This story reminded me of Zack. Where a man is living with the ghost of a woman and child that were killed in a road traffic accident. Well in Zack, his child didn't die. I give five stars to both, but I think I appreciated how 'Dream a Little Dream' dealt with those demons more. At the beginning of the story, Gabe is DEAD. Dead inside. He is so dead, it brought shivers to my soul. In contrast, Rachel Stone, is the widow of a famous swindling televangelist. He died, but his legacy lived on in her. People who recognized her, shirked her. Called her names. Distrusted her heavily. Yet it's her former town that she heads back too, when down on her luck. Aptly named "Salvation." She tries to gain employment from Gabe, who runs a Drive-in, and forgoes her pride in order to feed her son. She should be dead inside, because she's willing to do soul-destroying acts to get by. Yet...her spirit is never extinguished. Honestly, Rachel Stone is one of the most mentally strong females I've read in a while. Very inspiring. 
 Like I mentioned before, what I liked most was that unlike Zack, who acknowledges maybe he didn't love Gina as much as he should've further on in the story, Gabe is firmly in love with his wife and son throughout, and as he acknowledges his burgeoning attraction to Rachel, he is also willing to talk about his ghosts and not diminish their importance. When Rachel and Gabe first have sex, there's this beautiful moment, where Gabe appears to be flashing back to sleeping with his wife, but Rachel makes a quip and makes him stay in the present - with her. He is able to move on and find new love in Rachel. 
 Also, I liked how her son didn't accept Gabe straight away. There was antagonism and fear, which I think demonstrates a lot of kids fears when a new man (or woman) enters their single parents life. So yes Gabe wasn't the nicest to him, and that didn't help but I felt that was realistic too. 
 I LOVED this book. Susan Elizabeth Phillips - now I see what the fuss is about. 
 (The Kirsty/Ethan subplot was kinda cute too. Though how irritating was Cal? Throwing Rachel into jail like that! Hmpfh.)