I listened to the audio version of this book. It was a slow burn and I almost didn’t finished a few times but I’m glad I stuck with it though. There were multiple plot lines interweaving that took some time to establish but the book became really interesting once the connections between them started to form. I listened to the audiobook on my way to work and I was looking forward to heading into work to find out what was going to happen next. The narrator’s did a fantastic job. I think their voices fit with what I envisioned the characters voices to be. The introduction of Ashley’s narrator was a nice surprise and I really enjoyed hearing the background details of her story.

This audiobook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I Dreamed of Falling
Julia Dahl
Roman Grady was searching for his girlfriend. He found her at the foot of a cliff…dead.
The town is so small that the local paper has only one reporter, Roman. It doesn’t take much to make the headlines of the paper, a DUI will do it every time. Roman, Ashley and their son Mason live with his mother, Tara and her fiancé John.
The characters in this tale are all dysfunctional. Let’s start with Roman…he doesn’t really know Ashley. They haven’t connected in months. They live together but he doesn’t KNOW her. It’s hard to say much about Ashley after all, she is dead and can’t speak for herself but oh she does speak for herself. Mason is four years old but doesn’t always come across as four years old. His actions and speech at times are closer to six and at times to three. Then there is Tara…talk about controlling. She missed out on the fun times with her son, so she intends to spend every moment with her grandson. She quit her job when he was born to spend time with him. She seems to forget it was her own fault that she didn’t do fun things with Roman.
Why is this book blaming everything on Covid. There were constant references to Covid but it didn’t add anything to the story line. There were some consequences from the pandemic such as Ashley was alone at the hospital when Mason was born. But Covid did not play a major part in this book.
This was a S…L…O…W moving plot. The characters are flat. This book was difficult to finish.

Thank you NetGalley

I liked the narrator in this book. I think it was well done.

Though the book was not what I expected it was just ok. Great narrator but the story fell short.

This book started out so slow that I almost gave up. It just didn't give me any feelings other than I disliked almost everyone in it. I didn't see what everyone was saying about the COVID thing. Yes it was mentioned a few times in the beginning but that was the reality of that time period so it made it real. As for other political beliefs.... Books are allowed to speak a little about politics. At least I think so. It was not forced on anyone to believe or take as literal, just part of the story. Some things are just a part of life and the times we are in. Or were in as the case may be.

I did lile how it ended and wasn't expecting it. It was a little rushed but still good.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Sorry to say that this one did NOT rock my world...

Ashley is a young mother to Mason, a sweet 4 year old boy. Her long time boyfriend is Roman.

This is a totally messed up family dynamic, and it's hard to like ANY of the characters.
There is a lot of sex, drugs, open relationships (with both men and women)...and did I mention drugs? And more drugs... and more sex....

Tara is Roman's Mom. She herself was messed up as a young woman, but is now pretty much in charge of raising Mason.

When Ashley is found dead, at the bottom of a cliff, an investigation is opened to find out what happened. I felt like it was a comedy show, instead of a murder/death investigation.
Many parts of the book felt disjointed. Some felt like they were written by a child...

I didn't even care for the narrators...

2 stars for me. And because of that, I will limit my review to Goodreads and NetGalley.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which released 9/17/24.

I dreamed of falling by Julia Dahl and narrated by Jennifer Blom and Shahjehan Khan.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Julia Dahl’s I Dreamed of Falling is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that delves into the dark secrets of a small Hudson Valley town. The audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Blom and Shahjehan Khan, brings this suspenseful story to life with compelling performances that enhance the narrative’s tension and depth.

The plot thickens as Roman uncovers unsettling truths about Ashley’s life and her connections to a troubled ex-girlfriend. 

Dahl excels in creating multi-dimensional characters who are both relatable and flawed. Roman’s journey from grief to determination is portrayed with raw authenticity, making his quest for the truth deeply engaging. 

At its core, I Dreamed of Falling explores themes of love, regret, and the search for truth. Dahl raises poignant questions about the nature of forgiveness and the impact of secrets on relationships. 

The audiobook is a standout, thanks to the exceptional narration by Jennifer Blom and Shahjehan Khan. Blom’s portrayal of Roman captures his emotional turmoil and determination, while Khan’s performance adds depth to the supporting characters. 

I Dreamed of Falling is a compelling audiobook that combines a suspenseful plot with rich character development and insightful themes. Julia Dahl’s storytelling, paired with the excellent narration by Jennifer Blom and Shahjehan Khan, makes this a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers and contemporary fiction. The novel’s exploration of love, loss, and the quest for truth will stay with listeners long after the final chapter.

Whether you’re a seasoned audiobook enthusiast or new to the format, I Dreamed of Falling offers a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. Highly recommended for its engaging narrative and powerful performances.

The two narrators did a great job voicing the characters in this story. It was nice to have a narrator for both the male and female main characters. If it wasn’t for the audiobook I’m not sure I would have been as engaged as I was. This story was a slow burn with a few gaps in the plot I felt. The mystery was intriguing and had a lot of family drama, which I think took away from finding out what happened to Ashley. The story was also a little predictable and I figured out half way through who was at fault. All and all I did enjoy it as a quick read.

I was super surprised by the ending and how this one wrapped up. I wasn't expecting it at all. However the beginning was very slow for me. The last half really made up for the 1st half of the book in my opinion. There was so much covid talk that it was just overdone. I did love how the family issues were very realistic. The audio made the storyline easy to follow and helped me to keep up with the characters. It was narrated very well. I didn't love this but I also didn't hate it. I would absolutely try out another book by this author.

🖤 Thank you Julia Dahl @netgalley @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress @minotaur_books for Arc and audio! #IDreamedOfFalling

A small-town death reveals big time secrets...

I Dreamed of Falling is my favorite kind of mystery/suspense, the kind that doesn't try to give you whiplash with twists and reveals, but instead plots them in a way that allows the reader to fall into the story, to get attached to the characters, to enjoy the ride, and to be shocked at the ending that I didn't see coming. It's a jaw-dropper, and I loved it.

Ashley has just been discovered dead over the side of the cliff. Roman, her partner, soon discovers there is more to Ashley’s life than he knew. Being the reporter he is, he does not let her death go by the wayside. He is determined to know what happened!

This story is a bit slow and drawn out. But there was something about it that kept me reading. The author does create enough intriguing situations surrounding Ashley’s death to keep you reading. And then the ending….that was not exactly what I expected!

The narrators, Jennifer Blom; Shahjehan Khan, did very well! They are probably the reason the intrigue is so strong.

Need a mystery with a surprise ending…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

"I Dreamed of Falling" is a book that stirred strong emotions in me. While the beginning didn't immediately grab my attention, the emotional depth of this crime/mystery eventually won me over. Set in a small, weathered town where judgment and gossip reign, the story revolves around a family with a complex history. Their lives become even more entangled after a tragic event shatters their world.

The characters in "I Dreamed of Falling" are not perfect. They are flawed, like us. The book delves into topics like drugs, open relationships, depression, and bad parenting, which might not be everyone's cup of tea. However, if you, like me, have experienced the complexities of small-town life, you'll find the setting and behaviors portrayed in the book incredibly relatable. This connection with the characters and setting makes this book compelling for those who can appreciate these themes.

Big thanks to MacMillan Audio for the gifted ARC via NetGalley and to Minotaur Books for the gifted ebook through Edelweiss. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook while following along in the ebook, which is my favorite reading method. The narrators did an excellent job with the characters, and hearing from Ashley, the murdered mother, was a standout for me!

This one was such a quick read for me. I was instantly drawn in and raced through the audiobook like there was no tomorrow. While there’s not a ton of drama or suspense, the grief is immense and that’s something I love in a book for some reason. I also didn’t see the ending coming until it was right up on us, so that was fun. The narration of the audiobook was perfection. Thanks to Minotaur for my advanced audiobook and eARC. I Dreamed of Falling will be published tomorrow.

This thriller masterfully weaves together mystery, secrets, and family drama, making it a standout in the genre. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you hooked throughout, while the exploration of intricate family dynamics adds a rich layer of depth.

The audio production is well done, with strong voice acting and sound design that effectively enhance the storytelling. The quality of the audio helps immerse you in the story, making the suspense even more compelling.

What really sets this thriller apart is its ability to combine suspense with a meaningful exploration of family relationships. It’s a gripping experience that offers both excitement and emotional insight, making it a memorable listen for fans of the genre.

I Dreamed of Falling is a book I first heard of in a Sampler from Netgalley. A young mother, sad about how her son prefers his grandma to his mom, goes out one night and doesn't come back. Of course that puts you in from the beginning. I was expecting a mystery. And there is one. But I wasn't expecting the family and town dynamics that the book explored. I really did feel for almost every character. I was invested in what happened to her and felt truly sad for her.

This book would’ve been way better if the author didn’t shove her political views down the readers throat. Most people read these days to shut out the constant political pressures we are forced to listen to everyday, see on tv, and that’s all over social media. The last thing I want to read is a fiction book that just has constant political jabs to one side or another. The mystery was very interesting and was invested in what happened but the constant political commentary ruined the whole book.

An open relationship couple, a former drunken mom turned sober into an overbearing grandmother, sketchy friends, mysterious circumstances. It had the recipe to be a very interesting book! I can see the outline and plot overall, but the character development was so shallow that literally none of the characters were likable. The amount of political bashing and Covid mentions felt unnecessary and didn’t add to the book at all. Overall, I think parts of the book that should’ve been developed more were rushed. It could’ve been a really wonderful book, but overall I felt like it was lacking.

I really wanted to like this book more, but I thought the plot was very slow. I wasn’t a fan of the characters and the whole Covid thing. I feel like I knew what was going to happen. I did like the narrator.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this mystery by Julia Dahl, with the audio perfectly narrated by Jennifer Blom and Shahjehan Khan. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars.

A young couple – Roman and Ashley – live with his mother who helps with their young son Mason. They struggle with money, and both had difficult upbringings. When Ashley is found dead, Roman realizes that he didn’t really know her. He starts looking into what could have happened and what Ashley was hiding.

I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I really enjoyed this story. It takes place in a small town in the Hudson Valley, where everyone knows everything and it’s hard to make changes. Roman had bigger dreams but is now working for a tiny local newspaper, mostly reporting on local events. Ashley wants to build her yoga practice, but Covid fears make that difficult. Roman’s mother, Tara, is very attached to young Mason, trying to make up for her own failings. So while no one is completely likeable, they are relatable and you can feel their struggles while trying to do better. The audiobook kept me interested until the last page!

Review: In general, I think the characters in this book are what holds it back. In general, there's not a single lovable character. At. All. Tara is definitely in love with her grandson, and the way she interacts with him, Roman, and Ashley gave me the biggest ick. I will say that I didn't predict the ending, but I think that's because I was so distracted by how much I disliked all the characters and how distracting their toxic relationships were. Definitely just wasn't for me at all.

Synopsis: Roman Grady is the sole reporter for the local newspaper in a tiny Hudson Valley town - a town so small that every store opening and DUI is considered newsworthy. But when Roman's longtime girlfriend, Ashley, the mother of his four-year-old son, is 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.

What was Ashley doing at the cliffside home of her troubled ex-girlfriend? How did no one in a house full of people see what happened to her? And why does it seem like everyone in town suddenly has something to hide? As Roman and his mother dig into Ashley’s last few months, the truths they uncover threaten to expose painful secrets. The kind of secrets that can get you killed.

A gripping thriller and a moving portrait of a family struggling through tragedy, I Dreamed of Falling showcases Julia Dahl's talent for using crime fiction to tell an immersive and unforgettable story. Dahl’s unflinching novel asks hard questions about love, regret, inequality, and the possibilities and the perils of forgiveness.

Slow moving and predictable small-town mystery.

Roman Grady, his partner Ashley, and his 4-year-old son live with his mom, Tara, and Tara's boyfriend, John in a small Hudson Valley town. Ashley is found dead on a cliff ledge close by a friend's home. Roman realizes that he knew next to nothing about what Ashley had been doing in the months leading up to her death. And now there are questions about whether or not this was a drug overdose or if Ashley was murdered.

This entire story and plot were anything but gripping or thrilling. I really disliked all of the characters in this sordid tale. The concepts of open relationships, having sex with anyone, rampant drug use, and all of this poor parenting just made the whole premise unappealing. I didn't enjoy any of it nor care what happened to Ashley. Besides, it was so predictable you could see that revelation coming a mile away. Honestly, just yucky people, and their lives were so cringe worthy. I can't recommend this to anyone.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC -- both provided by the publishers. The two narrators did an adequate job of voicing the characters, but I felt such antipathy to them all that I could not appreciate the quality of their performances.

DNF @ 42%

The plot isn’t going anywhere. This is very very slow and not the thriller I was expecting. I don’t care enough about anyone or what happened to keep reading. sorry!!!