What they say: Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she’s been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it’s really okay. She’s happy (ish).
So it’s not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn’t nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.
Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams… do they?
Praise for Giovanna Fletcher:
‘Saucy, fun and full of heart. This is Giovanna’s most accomplished novel yet! This book ticked every one of our must have boxes’ Heat
‘A heartbreakingly beautiful story about friendship and unrequited love. I was totally and utterly captivated’ Paige Toon on You’re the One That I Want
‘Warm and romantic, this charming read will certainly brighten up your day’ Closer
‘Tons of charm and genuine warmth’ Star
The Review: I loved this book with a passion. There is so much to rave about. Basically we meet twenty nine year old Sarah and learn of her life, constantly avoiding her mother, who is disappointed at her life choices, in the same circle of friends as her ex, who has brought the girlfriend he dumped her for after seven years together into said circle, and ‘skivvy’ to a pig of a boss in a production company. Her positive outlook on life and great friends make up for it, however, as we see Sarah decide to turn things around.
This story was told in the first person which was perfect. I loved the narrative and adored Sarah, the strong, brave girl who kept going and only let us in on how she was really feeling. I used the highlight feature as I went and at one stage thought ‘I could just highlight this whole book’ and it was true! The dreams Sarah has are vibrant, vivid and hilarious, some including tv personalities, some genius ones that have to be ‘seen’ to be interpreted (I am itching to just start spouting about them now but must … hold … out!!!), and of course there’s the ones including somebody Sarah used to know, Brett Last, who subsequently arrives on the scene. Brett is lovely and my interest in him picqued early on as I enjoyed hearing his side of things as much as Sarah’s. The chemistry between them sparkled from the off. Also the comparisons between and incidences involving the real and the dream one(aptly named ‘Real Brett’ and ‘Dream Brett’ to avoid possible confusion) were brilliant.
The side stories were lovely, touching, and very funny, with her friends and their weekly pub quiz trips featuring strongly and never disappointing for drama and laughs. All in all, a genius, smart, laugh out loud (honestly, I actually did, at a number of points!) book that sucked me back into it every time I picked it up (kids were sick at the time so I can’t say I read it all at once but I can say I seriously craved it when I was away from it!)
Will most definitely be looking into Ms. Fletcher’s back catalogue and have the sequel to this ‘Dream a Christmas Dream’ coming up. Highly recommended and a million thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
Rating: 5/5
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