Dreams Deferred

by L.J. Taylor

Ivy Brooks was always attracted to the bad boys until one day, she met the worst of them all and landed in prison as a result. Now, three years later, more mature and the mother of a beautiful little boy, she’s determined to make a better life for herself and her son. She’s also determined to make better choices when it comes to men and she’s not sure her former cellmate’s drop dead gorgeous brother Luke – a former bad boy who professes to have turned over a new leaf – is the right choice.

Just when she believes she’s made a fresh start, her son’s father, Zeke, finds out about him and sues for full custody. She kept her mouth shut when the police found jewelry from the heist committed by Zeke in her apartment. But now, to save her son from a life of misery, Ivy has no choice but to testify against Zeke. Luke is determined to protect Ivy and her son at any cost. Will she stay alive long enough to testify? And can she trust Luke to stand by her side without being drawn back into a life of violence?

228 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2015

Reviews

[Rain Dream · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story revolves around Ivy and how she turns her life around with the help of her family and friends. Luke becomes her friend and helps her out and their attraction is growing into something more serious. Ivy and her son are happy and she wants everything to stay that way and so she decides to keep her son Omari a Secret from his criminal father Zeke, who was the reason she got arrested and had to face prison time. Zeke finds about Omari and threatens her with full custody when Ivy's probation officer files for child support on her behalf. Things go wild after that. Zeke assaults her and she files complaint and the drama ensues. I felt that the book was fast-paced, and simple with a different plot. There was a bit of a variety to the plot, but I felt the story lacking in certain ways. It was an OK read, but not exciting or intriguing. Some of the situations in the book were a bit unbelievable. There were some inconsistencies in the story line too among the characters. It was different and if it had more details on the characters I think it would have been easier to connect with them. Overall it was an OK read.

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[LuAnn Rodriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

L. J. Taylor is an excellent wordsmith and Book 2 in this series is interesting. I especially liked the emphasis on family caring for family and the hope for a redeemed life this book offers. The characters are entertaining, and it is just my own preference that women who are bad boy magnets are not my favorite. I enjoyed reading this story nonetheless, and found it easy to keep reading. The characters from the series first book are in this story, and I was glad to read more about them, too. There are aspects of the legal field explained in credible but not boring ways. Good story, good series--having read two books by this author, I can recommend her books with pleasure!

I received an advance copy of this eBook in exchange for my honest review of it.

[Gladys Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams. This was the second book of the series and it didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The excitement and drama surrounding Ivy was great. I couldn't put the book down. I was glued to the book waiting to find out if Zeke would get caught for all the trouble he caused Ivy. Ivy's jailmate Karen proved to be a friend once they got out of jail. Karen's brother Luke became that knight in shining armor that Ivy needed to stay alive. Great read! Looking forward to the next book. *** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading my first book by Ms. Taylor I immediately requested to review this book as soon as I saw it available. I really do love romantic action and these Brooks girls have it in spades.

I love a book where a woman has guts and this book is no exception. Her man, Luke, is no stranger to that either. Ivy has gotten herself into an almost impossible situation but that doesn't stop her from finding a way out of it. With good family, good friends, and a good man she has lots of support.

I think you'll enjoy this book and the other book in this series. You will find some humor, a whole lot of action, and quite a bit of love....the perfect combo!

I received this as an ARC for an honest review. If you like my review please leave a comment to let me and others know.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Brooks has made some bad choices and ends up serving time, has her child in jail and is determined to turn her life around. Dreams Deferred tells the story of how she faces her problems, gathers the evidence she needs to clear her name and protect her son. Along the way she finds the love of a good man, the support of her family and friends to head into life with a promising future. You need to read the exciting way she accomplished her goals in Dreams Deferred.

I want to send my thanks to L.J. Taylor, author and to Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Dreams Deferred that I won in the Giveaway. Thanks for a great book!

[Rhonda Tolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This was my first book from LJ Taylor. Of course now I have to get the first :D I couldn't put it down! Imagine toting around a book while chasing a 3 year old lol. The main character, Ivy, has to overcome the repercussions of a bad decision. Everything's as good as it can get until Luke enters the picture. I love me a bad boy... especially when they have a heart of gold beneath all that gruffness. Ivy tries to stay away, but the chemistry will not let it happen. Then to make matters worse, enter her ex. You have to take the bad with the good. He was the catalyst needed to show Ivy that not all bad boys are trouble ;)

[John Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreams Deferred is a quick and good read. I was asked to review it for a rating and it is a good romance and thriller story in a dark environment of brutal life in Miami. It is well written and fast paced. I liked the softer parts with Ivy's son Omari. The erotic parts of the novel between Luke and Ivy are well crafted and so are the fighting scenes. I could not always see how the characters looked like, but could imagine them better once I understood the world they lived in.
LJ Taylor will be heard of more often in the future.

[Pat Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy's Story

This book highlights the difficulties of getting back on your feet after being incarcerated. Trying to find employment, enduring judgement, injustices of the parole system itself - it seems like society wants you to fail. But Ivy was determined to change and succeed. Her apprehension about starting a new relationship was understandable since it was the very thing that landed her in prison to begin with.
The drama in this story was different from the first book, but certainly not less tense.
This is a great read and I'm looking forward to reading Mariah's story.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be inspiring. I love the theme of a strong woman taking responsibility for her mistakes and having the fortitude to turn her life around despite all of the harsh circumstances thrown in her path. I love that some of the good guys have had to do the same and then paid it forward to help others. I am sure this is a bitter reality for many and it is nice to find a happily ever after for this young family. A good read.

[Lucretia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great story about what happens when we make bad choices and about not letting those bad decisions define us. We all make them and could all take a lesson from Ivy about to turn things around. I like that it showed how much work she put into fixing things, that made it very realistic. Ivy has a lot of guts and I like her as a character. Overall this was a nice read and a great story with a lot of tension and excitement.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy made some poor choices. The worst being getting involved with Zeke and getting pregnant. She ends up hiding Zeke's involvement in a crime and instead goes to prison for it. After serving her time she is reunited with her son Omari and is trying to figure out how to make a life for the 2 of them without revealing his existence to Zeke.
* I receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book through the GoodReads Giveaway. Thank you L.J. Taylor! Not a bad book...fast paced, good plot, interesting characters...just not enough WTF for me. It's pretty predictable and nothing too bad happens to the main characters. It's like a Halmark love/crime drama movie. My mom LOVES watching/reading those stories - I don't. But I'm glad to have read Dreams Deferred and Mom is really enjoying it. Thanks again, L.J. Taylor!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short novel. Ivy brooks had taken the fall for a bad boy who she thought she loved. Had his baby while in prison and upon release tries to build a life for herself and her son with help of friends and family. She's doing well when the father shows up. Enter drama and confusion. Really likable characters and enough drama to keep you reading thru the night!

[Megan Parisi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through a giveaway from Goodreads.
Overall this was an easy read and mildly entertaining. A woman made poor choices and turns her life around so her son can have a good life.
I had a difficult time getting into the book and staying interested, but I will read more of the authors work in the future.

[Jennifer Disario · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read. ivy likes bad boys and ends up paying for her attraction with hard time. I don't want to spoil the story but it was an enjoyable book for my downtime.
*received via Goodreads First Reads program

[Brenda Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a new author for me; the book was a little hard to hold on too at first. Once I was able to follow along it was hard to put the book down. The book has all the fine qualities I like romanace a little suspense. Overall the book was a good read.

[Metris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles and Kathy are back to get answers and expose this company that killed his wife and kid. But what will it cost them. I really enjoyed how Kathy was determined to defend her client no matter how much danger it put her in; carreer wise or her life. These 2 together was a force.

[Angala Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
Wow!! This was a great book full of edge of your seat suspense, page turning action, and thrilling scenes. I couldn't put this down. I definitely recommend.

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreams Deferred was just an okay read for me.I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
I could not get into this book at all. For some reason I just was not feeling the whole ganster thug vibe.

[Mookeypoop Vo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small part of the story was illogolical to me because I couldn't understand why she did some things she did especially with her father of her child, premise just seems terrible(Overused?) to me