After a rough start in life and a history that includes gangs, drugs and a violent boyfriend, Shay Benson is making a fresh start. Having just completed a community program and accepting a bank job, she is full of hope for a bright future that just might obliterate her past. But when her brother, Caden, desperately needs money and begs her to steal it from her employer, Shay begrudgingly complies. As chapter one of ANY DREAM WILL DO comes to an end, Shay is heading to jail. Her brother disappears with the money, her dreams are dashed, and her future is now dark and hopeless.

"Hope, healing and second chances weave their magic beautifully through ANY DREAM WILL DO, which is a wonderful book to read and share."

Having done her time, Shay leaves jail behind, but this second “fresh start” feels much duller than the last one. She has no friends or family except the brother she never heard from during her three years in prison, and has nowhere to live. She hops the nearest bus and is dropped off in front of a church, where she meets Drew Douglas, the pastor. Unbeknownst to Shay, Drew is wallowing in his own hopelessness, having buried his wife four years earlier.  In his grief, Drew disconnected from his friends, grew weak in his faith, and wondered if he would ever truly recover from his wife’s death. He immediately feels a sense of purpose upon meeting Shay and takes her to a place called Hope Center, which is run by his friend.

That simple act of kindness changes the trajectory of Shay’s life as she is provided with a place to live, takes classes, makes friends and eventually lands a job. But Shay isn’t the only one impacted by Drew’s kindness. The broken pastor reconnects with the friend who runs Hope Center, and through that friendship and his emerging feelings for Shay, his faith and hope start to fire up again.

Shay and Drew are both excited about their budding, unexpected romantic feelings for each other. Drew’s son and daughter are more than happy with Shay being in the picture, but certain members of the congregation are not thrilled with their pastor pairing up with someone who has a shady past. As Shay tries to earn the trust of her new employer, the congregation and community, she finds herself learning to trust again as well. Despite a violent attack by her ex-boyfriend, Shay focuses on the positive while growing in her faith. Life seems to finally be back on track, until the night her brother comes knocking at her door with a secret that could once again change the course of her life and destroy her dreams.

As always, highly acclaimed author Debbie Macomber creates a sweet romance, a compelling plot and likable characters. Hope, healing and second chances weave their magic beautifully through ANY DREAM WILL DO, which is a wonderful book to read and share.