From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wish comes a poignant love story about risking everything for a dream—and whether it’s possible to leave the past behind.
Colby Mills once felt destined for a musical career, until tragedy grounded his aspirations. Now the head of a small family farm in North Carolina, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home.
But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, making him wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need dictate his life forever. The daughter of affluent Chicago doctors, Morgan has graduated from a prestigious college music program with the ambition to move to Nashville and become a star. Romantically and musically, she and Colby complete each other in a way that neither has ever known.
While they are falling headlong in love, Beverly is on a heart-pounding journey of another kind. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, she is trying to piece together a life for them in a small town far off the beaten track. With money running out and danger seemingly around every corner, she makes a desperate decision that will rewrite everything she knows to be true.
In the course of a single unforgettable week, two young people will navigate the exhilarating heights and heartbreak of first love. Hundreds of miles away, Beverly will put her love for her young son to the test. And fate will draw all three people together in a web of life-altering connections . . . forcing each to wonder whether the dream of a better life can ever survive the weight of the past.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wish comes a poignant love story about risking everything for a dream—and whether it’s possible to leave the past behind.
Colby Mills once felt destined for a musical career, until tragedy grounded his aspirations. Now the head of a small family farm in North Carolina, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, seeking a rare break from his duties at home.
But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside-down, making him wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need dictate his life forever. The daughter of affluent Chicago doctors, Morgan has graduated from a prestigious college music program with the ambition to move to Nashville and become a star. Romantically and musically, she and Colby complete each other in a way that neither has ever known.
While they are falling headlong in love, Beverly is on a heart-pounding journey of another kind. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, she is trying to piece together a life for them in a small town far off the beaten track. With money running out and danger seemingly around every corner, she makes a desperate decision that will rewrite everything she knows to be true.
In the course of a single unforgettable week, two young people will navigate the exhilarating heights and heartbreak of first love. Hundreds of miles away, Beverly will put her love for her young son to the test. And fate will draw all three people together in a web of life-altering connections . . . forcing each to wonder whether the dream of a better life can ever survive the weight of the past.
We don’t always get to choose our paths in life; sometimes they choose us. - Nicholas Sparks, Dreamland
Inspiration
“Specific dreams and ambitions may differ widely from person to person, but to nurture a dream is such a universal experience. I wanted to capture the powerful allure of following your heart, and the sometimes painful cost of doing so. Most of all, I wanted to illuminate how our own versions of “Dreamland” can be found within ourselves and in our most precious relationships.
Having built my career as an author, I certainly also channeled some of my own experiences of pursuing a dream that didn’t always feel achievable. Like Colby, before committing to my dream (in my case, of being a writer) I tried other industries and jobs, but was always drawn back to my passion. The settings are also extrapolated from my life—I live in North Carolina and have set most of my stories there; St. Pete Beach, Florida also has a soft spot in my heart, as I visit the Don Cesar almost every year and cherish my time there.”
Setting
St Pete Beach, FL
Located just off the mainland of Saint Petersburg, Florida, St. Pete Beach is a resort city known for its miles of white sand beaches, a long list of outdoor recreation activities and its vibrant arts community. A popular seasonal vacation destination and winter residence, St Pete Beach has roughly 10,000 residents that call it 'home' year round.
