Review: Marigny Street By Annie Rose Welch

Do you believe in the power of dreams?

Way down south on Marigny Street in the heart of New Orleans, the land of Catholic intercessions, purgatory, and supernatural superstitions, young Evangeline Chenier dreams of a radiant boy who saves her from a storm. She takes the dream seriously – in her family, dreams are sometimes more than dreams. Sometimes they foretell the future. Sometimes they create it.

Years later, Eva is no longer the same wistful girl but a hardened woman who no longer believes in dreams. Losing faith in her gift, she becomes lost in a nightmare of emotion, mourning her son, separating from her husband, and stewing in a dead-end job. And then fate brings her an unlikely surprise: one of the most famous movie stars in the world, Gabriel Roberts.

Caught by something in his eyes, Eva agrees to show him the real Big Easy on his last night in New Orleans—an evening that turns into four dreamy days spent recapturing lost faith and discovering a love neither expected. Realizing Gabriel is the boy from her childhood dream, Eva must leave everything behind—her husband, her family, her history, and the beautiful city she calls home—and gamble it all for the dream that has saved her on MARIGNY STREET.

Where to start and what to say? Marigny Street was so unexpected in the best possible way.

Evangeline Chenier is barely functioning on a day to day basis as she's burdened with her past. Grieving the death of her son and feeling suffocated, rather than gaining comfort from her closest loved ones, she escapes through her dreams and a boy she sees within her subconscious. Believing that one day she will meet her angel.

Gabriel Roberts has Hollywood eating out of his hands but the young Irish actor is far from content within the vacuous world he works in; yearning for a simpler life where creating and playing music would be his focus.

The connection, magnetism and chemistry between Eva and Gabriel is palpable. Against the backdrop of New Orleans, Eva comes alive again. Seizing the chance to show this young Irishman her personal view of the city she can't believe her luck that he shares her passion for jazz. In turn, Gabriel relishes his hard fought freedom and soaks up Eva's carefree enthusiasm as he discovers a life he'd rather live with a woman like no other he's ever known. Soul mates. Their time together is short and the ending unexpected, but somehow leaves you with a feeling of hope and serenity.

This is the first book I've read by this author and completely blown away by this beautiful narrative. Normally, I shy away from anything vaguely relating to angels, but here I am completely charmed. Ms White really “sold” New Orleans to me as she described this enchanting southern city where dreams and superstitions are embedded in its culture making it a perfect backdrop for this wonderful, uplifting and thought provoking story.

5 stars

***arc generously received in exchange for an honest review***