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While You Were Dreaming
This YA debut from powerhouse romance author Alisha Rai tackles undocumented immigration against the backdrop of viral online fame, fake dating, and a love triangle. A must-read for fans of Nicola Yoon or Sandhya Menon.
If Sonia Patil had her way, she’d be attending her local comic con instead of covering a shift for her boss’s daughter. Since Sonia’s mom was deported and her sister, who never claimed deferred status under DACA, had to forgo college to support them, Sonia’s had her hands full with work, school, and pretending everything is okay at home.
Then Sonia, in homemade superhero cosplay, stumbles into saving her crush James’s life. When a video of the daring rescue goes viral, she—or, rather, a mysterious masked savior—is thrust into the spotlight. Now she’s hiding from TikTok detectives while trying to connect with James. And while she’s drawn to his friendly but oblivious nature, she can’t deny her escalating chemistry with another awkwardly charming boy.
Juggling crushes and a secret identity might just take superpowers. Will Sonia be able to hide in plain sight forever?
If Sonia Patil had her way, she’d be attending her local comic con instead of covering a shift for her boss’s daughter. Since Sonia’s mom was deported and her sister, who never claimed deferred status under DACA, had to forgo college to support them, Sonia’s had her hands full with work, school, and pretending everything is okay at home.
Then Sonia, in homemade superhero cosplay, stumbles into saving her crush James’s life. When a video of the daring rescue goes viral, she—or, rather, a mysterious masked savior—is thrust into the spotlight. Now she’s hiding from TikTok detectives while trying to connect with James. And while she’s drawn to his friendly but oblivious nature, she can’t deny her escalating chemistry with another awkwardly charming boy.
Juggling crushes and a secret identity might just take superpowers. Will Sonia be able to hide in plain sight forever?
13 pages, Audiobook
First published March 21, 2023
30 people are currently reading
10838 people want to read
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April 22, 2023
While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai
Contemporary YA romance. A bit of family drama. Own voice.
Sonia Patil would love to do more cosplay when she’s not in school or working. She’s handy with a needle and thread and created a costume for a local book event but ended up working instead. On the way home, she spots a boy she has a crush on accidentally fall into a river. She doesn’t hesitate. She jumps in and pulls him out with the help of a bystander. Sonia doesn’t want any attention to her home situation so she runs from the spotlight. Sonia goes to check on the boy and ends up working at his family restaurant where she is welcomed with open arms. Sonia can’t resist the family feeling of love and support.
A bit of melodrama as Sonia’s mother has been deported and with only her older sister as informal guardian, Sonia is feeling lost and on her own. Sonia can’t tell anyone or she might lose her sister too. She feels loved at the restaurant and getting to know them leads to her crush expanding. A smidge of teen angst as she needs to decide which brother is the friend and which might be more.
It’s sweet and romantic and heartwarming from multiple levels. Innocent closed doors, as in kissing only for the sweet 16 year old girl. Delightful.
I received a copy of this from the publisher.
Contemporary YA romance. A bit of family drama. Own voice.
Sonia Patil would love to do more cosplay when she’s not in school or working. She’s handy with a needle and thread and created a costume for a local book event but ended up working instead. On the way home, she spots a boy she has a crush on accidentally fall into a river. She doesn’t hesitate. She jumps in and pulls him out with the help of a bystander. Sonia doesn’t want any attention to her home situation so she runs from the spotlight. Sonia goes to check on the boy and ends up working at his family restaurant where she is welcomed with open arms. Sonia can’t resist the family feeling of love and support.
A bit of melodrama as Sonia’s mother has been deported and with only her older sister as informal guardian, Sonia is feeling lost and on her own. Sonia can’t tell anyone or she might lose her sister too. She feels loved at the restaurant and getting to know them leads to her crush expanding. A smidge of teen angst as she needs to decide which brother is the friend and which might be more.
It’s sweet and romantic and heartwarming from multiple levels. Innocent closed doors, as in kissing only for the sweet 16 year old girl. Delightful.
I received a copy of this from the publisher.
July 27, 2022
Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was everything! While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite 90's rom-coms and with Alisha Rai being one of my all-time favorite authors, I was ecstatic to hear that her YA debut would be inspired by the film! I loved so many aspects of this novel, the ode to cosplay, the South Asian diaspora feels, the desi family dynamics, the thoughtful anxiety rep, the delicious mentions of South Asian and Liberian food, and of course the romance. I cried several times reading this novel--Sonia's experience as a brown girl living in the U.S. with body image issues and anxiety was so accurate to my own experiences as well, and I loved her growth in this novel!
The romance was also so cute! I'm always here for the falling-for-the-love-interest's-older-brother trope, and both the original film and this novel do it so well! I can always count on Alisha Rai for writing a super sweet POC x POC romance, and the romance between Sonia and Niam was adorable!!
If Alisha has any more YA novels planned, I'm definitely going to be devouring them all. This was so great as a YA debut and I can't wait to read more of her work! 4.5 stars rounded up :)
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This book was everything! While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite 90's rom-coms and with Alisha Rai being one of my all-time favorite authors, I was ecstatic to hear that her YA debut would be inspired by the film! I loved so many aspects of this novel, the ode to cosplay, the South Asian diaspora feels, the desi family dynamics, the thoughtful anxiety rep, the delicious mentions of South Asian and Liberian food, and of course the romance. I cried several times reading this novel--Sonia's experience as a brown girl living in the U.S. with body image issues and anxiety was so accurate to my own experiences as well, and I loved her growth in this novel!
The romance was also so cute! I'm always here for the falling-for-the-love-interest's-older-brother trope, and both the original film and this novel do it so well! I can always count on Alisha Rai for writing a super sweet POC x POC romance, and the romance between Sonia and Niam was adorable!!
If Alisha has any more YA novels planned, I'm definitely going to be devouring them all. This was so great as a YA debut and I can't wait to read more of her work! 4.5 stars rounded up :)
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
March 8, 2023
It balanced the struggles of immigration & undocumented loved ones with the cute & swoon-worthy budding romance(s) so well —a love triangle, a female friendship, a sister bond, and a passion for cosplay win in this YA. rtc.
April 21, 2023
I got this book solely because it is by an Indian author. I don't really like this cover and the title doesn't make sense to me eve after reading the whole book. I don't think the blurb conveyed much either, but because that didn't affect my reading experience, I'm not going to consider this in my rating.
Sonia is an American teen of Indian origin, with a dull social life, especially after her best friend ditches her. Her life takes a crazy turn the night she jumps to save her drowning crush wearing a comic outfit. She immediately flees from the site and is desperate for absolutely no one to discover her identity as the savior "Shadow". Little does she know that the many loose ends everywhere are very close to being found.
I can't find any fault in this beauty whatsoever. Sonia is a great MC with so much personality and motivations. She feels too real and is currently at the top of my 'Fictional People I Wish were Real' list. I found that even the supporting cast played a big part in building the story. No matter how little showtime each character gets, they leave a lasting impact on Sonia.
The story has a mystery vibe to it, so saying anything at all about it will be a spoiler. The turn of events is quite unexpected with events that make you grimace, tense, and swoon as if you you were in the scene. Alisha Rai gets full credit for being a skilled writer. I can almost guarantee that once you pick this up, you will find it hard to put down.
Irrespective of your age or usual genre preferences, I believe this will suit most readers. A kiss is the most you will find in the book, so it's quite low on spice. I hope I've convinced you to go and order your copy ASAP <3
Sonia is an American teen of Indian origin, with a dull social life, especially after her best friend ditches her. Her life takes a crazy turn the night she jumps to save her drowning crush wearing a comic outfit. She immediately flees from the site and is desperate for absolutely no one to discover her identity as the savior "Shadow". Little does she know that the many loose ends everywhere are very close to being found.
I can't find any fault in this beauty whatsoever. Sonia is a great MC with so much personality and motivations. She feels too real and is currently at the top of my 'Fictional People I Wish were Real' list. I found that even the supporting cast played a big part in building the story. No matter how little showtime each character gets, they leave a lasting impact on Sonia.
The story has a mystery vibe to it, so saying anything at all about it will be a spoiler. The turn of events is quite unexpected with events that make you grimace, tense, and swoon as if you you were in the scene. Alisha Rai gets full credit for being a skilled writer. I can almost guarantee that once you pick this up, you will find it hard to put down.
Irrespective of your age or usual genre preferences, I believe this will suit most readers. A kiss is the most you will find in the book, so it's quite low on spice. I hope I've convinced you to go and order your copy ASAP <3
April 10, 2023
Brilliantly exploring the struggles of coming of age whilst living with the constant fear for the livelihood of undocumented loved ones, While You Were Dreaming expertly balances adorable rom-com movie worthy moments with scenes of heart wrenching familial turmoil.
Featuring an adorable sibling love-triangle, a sisterly bond that's given time to grow and shine on page, heroic acts of bravery in many forms, a heart warming journey of self love, female friendships, cosplay, anxiety representation and so much more, While You Were Dreaming is a multilayered, fun and timely YA contemporary I would wholeheartedly recommend.
TW: discussions of deportation, fatphobia (challenged)
Featuring an adorable sibling love-triangle, a sisterly bond that's given time to grow and shine on page, heroic acts of bravery in many forms, a heart warming journey of self love, female friendships, cosplay, anxiety representation and so much more, While You Were Dreaming is a multilayered, fun and timely YA contemporary I would wholeheartedly recommend.
TW: discussions of deportation, fatphobia (challenged)
May 5, 2023
This was actually pretty good, there was a lot of cultural stuff about their heritage, and being undocumented citizens and feeling "white washed" but also a lot of fun niche things like cosplay and dealing with ethnic hair and the responsibility of working as a teen to help your family survive.
The story itself was a darling coming of age story where we see our main character, Sonia, become confident in who she is and realizes she doesn't have to hide her true self from everyone. In the end she got the boy, a job for her sister, and a promising outlook on her mother's deportation status. It was a very satisfying happy ending
The story itself was a darling coming of age story where we see our main character, Sonia, become confident in who she is and realizes she doesn't have to hide her true self from everyone. In the end she got the boy, a job for her sister, and a promising outlook on her mother's deportation status. It was a very satisfying happy ending
May 21, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
A While you were sleeping reimagining featuring Sonia Patil, an America-born South Asian teen who is struggling with her body image, trying to fit in at school and missing her deported mother who is stuck living in India unable to get a visa. Sonia is also trying to get along with her older undocumented sister and unofficial guardian.
Lots of family drama and complicated romantic feelings involving two brothers in this YA debut from romance author Alisha Rai. This was a great coming of age story perfect for fans of authors like Mary H K Choi or Sajni Patel with good leukemia rep and excellent on audio narrated by one of my favs, Soneela Nankani.
A While you were sleeping reimagining featuring Sonia Patil, an America-born South Asian teen who is struggling with her body image, trying to fit in at school and missing her deported mother who is stuck living in India unable to get a visa. Sonia is also trying to get along with her older undocumented sister and unofficial guardian.
Lots of family drama and complicated romantic feelings involving two brothers in this YA debut from romance author Alisha Rai. This was a great coming of age story perfect for fans of authors like Mary H K Choi or Sajni Patel with good leukemia rep and excellent on audio narrated by one of my favs, Soneela Nankani.
April 2, 2023
This YA book deals with many difficult but important topics. The romance is sweet and I really loved the sassy heroine. (4.5 stars)
April 28, 2023
✨Book Review✨
While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
This book blew me away. It is Alisha Rai's YA debut, and it was a GREAT one. Before I started it, I was confused at why a YA coming of age type story needed to be almost 500 pages, but as soon as I started, I was hooked. It could have been even longer. In fact, I'm hoping for a sequel!
.
This book had wonderful lead characters, who at times could be very frustrating, but always came through in the end. It detailed so many aspects of relationship dynamics, good, bad, and complicated. I also loved how it showed so much about the experience of living undocumented in the United States.
.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA and wants to read a sweet story about family, love, and romance. This book bumped up Rai onto my list of favorite authors.
While You Were Dreaming by Alisha Rai
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
This book blew me away. It is Alisha Rai's YA debut, and it was a GREAT one. Before I started it, I was confused at why a YA coming of age type story needed to be almost 500 pages, but as soon as I started, I was hooked. It could have been even longer. In fact, I'm hoping for a sequel!
.
This book had wonderful lead characters, who at times could be very frustrating, but always came through in the end. It detailed so many aspects of relationship dynamics, good, bad, and complicated. I also loved how it showed so much about the experience of living undocumented in the United States.
.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA and wants to read a sweet story about family, love, and romance. This book bumped up Rai onto my list of favorite authors.
February 12, 2024
This story was very well thought out and written. I enjoyed Sonia's story so much and can't wait to get into more from this author. This story touched on friendships, love for self and others and figuring out when it's time to make lemonade from lemons. This is a great coming of age story
April 17, 2023
3.5 Stars
A cute "While You Were Sleeping" retelling. Although it took me a 1/3 of the way through to realize the trope and that was only after I reread the title. Duh. It was creative and different enough to appreciate the story on its own merits. Real-world issues mixed with a little bit of fun comic-con and a romantic book hero.
April 8, 2023
i like rai's writing and liked the people here (and i like romcoms, i really liked while you were sleeping) i liked the characters and the story half the time, the other half i was just too old and so i really think i won't be reading ya anymore, for now it is just not for me.
April 30, 2023
Sonia has a crush on James and one day she saves his life while in costume. Before the authorities get there she flees the scene as her mother was deported and her sister is also undocumented and because of her medical history and her sexuality she can't go back to India. Sonia tries to stay under the radar and doesn't want her identity to be discovered or to be connected as the heroine who saved James. Things get more complicated when she meets Niam, James' older brother and his family.
I really really enjoyed this one! I rarely read YA contemporary these days, but I had forgotten how much joy I receive from them. I loved the POC romance and the Indian representation in this one, even though she considered herself 'whitewashed'. It's fascinating to me as a white person to learn more about these cultures and see the struggles they can get when they aren't legally in a country and the risk to get deported, even if you were an innocent child growing up in this country.
Also, if you know the 90s movie While you were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock, this book seems to be inspired by that and gives the same vibes. All in all, I loved the writing, I had a blast with the plot and I really liked the characters. And yes, I don't support violence, but that slap felt good ;) Definitely recommend it!
Thank you Harper360YA!
I really really enjoyed this one! I rarely read YA contemporary these days, but I had forgotten how much joy I receive from them. I loved the POC romance and the Indian representation in this one, even though she considered herself 'whitewashed'. It's fascinating to me as a white person to learn more about these cultures and see the struggles they can get when they aren't legally in a country and the risk to get deported, even if you were an innocent child growing up in this country.
Also, if you know the 90s movie While you were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock, this book seems to be inspired by that and gives the same vibes. All in all, I loved the writing, I had a blast with the plot and I really liked the characters. And yes, I don't support violence, but that slap felt good ;) Definitely recommend it!
Thank you Harper360YA!
August 28, 2023
4.5 stars. Okay, somehow I missed the part where this is somewhat a play on While You Were Sleeping, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. Obviously, I noticed the similarities in the titles, but somehow missed the whole part of the synopsis that makes it pretty clear that Sandra Bullock + Peter Gallagher + Bill Pullman + the family were inspirations!
That alone would have gotten a bump in rating for me, but this book is a really lovely read about Sonia juggling her crushes and finding her support system. It could easily have gotten too cheesy or gone in too many different directions, but Rai keeps the story pretty tight and gets the balance of sweetness just right. This is a book that put a smile on my face for sure.
That alone would have gotten a bump in rating for me, but this book is a really lovely read about Sonia juggling her crushes and finding her support system. It could easily have gotten too cheesy or gone in too many different directions, but Rai keeps the story pretty tight and gets the balance of sweetness just right. This is a book that put a smile on my face for sure.
March 29, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
While this book had glimmerings of promise, and the premise was appealing enough for me to request an early copy, it ultimately didn't fully follow through on that.
Sonia's anxiety was the main thread that ran through this entire book. Anxiety about being found out, about her sister being found out, about her crush, about her lost friendship with her ex-best friend. The anxieties kept being piled on poor Sonia and while they seemed to be gone by the end of the book, almost none of them had a satisfactory conclusion. The plot itself was fine, but not sure what to do with itself. The synopsis given by the publisher was a little misleading, as this was less about Sonia's secret than about her day to day life and struggles with the above anxieties.
Sonia was an okay character, if a little thinly drawn. The side characters, however, were solidly one-note and none were developed particularly well.
Overall, it just wasn't very compelling or enjoyable to read. 2.5/5
While this book had glimmerings of promise, and the premise was appealing enough for me to request an early copy, it ultimately didn't fully follow through on that.
Sonia's anxiety was the main thread that ran through this entire book. Anxiety about being found out, about her sister being found out, about her crush, about her lost friendship with her ex-best friend. The anxieties kept being piled on poor Sonia and while they seemed to be gone by the end of the book, almost none of them had a satisfactory conclusion. The plot itself was fine, but not sure what to do with itself. The synopsis given by the publisher was a little misleading, as this was less about Sonia's secret than about her day to day life and struggles with the above anxieties.
Sonia was an okay character, if a little thinly drawn. The side characters, however, were solidly one-note and none were developed particularly well.
Overall, it just wasn't very compelling or enjoyable to read. 2.5/5
March 10, 2024
Sonia loves cosplay and creating looks/costumes. She has a huge crush on James, a popular boy in her Junior high school class. She also doesn't like calling attention to herself; her mother was deported and her sister is undocumented (Sonia is lucky; she was born here in the US). Her mother and sister came over on medical visas and stayed (Sonia & Kareena father died and his family cut them off). She risks attention when she rescues James and is caught on video. Her costumed self goes viral, but no one publicly names her.
I really liked this book. Sonia's fear is real and she misses her mother every day. She constantly worried that something would happen and Kareena would get deported. She lives this fear every single day. Despite this, she tries to be an average American teenager.
Things happen and she gradually comes out of her shell and gains confidence to speak up when she is disrespected. She also finds a community; people who love her for who she is and offer help, support, and to just be there. Strong secondary characters too.
All. The. Feels!
I really liked this book. Sonia's fear is real and she misses her mother every day. She constantly worried that something would happen and Kareena would get deported. She lives this fear every single day. Despite this, she tries to be an average American teenager.
Things happen and she gradually comes out of her shell and gains confidence to speak up when she is disrespected. She also finds a community; people who love her for who she is and offer help, support, and to just be there. Strong secondary characters too.
All. The. Feels!
April 11, 2023
What a wonderful story! I’m so glad I wasn’t a teenager in the age of social media. It was hard enough being a teen but Sonia has to deal with viral videos and the possibility of being in the spotlight when she desperately needs to remain anonymous. Add in the struggles with immigration status and life is almost impossible. I loved getting to know Sonia and her friends as well as following along on her journey to find herself and where she fits in. This is a heartwarming story about learning to accept who you are and trusting others. Highly recommended!
March 31, 2023
So I need to stop giving books a 5 star rating but this book was just too good. It was GUSHING cuteness and was just so heartwarming I could not stop reading it. This might be one of my top realistic fiction books ever.
April 17, 2023
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
In While You Were Dreaming, we immediately are placed smack dab in the action. And from the beginning, I loved Sonia. The ways she's just trying to balance her midnight rescue with staying under the radar to not draw attention to herself. To not draw attention to her sister whose presence in the US is in peril. I felt Sonia's fear which lives coiled in her stomach. How her and her sister are getting by, but struggling alone and how she doesn't have anyone to turn to.
This story line alone was enough to draw me through While You Were Dreaming. But Rai delivers a main character who is also struggling with her sense of self. She feels disconnected from her heritage because her mom is gone and her cultural touch points make her feel abandonded. That particular element was a big punch to the gut for me.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
In While You Were Dreaming, we immediately are placed smack dab in the action. And from the beginning, I loved Sonia. The ways she's just trying to balance her midnight rescue with staying under the radar to not draw attention to herself. To not draw attention to her sister whose presence in the US is in peril. I felt Sonia's fear which lives coiled in her stomach. How her and her sister are getting by, but struggling alone and how she doesn't have anyone to turn to.
This story line alone was enough to draw me through While You Were Dreaming. But Rai delivers a main character who is also struggling with her sense of self. She feels disconnected from her heritage because her mom is gone and her cultural touch points make her feel abandonded. That particular element was a big punch to the gut for me.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
May 16, 2023
Thank you to Harper360YA for an early copy of this book!
If Sonia Patil had her way, she’d be attending her local comic con instead of covering a shift for her boss’s daughter. Since Sonia’s mom was deported and her sister, who never claimed deferred status under DACA, had to forgo college to support them, Sonia’s had her hands full with work, school, and pretending everything is okay at home. Then Sonia, in homemade superhero cosplay, stumbles into saving her crush James’s life. When a video of the daring rescue goes viral, she—or, rather, a mysterious masked savior—is thrust into the spotlight. Now she’s hiding from TikTok detectives while trying to connect with James. And while she’s drawn to his friendly but oblivious nature, she can’t deny her escalating chemistry with another awkwardly charming boy. Juggling crushes and a secret identity might just take superpowers. Will Sonia be able to hide in plain sight forever?
Sonia is someone who prefers to stay in the background and I can totally empathise with her. Remaining out of the spotlight and sticking to herself means no drama and that is very much preferable! She is also driven by her creativity, finding a much needed outlet in her hobbies. I think Sonia is a very robust character. You can feel empathy for her, laugh with her, cry with her. I did like reading from her POV and she was very engaging. Overall, a great character.
James is very much an ass in my mind. He seems like a nice guy, and sure something horrible happens to him but nope. Big nope to him in my mind. That’s enough said on him!
The idea of this book really intrigued me and I do think it delivered for me. The plot was pretty solid and the characters were well fleshed out. I think the overall story flowed very well and it kept me engaged throughout. I will say that I felt like the story was missing a spark, something for me to really love it. I liked it all but I cannot say I love it, hence the 4⭐️ rating instead of 5. Also, the romance felt a little stilted but that may be because I am used to romance written a little more maturely. The ending was very nice considering the direction of the book. It wrapped up everything neatly and I have no unresolved questions which is great. I think the author did a good job.
Overall, While You Were Dreaming is a great story with good execution.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Harper360YA for a copy of this book!
If Sonia Patil had her way, she’d be attending her local comic con instead of covering a shift for her boss’s daughter. Since Sonia’s mom was deported and her sister, who never claimed deferred status under DACA, had to forgo college to support them, Sonia’s had her hands full with work, school, and pretending everything is okay at home. Then Sonia, in homemade superhero cosplay, stumbles into saving her crush James’s life. When a video of the daring rescue goes viral, she—or, rather, a mysterious masked savior—is thrust into the spotlight. Now she’s hiding from TikTok detectives while trying to connect with James. And while she’s drawn to his friendly but oblivious nature, she can’t deny her escalating chemistry with another awkwardly charming boy. Juggling crushes and a secret identity might just take superpowers. Will Sonia be able to hide in plain sight forever?
Sonia is someone who prefers to stay in the background and I can totally empathise with her. Remaining out of the spotlight and sticking to herself means no drama and that is very much preferable! She is also driven by her creativity, finding a much needed outlet in her hobbies. I think Sonia is a very robust character. You can feel empathy for her, laugh with her, cry with her. I did like reading from her POV and she was very engaging. Overall, a great character.
James is very much an ass in my mind. He seems like a nice guy, and sure something horrible happens to him but nope. Big nope to him in my mind. That’s enough said on him!
The idea of this book really intrigued me and I do think it delivered for me. The plot was pretty solid and the characters were well fleshed out. I think the overall story flowed very well and it kept me engaged throughout. I will say that I felt like the story was missing a spark, something for me to really love it. I liked it all but I cannot say I love it, hence the 4⭐️ rating instead of 5. Also, the romance felt a little stilted but that may be because I am used to romance written a little more maturely. The ending was very nice considering the direction of the book. It wrapped up everything neatly and I have no unresolved questions which is great. I think the author did a good job.
Overall, While You Were Dreaming is a great story with good execution.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Harper360YA for a copy of this book!
June 17, 2023
🎭🌟📱ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍɪɴɢ📱🌟🎭
3.5 Stars
Sonia hides a secret that could change her life forever. Ever since her mother was deported, Sonia has had to hide the secret that her elder sister is also undocumented. When she saves James, her crush's life, clad in her cosplay outfit, she is known as a mysterious hero named "Shadow." Desperate to fly under the radar and not gain attention, Sonia hopes to avoid his family, only to get entangled in their lives. As she gets to know James kind-hearted, emphatic older brother Niam, lovely mother, and awkwardly hilarious father, she finds herself much deeper into his life than she first expected. James is curious to find the woman with the secret identity, drawing many into this secret that could get blown out of proportion. She's also getting charmed by Niam as her feelings for James fade and her relationships only get more complicated. While You Were Dreaming is a story of friendship, love, self-discovery, and relationships.
The romance between Niam and Sonia was just so sweet! I expected a lot more of the secret identity in this story, but I wasn't opposed to the fact that it was a lot more like a starting point for the story to jump off of. Sonia was a good protagonist, struggling with her own anxiety. I really loved to see how her worries affected her daily life. Sonia was a protagonist who wished to be in a relationship, but there were many factors that made her a lot more hesitant.
There was a perfect balance between platonic and romantic relationships. I wasn't a huge fan of the love triangle-ish situation going on, as well as James in general. That guy honestly needed to just learn that it wasn't his time and place, and Niam is literally THE ONE. He was the sweetest, asking her for consent, understanding when she needed space and giving it to her, making her food when she was upset, and giving her constructive feedback while at the same time being caring. Their relationship was realistic in the sense that they faced their own set of issues. I really liked the resolution, which left sort of a balance where Sonia still had to process her emotions and get the time she needed.
Niam and Sonia were really good with boundaries, both not overstepping, which I love. Sonia's relationship with her friend was really such a perfect part of the story because it detailed the realistic way that relationships change. This was a really quick read that was quite enjoyable.
☑️PLOT
☑️CHARACTERS
3.5 Stars
Sonia hides a secret that could change her life forever. Ever since her mother was deported, Sonia has had to hide the secret that her elder sister is also undocumented. When she saves James, her crush's life, clad in her cosplay outfit, she is known as a mysterious hero named "Shadow." Desperate to fly under the radar and not gain attention, Sonia hopes to avoid his family, only to get entangled in their lives. As she gets to know James kind-hearted, emphatic older brother Niam, lovely mother, and awkwardly hilarious father, she finds herself much deeper into his life than she first expected. James is curious to find the woman with the secret identity, drawing many into this secret that could get blown out of proportion. She's also getting charmed by Niam as her feelings for James fade and her relationships only get more complicated. While You Were Dreaming is a story of friendship, love, self-discovery, and relationships.
The romance between Niam and Sonia was just so sweet! I expected a lot more of the secret identity in this story, but I wasn't opposed to the fact that it was a lot more like a starting point for the story to jump off of. Sonia was a good protagonist, struggling with her own anxiety. I really loved to see how her worries affected her daily life. Sonia was a protagonist who wished to be in a relationship, but there were many factors that made her a lot more hesitant.
There was a perfect balance between platonic and romantic relationships. I wasn't a huge fan of the love triangle-ish situation going on, as well as James in general. That guy honestly needed to just learn that it wasn't his time and place, and Niam is literally THE ONE. He was the sweetest, asking her for consent, understanding when she needed space and giving it to her, making her food when she was upset, and giving her constructive feedback while at the same time being caring. Their relationship was realistic in the sense that they faced their own set of issues. I really liked the resolution, which left sort of a balance where Sonia still had to process her emotions and get the time she needed.
Niam and Sonia were really good with boundaries, both not overstepping, which I love. Sonia's relationship with her friend was really such a perfect part of the story because it detailed the realistic way that relationships change. This was a really quick read that was quite enjoyable.
☑️PLOT
☑️CHARACTERS
Read
July 3, 2024Alisha Rai's debut YA starts out with the plot of While You Were Sleeping, which I was fully excited about, because I adore that movie. It takes that premise in a fully different direction however, one about the fear of being undocumented.
Sonia Patil doesn't really feel like she belongs anywhere. Her mother was deported, so now it's just her and her undocumented sister trying to fly under the radar. Sonia belongs in the US, as she was born there, but her sister and mother do not. She feels like a resented burden on her sister. She also doesn't feel connected to the culture her mother is from. She's lonely, scared, and desperate for family.
After she saves her crush when he faints into a canal, she finds herself drawn into his family, who is warm and welcoming. From this point, though, it heavily diverges from the inspiring movie. Her crush wakes up much quicker, and the fake girlfriend thing doesn't last. I think it works as a hook, though the title is a little puzzling to me tbh.
There's some nice stuff about friendship as well. Sonia has a former friend she desperately wants closure with (and tbh I would have liked a bit more of this plot line, but I did like what was here). She makes a new friend at work who helps push her out of comfort zone in good ways. And, of course, there's the evolving relationship with her sister.
This doesn't hit quite as romancey as I hoped, but it's a great coming of age story with political elements that are sorely needed as the Supreme Court is currently working to make it ever harder for people to become citizens of the US.
Sonia Patil doesn't really feel like she belongs anywhere. Her mother was deported, so now it's just her and her undocumented sister trying to fly under the radar. Sonia belongs in the US, as she was born there, but her sister and mother do not. She feels like a resented burden on her sister. She also doesn't feel connected to the culture her mother is from. She's lonely, scared, and desperate for family.
After she saves her crush when he faints into a canal, she finds herself drawn into his family, who is warm and welcoming. From this point, though, it heavily diverges from the inspiring movie. Her crush wakes up much quicker, and the fake girlfriend thing doesn't last. I think it works as a hook, though the title is a little puzzling to me tbh.
There's some nice stuff about friendship as well. Sonia has a former friend she desperately wants closure with (and tbh I would have liked a bit more of this plot line, but I did like what was here). She makes a new friend at work who helps push her out of comfort zone in good ways. And, of course, there's the evolving relationship with her sister.
This doesn't hit quite as romancey as I hoped, but it's a great coming of age story with political elements that are sorely needed as the Supreme Court is currently working to make it ever harder for people to become citizens of the US.
December 9, 2022
Alisha Rai tackles YA in her new RomCom about a teen who goes viral for saving her crush, but is desperate to remain anonymous. You've got a love triangle and some fake dating! What's not to like? Sonia just wants to lay low. Her mom has been deported and Sonia is determined to fly under the radar. But when cosplaying for an event, she sees her crush fall into the water and dives in to save him. Injured, Sonia flees when two others appear to help. The last thing she needs is police involvement.
Loved this story. But this needs some more eyes on it. The author clearly has no idea how a Tesla works. Also, at one point Sonia describes James as pale, when he's the son of an Indian woman and a black man and has already been described as having dark skin. There was something else, but I can't remember now. However, the story was still fun and I'd definitely recommend it.
Loved this story. But this needs some more eyes on it. The author clearly has no idea how a Tesla works. Also, at one point Sonia describes James as pale, when he's the son of an Indian woman and a black man and has already been described as having dark skin. There was something else, but I can't remember now. However, the story was still fun and I'd definitely recommend it.
November 6, 2022
I am a fan of Alisha Rai’s previous books and really enjoyed having the opportunity to read her new YA book, While You Were Dreaming. While clearly inspired by the classic rom-com While You Were Sleeping, Rai brings fresh, appealing characters and situations to the storyline. Her main character Sonia is credible and three-dimensional, and the main love interesting is appealing and thoughtful. The main character’s other relationships are also complex and well-articulated, including with her sister, mother and several friends. The writing is excellent, there are moments of humor and tenderness, and all the emotions feel earned,
Overall, strongly recommend this book as well as Rai’s other work!
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins for the Advanced Reader Copy!
Overall, strongly recommend this book as well as Rai’s other work!
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins for the Advanced Reader Copy!
March 22, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: threat of drowning, epilepsy, mentions of threatening sexual advances
3.5
This is an interesting book, that does feel timely in certain ways.
I can't sake for the representation of undocumented peoples, and their families, but it did seem written in a careful and thoughtful way. I haven't seen representation like this before, so it did stand out, and I'd love to see stories like this one in the future.
Including the complicated nature of the family dynamics. I appreciated the complicated yet loving sisterly bond and the different levels of stresses effecting their relationship.
I also liked Hana a lot, and though the side characters by and large were a lot of fun. I appreciated the arcs we were able to see, even when they aren't the ones given the most attention.
However, I didn't really connect with the book over all. The stakes were there, but the interpersonal drama was never compelling enough for me. I couldn't really root for the romance, because the Niam relationship progresses in such a strange way, pacing-wise, and then his role is mostly jealousy, which is uninteresting and easy to dislike. Similarly, the sister drama coming to a head over something equally petty didn't feel organic and the secret itself didn't feel balanced with the stakes.
Also, I cringed every time the term "lizard people" was used in this. Authors, please stop using that phrase unless you are actually trying to make your character antisemetic.
I thought this book had an interesting core story and the obstacles felt fresh, but I couldn't get invested in any of the storylines beyond that main concept.
TW: threat of drowning, epilepsy, mentions of threatening sexual advances
3.5
This is an interesting book, that does feel timely in certain ways.
I can't sake for the representation of undocumented peoples, and their families, but it did seem written in a careful and thoughtful way. I haven't seen representation like this before, so it did stand out, and I'd love to see stories like this one in the future.
Including the complicated nature of the family dynamics. I appreciated the complicated yet loving sisterly bond and the different levels of stresses effecting their relationship.
I also liked Hana a lot, and though the side characters by and large were a lot of fun. I appreciated the arcs we were able to see, even when they aren't the ones given the most attention.
However, I didn't really connect with the book over all. The stakes were there, but the interpersonal drama was never compelling enough for me. I couldn't really root for the romance, because the Niam relationship progresses in such a strange way, pacing-wise, and then his role is mostly jealousy, which is uninteresting and easy to dislike. Similarly, the sister drama coming to a head over something equally petty didn't feel organic and the secret itself didn't feel balanced with the stakes.
Also, I cringed every time the term "lizard people" was used in this. Authors, please stop using that phrase unless you are actually trying to make your character antisemetic.
I thought this book had an interesting core story and the obstacles felt fresh, but I couldn't get invested in any of the storylines beyond that main concept.
March 11, 2024
While You Were Dreaming
I Picked Up This Book Because: 24 in 24 read.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 3/6/24 - 3/9/24
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Soneela Nankani
The Characters:
Sonia Patil
Niam Cooper
James Cooper, Kareena Patil, Hana, Sonia/Kareena’ mom, James/Niam’s Parents
The Story:
Navigating family, friends, romantic relationships and keeping secrets isn’t easy. Sonia knows this first hand. While this wasn’t a thriller I was shocked at several turns. This was a great story, complex but not overly dependent on teen angst. I would love to see another from this world.
I Picked Up This Book Because: 24 in 24 read.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 3/6/24 - 3/9/24
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Soneela Nankani
The Characters:
Sonia Patil
Niam Cooper
James Cooper, Kareena Patil, Hana, Sonia/Kareena’ mom, James/Niam’s Parents
The Story:
Navigating family, friends, romantic relationships and keeping secrets isn’t easy. Sonia knows this first hand. While this wasn’t a thriller I was shocked at several turns. This was a great story, complex but not overly dependent on teen angst. I would love to see another from this world.
February 6, 2023
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have read several of Rai’s adult releases before and have five star rated several of them so I was excited to get my hands on her debut YA release. I loved it! Every character was complex and interesting. I want to know what happens next to all of them and would love if she wrote another book in this world. I even know what happens next to the school mean girl! They all had so many layers and really complex interactions that made for a really enjoyable story. I loved it and I want more.
I have read several of Rai’s adult releases before and have five star rated several of them so I was excited to get my hands on her debut YA release. I loved it! Every character was complex and interesting. I want to know what happens next to all of them and would love if she wrote another book in this world. I even know what happens next to the school mean girl! They all had so many layers and really complex interactions that made for a really enjoyable story. I loved it and I want more.
May 13, 2023
This is definitely a case of an adult author making the YA transition flawlessly (some have decidedly not been). But I absolutely adored the MC, Sonia (she was super relatable in terms of her anxiety and overthinking). Also, this book managed to weave in some bigger topics like immigration/deportation, childhood illness, and bullying in such a way that they never felt super heavy-handed, but also didn't hide them. Alisha Rai is truly a talent, and will always be an insta-buy author for me, whether she's writing adult or YA!
September 22, 2022
Excellent story telling by Alisha Rai! All of the plot devices had actual story and care behind them making the book I finally believe able and enjoyable. I can’t say enough good things about the character and story development in this book.
My only critique is that some of the dialog was difficult to follow when they are talking about rumors and gossip with several character some of which you will never meet. But it barely deterred from the story.
ARC generously provided by Net Galley and Quill Tree Books in exchange for fair and honest review.
My only critique is that some of the dialog was difficult to follow when they are talking about rumors and gossip with several character some of which you will never meet. But it barely deterred from the story.
ARC generously provided by Net Galley and Quill Tree Books in exchange for fair and honest review.
Want to read
May 1, 2023A Comic Con setting-based story with a nerdy MC who both sounds like me and acts like me? And loves superheroes? Sign me up! I'm always here for the cosplay romance, it's something I don't see too often <3 I need to read this RIGHT NOW
...I'm very unsure about the "TikTok detectives" though. TikTok is scary enough as it is.
...I'm very unsure about the "TikTok detectives" though. TikTok is scary enough as it is.
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