Book Review | Forbidden Dreams – Natasha Madison (Dream Series, Book Two)

Shattered Dreams
By: Natasha Madison

Series: Dream
Book # in Series: 1 of 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Learning To Live Again, Friends to Enemies to Lovers.
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: January 3rd, 2025
My Rating: ✮✮✮✮
My Reading Format: kindleunlimited

Synopsis:

Montgavin Township will never be the same when one night changes the lives of six people.

When the single mom moves in next door, it’s your enemy’s soon-to-be ex-wife.
Lines are drawn, and I have to remember not to cross them.

Brady

For once, my life was calm.
Behind us was the threat our distillery was going to be shut down.
Now we could focus on growing our brand exactly the way I dreamed of doing it when I took it over.
Nothing was going to stop me.
Until she moved in next door.
My enemy’s wife with her seven-year-old son.
I don’t need this right now.
But everything inside me pulled me toward her.
Even offering her a job. Little did I know, again, I was starting a war.
However, I’m ready for it this time.

Harmony

It was no secret my husband had a wandering eye.
Leaving him shouldn’t have been a shock to anyone.
For Winston, it was more about failing at something that got under his skin.
Besides, he had to make his parents happy.
Which means he’s going to make my life unhappy.
When the pounding starts at my door one night, I’m ready to ignore it.
Until the stranger next door comes to our aid.
He’s everything you want in a man.
I know I shouldn’t involve anyone else in my life.
But maybe it’s time for me to see what dreams are made of.

honey-script.light

Forbidden Dreams is the second book in Natasha Madison’s Dream Series. This book can technically be read as a standalone. However, in my personal opinion, this book better understood when reading within the order of the series. Basically, you should read Shattered Dreams before diving into this one to get the true backstory of the enemy type rivalry that takes place in Montgavin Township. Trust me, reading the series in order is no hardship if you love angst-ridden emotional romance novels.

Anywho, back to my review on the second book in the Dream Series, Forbidden Dreams! It’s time for Mr. Bachelor himself, Brady Thatcher, to find his happily ever after. Brady swore off relationships a long time ago. All he needs in his life is his family, because at the end of the day, those are the only people in life you can depend on. That was his thought, until the newly single mother, Harmony Cartwright, moves into the run-down house next door. Brady should stay away due to the fact that his family just got out of a long-time rivalry with the Cartwrights, but there is something about this woman that keeps calling to him. He’ll do everything in his power to protect her and her son from the evils that lurk within the Cartwright family. Even if it means going toe to toe with the most powerful family in Montgavin Township. And let me tell you, this man is not the least bit afraid of the consequences if it means protecting those he loves.

Harmony Cartwright has finally had enough of the lying, cheating, and manipulation tactics. Her story is simply, she was eighteen and fell in love with a toad disguised as a white knight. Now, she’s ready for a new start, a fresh life, and a peaceful beginning. But her soon to be ex-husband, Winston Cartwright, isn’t going to let her have the upper hand. Or should I say, Winston’s mommy and daddy aren’t going to let her have the upper hand. After being forced out of every house she’s moved to, she finally settles into a run-down home that just happens to be next door to the man who loathes the Cartwrights with everything in him. But she’s about to realize that the man she thinks is an enemy, may just be her real-life white knight. And that’s where I’m going to end this portion of my review…

My Thoughts:

I adore everything that has come with the Dream series so far. Natasha Madison has a way of bringing emotion to life and developing her characters in a way that makes them feel real and true. When I first picked up Forbidden Dreams, I wasn’t sure what I was going to get. I knew I was excited to get to know Brady Thatcher more, and I couldn’t wait to watch this ‘FOREVER BACHELOR’ fall head over boots in love. The outcome was even more than I had anticipated. I loved everything about this man, from his emotions to his possessive qualities. Honestly, I’m blown away just from the emotional aspect of this novel. Natasha Madison definitely put her heart into this novel, and it shows!

Let’s talk about Harmony’s side of the story. I loved the strength she showed throughout this whole novel. When the world was against her, she focused on the future and her little boy. She did everything in her power and continued to do everything to protect her son from growing up the same way his dad did, with entitlement. I loved the grace she brought to this novel. No matter how many doors were slammed in her face, she walked away with her head held high. She was definitely on the losing side of this game in Montgavin Township due to the power the Cartwright’s held over the people’s heads. My heart broke for her each and every time ‘he who shall not be named’ showed up at her door. When I tell you I felt Harmony’s fear in these moments, that is a complete understatement. UGH, have I mentioned how much I hate Winston and the Cartwrights?

And then we have Wyatt Cartwright, Harmony’s Seven-year-old son. This kid was adorable, and let me tell you, there were moments when I wanted to reach into my Kindle and protect this little one with every fiber of my being. My heart broke for him, and all he witnessed at such a young age. He needed a dad in his life, and unfortunately, he got the short end of the stick where dad lottery’s are concerned. I was thrilled to see a father/son relationship between Brady and Wyatt start to develop and grow. And herein lies the reason why I dropped a star on my rating for Forbidden Dreams by Natasha Madison. I dropped a star because I wanted to see that relationship grow further. I wanted to feel that familial connection between Harmony, Wyatt, and Brady. I would have liked to see Brady cheering Wyatt on at a baseball game, maybe see him out there teaching him how to hit the ball with the bat. I don’t know. All I do know is something in me wanted more from the three of them as a family unit. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that I really enjoyed Forbidden Dreams. It’s just an element that I would have liked to see further grow.

Overall, I loved seeing Brady fall in love with Harmony, and I loved witnessing Harmony trust and let a man back into her heart. This novel tugged at my heartstrings in the best of ways. It also helped that Mr. Brady Thatcher happens to be a wild man beneath the sheets. So if you like your romance novels with a little bit of spice on the side, I have a feeling you’ll enjoy this one!

Okay, that’s enough of my random ramblings’ I’m going to end this review by stating that this next book coming in the Dream Series is the one I’ve been waiting for! Bring on all the feels!!! I can’t wait to continue with the Dream series by Natasha Madison!!

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