Scan barcode
linkpearl's review
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
abbiegalipeau's review against another edition
3.0
it was cute! i don't feel like i know very much about the characters, but it was good for what it was: an asexual romance
ironskin's review
3.0
I really wanted to love this and I’m all for more diversity and own voices in romance, but I found this book had lots of yikes.
Her bestie was super harsh and not supportive, and I found everyone’s behaviour pretty juvenile. I also felt like the pacing was tough, and I didn’t believe in the insta love.
Definitely a book where if folk talked a bit more there would be no third act drama.
Also didn’t feel like there was any character development, just this happened and then this happened and then this happened and then the end.
Her bestie was super harsh and not supportive, and I found everyone’s behaviour pretty juvenile. I also felt like the pacing was tough, and I didn’t believe in the insta love.
Definitely a book where if folk talked a bit more there would be no third act drama.
Also didn’t feel like there was any character development, just this happened and then this happened and then this happened and then the end.
mfrisk's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I think this book has its audience but it just wasn’t for me. After reading Love Letters for Joy I’ve been looking for some other similar reads with ace representation but this one just didn’t feel like it had the same amount of heart or realistic relationships. It felt like we got more info dumps and telling but not showing then truly seeing our characters interact.
Even the flashbacks told me very little about Polly’s family or friend relationships.
I think this book also tried to have too many plot elements too to ramp up excitement when I don’t know that we really needed them. Many of these moments felt like distractions and not moments that told us more about the characters.
I think it often came off as a bit YA as well maybe because of the focus on flashbacks to when they were younger and while I read plenty of YA as well I wasn’t going into this book expecting that tone. Overall it was an okay read but as many others have noted there is a lot of acephobia present in this book so folks should be prepared for that going into this.
Even the flashbacks told me very little about Polly’s family or friend relationships.
I think this book also tried to have too many plot elements too to ramp up excitement when I don’t know that we really needed them. Many of these moments felt like distractions and not moments that told us more about the characters.
I think it often came off as a bit YA as well maybe because of the focus on flashbacks to when they were younger and while I read plenty of YA as well I wasn’t going into this book expecting that tone. Overall it was an okay read but as many others have noted there is a lot of acephobia present in this book so folks should be prepared for that going into this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a sweet friends to lovers, ace/allo, dual perspective romance between Polly who is asexual and her childhood crush Harry. When the two are reunited unexpected and forced into lockdown on the Wildlife reserve where Polly works, they are able to rekindle their friendship and explore whether a romantic relationship might be possible. I really enjoyed this one and thought the ACE representation was sooo well done. Highly recommended for fans of Claire Kann's The romantic agenda or the graphic novel, How to be ace. I love seeing more and more books with sensitive and well written ACE representation like this one!!
tasha_16's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookedwithannie's review
2.0
Oof, I wanted to like this one so much, but that was not great. I wouldn't say it was bad, but it wasn't good, and I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone.
I thought Annalise did a good job explaining asexuality, aromanticism, and everything that falls under these umbrellas in a way that if you had never really heard of these you would have a better understanding after reading. However, there is a lot of acephobia and arophobia in this book in order to get to the above. While this personally wasn't triggering, I can absolutely see it being so to some readers so please tread with care.
Overall the book had a lot going on in it which for 150 pages felt to be too much and sub-plots that were made to feel like they would be a bigger deal with explained within a sentence after building for most of the book. It's definitely not a rom-com; there wasn't anything comedic about it. Which is fine if it weren't advertised as a rom-com. The best friend is super toxic to our aspec MC and there really wasn't any character development. The ending felt super rushed and the epilogue was so unnecessary.
Ultimately, this was very amateur and wouldn't recommend. I feel horrible saying that because I want to support aspec writers, and maybe her other work gets better, but this will be a one and done for me.
I thought Annalise did a good job explaining asexuality, aromanticism, and everything that falls under these umbrellas in a way that if you had never really heard of these you would have a better understanding after reading. However, there is a lot of acephobia and arophobia in this book in order to get to the above. While this personally wasn't triggering, I can absolutely see it being so to some readers so please tread with care.
Overall the book had a lot going on in it which for 150 pages felt to be too much and sub-plots that were made to feel like they would be a bigger deal with explained within a sentence after building for most of the book. It's definitely not a rom-com; there wasn't anything comedic about it. Which is fine if it weren't advertised as a rom-com. The best friend is super toxic to our aspec MC and there really wasn't any character development. The ending felt super rushed and the epilogue was so unnecessary.
Ultimately, this was very amateur and wouldn't recommend. I feel horrible saying that because I want to support aspec writers, and maybe her other work gets better, but this will be a one and done for me.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
My rating for In My Dreams is a low three stars. It was very readable, I learned a lot, and I thought the flashback scenes were very effective, though there were some gaps. However, I was annoyed by everyone's assumptions during the final chapters and I thought the resolution was very (realistically too) quick.