Dream Chaser by Angie Stanton

Blurb: Willow Thomas has a bad habit of running away from things that scare her. And most recently, she quit her high school cheerleading squad after a terrifying fall.

With time on her hands, she auditions for a musical production directed by a Broadway choreographer. Just as things are looking up, Willow discovers she will be performing opposite Eli McAvoy, the best friend she abandoned three years before. To make matters worse, the kids in the musical hate her, her singing sucks, and her dog is sick.

Eli has grown up during their years apart and now possesses confidence and good looks, as well as a giant chip on his shoulder. He is in no hurry to play nice with Willow, but their entwined roles in the musical lead to entwined bodies in the backseat of his car.

Just when Willow finally has her life under control, another surprise is delivered in the form of her greatest challenge yet. Will she run or finally stand and face her fears? And will Eli be there to help or turn his back on her for good?

5 stars

I must say the MC’s name didn’t fit for me for some reason. I kept forgetting it.  I just didn’t see her character with that name.

This book is about overcoming fear.  And it was pretty transparent throughout.  The romance aspect was slow going but the main plot kept my interest enough that I was fine with that.  I kinda felt she was a bit immature about her fears in the beginning, but then I realized they are in HS and her supposed BFF was acting worse so I let that slide.

Her parents seemed way too lackadaisical for me. Maybe its because my mom was way more strict with me but I would not have been able to quit something then start something new within a few days. No ma’am, that would not have gone over well in my house at all.

I really liked how Willow was able to identify her fear and find a way to cope with it without letting down all the people that were counting on her.  That was a shining moment for me int this book.  I also liked how her love interest, Eli, calls her on her BS without seeming too much like a total dick.

Eli was a bit of an enigma to me.  They had this past that kept coming up but I didn’t feel I saw enough of it to really know him.  He was just….there.  His character could have used more depth for me.  And Willow’s BFF was too extreme in her emotions it seemed.  First she was very supportive, but only if her interest aligned with Willows. Then she completely ignored her for most of the book.  Then they are buddy buddy again at the end. It was a bit choppy for me.  The transitions were wanting in those parts.

Those things were minor compared to the great story that unfolded.  And the couch scene was THE BEST!  Totally worth the money on this.