The Hambledown Dream, by Dean Mayes

An intriguing romance with hints of reincarnation and redemption, Dean Mayes The Hambledown Dream is a thoroughly enjoyable read filled with powerful emotions and the joy of lives turned around. While a much-loved husband and guitar-player lies dying in Australia, a drug-addicted American is rushed into an American hospital. Andy’s life seems hardly worth saving, but somehow he pulls through, and the brush with death leaves intriguing hints of hope as he faces the challenges of his hopeless life. Andy’s a guitarist too, but never settles down to work, skips classes and seems to resent every offer of help. But now a more powerful help seems to come from within.

Andy’s old life clings with fierce determination—it’s not easy getting out of the world of drugs and violence, and the author depicts Andy’s struggle, and that of his friends, very convincingly. But there’s always the promise of hope and hard work. With no easy answers, but smoothly intriguing storytelling, Dean Mayes pulls readers into this tale, spans continents, and fulfills the promise of a haunting introductory chapter very effectively.

Not quite reincarnation, not quite fate, The Hambledown Dream draws a beautiful symbiosis between dream and reality and creates a pleasing feel-good story from the bitter dregs of drugs. It’s a realistically told tale—drug users fight and swear and get hurt while lovers hurt by accident—but it’s a truly enjoyable read with a pleasing message of hope and recovery.

Disclosure: I received a free ecopy from the author in exchange for my honest review. I’m just sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it.