After being disappointed by the authors last book this one was refreshing. There were some cringey parts and it took me longer to start to believe the main characters romantic connection. Sex scenes are usually not for me but these ones were especially not for me. They’ll find their audience though. The good parts of this book were the character growth individually and the ending for me.

3.5 stars.
Dream On, Ramona Riley was very cute and had me kicking and giggling at times however there were certain parts of the book that dragged for me and as a result the book didn't quite live up to my expectations. I always will love Ashley Herring Blake's writing however and I look forward to reading her next book.

Ramona Riley is a waitress who once dreamed of being a costume designer, until she had to quit school and move back home to care for her younger sister. Dylan Monroe is an actor with image problems and a lot of unresolved childhood trauma. When Dylan's first rom-com role is set to film in the diner where Ramona works, sparks fly--but are their worlds too different to make a relationship work?

While the conflict of the plot is occasionally overblown (and could be resolved with a simple conversation), the chemistry between the two leads makes Dream On, Ramona Riley a fun and sexy read from the start to finish. Blake's deftness with character development and emotional resonance is on full display in her latest.

I'm wondering if I just don't enjoy AHB books or if her type of romance isn't for me. I unfortunately found this to be tedious and impossible to get into, heaped with silly miscommunications and an inexplicable childhood sweethearts hook that didn't feel at all earned or necessary. I'm sure AHB fans will enjoy themselves nonetheless, but this wasn't my cup of tea at all.

This story truly resonates with anyone who's ever had to put their dreams on hold. Ramona Riley, once a promising art student, had to abandon her Hollywood aspirations to support her family in Clover Lake. What I love most about this book is how it explores the themes of rediscovery and the courage to chase your dreams, no matter how long they've been on the back burner. The chemistry between Ramona and Dylan is palpable, and their journey from rekindling an old flame to facing the reality of their aspirations is both heartwarming and realistic. The backdrop of small-town charm adds an extra layer of coziness to the story, making it a delightful read from start to finish.

If you've ever felt stuck or wondered 'what if,' this book is an inspiring reminder that it's never too late to reignite your passions and find love in unexpected places.

ramona and dylan were everything!!! i am a huge sucker for when life throws the MCs back in each others orbit and this was just *chefs kiss*.

the only issue i had with this book was the miscommunication. it is one of my least favorite tropes and after awhile it just gets to a point where enough is enough. thankfully right when i was starting to hit that point things looked up lol.

lastly the spice…. hot hot hot 🤭

this was my first book of ashley’s and i cant wait to go give the others a try!!

Ashley Herring Blake is the absolute queen of sapphic romances and Dream On, Ramona Riley only further proves that. Everything about it was absolutely perfect and I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of this series!

I loved this start to a new series by Blake! Ramona and Dylan are so swoonworthy together. The cast of side characters (April, Olive, Marley) are so fun (and I'm so excited that April is getting her own book next.) Ramona and Dylan truly had a meet cute as teens and their second chance at romance as adults is magical. As someone who lives very close to New Hampshire, I loved the small town New England feels.

THANK YOU to Berkley Publishing for this eARC! I always always always eat up an Ashley Herring Blake story. The main movie plot in this book being based on Iris's book is such a wonderful way to tie it all in to the rest of her world. Ramona and Dylan have incredible chemistry and when they get to come together and...come together it is SO GOOD. They are also big dumb idiots who need to use their words with each other even if they don't believe they deserve the happiness they find in each other. And I am already strapped in ready to GO for April's story. Bring on this universe forever and ever.

Dream On, Ramona Riley is Ashley Herring Blake’s first book in a new series set in a small New Hampshire town. Ramona is in her 20’s and is stuck in her town as she had to give up her career ambitions to be a costumer designer to help her family. Just as her best friend April is pushing her to get out of her comfort zone, a Hollywood movie production comes to town, starring a familiar face from a chance encounter from Ramona’s past. This novel is heartfelt, warm, and endearing. Both main characters, Ramona and Dylan, have to face their pasts and be willing to put themselves out there to make peace with their families and their career ambitions so they can find true happiness. This highly recommended read has a teenage meet cute, a Hollywood bad girl, and lots of small town charm.

What an absolutely beautiful story. I loved it from the very first page. If you liked any of this authors other books, you will eat this one up too!

(3.5⭐️ but rounding up) I'm conflicted. My love for Ashley Herring Blake often inflates my ratings of her books, but what I know for certain is that this was definitely not my favorite of her works.

Starting with the positives, I liked both characters as individuals. They're deeply messy and have a plethora of personal insecurities and past traumas to work through, but that makes them relatable and human. Also as a fellow libra, I relate to Ramona's desire to try to be everything to everyone.

However, the messiness of how their relationship begins left me feeling a bit icky throughout and definitely depleted how romantic I actually found their story. At the end of the day I was rooting for them, but the majority of their love story felt tainted, so that was disappointing.

tropes: small town | celebrity romance | each other's first kiss

Final thoughts:
Overall mediocre but I am still excited to see how the rest of the stories in this universe unfold.

I really enjoyed the characters and plot of this story SOO much! I really loved the development of both characters in how they prioritized what they cared about both for others and themselves.

If you love selfless older siblings, actress-regular person romances, movie set drama, and overall some pretty incredible story lines around friendship and family, this book is for you!

There was no doubt that these two characters were made for each-other and I already can’t wait to read April’s story! Also - thank you Ashley for the bi-representation! It was refreshing to see two bi characters as the leads ❤️

absolutely loved these flawed ladies. and the supporting characters felt so real to me. my love for AHB contines!

Characters: 9.5
Atmospher: 8
Writing: 10
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10

This book swept me away. Second chance and celebrity are two of my favorite tropes- made even better by the small town aspect. The characters were sweet and I could easily see why they were perfect for each other. The one thing that threw me off were the steamy scenes…they’re written well and all fine and good but the way the MC’s were together in the bedroom didn’t match their characters to me. The second half also felt a little cliche though I still enjoyed it. I especially loved the side characters and am really looking forward to April’s book!

Short summary: after leaving RISD to return home to help care for her sister after her father’s accident, Ramona is now stuck far from her dreams of being a costume designer. Until a movie set rolls into town with her first kiss playing the lead role. If only Dylan remembered her…

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Lately, Ashley Herring Blake's writing has felt really clunky and hard for me to read, and this is coming from someone who absolutely adored the entire Bright Falls series, but hasn't really enjoyed anything since. I really wanted to give her writing another chance when I picked this one up, but I couldn't even get to the potential relationship because it was so hard for me to read for some reason.

I was given an ARC through Netgalley. Thank you Berkley Publishing for giving it to me. I had only read one book by this author and loved it so when I applied I thought I wouldn't get it but I got it. This book was amazing. I did not want to wan this book to end I loved it so much the characters feel so real and fleshed out breathtakingly like Ashley Herring Blake usually does with her books.

i had a decent time reading this! AHB is sometimes hit or miss for me, so this one was right in the middle. mostly because i didn’t feel connected to the story or the romance so much, and the pacing felt off in a way i can’t explain. but the cover and the scenery makes up for it!!!

I ALWAYS go into an Ashley Herring Blake romance with high expectations, but this was sooooooo good. It's similar to her last trilogy in that it's set in a small town (I can't wait for book 2) with an outsider coming in, but their sweet childhood connection was so nice.

Overall, I really connected with both characters and their journeys as well as the relationship! SO GOOD.

I loved Delilah Green Doesn't Care, but after that I feel like my love for the author lowered. The stories just weren't the same and this was was no better. I just couldn't do it. The story, the characters they did not work for me at all. The conflict was utterly ridiculous and communication would've solved everything. I think this is going to be my last by the author.