The Dreams You Made in the Dirt

I'm not quite sure how to review this one. I liked it. It's short. I wouldn't have minded for it to be longer, but I don't feel like it's incomplete, so there's that.

Aiden and Cole met quite by chance and I don't really want to wonder what the alternative would have been, I'm more than happy it turned out this way. Aiden's story is so sad, he's been through some awful stuff and I'm glad Cole could give him a ray of hope. Cole's side of things is sad too, they are both people who just need an anchor, a safe space.

I liked Lisa Henry's spin on the request, writing prompts are so great and I love seeing what one comes up with. I read the prompt after I read the story and good thing I did that because my expectations would have been so much different (not that I had any kind of expectations). Reversing the order worked out because otherwise I would have expected things that don't happen in the actual story and that would have taken away from my enjoyment.

It feels wrong to say I liked this story because it's so sad. I do feel sorry for the characters, but I also liked the writing, how Cole did the best he could given the situation, and how certain things were revealed.

I liked that the relationship between Aiden and Cole didn't feel forced or conditioned by the circumstances. It developed quite naturally. And I would have liked more of that, but I am happy with what I got as well.

3.5 stars

Too many LL stories, not enough time to review them.

All of Lisa Henry's books are well written, and this was no exception. I think if it had been longer with more relationship and character development, it would have been a 4 star for me.