Daydream by Hannah Grace is the highly anticipated third book in the Maple Hills series. As a fan of the previous books in this series, Wildfire and Icebreaker, I was very excited to pick up Daydream and learn more about our couple Henry and Halle. Henry and Halle end up fake dating after getting to know each other through Halle tutoring Henry and their connection is very tender and sweet! This felt like tonal shift from the previous books in this series to something a little more emotional/deep.

What I personally found lacking in Daydream was a real plot to keep the book moving along. As a book lover myself, I loved seeing Halle come into herself as a book lover/aspiring author but I don't feel like that in combination with the fake dating made the book feel engaging enough. I really struggled with the back and forth of scene transitions, whenever I would get invested in a scene, I felt like it was cut over to the next day/scene and often times those scenes felt repetitive. I think perhaps Daydream was a little too long and some of the redundant scenes being cut out would have kept my interest more. I also wasn't a huge fan of the 3rd act break up, it felt a little out of place and I think it could've been resolved in a more thoughtful, profound way.

I did love how Henry treated Halle and I think their connection felt very believable, I just wish I felt a little more invested. Not my favorite, but I would recommend and I am excited to see what Hannah Grace offers next!

HENRYYYYYYY. This book was fantastic and definitely my favorite in the series so far. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting for this book but Henry and Halle’s love surprised me in the best way. They are so soft and fierce and I love them so much

This book is pretty similar to the first two in the series. I was able to get the audio along with the e-book, so that made it pretty quick to get though. I didn't find Halle and Henry to be all that exciting, but they were fine. I think "fine" is the running theme for me in this series. Entertaining enough but not exactly good...

3⭐

I enjoyed the writing and the development of the characters. The setting felt real and well thought out.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending this to me. I really appreciated the book and getting to read about Henry and Halle. Hannah graces books are always enjoyable to read but the plot of the romance part of this story felt off sometimes. I loved the character development and it was an enjoyable read overall. Definitely going to make sure my library orders this .

While reading, I had been thinking that this book was a 3-star read for me. Then, I really enjoyed the last 50 or so pages enough to bump it up to 4 stars. I did really like the characters, and I felt that Halle was very relatable to me. But, I feel that the dialogue in this book, as well as in the other books in this anthology series, is too perfect. It seems impossible to imagine these characters actually having what I feel to be the perfect and emotionally mature and intelligent, well thought out, and polished conversations that they have. While their motivations and feelings are relatable they just don't seem real, or that they could be real. I was a little bored in the middle and I feel that it took Halle slightly too long to stop being repetitive in her actions. But, I really enjoyed her standing up to Will in the end. I enjoyed the gifts that Henry and Halle give each other throughout, they are very thoughtful and romantic, and I thought that the painting scene was really good.

Reading Daydream was like being in my own little daydream ☁️☁️☁️

Henry was 10/10 love, so sweet, a gentleman, a green flag, where can I find him, a self aware king when he was in the wrong, would read for him again.

Halle, very cute and sweet.

We love the Taylor references 🍁🍂 and the cover was so perfect. It seems that even though this book is not as spicy, Hannah Graces actual writing has gotten much more appealing to myself as a reader. There is more depth to characters in my opinion.

We love a fake dating trope. We love a tutoring trope honestly—hello Hannah and Garrett

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC copy that I very much enjoyed over the summer❤️

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A review by you!
Daydream by Hannah Grace

adventurous emotional
4.0

Oh, where do I even begin with "Daydream"? This book has completely stolen my heart, and I'm not sure I want it back! Hannah Grace has crafted a story that's like a warm hug on a chilly day – comforting, sweet, and leaving you with a lingering sense of contentment.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the humor in this book? Grace has a knack for blending emotional depth with genuinely funny moments. I found myself chuckling out loud one minute and reaching for tissues the next. It's this balance that makes "Daydream" such a joy to read.

Now, I will say that if you're looking for non-stop tension and drama, this might not be the book for you. The conflict here is more internal, with both Halle and Henry working through their own issues. Their romance is a steady, comforting presence rather than a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
Personally, I found this refreshing, but I can see how some readers might crave more external conflict.

In the end, "Daydream" is a book about growth, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love – both romantic and platonic. It's about finding your place in the world and the people who make you feel at home. Hannah Grace has created a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I can't recommend it enough.

So, if you're in the mood for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love and friendship, pick up "Daydream". Just be prepared to have your heart completely stolen by Halle and Henry. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Thank you @prhinternacional for the ARC

Halle and Henry team up to face their challenges in this "brainiac girl" x "jock with other priorities" novel. I really loved the authors prior work, but this one didn't hit quite the same. I wish we saw some more development within Halle. I really appreciated hearing her backstory and all she overcame. However, as a reader it was tough to see her not be able to communicate throughout the whole plot. Henry and the other characters really made me enjoy the read. Overall, I am excited to continue to read Hannah's future work, but I would love to see some future strong FMC!

Enjoyed this book! Hannah Grace does it again with another rom-com hit. If you haven't read the cover don't let the cover fool you. The same spice you loved in Icebreaker. Put this series on your TBR today.

Daydream was the perfect continuation of the Maple Hills series. Hannah works hard to give detail to characters so it feels like you really know them and you’re cheering for them to win in the end. Such a cute book and a must-read in my opinion, but read this series in order so you get more out of the previous main characters in the other books.

EVERY NEW MAPLE HILLS BOOK IS MY FAVORITE MAPLE HILLS BOOK.
But I really mean it this time.
And I wasn't even into Henry, I'm still Team Russ!

However, Maple Hills remains a book series that is cozy, real, serious, smart, and spicy all wrapped up in one burrito of joy. It is truly one of my favorite worlds to fall into and I love this group of characters so much. The explorations of friendships and the depth of platonic connections is central to this story, in parts the romance between the leads almost feels like a subplot. This is a strangers to best friends to lovers story and you will kick your feet and giggle.

You might also gasp out loud and shake your fist because the villains be villing in this. There are lower case villains who change, and an uppercase Villain who needs a kick in the berries.

Henry is so much more chaotic inside, and I also respect his desire to balance responsibility with communicating his needs. Because that's been his experience, it makes him a perfect friend to Halle, who needs to learn to set boundaries and communicate her needs. The way they understand and empower each other is precious.

This has one of the more unique endings I've read in awhile in terms of how the emotional resolution comes to be, but it is complete with declarations and grand gestures, and doing what feels true to the characters and not just to a love story.

It also further affirms my theory that this is actually the Ryan Rathwell Good Luck Chuck Universe in that all you have to do is interact with him and you find true love.

Is this perfect? Yeah, this might be perfect.

What an amazing book! I loved getting to know these characters and see how much her writing style has improved. I flew through this book and can not wait for the next one.

Every time Hannah Grace puts out a new book, the cover and premise draws me in, and I think, 'This is it. This is the one I will like.' And then it isn't. Something about the relationships in her stories feel... off. I appreciate so the eARCs so much, but this will be the last request, at least of this series.

"I haven’t tried to charm you, Halle.”
"What would you do? If you wanted to charm me?”
"I tell you how fucking beautiful you are. That when you laugh, I want to listen to it forever. I tell you that when I daydream, I think of us. And all the things I want us to do. And all the things I want to do to you.”

This was such a sweet romance read! I don’t know why but every single time I pick up a book from the series I completely forget what the previous book was about or any of the characters names. Why am I like this? Anyways, I have always been in love with Henry and wanting to read his story! I loved how he and Halle became friends. That their relationship slowly progressed and slowly turned into something more. Their trust grew stronger and I liked how Henry showed Halle that he would never hurt her. The pacing can be slow at times, but the build up with all those forehead, kisses to actual kisses to more was everything! I loved how domestic the two of them became! The ending was really sweet and I hope we get more of these characters in the future.

Read if you like:
Dual POVs
College romance
Friends to lovers
Virgin heroine
Swoony hero
Fake dating
Private tutor
Open door romance
Slow burn

"Daydream" by Hannah Grace is an enchanting read that truly captures the essence of character chemistry and personal growth. From the very first page, I was drawn into the dynamic relationship between the protagonists, whose undeniable chemistry sizzles off the page. Grace has a talent for creating characters that feel real and relatable, and their interactions are both heartwarming and deeply engaging.

What I loved most about "Daydream" was the journey of personal growth that each character undergoes. It's not just a love story; it's about self-discovery, overcoming insecurities, and learning to embrace one's true self. The way the characters evolve individually and together adds a layer of depth that makes their relationship even more compelling.

Grace's writing style is smooth and captivating, making it easy to get lost in the story. The balance between romantic tension and personal development is spot-on, leaving me rooting for the characters both as a couple and as individuals. If you're looking for a feel-good read with well-crafted characters and a narrative that beautifully intertwines love and self-growth, "Daydream" is definitely worth picking up.

I feel conflicted on this one. For one, Halle and Henry are adorable together. I enjoy their friendship and dynamic and how it naturally progressed into a relationship. They definitely have a strong understanding of one another that no one else does. Henry is so kind, gentle, patient, and selfless. Halle is compassionate, selfless to a fault, and driven.

But I feel like something was missing. There was no passion or sparks. The entire plot felt very "low stakes" and lacked drama. There was a lot of room for improvement. They both definitely need to be in therapy for their own reasons. While they can communicate well with each other, there is no good communication between them and everyone else.

I was really looking forward to this book and ended up being disappointed and bored, just like with Wildfire. It was much too long, and a lot of the content could have been edited more.

But I will rate it higher than Wildfire because there were pieces I enjoyed more.

3.25☆

Tags:
-opposites attract
-jock/tutor
-hockey romance
-virgin FMC
-MMC on the spectrum

Spice: 1.5/5

First person/Dual POV

Definitely my favorite of the series! Who doesn’t love a bookish girl and a hockey player?!?! I just love Henry!

This book was frustrating for a lot of reasons, but the most frustrating part was that I LOVED so much of it but the things I loved started to get on my nerves towards the end. This book is so loaded down with green flags it was almost too much. I feel like I needed a little bit of tension and there was none at all.

Henry was the kind of MC we all wanted him to be. He was so damn cute! His personality is so quirky and addictive and I couldn’t get enough of him. Halle was sweet too but at times she got on my nerves. And her coupled with the overwhelming sweetness and lack of tension brought the book down a star for me.

I really loved most of this though. If you’re looking for something totally sweet and not too spicy (this is less spicy than the other two in the series), something to read easily and not get worked up over then this is your book.

And let’s hear it for some amazing disability representation in this book! This is always a breath of fresh air when done right.

My favorite out of the Maple Hills series. Hallie and Henry are lovable from the start, and you can't help but root for them. Of course, we've been rooting for Henry for two whole books, so it was great to finally get his story! Hannah Grace is a master of cozy college romance with killer spicy scenes that's like eating candy with sour liquid centers. The cover is also just so adorable.