This Dream is Forever (2024)

„This Dream is Forever“ von Layla Hagen ist der dritte Band ihrer romantischen Reihe The Maxwells.
Der erfolgreiche Scheidungsanwalt Declan Maxwell war schon immer der Beschützer und prinzipientreue Kämpfer, der stets für seine Familie da war. Durch seinen Job glaubt er schon längst nicht mehr an die Liebe oder an ein Für Immer, was sich ändert, als er auf seine lebenslustige Mieterin, Liz Watson, trifft. Liz treibt den konservativen Declan zunächst in den Wahnsinn, dabei spürt er jedoch bereits, dass er seine unfreiwillige Nachbarin gar nicht wirklich loswerden möchte. Schnell knistert es zwischen den beiden, die auf den ersten Blick komplette Gegensätze zu sein scheinen. Doch Gegensätze ziehen sich ja bekanntlich an.

Die Wohlfühlreihe von Layla Hagen geht unterhaltsam weiter, wenn der kleine Spießer Declan auf die Chaosqueen Liz trifft. Der Schreibstil liest sich wie immer leicht und locker und Declan und Liz erzählen abwechselnd aus ihren jeweiligen Perspektiven.
Declan hat durchaus versteckte Seiten, die nicht einmal seine Geschwister kennen. Es ist amüsant und aufschlussreich, einmal ganz andere Facetten an dem strengen Familienanwalt kennenzulernen. Seine Wandlung vom zynischen Einzelgänger zum schwer verliebten Beziehungsfan geht ziemlich schnell, denn bei Layla Hagen geht es weniger um Dramen, als um ein allumfassendes Wohlfühl-Gefühl beim Lesen. Das ist überhaupt nicht schlimm und dafür stehen schließlich ihre Bücher.
Liz ist keine Partyqueen, sondern eher ein Workaholic. Sie lebt und arbeitet für ihren Traum und hat konkrete Zeitpläne und Ziele. Insofern unterscheidet sie sich gar nicht so sehr on Declan, aber nun muss sich zeigen, ob ihre Lebensentwürfe überhaupt kompatibel sind.
Ich mag die witzige und warmherzige Dynamik in der Maxwell-Family, die aber auch einige ernste Momente aushalten muss. Konflikte werden jedoch immer schnell und zufriedenstellend gelöst, so dass die Feelgood-Romance nie zu dramatisch wird.

Mein Fazit:
Abschalten, genießen und zurücklehnen. Von mir gibt es sehr gern eine Leseempfehlung!

Declan & Liz’s Sweet & Steamy Story Is About Family & Following Your Dreams! The Maxwell Family Saga Continues In The Background As Declan Finds Himself Wanting Things He Never Desired Before. He Falls Hard & Fast For Liz, Whose Work Ethic & Determination Impress Him.

This is the third book in a series about the Maxwell family of Chicago.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FAMILY:

The legendary Maxwell family is known for the famous bookstores they once owned. Ten years ago, those stores were sold off as the next generation went off to pursue their own dreams. Though each of the Maxwell kids received a trust fund from the proceeds of the sale, their sense of hard work kept them from becoming lazy.

Emmett and Lena Maxwell are enjoying their retirement now, but they worked hard as they raised their six boys. Beatrice, Emmett’s mother, had lost her husband years earlier, and she stepped in to help with the task of raising the children. Still, family dinner was always an important event for the entire family. Emmett’s younger brother Harvey had worked for the family business as well. Though retired in London now, he had turned to work to nurse his broken heart after his wife died, frequently traveling abroad. In his absence, his two daughters were left with Emmett and Lena as they grew up, adding to their large household. The family is very tight-knit. There is plenty of ribbing, but there is also an abundance of love and support.

Declan is the oldest Maxwell brother. He has a take-charge personality and a practical approach to life. He is a successful attorney.

Luke is second in birth order and three years younger. He is Declan’s opposite, always trying to cause trouble. He enjoys being a ringleader in his efforts to sow chaos. Luke is closest in age to their cousins, Kimberly and Reese. He owns his own architecture company.

Tate is the third oldest. Like Declan, his mother considered him a “trusted general.” He developed a love of wine as he grew up – something that he and his father had bonded over. Today he is CEO of Maxwell Wineries, headquartered in Chicago. He is skilled as a businessman, but his people skills, in general, aren’t as sharp. He is the single dad of nine-year-old Paisley, a badge he wears with honors, but it comes with scars.

Tyler comes next, and he lives for hockey. He plays goalie for the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blades. He has summers off but is busy much of the rest of the year. He enjoys getting rowdy and believes in trying everything once.

Sam is sometimes quieter than his brothers, but he has a rowdy side as well. He works abroad for Doctors Without Borders.

Travis is fearless and independent. He is celebrating the success of his startup, seeing all his hard work finally pay off. His personal life takes a backseat to work; he hasn’t had time for anything more than one-night-stands for the past three years. He sometimes gets into trouble, but he is also there to offer a helping hand when needed.

Three of the brothers keep offices in the same downtown Chicago building, making it easy to grab a drink together after work. Sam and Tyler travel for work but visit whenever they can.

Kimberly, their cousin, lives overseas in Paris.

Reese, Kimberly’s sister, lives in Chicago and is nursing a broken heart. She always enjoyed spending time in the family bookstores growing up and is happy to begin working in their only remaining bookstore – the flagship store that started it all. Their Gran had kept the solitary store for sentimental reasons.

FROM PROMISE ME FOREVER, BOOK 1:

Tate Maxwell, thirty-four, is the CEO of Maxwell Wineries. The company is his passion, but his daughter Paisley will always be his number one priority. He got married just over ten years ago right after college. He was young and naïve, believed he and Nora were in love, but he eventually discovered that had all been an illusion. Nora had given birth to Paisley almost ten years ago, but modeling had been her true love. Tate was left to raise Paisley alone, and though there might be no love lost, the failure of his marriage weighs on him. He wants the world for his daughter, and he punishes himself for the fact that she barely has a mother, save for one or two visits each year. As the summertime nannies come and go over the years, he realizes he needs something more stable for Paisley for the daytime house while he is at work – a female figure that can serve as a constant in her life. He turns to an agency to help find the perfect nanny – one that can continue on beyond the end of summer break.

Lexi Langley, thirty-one, has a golden rule: never date parents. She teaches fourth grade and loves her job – working with kids is a pleasure. She enjoys spending time by the lake on her summers off, but this year is different. Her parents back in Boston live on a modest income, her mother a school teacher and her father a carpenter. With her mother’s medical bills piling up, Lexi is determined to do all she can to help out. Towards that end, she hopes to find a summer job this year. When she gets sent to interview for a nanny position, she ends up pleasantly surprised in more ways than one. The job looks promising and the little girl she would be working with is adorable. Moreover, her potential employer is captivating – and if not mistaken, he seems to have eyes for her, too. She really needs the job, but she knows instinctively that her golden rule is in real danger in Mr. Maxwell’s presence.

Wow! Tate and Lexi sizzle in this single dad and nanny romance. Their sweet and sexy story is infused with a keen sense of family and loyalty. The Maxwell family of Chicago is introduced here; watch for more to come. Readers get immersed in the Chicago setting – downtown, the lakefront, Lincoln Park, etc. The story is wonderfully written. The plot is fairly simple as it pertains to Tate and Lexi. The story is character-driven, and there are a number of characters, each with their own stories spinning in the background. Collectively, there is a lot happening. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Tate and Lexi. I rate this book five stars.

FROM HOLD ME FOREVER, BOOK 2:

This book opens in early October, about one month after Travis sold his startup. Tate engaged to Lexi, and Tate’s daughter Paisley is now ten.

Tyler Maxwell, thirty-one, lives for hockey and family. He is the fourth of six boys, and his family is very tight. Tyler doesn’t have time for relationships because his career is just too demanding. At his age, he is lucky to still be playing, but the fact that he is the best goalie in the league helps. He is signed with the Chicago Blades, but for now, he is benched. Tyler doesn’t regret standing up for his cousin Reese last month, but her ex-fiancé not only injured him, but Malcolm also staged it all on video to get the maximum damage. The video had gone viral, and the Blades’ management isn’t happy about it – the video was bad for their image and turned off sponsors. Tyler would be off the ice anyways due to his shoulder injury, and he takes it all in stride. He is excited about the volunteer work that management has set up for him in the meantime to improve his image. Coaching underprivileged pre-teens is right up his ally – he is comfortable with kids thanks to all the time he has spent with his niece Paisley. Teaching kids to play hockey, and absorbing all their energy, should prove to be fun.

Kendra Douglas, twenty-nine, is the volunteer and program coordinator for The Illinois Volunteer Society, headquartered out of Bucktown. She matches volunteers with programs, working with various groups across the city. She loves her job, but it does demand a lot of her time. Her younger sister Emma followed in her footsteps, and the two now share an office together. They are best friends, but they are nothing alike. Emma got the creative gene from their mother, and Kendra inherited her practical nature from their father. Kendra is serious and disciplined. Their childhood was not easy following their father’s death. Their mother worked tirelessly to support them, but the strain was hard on them all. They were very lucky they escaped the clutches of social services and foster homes. Kendra is the proud owner of her first home, the realization of one of her biggest dreams. It needs a little work, but she doesn’t shirk from responsibility and is no stranger to pinching pennies. She doesn’t have time for a social life now – even for someone as sinfully hot and surprisingly considerate as her newest volunteer. Fortunately, Tyler Maxwell’s arrogance and his puck bunny fan club make it easier for her to resist his charms.

When Tyler and Kendra first meet, they have immediate chemistry. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they eventually break down the barriers that hold them back. Their story is about family and responsibility. The couple has a few challenges, but they eventually find a happy ending.

Tyler and Kendra’s steamy hockey romance sizzles. It is another great story about the tight-knit Maxwell family. The Maxwells are vibrant and alive with history and controversy – watch for more to come. The story is nicely written, although it sometimes dwells a little too much on the minutia. The plot is fairly simple. The characters feel real. They are three-dimension and easy to connect with. The story is told in first person. The POV alternates between Tyler and Kendra. I rate this book four stars.

IN THIS BOOK:

This book opens in April in Chicago. Tate’s daughter Paisley is still ten. Both Tate and Tyler are now engaged.

Declan Maxwell, thirty-eight, works hard to maintain his reputation as the best divorce attorney in Chicago and beyond, so he values his downtime. The long hours devoted to the job during the week are rewarded with his strict no-work policy on the weekends. The oldest of six boys, he has a take-charge attitude and a pragmatic outlook. The serious-minded attorney credits his family for keeping him grounded. His parents’ marriage has happily withstood the test of time, but their example, in Declan’s experience, is more an exception than a rule. Declan doesn’t see himself ever settling down. He hasn’t ever felt compelled to introduce a woman to his family. He dates casually, but relationships are not for him.

Declan is happy as a bachelor and very happy to have just moved into his new Gold Coast home. After a few months of renovation, it looks like new. The only problem remaining is the seven months left on his tenant’s lease. The former owner had rented out the guest house, and Declan is obliged to honor the lease. Unfortunately, the beautiful spitfire living in his backyard has a penchant for playing music in the middle of the night. Declan counts on a good night’s rest each night to fuel him through his grueling days, and the late-night interruptions are wreaking havoc on his schedule. To make things worse, he has not had a date in some time, so the fiery blonde isn’t just fueling his anger, she is stirring up feelings he would rather not admit to himself.

Elizabeth “Liz” Watson, thirty-three, had an awakening one year ago. It happened after a tragic accident nearly took her life. She has since recovered, but the scar on her abdomen will be a life-long reminder of that close call. She lost her boyfriend Dexter as well as her self-confidence in the aftermath, but she is nevertheless moving forward. She knows life is short. She is done talking about her dream of owning a bakery – she is going to make it happen. She has meticulously planned and carefully added to her savings.

Liz is very close to her family – to her parents and her sister, Rose. She comes from Sunnyvale, a tiny town about four hours away from Chicago. Following her dream meant leaving her hometown behind and moving to the city, so she set out on her own. She found a rental in a great location and has worked two and a half jobs for months while waiting for the perfect location for her bakery to come along. She might not have much time outside of work and sleep, but every penny she saves will help ensure her future success when she eventually opens. Plus the catering and bartending jobs have given her excellent experience in a variety of ways. Things were looking good until Helen sold her home to the handsome Maxwell bachelor. His late-night complaints about her music are seriously impacting her ability to wind down after her shift, and she needs those precious few hours of sleep each night.

Declan and Liz start out as enemies. Neither can get a good night’s sleep living in such close proximity to one another, and the tension between the pair builds. But underneath their heated exchanges is a different kind of tension, and it builds until they finally have no choice but to admit their interest in one another. With Liz living just steps away, things get a little on the serious side quickly, and when family shows up, Liz gets pulled into the Maxwell clan.

There are a few issues that the family must deal with in Declan’s story, both relating to cousin Reese. She returns from visiting Kimberly in Paris and her father in London, but she comes home with shocking news that she struggles to share. Separately, Reese’s ex-fiancé Malcolm just won't’ go away quietly despite all the chaos he has already wrought upon the family. This time his sights are set on taking down Declan, and although Declan is confident in his defense, he knows it will stir up a lot of hurt for Reese when she finds out. Declan and Liz face a few problems together, but it only brings them closer in the end. They eventually find their happy ending.

Book four, Kiss Me Forever, is Luke Maxwell and Miss Holmes’s story. The tail end of this book leads into theirs. Their one-night stand as strangers turns into a workplace fiasco when it is discovered that Luke is her new boss.

Declan and Liz’s sweet and steamy story is about family and following your dreams. The Maxwell family saga continues in the background as Declan finds himself wanting things he never desired before. He falls fast and hard for Liz, whose work ethic and determination impress him. They share a love of family, and Declan’s steadfast support has Liz swooning. The story is nicely written. The plot is somewhat simple. The characters are nicely developed. The story is told in first person. The POV alternates between Declan and Liz. I rate this book four stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Show Me Forever
Maxwell Brothers #3
Layla Hagen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before I start, let’s just take a moment for that cover model and those eyes!! ((Sigh))

Ok now on with it….
What can I say about Declan Maxwell? The man is as sexy and he is broody, as the eldest son and lawyer his life is very uniform, straight to the point, he doesn’t have time for dancing in the middle if the night like his add on neighbour does. You see when he bought his gorgeous home in the perfect neighbourhood, he also got a ring in neighbour who lives in a little cottage in site.

That neighbour is Liz, she’s a fun loving hard working single woman just trying to make it in Chicago. She moved here with the hopes of opening her own bakery. Working 2 jobs means she home at odd hours like 2am when she can’t sleep so turns the music on and up to alleviate her stress. While this helps her it only irritates Declan further. Enter angry man at her door, with all sorts of demands… kind of lol funny, he’s so clueless!

With an easy truce, and cordless headphones ordered, Declan finds he likes lots more about that neighbour, and it’s not long before that truce turns to chemistry and steaming hot too. While Liz has no family around her she is still super close with her parents and sister along with baby niece back in Sunnyvale, but as Liz meets all the Maxwell clan, she finds she slots in perfectly, this is not missed through Declan’s eyes, is it possible that the neighbour from hell could actually be neighbour for forever?

This is a ride you’ll want to take… In typical Layla Hagen fashion, it’s full of sexy time, chemistry, funny times and adorable characters. The bonus of glimpse of the other Maxwell’s is also loved by me!!!