Rating: 5 out of 5.

Cherie Burbach’s “The Space Between Dreaming” was the best book I’ve read in quite some time, and I’ve read some pretty amazing books recently. I melted into the world of the book, making it a truly five-star reading experience.

About the Book

Grace and Jane both crave family but for much different reasons. Grace longs for the child she was never able to conceive and Jane for the new family she will have once she marries her boyfriend. They meet and become unlikely friends when Grace’s husband paints his masterpiece and Jane’s gallery represents him.

As they ponder their future, Jane’s meddling 80-year-old landlady helps them see the beauty in letting go of expectation. Grace and Jane each see something different in the painting, and it causes them to look beyond their stubborn dreams to a fresh reality that could hold the key to their happiness.

My Thoughts

Reading the blurb, I thought this would be an interesting book, but I never dreamed (pun not intended) that it would be so immersive and beautiful as it was.

The author brought all of her characters alive so well. Following the lives of Jane and Grace, and all their loved one and friends, as they tried to work through complicated times in their lives, was breathtakingly beautiful. The “meddling” landlady, Mrs. Ferch, is one of the best characters – so funny. Watching Jane and Grace, two similar but vastly different women, develop a friendship against all odds, gave me a hope I didn’t realize I needed, and healed some things in myself I didn’t realize I needed healing.

I don’t like to have spoilers in my reviews, so I won’t provide much in the way of context here – but both women struggled with big, life-changing decisions. We see their story unfold in alternating point-of-view chapters. We’ve all been at a great precipice of change in life, and we’ll all be there again. The overarching message was a balm for my weary soul, battered by my personal struggles at the moment.

I wouldn’t call this Christian fiction, but it is definitely a spiritual book. The main characters struggle with faith, loss of faith, and working to take leaps of faith. The theme of faith – both in God, others, and one’s own self – was strong throughout the book. While prayer was a big theme, even those who don’t believe in it could easily find so many things to love in this book.

Who’s It For

If you enjoy tales of hope, overcoming odds, a bit of romance, and healing, this is a wonderful story for you. The book covers some very serious topics that sensitive readers should be wary of, such as cheating, pregnancy/infertility struggles, child neglect, dysfunctional families, abusive/controlling romantic relationships, and more.

I am so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of this gorgeous – both inside and out – book.

I will absolutely keep an eye out for future works by this author.

About the Author

Cherie Burbach is a full-time artist and writer. Her art prints, originals, and functional art pieces are available in artsy stores and galleries through the country and here at her site.

She is the author of over fifteen books, which vary from nonfiction to poetry to kid’s books. Just for fun, she created a family card game called Cupcake Commotion.

This is her first novel.

Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram

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