Dreaming in Black & White

Phoebe Grant #1

by Laura Jensen Walker

She's smart. She's savvy. She's...well, she's working on the thighs. And with God as her witness, she'll never let that man spoil her happy ending!

Phoebe Grant is everyone's favorite movie geek-unbeatable at trivia, convinced that all the world's a movie screen. She can organize a four-hankie chick-flickathon with a wave of her tall, nonfat, double mocha. And she's a shoo-in for the job of her dreams-movie reviewer for the newpaper where she works.

Enter Alex Spencer-not only gorgeous but also a film buff, perfectly cast for a celluloid kiss and a fade to sunset. Unfortunately, Alex is the villain who sends Phoebe packing to the last place on earth she wants to be-back home to boring little Barley, California.

But wait. It couldn't be. Dark, handsome, and annoying Alex...in Barley?

Can Phoebe protect her hometown-and her heart-and prove It's a Wonderful Life? Or is her promising future truly Gone with the Wind?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Chick Lit, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Contemporary, Christian Romance

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker has written several books, including the Lefty nominated historical fiction, DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE. Dubbed "riveting and affecting" by NYT bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal, this book spotlights a group of real-life overlooked women heroes--the Flying Nightingales--from WWII. An Air Force veteran formerly stationed in the UK, Laura had the great honor of interviewing the last living Flying Nightingale, before she passed.

Bibliophile Laura fell in love with mysteries after reading Trixie Belden in the fourth grade, Her cozy mystery debut, MURDER MOST SWEET (2020) was nominated for an Agatha Award, and her next cozy, THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS, releases in Feb. 2026. Publishers Weekly says about the book: "Walker's feisty, funny, and fully realized seniors easily sit beside the casts of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB and THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB in the coy pantheon. Readers will be charmed."

THE POSTMISTRESS OF PUDDLINGTON, Laura's second historical novel, features women on the home front in WWII England and releases in August 2026. She is currently at work on a women's fiction novel (aka book club fiction.)

Laura flew a typewriter across Europe in Uncle Sam's Air Force in her twenties, and lived in England for three years where she became a lifelong, tea-loving Anglophile. Shenow lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband and their two rescue pups.

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit too cheesy and predictable. I know, i know, it's chick-lit, but still. I swear that as I was reading it was so predictable that it was almost like I had read it before or something (but I know I haven't). Anyway, I believe this was one of the first books, if not the first book, she wrote, so I'll back down.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for people who love classic movies and really even if you aren't a movie buff this book makes you want to go rent those movies immediately. I enjoyed everything about the book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Lindsey Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this book the summer between high school and college, I was convinced I was reading my future. Phoebe was so relatable, I thought the author had caught a glimpse of what my life would be like in ten years or so. One thing that still sticks with me after all of these years is how she is so adverse to commitment/taking responsibility for another living thing other than herself, that she owns a fake, plastic goldfish because a live one would be too much. That is SO something I would do, haha! Even though my early college dreams of becoming a journalist didn't pan out, Phoebe's goal of earning the coveted spot of movie reviewer at the newspaper where she works looks like it just might become a reality! That is, until life throws her a major plot twist... The hunky new guy she crushes on at a singles event turns out to be the jerkface responsible for the corporate restructuring at work that ends up leaving her sacked. Forced to schlep out to her momma's house in her middle-of-nowhere hometown, Phoebe is miserable. The sleepy, boring town of Barley is not her ideal location, nor is her reporter job for the small-town paper covering such scintillating topics as pigs and parades. She comforts herself with the knowledge that this is only a temporary scene in the movie of her life. The only thing is, as she crusades to save her town's old theatre, she realizes she's starting to fall for the quiet charm of the place. When the handsome punk who messed with the script she had written for herself turns up on the scene, what will she do? Five out of five stars for sass, snark, and a non-sappy Christian chick flick! LOVE this book!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreaming in Black and White is the first of the Phoebe Grant series of two books. Phoebe Grant loves romantic movies. She wants to find a guy, but it's pretty hard because is plus size. She's oveer thirty so she goes on blind dates (extremely bad ones at that). She is a part of her singles' group, the Lone Rangers, where one night she meets Alex Spencer. She likes him right off the bat and creams the other team of singles in a game of Trivial Pursuit, but he makes a hasty exit. Phoebe is thrown off by this but is looking forward to the next day because she has a meeting with her boss. She hopes to be promoted to be a film critic at her current employment Star.

However, to her dismay, she finds out Star is being bought out by Spencer's family and that she'll be one of the people that are let go since she has only worked there a year. She has no clue what she is going to do for a job, and her personal life isn't much better. With her mother having two broke arms, Phoebe has to go back home to take care of her. Will Phoebe be able to find a man and get a job in the city or is going back home in the country what God intends for her all along?

I enjoyed this book. Phoebe definitely gets into some pretty funny situations.

[Shannan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book since I read another book by this author, but this one was pretty flat, pretty boring, and not relevant or interesting enough to my life to want to read the 2nd book in this series - Dreaming in Technicolor.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute chick-lit

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is so nice to read books that are clean.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice delightful easy read.
This author knows her movie references well.
Inspired me to go watch some oldies.

[Littlemissbean · Rating 4 out of 5]

wholesome cute read...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute quick read -- now reading the sequel.

[Brandi Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute novel that I picked up at a used book sale because I liked the cover and title. I'm so glad I did. Phoebe is a likable, relatable character who wants to find love if that's God's plan for her. While she would love a husband and family, she's not desperate and is willing to help her family when they need her. Her relationships with her brother and mother feel authentic. While her hatred for her nemesis, publisher, Alex Spencer, isn't as Christian-like as her other thoughts, I find their relationship and mutual love for movies endearing. While the ending isn't the typical happy ending of a romance novel, it is satisfying.

[Tori Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story!

Phoebe is a spit fire! Great leading lady & I absolutely love her love of movies! I’m glad she grew up and learned to love all of her hometown and see that it wasn’t so bad. Barley sounds like a quite but loving town to live in.

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

An INCREDIBLY 2005 novel but a good book in totality. The mc bothers you a bit (note to self: stop with this every other goddamn paragraph) but shes love-able and quirky and flawed. Though i really do hope the second book has less mentions of her thighs touching

[Olivia Hollandsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected something completely different than what I ended up reading. I read the first chapter and put it down. A month later, I came back to it. I ended up being kinda entranced in it, in Phoebe’s ever changing life.

[Ana Kuykendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

True chick lit with great movie references.

[PickyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very humorous, thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[JaneReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story about Phoebe trying to follow her dreams of big city life and finding a man. However her plans take a hit when she loses her job and struggles to hold onto the next. It seems like all her friends are coupling up while she goes on one bad date another. Eventually she ends up back in the small town she tried to escape and feels like her life is spiraling backwards rather than forwards. But God is working through it all and eventually she sees how He has a plan for her and has brought her to where he wants her. I laughed so much while reading, Phoebe finds herself in some embarrassing situations. This was a fun read.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoebe Grant is everyone's favorite movie geek - unbeatable at trivia, convinced that all the world is a movie screen. She can organize a four-hankie chick-flick-athon with a wave of her tall, nonfat, double mocha. And she's a shoo-in for the job of her dreams - movie reviewer for the newspaper where she works. She is forever remembering movie scenes as she is living life. Hoping to capture herself in a scene.

“Enter Alex Spencer - not only gorgeous but also a film buff, perfectly cast for a celluloid kiss and a fade to sunset. Unfortunately, Alex is the villain who sends Phoebe packing to the last place on earth she wants to be - back home to boring little Barley, California.”

“But wait. It couldn't be. Dar, handsome, and annoying Barley?”

“Can Phoebe protect her hometown - and her heart - and prove it’s a Wonderful Life? Or is she promising future truly Gone with the Wind?”

I connected with Phoebe Grant and her movie adventures. She is smart, things she’s savvy and is determined to have the job of her dreams and have a happily ever after ending. Phoebe and this novel made me laugh out loud. This is funny stuff. This book introduced me to this author. I’ll be searching out her books. Her books are just pure fun!!


Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Tristan Leovy · Rating 3 out of 5]

pheobe grant, a materialistic prodistant who is trying to figure out what God has in store for her because, obviously it isn't writing movie reviews. After a spastic collision with Alex Spencer, she thinks she has found the one, but it turns out that he is tbhe new owner that is laying her off. After 2 other jobs, Phoebe makes her way back to small town Barly, CA. She doesn't want to be there longer than she has to, but God has other plans. While struggling with the betrayal hurt for Alex, he rides into town and happens to take over the newspaper she is now working for. Talk about bad to worse. Taking up the challenge of forgiveness, setteling their differences brings Pheobe and Alex together... forever? hmmm... Who knows.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I first read this book a few years ago when I had just discovered Christian chick lit. I thought it was one of the best books I had ever read. I didn't even know books like this existed! It was funny and I adored all of the classic film references (being a huge classic movie fan myself).

I wasn't quite as impressed this second time around. I still enjoyed it but it wasn't earth-shattering to me like it was the first time. :) Debating on whether I should reread the sequel or not. {I remember being disappointed with the ending.}

[Abbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this book several times because the beginning was so bad. It did get better after the first four chapters, but most of the characters are one dimensional and the story is very predictable. Plus, I suffered all the way to the end, and there was not even one little smooch. Sorry, semi-affectionate shoulder to shoulder sitting doesn't really do anything for me on the vicarious love front.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! What a fun and relatable character. She is very witty and funny and I loved her "voice." Loved so many of the other characters, too! I like how it wasn't just focused on her finding Prince Charming, but on growing up and making life decisions. I'm so excited a friend loaned me this book and can't wait to read more from the author!

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this nearly as well as Miss Invisible, though this was her first book. She definitely has improved as a writer. I will probably check out the sequel to this one, but won't finish it if I'm not into it. Life is too short!

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out very promising, massive movie knowledge recommended. It petered out to cliche romance novel. Also the characters Christianity could seem a little heavy handed for some readers. That was fine with me but I was disappointed in too many coincidences

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phoebe is very annoying! I thought for being a gal in her 30's she was amazingly immature and selfcentered. Yes, she did grow up at the end but the author kind of threw it in there just to keep the story going. Not my favorite book

[Slim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author. This book had more religious pieces than the last book I read by this author, but this book was written prior. Overall a quick and entertaining read. Be prepared for a more open religious dialogue than that of her later work.

[Kelly D'Ambrosio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a light, fun, enjoyable, girly, read. It was wholesome and funny. I thought it was a little predictable, but the overall goodness of the book made me want to keep reading. I enjoyed the many pop culture references. I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book somewhat. Although I normally dislike Chick Lit, Dreaming in Black and White was an exception. Phoebe was a fun and entertaining character but the storyline always left me wanting more.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this book is really great, especially for the movie going geeks :P You'll love it, I promise!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny read. As I was searching for it, I saw there is a sequel, definitely have to find a copy.