow, Penny and Renn.
One thing that amazed me is how Violet never backed down with Graham no matter what he said or did to her. I was initially horrified at the things that he did to her and how she just continued on, and in her own world. I admired the strength that she found to stay on the path that she wanted to and never gave up.
Graham was more complex but at the same time he had so much in his life change with the events from that night and he really spiralled downward. His close relationship with Brian was over and Graham found himself best friends with the bottle.
I loved how Violet slowly found a way to break into Graham’s heart and show him the good in life yet life still wasn’t easy. Things began to get super hot and intense until Graham made a series of huge mistakes and my heart broke a few times for Violet. The last mistake was huge and I really wondered what was going to happen but I had my fingers crossed!!
I loved when Graham finally woke up enough to put the pieces together and realized what a huge mistake he made and went to rectify the situation! The end was awesome and I loved how Violet really made Graham realize the man he could be!!
By Rebecca
I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this book, Dreams of 18, but wow!! It’s totally worth the wait!!
“I’m hopeless and I’m a romantic. I’m a masochist. I’m addicted to less. I’m addicted to the pain. I’m addicted to him.”
So breathtakingly beautiful. The chemistry, the love and the electricity.
“I didn’t notice colors before I meet you.”
Violet, the invisible girl. The girl who doesn’t see her own self worth. The girl who is dreaming about her best friend’s dad, Mr. Edwards.
“Love isn’t about asking someone to love you back. It’s about loving. It’s about finding that thing you love and letting it kill you because you’re going to die anyway. And what better way to go than at the hands of someone you love.”
An absolute a must read!!
-Stina, Book Haven Book Blog.
I’m going out on a limb here, I don’t think Saffron A Kent’s, Dreams of 18 is about an age gap.
Gasp.
I know, right? But bear with me.
Yes, there is an age gap. Of course, there is. But that’s not what this story is about. Age is a by-product. It’s the heart of the story that draws the reader in, and in this instance, at the very genesis, is love. Plain and simple. Sure, the two characters happen to be varying in age. And yeah, elements of this turn the other character on, but that’s not what their connection is all about.
It’s love.
Two perfectly imperfect people are madly, desperately in love with one another. They sacrifice what they hold dear, face prejudice, and overcome stigma because of their unfailing connection. And isn’t that the beginning of a wonderful romance?
Five stars.
Four forbidden stars for Violet and Graham !!!
This is the first book that I’ve read by Saffron A. Kent and I like it.
“Dreams of 18” is an age-gap love story about two people, Violet and Graham, whose love is forbidden no just because of their ages it’s because Graham is also dad to Violet’s best friend.
Violet and Graham’s relationship is a really slow burn and once when they both admitted each other their feelings, it became explosive. They both are broken in some way and that’s one of the things why they look so perfect together, no matter how is that all from beginning forbidden and maybe the bad decision.
If you’re looking for an age-gap romance with single dad trope, then this is a perfect book for you!
I fell in love with Saffron’s writing with The Unrequited and have read and reviewed every book she’s written, so when I say Dreams of 18 is her best book yet, don’t take that claim lightly.
Violet is such a beautiful character. She’s a flower growing in a sidewalk, meaning she blooms with no love and care. Her family is absolutely atrocious, yet somehow she not only survives she’s such a better person than they will ever hope to be.
Graham is cynical and mean. He’s a man who has carried responsibility on his shoulders and it’s weight has caused him to believe that’s all he deserves in life.
When Violet and Graham meet, everything should be right in the world, however life hasn’t been kind to either of them, so why would it choose this moment to change?
The journey of their love story is so fraught with twists and turns and the angst just builds and builds.
Finally, the author puts the reader out of their misery and gives the couple their own HEA, but she makes you truly work for it.
One of the most anticipated read, Dreams of 18 meet my expectation and more.
Saffron Kent gives you her full magic in this book.
Age gap√
Sweet next door neighbour heroin√
Dark and broody hero√
Super steamy√
Forbidden√
Daddy’s best friend√
But these are just what you see in the surface. Dreams of 18 is a lot more than these.
A barrely eighteen years old Violet always lives in her own world. She’s invisible to the world. Always hiding and making her self small cause when your mother doesn’t even want you alive when she’s pregnant with you, why bother with the world, right?
Or so she thinks.
Until Mr. Edwards
He lives for his son. A grumpy old cynic living his normal live like anybody else. Until a little drunk girl flip his world upside down. Making him the evil in town.
Or so the world see it.
Until a magic and moonshine comes for him.
The truth, Dreams of 18 gives you :
√a brave, beautiful, strong young girl for she still standing tall after all the beating she gets although sometime she hides behind all the facade
√a love story so pure, the world couldn’t see it and prefer to tainted it
√a man so beautiful, loving and strong enough to let go of his dreams and live for other while so vulnerable for love and the moon and magic and a girl so innocence, he choose to live in guilt
√it’s about loving your self so you can love just for the sake of loving not because you need them to love you back
√and the most important thing. Dreams of 18 is about all the steamy scenescause hotdang Saffron! Those are pages after pages after pages of smokin hotness!
Beautifully damaged characters falling in love is like a standing under the rain. An outpour of prickling emotion. And this author makes an art of flawed people making glorious mistakes and bravely claiming their happiness.
This romance is about forbidden bonds, age-gap shaming, fighting for your dreams no matter the odds, and finding the world where you fit in with all your life-changing quirks.
Violet is the girl next door, shy and unconventional, creative and lonely. Mr Edwards is the massive coach she has a crush on and whose roses she steals a defining night full of trascendent actions.
I was fascinated by the whole story. The young girl with a poetic mind for impossible love, the tortured mature man who pays a terrible price of guilt and isolation. They meet again when she boldly seeks him out to mend his broken life. The scenes are wrought with so much brash and vicious emotion. He lashes out at her, she takes it all with fierce yet vulnerable determination. I loved how she relentlessly caresses his sharp edges with patience, tenderness and faith. The roses have thorns and she loves both in him. So intense and dangerous and moving. He is a beast of a man and she becomes wild with him for the first time in her life.
The relationship is turbulent as it goes from denial to protective to hurtful realizations, and the passion burns the pages to smoke! Sometimes it’s too brazen
Graham and Violet have very deep scars that make them stumble along the way, but it’s a path that takes them from hell to true love. I really liked the subtle way this story links to The Medicine Man. Violet suffers from certain health issues that I found very interesting to be aware of, and Graham resists his own power to feel beyond what he’s used to. It all resolves in a hopeful ending that is realistic, romantic and very satisfying. Though it made me writhe a little with frustration before the happily ever after!
Age gaps are a hard trope to write and do it well, but Saffron has a good handle on it.
Not going to lie, it was not my favorite read by her, but I did enjoy this book though. The characters were entertaining and though somewhat repetitive, their dialogues were well written.
You see an underlying Beauty and The Beast theme in their story. There a small references that take you back to a classic childhood tale. Loved being able to get lost in their struggle to come to terms with their mutual love and attraction.
This story is laced with angst and realizations of self worth, bravery and dreams. Overall a good read and would recommend to anyone looking for a broody, brash hero and a fresh faced guileless heroine.
Dreams of 18 was exactly the story I have been craving for what seems like FOREVER and Saffron A. Kent definitely delivered above and beyond at the perfect time. She is ALWAYS my go to author when I want to escape reality for a few hours and she speaks to my forbidden romance and taboo lover soul. Ever since meeting Violet in Medicine Man I have be eagerly anticipating her story and it was not only EVERYTHING I wanted, but also so much more than I could have ever imagined.
Violet Moore and Graham Edwards wholeheartedly own my heart, body and mind. They have an undeniable connection, although Mr. Edwards sure seems determined to ignore that simple fact. Their love story was full of some many angsty moments and let’s just say I FREAKING love every one of those moments. The intensity these two shared was overwhelming at times and my heart felt like it was beating right out of my chest at times. Their story was breathtakingly beautiful and I devoured every word within a few short hours (it was impossible to put down).
This was one of my favorite books from Saffron A. Kent and with each new release I found new reasons to fall in love with her writing! She is a phenomenally talented author and I cannot freaking wait to see what she comes up with next because I know she will ALWAYS satisfy my taboo heart!