The Good Dream

By: Donna VanLiere

Narrated by: Donna VanLiere

Audie Award Nominee, Inspirational Fiction, 2013

From the New York Times best-selling author comes a poignant, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting novel about an unlikely path to motherhood, and of two lost souls healing each other.

Tennessee, 1950: a time and place that straddles the past and present. Ivorie Walker is considered an old maid by the town (though she’s only in her early 30s), and she takes that label with good humor and a grain of salt. Ever since her parents passed away, she has hidden her loneliness behind a fierce independence and a claim of not needing anyone. But her mother’s death hit her harder than anyone suspects, and Ivorie wonders if she will be alone forever.

When she realizes that someone has been stealing vegetables from her garden - a feral, dirty-faced boy who disappears into the hills - something about him haunts Ivorie. She can’t imagine what would make him desperate enough to steal and eat from her garden. But what she truly can’t imagine is what the boy faces, each day and night, in a filthy lean-to hut miles up in the hills.

Who is he? How did he come to live in the hills? Where did he come from? And, more importantly, can she save him? As Ivorie steps out of her comfort zone to uncover the answers, she unleashes a firestorm in the town - a community that would rather let secrets stay secret.

The Good Dream is Donna VanLiere is at her absolute best.

©2012 Donna VanLiere (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Couldn’t stop listening!

This is my first fictional audible and I have to say it was great! Once I started listening I couldn’t stop and it’s the first time I’ve earned badges on audible (I didn’t know that was a thing). The story of the boy and Ivory is such a beautiful love story that tugs at your heart and yes it made me cry a few times; it’s a wonderful depiction showing that a mother son relationship doesn’t have to be biological to be real.

Southern hospitality

A surprise ! This isn't an overly sweet Southern tale, but one of loss, courage, and family. The author/narrator was excellent
(very few author's are also good narrators). I did feel that the ending was a little too "easy" but otherwise, this is a most enjoyable story.

loved this story

Donna never dissapoints. This is such a powerful, amazing story. I would love to see this one made into a movie. I highly recommend reading or listening to this one.

Well told heart warming tale

Slow first 2 chapts then we couldn't listen fast enough! Excellent story and wonderful reading by author!

couldn't put it down

you catch yourself holding your breath holding on to see what's next. than crying

Slow start... then watch out

This book was fantastic and will tug at many heart strings. It was slow to start and I almost didn't stay with it. I'm SO GLAD I did, You can't help but fall in love with the boy and well... the main character as well. So much loss and yet, beautiful things happen in this story. Once I got engaged in the book, I just couldn't stop listening. The narration, while fantastic and I love her voice, I only gave four stars because the adult voices I couldn't really tell a difference. But it was fanstic between adults and children. Plus, it was just such a unique pleasant voice to listen to. I wish I could have given it 4.5 stars

A great read

What did you love best about The Good Dream?

This was an uplifting story. I felt like I was part of the book. Been a while that I have been that engaged in a story.

Have you listened to any of Donna VanLiere’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

My first experience with this author. I would definitely try another of her books.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for good summer entertainment this is a book to try.

Hold On

In the Good Dream , Donna reminds us that, if we can just hold on, good things are coming. What starts out as depressing or tragic, God can turn into good when His light brings us out of the shadows!

Feel Good Book

It's Light reading for a heavy world. A feel good story & very easy to follow. A soul cleanser. I Highly recommend it

Worth the listen

Great narratives, great plot diversity in characters. Love the simplicity of some of the characters.