Dreams, Fashion, and Fierce Yearning
For the past two days, whenever anyone asked what I was reading, my immediate answer was, “My smiling book.” From the very first page to the final sentence, I had a permanent grin on my face. I read this on my Kindle, but I already know I need a physical copy on my shelf as soon as possible.
This is a sweet, teen-friendly romance infused with delightful touches of fantasy and sci-fi. It’s a character-driven, slow-burn story—and it delivers exactly the kind of slow burn that works. Told entirely from Aria Lendell’s point of view, the book follows her as she navigates high school, complex family dynamics, first love, and self-discovery. Aria is a dreamer with a vivid imagination, often lost in her own world while living in the shadow of her twin sister, Cady. But when unexpected challenges mount, Aria begins to unravel under the weight of it all. Her anxiety becomes overwhelming—until she begins dreaming of a mysterious boy in magical settings every midnight. Everything shifts when she realizes these nighttime escapes might not be dreams at all.
Readers of all ages will easily find pieces of themselves in Aria. Her struggles with overwhelming anxiety, constant people-pleasing, and learning to navigate a messy, complicated world feel incredibly grounded and true to life. The narrative beautifully proves that we can’t run from our struggles or delete our mistakes; “the only way out is through.” By framing this emotional journey around magical dreams and a fascinating memory-erasing organization, the author adds an addictive element of suspense that kept me fiercely rooting for Aria and Strat every step of the way.
This is a glowing five-star read in my heart (even if it’s a 4.5 on paper!), and I’ll be recommending it to everyone. It has zero spice, but the pure yearning, butterflies, and age-appropriate romance are elite. A quick shoutout to Aria’s wardrobe, too—the fabric and dress descriptions are so exquisitely detailed and imaginative that I desperately need to see fan art of them.
The atmospheric vibe of this book is also unmatched. I’ve had my own curated soundtrack on repeat while reading, and it really makes me wonder what kind of playlists other readers are putting together for this story!
The only reason this wasn’t a full 5-star read for me is that I would have loved a dual POV. Getting inside Strat’s head would have made an already wonderful romance truly unforgettable. Even so, this was an absolutely charming, heartfelt story that left me smiling long after the final page.
