The Dream Lives On by Valeriya Goffe
Quick Summary:
The Dream Lives On by Valeriya Goffe is a deeply moving story about starting over when everything familiar has been lost. Viktor, a widowed father from war-torn Ukraine, arrives in Washington, D.C., with his children, hoping to piece together a new life. He unexpectedly crosses paths with Teresa, a woman navigating heartbreak of her own. Their tender, slow-blooming connection reminds us that even in the wake of unimaginable loss, hope still has a way of finding us.
Author Giveaway:
Valeriya Goffe will award a randomly drawn winner a $20 Amazon/BN gift card. ENTER BELOW!
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
The Dream Lives On by Valeriya Goffe ~ #BookReview #RefugeeStories #WarAndLove #HopeAfterLoss #Ukraine @GoddessFish @valgoffe_author
Book Details
The Dream Lives On By Valeriya Goffe
Published by Independently Published on March 26, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Fiction
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 252
As war rages in Ukraine, Viktor Yurchenko flees to the United States together with his three young kids and an elderly mother.
All he is looking for is a refuge for his family; falling in love is the last thing he expects on the other side of the Atlantic. What's more, he would have never guessed that his journey could help his relatives connect the dots in a decades-old family mystery.
Teresa Jameson, a top executive in an international company, has lived for sixteen years in a seemingly happy marriage. Or maybe she just closed her eyes too often and refused to face the reality?
As ample cracks start to show, she needs to dig deep into her soul. Will she look away just one more time, or give the new relationship a chance to flourish?
Source: Goddess Fish Promotions
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Excerpt from The Dream Lives On
Finding Uncle Opanas wasn’t hard. He perfectly matched Anna’s description. Tall, with a large belly, ash-gray hair, a curled-up mustache, and a brown leather jacket. Standing right in front of the railway station building.
“Thanks for coming.” Viktor shook his hand. “Taxis are now worth their weight in gold. Not sure how Anna managed to find you.”
“No worries.” Uncle Opanas smiled. “Anna and I go way back. If her family needs anything, I’m always ready to help. I used to be a minibus driver on route 203… Tried to join the army several times but got rejected because of my age. Now I’m volunteering. I’ve already helped get several families out of the war zone in the East.”
“Impressive,” Viktor said. “How’s the situation here in Kyiv?”
“Very dangerous.” Uncle Opanas shrugged. “Lots of residents are trying to get out before the Russian army gets here. Did you hear? The occupants just destroyed Mriya.”
“Mriya? No way!” Viktor gasped, feeling a pinch in his heart. He’d seen Mriya (Dream), the world’s largest cargo airplane, on TV many times. It was not just an airplane. It was Ukraine’s symbol of freedom and hope.
“Unfortunately, it’s true,” Uncle Opanas said gloomily. “But you know what? Nobody can destroy a Ukrainian dream. Neither the Russian army nor anybody else. It will fly again. It will live on. And we will fight back and set our land free.”
They stood for a minute in silence, each thinking about the tough times upon them.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
You might like to take a look at my review of The Secrets We Keep by Valeriya Goffe!
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Purchase Links for The Dream Lives On
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My Thoughts on The Dream Lives On
The Dream Lives On by Valeriya Goffe is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page. It’s hard to put down, not because it’s action-packed, but because it’s emotionally gripping and deeply human.
Goffe gives us an intimate look at the ravages of war, not through headlines or history books, but through the eyes of a father trying to hold his fractured family together after fleeing Ukraine.
Viktor’s journey, both literal and emotional, is filled with quiet strength, heartbreak, and unexpected grace. His connection with Teresa, a woman facing her own emotional unraveling, adds a layer of hope and warmth that feels both earned and genuine.
This isn’t just a survival story, it’s about the messy, beautiful resilience of love, family, and starting over.
If you enjoy contemporary fiction that tugs at your heart and offers meaningful insight into real-world struggles, this one’s for you.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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Valeriya Goffe was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine and spent most of her adult life in the United States. She resides in Washington, DC, together with her husband and young daughter. Valeriya works for a large international development organization, leading financial sector development projects in various countries. She holds a PhD degree from the Kyiv National University of Economics in Ukraine and an MBA degree from the Kogod School of Business, American University in Washington DC. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. Valeriya is trilingual in English, Russian, Ukrainian and also speaks French and Spanish. Email: [email protected]About Valeriya Goffe
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Giveaway!
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for The Dream Lives On
Full Tour Schedule:
May 5: Joanne Guidoccio
May 12: Novels Alive
May 12: Gina Rae Mitchell
May 19: The Faerie Review
May 26: Beverley A Baird
May 26: Our Town Book Reviews
May 26: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
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What is your favorite scene or passage in the book?
Are there any real-life people or experiences that inspired the characters?
Was there anything significant that got cut from the final version?
Question for Author-- What are some of your favorite books to read?
This so sounds like a great read.
Do your characters ever surprise you or take the story in unexpected directions?
I liked the excerpt.
The Dream Lives On sounds like a book that will touch the hearts of readers.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
question for author-What personal experiences or observations influenced your writing?
Thank you for hosting and reviewing today.
I liked the excerpt.