When Dreams Tremble

I believe anyone could relate to this book to a certain degree. Anyone who survived puberty have had friendships that blurred the boundaries of convention. Devon Weber has always felt like the outsider. This was especially true in her high school years. She knew she was different than everyone else...especially the girls who were her peers. As someone who has also struggled with sexuality in those formative years, I can relate. Now, Devon is Dr. Weber...a successful biologist and a woman in charge of everything in her life. This is a huge contrast from the angry/surly teenager she once was. Her existence is thrown into turmoil when her old friend, Leslie Harris returns home. Leslie is living the life of ambition and success. Just beyond thirty, Leslie has made partner at a reputable law firm in New York City as a corporate defense attorney. She has avoided returning to her roots in upstate New York since law school...until an unexpected health problem arises. Forced to go on vacation by the doctors, she returns to her parents lake front home and hotel business. It's been fifteen years since Leslie and Dev have seen each other and one would think a happy reunion would ensue. However, the reader soon discovers that they can barely make conversation. Without giving away an important piece of the plot, the two characters share a painful past. Dev has been haunted and shaped by these experiences all of her adult life. In contrast, Leslie suppresses these memories of her life. I have to say this is my favorite Radclyffe tale so far...and I own most of her books. She always provides a satisfying read...good plots and plenty of hot sex. Please experience the rest of Radclyffe's books but place this one at the top of the purchase list.

I liked Radclyffe's latest book. Leslie (corporate attorney shark) grew a great deal as an attorney. She went from being an emotionally closed off workaholic to being an open, loving woman ready to chuck her career to be closer to her lover. Contrary to an earlier review, I think 225 pages was about right for this big a transformation. I would have found it unbelievable if Leslie had been emotionally 'fixed' by two weeks on a lake. We didn't see as much character growth from Devon, but then Dev wasn't nearly so messed up. My only complaint is that the final scene was completely out of the blue and did nothing to advance the plot. Given Radclyffe's tendency to commit trilogy & expand her cast of characters, I suspect that she was setting up the love interest for a secondary character, to be explored in a sequel. I also liked that some of the obvious conflicts were not resolved. It will be interesting to see how Leslie & Devon deal with being in a long-distance relationship. I enjoyed When Dreams Tremble more than Rad's last few books. Hope to see more soon.

Every time I pick up another book by Radclyffe, I think I've found my new favorite. That is even more true with this latest novel by the infinitely talented author. Not only are the characters compelling and dimensional, the supporting cast is exciting and the setting is undeniably beautiful and dangerous. Leslie Harris is a power attorney in New York. Her job is her life. She has a lover who lives separately, works separately, and plays separately, but who satisfies her physical needs. In fact, they seem to have a very tidy arrangement. But, when Leslie falls ill and her lover remains distant, she knows something has to change. Instead of recuperating in the Big Apple, she decides to make an extended visit at her childhood home on a lake in upstate New York. Little does she know her first true love would be there as well. Dr. Devon Weber, a renowned biologist, is doing an ecological study of Leslie's lake. She is coordinating her activities with a local ranger. Nothing surprises her more than to find Leslie is coming to town. The last time she saw the other woman was in high school after a party and their first kiss. Leslie's then-boyfriend didn't react well and a heavily-intoxicated Dev subsequently had a very bad motorcycle accident where she almost lost her leg. When these two women meet again as adults, the reaction is as powerful as nuclear fusion. Both are equally confused by their feelings, their unresolved hurt and anger, and their undeniable passion for one another. But both have moved on with their lives... Or have they? No review could ever fully describe how wonderful this book is. Rad has created two truly lovable characters with whom every reader can feel a connection. As expected, Dev and Leslie are beautiful, smart, and wealthy. What's not expected is how much of an impact they make on the reader. These gals stick with you long after the book is done.

The cover of When Dreams Tremble by Radclyffe is absolutely stunning, the entire presentation of the book is fetching, but what's inside enhances the total package even more. Radclyffe's stories always illuminate the journey each character takes, and this book is no exception. This focus on character development is meticulous and comprehensive, filled with angst, regret, and longing, building to the ultimate climax. High emotion is always present so that the reader gets swept away with the characters and becomes one with the book. These are the elements that completely absorb us with When Dreams Tremble. In When Dreams Tremble, high powered Manhattan corporate attorney Leslie Harris returns home for some respite after a health scare. Home is upstate New York on Lake George where her parents own a resort. Relations with everyone are strained but none more so than her childhood friend Dr. Devon Weber who is staying at her family's resort doing environmental research on the lake. So much has changed. The last time Dev and Leslie were together in high school, so much went wrong. With so much regret and sorrow between the two of them, can they reconcile their past? As the story progresses, Radclyffe presents the characters' inner thoughts and feelings along with revealing dialogue and descriptions of their body language. We get a very thorough picture of each character and see the internal battles and how that motivates their behavior in relation to others. The author engages all of our senses, and we are alert and active participants. We are rooting for Leslie and Dev to heal and to heal together because the pain these two women feel for their lost youth emanates from the pages and is heart wrenching. Issues from the past, how they shape our lives, how we move on and grow from them, and how we cope when confronted with them, these are the themes in When Dreams Tremble. The characters exemplify the pain of coming out when you are young and isolated, and the loneliness and cruelty that can accompany it. The author exposes the guilt of the past that Leslie carries with her because she did not do what she considers the "right" thing, and we see her struggle with this dilemma of unrealistic expectations from her immature and young teen years. Many of Radclyffe's romances are about second chances and that includes When Dreams Tremble. She gives us a bonus by adding spectacular and peaceful images of the way of life in a resort setting. This book is a perfect romance in every way, but in the end, Radclyffe surprises us with a very different ending. I liked it and so will you.

This was a terrific read. At one point I was gasping - like I just got off a rollercoaster. Perfectly situated laugh out loud moments thoroughout. I took a day off from work because I had such expectations of enjoying this book that I didn't want to rush the reading and all my expectations were met. The word that comes to mind is compelling. At the end of each chapter I am compelled or pulled forward to read the next and the next, the ending of each chapter seem perfectly placed to keep the momentum or pace of the story flowing flawlessly. I found myself needing to pause every few chapters as I felt myself wanting to read faster as it was getting too good. The writing is super and there are lines from this novel that remain with me weeks after reading it. Some so evocative I knew that this was going to be a book to savour. The author's choice of descriptors are so effective that just the description of a bedspread tells you so much about Leslie's family. I was captivated Leslie's relationship with her mother. The rural resort setting is perfectly lovely - I can picture it clearly and the locations sounds divine, the picture the author paints shows the place distinctly and lovingly. Certain scenes got a huge reaction from me, and sent me right back to when I was 18. Devon and Leslie's youth was enchanting and yet so real. Leslie's relationship with her parents say so much about her and lead you to think she may not be the person she shows those around her. I enjoyed the major face time that Dev and Leslie have with each other. Having the main characters apart for too many scenes ruins a book for me. You may find the need to turn the air conditioning as the romance was so HOT!! I don't like giving any plot points away but the last few chapters are simply DELICIOUS. From the publisher's website - Leslie Harris's visit to her upstate New York lakeside family home after a decade of triumphs and disappointment resembles a nightmare more than the quiet vacation she'd hoped for. The unexpected appearance of much-changed town bad girl Devon Weber, with whom Leslie shares a secret that haunts them both, rekindles an old heart ache--and reminds Leslie of just why she left. Even though her attraction to Dev comes roaring back, the one thing Leslie doesn't want is to pick up where they left off, especially not when she already has just the life she wants--a rewarding high-power law practice, a condo in Manhattan, and a lover who satisfies her without demanding the intimacy Leslie avoids. Unfortunately, environmental biologist Devon Weber doesn't play by Leslie's rules. Two women whose lives turned out far differently than they'd once imagined discover that sometimes the shape of the future can only be found in the past-and love is strongest When Dreams Tremble.