I absolutely loved this book! This series is amazing and I hope there is more to come! I loved finally getting to hear from Henry!

Daydream was a wonderful book that portrayed neurodivergent people and their issues in relationships in a grounded realistic manner. A lot of times when written about people with neurodivergent traits tend to not experience the fallout that would come with their struggles. I find that Hannah Grace found a way of bringing in this struggle or “darkness” to really make the support Henry receives that much greater or brighter. I this book was a delightful read that I could not put down. Grace handled Halle’s sexual fears with such care. I really felt her become comfortable with her own sexuality instead of snapping into being hyper sexual as most characters in this trope do. The book is very character driven which is incredible. Women who felt pressured into being what others wanted from them be warned! This book will not only make you feel seen, but hopeful for a better future.

This book was different from it’s predecessors, Icebreaker and Wildfire, in both pace and the relationship between the characters. The plot and the build up between the two protagonists' relationship was significantly slower. However, it was still impossible to put down. Both Henry and Halle had depth to their character development. Halle, an academic book worm type, is much different from the typical female lead seen in most contemporary romance novels. She is slow to romantic relationships and far more timid. This book is a great third edition to the Maple Hills series but could also function as a stand alone. The only reason I gave this book four instead of five starts was the last 20%. The entire story is a slow and takes its time. However, the end felt rushed and as if it was trying to meet a deadline.

This was a sweet story that was drowning a bit under some padding that ultimately felt unnecessary. I might have enjoyed this if it was a third shorter because I did like the characters and their draw to each other.

thank you so much to netgalley and atria books for letting me read an ARC of daydream in exchange for an honest review!

if cute romances are illegal lock this book up for LIFE. hen & halle are unironically relationship goals and i would die for hen.

i found the struggles of both characters to be pretty relatable and enjoyed the fun banter they had between them (anyone who knows me knows i am a huge sucker for fun banter and i will not apologize). i think this might be the first ever friends to lovers book i’ve read and it was diabolically adorable.

that said, it felt like it took a while for the main story arc to progress and then it was all resolved super quickly in the last like 20% or so which made the book both feel too long and too short at the same time (too long because so much was build up, and too short because the resolution & aftermath happened so fast comparatively).

i want to add that i went into this one without having read any of the previous maple hills books and although the story itself was standalone it did get a little overwhelming at times with the friend group and i think i missed out on some of the fun by not having read their friendships prior to this book. i absolutely will be going back at some point to read icebreaker & wildfire

I've read all of Hannah Grace's and this one did not disappoint! I had such a fun time following around Halle and Henry in this book and I could relate so much to Henry as well! I'm happy with the ending and I can't wait to read more from Maple Hills! Thank you Netgalley for the early access.

This was such a fun read and also had some nice depth. I loved Hallie she’s one of my favorite FMC in a romance novel in a long time! I thought the main characters had great chemistry and the story was interesting - it felt really relatable. Will for sure recommend and will be adding to our library.

This book was a warm hug to eldest daughters; specifically to eldest daughters who have struggled with body image issues. Extra specifically to eldest daughters who love to read, whose favorite color is purple, who prides themselves being a Swiftie. (Basically I feel extremely and utterly seen.) Halle is my soul character. Henry is one of the most lovable and thoughtful characters I've read. Their story was never not interesting and constantly felt real. Halle is so deserving of love and friendship and I'm so glad that Henry is able to give her everything she deserves and more. The characters in this story are magnetic and feel like home. I love being in Maple Hills, I love every one of these characters (except for Will) and I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on this book in physical form so I can re-read this masterpiece.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this early.

And a thank you to Hannah Grace for the Taylor references that were subtle to non Swiftie trained eyes but everything to a Swiftie like me. I should also note that the day I finished this, the folklore cardigan is on sale again and the main reason I'm getting it is to match with Halle. No joke. It felt like a sign. An invisible string if you will.

This book was genuinely so amazing. Healthy relationships and boundaries, pointing out where they aren't healthy, all showing growth. Plus it was just adorable. Henry was so cute and deserved his story and I am so, so glad that he found love with Halle. I loved the scene where they created their "art."

I was soooo hyped for this and it just never clicked and I’m so sad about it.

First what I liked: Halle. Halle was super relatable as the eldest daughter keeping everything together and falling apart while doing it. I really liked her and felt like she was very real. I wish she would’ve changed more throughout the book since she really didn’t develop much but oh well.

Then what I didn’t love: The book tries very hard to hit every possible issue it could and it just felt kinda scattered? Like the characters randomly lectured eachother on the history of black womens plight in healthcare or how her neighbor borrows her cat so her granddaughter with autism can be calmed.

To the romance: Henry didn’t grovel nearly enough and really didn’t deserve Halle for everything she did for him. For a man to claim he’s in love with her he missed Valentine’s Day?? And Halle’s whole plot line is that she feels forgotten and doesn’t want to be a burden. And he still did that?? Compared to icebreaker this was tame too. Much less spice.

It seemed like a good wrap up book for the other couples from icebreaker and wildfire but it drug on for this couple for sure.

Lastly the writing leaves something to be desired. I highlighted so many of these lines but what.
“Is the oxygen oxygening more today?”

A chance encounter at a bookclub turns into an unanticipated friendship when Halle and Henry meet. Halle finds herself friendless after she splits from her boyfriend and his friend group; she is looking for new experiences to help her write a novel for a contest. Henry is struggling with competing priorities and people's expectations. Halle helps him quiet his brain and supports his educational goals. A friendship grows into something more as the two figure out how to fit in one another's lives.

This was a lovely rom-com filled with well-developed characters. I appreciated the level of kindness and understanding attributed to the neurodivergent characters. There is so much heart in this book.

I love my annual trip to Maple Hills. Hannah Grace has built a world that feels real and like someplace I genuinely want to visit and meet all my friends.

Henry and Halle were so cute and loveable. Halle is for the mirrorball girlies and this book is for the Swifties without being obnoxious about it.

I generally don’t want a romance book to exceed 350 pages, but I was so immersed in this story that I didn’t mind the extra length. I did enjoy the second half of the book more than the first half.

I did at times feel the amount of characters was overwhelming. I felt I was expected to remember someone that was mentioned in Icebreaker, which I read a while ago. If I read all three books in succession, I am sure it would be a delightful little callback. But with the time between books, I felt like I needed a little more explanation who some people were.

4.5/5

Henry was my favorite character in the first two books so I was excited to get to know him more. I really enjoyed the adhd representation and felt the author was spot on in describing how adults with adhd can get overwhelmed easily.

4 stars; I really enjoyed the Halle and Henry's story. As an oldest daughter with ADHD I related well to both characters. I understood Halle's need to people please as well as Henry's procrastination and extreme dislike of reading anything that he didn't want to. I think readers will enjoy this look into their story. The amount of characters was a tad overwhelming. I kept getting everyone confused - Anastasia, Aurora, Poppie, Emilia, Russ, Robbie, etc. And I've read both of the other books in the series. I feel like the book almost needs an index of characters at the beginning to help keep everyone straight.

Spice: 4 🌶️
Rating: 3 ⭐️

This was ....fine. I loved Wildfire and Icebreaker was good too but this one was very baseline. I still really loved Henry and Halle's story, and I'm so glad we got a glimpse into Henry's mind (more on this in a sec) but that was kinda it. It was aggressively predictable, and while that's a part of why we love romance it was to the point where you could even predict the next line of writing, not just plot points.

The biggest thing that I have to give the author props for is not using Henry's neuro-divergence as the premise of the story. I love that his book was still super ambiguous to what exactly his thing may be. Were there clear signs of him in one neuro-divergent tree? Absolutely. But the book was about HENRY and not his quirks or a potential diagnosis. And I really loved that Halle would pick up on that and not need an explanation or reason, she just loved him as he was. I think these days people are so hyper-focused on labels for everything, but having Henry remain undiagnosed on paper was really refreshing.

Am I obsessed with the Maple Hills series? No, but that's fine. If another book comes out am I going to read the next one? Probably, yeah! These are super quick and sweet, sometimes spicy, books. Even though this one fell a little flat for me, it was still good over all.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Get ready for your next massive book hangover, because OMG this book was EVERYTHING! This is the romance I needed in my college days. I related to both Halle and Henry so much. Halle is a chronic people-pleaser who constantly puts everyone else's needs above hers. Henry is very aware his brain doesn't run the same way the rest of his friends do and struggles to figure out how to cope with that and how to get his needs met. Both of those are me to a T!

Halle and Henry are some of the most likable and relatable characters I've read this year. They are both well-rounded, unstereotypical and so freaking sweet. I loved that Henry doesn't have a diagnosis of his differences. he runs differently and people accept that. We don't need a diagnosis to treat people respectfully; this story shows that so well. This story is also a great example of how a friend group should react when their friends are struggling or are different than the status quo. There is no judgment when Halle confesses she's a virgin. There is no drama when Henry pulls away to process his feelings.

While they consider this a fake dating romance it didn't read as fake dating on the page. Sure she is helping him with school and he is helping her gain classic college experiences, it never felt fake or forced. More like friends helping each other out. Also, this book is a thick read. I am a firm believer a romance doesn't need to be more than 350-400 pages max, but this didn't feel too long. Everything felt important to the plot. I also had that familiar pull of wanting the story to go on forever, but needing to know how it ends ASAP. I could go on and on about this book but at the end of the day all you need to take away is that you should pick this book up ASAP!

Read if you like Neurodivergent representation, friends to lovers, and fake dating new adult romances. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 8/27

This is the only Maple Hill series book I have read. I think it was sweet and a fun rom-com book. I will consider reading the first two books.

Thank you, Hannah Grace & Netgalley for the e-arc. This review is being made voluntarily & all opinions are my own.

WOW. Henry was worth the wait 🥹

Look, I'm not gonna lie, I was a little nervous I wouldn't like this book, as some of the main tropes is that she is a virgin, and he is her "educator" (giving her the experiences she hasn't had).

However, this book was done so beautifully. Henry stayed true to himself, Halle was as sweet as could be, it just worked. I love these two together so much, and will ride or die for them. I always knew if a character would top Nathan for me, it'd be Henry 😭 The found family in this series is just one of my favorites of all time, and I am so obsessed. I am so happy we didn't have to wait too long for his book, however so sad it's over, and that we won't get him anymore (past being a side character).

You'd enjoy this book if you like:
- College Romance
- Virgin FMC
- Experienced MMC
- Friends to lovers
- Slowburn (seriously, lol)

I haven't yet read one of her popular books titled "Icebreaker," but I was drawn to this one because I really like her writing style. Her engaging and vivid storytelling made me stick to reading this book from start to finish. It was such a fun read, and I enjoyed every aspect of it.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, which made their journeys all the more captivating. The plot was compelling and kept me hooked, with twists and turns that were both surprising and satisfying. The humor and wit interspersed throughout the story added a delightful touch, making the reading experience even more enjoyable.

I decided to read this book primarily because of the author, and I was not disappointed. Her ability to weave a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking is exceptional. This book has certainly cemented her place as one of my favorite authors. This was an outstanding read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a well-written and enjoyable book. Whether you're new to this author or a long-time fan, this book is sure to impress.

I could write a novel about this novel…
No really I could
It’s such an honor to receive this book as an ARC and am genuinely excited to see this hit the shelves in August!
The storyline was so profound and touching I think this book will do a lot of good being in the world. I hope many couples can learn from the give and take of Halle and Henry and I find it so unique the perspective we are given with their story.
From Halle’s first girl , keeper of it all , people pleasing tendencies to Henry’s flight or fight and crisis retreat it’s a story that I’ve never seen done in my time reading.
I love Hannah Grace and continue to applause the unique perspectives she provides and can’t wait to see more of the Maple Hills Hockey team in her next novel 🏒⛸️🥅