Vintage Dreams

by Mae Archer, Amra Pajalic

She had to nearly die before she could live again. Can she build a new life on the embers of her old one?After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Allegra Kenton finds a new direction using her passion for vintage items by renovating a dilapidated mansion she inherited into a dance studio. When she meets Emmett Dennison and begins falling in love, her new life is on track, until a mistake from her past puts everything in jeopardy. Can she hold on to her dreams and Emmett?Emmett Dennison had a the right type of fiancé, the right time to get married, the right career rung, but his plan took a detour when he became a guardian to his autistic brother and his fiancé broke off their engagement. Now his life is all about the day to day until he meets Allegra. She inspires him to dream again, but his fiancé’s betrayal makes it hard for him to trust. Will Allegra make him believe in happy endings?

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2024

About the author

Mae Archer knew she wanted to be a writer since she was a child. She loved listening to her grandmother’s war stories about English maidens falling in love with handsome Yankees while England burnt under the Luftwaffe’s blitz.

When she discovered romance novels as a teenager she soon realised that her dream job was to be a romance writer. After many career twists and turns she’s making her dreams come true.

Her real life is like one of her grandmother’s stories. She met a foreigner who travelled through Australia and it was love at first sight. She married him six months after they met and every day since has been an adventure.

She lives in Australia with her husband and daughter.

Mae Archer is the pen name that author Amra Pajalic uses for her romance fiction. Amra writes young adult under her own name and dark fiction as A.P. Pajalic.
www.amrapajalic.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Silje · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. It was entertaining and had an engaging romance at the center. However, I believe many aspects of the story would have benefited from further elaboration. It ended with 2.5-3 stars.

Allegra has survived breast cancer and is trying to find her way in life. She recently inherited an old mansion from a friend, and having an interest in everything vintage, she wants to renovate it and start a dance studio with a friend at the same time. Difficulties with her family and old friends make it hard for her to form lasting attachments. Usually, this doesn't bother her, until Emmett shows up. When a complicated event from the past comes back to haunt her, Allegra is forced to face some hard truths.

Emmett is recovering from a bad breakup after he took over the responsibility of his autistic brother. Life is hard, but he doesn't hesitate to help when a friend asks him to investigate Allegra, whom she thinks is a golddigger manipulating her wealthy uncle. When he meets Allegra, though, it is obvious she is anything but, and he becomes intrigued by her. But can he overcome his insecurities when it comes to relationships?

Both have secrets and issues, but perhaps it is time to open up and embrace the unknown.

It feels as if the author wanted to convey much with this story but never got deep enough into any subject to make it feel finished for me as a reader. The emotional upheaval of cancer and being in remission, losing a dear friend to the same illness, donating an egg but never getting to know the child, family trouble, recovering from a bad breakup, and dealing with an autistic sibling. These subjects and more are present in the story, but only a few are adequately worked through. It might be because the book is short and the number of topics to go through is too much, or perhaps the author felt it was enough. But I had a "that's it?" feeling several times while reading, which is not good.

If you don't want spoilers, skip the next section.
Another thing that bothered me was all the coincidences used to sew things together perfectly. For instance:
- Emmett knows the niece of Henry, the man from whom Allegra inherited the mansion.
- Emmett's ex-fiancee, Imogen, is his coworker and Amethyst's aunt/ward, the child created from the egg Allegra donated to a friend.
- Amethyst and Emmett's autistic brother are in the same class at school.
- Imogen is also friends with Henry's niece and acquainted with Allegra's estranged family.
The "coincidental" connections create some great scenes and plenty of drama, but there are too many to be believable.

The story's cast is creative; I especially liked Jo/Joleen, Rhys, and Amethyst. However, the main characters need more depth and feel a little flat.

There were also some positive aspects to the story. Readers interested in vintage fashion will get something extra out of this story, as the clothes and make-up are described in detail on several occasions. There's a touch of paranormal as a ghost visits Allegra. The romance is sweet, and the main characters' insecurities will be relatable for many readers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Clauee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mae Archer, Vintage Dreams (Pishukin Press, 2024) 208p

Mae Archer (Coming of Age) is about to publish the second book of the Dreams of Destiny Series. The pulsating rhythm of the music enveloped Allegra as she lost herself on the crowded dance floor of Hot Spot, her favorite weekend club. This time, Allegra presumes that the mystery man is about to make a move on her. Allegra had been a devotee of vintage fashion since her teenage years. She knows that he is a lawyer. Emmett finally introduces himself. Emmett gets curious whether or not Allegra is a professional dancer. Emmett is soon to pick up Allegra for a pre-date dinner. Allegra awake with a start, her senses jolting to life. The room enveloped her in an unfamiliar embrace, and for a fleeting moment, she struggled to place herself. Could the tales of this mansion’s spectral inhabitants hold some truth? Emmett is envious of the carefree nature of Allegra and is attracted to her. Emmett has to use this date as his one opportunity to get information from Allegra about Henry. After tonight, Emmett will need to treat her as a stranger. Leaving the house, Allegra felt unseen eyes once more, a chilling sensation that she fiercely resisted. Her assailant was no ghost or sinister specter, it was a child. Amethyst turns to Allegra after her parents died. Allegra and Emmett have a better understanding of each other. Emmett asks Allegra about her relationship with Henry. Emmett finally unravels the lies that was told to her by Virginia. Allegra stood next to Joleen while the police took her statement regarding the bruises that was encountered by Emmett. Allegra has been yearning for Emmett’s touch, however, he resisted. Virginia confesses to Emmett that she has told her a lie. Emmett and Allegra go on for another date. Upon going home, Allegra is reminded of the past. The ghost of Henry visits her in order to discuss about the situation of Amythyst. Rhys asks Allegra if she likes Emmett. Allegra takes a deep breath and says yes. Imogen hired a private investigator who found that Allegra changed her name when she was 19. Emmett firmly says that he knows everything that he needs to know about Allegra. What happens next?

It is my first time encountering of the term pre-date. Also, what I enjoy about this novel it is unique. As an advanced reader copy reviewer, I find it very interesting that the relationship of the main characters started with a lie only to let the man figure out the truth about the woman that he is dating. Honestly, this is the most romantic novel that I truly appreciated. Secrets are unfolded in a very light hearted funny manner. Very much glad that I got the opportunity to read this novel.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what this book would be. All the pieces were there, it just took a bit for them to fit together. They met in a dance club. He watched from a distance, so it wasn't hard to believe his watching her was a dangerous thing. It was, but not in the way you might think. There's romance in this book, but there's also fondness, misplaced family, and a need to tell the truth to oneself and others.

Charming, it is just charming. I would never have thought to include visits from the man who left her the house in his will, but he served a bit of sage advice as did Joe/Joleen who lived his/her life as was necessary.

I think you'll like this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give about 3.4 stars. I thought the book was an easy read and it was a good book. There were parts where I felt they fell flat because they should have been fleshed out more and there should have been more conflict when they started to find out about things. The one piece that isn't my favorite was that there is a paranormal twist (very small) but it just detracted from the book I thought. I do like how the author showed not told about everything and I could just see it in my mind. It was good.

[Natassja Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story but a little too cliche for my tastes, you know, so many coincidences, too many to be relatable.

I would say it was still well written with good flow. Just not my vibe lately.