House of Dreams

House of Dreams

Genre:  Romance Historical

Date Published: 2023

Book Length: 436

Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: Tony Lawson is a world-famous dream therapist, but he hasn’t dreamed in years, and he needs more therapy than he can give. On the day his divorce is finalised, he is driving past a village when he sees a large old house for sale. Walking through the gates, he is captivated by its history and mystery. That night, he starts dreaming again. Drawn by its magic, Tony buys the property and discovers it once belonged to Queen Catherine Parr. As the house tells more and more of its story in Tony’s dreams, Tony is led by both the living and the dead to a startling and seismic discovery – one that will transform both the house of his soul and the soul of his house. House of Dreams is a magical tale about a 500-year-old Tudor house - its ghosts, its traumas, its treasures, and its secrets. It may only have two storeys, but it tells many tales. After reading House of Dreams, you will never see houses in the same way again.

My Thoughts: The House of Dreams by Mark Stibbe starts of in a glorious manner by introducing people slowly. I loved Rakesh the neighbour in Chelsea who seemed so calm you almost felt it oozing of off the page.

The descriptive verse is exquisite the way Stibbe bounces words around makes them sing on the pages and draws you in.

The main protagonist Tony Lawson is a well thought out character, while reading you can almost feel his pain, angst, and insecurities a testament to Stibbe's writing prowess.

The House of Dreams has everything, humour that tickles your funny bone, love that tugs at your heart strings, sadness that will make you want to weep and drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and characters that leap of the page and into your heart. I loved the switches between past and present woven seamlessly through dreams it added a captivating layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative. I laughed and cried throughout; it was an emotional roller coaster that I wanted  to rush through to the end but I also wanted to savour every page.

In conclusion a 5***** star book that has it all and I highly recommend.