A review by read_on_reader
If Only in My Dreams by Carrie Aarons

5.0

What happens when you are going through one of the worst times of your life, living back home with your parents in a small town where the rumor mill thrives, and you run into the first guy that stole and shattered your heart? You get Madison enduring pain, embarrassment, and trying to stay strong only to get ripped apart by Porter. Porter and Madison had something in high school where she fell head over heels in love with Porter only for him to treat her as a dirty little secret so when he ends things she leaves for college broken only to fall for the next guy that swoops in to save the day. She ends up marrying that guy from college who not only changes her but turns her into a Step Ford wife only to turn around and end things. Moving home is embarrassing her and Porter is always tearing her down but having to work closely with him her feelings get muddled but she doesn’t want to cross that line again. Porter is a man that has had family issues since a child and he has always kept everyone at arm’s length pushing them away never getting close and he knew when he started feeling more for Madison in high school it was time to let her go, yet with her being back in town and them spending time together things are changing for him. As he tries to work on himself, his relationship between him and his mother he realizes that those feelings for Madison never went away but to get back in her good graces is an uphill battle and he has his work it cut out for him. This book was pure holiday perfection with angst, steam, and as these two characters are trying to figure out their next step in life they are slowly becoming more than enemies to lovers but will it last or do they have too much baggage for it to lead to more? If you want a book that will make you laugh, swoon, and feel the pain of each character with special Christmas magic thrown in this is perfect for you and I highly recommend it.