The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason (Canadian Crossings series, Book 3)

The final book in Susan Anne Mason's Canadian Crossings series, The Brightest of Dreams, just released in February 2020. This last book of the series tells the story of Quinten Aspinall as he crosses the ocean to search for his three siblings who were sent away from England to Canada as part of re-homing orphans as indentured laborers until the age of 18.

From the Back Cover:
He crosses an ocean to reunite his family. But meeting her makes him question everything.

Quinten Aspinall is determined to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased father to keep his family together. To do so, he must travel to Canada to find his younger siblings, who were sent there as indentured workers while Quinn was away at war. But before he leaves, his employer offers him a deal. If Quinn can find the man's wayward niece, who ran off with a Canadian soldier, and bring her back, then he will receive his own tenant farm, enabling him to provide a home for his ailing mother and siblings.

Julia Holloway's decision to come to Toronto has been met with one disaster after another. When her uncle's employee rescues her from a bad situation, she fears she can never repay Quinn's kindness. So when he asks for her help to find his sister, she agrees. The quest draws the two of them together, but soon afterward, Julia receives devastating news that will change her life forever.

Torn between reuniting his family and protecting Julia, will Quinn have to sacrifice his chance at happiness to finally keep his promise?

My Thoughts:
I thought this was a good concluding story to this three book series. Quinten's story is one that has the reader routing for him to pull his family back together again even though it seems impossible. Not all stories are "rosy," and the author portrays that well with the heartbreak that happened with the British children who were brought over from England to Canada to work on farms. So many children were frightened and hoping for a good home, but many ended up with awful situations. I was not aware of this time in history until I read Carrie Turansky's book, No Ocean Too Wide.  I'm glad to see authors bringing to light this part of Canada's history, and helping readers to understand all that these children went through. Although, Quinten finding his siblings is only part of this grand story. Quinten finds that his plans are beginning to change once he encounters the beautiful Julia Holloway. Now, he must choose between family obligations and a woman he loves. It was interesting to see how his character changes throughout the story battling inside himself to do what it right. I thought the author did a great job creating tension and resolution throughout this story. It kept the story moving and the reader interested.
You can read my review of the other two books in this series by clicking on these links.  The Best of Intentions (book 1);  The Highest of Hopes (book 2).


My Rating: ★★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publisher and the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.