Member Reviews
Your Dream For Me is a cute nostalgic YA romance; if you enjoy reading about high school crushes or even want to relive it through a book, this is the one for you. As someone who studied fashion design, I related to the FMC so much. However, I was really hoping for HEA, but that was not the case for the ending; it certainly left me a bit confused. overall this was a very cute, sweet read.
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc
This book has me very conflicted... was it written by 1 author?
0% - 40%: I wanted nothing more than to DNF this book. It was so cringy, poorly written, and hard to continue reading. It was very obvious that the author was just elongating sentences to hit a word/page goal. There were too many words and no teenager talks like that!
40% - The End: Suddenly there is a shift and the writing gets better? It felt as if another write took over, or maybe the first part of the book was never revised! It still wasn't great, but at least it made more sense. Still, the plot got lost.
How is a girl going to try to get into FIT with no sewing experience? You can sew by hand! This book made it seem like we would follow Scarlett along for her journey of getting into her dream college, but instead we got a whole lot of drama filled high school days that had really nothing to do with her future.
Overall, this book felt like it was written by a 25 year old imagining how a 17 year old would live. I know it's a YA book, but some parts felt too mature for younger teens, while other parts felt too childish for older teens. Also, wtf was up with Macie just taking the threat from Ashton and allowing herself to be walked all over? She is supposed to be sassy and confident, but then she gets taken advantage of and just allows it? Then her best friend Scarlett jumps in and keeps being violent, but nobody reports the assaulter?!? The more that I think about it, the more frustrated I get. Such a bad image to show young and impressionable teens.
Not worth the read. 2 stars only because the writing got a little better over time and I liked how the end wasn't a forced HEA.
Thank you to Level Best Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. While I found it to be an average read for me, I did enjoy Scarlett and her passion for fashion. I like that, in general, YA books follow a clear narrative arc, and this book was no different. I did find it a bit run of the mill, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
No matter what your age, if you went to high school and fell in love for the first time you will relate to this book! The characters are relatable, lovable and strike a familiar chord with the drama that is unique to high school. Truly a fun and delightful read! Definitely recommend!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Your Dream For Me is a cute YA romance novel. I liked the nostalgia of it - it reminded me of being in high school and having a crush on someone. WHile some people didn't like the ending, I thought it was realistic and true to my time in high school. I also loved the pieces of the fashion world and wish there was more. The character development was good, I felt like I understood the characters. I just didn't love the book - I think maybe it was Scarlett's immaturity (I realize she is young but she acted way younger sometimes). But it was an easy YA romance read.
This is more of a young adult story for those wanting to go in knowing what to expect.
We meet fmc 17 year old Scarlet with a penchant for fashion but a strong aversion to the spotlight. She is absorbed in the school costume racks when she inadvertently comes across Nathaniel Wilder an extremely talented theatre student.
I struggled with this as I felt it was almost too YA for me. Pretty arguments, internal dialogue all didn’t do it for me unfortunately. I will consider books from this author again in the future.
This was decent. However, I did notice that there was not a HEA. I really wanted there to be a HEA, but there unfortunately wasn't which I really didn't enjoy about it. For this reason, I have given it 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange of an honest review.
Well, I really wanted to like this book but I feel like Scarlett is too immature and childish? Don’t get me wrong I know that she was 17, I mean I have been 17 after all but I feel that her inner monologue is just too young? It felt like reading a 14 year old’s thoughts instead. Also the ending was just not it.
I didn't entirely realize this was YA when I requested it, but that's totally fine - I still enjoy the occasional YA book. That being said, this book felt almost... younger than YA? The protagonist felt like she was 12/13 rather than 17. Maybe I'm just not the target demographic for this book and it skewed my review, however I read another YA book in the past few weeks that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed the premise of the book but felt like the overall themes could be explored more.
DNF at 16%. Felt like it could be a super quick read but I just couldn't do it. The writing is just TOO YA for me. Very basic and childish.
I unfortunately didn't have the time to get to reading it before it archived! Though I will pick it up in the future.
So please disregard the low rating as Netgalley forces me to put one down with my review.
"Unraveled Dreams" is a YA novel that seamlessly weaves together themes of ambition, friendship, and self-discovery. Seventeen-year-old Scarlett, with her passion for fashion and aversion to the spotlight, is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her journey from sneaking into the school's costume shop to pursuing her dream of becoming a renowned fashion designer is both inspiring and heartwarming.
The author's adept storytelling introduces Nathaniel Wilder, a talented theater student who becomes an unexpected source of inspiration for Scarlett. Their budding friendship adds depth to the narrative as Scarlett navigates the challenges of mastering sewing skills and balancing her passion for fashion with her desire to be closer to Nathaniel for the school play.
As Scarlett's designs begin to take shape, the novel takes an unexpected turn with a distressing event involving her best friend, Macie, which tests their friendship and causes Nathaniel to pull away. The author skillfully builds tension as Scarlett faces not only personal setbacks but also external challenges, including a rival intent on tarnishing her reputation.
What sets "Unraveled Dreams" apart is its portrayal of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Scarlett's unwavering spirit and newfound sewing skills serve as a testament to the power of pursuing one's dreams, even when faced with obstacles. The novel's engaging plot and well-developed characters kept me invested from start to finish, rooting for Scarlett every step of the way.
The only reason I am giving this book a 3 stars is because at times it felt so juvenile.
This was such a fun YA contemporary romance. I loved Scarlett’s character and her growth throughout the book. I would definitely recommend for fans of theater or fashion design.
If you’re looking to relive your middle school love life, this is a good book. It has the most important plot line, the monologue of a thirteen year old.
I felt like I was reading the inner monologue of a 13 year old. This was not a fun experience. This reminds me of why I generally dont gravitate much towards YA romance.
This was a super cute book, definitely meant for the you get YA readers.
Scarlett was an interesting FMC, I appreciated that she had someone teach her to sew as opposed to going onto YouTube or another external source. L.
Overall it was a sweet book and I would read a sequel if one is to be released.
Your Dream For Me by Alison Schaffir is a delightful journey into the world of Scarlett, a seventeen-year-old with dreams that extend beyond the spotlight her theatrically gifted parents bask in. Schaffir weaves a compelling narrative as Scarlett, aspiring to be a renowned fashion designer, navigates the challenges of merging her passion for fashion with the allure of the theater.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Scarlett encounters Nathaniel Wilder, a talented theater student who sparks a new interest in her life. The blend of Scarlett's fashion aspirations and the theatrical setting creates a unique backdrop for the narrative. The author skillfully captures Scarlett's determination to learn sewing, even if she has no prior experience, in her pursuit of creating a 50s-inspired dress for her best friend, Macie.
The character development in Your Dream For Me is commendable. Scarlett's journey from a fashion enthusiast with no sewing skills to a determined individual facing life's unexpected twists is both relatable and inspiring. Nathaniel's role in encouraging Scarlett adds depth to the storyline, making their dynamic an engaging element throughout the book.
However, the narrative takes a poignant turn with a distressing event involving Scarlett's best friend, Macie, leading to a strained friendship and unexpected distance from Nathaniel. The emotional rollercoaster that follows, combined with the threat of a rival tarnishing Scarlett's reputation, keeps readers invested in the characters' struggles and triumphs.
Schaffir's storytelling skill shines in capturing the intricacies of Scarlett's world, highlighting the challenges she faces in pursuing her dreams while navigating complex relationships. The fusion of fashion and theater, two seemingly disparate worlds, creates a refreshing and dynamic backdrop for the plot.
While the book's pacing is generally well-maintained, there are moments when the storyline feels slightly predictable. Additionally, some characters could have been further developed to enhance the overall depth of the narrative.
In conclusion, Your Dream For Me is a charming read that beautifully combines the dreams of a young fashion enthusiast with the drama of unexpected events. Alison Schaffir's ability to intertwine Scarlett's passion for fashion with the challenges of adolescence makes for an engaging and relatable story. Despite a few predictable moments, the book is a commendable exploration of dreams, determination, and the resilience needed to overcome life's hurdles.
Your Dream For Me follows Scarlett, a high school junior who dreams of being a fashion designer. When she sneaks back stage at her school theatre, to look at the costumes, she runs into Nathaniel, a new boy at her school who might just change Scarlett's year for the better.
The only reason I finished Your Dream For Me because I had it as an ARC. While it had some redeeming factors, overall, this book disappointed me. For a book that deals with a very important topic, the writing felt very shallow and juvenile. It felt like I was reading about a 13 year old, not a 17 year old. So much of the story felt way too good to be true, but then the author hit me with a "realistic" ending (AKA: no HEA) which came seemingly out of nowhere after so many pages of everything falling into place so easily.
While I'm always glad to cut some years off my age, this book is definitely more suitable for readers under the age of 13; as a 20+ reading this, I cringed so hard that my toes were cramping.
What I disliked most about this book was that the character's every action/movement was explicitly written out and it lengthens the book unnecessarily.
Your Dream For Me serves both the magic and realness of high school. Scarlett, an aspiring fashion designer, is also working part-time, hanging out with friends, volunteering for the theater department, learning to sew, and maybe catch some feelings for the new lead actor in the school's play.
Sound like a lot? It is, but its normal. Scarlett doing everything and feeling everything is real life. This is what made Your Dream For Me enjoyable to read. I know Scarlett, heck, I was Scarlett. And I definitely know her bff Macie.
This was reminiscent of Ai Yazawa's manga, Paradise Kiss. ParaKiss is definitely Explicit / Adult rated, so check the CWs before you read.
Speaking of, as they were omitted here and not readily found on the publisher's website, a content warning should be noted for sexual assault.