And just one more today? It’s such a pleasure to share my review of the latest book from Jaimie Admans, Dreams Come True at the Fairytale Museum, the sixth in her wonderful Ever After Street series: published by Boldwood Books on 13th October, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and hardcover, and as an audiobook. The ecopy I read was my own, preordered and purchased via Amazon – and yes, this was another book I just couldn’t download on the ship’s wifi, but I was desperate to get to it once I was home again!
While I really loved a number of her earlier books – you’ll find my reviews if you pop her name into my search bar – this has been the most wonderful series (and, as this is the last, I do hope she’ll take us back to Ever After Street again at some point in the future, just as a special treat!). First we had the Cinderella story given a delightful twist in Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street (and oh, the romance was so perfect – you can read my review again here); then came “a tale as old as time” with the Beauty and the Beast story of An Enchanted Moment on Ever After Street (review here); and I thoroughly enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland theme of A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street (review here). She always has such a perfect Christmassy touch, and Christmas Ever After might just have been my favourite so far – a slow burn romance that touched my heart, and a moving story beautifully told (you’ll find my review of that one here). And then there was Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop – the story of The Little Mermaid as its inspiration, heartwarming and enchanting, and a complete delight from beginning to end (review here).
So let’s take a look at her latest…
A place where dreams come true…
Lissa’s heart belongs to the Colours of the Wind museum, a charming haven where fairytale artifacts whisper tales of old. But her quiet magic is shattered when a sleek real estate firm buys the building, threatening to demolish her beloved museum. Lissa is devastated and ready to fight.
Enter Warren Berrington, the infuriatingly handsome developer whose modern vision clashes with her quirky world. He talks budgets; she dreams of wishing wells. Yet, Warren offers a lifeline: three months to save the museum, and despite their fiery arguments, a curious spark ignites between them.
Then, true enchantment begins. Spinning wheels whir, glass slippers vanish, and enchanted objects embark on whimsical adventures, making the museum an overnight sensation. Lissa dares to hope her dreams are finally within reach.
But she can’t shake the feeling Warren is playing games. Could he be orchestrating events for a clever ploy, or is Ever After Street weaving a new fairytale, one that might just involve her heart?
Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin, this beautifully uplifting and wonderfully whimsical romance will sweep you away to a world where fairytales come true, magic hides in plain sight, and love might just be the most powerful spell of all.
One of the many things I’ve loved about this series is the way the community on Ever After Street pulls together when any of their number is facing difficulties – and, this time, it’s Lissa who really needs their help. Ok, there might not be as many people coming through its doors as there really needs to be, but her Colours of the Wind museum is a long-standing feature of the magical street – and she’s poured her heart and soul into creating increasingly innovative displays to draw in and delight her visitors. But the building has been sold, and the new landlords – a property development company – are planning to tear it down and build a cinema complex and bowling alley in its place.
Warren Berrington, the company’s hatchet man, spends some time with her, looking at how the business works – except it’s just not making enough money. But he gives her a lifeline – if she can turn a sizeable profit within three months, they might just allow it to continue. And that’s where the community comes in – or perhaps it’s a touch of real magic? – and the museum becomes a bit of an internet sensation.
Warren’s not quite as buttoned-up as he seems at first – when he sheds his suit and tie in favour of a Christmas jumper, they rub along rather well. He’s really impressed by Lissa’s tenacity and determination, helping her with ideas for improvement and constructing new exhibits – and she’s increasingly drawn to the rather damaged man she thought was going to be her nemesis. And he gets involved with granting the wishes left in the museum’s wishing well – that’s such a lovely touch – and all the shopkeepers grow to trust him as one of them too.
But saving the museum isn’t entirely his call – and Lissa discovers that, while growing increasingly close to him, he might actually have been working against her all along. Their developing romance is so gorgeous – strong and believable, and very emotionally affecting – and that makes his apparent betrayal so many times worse.
There has to be a happy ending though, doesn’t there? It looks pretty unlikely at times. But at the story’s quite wonderful conclusion, there’s such a perfect and heartwarming drawing together of all the other stories that I’ve so enjoyed: I wiped away a tear (but with a smile on my face… and a heart full of hope) as I left everyone seeing what their futures might bring.
Like every book in this superb series, this story was an absolute delight from beginning to end. I’m really going to miss my visits to Ever After Street – but I’m equally looking forward to seeing what this fantastic author, a real personal favourite, does next.
About the author
Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. She lives in South Wales and was previously published by HQ Digital. Her series for Boldwood, The Ever After Street Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.
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