In the last Hagenheim story, Frederick and Adela meet by accident and what follows is a long period of difficulty for both of them.
One thing that is always fantastic in Dickerson's books is her prose. It has been consistent throughout the entire series and this book did not fail to meet expectations.
I fully expected this series to go out with a bang but alas, it did not. I know that I am always hit and miss for Ms. Dickerson's books, but this one was a miss, although there were some parts that I enjoyed. The story was a good idea but the characters were what people expect of lovestruck teenagers.
Also, this was quite the love-at-first-sight story. Adela and Frederick know each other for only a short time before they decide that they love each other, against the wishes of Adela's parents.

Rating: 3.5/5

Crude Language: N/A

Romance: quite a bit of kissing

Spiritual: both characters have strong faith

Violence: Frederick's father is a drunk who regularly beat him and his mother

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. ( )

This book was so quick ... Or at least it felt like "The Peasant's Dream" was an easy book to read.

I wanted something sweet and yet adventurous to read before falling asleep, this fit the bill! Though I felt that this was more of a stand-alone than the 11th book in the Hagenheim series. ( )

I love books that sweep me away and Melanie Dickerson never fails to help me get away from the real-life problems. This is the 11th book in a series, so I have had a hard time keeping the past characters straight, but the family in the book is so wholesome and supportive.

This story is intended to be a Cinderella retelling, and the key Cinderella elements are there, although they are sometimes gender-swapped or given more depth. I don't think I would have seen the Cinderella connection without the explicit mention in the blurb.

My favorite part of this book was how the dialogue between the characters fit the time period. The best historical romance books feel like an escape to another time period and these ones even transform you into a princess. I think I will always find these books to help me feel like a more wholesome person. ( )

The Peasants Dream is a reverse re imagining of Cinderella, fairy tale romance. Sweet wholesome story of friendship, sacrifice and finding and developing a gifting. Adela is in search of true love and torn in fulfilling her duties and doing the right thing. She has a duty to marry and that does not guarantee a love match. But Adela wants more of a relationship, a kinship, a love match. Adela youngest daughter of Duke of Hagenheim, is artistry gifted, meets her soul mate, a talented wood carver named Frederic.

Frederic is a hard worker, protector of his family and has a dream to be a wood carver. He honors his abusive father by working the land for his family. He also watches out for and protects his mother and sisters from their father. Shows Frederic doing the right thing even though it is beyond hard.

Then Adela meets Frederic. She sees his beautiful wood carvings. Adela is amazed at how he understands the way she sees the world. They have an instant kinship and joy of the arts. She keeps her identity a secret as to stay on his level. Adela does not want to scare him off.

This is an engaging, delightful read, with themes of family, faith, hard work, love, spousal abuse, and forgiveness. Has a gratifying ending with a complex well developed plot and characters root for. This is the 11th book in the Hageniterm saga series. But reads as a satisfying stand alone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

This may be unpopular opinion, but sometimes it’s just time for a series to end. And with the eleventh book, Melanie Dickerson’s Hagenheim Series comes to a close.

Toted as a reverse Cinderella story, The Peasant’s Dream matches Cinderella in two ways. Frederick is a peasant who is while forced by his father to work and he has two stepsisters. When he meets Adela, he does not realize she is the daughter of a duke.

Dickerson made sure to include all of her previous characters in this one (mostly just Adela reminiscing about her siblings or thinking about their families now), which will please long-time fans but also maybe frustrate new readers.

The plot was predictable but had some high points. Adela and Frederick become fast friends, encouraging each other but can true friendship be born when one of the parties is hiding a secret? The romance between these two flows naturally into the story, though. Dickerson also tackles difficult topics like abuse, alcoholism, and more in this one.

While not my favorite in the series (the second half has been hit and miss for me), The Peasant’s Dream is a satisfying wrap-up.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )