Book Review: You Were There Too

By Jessica Oravec

Have you ever dreamt about someone and then experienced dj vu when you met them in real life? Do you believe that your dreams mean something? What would you do if your dreams seemed to be pulling you in a different direction from your current circumstances? Colleen Oakleys new book, You Were There Too, explores how our dreams can impact our lives.

Mia, a young artist, has just moved to Hope Springs with her husband, a surgeon named Harrison. They made a fresh start after the tragic death of one of Harrisons patients. Seemingly the perfect couple at first, readers quickly discover the cracks in their marriage. Mia has been dreaming about someone for most of her life. And when that someone, whose name turns out to be Oliver, shows up in her life, the cracks in her marriage grow larger.

As Mia and Oliver explore their connection and attempt to figure out why they both have been dreaming of each other, it seems as if fate is pushing Mia closer to Oliver and further from Harrison. Mia must make a choice. Should she stay on the path she has chosen with the man that she loves? Or should she follow the dreams that are leading her down a different road? As Mia searches her heart to determine the answer, something happens that comes with consequences that affect everyone she knows and loves.

Oakley weaves a story filled with three dimensional characters who have quirks, charms, and faults. She does not shy away from grief and pain, but instead allows it to help her characters grow. In the end, you will see the many ways we love others, and you may find yourself asking, What if?