Wildest Dreams

by Meridith Claire

The latest novel from Meridith Claire. On sale NOW!

Thoughtless words. A devastating breakup. A journey to self they could never have foreseen…

Mackenzie

Mackenzie Almazan lives a charmed life. Even with the devastating death of the uncle who raised her, the American-born Filipina grew up with security and love. This should be the happiest time in Mackenzie’s life as she is planning her wedding to Sam, her childhood best friend turned fiancé, yet, a single look from him makes her question everything and suddenly the life she dreamed of explodes and crumbles around her. Just when things start to feel hopeless, she looks up to find someone asking if the seat next to her is taken.

Sam

Things have always come easy for Samson Madden—school, making friends, and even love. Having met Mackenzie at age ten, knowing almost instantly the Filipina girl would own his heart, Sam worked hard, determined to make the life he dreamed for them a reality. However, as he moves up the corporate ladder, it changes what he wants and dreams of. Sam makes a devastating mistake that starts a chain reaction ultimately leading to the realization of who and what he is becoming. Sam is confronted with a major decision—does he want a future with Mackenzie or stay on the path he is on and leave the love of his life behind?

The two embark on separate journeys to uncover who they truly are. Is this the end or another beginning? Dive into this captivating story of self-discovery and romance that leaves you believing in the magic of your Wildest Dreams.

Genres: Romance

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2025

About the author

Meridith Claire is an award-winning Author and Screenplay Writer who was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Most of her childhood years consisted of roaming the streets of Hollywood, getting lost down the aisles of the Culver City Library or catching waves and walking the boardwalk of Venice Beach.

She spends her days staring at a blank page and rearranging the twenty-six letters in the alphabet to bring her pen people to life.

Her downtime consists of having her head down in books, dreaming of new fantastic realities and finding the next best cup of coffee she has ever had.

Reviews

[rosie (jason todd's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(⭐3.5)

"Please don't make me another pain you can't let go of."

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

1. Characters
Mackenzie
Unfortunately throughout the story I found my liking of our FMC fluctuated quite wildly. I tended to sympathise with her then suddenly start getting really sick of her. I'm not sure exactly what it was that was harder to tolerate about her - I loved her backstory and personality! Maybe it was the fact that she went off willingly with a guy she'd just met under uncertain circumstances (although Hunter was gracious enough to provide her with heaps of security). I know she'd been going through a LOT, but every time she'd open her mouth to talk she'd start crying 😞I understand her situation was incredibly sad - even I cried too! But some scenes lost a lot of traction because she wouldn't be able to carry a coherent series of emotions while crying.

Sam
OH BOY DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON HIM!!!! I actually can't believe him. I'm glad everyone's letting him know what a d*ck he is, but my GOD. He really couldn't wait like a week??? He was annoying me sooooo bad like what do you mean you know what your issue is but you continue to avoid it and carry on digging yourself a deeper hole???

Hunter
Definitely my favourite character. I really had a soft spot for him, he was funny and sweet and adventurous - I love how he treated Mackenzie, even if they'd only just met, I loooved how he understood what she needed and just let her vent to him, even with everything he had going on.

Side Characters
I loved Ollie and Parker, but most of the other side characters got a little confusing and convoluted. I couldn't really establish a clear image of them in my mind because so much was happening and the timeskips were all over the place, so it became a little difficult to follow along.

2. Plot
I really ended up liking the first 50% of the book! I adored how Hunter and Mac had their little lists and went about doing things for each other. That was seriously cute as heck. But oh my god Sam's perspective pissed me off so bad!! I can't even get into it because I'll burst a blood vessel.

3. Final Thoughts
As for my final thoughts, there were a couple minor things that distracted from the story. The writing was not the best - there were grammar and spelling errors everywhere, and while I understand it's not everyone's strongest point, it did end up getting a little distracting. Especially during some emotional moments, all I could focus on were the lack of commas in places they were needed and random commas in places they weren't!!

However, the storytelling in itself was really beautiful. I loved how we got to see the character development over the story, and how we were able to take little dips into Sam & Mac's backstory without it taking away from the present moment all too much.

Although sometimes the characters would come across as unnatural simply in the way that they were speaking. They'd sound a touch robotic or far too formal at times.

But overall, really impressive story. I've never heard of a narrative such as this one, in the sort of 'second chance romance' but also love triangle? It was definitely original and new!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this book in a giveaway, special thanks to Storygraph and Meridith Claire!

3,5⭐ - while I read a lot, I barely leave reviews ( just for arcs and books that were sent by the publisher)

This was quite an interesting read, I loved reading about Mackenzie's different goals in life. Although she didn't make good decisions in the beginning, she worked through it.

This book was well written, the characters were loveable and relatable.

Wildest Dreams is out on March 17!

[Sierra Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

The amount of times this book ripped my heart out…too many to count.

Edited to add: When I reached for this book, I figured I would get a book about a girl finding herself after separating from her significant other. I did not expect for my heart to both shatter and swell with the intense love within this story. Meridith Clare is able to convey such intense emotions thought out this book; I often found myself feeling those same emotions. Everyone needs to have this on their must reads!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

[world.of.booklovers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[carla ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ☆

(I received this book as a digital ARC, its publication date is March 17th, 2025)


The beginning was a bit all over the place, but as the story progresses everything starts to make more sense and I definitely found myself falling in love with our main female character, Mackenzie 'Mac' Almazan, and the amazing, wonderful, angel boy and our best main male character, Mr. Chaoxiang 'Hunter' Zhou.

Those two and the beautiful bond they develop throughout the book were my favourite thing about it, and I guess this is also the moment I admit most of the time I found it VERY hard to sympathise with our second main male character: Samson 'Sam' Madden, Mac's childhood best friend turned boyfriend turned fiancé and then ex-fiancé.

I just couldn't find it in myself to feel sorry for him as he remained blissfully unaware of all the struggles Mac was going through as he was too busy attempting to find his place in the corporate ladder, it infuriated me terribly! Nevertheless, I do think he managed to redeem himself by the end of the book, and that made me feel extremely happy for him and my precious girl Mac, who deserves the entire world.

Am I devastated? Yes.
Am I glad I got to read this beautiful story? Absolutely, I sat and wrote this review after not writing one in months because I believed such an emotional, heartfelt story deserved it.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say I was not prepared for the heart wrenching, tear jerking, gut punching that this book was about to put me through, I am not kidding.

This book has destroyed me. It has hurt me so badly, I am not okay. I made the mistake of reading this while in work, and it’s safe to say that my coworkers were concerned when I started bawling crying.

If you like books that strip you raw emotionally, this one is for you.

[SW Flour Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book and would
recommend it. The diversity of the characters was refreshing from what I've read in the past. Even though I don't look like the primary characters I could still relate to Mackenzie and how her world is upended. In addition, we could all use a ride or die like Bianca and we all know a Clarissa. This was an enjoyable read that I read pate into the night.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got asked to check this book out by the wonderful Meredith Claire a few days ago. I want to wish her a happy release day on her book. I have just finished it and let me say this was a cute read that navigates loss,change,love,friendship and finding yourself. If you’re after a good, feel good book with an epic journey this is the book for you. It has all those sweet moments that make your heart swell whilst also tackling some of life’s unfairness in the world. It shows that taking a chance on adventure and really being at peace with yourself can make you an even better person. When mckenzie’s world falls apart after a revelation in problems with her fiancé, she discovers a love for herself and healing in the perspective of hunter a stranger that changes her world. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do when we love someone is letting them go and as the saying goes, if they come back it was meant to be!!. Hunter was my favourite character in the story, his way of seeing life and the world, and the way he asks the tough questions are everything to me and I found myself loving him more and more as the story went on. Sam had a lot of self reflection to make and had to work on himself but I loved seeing how slowly he grew and worked hard to reevaluate everything in his life and how his actions have consequences!! I loved that Meredith put forth real world problems that women and people of other backgrounds and colour face in the world, I loved how she opened up eyes to issues that are relatable, how she deals with grief and loss and all things humans experience in life. I was crying, laughing, screaming and mhmming at various points in the story and it has left me with such an insight into a lot of things whilst also falling in love with all the characters!! Brilliant work. I have rated this book 4/5 ⭐️. I can’t wait to read more from this author and would definitely pick up more of her stories as I enjoyed her way of writing, it was super easy to read and you can easily read the book in a few hours of quiet time. Loved it!! Happy release day hun and thank you for asking me to be a part of your journey with this new release!!

[Cathy Geha]

Wildest Dreams by Meridith Claire

Mackenzie Alamazan and Samson Madden have been friends since they met when eight and ten years of age. Their lives have been intertwined as they played, learned, grew, laughed, grieved and loved together. They expected to ride into the sunset side by side decades in the future until things changed…will they get their second chance or not and is a second chance their best option?

What I liked:
* That the story had weight without dragging
* The emotional components of the story were handled well and felt real
* Friendships were strong and supportive with honesty in abundance
* I was able to understand why Sam and Mac were close and still faced the situation that they did
* Mackenzie “Mac”: strong, artistic, Filipina, raised by her uncle, loving, kind, good friend, puts others before herself, intuitive, grows a lot, really like her
* Samson “Sam”: brilliant, well educated, raised by his free-thinking Jewish mother, loving, supportive kind, immersed in work, changes without realizing he is doing so
* Bianca & Ezra: good friends that are there for both Mackenzie and Samson
* Samson’s mother, Bianca’s parents, and Mackenzie’s uncle – wonderful, loving, supportive parental figures and role models
* Hunter: a random meeting with him changed Mackenzie’s life…can’t say more but…I adored him and hope that number eight on his bucket list is possible at some point in time
* Oliver & Parker: married couple, work for Hunter, supportive, like brothers to Hunter, good people
* That I became immersed and invested in the story and could not put it down…think 2am and still reading
* Grew to care for and about the people in the story and hoped their lives would work out for the best and as they were meant to

What I didn’t like:
* The atmosphere where samson works with its white privilege, focus on money, and status – especially Clarissa who works with Samson
* The deep pain from the losses more than one character experienced
* Thinking about what it would be like to get a terminal diagnosis and how I would spend the rest of my life

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[JennyRenae · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wildest Dreams" by Merideth Claire is one of those books that immediately pulls you in and doesn't let go. The relatable romance, the characters feel real, and the twists are so well-crafted, you won’t see them coming. I found myself completely immersed in the world she creates between the characters and their situations. It’s a delightful read that explores love, secrets, and self-discovery.
Have a tissue box near by. This is by far my favorite read this year!

[Sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨

Firstly, I LOVED this book! Such a heartbreakingly beautiful story. It was so much more than I expected.

Before you read this book, please note there are sensitive topics. Cancer is a main plot point and is widely mentioned throughout the book (not the FMC or MMC). I feel this is not clear going into the book so might be a shock to some people. It is handled well and the book would not be this story without it. 

I instantly connected with the characters. Mac is likeable and down to earth. I would love to be her friend (or be her to be honest). The character development with all the characters is really good. 

Although this book alternates between Mac and Sam's pov, I felt it was Mac's story and we just got Sam's as an insight. Both on their own separate journeys of self discovery, I particularly loved following Mac on her journey.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this advanced copy. This is my honest review.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 2 out of 5]

#WildestDreams #NetGalley

It's a melding of the bittersweet movie, "The Bucket List" with the heartfelt, emotional book, "Me Before You" that didn't work.

The happenstance meeting between Hunter & Mac was a bit creepy in this day and age. Even with the precautions that he encouraged to take it was unsettling. Would've been better if there was a more buildup from their initial encounter to their whirlwind global adventures. Then there's Samson. The reader needs to understand how he transformed from the constant in Mac's childhood life to the hyper-focused career driven man he later became. As for Hunter, perhaps flashbacks rather than narratives would help shape his trajectory.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Meridith Claire | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Oli (oliverreadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Updated: 05/06/2025

🌒 Title: Wildest Dreams
🖋 Author: Meridith Claire
⭐ Rating: ★★★★
📚 Genre: Contemporary Romance / Realistic Fiction / Travel Reflection
📖 Format: eARC via NetGalley
📅 Finished Read: 16 March 2025

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✦ 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Thank you, NetGalley, for the early access to this book. I went in expecting a light romance, but Wildest Dreams dives into much heavier territory—death, long‑standing relationships, and the hard choice to move on after half your life has been wrapped up in someone else. The prose is straightforward, yet it carries an emotional weight that’s both refreshing and, at times, jarring.

The narrative doesn’t pull punches. COVID makes a passing appearance, reminding us that no story written now can fully escape its shadow. And that final chapter—honestly, I didn’t need it. After everything these characters have endured, I desperately needed a pick‑me‑up rather than another gut punch. Still, the raw honesty of Meridith Claire’s writing is where this novel finds its strength.

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✦ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭:
Wildest Dreams is a reflection on reality—far from the fluffy, “meet‑cute” romances we often see. Here, the author tackles the inevitability of change: when half your life has been defined by someone else, how do you step into a future that doesn’t include them? Death isn’t just a subplot; it’s a catalyst that forces every character to examine what they want, what they’ve lost, and what they’re still afraid to admit.

Racism and casual stereotyping surface through dialogue so natural that it’s uncomfortable—reminding us these conversations happen in real life, even when we’d rather look away. Claire doesn’t shy away from depicting uncomfortable truths. In doing so, she paints a world where privilege, prejudice, and death all collide, and her characters must navigate that terrain without easy answers.

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✦ 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 & 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
The bucket‑list concept—revealed gradually as the protagonists travel to new destinations—gives the story structure and purpose. We follow them from one locale to another, each stop unearthing new pieces of their shared past and illuminating why they stayed tied to old wounds for so long. This travel aspect invites the reader to participate in their journey, imagining each destination as a chance for reinvention and reckoning.

While the pacing sometimes wavers—especially when the characters circle around the same thorny issues—the deliberate slow‑burn approach mirrors the way people actually process grief and broken relationships: haltingly, messily, and without a clear roadmap.

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✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬:

At times, I was downright frustrated with how these characters refused to simply talk things through. But then I remembered: in real life, people get embarrassed, prideful, or terrified of the fallout—especially when climbing a corporate ladder or facing long‑buried resentments. Their miscommunications and self‑sabotage felt authentic.

Both leads are painfully human. One harbors regret over a decade‑long relationship ending in the wake of loss; the other wrestles with identity shifts that came from loving someone who changed over time. When they clash, it’s not romantic tension so much as two people who still carry their old selves like weighted backpacks. Watching them argue, push each other away, and then begrudgingly show up in moments of crisis felt deeply real — even when I wanted to shake them and demand, “Just speak!”

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✦ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Wildest Dreams is not an easy read, nor is it a “feel‑good” romance. It’s a novel about life’s messiness—the way love can be both life‑affirming and destructive, how grief can stall you, and why sometimes you need to leave everything behind just to learn who you are without it. Yes, it’s easy to criticize the characters for their shortcomings, but Claire deliberately shows us that our real‑world “baggage” isn’t solved through a single conversation or grand gesture.

If you want a book that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about love, loss, and privilege—and are willing to sit with that discomfort—Wildest Dreams delivers.

(Cross-posted on Fable and Storygraph and Goodreads and NetGalley)

[Mallory Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I loved the concept of childhood friends/lovers growing apart but coming back together after a little help from others to find themselves. There wasn’t the typical anger in a breakup like I’ve read before but you could still feel the heartbreak from both parties.

[Genoveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting to like this one the way I really liked it. Mackenzie is at a point in her life where things are just not panning out. An unexpected journey that helps her reconnect with herself. I love books like these because sometimes we feel a bit lost and thats ok.

[Nina van Lil · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
A moving book about two people needing to find themselves and each other again. The story follows Mackenzie (Mac) and Samson (Sam). They have been in each other’s lives since they were kids and had plans to get married. An unlucky interaction between them however has Mac deciding to break off the engagement and walk away. She then goes on to meet Chaoxiang (Hunter) who takes her on an unexpected journey and who quickly becomes someone Mac deeply cares for. At the same time, Sam is figuring himself and his needs/wants out as well.

I would use the terms intelligent, diverse and emotional to describe Wildest Dreams. It’s categorized as a (second-chance) romance, but it is a very non-typical one and I would even argue that romance is more of a subplot. This is not a bad thing! However, I was definitely expecting something else when I picked up this book.

The writing took some getting used to: especially at the start, the dialogue seems very formal and a lot of sentences are similar in length. I didn’t notice it as much as the story progressed though. Next to this, a lot is told retrospectively instead of shown, especially regarding Mac and Sam’s relationship, making it difficult at times to understand their long-term relationship and dynamics at all.

While the book has a rocky start, both in terms of writing and the actual storyline, it becomes a beautiful story about self-discovery, friendship, love and dealing with (old) grief. The final chapter from Hunter’s POV was a unique finishing touch which I appreciated! I would easily recommend this book to others as (general) fiction, but not necessarily as a romance novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for providing me with this ARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Camille Arsenault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildest Dreams by Meridith Claire

Wildest Dreams was such a wonderful, easy read that kept me engaged from start to finish. One of the standout aspects of this book was its diverse cast of characters, which brought so much depth and richness to the story. It was refreshing to see such representation, and it made the world feel even more immersive and real.

There were moments in this book that were absolutely heart-wrenching, and I loved every second of it. I always appreciate a story that can make me feel strong emotions, and Wildest Dreams delivered beautifully on that front. The main character's journey was so compelling—it was incredibly easy to put myself in their shoes and feel the weight of their decisions. The inner conflict was written in such a way that I felt just as torn as they were, making the reading experience even more powerful.

Overall, this was an emotional and thought-provoking read, with the perfect balance of drama, relatability and romance. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review Wildest Dreams before its official release. If you enjoy books that make you feel deeply and keep you hooked, this one is definitely worth picking up!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one hit me emotionally from the first few chapters - you could see the history between Mac and Sam how the tipping point for Mac occurred in real time. It was a heavy read that I couldn’t put down.

I liked how much culture was included from multiple characters and how all of the characters, both friends and family, also added to the story. The struggles were relatable.

Thank you Meridith Claire and Independent Book Publishers Association for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

[Stephanie Munguia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley!!!

Where do I begin???? ugh this was such an interesting concept for a book! I don't think I've ever read a book of this plot/storyline.
Mac and Sam have technically been together since childhood, a long time friendship that became more and they were on their way to marriage. Sam was growing in his corporate world while becoming distant from Mac and that world he knew. A moment where Mac becomes aware that Sam is embarrassed by her, Mac ends their engagement. Then she meets Hunter and starts working on her wildest dreams.
Hunter being introduced and his whole plot was a little weird to me and other than that this book would've been a 5 star read for me. Hunter said he wasn't a stalker but gave stalker vibes lol. After looking at that part, I loved Hunter and Mac's friendship. They were friends at most for a couple of days as Hunter sadly passed but Mac learned so much from him within those couple of days. As did Sam, Sam realized what he lost and what he actually wanted in the future.
This book felt really real as myself being in a relationship of 8 years with my high school sweetheart. You are growing as your own person but also with another person as a pair. I love how Mac was able to recognize that she needed to leave and made the decision without a second thought. She mentioned a couple of times throughout the book that she knew if she spoke to Sam she would second guess her decision and take him back and that is so relatable!!! She needed that space and took her and kudos to her.
Sam fought for her back and although he should've NEVER given Clarissa a second glance, I'm glad he noticed that he actually wanted Mac. Fuck Clarissa, she needed her ass beat.
This was such a fast read for me! I ate it up. If Hunter was a long time friend or someone Mac previously knew then it could've easily been a 5 star read for me!!!
4.5 stars!!!

[Amy Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't write reviews often, and I don't know why there are such low ratings. I won this book on goodreads, and I will be honest I don't usually read what a book is about and judge by a cover. This book ripped my heart out and I bawled prolly 55% - end. I liked this book alot, even though yes how they met was fast and everything moved fast, but hello it's a book! I read to put myself into a book that wouldn't normally happen in real life. With that I hope everyone reads this when it comes out in March and likes it as much as me, just be prepared with tissues. This was a one sitting book for me also that I couldn't put down. ❤️

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really beautiful story of love, friendship, and pursuing one’s dreams. The characters were lovable, relatable and also showed and confronted some of their faults. This book made me laugh, cry and dream. It was an enjoyable and emotional read.

I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Roxanna Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review is also available on my site: https://roxannacross.com/2025/01/28/b...

NetGalley provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

American-born Filipina Mackenzie Almazan and golden Jewish boy Samson Madden have been joined at the hip since she was eight and he ten. Even after the devastating death of her uncle Deano, the man who raised her, it should be the happiest time in Mac’s life as she is planning her wedding to Sam, the center of her heart. Sam’s trajectory in the corporate world moves fast; he doesn’t realize he’s fallen into the “White Man Privilege” rabbit hole until one look exchanged between him and Mac shatters the oneness they once shared. Admittedly, the emotions felt stiff in this situation, being the catalyst that propelled each character on the path of self-discovery, it sorely lacked the gut-punch factor.

Chaoxiang Zhou, or Hunter, is a guy who seems to come out of nowhere, yet he is precisely what Mac needs. Hunter is terminally ill, and with the last few weeks of his life, he wants to help someone create their wildest dreams list and see if he can make them come true. The two of them and his assistant, Ollie, embark on a whirlwind journey where Mac learns about herself, crosses items off her dream list, and helps Hunter complete his. The friendships Mac knits with Hunter, Ollie, and Parker are steadfast, and the hardships of being with a loved one in their final days, those emotions rang true and hit the emotional chords.

Sam’s journey is a bit disjointed. Claire wrote the book in a dual POV; however, Mackenzie is the prominent voice. Still, readers get to know Sam, understand him, and see all the wrong turns he took while climbing that corporate ladder, and the idiom hard pill to swallow comes to mind. Still good on him for taking the time, with his mother’s and best friend’s help, to evaluate his changes and realize they weren’t necessarily for the better and what truly matters going forward.

Claire’s writing can go from active to passive, bordering on info dumps. It’s the show vs. tell conundrum. Maybe showing readers all the beautiful things Claire wanted would have turned this book into an eight-hundred-page monster. Who knows? However, the tight-knit friendships, the sense of community, and the values and honoring of loved ones passed through music, art, jewelry, and other little things are what mattered and what readers retained the most. The ending is original, gut-wrenching, and hopeful, all rolled into one. This book is a definite 3-star read.

[Kaitlyn Holkenbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so lucky to receive this book as an ARC through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

I thought going into this book, it would be a cute, sappy, choose between two guys book, not a gut wrenching sob fest! Mackenzie, or Mac, had so much self value that I was proud of her for sticking to her choices, but also going with the adventure and where her heart knew she needed to heal. Her best friend, Bianca is one of the friends I would want in my life. She supported her best friends choices while also giving her own opinion, but not judging or swaying Mac in anyway. Mac realizing her fiancé, Sam was changing in a direction she knew she couldn't join was a big decision, but one that Sam needed as well to push him into seeing how much he was leaving what he fought so hard for behind. Reading Sams journey and his eye-opening situations, while also reading about Mac going on this incredible adventure with new found friends, Hunter, Parker, and Ollie, was exactly what I love to read about. Having two separate people who love each other and are working on finding their ways in the world without the other, can be some of the most head-butting-against-the-wall situations, but I loved how realistic they both were. Hunters story and his wildest dreams list was one of three scenes in this book that made me cry. His appreciation for Mac and his friends was the sweetest thing ever, but also so supportive. The way he just wanted to make Mac's life better in such a short time, was probably the most selfless act a man could do for someone.

I cried three times, not including the last chapter which broke my heart and was also a tear jerker. The beginning it was a little difficult for me to get into, but once we started going on an adventure of a lifetime, I was hooked. I would recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from a loss, a breakup, or is working on building their self up. I would also recommend this to anyone who wants a great second-chance love story with change.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a digital ARC. The book comes out on March 17, 2025

Let me get the hard part out of the way first. This book needed better editing. The writing in the beginning feels clunky and for some reason the author is really averse to using contractions in the character dialogue which made it feel stilted in a weird way and not believable to how anyone from Southern California actually talks.

Now that that's out of the way, these are minor flaws that could have easily been fixed and if you can get past them you will go on one of the most human, beautiful, heartbreaking, and growth-filled journeys through the pages of this book. The emotions are gritty, the characters are real (minus the stilted dialogue), and the layout and execution of the actual story had me unable to put this book down. This book genuinely broke me but in a really beautiful and real way. The way the actual story is crafted and laid out is really well done and I genuinely could not put it down.

So, if you can get past an awkward beginning and really weird dialogue that’s not how anyone in LA speaks, I really recommend this book. This is a book that will live in my heart for a long time to come.

[♡ Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this is my new all time favourite read!
Bold statement I know, but even after weeks of reflecting on my reading experience, and my feelings towards this book have only solidified. I was fortunate enough to win a digital early copy of this story in a The Storygraph giveaway and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Wildest Dreams" was such an incredible reading experience! This book presents such a complex, detailed and three-dimensional story, and I still struggle to realise that these characters aren’t real.

I appreciate how Meridith was able to explore a variety of challenging themes without sacrificing the pacing or the reader’s engagement in the story. While reading, we get a glimpse into many personal aspects of the author’s life that are woven throughout, including her love of music that she shares with our main character Mackenzie, as well as the struggles of grief and having to watch your loved one suffer from circumstances out of their control.

This book is categorised as an adult romance, but it is so much more than that. It’s a story that not only delves into how relationship dynamics fluctuate over time, but also explores the often taboo topics of mortality. The premise challenges us, as readers, to consider whether we are actively choosing to do what we truly want with our lives.

Chapter 30 shattered my heart and then all the little things Hunter did to help Mac with her grief patched it back up as much as possible. The premise of this story is so unique and presents an impactful way to explore how humans view our social relationships — including friendships, romantic partners, and family. The discussion about the relevance of time vs. the quality of connection in friendships is one I didn’t know I was searching for.

Overall this story was the perfect balance of a challenging and heartbreaking, yet hopeful and reflective read. Ultimately, I doubt I will ever be able to convey with words alone just how much I love this book. I’ve never understood what other readers meant when they referred to their 6-star reads or soul-tie books until now. 🩷

[charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

This book didn’t work for me almost from the start. I hate the miscommunication trope and that’s where all the conflict starts from here. Mac and Sam spent so much time refusing to talk out what could’ve maybe still ended in them separating but honestly wasn’t that big of a deal.
There was a lot of research put into this and I think that’s great and I admire the work Claire clearly put in to highlight the different places Mac and Hunter go, but it ended up being so much more about telling instead of showing. I felt taken out of the story because so much background was being explained and not discovered organically by the characters.
I hated Clarissa’s characterization deeply why did she have to be a cartoon villain!! So many of my issues with the characters really boiled down to them being older characters who acted like they were in middle school.

I liked the reveals of both Mac and Hunter’s lists and thought that keeping them secret until they completed them was engaging.

[Natosha Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildest Dreams is a beautifully written journey of love, heartbreak, and rediscovery. Meridith Claire delivers a deeply emotional story that explores not just romantic love, but the love we owe ourselves—and how sometimes the most unexpected people come into our lives right when we need them most.

Mackenzie’s arc is strong and heartfelt. Watching her rebuild after such a massive upheaval was powerful and moving. I especially loved Henry—his love wasn’t about grand gestures, but about presence, patience, and healing. It was the kind of love that helps you breathe again. Quiet, but incredibly powerful. His connection with Mac felt natural and so important to her growth.

One thing I did find myself wishing for was more insight into how Mac was feeling before the breakup. We get a lot of that emotional weight from Sam’s perspective, but I would’ve loved to understand her inner world during that time a bit more directly.

Still, this story completely swept me up. Claire did such a great job showing how we evolve through pain and that sometimes letting go is the first step toward finding exactly what you need.

Five stars for a heartfelt, soul-hugging read. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Kelly Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of Wildest Dreams by Meridith Claire.
This is my first book by this author and it definitely won't be my last. This book was so heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved all the characters and was rooting for every one of them.
The beginning started out a little clunky and could use some editing but I was quickly sucked in. I was rooting for Mac and Sam, I do wish he had better communication skills, esp when it came to Clarissa. He was never clear about his feeling or intentions with her, to her or Mac.
Hunter's storyline broke my heart and put it back together again. I loved him and Mac's friendship.
I was disappointed that there wasn't an epilogue.
Also I really appreciated the diversity & honest conversations about privilege.
4⭐️

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Goodreads, where I won an advanced copy of this book! I thought it was a really solid story, and grabbed me by my feels and just wouldn't let go.
My biggest gripe is this: whoever her editor is, needs to either be fired or do a WAY better job! There were a lot of grammatical errors throughout the book. There was also punctuation errors and tense issues, where she would flip from past to present tense in the middle of a sentence. That kind of ruined the immersion for me, but not enough to not love the story.