I would like to thank NetGalley and IDW Publishing & Top Shelf Productions for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 out of 5 stars.

This was one of the cutest graphic novels I have read in a while!

'Dreamover' by Dani Diaz is a young adult / teen graphic novel about friendship and starting new relationships without spoiling those friendships. Without giving anything away: Amber and Nico have always been best friends, but what happens when they decide to take the next step? What happens to their other friends and even each other? Do things change? Do they have to change?

Follow this new couple through what seems to them to be their dream relationship... Or is it?

Fantastic, sweet novel that teaches us about what could be and what is.

Highly recommend this novel.

Thanks to IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley for providing a free digital ACR of the book

I liked the overall story of this book. But I did feel like it got a little confusing in the middle.
The art style also wasn't for me, it felt a little basic to me.

This was a cute, young read that I believe any tween / early teen reader would enjoy about two friends in a long-established group of friends falling in young love. Throughout the story, we see them struggle with the pull toward each other and away from their other friends. Will they be able to navigate the challenges of freshman year and a tricky new relationship among lifelong friends?

The book really picks up around 48% and I was entranced by the illustrations and colors within the second half of the book during the dream series. Super cool surrealism vibes with fun vivid colors. I love colorful graphic novels so this won points here.

If I were a teen today, I think I would have really fallen in love with this book. As it is, I still deeply enjoyed reading it. The characters feel real. p situations are relatable. The first blush of tween friendship turning into love felt honest. The shared dream was well done. The artwork made the story even more enjoyable. All in all, it was a wonderful read.

(3.5) It's the beginning of summer vacation and before the start of high school. Amber, Nico, and their friends have a strong friend group, but when Amber and Nico confess their feelings for one another, they notice a new distance between them and their friends. First love has the young couple oblivious to those around them and it takes a shared dream for them to realize their part in the rift. Their dream also provides a sounding board for their relationship. High school has made the already shy Nico even quieter, making him wonder why someone as upbeat as Amber would be interested aside from the fact they grew up together.

This was a sweet story accompanied by nice illustrations, especially during the dream sequence. I do wish there had been a deeper look at especially Nico's character in particular as there is a lot of vagueness around him. We don't see too much of Amber and Nico's connection until the dream. That said, this might not be as big of an issue for the younger readers this book is geared toward.

Thanks to IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley for providing a free digital ACR of the book!

2.75, not bad, was fun but it wasn't my cup of tea I thought ut woukd be more magical realism and while it did have a little of that vibe at some point it fekt a little pointless, but it wasn't bad.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just okay. It didn't feel like like it had a lot to say, and even though the book goes into a shared dream sequence I found myself bored. Which is wild considering how interesting a concept that could be in a graphic novel.

It's pretty low stakes, and I could see the getting picked up in the kid's section at the library.

Unfortunately, I think that this story could have been more than it was.

While I enjoyed it overall, the pacing was uneven and it causes the message to get lost. It focuses to much on build up and the final resolution between the friend group feels rushed. It also took me a fair bit into the novel to get used to the art style, which is neither here nor there in terms of reviewing.

The fact that it seems like less than 50% of the book actually has to do with the "dreamover" puts me off from wanting to recommend it. 2.5/5 Stars

Thanks to NetGalley, Top Shelf Productions and IDW Publishing for this eArc.

3.5 stars

A lovely middle grade graphic novel that walks the line between slice of life and magic realism. The Dreamover explores first love, young friendships and growing up.

It follows Amber and Nico, and their friend group, as they prepare to start high school together. A new school is not the only change in their lives, after years of friendship and months crushing on each other, Amber and Nico are finally dating. They are happy and excited, but first love has its own challenges too.

The artwork is lovely. When the story turns from contemporary to magic realism, the illustrations of the dream landscapes and adventures are beautiful to see. The art style fits perfectly in this coming of age story.

It was a very sweet read. If you like middle grade stories, give this one a try.

A relatable middle-grade (suitable for teens/younger YA audience too) read about life as it is. The artwork could have made more of an impact had it been more thoughtful at times, but it’s all good – it goes well with the text and the story is good.

2.5 stars - This was just ok. I didn’t love the art style for the majority of the book, but that’s just personal preference. I really liked the art during the dreamscapes, though. I didn’t really understand the point and it didn’t feel like a realistic depiction of middle school dating/romance. I did enjoy a lot of the dialogue.

Two best friends become more than friends, have a sleepover, can't wake up from their joint dream - but do they want to?

I honestly had a great time reading this Graphic Novel (read this in one sitting); the graphics itself is one of my favorite styles.

This is definitely one of those books that hit home because it's so relatable & nostalgic: the obsession & clinginess that comes with a first love, the neglecting of friends, and not prioritizing the correct things/people.
Although, as much as I understand this book had lessons to be learnt but I did wish for more of the 'dream world'.

Loved this experience, thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.

Dreamover was a very cute middle grade graphic novel. I really like how you see Amber and Nico navigate having a relationship. The graphics were really pretty.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Top Shelf Comix for the ARC of this graphic novel.

This is such a cute wee graphic novel about a first middle school/high school romance. I really loved the nostalgic nod back to the early 2000’s technology and communication. Dani really captures the essence of a first love in the early stages of high school and how easily it is to become infatuated with a person to the point of accidentally forgetting everyone else around you.

Nico and Amber are the epitome of little emo boyfriend with high energy sunshine girlfriend. Such a cute, feel good story. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for this graphic novel. I thought it was an interesting idea, we probably all went through something like this at some point growing up, and I think that I would be fine with my daughter reading it when she gets older. There isn't anything questionable, I think I expected more of the dreaming, to be honest. But it was a sweet story with a good message. Well done to Dani Diaz and team!

2.5
This just did not land for me. I think it was meant to show the struggle of transitioning from middle school to high school while trying to maintain a romantic relationship, but...I'm not sure. It also shows the consequence of new love, and being so obsessed with your significant other, you ignore all of your friendships. It's pretty cliche, many other teen stories have done this exact concept before. The dream section of this graphic novel took up a little over half of the entire novel. The dream sequence was sort of cool, but it didn't make much sense. Yes, I know dreams in general aren't supposed to make a lot of sense, but this honestly made the story more confusing for no real reason. I don't know, this just felt bland to me. The art style was okay, it looked a bit amateurish but honestly, that did add some charm to it. I think with a little bit of plot revision the story could be made better.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This magical realism ish graphic novel broaches the all too common high school phenomenon in which you get a significant other that you’re obsessed with and completely neglect your friendships. I’ve done it. I’ve gotten in friend fights over it just like Amber. I’ve been the friendship third wheel just like Drew. I’ve felt like I’ve held back my boyfriend’s life and happiness because I’m a sad girlie™️ just like Nico. The story definitely brought me back to high school and all the huge feelings teen me experienced.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel has me lost and very confused. I’m going to have to dnf this one.

In fact, this is a very sweet story about friendship, first love and life priorities. Good storyboard, good choice of colors. The author's drawing technique is pleasant. The story itself is warm, although quite naive, like all similar teenage novels.
Thanks IDW Publishing and NetGalley for e-copy.

A cute illustration of young love taking over every aspect of your life and realizing that you have to maintain your other friendships...it's all about finding that balance.