The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams

By: Karen Hawkins

Narrated by: Ali Andre Ali, Carlotta Brentan, Amanda Ronconi, Jackie Sanders

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A brand new novel in the “sometimes whimsical, often insightful, always absorbing” (Shelf Awareness) Dove Pond series that follows a gifted historian investigating the mystery of a love story lost to time.

When an antique tin of love letters is found hidden in her family home, noted historian Tay Dove rushes home to Dove Pond to investigate. Tay is still reeling from a romantic betrayal, so she’s relieved to refocus her energies on her latest project: a biography of her great-great-grandmother Sarafina, a star reporter who began her career in Dove Pond in the late 19th century before abruptly leaving town.

Tay believes the letters could be the key in solving what happened, but they only add to her questions—especially when they reveal a forbidden love affair with William Day, a wild youth who took part in a notorious train robbery. Some answers might be found in eighty-year-old Rose Day’s bookshop, which doubles as a town archive, but Rose is curiously resistant to give Tay access. Just when Tay thinks she’s reached a dead end, she finds an unlikely ally in Rose’s grandson, Luke, a fellow puzzle lover. Together, they set out to uncover what really happened all those years ago…and find the truth behind a love story that could be more precious than gold.

Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen, The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams proves that adventure is always waiting to be found, especially within this book.

©2024 Karen Hawkins (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Dove Pond

I love this series, however, I did not care for the male narrator. I liked it better when Amanda Ronconi read the whole thing. I hope it goes back to that in the future.

Story is great, one narrator needs work

I’ve gotten hooked on this series and love this story most of all (so far) because of the history mystery involved. It’s a little predictable, but it’s still fun to see how it plays out. So well done Karen Hawkins. I love Amanda Ronconi. Her narration always makes a book 50-75% more enjoyable. Im pretty sure that the male narrator is just an AI. No personality, horrible concept of word usage, no character. The narration of the Sarafina character is unexpectedly enjoyable. It’s possible that the narrator is Irish or from the UK, but reading with an American accent-with some alternative English-speaker phrasing/rhythm coming through. It lends itself to the character being from the 1890s where it’s distinctly possible that Americans didn’t sound like they do now. It is more believable and adds a layer to the character that isn’t just a southern belle stereotype.

Original, creative writing!

I enjoy the story line that each Dove female has a special “gift” and how that is developed.

the characters

this is such a good cozy series. I can't wait for the rest of the sisters

Male narration sounds like an elementary student

I’m dyslexic and really rely on audiobooks.
I stopped reading part way into Luke’s chapter and returned the book. I love Karen Hawkins and the Dove Pond series.
His voice is nice, his female voices are good but his cadence is really distracting. I just couldn’t bear listening anymore. I did listen to samples of his other book narration and they are the same.
The female narration is mostly the same as the other books.

Love! Tested and True

This book is full of charm, spanning generations of 2 of Dove Ponds beloved families. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and the town. Dove Pond is full of believable, lovable and unique characters that pulls you in and hold you hostage in wait for the next book. The bookshop of Hidden Dreams is no exception. With mystery and a treasure hunting adventure, it may well be the best one yet. (I'll have to reread the others to be sure.)

I loved the readers' voices with just the right inflections to bring each character to life as individuals. I don't know how they remember the voices of the characters from previous books and keep them true. It amazes me with each book.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys magical tales of mystery, adventure, and romance.

Buyer beware.

I love this author and the series. I was so excited to get the book that I didn’t listen to sample. DO NOT MAKE the same mistake. The narrator is so disappointing. Actually. Dreadful. I actually had to order a physical copy of the book. So now I have lost a book credit and had to pay $18 for book. Testament to how much I love this author. Buyer beware

Great story

the story of hurt that leads to new beginning. strong sense of justice
Tay is great heroine with a great ability. Luke is smart and kind. together they make a great team. Hopefully the series will continue.

Was the make voice AI???

The male voice was hard to listen to. He sounded stilted like a computer voice. I kept wondering if he was AI. If I didn’t like the series so much, I would have stopped listening to it.

Could not finish this one

The fake AI voices of the men’s parts were just so bad I couldn’t finish this book! That robot just didn’t have any emotion!