| Once She Dreamed Part One by Abbi Glines |

TITLE: Once She Dreamed by Abbi Glines
PAGES: 103 (Ebook)
SERIES: Once She Dreamed #1

SUMMARY: Sammy Jo longs to leave her hometown in Alabama and explore the world. She didn't have a way out until she meets Hale Christopher Jude who offers her a way.

RATING: 3/5

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW: I love Abbi Glines however I really didn't love this book. It was alright, the story was simple and entertaining however it didn't have that thing that I usually like about Abbi Glines' book. Compared to her other books, this was 'meh' that's why I only gave it a 3. Nothing much really happened in this book, it was really short. It was more of a set-up for the next one and I keep thinking, 'Why wasn't it just released as a full novel?'. The 103 pages wasn't enough for the full story. Good thing that when I read this, the second part was already released. I liked the bond between the Knox family. Even though their mother was really strict, she had to be because she had many children and she was a single parent. Sammy Jo, Ben, and Jamie's friendship are quite nice to read. Hale Christopher is a character that I'm still not sure about.

• I really liked Marjaline Knox. She's an amazing who suffered so much but still fights for her children. Although she's strict, you can see that she really does love her children.
• I like Sammy Jo and Jamie's friendship. Their bond is like sisters. I love how comforting Sam is towards Jamie and she even helped her with Ben.
• Ben was kind of an ass at the start. He thought Sam was his and even assumed things. I liked it when Sam shouted at him because he didn't have the right to act that way. I liked that he acted like a man and proposed to Jamie after finding out that she's pregnant with his child.
• There's something about Sam that I don't really like. She's quite naive and even though everyone thinks she's really pretty, she doesn't. I'm kind of fed up with the female trope that's naive and pretty and innocent af. That's why I was kind of annoyed.
• Hale is someone that I think will not be that great in the next book. Even though he was kind and helpful in this book, I think there's something more than meets the eye.
• I'm happy for Sam that she got to escape Alabama. However, I didn't like that she was only able to because of the help of a man. I wanted my female characters to be much fierce and independent. However, from her background I guess it makes sense. It's hard for them already - all of them are working just to survive.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Just remember Sammy Jo, not all fairy tales are real, true or wise. Firstly, they are tales. There's more to a man than his money and what he can gift you with his wallet. It's his heart that matters most. 

Daddy always said it wasn't the destination, but the journey, that's what mattered.