Dare to Dream: (Desert of Dreams Series, Book 1)

By Amanda LaPera

Book Overview

Some stories don't just entertain - they remind you who you were.

Two facts about Lake Los Angeles: one, there's no lake, and, two, it's nowhere near Los Angeles.

That's where Kiara ends up after her parents' divorce-in the middle of nowhere-a land of Joshua trees, dust devils, and tumbleweeds. Kiara's mom calls it affordable housing; Kiara calls it hell.

Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, Kiara drifts through life trying to please everyone-her mother who can't show affection, her brother who barely hides his contempt, and friends who aren't what they seem.

When she meets green-eyed Cole, she discovers the spark to seek out more from life.

Escaping the town that's suffocating her is Kiara's only option. But leaving means trusting herself and letting go of the things she's terrified of losing.

There is a life beyond the desert. Can she dare to dream a way out?

The first book in the Desert of Dreams Series - standalone stories connected by friendship, place, and the courage to overcome.

Perfect for readers who love:

Tender, character-driven coming-of-age storiesNostalgic 1980s-1990s settings and small-town lifeJourneys of self-discovery and courage that linger after the last page

"a wonderful coming-of-age story... a powerful and very worthy read."- Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite (5-Star Review)"exceptional... a treasure trove of thought-provoking insights" - D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review"deeply compelling, moments of warmth and humor... a heartfelt tale of resilience and hope." - Publishers Weekly BookLife

By award-winning author Amanda LaPera, whose books have earned Readers' Favorite 5-star reviews and BookLife Prize, IBPA Benjamin Franklin, and IAN Book-of-the-Year Awards recognition.

Content Warning: Different books in the Desert of Dreams Series address sensitive but important topics which may include bullying and peer pressure; troubled sibling relationships; struggling friendships and romantic relationships; divorce; religion; racism and classism; historical events of the late 1980s and 1990s; death; neglect and abuse (physical, emotional, and/or sexual); trauma (generational and situational); drugs, alcohol, and sex; teen pregnancy; abortion; and mental illness including depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, and anxiety.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1965660010
• ISBN13: 9781965660010
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Adamo Press
• Length: 410 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 13 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary