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Something To Dream On

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If a painting in the home of your perfect man reflects your dreams of doom, do you run, or do you dare to embrace love?

While Lizetta lives a life of compassion, childhood bullying over a few extra pounds have caused this sparky woman to lose sight of the beauty of her soul. Jensen’s recent past is filled with substance abuse, shady morals, and loose women. A brutal wake up call forced him to find his way back to the gentle soul he once was; however, there are some whose futures depend on the return of the demon.

Souls can heal, but how long can they fight the forces that seek to destroy them? If one of those forces is the person who shattered your self-image, and she is determined to take down the one you love, could you still believe that everyone deserves a second chance?

308 pages, ebook

First published January 2, 2015

11 people are currently reading
243 people want to read

About the author

Diane Rinella

13 books258 followers
Enjoying San Francisco as a backdrop, the ghosts in USA Today Bestselling Author Diane Rinella’s 150-year old Victorian home augment the chorus in her head. With insomnia as their catalyst, these voices have become multifarious characters that haunt her well into the sun’s crowning hours, refusing to let go until they have manipulated her into succumbing to their whims. Her experiences as an actress, business owner, artisan cake designer, software project manager, Internet radio disc jockey, vintage rock n’ roll journalist/fan girl, and lover of dark and quirky personalities influence her idiosyncratic writing.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Tbird London.
558 reviews4 followers
January 17, 2015
I had the honor of critiquing this book and working with the author, Diane Rinella. I am known to be without a filter at times and very honest in how I feel about each book I read. It gets me in trouble a lot but I have found most authors can take my opinion as just that, my opinion. I state this so you will know I am not just being kind because the author is my friend when I say Something to Dream On is one of the most magical and powerful books I have read. For me, this is the best book Diane has written to date. The words leap off the pages and flow right into your heart. I was sobbing at times while reading because I was so affected by her words and the story of Liz and Jensen.

Watching Liz take the bullying and abuse she received from Laura in school and turning it into something positive was beautiful. I could only hope to be as strong and compassionate as Liz was in this book. I was left speechless at times when I saw the amount of love Liz protected and paid forward in life towards animals and other humans. She has the gift of acceptance in others, to see the good in people even though she has been engulfed by ugly behavior from others. Liz doesn’t see herself as beautiful though, she knows she has a kind heart and a soul that was made of pure goodness, but when she looks in the mirror she sees what Laura described as fat and ugly. She accepts the insults and put downs she gets from men in bars as reality and although they hurt she doesn’t show any confidence in herself or anger in their lies. She is able to see the goodness and beauty in others while not extending that same kindness to herself.

Jensen has lived a life of bad choices, drugs and loss. Allowing himself to love another has usually led to the sorrow of death or the guilt of hurting them with his actions. When he decides that he has hit rock bottom, he makes some changes and tries to live a life of sobriety and kindness, he does it alone though because he has no one else he trust to be accountable to. While on his journey to allow the universe to guide him, he finds Etta by the side of the road. Taking Etta, the dog, to the closest Vet he then meets Liz. Her passion for animals intrigues Jensen, just as Liz’s pure beauty does. Could she be the one person who would give meaning to his fight for sobriety and the chance at happiness?

Soon you will find out that Laura wasn’t left in the past, she will find a way to become emerged in the life that Jensen and Liz are trying to create, but not in a way you will expect. Along with other life changing events that left me an emotional wreck, Diane shows us how forgiveness can set a person free. Where there was once a need for revenge and bitterness, soon you will see how compassion and acceptance can really change the world around you. We will watch Jenson try to break the spell of obligation and guilt in order to free not only himself but the lives of those he feels obligated for. He will learn the art of asking for forgiveness and allowing his past life to stay where it belongs, in the past.

I just can’t put into words how this book made me feel. I was emotional, invested and connected to these characters but there is more. I think for the first time I actually fell in love with the story, the message and meaning and felt overwhelmed with a sense of hope and peace once I was done. The layout of this book and the plot is unique in its own right and I can’t explain it without risking spoiling it for you, but once you have went through the dark tunnel in the second half of the book, wiped your eyes from the tears you shed while reading, you come out feeling refreshed, whole and filled with the desire to be a new person. This is a story of paying it forward, making the world a better place. It is also a story of how you can defeat the negative comments and evil actions of those whose lives must be miserable enough to want more company. Liz and Jensen are two people who rose from the ashes of pain and evil, to become the shining lights of love and goodness. I have said before this book is magical and I was so honored to work with Diane on it. It is a must read for everyone.
Profile Image for Jennifer Theriot.
Author 19 books476 followers
January 9, 2015
I Found Something to Dream On in the pages of this book...

In reading the reviews written by others on this book, I have to concur. I purposely read this book slowly because I did not want it to end. It did end and I had to take a day to digest and collect my thoughts. Where do I even begin?
The saying that beauty lies from within rings so true in Lizetta. Her soul was damaged by bullying in her school years and had it not been for her best friend Griffin, I think she may have taken a different path. Griffin was there for her - always by her side with an unconditional friendship that was so touching and unique.
Enter Jensen, the damaged rocker who had hit rock bottom and alienated those who cared about him. He was abusive, not only to himself but to the very woman who gave him life. This story takes us on a magical journey to finding one's self worth, standing up to the demons that haunt us and above all redemption.
Whether you've ever been bullied, or God forbid have bullied someone, this book is a testament to the fact that you can heal - you can make amends and be that person who makes a difference in someone's life.
Do opposites attract? Can a gorgeous man possibly see something in a girl who feels she is inferior - complete with self esteem and body image issues? Absolutely! Do animals really have insight into our lives? Can they feel what we feel? Absolutely! Can you hit rock bottom, pick yourself up and decide to get clean? Absolutely!
In this book, we meet three people all with different "issues" but yet they are the same in many facets. They are all afraid to trust, find it hard to believe in themselves, they're scared and lack confidence.
The emotion that radiates throughout the pages of this book grabbed at my heart. This is a love story. It's not about sex or lust, but rather about true romance - seeing the good in someone, finding your true soul mate and complete adoration of that person. I don't believe I've ever, and I mean EVER read a book that made me look at myself as a person and realize that I too can be a better person. Lizetta showed me that compassion is the only way to true peace. I swear I'm still in awe of this piece of gold that my dear friend Diane Rinella has crafted. I love all of her work - she can write everything from quirky funny reads to the most poignant, self challenging novels and for that I have the utmost admiration.
If you've ever doubted that change and becoming a better person is possible, please read this jewel and find Something to Dream On.
Thank you Diane for this gift...it's a true literary gem:)
Profile Image for SiKReviews.
1,325 reviews5 followers
January 10, 2015
I usually don't like books that are like watching an episode of the Twilight Zone (I could never get into that show) but this one is really good.

Lizetta lives life the to fullest. She is a compassionate and passionate person. Although her childhood wasn't the best, she took the lemons and made lemonade. Now all she has to do is get over her body issues, and she would be golden (Her and me both!).

Jensen is a brilliant guitarist. One day he realizes that doing drugs and many women are getting him no where except maybe the grave. His mother throwing him out was the best thing that happened to him. He gets himself clean and then fate brings him Etta and Lizetta.

A whirlwind romance occurs until an event that has your heart breaking and then stop. Will Lizetta find her way back to Jensen?

You think I am going to tell you.....not!!! Read the book yourself!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda.
160 reviews48 followers
June 19, 2015
There were parts of this book I felt were compelling and even heartwrenching at times, in fact, I found myself breaking down and crying at parts. But overall, I couldn't help but find the writing lacking and not to mention, a little on the long side. Despite the fact the writer was talking about some very heavy issues, the writing seemed immature to me.

I appreciate the concept and message of the story, I just think it could have been portrayed better.
Profile Image for Eclectic Review.
1,684 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2025
This book had me feeling all sorts of ways. Mostly emotional, but also a bit frustrated.

There were definitely parts that hit me hard. I mean, there were moments when I found myself tearing up. Those scenes were compelling and well-crafted, making the weighty themes really resonate on a personal level.

You can almost feel the warmth when Lizetta is around. She has this way of making everyone feel special, and with Jensen, her compassion seems to spark something in him, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise tough world. Their connection is so spiritual, and it’s beautiful watching them grow together.

Jensen is currently on the recovery road from drug addiction, battling his past demons, and really trying to figure out what it means to be a better man. The contrast between these two is captivating. Lizetta’s kindness feels like a soft light guiding Jensen out of his darkness.

Now, here’s where things get a little intense. We have a third character, Laura. She’s Jensen’s ex and, interestingly enough, Lizetta’s high school bully. Talk about a tangled web of relationships. Laura is deep into her own struggle with heroin addiction, and her presence adds a layer of complexity to the story.

But here’s where my excitement took a bit of a nosedive. Despite tackling some really heavy issues like bullying, poor body image and drug addiction, the writing felt somewhat lacking, almost immature at times. I found myself wishing for a more refined tone because the feelings and struggles the characters were experiencing deserved more sophistication.

In addition, the book is too long. It felt like it dragged on for ages. I understand that exploring complex themes takes time, but there were moments where I caught myself skimming wishing for the pacing to pick up.

In the end, while the emotional highs were compelling, the overall execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. If you read this book, just be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions, but also a bit of frustration.

Thank you to Ms. Rinella for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
Profile Image for Swapna  Peri.
254 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2025
Diane Rinella’s Something to Dream On is a soul-stirring, emotionally layered novel that blends trauma, destiny, and healing into a narrative that feels both mystical and deeply human. At its heart is Jensen, a veterinary technician whose life begins to unravel after a cryptic tarot reading and a series of vivid dreams. Through shifting timelines and symbolic motifs, Rinella explores the complexities of addiction, grief, and the silent battles we fight within ourselves. The storytelling, marked by an intimate voice and richly drawn characters, invites readers into a world where pain is real—but so is the possibility of redemption.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its balance of raw emotion and hopeful undertones. The use of tarot and dream imagery adds a spiritual depth, while the dialogue and inner reflections keep the story grounded in reality. Rinella doesn’t offer easy answers, but she does offer something to believe in—the idea that even in the darkest times, there's always a thread of light to follow. With its emotional resonance and quietly powerful message, Something to Dream On is a heartfelt reminder that our journeys, no matter how tangled, can still lead us somewhere beautiful.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
Profile Image for Deena Schoenfeldt.
Author 91 books175 followers
June 12, 2025
A ROCKER’S REDEMPTION COLLIDES WITH A BROKEN GIRL’S DREAMS IN THIS EMOTIONAL SECOND-CHANCE ROMANCE.

If *Daisy Jones & The Six* met *Colleen Hoover*, you'd get something like *Something to Dream On*—a raw, soulful exploration of trauma, hope, and love set to a rock-and-roll rhythm. This isn’t your typical bad-boy musician story—it’s deeper, darker, and achingly real.

Rocker Jimmy is a man with demons—some of which he’s ready to face, and others that still consume him. When he reconnects with his childhood friend, now a woman scarred by tragedy and wary of closeness, both must confront their pasts to have a future. As Jimmy fights to rebuild his life, she must decide if she can trust love again—or if the dream will always remain out of reach.

🌟 WHAT WORKED WELL:
- Authentic emotional depth – This is no sugar-coated redemption arc; it’s gritty and cathartic.
- Unusual structure and POV – The nonlinear storytelling and memory-fragmented perspective keep you glued.
- Musicality of the prose – Rinella’s lyrical writing mirrors the emotional tone of a ballad that builds to a powerful crescendo.

⚠️ WHAT COULD BE BETTER:
- The raw trauma may be triggering for sensitive readers; a content warning might help set expectations.
- At times, the shifting perspectives can be disorienting—but that may be intentional, reflecting the characters’ states of mind.

🙋‍♀️ RECOMMENDED FOR:
Readers who love character-driven stories with emotional intensity, fans of second-chance romance, and those who appreciate a raw, realistic portrayal of healing from abuse and addiction.

🎯 FINAL TAKEAWAY:
*Something to Dream On* is not just a love story—it’s a journey through heartbreak, healing, and hope. If you’re ready to feel all the things and maybe ugly-cry a little, this one delivers.

📝 Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.

This review appears on my site 07.04.2025
5 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2025
Diane Rinella serves up wit, warmth, and a touch of disco ball magic in Something to Dream On. Set against the glow of Daddy Bear’s Lair and filled with cowboy-booted charm, this story is a heartfelt exploration of identity, connection, and that oh-so-relatable fear of letting your guard down. With sharp dialogue, soft longing, and a little sparkle in the shadows, it’s a love story wrapped in vulnerability and sass. Whether you're here for the feels or the fabulous, this one’s got something for you.

I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
Profile Image for Sandy Lawrence.
16 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2025
Something to Dream On is a heartfelt, emotionally rich journey that blends real-life pain with whimsical imagination. Diane Rinella gives us a story that is personal, powerful, and deeply human—crafted with the kind of insight that lingers long after the final page. With themes of bullying, resilience, and self-discovery, this book is both healing and empowering. Rinella’s prose is authentic, touching, and full of purpose—truly something to dream on.
________________________________________
Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
16 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2025
This book was like watching two broken people slowly glue themselves back together—with the help of an awesome dog. It’s heartfelt, quirky, a little messy, and completely real. Lizetta and Jensen’s story hit all the emotional notes for me. If you love healing love stories with a bit of grit and a lot of heart, this one’s worth dreaming on.



Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book at no charge from Book Reviews 4 U as a member of their BR4U CREW. A review was not mandatory for receiving the book. The free product did not influence my opinion.
Profile Image for Rowan Creech.
1,519 reviews14 followers
May 2, 2025
This was an enchanting book to read that made the reader ride along as in a dream that was simply amazing. Truly a good book to read.
Profile Image for Lene Blackthorn .
1,827 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2017
A contemporary fairy tale of a girl suffering from body issues and cruelty of the world, searching for true values and real love.
Lizetta desires to find a man who will love her for her true nature, her soul, not her physical appearance. Not having a perfect body makes her suffer from low self-confidence. Being bullied also does not help her situation and she is afraid to trust other people. But she is a beautiful person, kind, loving and caring, showing it all in the way she cares for animals.
Jenson, on the other hand, has his own dark secrets that haunt him. He is afraid of exposing his true self, under the fear of rejection and abandonment. But his choices are only his own, and the decisions will form his personality.
The story handles several serious issues like bullying or drug addiction. It was very emotional, and the unlikely romance added a bit of suspense into the story.
Both of the main characters are struggling in their lives, trying to make their best of the situations life prepared for them, but some unexpected events force them to stop and think again, bringing the inevitable change. That makes also the reader stop for several times and think about his or her own life and decisions. Full of wisdom and truth. The only problem for me was sometimes the writing, slowing down the otherwise fast pacing storyline.
I received a copy from eBook Discovery and voluntarily review the book.
Profile Image for Jess.
760 reviews306 followers
February 16, 2015
5 stars - A beautiful story of love, hope, and redemption that hits with all of the feels!

I have been a fan of Diane Rinella since reading her first book, Love's Forbidden Flower. I fell in love with that book, and then kept coming back every time she released a new one. I adored them all. Thank sweet baby goodness, Something to Dream On is another book to add to that list of love.

Again, Diane's writing is beyond fantastic. Beautiful and passionate, getting pulled into the story from the first page to the last was an easy feat. The writing paired with the story, the characters, and the strong underlying theme of this book made the whole thing a huge hit to the heart that I am grateful to have experienced.

First, there is Lizetta. She is quite literally the most selfless person I've ever read about. Not in a way that she's a doormat--she's just a genuinely goodhearted person. Her view of her body are in the slums, but she works through that within the story. I loved seeing such a great character still have a way to grow. She was WONDERFUL--but she still had some flaws that she worked on herself. She aimed to see herself better. And she is so understanding... Lizetta is a great person.

Then there's Jensen, who is also an amazing person. His path is just a lot more beaten. This story portrays him at rock bottom--and then sets forward with redeeming him both quickly and effectively. In the beginning of the book, I questioned how I might end up loving this guy. A couple chapters in, and I was fawning over him like nobody's business. The thing about Jensen is that he IS a great person, and he DOES have a great heart. He just went through so much struggle to get to the point where he could be himself. He made mistakes. Like I said, he hit rock bottom. But then he bettered himself and returned to the amazing guy he truly is. And for that, I not only love him, but I truly respect him.

Okay, so I'm going to take a quick second to talk about Laura. Let's be real here--I am not a fan. Not even a little. In the beginning, when we saw her and got her point of view, and whenever Jensen thought about her? Ugh. HATE. But then as the story went on, I saw what was happening. And...I liked it. I still don't like Laura. I will never like Laura. But I do like how her portion of the story ended up.

For real, though, she needs to stop with Jensen, and Jensen needs to, like, forget about her or something. I don't like them interacting. At all. Ever.

The plot of this story seems like a straight-shoot at first, because things are going in a beautiful, clear path. Then things go BOOM and everything gets crazy, but in the most sensible way once everything falls into place. It was interesting and fun to read, and definitely an experience I enjoyed. Diane's beautiful writing didn't hurt, either.

Oh! And romance. Can't believe I almost forgot to comment on this. The romance made my heart so happy! I loved how it could be so sweet and balance out the more serious aspects of the book, while still being an important aspect. Sometimes the romance FELT like fluff, but it never was. All of the good, tingly feelings, but with meaning buried within. Jensen and Lizetta are a seriously perfect couple. They balance each other out perfectly. (And we can't forget Etta, who is just as sweet and important!)

Overall, Diane Rinella has written yet another beautiful story that stole some sleep, took over some of my life and emotions, and made me not regret a single moment of any of it. Something to Dream on is a gorgeously written story of love, hope, and redemption that I am incredibly grateful to have had the experience of reading. Thank you, Diane.



You can find more from me on my blog: Stuck in Books
599 reviews6 followers
March 7, 2017
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. I was very torn on my rating for this book. The subject matter was very important and excellent topics, so I would have given a higher rating for that, however, the writing itself was immature at best dropping my rating down. The subjects of the book were bullying, addiction, and abuse. These are all very important topics and I applaud the author for writing about them, but I felt like she tried to cram all of them into one book diluting the effect the book could have on people.
Profile Image for Trimaze.
213 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2017
"I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review."

Truly inspiring tale with a very powerful message that will leave you believing in miracles and second chances. It deals with issues that have touched each and every one of us in some way or another. I was overwhelmed by the emotions this story evoked in me. It made me laugh, cry and ponder the challenges we all face. It left me with a sense of empowerment that I too can make the world a better place and that compassion is what we all should strive for. That no matter what we all all worthy. I would highly recommended this book to all.
Profile Image for Angala Fox.
662 reviews15 followers
March 2, 2017
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
This was definitely worth reading. It had a wonderful plot and well developed characters.
Profile Image for Lynn Lawler.
Author 3 books18 followers
January 31, 2015

Lizetta is soul searching for her perfect mate. She wants someone who is going to love her for who she is. However, she's looking in places where the pickings are quite slim. Also, she is suffering from low self esteem when she judges her situation.

At the same time, Lizetta is finding her way after years of enduring serious taunting as she grew up. As a result, Lizetta has problems with trust issues. Bullying is something I can relate to as I spent a great part of my life putting up with this. I was glad the author touched on this as bullying is a real problem and does cause deep scars. (Words hurt more than a blow to the head with a stick).

Lizetta has a genuine soul and does selfless acts of kindness, which really touched me. Her heart is felt on each page of the story. She picked a perfect profession to help her heal emotionally as she works with animals on a daily basis. She goes far beyond helping animals. She brought light into someone's eyes who was spiritually dying. She put herself aside and focused on the their well-being. This BLEW me AWAY!!

Throughout the story, Lizetta shares many words of wisdom. She explicitly spoke her truth. I felt changed in that now I am starting to believe that anything is possible.

Then there is another character, Jenson, who struggles with his lingering demons. He has ugly secrets that need to be confessed. However, fear of abandonment still controls the reins. The author did a beautiful job of portraying Jensen's emerging feelings, which were raw and intense.

In the story, He has important choices that could either make or break him. At this juncture in the story you will be introduced to another multilayered character who tries to control Jenson.

Then out of no where a serious twist drops in that affects both Lizetta and Jenson. This gave me the CHILLS. The story touches on some deep issues and both Lizetta and Jenson are forced to change their way of thinking and lookout on life.

This is a dynamic love story, one of which held me captive and involved emotionally. It reaffirmed that miracles and love do exist.



Profile Image for Badass Lioness.
375 reviews13 followers
January 26, 2015
Terrific romance with bully and victim story twist! He's the almost 'rock star' in a band that is full of drug addicts; Lizetta is the formerly bullied in high school woman who still hides herself in shame. Laura is his ex and is linked to Lizetta, too. She is the dark element that can bring both of them down. Then there is the psychic's reading and the interesting way that fits in.

There was a solid storyline of addiction, bullying, and the power of fate. Jensen bravely chose to leave the band early in the story to get clean, and there are complications because of that decision. Lizetta was bullied in high school and is still scarred from the experience. Laura is a secondary character who adds to the intensity of the story because she needs is a victim and a source of pain. I wanted to sympathize with her and keep her away from Jensen and Lizzie.

"For years I have thought of myself as ugly because I chose to listen to what some people told me. Their hang-ups are their problem, not mine..." (Lizetta)

Then there was the twist that catapulted the story in a different direction than I was expecting. I shed some tears and was worried about where the story was headed. And then the author added another layer to it. Wow! You'll even love or hate that next twist.

I think the themes of this story is what made it compelling reading for me. Jensen and Lizetta had a chance at true love that strengthened them against their pasts. I was rooting for this unlikely couple. It seemed that just as they were going to make it that something would take it away from them. I was on the edge while reading this. I wondered where would the author go to next.

I recommend this for someone looking for a romance with flawed characters who embrace their chance to connect with flawed people and find love and get a second chance. It was much more than I had hoped for.

Note: I received a review copy from the author and provided my HONEST review.
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,841 reviews34 followers
March 8, 2017
Something to Dream on is a magnificent, magical, beautiful, and very flawed book. The story concerns an emotionally scarred woman, Lizetta, who has been bullied for her weight since childhood. She meets Jensen, a talented, troubled, alcoholic musician. Jensen has been involved with Laura, sister of a band-mate. Laura, a junkie, has introduced hm to heroin. Laura also happens to be Lizetta's childhood bully. There follows a set of bizarre circumstances involving a painting, a rescue dog, a dropped piano, LIzetta's family, and a weird guardian angel - I did say this book had flaws - which leaves a comatose Lizetta fighting for her life in a hospital bed while her spirit makes a strange metaphysical journey into the world of those she loves. The out-of-body experince and its complications are distracting and yet important to the story. Lizetta's spiritual struggle to understand and to live is the metaphor for all the beautiful and flawed people in this book - the alcoholics, the drug addicts, the bullies and the victims - the choices they face and the consequences that befall them. What drives the story past the sloppy pseudo-paranormal silliness is the power and the depth of Rinella's characters. Lizetta, who chooses to love and to forgive; Jensen, who learns that real love sets healthy boundaries; Laura, who learns that breaking free of addiction means breeching the walls of secrecy and shame; Paul who pays forward the gifts of sobriety, Griffin, who who handles the ostracism of his homosexuality by giving unconditional love to his friend Lizetta - these people are so real and so unforgettable. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and they made me wish that every victim of pain, rejection, addiction, or abuse could have such people in their lives. It would make for many more happy endings like the one in this book. Bottom line? Read this book, and laugh, cry, forgive, love, and live.
Profile Image for Melissa.
35 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2015
Where do I even start telling you how amazing this book is? I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting when I started reading Something To Dream On, but I most definitely did not expect the amazing journey it took me on.

In Something To Dream On, Diane's characters take on a lot of issues that some people have a hard time talking about and brings them to the center of the story. Bullying, addiction, and abuse are just the beginning of what brings these characters to each other and influences their decisions. By page 13, I was in tears. On page 142 my heart broke. But by the end, the world seemed like a much brighter place.

This was my first time reading a book by Diane Rinella and I am completely blown away. Not only do I feel like I got to know Jensen, Lizetta and Laura, I feel like I know Diane. You can tell that she poured herself into this story, heart and soul. And we as readers definitely benefit from it. Having dealt with a lot of body issues I retained due to bullying, I connected a lot with Lizetta. I've even had to go through the pain of knowing a loved one is/was an addict. Jensen is the perfect example of a recovering addict and my heart broke for him time and again. When you first meet Laura, she isn't really a likable character. But as you learn more about her, you start to understand her a little more. And you realize that there is always more to the story than what we think we know. As Diane so elegantly wrote in response to one of my tweets about STDO:

"To everything there is a season, and every word I write has reason."

To say I read this at the perfect time in my life would be an understatement. I felt like I was meant to read it when I did. I let the universe guide me. Take this as the universe guiding you: read Something To Dream On, and make this world a better place.
Profile Image for T.M. Payne.
Author 37 books93 followers
January 6, 2015
Book: Something To Dream On
Author: Diane Rinella
Publication Date: 1/2/2015
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars


REVIEW
New to me author

Really Griffin? You just had to pull me into a psychics place and now she wants to read my life?

Zolta the tarot card reader sees things I didn't think possible. And the card she is showing me I can not hide my shock as it’s the same in my dreams.

Jensen is damaged his own mother turns her back on him. He loves to play his music and is into drugs and he wakes up in horrible places all the time nothing new. Until one day he wakes up and it scares the crap out of him. He knows he needs to change.

Liz is a simple some what over weight young woman who has the sweetest heart of anyone.
Griffin is one of her best friends. She wishes she could find someone to see beyond her outside and see her inside.

These two broken people find each other in the most tragic of ways. A dog is hit by a car and Jensen stops to help and Liz runs out of the vets office to help.

This story is truly heartwarming and heartbreaking. We have a total of 3 tortured souls whose lives are intertwined and they don’t know it at first. Very well written and I would highly recommend it.

I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest review
Diane Rinella
Profile Image for Jayne Hyatt.
Author 4 books10 followers
January 6, 2015
A wonderful story with a lot of heart and soul.

I enjoyed every page of this book, and was sorry to see it end. Frankly,the story is completely fantastical, yet it quickly hooked me and became real, as did the characters. I've been pondering how Ms. Rinella achieved that, and can only conclude she is not only a master of dialogue, but that the characters all possess a part of her - a piece of her heart? - which she passes on to her readers. Exactly how she does that is a wonderful mystery.

Most of us would blithely agree that the universe does indeed work in mysterious ways. However, the concepts that we are all the sum of our experiences, as well as being responsible for all our choices,whether they are made consciously or unconsciously., can be uncomfortable to contemplate, as well as difficult to fully accept, and act on. Yet, this story successfully tackles these ideas, providing us with an entertaining framework that explores and explains, as well as inspires. Don't get the wrong idea, though. While it tackles serious issues, it doesn't drag the reader down. In fact, I found myself uplifted. I am left with the idea that the universe, in all its mysteriousness, also provides us with more opportunities to get it right than we could ever imagine. That's a very comforting thought.

I highly recommend reading Something to Dream On. It will be time well spent. I'm glad the universe saw fit to help me discover Diane Rinella's work. You will be too.
Profile Image for Autumn.
908 reviews10 followers
January 26, 2015
Lizetta has always been self-conscious about her body - but it never stopped her from being a giving soul. She doesn’t quite know what to think when a mysterious psychic informs her that something will happen that will literally change her life and lead her to love.

Jensen is a talented musician that is wasting away in a world filled with easy drugs and easier women. His wake up call comes in the form of his mother throwing him out and a stray dog on the side of the road.

Meeting Lizetta gives him strength to stay clean and soon he’s falling head over heals in love with her. But someone from his past isn’t so happy that he has found happiness and is determined to do anything to turn him back into the monster that he once was.

Is it really true that love is stronger than death or is this life all there really is?

I didn’t know what to think of Something to Dream On at first for it’s unlike any other book that I have ever read. It’s an epic journey through self-doubt, pain and forgiveness painted boldly in Diane’s unconventional style. It made me laugh out loud and cry hot tears of sadness with its powerful message.

So if you’re like me and have ever felt just a little bit different than everyone else or somehow on the outside – this one is for us…
460 reviews18 followers
June 12, 2015
Please check out my full 4 star review
http://trinastantilisingtidbits.blogs...

I received an complimentary copy of Something To Dream On By Diane to see what I thought, it has been floating around on my Kindle for a bit now and I started it the other night and thought WHY did I leave it so long...........

For me the story line flowed, it was definitely a different genre to your usual run of the mill boy meets girl romance, it was tangled with supernatural, spiritual and religion plus Diane's own personal view of what happens when we pray, which I thought was beautifully, excellent and brought a tear to my eyes when I read it.

Diane made the characters real, and their personalities shone..........

This story contains so much warmth, its addictive, but there is also lots of different and not nice emotions throughout, also pertinence to school bullying, drug use, prostitution, disregard for woman in general but all in all it was a great story, which I really enjoyed.

3.5 Stars for me
Profile Image for Tia.
638 reviews
January 19, 2015
WOW is what I have to say about "Something To Dream On" by Diane Rinella!

Lizetta is a woman who has body issues since school because a "mean girl", Laura, made her feel less than special. Jensen is a rock musician that gets hooked on drugs because of a woman he loved influenced him to do it, but decides to get clean after waking up in someone else's room. Their world collides when he finds a dog that someone hit beside the road. It's interesting to find how much their worlds are intertwined, and how sometimes what you see on the outside is not reality.

Diane Rinella takes us on a spiritual, metaphysical, and a romantic story that will leave you contemplating the world around you and how you view it. How life is like a puzzle and it takes many pieces to complete the picture that is your life. How sometimes we all deserve a second chance at life.
32 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2015
Such a beautiful story that had me with a box of tissues the whole time. I read this book in chapters to prolong my reading experience and so deeply connected with both characters...I cried, I laughed, I understood, I was moved by how touching and accurate the addiction betrayal was, as a former addict I deeply felt the struggle of addiction and not feel worthy. It also touched on bullying, the effects we all carry, that little voice who tells you you are undeserving and how it unwittingly takes away from the very joy we should feel. Diane wove a story I will carry in my heart forever, and gave me that little bit of something to dream on.
5 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2015
Ok I don't know where to start. I absolutely love this book. It kinda has two messages in the book. The first one hit home since I never was a skinny. I have always had body issues and love how she brings it in in more than one circumstance. The second is that no matter how hard life gets you can still change. If you are willing to. I cried and laughed with this book. I am so proud to see that there was good going on. Diane Rinella is an amazing author and I can not wait to read more. I recommend reading this book over and over again. Thank you for writing a great book. Diane Rinella
Profile Image for Julia Damatto.
160 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2015
This is a modern fairy tail placed in a real world. Our princess is insecure, with body issues and a heart of pure gold, with a charming godmother represented in Griff, her best and only friend, and the Prince, who lost his path and is trying to find his way back.
This is a story of true love, with deep conversations and heartbreaking moments, and as in every fairy tail, love will conquer all? You will have to read it. Go, click Buy Now, you're not going to regret it.

*I received a free copy in exchange of an Honest review*
Profile Image for Darla.
68 reviews
February 24, 2015
Don't pass this one up!!

Diane has done it yet again. I haven't read may books where the main character is bullied by her weight. Everyone's almost always perfect. It kinda drives me nuts. Because even though it's just a book can we at least make them more real? Ok Diane takes us an am emotional ride. I really connected with the characters. With all the good the bad and sometimes even the ugly I was really sucked in. I can't wait to read more books from Diane!!!!!
Profile Image for Cherime MacFarlane.
Author 101 books614 followers
January 5, 2015
There is indeed magic in the pages of this fantastic, well paced and plotted story. The male is a book boyfriend to die for past and all. The women in his life bring out the best and worst in him. But one woman holds his heart totally. Unfortunately the universe and fate insist on to taking a hand. Snap this one up and cuddle up with an excellent read.
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