Review: Dreams of Falling by Karen White

Genre:
Women’s Fiction

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Berkley

Release Date:
June 5, 2018




Synopsis from Goodreads:



From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night the Lights Went Out comes an exquisite new novel about best friends, family ties and the love that can both strengthen and break those bonds.

It's been nine years since Larkin fled Georgetown, South Carolina, vowing never to go back. But when she finds out that her mother has disappeared, she knows she has no choice but to return to the place that she both loves and dreads--and to the family and friends who never stopped wishing for her to come home. Ivy, Larkin's mother, is discovered in the burned-out wreckage of her family's ancestral rice plantation, badly injured and unconscious. No one knows why Ivy was there, but as Larkin digs for answers, she uncovers secrets kept for nearly 50 years. Secrets that lead back to the past, to the friendship between three girls on the brink of womanhood who swore that they would be friends forever, but who found that vow tested in heartbreaking ways.

My Review

Nine years ago Larkin left her hometown of Georgetown, South Carolina and headed for New York.   She made a new life for herself there. She never intends to return home until she receives a frantic phone call from her family. Her mother, Ivy, is missing. Larkin has no choice but to head home and help find Ivy.

When Ivy is found in her family’s ancestral abandoned home, she is unconscious. No one knows why she was there, but Larkin vows to find out. As Ivy lies in a hospital bed fighting for her life, Larkin begins her investigation. She is stunned to discover her family has many secrets that have been hidden for years.

The book is told in three point of views - Larkin’s, Ivy’s, and Ceecee’s (the woman who raised Ivy). The story alternates between the 1950’s and 2010. There are thick layers of secrets for Larkin and the reader to sift through. I was kept on my toes and quite intrigued as I tried to figure out exactly what was happening.

Dreams of Falling is a well-written novel filled with intrigue, heartbreak, family, mystery, betrayal, secrets and true love. I devoured this one. It kept me enthralled until all was revealed. Karen White did a beautiful job with this poignant tale.  These are all characters I truly came to care about.



For reading challenges:
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2018

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.