A Dream Fulfilled (O'Connor Christmas) by Julie Lessman Reviewed

 About the book:

Title: A Dream Fulfilled
Author: Julie Lessman
Indie Published

She’s always dreamed of a best friend.
He’s always dreamed of a large family.
Until hope intervenes with a dream fulfilled.

Picked on mercilessly in school because of an unsightly handicap, Katie O’Connor McGee soon learned not to let anyone get too close, not even three big sisters seven to fourteen years older. As far as Katie was concerned, friends were meant to be kept at arm’s length and controlled, not embraced. But when she meets Arlene Campbell and her little girl, Addie, during playtime at a park with her own children, she discovers a friendship for which she’s waited a lifetime. A dream hidden deep in her soul she didn’t even know existed until she connected with a woman who would change her life forever, teaching her the depth and sacrifice of true friendship.

Luke McGee has dreamed of having a large family since he roamed the streets of Boston as a virtual orphan, finally finding a home—and his heart—in a marriage to Katie O’Connor and their two young girls. However, once Katie’s time and affection shifts toward a new friend who needs her, it creates turmoil in Luke’s happy home. It doesn’t help that as Director for the Boston Children’s Aid Society, Luke works long hours providing homes and hope for troubled children on the streets. But when he reaches out to one hardened little boy, his hope to make a difference suddenly coincides with that of his wife’s, sowing the seeds of a dream fulfilled for them both.

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About Julie Lessman:

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series, Julie Lessman was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 18 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also named on Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction list. 

Julie’s first contemporary novel, Isle of Hope, was voted on Family Fiction magazine’s “Best of 2015” list, and Surprised by Love appeared on Family Fiction magazine’s list of “Top Ten Novels of 2014.” Her independent novel A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. 

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. 

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My Thoughts:

Julie Lessman is the great creator of family sagas. With the O'Connor family starting in A Passion Most Pure and spanning nine books this family is going to go on forever. Which would be fine with me!

Each time I read a novel featuring the O'Connors I feel like I am going to a family reunion and this new Christmas novella has all the spark and sizzle that Ms. Lessman's fans have come to expect from her.

I have to say that at the beginning of this book I didn't care for Luke. He was arrogant, selfish, and down right annoying. But in true Julie Lessman style she brought him around to the Cluny McGee that we have come to love.

Katie is more sassy and snarky than she was as a teenager, but I adore her because I am just like her.

I liked how the story added new characters in Marlene, Will and Addie. Their story line fit in perfectly with the O'Connors.

Overall the book is a sweet addition to the O'Connor saga, and a perfect Christmas read. It's Christmasy without being sickeningly sweet.

Highly recommended!