Prepare to be swept off your feet by Hannah Grace’s latest novel, Daydream! From the bestselling author of Icebreaker and Wildfire, this new release promises to have you laughing, crying, and falling head over heels in love. Get ready to dive into the lives of Henry and Halle, where procrastination leads to unexpected friendships and heartwarming romance.
Warning: This article has Spoilers.
Synopsis
When procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he will have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now, with his new role as ice hockey captain – which he didn’t even want – Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club.
Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and when she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. But being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal, given her own studies, job, and the novel she’s trying to write. New experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, though, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her.
They just need to stick to their rulebook. Oh, and not fall in love.
Meet Halle Jacobs
Bookish, Adorable, and Relatable
“Calm like a well fed panda.”
Halle is everything a bookish person dreams to be. She’s working on her first novel, runs a book club, has the most adorable cat, and is an academic superstar. After her ex-douche, Will, breaks up with her and all his friends ditch her, Halle decides it’s time to focus on herself. She’s always been the caretaker, putting everyone else first, but now she’s learning to prioritize her own happiness.
Family Dynamics and Friendship
“Jacobs has a boyfriend, whom she has made a better man in every single way, and he hopes he’ll be the love of her lifetime as they both evolve into the people they were always supposed to be together.”
Halle is the “manager” of her family, bearing the pressures of an older sister looking after everyone but herself. She hasn’t told her family about her breakup with Will, fearing they’ll meddle, considering her parents and ex-douches parents are close friends. Halle fears that she is not a likable person and she doesn’t have any friends. But she will soon realize that her ex was just an insecure asshole that made her feel like she was the problem when in reality, Halle is the most lovable and amazing friend anyone would be lucky to have. Her friend group “Spice Girls” definitely thinks she is worth everything, and I have to agree with them; I love this woman so much! But it’s not just the girls. Henry and his friend will have her back… especially lover boy Henry.
Meet Henry Turner
The Sensitive Artist and Reluctant Ice Hockey Captain
“Do you need sympathy, attention, and a cure?”
Henry Turner is a man of many talents. Raised by two loving moms, he’s an artist and a sensitive soul who finds himself unexpectedly leading the ice hockey team. He wants to be a good friend and a good captain. But sometimes, he can be too hard on himself, not realizing that his friends have his back and that he doesn’t have to do everything on his own. His relationship with Halle is nothing like the friendships he’s had. He craves her presence and will do anything to be near her.
A Gentleman Through and Through
“I want to take off all your clothes, cover you in paint, and fuck you right on the floor,” …“Respectfully, of course.”
Of course, Henry can sometimes be annoying, calling Halle dramatic, but oh, how you’ll fall in love with him. His charm lies in his attentiveness and kindness. He makes Halle feel beautiful, wins her carnival toys, and treasures her laughter over silence. Despite his sensitivity to noise, he goes to events just because Halle is going. Henry is so smitten that he doesn’t even realize it until jealousy hits, and his friends have to give him a reality check. He despises Halle’s ex for all the right reasons and will do anything to restore her confidence and make her feel amazing. Perhaps a little too amazing, if you catch my drift.
Why you’ll love this book
“You’re my perfect canvas, Halle.”
You’ll discover that sometimes, the people you call your “friends” turn out to be your true family. You’ll learn that you can rise again even when you hit rock bottom — because you don’t have to do it alone. Your family will be there to support you and lift you up. You’ll also realize that it’s okay to shut down sometimes to process things on your own, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone.
But what truly makes this story special is the dynamic between Halle and Henry. Halle knows how to help Henry focus. She always looks out for him, knowing he’s super sensitive to sounds and he has a hard time concentrating. She finds alternatives and understands when he needs to retreat into his “manhole” and escape from real life. Henry, on the other hand, cherishes their bond. He loves making her laugh, drawing for her, drawing on her, and seeing her smile.
Their friendship is unique — they sleep over at each other’s homes, hold hands, exchange special gifts, and share forehead kisses. Henry even kisses her after a hockey game in front of a huge crowd. But he isn’t trying to claim her, noooo. Because, of course, that’s just what you do with a platonic friend you go out on dates with and have sex dreams about. Cue the sarcasm.
Final Thoughts
“This might be my favorite romance book, but we’re my favorite love story.
Yours always,
Henry”
Daydream is more than just a love story. It’s about friendship, family, and self-discovery. Halle’s relatable journey and Henry’s heartwarming chivalry will melt your heart. You’ll laugh with their quirky friends and see the true meaning of sisterhood and found family. Hannah Grace’s writing will make the minutes fly by, leaving you sad yet satisfied as you finish the book. This heartwarming novel teaches us that it’s okay to hit rock bottom and that family and friends will always be there to lift us up. Don’t miss out on this enchanting story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page… but let’s be honest, the real gentleman that will steal your heart is Quck Efron.
Trish’s Fan Casts
Bailee Madison as Halle Jacobs
Excuse me while I bow down to this woman! Bailee is absolutely spot-on to play Halle, and no arguments can sway me on that!
Jordan Fisher Read as Henry Turner
Before everyone starts throwing tomatoes at me, yes, I know he’s not towering like Henry is in the book. But seriously, can we all agree that he’s got that irresistible charm that screams Henry?! He was practically born to play this role!
If you love Hannah Grace, we know you’ll also love:
- The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Aramas
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Final Score: 4/5
Spicy level: 2.5/5
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