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Otherworld #1
The Dreams Thief
THE FAE LIVE AMONGST US.
Brun MacLugh is weary.
For five hundred years he endured a life of loneliness, impatiently waiting for his days to come to an end and his grief along with it.
Fate, however, has other a new heir to the legacy he is duty-bound to protect is born, two hundred and fifty years after his greatest failure.
Brun has no choice. He has to fulfil his purpose.
And hope this task will be his last.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Endell was prepared to spend a very long summer in the company of her parents when the news of an astonishing inheritance in Scotland wreaks havoc on her otherwise ordinary life and puts her on the path of the captivating Brun MacLugh.
And of mortal danger.
To survive, Lizzie and Brun will have no choice but to unearth layers of secrets and solve ancient riddles.
Will they find a way to defeat the faceless creature known as the Dreams Thief?
Warning: Contains Mature language, Intense Violence, Graphic Sexual Situations.Expect magic, both Seelie and Unseelie and remember that the Fae live amongst us…
Brun MacLugh is weary.
For five hundred years he endured a life of loneliness, impatiently waiting for his days to come to an end and his grief along with it.
Fate, however, has other a new heir to the legacy he is duty-bound to protect is born, two hundred and fifty years after his greatest failure.
Brun has no choice. He has to fulfil his purpose.
And hope this task will be his last.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Endell was prepared to spend a very long summer in the company of her parents when the news of an astonishing inheritance in Scotland wreaks havoc on her otherwise ordinary life and puts her on the path of the captivating Brun MacLugh.
And of mortal danger.
To survive, Lizzie and Brun will have no choice but to unearth layers of secrets and solve ancient riddles.
Will they find a way to defeat the faceless creature known as the Dreams Thief?
Warning: Contains Mature language, Intense Violence, Graphic Sexual Situations.Expect magic, both Seelie and Unseelie and remember that the Fae live amongst us…
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
About the author
Bella Dunn
9 books41 followersBella Dunn is a fantasy writer based in Dublin.
She holds a PhD in Biochemistry which has zero influence in her writing style, thankfully.
A self-diagnosed introvert (it’s actually quite obvious) she spent most of her post-formative years either reading a book or writing a book.
Although she tried her hand at different genres, Bella’s heart is set on writing fantasy. Her passion is to create new worlds and she draws inspiration from Celtic, Norse and more recently, Greek Mythology, to create her stories.
Whether you are looking for a sprawling epic or swoony romances in magic lands, Bella will have a story to tell you…
She holds a PhD in Biochemistry which has zero influence in her writing style, thankfully.
A self-diagnosed introvert (it’s actually quite obvious) she spent most of her post-formative years either reading a book or writing a book.
Although she tried her hand at different genres, Bella’s heart is set on writing fantasy. Her passion is to create new worlds and she draws inspiration from Celtic, Norse and more recently, Greek Mythology, to create her stories.
Whether you are looking for a sprawling epic or swoony romances in magic lands, Bella will have a story to tell you…
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 8, 2024
My SPFBOX review of The Dreams Thief is published at Before We Go Blog.
The beautiful Scottish Highlands provide the backdrop for love and magic in The Dreams Thief, a romantasy by Bella Dunn. Lizzie Endell’s life is turned upside-down when she learns of an unexpected inheritance in faraway Scotland. Returning to her ancestors’ homeland, she becomes the Ninth Viscountess Lochellen, inheriting a picturesque estate and its associated income.
Lizzie’s initiation into aristocratic life is aided by the handsome Brun MacLugh, a changeling with magical powers and an unnaturally long life. Brun’s association with Lizzie’s ancestors dates back centuries, including an infatuation with her namesake from three hundred years ago. Lizzie and her ancestor bear an uncommon resemblance to each other, rekindling Brun’s longstanding passion. Unbeknownst to Lizzie, she may also have inherited some of her ancestor’s magical powers.
The antagonist of the novel is the titular Dreams Thief, a conjurer fae known to induce deadly sleep in his victims as he drains their life force away. Herein lies the main problem with The Dreams Thief. We never learn enough about the dreaded Dreams Thief to fear this legendary fae. The Dreams Thief feels like an afterthought for much of the book, as the author seems more interested in the burgeoning romance between Lizzie and Brun.
Bella Dunn’s prose makes for easy and fun reading. I devoured this 400-page novel over the course of a day. While I enjoyed The Dreams Thief in a guilty-pleasure kind of way, the characters and story simply don’t have the depth that I’m looking for in a potential SPFBOX semi-finalist. Although this is a cut from SPFBOX, I still recommend The Dreams Thief to readers looking for a light romantasy beach read.
The beautiful Scottish Highlands provide the backdrop for love and magic in The Dreams Thief, a romantasy by Bella Dunn. Lizzie Endell’s life is turned upside-down when she learns of an unexpected inheritance in faraway Scotland. Returning to her ancestors’ homeland, she becomes the Ninth Viscountess Lochellen, inheriting a picturesque estate and its associated income.
Lizzie’s initiation into aristocratic life is aided by the handsome Brun MacLugh, a changeling with magical powers and an unnaturally long life. Brun’s association with Lizzie’s ancestors dates back centuries, including an infatuation with her namesake from three hundred years ago. Lizzie and her ancestor bear an uncommon resemblance to each other, rekindling Brun’s longstanding passion. Unbeknownst to Lizzie, she may also have inherited some of her ancestor’s magical powers.
The antagonist of the novel is the titular Dreams Thief, a conjurer fae known to induce deadly sleep in his victims as he drains their life force away. Herein lies the main problem with The Dreams Thief. We never learn enough about the dreaded Dreams Thief to fear this legendary fae. The Dreams Thief feels like an afterthought for much of the book, as the author seems more interested in the burgeoning romance between Lizzie and Brun.
Bella Dunn’s prose makes for easy and fun reading. I devoured this 400-page novel over the course of a day. While I enjoyed The Dreams Thief in a guilty-pleasure kind of way, the characters and story simply don’t have the depth that I’m looking for in a potential SPFBOX semi-finalist. Although this is a cut from SPFBOX, I still recommend The Dreams Thief to readers looking for a light romantasy beach read.
March 27, 2026
Steamy AND dreamy, The Dreams Thief is a fae romp full of sex and intrigue.It'll send you for a cold shower.
Dunn writes like Fae-ne Austen throughout. The book perfectly delivers a will they? won't they? love story as Lizzie and Brynn discover their feelings for each other.
The magical dreams thief element brings plenty of twists and turns as the starcrossed lovers work together to solve the mystery of the thief's identity.
These two elements of the novel had me hooked from first to last. The last act was a powerful showdown with a satisfying climax.
I'm not normally a reader of things romantasy, and I don't want to pidgeon hole The Dreams Thief solely into this genre because it's much more than that. But it speaks volumes of the story and writing that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Dunn writes like Fae-ne Austen throughout. The book perfectly delivers a will they? won't they? love story as Lizzie and Brynn discover their feelings for each other.
The magical dreams thief element brings plenty of twists and turns as the starcrossed lovers work together to solve the mystery of the thief's identity.
These two elements of the novel had me hooked from first to last. The last act was a powerful showdown with a satisfying climax.
I'm not normally a reader of things romantasy, and I don't want to pidgeon hole The Dreams Thief solely into this genre because it's much more than that. But it speaks volumes of the story and writing that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
December 9, 2024
This is a great read - the characters are realistically portrayed. The story seems to start like other books, but, this one is different, and the backstory of Brun is something I NEED to find out about!
The second novel in this series is already on my "need to buy it on release day" list.
I found this author through a random Tweet on my 'for you' feed, where I had been interacting with other authors in similar genres, and took a chance on this story after reading the provided excerpt.
I was not disappointed!
The second novel in this series is already on my "need to buy it on release day" list.
I found this author through a random Tweet on my 'for you' feed, where I had been interacting with other authors in similar genres, and took a chance on this story after reading the provided excerpt.
I was not disappointed!
May 17, 2026
I should start by saying that I'm not a romantasy person. I am, however, a fan of things Scottish. So, while I had to fight my way through the more mushy elements of THE DREAMS THIEF, the setting and the intrigue of the plot kept me reading. The story has all the hallmarks of fantasy--fae, destinies marked by prophecy, magic, and mortal enemies--but its wrapped in a mystery and seasoned with well-placed modern humor. The characters are well-developed and the plot intricate, leading to some gruesome scenes. And, lastly, though I had an inkling, the reveal of the antagonist still caught me. Well done.
October 17, 2024
LRTC. This book surprised me as I hadn't heard much about it. Definitely under the radar. It has romance, it has solid magic with an interesting puzzle throughout. This is a rounded-up review but my only real quibble is that the titular Dreams Thief didn't have a few more clues regarding their identity for Lizzie and Brun to sort out.
July 28, 2024
An enjoyable romantic read! I zoomed through this one in just a few days! Bella Dunn has a great wit about her writing that I really enjoyed and Brun and Lizzie had excellent chemistry throughout. There was just the right amount of misunderstanding between the two of them, but they actually communicated with each other like adults, which is refreshing!
Set in modern day Scotland, but the Fae are real, and they’ve been sneaking from their world to ours, sometimes with nefarious purposes. Loved the setting!
Recommended for anyone looking for a contemporary fantasy romance, fans of Scotland/Kilts, and anyone who needs more fae in their lives.
Set in modern day Scotland, but the Fae are real, and they’ve been sneaking from their world to ours, sometimes with nefarious purposes. Loved the setting!
Recommended for anyone looking for a contemporary fantasy romance, fans of Scotland/Kilts, and anyone who needs more fae in their lives.
December 30, 2024
Absolutely loved this book & really look forward to the next in the series. I seen this recommended on the indie authors Instagram page & I'm so glad I looked it up.
December 5, 2024
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Endell is a smart but very unconfident woman. Set to spend the summer with her absent minded father and her well meaning but over bearing mother, something surprising happens. She receives an unexpected inheritance in Scotland that will change her life. Along with this inheritance comes Brun MacLugh a good looking ageless executor to the estate. Through the challenges and secrets that the inheritance bring upon Lizzie she begins to come into her own. But doing so leads to mortal danger from the mysterious and shadowed Dream Thief. Lizzie and Brun must decipher the puzzles left for them in order to defeat The Dream Thief.
This is a great fantasy book with a bit of spice. Note the spice isn't gratuitous, it definitely part of the plot and in some instances integral to the story line. Be ready to read the second book when it is released as this does end on a bit of cliff hanger.
This is a great fantasy book with a bit of spice. Note the spice isn't gratuitous, it definitely part of the plot and in some instances integral to the story line. Be ready to read the second book when it is released as this does end on a bit of cliff hanger.
September 25, 2024
I loved this book 👏🏼
A truly clever story, unique from the other fae stories I have read. Some things I loved:
1. It is present day, making the fantasy all the more realistic.
2. Lizzie is a total babe AND she wears glasses. Having worn glasses my whole life, it was so nice to read a story where the strong sexy heroine had glasses because I have NEVER felt sexy with mine on. I also loved that there was never a 90s high school romance movie moment where the nerd takes off her glasses and suddenly she’s a hottie. This might not be super important to everyone, but it was important to me.
3. The KILTS. There is more than one spicy scene where Brun dons a kilt and Lizzie does not hide the effect it has on her.
4. I love that the magic in this book is triggered by music. I love the idea of song lyrics as spells, and I love the idea of our present day nursery rhymes and lullabies being inspired by fae songs.
5. Brun. Enough said.
I can’t wait for this book to be made available to everyone because we NEED 👏🏼 BRUN 👏🏼 FAN ART 👏🏼. I also can’t wait to see where the story goes in the second one.
A truly clever story, unique from the other fae stories I have read. Some things I loved:
1. It is present day, making the fantasy all the more realistic.
2. Lizzie is a total babe AND she wears glasses. Having worn glasses my whole life, it was so nice to read a story where the strong sexy heroine had glasses because I have NEVER felt sexy with mine on. I also loved that there was never a 90s high school romance movie moment where the nerd takes off her glasses and suddenly she’s a hottie. This might not be super important to everyone, but it was important to me.
3. The KILTS. There is more than one spicy scene where Brun dons a kilt and Lizzie does not hide the effect it has on her.
4. I love that the magic in this book is triggered by music. I love the idea of song lyrics as spells, and I love the idea of our present day nursery rhymes and lullabies being inspired by fae songs.
5. Brun. Enough said.
I can’t wait for this book to be made available to everyone because we NEED 👏🏼 BRUN 👏🏼 FAN ART 👏🏼. I also can’t wait to see where the story goes in the second one.
June 18, 2024
Great start to what I hope is the first of many books in this series 💖
I’m honestly surprised that there were no ratings or reviews already on Amazon when I came across The Dreams Thief and, well, I’m so glad I took a chance on reading this! It had me engaged with the characters, swept along with the storyline and in no time I was fully invested in the plot and characters. It was a delight to see Lizzie grow into her new role and into herself as well as the story progressed. And who doesn’t love a handsome hero in a kilt! Brun had his own traumas to overcome and despite being hundreds of years old, he had a fair bit of emotional growing to do too. The scenery etc was well described and I could easily ‘see’ the places, buildings and people. The intrigue, tension and action built as the story unfolded, to culminate in a satisfying conclusion, with an hea for the love aspect and an interesting hook for the next book. There were laugh aloud moments, always a plus for me, with some satisfying spice sprinkled in too. The side characters were also well written - I’m hoping we see more of Vivian in the next book, cos I’m thinking there may be more to her than appears 🤔 Really good writing, with my only bug bear being rather a lot of words in italics, which I found a little off putting to start with, but I did get used to it. That’s not a criticism of the authors writing style, I’m just used to italics being used for thoughts or only for emphasis occasionally, not as frequently used as they were. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am hoping the author gets more exposure so more folks can enjoy this fab tale, hopefully as much as I did! Looking forward to reading book 2 💖
I’m honestly surprised that there were no ratings or reviews already on Amazon when I came across The Dreams Thief and, well, I’m so glad I took a chance on reading this! It had me engaged with the characters, swept along with the storyline and in no time I was fully invested in the plot and characters. It was a delight to see Lizzie grow into her new role and into herself as well as the story progressed. And who doesn’t love a handsome hero in a kilt! Brun had his own traumas to overcome and despite being hundreds of years old, he had a fair bit of emotional growing to do too. The scenery etc was well described and I could easily ‘see’ the places, buildings and people. The intrigue, tension and action built as the story unfolded, to culminate in a satisfying conclusion, with an hea for the love aspect and an interesting hook for the next book. There were laugh aloud moments, always a plus for me, with some satisfying spice sprinkled in too. The side characters were also well written - I’m hoping we see more of Vivian in the next book, cos I’m thinking there may be more to her than appears 🤔 Really good writing, with my only bug bear being rather a lot of words in italics, which I found a little off putting to start with, but I did get used to it. That’s not a criticism of the authors writing style, I’m just used to italics being used for thoughts or only for emphasis occasionally, not as frequently used as they were. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am hoping the author gets more exposure so more folks can enjoy this fab tale, hopefully as much as I did! Looking forward to reading book 2 💖
August 7, 2026
3.5 Stars: Liked it, probably won’t listen to it again. Might continue the series (specific concern listed under the minor spoiler warning) and will read other books from the same author.
Cute story, refreshing to have a fae urban fantasy instead of high fantasy. Free listen with audible premium and only one review so far, I have to admit I didn’t expect much so it was a nice surprise.
I hate narrators that whisper the book!! It’s so annoying to listen to and makes it harder to understand because it ruins the annunciation. And then you get a few surprise blow outs when a character yells. And it’s really weird to have someone whisper a fight scene. Please, don’t whisper the entire book.
The mystery-baiting prophecy nonsense really dragged on the story (to be fair, “prophecies” are one of my least favorite plot devices. YMMV) Frustrated with the very cliché romance ending, but that’s the genre for you I suppose. If you’re a woman there are clearly only two things that can make you fulfilled in life.
Mild spoiler ahead!!!!
I say mild spoiler because this is very cliché.
Last chance to leave the review! Wedding and pregnancy. Shocker. Hurray, now she can be a whole person (major eye roll). The bigger concern for me is how the next book will be set up…I’m guessing the major plot device will be one that bothers me more than prophecies…child endangerment. Because now there is a pregnancy and a future baby to protect. No thanks.
**********
Overall not a bad listen, this is mostly me being exhausted by a lot of repetitive tropes from reading in my preferred genres. If these are the things you love about books or you’re not quite as burned out as me, read it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Cute story, refreshing to have a fae urban fantasy instead of high fantasy. Free listen with audible premium and only one review so far, I have to admit I didn’t expect much so it was a nice surprise.
I hate narrators that whisper the book!! It’s so annoying to listen to and makes it harder to understand because it ruins the annunciation. And then you get a few surprise blow outs when a character yells. And it’s really weird to have someone whisper a fight scene. Please, don’t whisper the entire book.
The mystery-baiting prophecy nonsense really dragged on the story (to be fair, “prophecies” are one of my least favorite plot devices. YMMV) Frustrated with the very cliché romance ending, but that’s the genre for you I suppose. If you’re a woman there are clearly only two things that can make you fulfilled in life.
Mild spoiler ahead!!!!
I say mild spoiler because this is very cliché.
Last chance to leave the review! Wedding and pregnancy. Shocker. Hurray, now she can be a whole person (major eye roll). The bigger concern for me is how the next book will be set up…I’m guessing the major plot device will be one that bothers me more than prophecies…child endangerment. Because now there is a pregnancy and a future baby to protect. No thanks.
**********
Overall not a bad listen, this is mostly me being exhausted by a lot of repetitive tropes from reading in my preferred genres. If these are the things you love about books or you’re not quite as burned out as me, read it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
May 8, 2024
A Tale of Love and Legacy
It’s a fantasy novel set in Scotland, blending modern life with magical elements. The story follows Elizabeth "Lizzie" Endell, who inherits a mysterious legacy, and Brun MacLugh, a centuries-old guardian tied to her fate.
The book is well-paced, featuring a mix of quiet scenes and thrilling moments, with a richly described Scottish setting that enhances the magical atmosphere.
Key themes include the burdens of immortality, duty, and love. The book explores deep emotional territories and includes mature content like graphic violence and sexual situations, integral to the story's darker aspects.
Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of fantasy who appreciate a blend of modern and mythological elements.
It’s a fantasy novel set in Scotland, blending modern life with magical elements. The story follows Elizabeth "Lizzie" Endell, who inherits a mysterious legacy, and Brun MacLugh, a centuries-old guardian tied to her fate.
The book is well-paced, featuring a mix of quiet scenes and thrilling moments, with a richly described Scottish setting that enhances the magical atmosphere.
Key themes include the burdens of immortality, duty, and love. The book explores deep emotional territories and includes mature content like graphic violence and sexual situations, integral to the story's darker aspects.
Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of fantasy who appreciate a blend of modern and mythological elements.
January 31, 2025
This book is a perfect blend of fantasy, romance and contemporary realism. I loved the prologue at the beginning where I got a real sense of the historical setting. I loved the present day parts. I loved their relationship with it's ups and downs and intimate time. Brun is an amazing character. Wouldn't we all love a man like that. I loved Lizzies innocence and then her growing in strength and character throughout the book. A truly wonderful book that was very hard to put down. Can't wait for the next one!!
January 13, 2025
The dreams thief by Bella Dunn is book 1 in the otherworld series. Bella is a new author for me. I found this novel to be a fast pace and excellent but of characters. And storyline. I really love lizzie's mother she's like a mother hen. Poor lizzie,how she felt she couldn't breathe with her around. Im loving the series if this is anything to go by. We won't be disappointed. Can't wait to see what Bella has in store for us in book 2. Thank you for taking us on lizzie and Bran journey.
February 15, 2025
4.75/5 ⭐ I really enjoyed the unique take on the typical romantasy plot. It was fresh and not the same old story with different names. I felt it was a little rushed at the end from the reveal to the wrap up and I wish Lizzie's magical development was more detailed. I also really loved that Bella Dunn made her FMC so relatable. She relied on her intelligence, not an unrealistically quick grasp of fighting. The interactions between the FMC and MMC were believable and NOT filled with ridiculous miscommunication. Huge wins in my book. There were some typos and grammatical errors that pulled me out of the story some, especially in the later third of the book (but the author does note it is a "one-woman-show" for her so I give it much more leeway than I typically would). Overall, it was a fun read.
December 16, 2025
It’s like Vampire Diaries but they’re Scottish and Fae and have kilts!
….spicy kilts.
The Dreams Thief is a charming novel filled with adorable friendships, magical danger, and a complex romantic entanglement. It has worthwhile themes such as slavery and manipulation vs free will within the physical and emotional spheres.
The daddy daughter relationship had me tickled pink; and I laughed on many occasions.
….spicy kilts.
The Dreams Thief is a charming novel filled with adorable friendships, magical danger, and a complex romantic entanglement. It has worthwhile themes such as slavery and manipulation vs free will within the physical and emotional spheres.
The daddy daughter relationship had me tickled pink; and I laughed on many occasions.
April 17, 2024
Great read! Brilliant interaction between the far and the “real world.” Love the background to the story coupled with the modern day impacts.
Lizzie is a champion and Brun is brilliant. My favourite interactions are the way in which the modern woman moves the traditional man forward in the modern era.
Would highly recommend, and can’t wait for book 2!
Lizzie is a champion and Brun is brilliant. My favourite interactions are the way in which the modern woman moves the traditional man forward in the modern era.
Would highly recommend, and can’t wait for book 2!
October 25, 2025
This book was so beautifully written — the author’s style is absolutely captivating! I could picture every scene so vividly, it felt like I was right there in the story. The male love interest had such an intriguing backstory, and the whole take on the Fae and changelings was incredibly imaginative. I couldn’t stop listening!
August 25, 2024
This was a fun read in a beautiful setting. I have a soft spot for Scotland and all things Great Britain so I really enjoyed this fantasy novel.
The characters were fun and lovable. Magic and found family and slow burn romance. Such a fun combination.
The characters were fun and lovable. Magic and found family and slow burn romance. Such a fun combination.
March 14, 2025
How Do You Heal A 500 Year-Old Heart?
The main problem with living for 500 years is the loneliness. How can Brun find happiness when the flames of a centuries old love have burnt and scarred his heart? But he's not here for happiness. He only has to fulfill one more task before he can find a peaceful end, an end he longs to feel.
The problem is that this final task brings him face to face with old enemies, lost friends, and a love he thought was dead. Is he even capable of dreaming again?
And then there is The Dreams Thief.
This romantic adventure bounds across times and worlds in an effortless, easy prose that brings the reader into the story. It's a fun read with spiciness, adult themes, and plenty of magic. I will think of it now whenever I hear a Celtic song.
The main problem with living for 500 years is the loneliness. How can Brun find happiness when the flames of a centuries old love have burnt and scarred his heart? But he's not here for happiness. He only has to fulfill one more task before he can find a peaceful end, an end he longs to feel.
The problem is that this final task brings him face to face with old enemies, lost friends, and a love he thought was dead. Is he even capable of dreaming again?
And then there is The Dreams Thief.
This romantic adventure bounds across times and worlds in an effortless, easy prose that brings the reader into the story. It's a fun read with spiciness, adult themes, and plenty of magic. I will think of it now whenever I hear a Celtic song.
April 2, 2024
The Dreams Thief was an engaging read. Present day with magic and fantasy added, a few twists and puzzles made for a fun and enjoyable read. Looking forward to the continuation of Lizzie and Brun's story!
July 8, 2025
The beautiful backdrop of the Highlands of Scotland is the perfect setting for this story. It is as beautiful and rugged as I imagine Brun to be. Completely different to how I imagine Lizzie. I can relate so much to her, from living in jeans, t-shirts and trainers, to having zero confidence in herself.
You would think the one struggling to come to terms with everything would be the girl in her early 20’s. Brun has been alive so long you would think he’d had plenty of time to come to terms with his fate and his grief. It just proves that grief never leaves you, it will always be there. You just learn to grow around it.
Brun’s gentlemanly gesture at the end of chapter 6? Swoon!
Bella’s writing makes you feel so connected to Lizzie and Brun. As well as connected to the environment around them. I felt like I could smell the saltiness of the loch and the scent of Brun’s natural scent.
You are not ready for the rollercoaster ride of emotions she takes you on. It will rip your heart out! Just know that you won’t want the story to end!
You would think the one struggling to come to terms with everything would be the girl in her early 20’s. Brun has been alive so long you would think he’d had plenty of time to come to terms with his fate and his grief. It just proves that grief never leaves you, it will always be there. You just learn to grow around it.
Brun’s gentlemanly gesture at the end of chapter 6? Swoon!
Bella’s writing makes you feel so connected to Lizzie and Brun. As well as connected to the environment around them. I felt like I could smell the saltiness of the loch and the scent of Brun’s natural scent.
You are not ready for the rollercoaster ride of emotions she takes you on. It will rip your heart out! Just know that you won’t want the story to end!
November 22, 2024
Lizzie Endell was on track to become a doctor when she finds out she is inheriting a Scottish castle. Brun MacLugh awaits her at the estate and surprises her by being an attractive young man instead of the crusty old caretaker she'd imagined. Little does she know that Brun has hundreds of years of secrets up his kilt.
Starting off I loved Lizzie's introduction and characterization. It was easy to slip right into her shoes and travel with her to Scotland to explore this unexpected inheritance. Brun was a delight as well, with a tragic past and heaps of internal conflict.
The story had a good pace and the plot kept intriguing with twists and turns to accent, distract, and challenge the budding romance between the Scotsman and heiress. The nebulous threat of The Dreams Thief added a perfect tension to every scene.
The climax pleasantly surprised me. Watching Lizzie grow as a character in the midst of a knock down, drag out fight was thrilling. I thought that the whole encounter nicely resolved the plot, romance, and character arcs in a fun and true-to-the-characters kind of way.
There were a few romance tropes that grated on me (I don't typically read romance, so take this with a grain of salt). I wasn't a fan of the insta-love aspect. I wanted a bit more nuance or explanation for what Lizzie and Brun saw in each other. Lizzie's insecurity was great characterization at first but lasted a bit too far into the story. And there were some romance cliches that had me rolling my eyes.
Overall The Dreams Thief was a fun romance with great characterization and an engaging plot. Lizzie and Brun each have realistic inner-conflicts making them excellent romantic leads. With scenes that turned the spice up to eleven, this is a must read for fans of romantasy or kilts.
Starting off I loved Lizzie's introduction and characterization. It was easy to slip right into her shoes and travel with her to Scotland to explore this unexpected inheritance. Brun was a delight as well, with a tragic past and heaps of internal conflict.
The story had a good pace and the plot kept intriguing with twists and turns to accent, distract, and challenge the budding romance between the Scotsman and heiress. The nebulous threat of The Dreams Thief added a perfect tension to every scene.
The climax pleasantly surprised me. Watching Lizzie grow as a character in the midst of a knock down, drag out fight was thrilling. I thought that the whole encounter nicely resolved the plot, romance, and character arcs in a fun and true-to-the-characters kind of way.
There were a few romance tropes that grated on me (I don't typically read romance, so take this with a grain of salt). I wasn't a fan of the insta-love aspect. I wanted a bit more nuance or explanation for what Lizzie and Brun saw in each other. Lizzie's insecurity was great characterization at first but lasted a bit too far into the story. And there were some romance cliches that had me rolling my eyes.
Overall The Dreams Thief was a fun romance with great characterization and an engaging plot. Lizzie and Brun each have realistic inner-conflicts making them excellent romantic leads. With scenes that turned the spice up to eleven, this is a must read for fans of romantasy or kilts.
June 19, 2024
Drawn into the past with Brun, the story initially unfolds with some ambiguity that piqued my curiosity. The intentional suspense keeps you hanging until the narrative shifts to the present day, where we meet Lizzie Endell. Instantly, I found myself enamored with her character. She embodies the traits of a post-university girl—rash, funny, sassy, and quirky—and perhaps I felt a kinship with her!
Unexpectedly, she inherits an estate in Scotland where she meets the handsome Brun, and the two of them begin their flirtations, inadvertently hindering themselves. Dunn details the tension and flirtations wonderfully, often leaving us as frustrated as Lizzie when Brun runs off to Edinburgh every so often! But this tale goes beyond mere romance. It delves into a dark past, intertwining fae magic and inherited powers. There are puzzles to solve, and ultimately, Lizzie finds herself in danger
I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and how the story seamlessly wove together magic with our 'real' world. Being from Scotland myself, I found the Scottish references tastefully integrated without feeling cringy or overdone. The writing was beautiful, and I didn't mind imagining Brun in a kilt one bit!
Unexpectedly, she inherits an estate in Scotland where she meets the handsome Brun, and the two of them begin their flirtations, inadvertently hindering themselves. Dunn details the tension and flirtations wonderfully, often leaving us as frustrated as Lizzie when Brun runs off to Edinburgh every so often! But this tale goes beyond mere romance. It delves into a dark past, intertwining fae magic and inherited powers. There are puzzles to solve, and ultimately, Lizzie finds herself in danger
I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and how the story seamlessly wove together magic with our 'real' world. Being from Scotland myself, I found the Scottish references tastefully integrated without feeling cringy or overdone. The writing was beautiful, and I didn't mind imagining Brun in a kilt one bit!
April 7, 2025
This book is filled with adventure, intrigue, and magic. I also heard kilts somewhere. The female heroine, Lizzie, finds out more about herself than she ever knew. I enjoyed this story and I can't wait to read the next one!
September 20, 2024
Ok, I REALLY loved this one. First off I wear glasses, so I appreciated this a lot. Second, lizzie is intelligent, and fun. I will leave a more full review later on.
December 17, 2024
The Dreams Thief is a contemporary fantasy romance set around the lush lochs of Scotland. Heavy on the romance and sneakily lore-filled, this book manages to raise pulses in more ways than one. Part ‘will they, won’t they’, part fantasy mystery, The Dreams Thief is carried by its dual leads, Lizzie and Brun.
Told through both Lizzie and Brun’s points of view, we are whisked away into what we think will be modern-day Scotland, only to uncover an interesting, if not brutal, secondary world amongst them, the world of the fae. Lizzie is your prototypical romance story heroine, a wide-eyed young woman thrust into a plot she only imagined about in her fantasy stories (Lizzie is actually a fantasy nerd and drops tons of fantasy books/movie references, really loved this bit!) but learns all too soon that she’s got something magical about her. Lizzie is a more than capable adult, if not quirky to the point of adorable. I loved Lizzie’s inner dialogues because it really showed us she’s a really human person. And when she learns about her magic, her reactions are very genuine, and some quite humorous. Brun, the really tall, gorgeous hunk with the manners of a 1700s gentleman, is a great foil. This handsome dude has been around 500 years and we most definitely feel this weight of age and failure to protect some magic fae sisters related to Lizzie. Although much of the fae lore is given through Brun’s history, he still feels real. Have I mentioned that he’s a heartthrob??? He also wears a kilt and definitely answers that question…
This tale is first and foremost a romance, and while contemporary romance isn’t my usual brand of scotch, I found Lizzie and Brun’s budding love story a joy to read. Despite the quick lust at first sight for both of them, it was a pleasant build. Sure both characters were stubborn at different times for different reasons, their growing relationship seemed effortlessly natural. It never felt forced for story reasons. And even though they both danced around wanting to rip each other’s clothes off (more than a few just do it already moments…), I very much enjoyed watching them finally come together. It also helps that there are fae magic reasons (not to mention some major obstacles to overcome, especially on Brun’s side) to this relationship, so that was a nice departure from the norm because it gave greater stakes for both characters. And the spice? Oh it’s spicy. The aforementioned kilts play a…ahem…big…ahem role in said spice.
But the romance angle doesn’t take away from the fantastical elements of this story. Although I’m not normally big on fae, there was some awesome worldbuilding here. There are two types of fae, enchanters and conjurers, and both were interesting in their own way. I quite liked how Lizzie straddled both due to some amazing plot twists. And while we do get to see some cool magic at times, I actually liked how this story was more mystery than the ‘here’s some magic, go learn it’ trope. The titular Dreams Thief is from the fae world and is trying to do some dastardly things, but Lizzie’s ancestors (and Brun’s former wards whom he failed) left clues on how to defeat the villain. I thought all the little puzzles and clues were fun, slowly guiding us readers to unveiling the baddie. If I am honest, I do think the actual Dreams Thief was not utilized enough. For as big a threat it was made out to be, it wasn’t until the last fourth of the book does the villain become the focus. I wish there was more with the Dreams Thief earlier on interspersed with the romance part. Once revealed, I thoroughly enjoyed everything relating to the Dreams Thief, and the final confrontation was heart pounding.
The pacing of The Dreams Thief is very steady and the prose is solid. Because I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance, the first half of the book was a bit harder for me to get into. That was where a lot of the ‘will they, won’t they’ action takes place. I know romance readers will eat this part up in no time. Once Brun reveals Lizzie’s magical backstory, that’s when things picked up for this reader and I raced through the remaining 200ish pages in two sittings (and that was only because I couldn’t stay up any longer).
All told, The Dreams Thief was an excellent read. And even though our characters had a very satisfying ending, there was a very cool five year time jump in the epilogue that set up another adventure for book 2. I can’t wait! #secretscribes
Told through both Lizzie and Brun’s points of view, we are whisked away into what we think will be modern-day Scotland, only to uncover an interesting, if not brutal, secondary world amongst them, the world of the fae. Lizzie is your prototypical romance story heroine, a wide-eyed young woman thrust into a plot she only imagined about in her fantasy stories (Lizzie is actually a fantasy nerd and drops tons of fantasy books/movie references, really loved this bit!) but learns all too soon that she’s got something magical about her. Lizzie is a more than capable adult, if not quirky to the point of adorable. I loved Lizzie’s inner dialogues because it really showed us she’s a really human person. And when she learns about her magic, her reactions are very genuine, and some quite humorous. Brun, the really tall, gorgeous hunk with the manners of a 1700s gentleman, is a great foil. This handsome dude has been around 500 years and we most definitely feel this weight of age and failure to protect some magic fae sisters related to Lizzie. Although much of the fae lore is given through Brun’s history, he still feels real. Have I mentioned that he’s a heartthrob??? He also wears a kilt and definitely answers that question…
This tale is first and foremost a romance, and while contemporary romance isn’t my usual brand of scotch, I found Lizzie and Brun’s budding love story a joy to read. Despite the quick lust at first sight for both of them, it was a pleasant build. Sure both characters were stubborn at different times for different reasons, their growing relationship seemed effortlessly natural. It never felt forced for story reasons. And even though they both danced around wanting to rip each other’s clothes off (more than a few just do it already moments…), I very much enjoyed watching them finally come together. It also helps that there are fae magic reasons (not to mention some major obstacles to overcome, especially on Brun’s side) to this relationship, so that was a nice departure from the norm because it gave greater stakes for both characters. And the spice? Oh it’s spicy. The aforementioned kilts play a…ahem…big…ahem role in said spice.
But the romance angle doesn’t take away from the fantastical elements of this story. Although I’m not normally big on fae, there was some awesome worldbuilding here. There are two types of fae, enchanters and conjurers, and both were interesting in their own way. I quite liked how Lizzie straddled both due to some amazing plot twists. And while we do get to see some cool magic at times, I actually liked how this story was more mystery than the ‘here’s some magic, go learn it’ trope. The titular Dreams Thief is from the fae world and is trying to do some dastardly things, but Lizzie’s ancestors (and Brun’s former wards whom he failed) left clues on how to defeat the villain. I thought all the little puzzles and clues were fun, slowly guiding us readers to unveiling the baddie. If I am honest, I do think the actual Dreams Thief was not utilized enough. For as big a threat it was made out to be, it wasn’t until the last fourth of the book does the villain become the focus. I wish there was more with the Dreams Thief earlier on interspersed with the romance part. Once revealed, I thoroughly enjoyed everything relating to the Dreams Thief, and the final confrontation was heart pounding.
The pacing of The Dreams Thief is very steady and the prose is solid. Because I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance, the first half of the book was a bit harder for me to get into. That was where a lot of the ‘will they, won’t they’ action takes place. I know romance readers will eat this part up in no time. Once Brun reveals Lizzie’s magical backstory, that’s when things picked up for this reader and I raced through the remaining 200ish pages in two sittings (and that was only because I couldn’t stay up any longer).
All told, The Dreams Thief was an excellent read. And even though our characters had a very satisfying ending, there was a very cool five year time jump in the epilogue that set up another adventure for book 2. I can’t wait! #secretscribes
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