Ivy Harcourt is riding high on the success of her debut romance novel. A reimagining of Wuthering Heights with a much happier ending, the book has become an unexpected bestseller. Her agent and publisher are eager for a follow-up, but Ivy is struggling to write it. After discovering her most recent boyfriend was unfaithful, she's convinced that "Maybe I just need to accept that the only happily ever after in my future is fictional." The only thing she truly likes about her work in progress is the leading man. If only someone like him actually existed.
Then she rescues a dog that escaped in the park and meets Liam. He's handsome, British, an architect...and uncannily similar to the fictional love interest she's been writing. Even his name is the same. Is it an impossible coincidence, or has Ivy somehow written the man of her dreams into existence?
The couple quickly becomes swept up in a whirlwind romance, but Ivy can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right. There's nothing obviously wrong with Liam. In fact, he might be a little too perfect. After all, happily-ever-afters belong in books. If life suddenly starts following the script, it's only a matter of time before the story takes an unexpected turn.
Olivia Worley surprised me with her campy, twisty tale of obsession, So Happy Together, so when I saw Man of My Dreams was coming out, I couldn't wait to dive in. At first, it seemed like a very different kind of story. I was completely engrossed by the mystery of Liam—how he could possibly exist and what his true intentions might be. It felt like a clever blend of romance, magical realism, and suspense, and I was hooked.
Then the novel took a sharp turn into more familiar thriller territory, and that's where it began to lose me. The twists are entertaining, and the flashbacks add meaningful context to Ivy's character, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading a different book than the one I'd fallen in love with during those opening chapters. By the time a few overly convenient revelations arrived near the end, I found myself wishing Worley had trusted the original premise. The mystery of Liam was compelling enough on its own.
That said, Worley still has a knack for writing clever, over-the-top, popcorn thrillers that are easy to devour in just a few sittings. Man of My Dreams is undeniably a fun page-turner. I just couldn't help imagining an alternate version of this story that leaned further into its wonderfully strange premise.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2026, 51)
I've read books like that where it starts out really good and then I was wishing that the ending would have been different/better.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't even that the ending was bad. It just took things in a totally unexpected direction.
DeleteI have read so many books where romance authors are blocked because of romantic issues. I am surprised the book took a turn for you once the thriller element kicked in. That seems like something you would enjoy. Boo!
ReplyDeleteI know! I'd usually be all in for a thriller!
DeleteIt's too bad she didn't stick with the promised premise of the first half of the book. It's always disappointing when a book ends differently than you hoped...and you can picture so clearly in your mind how you wish it had gone instead.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, the thriller is fine. It just could have been such a different story.
DeleteThe premise reminds me a lot of Sophie Gonzales's The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist except with a thriller twist (though doesn't sound like that twist worked well in the end).
ReplyDeleteHmmmm maybe I need to read that one instead!
DeleteOhhh twists! I love them
ReplyDeleteMe too! But these were a bit out of left field.
DeleteRIGHT?! I kind of figured you would come away from it with some feelings similar to mine.
ReplyDeleteI still love her POV in general, but I was really expecting more from this one.
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