If you are a fan of small-town mysteries, I could see you enjoying this one.

However, for me, it felt almost lacking. I don't know that the characters always felt fully developed throughout the story. It also was a very slow-paced book as well. While there is nothing wrong with that, I felt myself nearly losing interest as I think I just wanted a little more intensity.

All in all, I think there are definitely readers who I could see really enjoying it.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for selecting me for this ARC.

Acting as a book reviewer please help me write a positive, conversational, intellegent review for the book I Dreamed of Falling by Julia Dahl. Please include one specific example from the book.
Certainly! Here’s a review for "I Dreamed of Falling" by Julia Dahl:

I Dreamed of Falling by Julia Dahl is a mesmerizing blend of mystery, family drama, and poignant self-discovery. Dahl’s narrative weaves a tapestry that is both intricate and deeply moving, making this novel a compelling read from start to finish.

One particularly captivating moment in the book is when the protagonist, Leah, uncovers a long-hidden letter in her grandmother’s attic. This scene is not only crucial to the unfolding mystery but also showcases Dahl’s ability to evoke powerful emotions through her prose. The letter, filled with heart-wrenching secrets and revelations, serves as a turning point in Leah’s journey of self-discovery and familial reconciliation. The raw emotion and vivid detail in this scene draw the reader in, making them feel as though they are right there with Leah, experiencing her shock and vulnerability.

Throughout the novel, Dahl excels at creating multi-dimensional characters whose lives and struggles feel achingly real. Leah’s transformation from a woman burdened by her family’s past to someone who embraces her own identity is both inspiring and relatable. The author’s skillful intertwining of past and present narratives adds depth and richness to the story, keeping the reader engaged and invested.

This book is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexities of family, memory, and personal growth. Julia Dahl has delivered a story that is not only captivating but also profoundly human, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Overall this was ok. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing, it was just so-so, it really read like a debut author. The characters were so deeply flawed it felt almost unrealistic/unbelievable. The story was intriguing, and I wanted to know what happened but I wasn’t as fully invested in the characters as I would’ve liked to be.

The use of “mister” is infuriating to me and I don’t know why… it came off forced and awkward, and didn’t really get explained so it was just kinda thrown in there. Speaking of thrown out things, the jabs at “trumpers” was unnecessary and forced as well - they didn’t add to the story and feel petty.

“I Dreamed of Falling” is the story of Roman Grady, the only reporter for a small-town newspaper in New York’s Hudson Valley. The mother of his child and longtime girlfriend is found dead, and Roman sets out to solve the mystery.

I think anyone who likes small-town mysteries would enjoy this one, but it’s an especially niche banger for anyone who’s worked at a small-town newspaper (and there are a few of you here). I was really impressed with the accuracy at which Dahl wrote of the news business* — and then I learned she is a former reporter and current journalism professor at NYU.

(*not my current role but I have worked at some papers just like Roman’s, many years ago!

Beyond journalism, I also thought Dahl captured small-town desperation and drug abuse really well.

I flew through “I Dreamed of Falling” and I cannot wait to read the rest of Dahl’s books!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. As much about dealing with grief as it is about solving a murder. Make sure you are ready to read about covid.

I liked this one - But didn’t love it. This one kicks off with the death of a young mother, Ashley, who leaves behind her boyfriend Roman and four-year old son. The main character talks about COVID sooo much in this book that it feels like a theme. And I get it to some extent - it was such (and still is) a massive part of our lives and impacted so many, but it took away from the plot a bit. For me this one felt very character driven as we delved into the mind of Roman after the death of Ashley, which I appreciated, but I also want the action and to uncover the clues of the murder a bit quicker.

If you’re looking for a mystery that is character-driven and brings you into the mind of someone grieving, too, this one is for you!

When Roman's partner Ashley is found dead, his reporter instincts tell him something is not right about her death. Told in multiple POVs, including Ashley's leading up to her death, the reader slowly uncovers the truth along with the characters. The ending is a surprise enough that I questioned if I missed something along the way. I like the author's writing style and will definitely read more from her.

I had high hopes for this book and while I think the idea was great and could make for an amazing thriller, I really really am turned of by pandemic/covid topics so that kind of turned me off.

I dreamed of falling is definitely a page turner. It took a minute for me to get into it but made up for it with the ending!

I really enjoyed The Missing Hours, so I was excited to pick up I Dreamed of Falling, and unfortunately this ended up being on the mediocre side for me. I found the pacing to be on the slow side which isn’t usually an issue, but I felt like I was drowning in the mundane aspects of Roman and Tara’s lives. I also found it hard to keep track of all the various characters for some reason, and I wish this story had been told fully from Roman’s perspective with a side of Ashley. There is also a LOT of talk about Covid which I wasn’t really into either. The whodunnit of the mystery really surprised me though and I bet the reasoning and person will be shocking to a lot of readers.

I listened to the audiobook which helped keep me going, and I would probably recommend listening to this as opposed to reading it. Jennifer Blom & Shahjehan Khan were easy to listen to and engaged me more with the characters as well which was very helpful. Not going to lie, I Dreamed of Falling is also a very sad story with family at its heart, and it is going to be something you will have to be in the mood for before you start. I would also highly recommend checking triggers before going in! Read this if you like books with excellent emotional depth, family drama, and lots of subplots.

This was just “meh” for me. It had such great promise but failed in the execution. The writing felt clunky and the plot didn’t flow as nicely as it could have. It started off with a bang and I was invested from the beginning. However, it lost steam and I struggled to finish it. I really wanted to like it but unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me.

Long and drawn out. Not much depth to this story. A lot of talk about the pandemic and hints of political opinions, which I don't care for. This had the potential to be a good thriller but fell flat for me.

Dahl is an author I have enjoyed since her first novel. This thriller did not disappoint. I think it is the best one yet. I loved the plot and it kept me engaged from beginning to end. I rated this 4.5 stars (but I can't add the half star here, bummer). Looking forward to her next book!

Julia Dahl's "I Dreamed of Falling" presents a narrative that, while rich in emotional depth, unfolds at a pace that may not resonate with all readers.
One aspect that detracted from my enjoyment was the frequent references to COVID-19 and the pandemic. In a time when many readers are seeking an escape from the realities of the world, the constant reminders of the pandemic felt intrusive and unwelcome. It’s understandable that the pandemic has shaped many narratives in contemporary literature, but for readers like myself, who wish to avoid this topic, it became a source of discomfort.
Despite these critiques, Dahl's writing is evocative, and her characters are well-developed, making the emotional stakes feel real and relatable.
Thank you for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I appreciated the writing in this novel but I found this one hard to read. I didn't like the characters and this book kept leaving me feeling down.
I ultimately did not finish due to not enjoying the characters and the general feel and mood of the book (depressing) that kept rubbing off on me.

The death of a young mother triggers, an avalanche of secrets in a small Hudson Valley town .

A town so small that every store opening and DUI is considered newsworthy.

Roman Grady is a sole reporter for the local newspaper and when his longtime girlfriend Ashley has found dead he realizes he had no idea what was really going on in her life .

And when he starts asking questions, he’s not prepared for the answers .

This was a great interesting mystery. I really enjoyed this. I will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to Julia Dahl, Minotaur books and NetGalley for the advance reading copy

This book was published September 17, 2024 and is available now .

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of I Dreamed of Falling by Julia Dahl. It’s a mystery but also a complicated family story. Ashley and Roman are young parents, and they live with Roman’s mother Tara and her boyfriend in the small New York town where they both grew up. Tara is a very involved and helpful grandmother, sometimes too much so. When Ashley is found dead near a river, the story explores what happened before and after her death, and we try to figure out what happened. There were issues with drugs, as well as corrupt real estate practices. I was pleasantly surprised by this story, had no expectations but I liked it. Did not guess the killer until the author started giving clues. #idreamedoffalling #juliadahl #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #lovetoread #readersofinstagram

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This was a generically good mystery, but man it was depressing. It had some good twists, and the characters were believable and relatable.

DNF @ 25%

I really hate DNF’ing a book, but I don’t think there was a single second of this book so far where the characters didn’t annoy me. Like don’t get me wrong, I know they were going through a hard time, but Roman and Tara were so annoying.

This Hudson Valley town has just had a death. Roman, is broken hearted. The love of his life and mother of his child, Ashley is laying down an embankment in the rain. Roman is the small newspaper's only reporter and he must try and find out what happened. Ashley had lots of complicated relationships. Her time with Roman is just part of a puzzle that needs to be solved. A young child's future and what he knows and thinks of his mother is at stake as well as Roman's heart. Interesting plot with a slow start. Overall a good read.