REVIEW: Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley

In Dream Spinner (Dream Team #3) by Kristen Ashley , Hattie Yates grew up wanting to be a ballerina–and with her father wanting her to be the *best* ballerina ever–even if that meant he was constantly verbally and emotionally abusive to get her there. Now she’s a dancer in Smithie’s Revue in Denver. And she loves it. Hattie gets to be creative and get her dance on several times a week, being paid serious cash to do so. Her social life, though? Not much happening there, with her father’s cutting words always echoing in her head. If she could have her romantic dreams come true, it would be sexy as hell Axl Pantera she’d sail off into the sunset with. But she’s put off his advances one too many times in the past. Although now with a creep stalking her, Hattie turns to Axl for help, hoping her heart won’t be torn apart in the process.

‘The expression on his face said he wanted to sweep me away.
Take me someplace safe.
Slay dragons for me.
No one had ever looked at me like that in my life.’

After Axl left the military, working for Hawk Delgado seemed the perfect fit. Interesting, if not dangerous, cases, a bunch of like-minded guys to work with, and now even a home of his own, he’s pretty content. The only thing missing is sweet Hattie. His beautiful dancer. Axl is aware of the turbulent past she’s had with her dad. Something he understands all too well with his domineering father still trying to butt into his life. But he’s leaving it up to Hattie to make the next move. Turns out (unfortunately) that her well-being getting threatened is what makes her jump into action, enlisting his–and his fellow commandos’–assistance to keep her safe. Something Axl doesn’t take lightly. He knows he’ll have to tread carefully, but he’s determined to make Hattie his at the same time as putting an end to the danger she’s facing down.

“Christ, baby, I can’t get it out of my head. I go to sleep, thinking about you dancing. I wake up, and the first thing I see before I open my eyes is you looking at me after that dance.”

The drama and sexiness continued in Kristen Ashley’s newest Dream Team novel, Dream Spinner, where together, two battered souls found acceptance and more love than they ever imagined.

‘It was a kiss that said this was our beginning, and there might never be an end… I was shattered by it at the same time it held me together. He was the only man who’d ever kissed me like that.’

Can I just say how much I love Kristen Ashley’s characters? Even if the hero and heroine in a specific book aren’t my absolute favorites, they’re written so vividly and with such realistic–and relatable–flaws that it makes you want to hang out with them in real life. Such was the case with Axl and Hattie. I loved finally getting to know each of their bittersweet backstories after reading snippets about them in the previous two novels. And I found it interesting that both shy, artistic Hattie and badass commando Axl had major issues with their fathers, something that wasn’t just during childhood but continued into their adult lives.

In addition to the problems with Axl’s demanding father and Hattie’s abusive dad, Hattie had a stalker which of course put Axl into protective alpha mode. (lol) If you haven’t read the two prior books then it will likely seem as though they moved at lightning speed once they finally got together. But if you’ve been following the series then you likely cheered when Hattie finally got her courage up and let Axl know she was ready to give it a try. After that, they were absolutely adorable together. No other way to put it. Everything from how Axl got a kick out of Hattie’s mannerisms to Axl’s awesome cat to Hattie and Axl’s attraction was utterly adorable. And seriously sexy–as one would expect from KA.

I do want to note for fans of the Dream Team books that not only were there tons of cameos from other KA series, but the ongoing arc of the dirty cops sitch in Denver was still prevalent here. And one of the recurring characters, Cisco, seems to be proving that even though he’s not necessarily a good guy, he might not be *completely* bad either… So you can look forward to seeing Cisco quite a bit in this installment. (And hopefully, if what KA said is true, he might get his own novella/book in the future!)

Dream Spinner truly had something for every reader with its mile-a-minute pace, smattering of suspense, decadent romance, and reforging of friendships. Kristen Ashley never fails to tell an entertaining story and this was no exception.

QOTD: Do you like romances that have a small thread of suspense in them (like most of KA’s books do) or do you like straight-up love stories?

Book Info:

Publication: Published May 25, 2021 | Forever | Dream Team #3

In this steamy and emotional contemporary romance from a New York Times bestselling author, two damaged souls must overcome the pain of their pasts to have the love they’ve always dreamed of.

Hattie Yates has finally met the man of her dreams. Yet years of abuse from her demanding father have left her petrified of disappointment. She’s already failed to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballerina—she can’t handle the terrible consequences of another dream becoming a nightmare. But when a stalker sets their sights on Hattie, there’s only one man she dares to hope can help . . .

Axl Pantera knows Hattie is the only woman for him. Yet despite the attraction burning between them, Hattie refuses to let him in. The former soldier is determined to woo her into letting down her walls. And when danger comes calling, he’s up against more than her wary and bruised heart. Axl will do anything to prove to Hattie that they’re meant to be, but first, he’ll need to keep her safe.