Title: Dream a Little Dream
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 18 June 2015
Twitter: @MrsGiFletcher
Website: www.giovannasworld.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrsGiFletcher
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Blurb
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?
Review
Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of Dream a Little Dream.
Dream a Little Dream is the first of Giovanna Fletcher’s books that I have read, although I understand that it is her third novel overall.
I was first attracted to the book by the lovely colourful front cover, followed by the interesting blurb – chick lit but with a unique twist.
As I started to read the book, I was instantly captured by the storyline. I don’t dream much personally, yet my husband does and the content of his dreams can be so vivid as to affect his mood all day after he wakes. Dreams are a powerful force and I was therefore intrigued to see where the story was heading. The dreams certainly add a humorous element to the story and are featured quite heavily in the first half of the book, they fade out more as the story progresses and dream gradually replaced by reality.
To me, the plot seemed well-thought out and well-balanced, being both funny and emotional in equal measures.
Sarah Thompson is a likeable and realistic character. She is in a seemingly dead-end job, approaching the dreaded age of 30 and somewhat stuck in the past having to spend so much time with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend in order to retain her place within their friendship group (she’s obviously very tolerant or a bit too much of a pushover!). We meet Sarah at a turning point in her life and I enjoyed reading about her growth throughout the story, from the initial bitchy comments about the ex’s girlfriend to the point where she seems to finally find her backbone and grab at a piece of happiness for herself.
Brett is an interesting character, particularly as we see the differences between real-life Brett and dream Brett. I liked reading about Sarah’s comparison of her created dream man and the actual real man. She pretty much pushes away the real Brett because of her obsession with the dream Brett. I found it interesting to read how she ultimately deals with this conflict. What is a dream and what is reality?
The supporting characters, such as Carly, Dan and ‘perfect’ Lexie, all have their own sub-plots which made them slightly more than mere background characters. Theirs is a close-knit friendship group and those characters are important to the plot, with their presence helping Sarah to evolve and find her own peace.
I liked that the author also snuck in a little nod to her husband, Tom (of McFly fame), and I had a little laugh at some of the other celebrity name-drops. Something unimportant to the story as a whole, but which adds another splash of humour to the book.
I had seen mixed reviews for Dream a Little Dream and I was determined to read it with an open mind. I’m happy to report that I did enjoy it. Dream a Little Dream is original, cute, warm, and funny. I would be happy to read more of Miss Fletcher’s work in the future.
About the Author
Giovanna grew up in Essex with her Italian dad Mario, mum Kim, big sister Giorgina and little brother Mario, and spent most of her childhood talking to herself (it seems no one wanted to listen) or reading books.
At thirteen she left Essex behind to attend the full-time Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met her husband Tom Fletcher. Following SYTS she completed an acting BA (hons) at Rose Bruford – since then she’s been acting, chaperoning mini actors and dabbling in a spot of freelance journalism for heat, Bliss and Recognise magazines. She currently writes a weekly blog for Hello! Online and posts weekly vlogs on her YouTube channel.
Giovanna is a firm believer in the power of magpies and positive energy. To see what makes Giovanna smile, view her blog at http://www.giovannasworld.com, or her Twitter page @mrsgifletcher
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