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Jenny's Dreams

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Natchez, Mississippi. 1843... At the age of 22, Jenny has lived a lifetime of experiences. She was a child kidnapped into slavery, and then freed. She’s been married and widowed, and she’s become a mother. But when an ambitious sheriff comes after her for an old crime, she flees the safety of her home at the Natchez estate known as Carefree and plunges headlong into dangers greater than any she has faced before. At 34, Cornelius Carson is wealthy, an important man in Natchez. He has inherited Carefree, and he lives there with his wife Euphonia, his small son Thomas, and his ward, a young Irish girl named May. A man of principle, he has freed all his slaves, and the former slaves live in the Dependency behind the big house at Carefree. But events are already in motion that will upend the lives of everyone at Carefree, none more so than the lives of Cornelius himself and his freed slave Jenny. In the months and years to follow, everyone at Carefree will be buffeted by the hurricane winds of change that blow through the estate. Some will find love, some will find wisdom -- and Jenny will face struggles she can't foresee as she matures into a woman wise beyond her years.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 12, 2021

232 people are currently reading
61 people want to read

About the author

Sylvia Ann McLain

4 books17 followers

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5 stars
362 (50%)
4 stars
228 (31%)
3 stars
101 (14%)
2 stars
20 (2%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Nora Wolfenbarger.
Author 3 books160 followers
September 14, 2022
This third book in the series was a disappointment. Way too much backstory. The author jumped around more than I like, leaving plot threads incomplete. Cornelius was a bit unbelievable. There was no emotion shown for his wife's betrayal. I did like the ghosts in the attic, but would have like to have seen them developed a bit more. I did like the ending.
1,007 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2021
The final book in the Jenny series. Jenny is now a widow and mother of a little girl. She finally has memories of her life in Africa and how she and her brother Kofe, were kidnapped. Jenny might have her "freeing papers", but they are disregarded by slavers out to make money. There are many more slave years, with ups and downs, and for Jenny to face. I will miss her.
"Natchez, Mississippi. 1843...
At the age of 22, Jenny has lived a lifetime of experiences. She was a child kidnapped into slavery, and then freed. She’s been married and widowed, and she’s become a mother. But when an ambitious sheriff comes after her for an old crime, she flees the safety of her home at the Natchez estate known as Carefree and plunges headlong into dangers greater than any she has faced before.
At 34, Cornelius Carson is wealthy, an important man in Natchez. He has inherited Carefree, and he lives there with his wife Euphonia, his small son Thomas, and his ward, a young Irish girl named May. A man of principle, he has freed all his slaves, and the former slaves live in the Dependency behind the big house at Carefree. But events are already in motion that will upend the lives of everyone at Carefree, none more so than the lives of Cornelius himself and his freed slave Jenny.
In the months and years to follow, everyone at Carefree will be buffeted by the hurricane winds of change that blow through the estate. Some will find love, some will find wisdom -- and Jenny will face struggles she can't foresee as she matures into a woman wise beyond her years." synopsis copied
Profile Image for Sarah.
4 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2024
disappointed

I only completed this book because it’s number three in a series. I hate getting stuck into a series. The first one, spinning, Jenny, was OK. I felt like there was really no need to have a sequel. They are completely different stories, just with the same characters and added new characters with each book. I feel like if I had read reviews on the first book, I probably would not have started it. However, I feel like I am vested in it now since there are four books to complete. I did feel that this one, number three, was really unnecessary. I feel like it doesn’t really tell the story of Jenny. And, I could really do without the ghosts’ input. All of it seemed unnecessary to the stories. I’m sure I will read the last one, just because I hate to leave a series unfinished, even when it is not enjoyable.
40 reviews
April 25, 2024
Finally should be the title

The author is a very good writer but her books always end like there will be another chapter. As a reader please just state “read the trilogy”. The worst part is almost half the book is taken up with retelling the other books so the reader is in the loop. That feels like lack of effort to me. Just write an entirely new book even if the main characters remain and keep their history brief. It felt like I had to re-read the same story three times to get to the end of the trilogy. The book at least ended on a nearly high note even though it was unrealistic. I hate sounding negative but I value honest reviews. I would try to read the author’s work again as long as it’s not a constant re-write.
346 reviews4 followers
April 14, 2021
Good

Good read. I really enjoyed the series. Although it seems that Cornelius was a little too good to be true. It doesn't say whether he forgives Phony although he lets her name the baby John . She doesn't seem too ashamed . The books are named after Jenny but she is not the main character. Thought the descriptions of the explosion were very interesting. I hope this is not the end.
Profile Image for Terri.
383 reviews
October 21, 2021
Jenny’s Dreams (Spinning Jenny Book 3)

This is the final book in the Spinning Jenny series. It didn’t grab me like the first two books. I thought some of it was actually silly. I won’t mention that part off the story because I might spoil the plot for some readers. The first two books were wonderful. I felt like Jenny’s Dreams was grasping to keep the story going. Jenny’s story should have been wrapped up in book two.
6 reviews
May 4, 2021
I enjoyed Spinning Jenny more since, as a first novel, every move was a surprise. In Jenny's Dreams, I found the action more predictable. I still enjoyed it, but wished the plot was more built up since that you have two people as fugitives who live only a two away from the jail. Now, I proceed to Jenny's Dreams.
191 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2021
A bit of a disappointment

I loved the first 2 books, but the third and last book in this series was disappointing. It seemed rushed and included elements that could easily been left out, like May's boat business. Also the brief mentions of ghosts in the attic could have be left out or developed fully. I was glad for Jenny and Walker in the end. That was a surprise.


35 reviews
August 14, 2022
Jenny’s dreams

I was a little disappointed in the last book for reasons I won’t give exact detailsbut to say there was section s that did not seem completed it just jumped into another issue and not resolved some questions, mostly about Jack John,Phoney and Cornelius . Many things were great issues like Ester kids but unresolved except for one
Profile Image for Susan Molloy.
Author 152 books88 followers
January 28, 2025
Spin the Dream Wheel.

🖊 I just could not get into this novel. 🗑 Conversely, other readers may find this novel their perfect skein of yarn. 'Twas not for me.

જ⁀🟡 Kindle Unlimited.
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𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟:
ℙ𝕝𝕠𝕥: ★★☆☆☆
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥: ★★☆☆☆
𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖: ★★☆☆☆
𝕃𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕦𝕒𝕘𝕖: ★★★★★
𝔾𝕣𝕒𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣: ★★★☆☆
𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘: ★★☆☆☆
𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: ★★☆☆☆
𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 2.5
Profile Image for Cynthia.
106 reviews
August 30, 2021
JENNY'S DREAM

Another entertaining book. But I feel I missed something....the "Show Boat" that could have. Been ALL
Novel in itself.....what a story that could have been
Thank again Mrs. McLain for sharing your talents with the rest of us 🐼
110 reviews2 followers
September 27, 2021
just gets better and better

Jenny and all her family and friends have so many exciting experiences. I’m sad the books ended but it seems everyone is living their dream and that’s a truly good thing.
20 reviews
December 5, 2021
Many changes to everyone's lives. You'll enjoy catching up on what's happening.

Th Cornelius and Sophony? You won't believe all the changes in Jenny's life as well as Cornelius' life! If you're superstitious you'll love what's in the attic.
16 reviews
March 29, 2022
Jenny

This is an excellent series. Sylvia McLain is a masterful storyteller. She created stories which brought tears to my eyes, sorrow to my heart, yet laughter too.
I highly recommend these “Jenny” books.
Profile Image for Suzy.
5 reviews4 followers
July 30, 2023
I enjoyed reading this series so much. I really like the adventures that she took us on with each of the characters. It was very entertaining. I am sad that it had to end! I immediately found the author's new book "What Margot Saw" as soon as I finished reading the Spinning Jenny Series.
3 reviews
December 28, 2023
Great series

I found it hard to put this book down. it's even better than the first one in the series. Lots of twists and turns. Great character development. Unlike other series of the same genre these books are not repetitive with the plots. highly recommend.
24 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2024
Book 3 does not disappoint

Sometimes a threequel can fall short,but this one certainly did not! The previous characters draw even closer to the heart while new ones are a welcomed addition to the story.Its a laugh and a cry away from our history and this author nailed it.
19 reviews
January 26, 2021
Outstanding

All the curves ,waves and current take you on a ride that almost takes your breath away. The three books can't be read fast enough.
108 reviews4 followers
May 15, 2021
An entertaining series!

This is a light hearted historical reading about slavery in the 1800s . It's easy reading with mystery, love, loyalty and cruelty.
451 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2021
Good read

Good read. What a great trilogy of stories of Jenny and her life. I was hoping it would keep going but a good things must.end
23 reviews
April 10, 2022
Enjoy all Three books

I liked the easy reading material put forth from this author!
I hope you give it a try for yourself!
Happy reading until the end!
29 reviews
November 8, 2022
Not as good as the first two of the series.

This story is very rambling. I was happy for Jenny but it had too many other characters and was hard to follow.
7 reviews
January 20, 2023
Good conclusion

This book ties up all the loose ends of the ' Jenny Books'. A great 3 book series. Loved them all .
5 reviews
February 14, 2023
Quite A Series

This series takes you through so many lives and all that occurs. Very enjoyable read and loved the entire series.
13 reviews
September 20, 2024
Fair read

This book was all over the place. Ghosts show up midway thru the book. The first so books were. Dry good, this one not so much. Very hard to follow the story line
90 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2025
Jenny's Dreams

Great story and awesome characters. The characters all have there own stories from slavery to being sold after being freeded.
63 reviews
August 26, 2021
Fun reading

Enjoyable read. The ghosts were an added bonus. I was particilarly drawn to the Cornelius character. He reminded me of my father.
Profile Image for henry smith.
386 reviews4 followers
February 23, 2025
Excellent series. But that Jenny is an airhead that makes bad decisions keeping herself in trouble with slavers. Police And her friends who care for her.
Profile Image for Jennifer Taylor.
Author 2 books1 follower
May 1, 2022
I really loved the first book in the series, and enjoyed the second, but Jenny's Dreams had several dropped plot threads, an ending that seemed inane and slapped together, and may have read one of the most badly written lines in the history of literature: "It might even be more hilly than Alexandria, his hometown, which he just left a week ago, and they certainly have hills there, gently mounding hills like soft breasts, covered with pines." No matter how hard I try I just can't picture my cleavage covered in pine trees!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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