Don't Dare to Dream

This book promoted as "set in Oklahoma". Since I live in Oklahoma, I'm always interested in how the state is presented in fiction. Yes, the story is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma but that was a very, very small part, so I was a little put off that the promotion was misleading.
That being said, the book story line was interesting enough to hold my attention and keep me reading. There were enough twists and turns that you had to keep changing your mind on what was going on. It is well worth your time to read.

The first book I have read by this author and it is more than good.

Fast paced, exciting and well plotted with fascinating characters.

I won’t provide spoilers but it certainly grabbed my interest from the beginning and never let go.

Don’t Dare to Dream is the story of friendship, loyalty, trust and deceit. David is a “loser” who becomes acquainted and involved with his new neighbors in a strategy to turn his life around and enable him to regain his prior success. Things do not exactly work out according to plan and not always on the right side of the law. It is an interesting and well written tale — one in which the reader often does not know which character to root for or what will happen next.
I thank NetGalley and especially Dan Friedman, who has written this debut novel, for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.

Just how far are you prepared to go to make your dreams a reality?

Preparation and research are the name of the game. Leaving no stone unturned, and no avenue left out.

A life coach and his wife, and an overweight out of shape ex-startup venture capitalist.

Drawn together with careful planning and research.

This book really does keep the pages turning. The characters are almost real, the situations daunting. And, more than believable. The plot fast paced and more twists and turns than a mountain road.

I read this in a couple of sittings, had I had more time on my hands it would have been devoured in one go.

It really does encapculate the just one more page… till you’ve lost time you could ill afford to lose.

It’s one of those, it’s more than just a book scenarios.

Loved every single page of it.

I doth my cap to the author.

Status: Completed

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Don't Dare to Dream
by Dan Friedman
David Pascal has hit rock bottom. After failing at startups and losing his fiancée to another guy, the unsuccessful entrepreneur wallows in depression in front of the TV until deciding to end it all. But when the new power couple next door talks him off the ledge, he accepts their offer to get back in the game.

Joining forces with the life-coach husband on an app that attracts an investor, David can't stop himself from falling for the man's beautiful spouse. But when thugs come sniffing around and his perfect neighbors disappear with the funds, he fears his golden opportunity has pushed him into dangerous crosshairs.

As his world spirals out of control, can David recover the cash before he's the one to take the fall?

Don't Dare to Dream is an award-winning standalone thriller. If you like underdog heroes, twisted plots, and gripping suspense, then you'll love Dan Friedman's wild venture.


David Pascal broke my heart, He had learned not to trust anyone. He had given up on women, love, and friendship. Then he opens up to the new neighbor Angela and Rick. Friendship is not what he expected. He was used and I loved this man. He didn't not this time. He had the FBI to help. I loved how he took charge. I loved the book, and could not wait to the end where David is not a loser, but become to redeem all the self-doubt. Brilliantly well-done written.

This one surprised me quite a bit! I really enjoyed the fast paced story line. The characters were likeable and I felt genuine emotions when they shared their backgrounds, The story itself was good - life coach meets a neighbour who seems down on himself and attempts to build a friendship and help him; the two decide to go into business together and that's when things get interesting. I liked the little bits of cross-over stories (the detectives discussing money laundering, goons roughing people up, etc) because it really had me questioning a lot of what I thought was happening. Just when I thought I had it figured out another twist would come and I'd realize I was wrong. The story didn't drag at all.
This was a great, quick read. I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this one!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Well-written and gripping thriller. This story really lets the reader get into the head of the character, David, and what's going through his mind as the story plays itself out. Thank you for sharing this book with me.

What a wild ride. I was hooked from the first page, I couldn't put it down. Twisted and thrilling, you'll hate these characters one chapter and cheer for them the next. Highly recommended."

Such a brilliant fast paced thriller! It kept me on the egde of my seat and turning my page thats for sure! there is nothing better than a jumpy thriller full of twists! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this title.

Thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is my first title from this author, i really enjoyed and will be reading more from them in the future.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat keeps you glued to your kindle, this book is a real page turner!
This book was very well written with so many twists and turns that you dont see coming.
Thanks again
5/5 stars

A real page turner, I read this book in a day because I needed to know how it was going to end. I'll definitely be reading more of Dan Friedman's work

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow-this was a thrill. A fantastic book that hooked me from beginning to end. Recommended.

An absolutely riveting read that gripped me right from the start. A good amount of twists which kept me guessing all the way through.

"Don't Dare to Dream" by Dan Friedman is a rollercoaster of suspense, passion, and unexpected twists that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. This debut crime thriller introduces us to Emily Turing, a co-founder of a successful startup in a male-dominated industry, who inadvertently stumbles upon a threatening email meant for someone else.

The narrative kicks into high gear as Emily navigates the intricate web of loyalty, love, and deception within her professional and personal life. The author skillfully weaves a complex storyline, drawing readers into a world where alliances are tested, and the line between right and wrong becomes blurred. Emily's internal struggle between her commitment to Jessica, her boss and co-founder, and her budding romance with Mike adds layers of depth to the plot.

On the other side of the story, FBI Agent Bob Alexis faces his own challenges when his seemingly stable life unravels with the revelation of his wife's affair. This unexpected twist plunges him into a psychological abyss, giving readers a glimpse into the fragile nature of human emotions.

The connection between Emily and Bob is brilliantly established, adding a layer of suspense that heightens the overall intrigue. As Emily turns to Bob for help, the stakes are raised, and the narrative takes an unexpected turn that keeps readers guessing until the final pages.

Dan Friedman's writing style is crisp and engaging, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency. The novel's recognition with the 2019 Reader's Favorite Mystery Gold Medal Book Award and its status as a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Award are well-deserved accolades. The author's ability to create unpredictable characters and maintain a taut plot is commendable, making "Don't Dare to Dream" a must-read for fans of gripping crime thrillers.

In conclusion, "Don't Dare to Dream" is a captivating novella that seamlessly combines suspense, mystery, and emotion. Dan Friedman's debut is a promising start to what is sure to be a successful writing career. If you enjoy stories with unexpected twists and well-crafted characters, this book is a four-star gem that should not be missed.

This book has you by it's chokehold and never lets go. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.