Lost Dreams

By: Jude Ouvrard

Narrated by: Reagan West

When Carter is killed in combat, he leaves behind his heartbroken wife, Avery, and his shattered best friend, Remy. Naturally, these two wounded souls gravitate together, irresistibly drawn by the loss of the one they both loved, as well as their deep friendship with each other. But when that friendship starts to turn into something more, new problems arise.

Will Avery be able to move on after losing the love of her life?

Will Remy be able to fill the void left by the loss of his best friend? Or will this new chance at love cost them all they have left?

©2014 Jude Ouvrard (P)2018 Jude Ouvrard

The audio was just as beautiful as I imagined

Any additional comments?

REVIEW - ✯✯✯✯✯

I volunteered to review this book without any promises about the review (the rating or the posting).

I’ve read Jude’s books in the past, including this one. I fell in love with Avery and was so excited to hear her words in her “own” voice. The audio version was just as beautiful as I imagined it would be.

The following is my personal opinion and thoughts about many aspects of this book and its author.

COVER: ✯✯✯✯✯ - I’m unsure if Jude wrote the characters based off the models, but they are exactly how I felt they should look. I’m so happy to see Jude didn’t do the typical 1/2 naked embracing couple as some authors would have for a contemporary romance. This cover matches perfectly due to the emotions and inner thoughts by the main characters. Congrats!

PLOT: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Avery is a retired soldier and newly married woman who deals with the separation from her husband, Carter, and their best friend, Remy. While overseas Carter is killed in action in front of Remy. Both Avery and Remy share the grief and heartache that comes along with the loss. However, Remy harbors a long kept secret that under any other circumstances would’ve gone to his grave. How will they both cope with the loss and the soon to be discovered knowledge that Remy has loved Avery for years?

WRITING STYLE: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Being French Canadian, Jude’s second language is English. However, you would never guess since her style outranks many authors out there. She isn’t overly descriptive in settings, but she definitely makes up for it in the emotional department. She makes it very easy to love and hate her characters.

CHARACTERS: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Avery is so easy to fall in love with. She’s sweet and caring. Having been in the military for years, she’s become more comfortable in army fatigues than in dresses. Through this book Avery is put through a roller coaster of emotions while learning how to live a civilian life. It’s easy to laugh and cry when thinking about her.

NARRATOR: ✯✯✯✯ - I’m only giving Reagan 4 stars because I’ve read the book prior to it being an audio. I had it in my head how the emotions surrounding Carter’s death should sound like. Unfortunately I didn’t truly believe Reagan’s performance. I’m unsure if it was actually her performance or just because I had it so highly built up in my mind. But, unfortunately it did lack for me. Don’t get me wrong...Reagan was awesome in the changing up with the different characters and is truly gifted. And the rest of the book was extremely well executed. I will be looking for more books narrated by her.

Remy is the second main character. He’s been Avery’s best friend for years. He’s loyal and willing to do anything for Avery. After the death of Avery’s husband and his best friend, he helps her to pick up the pieces while also grieving. His strength of character and caring nature is something that Avery needs to help her move past Carter’s death and learn to live again.

OVERALL FLOW: ✯✯✯✯✯ - The overall flow of the book was relaxed and inviting. I loved Reagan’s take on all the characters. She definitely was able to bring them to life as I had always hoped (since the first time I read the book).

If you are looking for a book with heart and soul-breaking emotions...well I highly recommend you grab your own copy. And be ready for a couple ugly cries in there too.

Under no circumstances was I approached by the author to read or review this book. I offered without any agreement or promise for any compensation. I am voluntarily giving my opinion about this book. My only affiliation with the author is that I am a fan and want to support by reading and posting this review of my own free will.

Heartfelt

I am sure my heart was ripped out of my chest. It got put back in by Jude. Carter was deployed only two days after his wedding to Avery. Carter and Remmie and Avery were best of friends. They shared a strong bond. When Carter was shot, he asked Remmie to take care of Avery, then died in his arms. Such a heartwarming story. Narration was great!

Great Story & Narration🎧 Captivating & Heartfelt!

I loved this book, it captivated both my heart and my attention right from the start and held it all the way to the end. Jude Ouvrard is a gifted author, she created a beautiful, heartfelt story with interesting storylines and characters that are realistic and easy to relate to. I adored the characters, Avery, Carter and Remy share a special bond, they had all served together before Avery left the service. Avery & Carter married just before he and Remy were deployed overseas. I loved how well written and plotted this story is, it is told chronologically but each chapter alternates character’s points of view. We are given an inside view of what they are thinking, going thru and what is going on at that moment. A lot goes on in this book and there is never a dull moment. There is plenty of drama and emotional moments, heartfelt ones and loving ones too. I also appreciated how well the author captured the life of a serviceman/woman gave us a glimpse of some of their struggles like being away from loved ones, dealing with PTSD and more. Jude Ouvrard, thank you for this wonderful story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.

Reagan West is a talented narrator and voice artist. She brings the characters to life giving each their own voice and personality, as well as heart and attitude. She does a great job portraying the characters and projecting their emotions into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen🎧

Prepare to cry, laugh, and love again.

Ovurard creates an intriguing plot to her story.
When the story begins, we discover that Avery (beautiful female) has left the armed forces after an explosion nearly killed her and killed many of her group. The man she is about to marry, Carter, has to return to duty 3 days after their marriage.
It breaks her heart, but as a prior soldier, she understands. Only the worst possible situation unfolds. Two months from returning home, Carter is killed by the enemy.

Prepare to cry. After luring you in to love both Avery and Carter, Carter is killed by an enemy militant.
And his best friend, Remy, is soon seriously injured as well. When they get Remy back to stateside, Avery is there to help and heal him. And given how close she was to Remy for ten years of her life, falling in love wasn’t hard. What was hard is not feeling guilty for falling in love so soon after Carter’s death.
This was not just a problem for Avery. It was also a problem for Remy as well.
The twists and turns in this story kept me riveted. I could not stop listening to the story. Will they get past their history and guilt? Or will they break apart? You’ll get no spoilers from me.
A fabulous story from beginning to end. The narration was 5 star, the storyline was 5 star which means, overall it is a 5

Catch this one!

This book keeps you wanting more. The connection to real life events that affect all of our, and our need for love rings through as the story unfolds for Avery. Each of us have desires, needs, and fears in our life, Avery’s story really shows us resilience and the art of always moving forward, based in a military realm. Without any spoilers, this is for sure not one to miss!!

So wonderfully written

This is a beautiful book of lost love and finding of love. I cried and laughed with this book, amazing. Simply loved the narrator, she did an awesome job. So recommended this book.

Hope out of tragedy

Avery and Carter served in the military together for 10 years before marrying. Their new life as husband and wife is just about to begin, when Carter is deployed the night before his wedding. He serves in Special Forces and, for once, he's not excited about an assignment. The worst part is telling Avery that he has to leave two days after their wedding, but the good news is that he'll have his best friend, Jeremy (Remy) beside him. Knowing that their future and their dreams are on the line, Avery can only trust in his experience and abilities. Remy promises her that he will help keep him safe, all the while harboring feelings for this woman who's been his friend as long as she's known his best friend. She chose Carter and he looked on with sad eyes. When the unthinkable happens, Carter's last words to Remy were to please take care of Avery. Her world is shattered and Remy can only watch as she falls apart, but the spark of friendship they've always had, allows him to help her come back to life. Slowly, but not without guilt, Avery begins to understand that Remy could be the person to help restore her happiness. This is a story that begins with love, experiences tragedy, and ends with a new love with hope for the future. The narration is beautifully done by Reagan West. She is able to give the characters a voice and personality that fits them well. Nicely done!  

Heartfelt Listen

Lost Dreams by Jude Ouvard is a heartfelt listen and full of emotions. The storyline is realistic. I felt terrible for Avery in losing Carter, yet got how she and Remi clicked afterwards. The tribute to Carter's memory was well done and compassionate. Reagan West was wonderful bringing the characters to life with her voice. I could hear who was speaking.

Let this audio fill your dream

This story has it all . Drama , military, this story has a great love story . It will have you crying a bit from the grief the author teasers you with . My first from the author . This story has it all . But you will not be able to put it down . This story shows how best friends and partners go through when one gets discharged and one is left in the service. The one that has left the service is wondering when their partner will come home .,. And will they . Grab it and see the grief that comes with the story ... but hope and love also .

Reagan voice is smooth , seductive and strong . She does justice to the story . She’s a great narrator

Such a wonderful listen!

What a listen this story is! This is my second Jude Ouvrard listen and it definitely will not be my last. If you are looking for a book that will let you experience every emotion, it's for you. Carter, Remy and Avery all share a history. Avery and Carter are married and immediately following their wedding, Carter is deployed. When he is killed in action, the relationship between Remy and Avery is forever changed. Carter's death is expressed so well by Ouvrard, you will feel the incredible loss by both characters and how they learn to cope. There is some delving into PTSD too, such a tragic result of each of these soldiers saw. I love the way the story progresses, with the feelings of survivor's guilt and love, depression, fear and happiness. Remy and Avery will steal your hearts and let you take their paths to finding that love shows up whenever it is right, time will help heal your heart and you can find that second chance at getting their happily ever after.

Reagan West is an amazing narrator. I love the warmth that her voice extends through her performance, giving each character their own voice. She is top notch and a pleasure to listen to.