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Clover Lake #1
Dream On, Ramona Riley
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
A small-town waitress and a Hollywood star’s worlds collide in this new romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father’s car accident, she had to quit and return to her small New Hampshire town, Clover Lake, to help take care of her younger sister. Twelve years later, Ramona is still working at the town’s café, all but given up on her dream. But when a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, she wonders if this could be her chance. There’s only one problem—Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood’s favorite wild child—is the star.
Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she’s not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby, that she has actual skills, that she’s just a normal person. To do that, Dylan takes on a project at a charming lake town—she even works at the town’s café (very quaint), shadowing a local waitress there (very cute), and asks her to take Dylan around to do Normal People Things.
But Dylan soon realizes it’s not just some small-town waitress she’s getting to know—Ramona Riley is someone she’s met before, someone who remembers her even more vividly. Before long, however, reality hits them, and both women must decide if the spark between them can fan the flames of their individual dreams, or if it will extinguish their light.
A small-town waitress and a Hollywood star’s worlds collide in this new romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father’s car accident, she had to quit and return to her small New Hampshire town, Clover Lake, to help take care of her younger sister. Twelve years later, Ramona is still working at the town’s café, all but given up on her dream. But when a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, she wonders if this could be her chance. There’s only one problem—Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood’s favorite wild child—is the star.
Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she’s not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby, that she has actual skills, that she’s just a normal person. To do that, Dylan takes on a project at a charming lake town—she even works at the town’s café (very quaint), shadowing a local waitress there (very cute), and asks her to take Dylan around to do Normal People Things.
But Dylan soon realizes it’s not just some small-town waitress she’s getting to know—Ramona Riley is someone she’s met before, someone who remembers her even more vividly. Before long, however, reality hits them, and both women must decide if the spark between them can fan the flames of their individual dreams, or if it will extinguish their light.
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First published May 13, 2025
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About the author
Ashley Herring Blake
17 books8,292 followersAshley Herring Blake is a reader, writer, and mom to two boisterous boys. She holds a Master’s degree in teaching and loves coffee, arranging her books by color, and cold weather. She is the author of the young adult novels Suffer Love, How to Make a Wish, and Girl Made of Stars (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), the middle grade novels Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James, and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea (Little, Brown), and the adult romance novels Delilah Green Doesn't Care and Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail (Berkley). Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World was a Stonewall Honor Book, as well as a Kirkus, School Library Journal, NYPL, and NPR Best Book of 2018. Her YA novel Girl Made of Stars was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @ashleyhblake and on the web at www.ashleyherringblake.com. She lives in Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,008 reviews
May 27, 2025
So, I'm not the biggest fan of the Delilah Green books, I think they're okay but a little too hokey for me. I enjoyed the Christmas book from AHB, so I thought I'd give this one a try. However, it's even more hokey than the Delilah Green books.
I really wasn't connecting with the characters in this one and idk the whole town feels so fake - it's just not my jam personally - but I think if you enjoy romcoms in general and or if you've enjoyed other books by AHB you'll likely enjoy this one.
Not the books fault, just not my cuppa.
💗Bisexual/Bisexual Couple
💛Fake Dating
💗Hollywood Setting
💛90s Nostalgia
💗Disaster x Dependable
💛Dreams Deferred
💗Celebrity x Normie
💛Steam x Kinky
💗Small Town MC
💛Movie Set
💗Each Other's First 💋
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing (ily) for reaching out via NetGalley with the complementary advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own. 💐🎀
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
I really wasn't connecting with the characters in this one and idk the whole town feels so fake - it's just not my jam personally - but I think if you enjoy romcoms in general and or if you've enjoyed other books by AHB you'll likely enjoy this one.
Not the books fault, just not my cuppa.
💗Bisexual/Bisexual Couple
💛Fake Dating
💗Hollywood Setting
💛90s Nostalgia
💗Disaster x Dependable
💛Dreams Deferred
💗Celebrity x Normie
💛Steam x Kinky
💗Small Town MC
💛Movie Set
💗Each Other's First 💋
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing (ily) for reaching out via NetGalley with the complementary advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own. 💐🎀
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
June 25, 2025
3.5⭐️
very sweet and loved all the bisexual rep but my god was the third act conflict ridiculous
very sweet and loved all the bisexual rep but my god was the third act conflict ridiculous
July 3, 2025
nobody does small town romance quite like the sapphics and ashley herring blake!
every time i know there’s a new ashley herring blake romance incoming: the clouds have parted the sun is shining the flowers are blooming the—
Bookstagram | Blog
every time i know there’s a new ashley herring blake romance incoming: the clouds have parted the sun is shining the flowers are blooming the—
Bookstagram | Blog
May 15, 2025
I have a lot of thoughts about this book, so here's my TL;DR:
After what is a very promising beginning, Dream On, Ramona Riley turns into a cliche-ridden mess, where sex is used as a stand-in for romance and there's no real payoff in the end.
Okay, if you're still reading, here's the full review.
I've been a fan of Ashley Herring Blake's books for years--since before her foray into adult romance. But the Bright Falls series has a special place in my heart, which means I have been excited about and blessed with new AHB book releases for the last few years. But, guys, between this book and Make the Season Bright, I think AHB is now off my Day 1 Read List, and that makes me so sad.
I loved the premise of the novel: the small-town girl-next-door charms the Hollywood bad-girl nepo baby, only--plot twist--they've already met and had one magical and memorable encounter And for the first half of the novel, I was enjoying my time in Clover Lake with Ramona and Dylan. But there was this moment--and I marked it in an update (at the 45% mark) because I knew the moment was important--that AHB could either subvert my expectations against the demands of the tropes or she could tell the same lazy story I've read over a hundred times. She went with the latter. And her novel suffers for it.
Okay, but more specifically, here's what didn't work--and this will be spoiler free so will probably be super vague:
1) There's an over reliance on miscommunication. Look, I know this is a common romance technique, but a good enough writer will understand that tension doesn't have to come from what is unsaid. (See Mae Marvel's Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous for a good example of this.) And there's a lot that's unsaid in this novel. The idea that I need to tell her; I just need to figure out the right time is so eye-roll inducing and tired that if I wasn't reading this book on my phone, I may have wanted to throttle the book against the wall. And that's only one side of it. That doesn't even cover the fake dating that isn't actually fake dating because I have real feelings so I don't have to say anything plot.
2) Sex is used to make up for lack of communication and that's an automatic demerit for me. Especially in a romance novel. Which leads me to...
3) Sex is used to prove their chemistry/romantic connection, and I wish authors would stop doing this. Sex does not equate to romance. You want to write erotica? Great. Go for it. But I'm reading a romance novel, which means that while I understand there will likely be sex scenes (and I'm okay with that), I don't want sex scenes at the expense of romance or romantic build up. I would rather have fade-to-black sex than sex instead of romance, to be honest. But the issue with this novel is that I don't know why Ramona is attracted to Dylan apart from this weird connection to a very brief moment when they were 13 years old that was extremely important to both and this newfound sexual chemistry. But sex is not something that replaces actually getting to know someone. And I understand Dylan's attraction even less (reasons that have to do with Dylan, not Ramona).
4) The sex scenes did not work for at all. The book lost me at "Come for me, baby girl," which I had to read twice. Ew. No. But that's not all that bothered me here, and I'm not trying to spoil anything, so all I'll say is that none of it worked. I was uncomfortable and ending up skimming a lot of it. But YMMV. Other readers seem to like it. But, again, I'm more interested in the romance than the sex. And the second half of the novel has a lot of sex.
5) There are just too many characters in this novel that are under developed and, considering this is the start of a series, it seems a little lazy. Also, there are some side characters that do some really shady things and AHB doesn't address it in a meaningful way. The fact that I didn't get closure on that stuff really pissed me off.
6) The queer diversity seems so forced AND AHB is still allergic to lesbians. Both of those things are happening in this novel at the same time. Okay, so the leads are both bisexual. The BFF is pansexual. Dylan's co-star is also queer and dating a trans person. Dylan's manager is trans. Ramona's sister's BFF is queer (maybe bi?) and her sister is questioning. It's the fact that that's is so unrealistic that drives me bonkers. Especially in two worlds: small town USA and Hollywood where being out is either dangerous or detrimental. But you're giving me all those folks, AHB, and not one of them defines themselves as a lesbian? Oh wait. I stand corrected. Dylan's original co-star, who doesn't end up being a character in the book due to an injury, is "an outspoken lesbian." Oh, and the director, who is awful, is also a lesbian. And so is the BFF's FWB barely-there nonbinary hookup. And Dylan's character, Eloise, is also a lesbian. Lesbians are a good chunk of your readers, AHB. Maybe include some meaningful lesbian characters?
7) I didn't really like Dylan or Ramona all that much. And that's not their fault. That's AHB's fault for not making them full-formed characters.
Oh, but two minor things I did like: Brown-eye representation! Also, both characters are brunettes, which I feel is rare.
I'm landing on 2 stars here because despite its many flaws, it's still readable. But maybe AHB should take a break from writing and find her mojo again. But that's not going to happen. The teaser for the next book is right there.
After what is a very promising beginning, Dream On, Ramona Riley turns into a cliche-ridden mess, where sex is used as a stand-in for romance and there's no real payoff in the end.
Okay, if you're still reading, here's the full review.
I've been a fan of Ashley Herring Blake's books for years--since before her foray into adult romance. But the Bright Falls series has a special place in my heart, which means I have been excited about and blessed with new AHB book releases for the last few years. But, guys, between this book and Make the Season Bright, I think AHB is now off my Day 1 Read List, and that makes me so sad.
I loved the premise of the novel: the small-town girl-next-door charms the Hollywood bad-girl nepo baby, only--plot twist--they've already met and had one magical and memorable encounter And for the first half of the novel, I was enjoying my time in Clover Lake with Ramona and Dylan. But there was this moment--and I marked it in an update (at the 45% mark) because I knew the moment was important--that AHB could either subvert my expectations against the demands of the tropes or she could tell the same lazy story I've read over a hundred times. She went with the latter. And her novel suffers for it.
Okay, but more specifically, here's what didn't work--and this will be spoiler free so will probably be super vague:
1) There's an over reliance on miscommunication. Look, I know this is a common romance technique, but a good enough writer will understand that tension doesn't have to come from what is unsaid. (See Mae Marvel's Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous for a good example of this.) And there's a lot that's unsaid in this novel. The idea that I need to tell her; I just need to figure out the right time is so eye-roll inducing and tired that if I wasn't reading this book on my phone, I may have wanted to throttle the book against the wall. And that's only one side of it. That doesn't even cover the fake dating that isn't actually fake dating because I have real feelings so I don't have to say anything plot.
2) Sex is used to make up for lack of communication and that's an automatic demerit for me. Especially in a romance novel. Which leads me to...
3) Sex is used to prove their chemistry/romantic connection, and I wish authors would stop doing this. Sex does not equate to romance. You want to write erotica? Great. Go for it. But I'm reading a romance novel, which means that while I understand there will likely be sex scenes (and I'm okay with that), I don't want sex scenes at the expense of romance or romantic build up. I would rather have fade-to-black sex than sex instead of romance, to be honest. But the issue with this novel is that I don't know why Ramona is attracted to Dylan apart from this weird connection to a very brief moment when they were 13 years old that was extremely important to both and this newfound sexual chemistry. But sex is not something that replaces actually getting to know someone. And I understand Dylan's attraction even less (reasons that have to do with Dylan, not Ramona).
4) The sex scenes did not work for at all. The book lost me at "Come for me, baby girl," which I had to read twice. Ew. No. But that's not all that bothered me here, and I'm not trying to spoil anything, so all I'll say is that none of it worked. I was uncomfortable and ending up skimming a lot of it. But YMMV. Other readers seem to like it. But, again, I'm more interested in the romance than the sex. And the second half of the novel has a lot of sex.
5) There are just too many characters in this novel that are under developed and, considering this is the start of a series, it seems a little lazy. Also, there are some side characters that do some really shady things and AHB doesn't address it in a meaningful way. The fact that I didn't get closure on that stuff really pissed me off.
6) The queer diversity seems so forced AND AHB is still allergic to lesbians. Both of those things are happening in this novel at the same time. Okay, so the leads are both bisexual. The BFF is pansexual. Dylan's co-star is also queer and dating a trans person. Dylan's manager is trans. Ramona's sister's BFF is queer (maybe bi?) and her sister is questioning. It's the fact that that's is so unrealistic that drives me bonkers. Especially in two worlds: small town USA and Hollywood where being out is either dangerous or detrimental. But you're giving me all those folks, AHB, and not one of them defines themselves as a lesbian? Oh wait. I stand corrected. Dylan's original co-star, who doesn't end up being a character in the book due to an injury, is "an outspoken lesbian." Oh, and the director, who is awful, is also a lesbian. And so is the BFF's FWB barely-there nonbinary hookup. And Dylan's character, Eloise, is also a lesbian. Lesbians are a good chunk of your readers, AHB. Maybe include some meaningful lesbian characters?
7) I didn't really like Dylan or Ramona all that much. And that's not their fault. That's AHB's fault for not making them full-formed characters.
Oh, but two minor things I did like: Brown-eye representation! Also, both characters are brunettes, which I feel is rare.
I'm landing on 2 stars here because despite its many flaws, it's still readable. But maybe AHB should take a break from writing and find her mojo again. But that's not going to happen. The teaser for the next book is right there.
October 26, 2025
this was notttt a favorite i’m actually distraught
okay, so i read this before reading the bright falls series and tell me why it was LEAGUES better than this 🫣 i’m already not a huge fan of the one-of-us-is-famous trope, simply because i like when a romance is grounded in reality and the over the top shenanigans fame brings to a book doesn’t do it for me. case in point…
there was this really weird childhood friends-adjacent plot where they have weird nicknames that gave me the ick and their entire relationship was rooted in deceit and miscommunication. instead of swooning over them, i was mostly anxious the entire book at how it would play out 😭
the smut though…gotta hand it to miss ashley she knows how to DO the do my lord 🔥🥵 that’s a whole star rating y’all!!! go crazy kids!
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
okay, so i read this before reading the bright falls series and tell me why it was LEAGUES better than this 🫣 i’m already not a huge fan of the one-of-us-is-famous trope, simply because i like when a romance is grounded in reality and the over the top shenanigans fame brings to a book doesn’t do it for me. case in point…
there was this really weird childhood friends-adjacent plot where they have weird nicknames that gave me the ick and their entire relationship was rooted in deceit and miscommunication. instead of swooning over them, i was mostly anxious the entire book at how it would play out 😭
the smut though…gotta hand it to miss ashley she knows how to DO the do my lord 🔥🥵 that’s a whole star rating y’all!!! go crazy kids!
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
May 6, 2025
small town celebrity romance with a second chance with the person who gave you your first kiss?????
immediately sold. the was a fun and mostly lighthearted read. i loved both fmcs and the chaotic setting of a film set!!
AHB has this thing about her characters hiding things from each other and just not talking about them and it really grinds my gears :’) I hated the third act breakup but otherwise I enjoyed this one!
actual rating 3.5
immediately sold. the was a fun and mostly lighthearted read. i loved both fmcs and the chaotic setting of a film set!!
AHB has this thing about her characters hiding things from each other and just not talking about them and it really grinds my gears :’) I hated the third act breakup but otherwise I enjoyed this one!
actual rating 3.5
August 10, 2025
4⭐️
And this, my friends, is exactly why I enjoy sapphic romances so much!!
I don’t know what it was about this book, but I was hooked from the very beginning. The love in this book (not just the FMC’s but also with the side characters) was so pure and gentle and made me feel some type of emotional drawl.
This book was surprisingly deep for a fluffy sapphic romance. I couldn’t help but feel for Ramona while reading her story of growing up and raising her baby sister after her mom left. The love and dedication and just that feeling of doing anything for those you love just hit so close to home. She was strong, genuine, and had the kindest soul. Like Dylan said in the book, it really is very hard not to fall in love with Ramona.
Speaking of Dylan, she had the biggest character arc out of everyone in this book and I absolutely loved it. To go from Hollywoods wild child to falling for the small-town girl and making a name for herself away from her family? ATE IT UP! The personalities in Dylan and Ramona were so sweet and funny and easy to love. I am genuinely surprised (in a good way) by the level of authenticity the author gave these two. Loved them!
This story was very much character driven and surrounded the romance between those two, but I liked the little subplots of Ramona’s dream and Dylan’s movie. However, the biggest issue I had with this book was that these subplots were sometimes COMPLETELY looked over and felt nonexistent, especially in the middle. It was like nothing was happening and then everything happened. I’m not a fan of books that do that. That being said, though, I felt like I could look over it enough to still have an amazing time while reading this.
Overall, if you are a sapphic book lover you need to read this immediately!!! Watching these two girls fall in love from start to finish was beautiful and it really is such a sweet story. Everything about this was easy to love and fall into. I think this book could be read in a day its that binegable! If you haven’t given this a shot yet, highly recommend. 🩷
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭:
Sapphic romance after a heavier read? Yes please!!
These are some of my fav books so I have higher hopes for this 💘
And this, my friends, is exactly why I enjoy sapphic romances so much!!
I don’t know what it was about this book, but I was hooked from the very beginning. The love in this book (not just the FMC’s but also with the side characters) was so pure and gentle and made me feel some type of emotional drawl.
This book was surprisingly deep for a fluffy sapphic romance. I couldn’t help but feel for Ramona while reading her story of growing up and raising her baby sister after her mom left. The love and dedication and just that feeling of doing anything for those you love just hit so close to home. She was strong, genuine, and had the kindest soul. Like Dylan said in the book, it really is very hard not to fall in love with Ramona.
Speaking of Dylan, she had the biggest character arc out of everyone in this book and I absolutely loved it. To go from Hollywoods wild child to falling for the small-town girl and making a name for herself away from her family? ATE IT UP! The personalities in Dylan and Ramona were so sweet and funny and easy to love. I am genuinely surprised (in a good way) by the level of authenticity the author gave these two. Loved them!
This story was very much character driven and surrounded the romance between those two, but I liked the little subplots of Ramona’s dream and Dylan’s movie. However, the biggest issue I had with this book was that these subplots were sometimes COMPLETELY looked over and felt nonexistent, especially in the middle. It was like nothing was happening and then everything happened. I’m not a fan of books that do that. That being said, though, I felt like I could look over it enough to still have an amazing time while reading this.
Overall, if you are a sapphic book lover you need to read this immediately!!! Watching these two girls fall in love from start to finish was beautiful and it really is such a sweet story. Everything about this was easy to love and fall into. I think this book could be read in a day its that binegable! If you haven’t given this a shot yet, highly recommend. 🩷
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭:
Sapphic romance after a heavier read? Yes please!!
These are some of my fav books so I have higher hopes for this 💘
May 26, 2025
That was disappointing and it hurts me to say that. AHB was kinda my gateway into sapphic romance and I just felt let down.
I’ll start with the spice. It’s like someone told AHB to read Ruby Roe and Rawnie Sabor and copy their work. But make it icky and use the word cunt a lot. It was just written poorly and felt forced. Like the sex didn’t feel like the characters at all. I love some smut, but damn, make it feel like something.
I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the characters, primary, secondary, tertiary. They felt like just sketches of characters with no depth. I didn’t even get the charm of the town, as it was just skimmed over and I just supposed to accept that it was Stars Hollow, but with a ton of super queer characters. I didn’t get to know Ramona’s dad or sister. April is supposedly this super important best friend, but I know nothing about her. Dylan’s parents are caricatures of real people. Never got a proper introduction to anyone.
The communication between the MCs was nonexistent. It had so much potential and it just wasn’t there. There were ample opportunities to turn this around, they are in their 30s, after all, but no. No, let’s not have a simple conversation, let’s have weird sex instead and call it a day. The only decent conversations came at around 92% and by then, I was spite finishing the book just to leave this review.
I’ll start with the spice. It’s like someone told AHB to read Ruby Roe and Rawnie Sabor and copy their work. But make it icky and use the word cunt a lot. It was just written poorly and felt forced. Like the sex didn’t feel like the characters at all. I love some smut, but damn, make it feel like something.
I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the characters, primary, secondary, tertiary. They felt like just sketches of characters with no depth. I didn’t even get the charm of the town, as it was just skimmed over and I just supposed to accept that it was Stars Hollow, but with a ton of super queer characters. I didn’t get to know Ramona’s dad or sister. April is supposedly this super important best friend, but I know nothing about her. Dylan’s parents are caricatures of real people. Never got a proper introduction to anyone.
The communication between the MCs was nonexistent. It had so much potential and it just wasn’t there. There were ample opportunities to turn this around, they are in their 30s, after all, but no. No, let’s not have a simple conversation, let’s have weird sex instead and call it a day. The only decent conversations came at around 92% and by then, I was spite finishing the book just to leave this review.
April 16, 2025
There’s an elemental human yearning at the heart of every second chance romance: What if you could have a second chance? A do-over? Another shot? That universal longing is at the heart of Ashley Herring Blake’s adult romances. It isn’t always a second chance at love. The animating emotional arc of
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care
is a second chance at being sisters. In Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, it’s a second chance at—well, literally everything about being Astrid Parker, basically. And in Dream On, Ramona Riley, the second chance that looms largest is professional. Both Dylan and Ramona are trying to win a second chance at a fulfilling career. Their romance enables and hinders that process of growth and risk, as they go through what I’ve come to see as the defining character arc of the contemporary queer romance novel: the struggle, as a human being, to live life honestly and without fear.
Because Ashley Herring Blake understands—both intuitively and explicitly, I imagine—the emotional machinery that makes the romance plot tick, her novels are sort of weirdly way better than they seem like they’re going to be. On the surface, this novel is really nothing special. It’s certainly not winning points for originality. The sex scenes are pretty hot (ymmv) but also a bit inartful. There’s a telling-not-showing quality to how Blake writes small-town queer community, and the town itself is very movie-set (which in this case is sort of ironic in a fun way). But like Delilah Green, like Make the Season Bright, this is a special book nonetheless. Which is why I will continue to read everything Ashley Herring Blake writes forever.
Blake understands that a new relationship isn’t just a chance to be with someone new, it’s also a chance to be someone new. That the real fantasy here isn’t the incredible person you could be with, it’s the incredible person they could be with. That is, the incredible person you could be.
Edit: I’m still thinking about this a few days later, and decided to throw some more thoughts behind a spoiler tag.
Because Ashley Herring Blake understands—both intuitively and explicitly, I imagine—the emotional machinery that makes the romance plot tick, her novels are sort of weirdly way better than they seem like they’re going to be. On the surface, this novel is really nothing special. It’s certainly not winning points for originality. The sex scenes are pretty hot (ymmv) but also a bit inartful. There’s a telling-not-showing quality to how Blake writes small-town queer community, and the town itself is very movie-set (which in this case is sort of ironic in a fun way). But like Delilah Green, like Make the Season Bright, this is a special book nonetheless. Which is why I will continue to read everything Ashley Herring Blake writes forever.
Blake understands that a new relationship isn’t just a chance to be with someone new, it’s also a chance to be someone new. That the real fantasy here isn’t the incredible person you could be with, it’s the incredible person they could be with. That is, the incredible person you could be.
Edit: I’m still thinking about this a few days later, and decided to throw some more thoughts behind a spoiler tag.
Want to read
August 16, 2024NEED THIS 😩
December 17, 2024
Ashley Herring Blake honestly never fails me. Her characters are so relatable in some sense. They're messy, but they're just trying to figure life out. I loved Ramona. She was precious and truly sacrificed a lot to step up to the plate to help take care of Olive. Her bestie April was HILARIOUS! She made me chuckle out loud several times. Her father was adorable. Dylan was beautiful deep down and on surface level, too, but I loved her character development by the ending. All of this was beautiful. I loved that it was serendipitous. All around, lovely and spicy bits were spicing! 🥵🤌
I received this ARC from Berkley Publishing Group to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from Berkley Publishing Group to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
May 7, 2025
This was a cute read. I had some issues with a couple of characters actions through the story but I overall enjoyed the theme of self re discovery and finding your path in life.
January 19, 2026
4.5 🌟
this incredibly stunning cover caught my eye. then, the words behind it made me fall in love.
i absolutely loved this story and the characters that we got to follow. the LGBTQ+ rep is everything, of course. i loved the plot of this book! it was so interesting that both fmc's had history with each other and then they reunite in such a fascinating way! i truly love everything that this story brought to me. the romance, the little twists that made you wonder if they would truly have a happy ending, the small town setting, etc. it all spoke to me. in a way, this story felt like an ali hazelwood book (huge compliment btw!!). i devoured this audiobook and fell in love with this story!
this incredibly stunning cover caught my eye. then, the words behind it made me fall in love.
i absolutely loved this story and the characters that we got to follow. the LGBTQ+ rep is everything, of course. i loved the plot of this book! it was so interesting that both fmc's had history with each other and then they reunite in such a fascinating way! i truly love everything that this story brought to me. the romance, the little twists that made you wonder if they would truly have a happy ending, the small town setting, etc. it all spoke to me. in a way, this story felt like an ali hazelwood book (huge compliment btw!!). i devoured this audiobook and fell in love with this story!
June 10, 2025
3.5 stars
I love Ashley Herring Blake and this was on track to be a four star read for about 80% of the book. There's a "hidden identity" trope where the two kissed when they were 13, but only one recognizes the other as being their first kiss, so the other has no idea. Ramona lives in the small town that Dylan is filming in, and I will say Dylan isn't a super likable characters, and she's the reason for the third act breakup that was...her fault to begin with. I know she had a lot of learning and growing to do, which she did, but she was really a bit of a spoiled celebrity who had parents who were MIA growing up. I didn't love how she just didn't put in the time and effort to get to know Ramona like Ramona did with her. So my issues with the characters overshadowed my enjoyment at the end, but I still loved the premise and enjoyed most of the book!
I love Ashley Herring Blake and this was on track to be a four star read for about 80% of the book. There's a "hidden identity" trope where the two kissed when they were 13, but only one recognizes the other as being their first kiss, so the other has no idea. Ramona lives in the small town that Dylan is filming in, and I will say Dylan isn't a super likable characters, and she's the reason for the third act breakup that was...her fault to begin with. I know she had a lot of learning and growing to do, which she did, but she was really a bit of a spoiled celebrity who had parents who were MIA growing up. I didn't love how she just didn't put in the time and effort to get to know Ramona like Ramona did with her. So my issues with the characters overshadowed my enjoyment at the end, but I still loved the premise and enjoyed most of the book!
June 17, 2025
Someone called for a snooze fest and Ramona Riley answered.
I really wanted to love this. Even with the mixed, relatively low reviews, I went in with an open mind and somewhat enjoyed the first 20%. I should have known that any book starting with them looking into a horoscope wouldn't be for me, but alas, the horrors persist and so do I.
I cannot, in good faith, recommend this book to anybody on account of just how fucking boring it was. Oh my god. I literally don't even know why this was written. 400+ pages of insufferable characters, recycled circumstances, and the complete absence of chemistry. It seriously felt like trying to fit a square inside of a circle. The story felt completely underdeveloped to me and lacked on all fronts.
Ramona was fine, I guess? Her relationship with her sister was sweet. She's the quintessential small town girl who gave up her dreams to take care of her sister. Boring, recycled, snooze.
Dylan was a trainwreck. I normally love trainwreck characters but she was SO FUCKING ANNOYING!!!! I'm glad Blair called her out for being a privileged white brat because she literally complained about everything and yet had every privilege at her arsenal. If you need another reason to question her, when being introduced to Ramona's friend, she points finger guns at herself.
The two of them together was like rubbing pieces of white bread together. Vanilla, boring, lame. Their dialogue was so unnatural and awkward it gave me secondhand embarrasment. I had to skip the spice scene because there was no situation on earth in this book that warranted Dylan saying "You want to be my good slut" to Ramona. It was soooo cringey and gross I had to skip it (I actually skipped all 3 or 4 sex scenes, because YUCK, I got the ick. And then I skimmed the last 50% of the book. YES. The whole 50%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) They literally had 0 chemistry. They spent one night together at thirteen a whole 18 years ago, which takes up about the first 40% of the plot. It just wasn't believable. And if you say "you're reading fiction! it's not supposed to be believable!" then let me say it was just lazy.
I wish I cared about anything else happening in the book, but I didn't. The only reason this is getting 2 stars is because the writing was not bad. The author clearly has a unique voice but I can't say I'm inspired to read any of her other books after this one.
I really wanted to love this. Even with the mixed, relatively low reviews, I went in with an open mind and somewhat enjoyed the first 20%. I should have known that any book starting with them looking into a horoscope wouldn't be for me, but alas, the horrors persist and so do I.
I cannot, in good faith, recommend this book to anybody on account of just how fucking boring it was. Oh my god. I literally don't even know why this was written. 400+ pages of insufferable characters, recycled circumstances, and the complete absence of chemistry. It seriously felt like trying to fit a square inside of a circle. The story felt completely underdeveloped to me and lacked on all fronts.
Ramona was fine, I guess? Her relationship with her sister was sweet. She's the quintessential small town girl who gave up her dreams to take care of her sister. Boring, recycled, snooze.
Dylan was a trainwreck. I normally love trainwreck characters but she was SO FUCKING ANNOYING!!!! I'm glad Blair called her out for being a privileged white brat because she literally complained about everything and yet had every privilege at her arsenal. If you need another reason to question her, when being introduced to Ramona's friend, she points finger guns at herself.
The two of them together was like rubbing pieces of white bread together. Vanilla, boring, lame. Their dialogue was so unnatural and awkward it gave me secondhand embarrasment. I had to skip the spice scene because there was no situation on earth in this book that warranted Dylan saying "You want to be my good slut" to Ramona. It was soooo cringey and gross I had to skip it (I actually skipped all 3 or 4 sex scenes, because YUCK, I got the ick. And then I skimmed the last 50% of the book. YES. The whole 50%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) They literally had 0 chemistry. They spent one night together at thirteen a whole 18 years ago, which takes up about the first 40% of the plot. It just wasn't believable. And if you say "you're reading fiction! it's not supposed to be believable!" then let me say it was just lazy.
I wish I cared about anything else happening in the book, but I didn't. The only reason this is getting 2 stars is because the writing was not bad. The author clearly has a unique voice but I can't say I'm inspired to read any of her other books after this one.
January 29, 2025
Many thanks to PRH International for the digital review copy!
I've been a huge fan of Ashley Herring Blake's books for a long time, but my unpopular opinion remains that their middlegrade books are their best work. I have enjoyed her previous romance novels though, but this is sadly my least favourite book of hers that I've read.
I did really like Ramona, and I loved the message of how it's not too late to change your life/career when you're over 30. But the execution was just not there for me. I felt like I wasn't getting the depth or the development that I was craving, and this book left me wanting more all throughout. The side characters weren't fleshed out enough and were largely insufferably annoying, I had high hopes for Ramona's journey but it all felt very rushed towards the end and it wasn't given the attention it deserved, and most importantly, I completely missed the chemistry between Ramona and Dylan. This book made me feel absolutely nothing, which was really disappointing.
I've been a huge fan of Ashley Herring Blake's books for a long time, but my unpopular opinion remains that their middlegrade books are their best work. I have enjoyed her previous romance novels though, but this is sadly my least favourite book of hers that I've read.
I did really like Ramona, and I loved the message of how it's not too late to change your life/career when you're over 30. But the execution was just not there for me. I felt like I wasn't getting the depth or the development that I was craving, and this book left me wanting more all throughout. The side characters weren't fleshed out enough and were largely insufferably annoying, I had high hopes for Ramona's journey but it all felt very rushed towards the end and it wasn't given the attention it deserved, and most importantly, I completely missed the chemistry between Ramona and Dylan. This book made me feel absolutely nothing, which was really disappointing.
Read
March 27, 2025DNFing at 65% which is making me distraught because I was really liking this 😭 Despite some of the dialogue being 100% cringe I was willing to look past it as I really like Ramona as a character and the writing, setting and side characters were truly enjoyable but I just CANNOT with the whole “we’re both adults here and yet I’m going to pretend to date you without telling you about it beforehand which will undoubtedly blow up in my face but alas I cannot communicate like an adult and make smart decisions!” I cannot do it! I know it’s going to lead to messy shenanigans but I’m truly so tired of these lame plot devices in romcoms, stop writing 30 year old characters with the personalities of young adults, please I beg!!’
May 11, 2025
The way I would die for Ramona Riley. She and Dylan deserve the whole damn world.
June 29, 2025
What to expect
*⁀➷
Small-town waitress x big-name actress
Childhood sweethearts/first-kiss
Second-chance romance
Sapphic romance
Bisexual FMCs
Miscommunication
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dream On, Ramona Riley is set in the same world as the Bright Falls series, so, we get a cameo from Iris Kelly, who wrote the book that's getting adapted into a movie! I never actually finished that series (I only read the first two). I really liked Delilah Green Doesn't Care, but I think that might have just been a fluke. I've now read 3 Ashley Herring Blake books and with the one exception, I've found the others to be lukewarm.
I just don't believe Ramona and Dylan are two characters who would fall in love. When Ramona first thought, I love Dylan, I was like damn, coulda fooled me.
Them getting together was anti-climactic. Dylan only asked Ramona out because her publicist thought it would be a good idea. It was very un-dramatic and un-angsty, which was a theme that followed much of their relationship. Both "reveals" of their ulterior motives for dating were dumb. Dylan actually asked out Ramona with an ulterior motive in mind. Ramona just literally liked costume design. What did Ramona do wrong? Nothing. My sweet angel never does anything wrong.
Dylan also didn't know a whole lot about Ramona. Due to Dylan's family/past relationship trauma, she never asked Ramona many personal questions. Ramona knew a lot about Dylan, but what did Dylan really know about Ramona.
I also hate shitty parents. Especially shitty parents who are just forgiven for being shitty. Dylan's parents were bad. Neglectful. And they are still causing issues for Dylan, to this day. Dylan is a 31 year old woman. And NOW they are trying to become good parents? A little late. I just hate when the MC has to be the "bigger person" when it comes to bad parents. Like, I get it, the MC is trying to move on from their past trauma, but COME ON! Your parents were assholes!
I wasn't totally impressed with this book. It wasn't horrible and the characters had some interesting issues and backstory, but as a convincing romance, I think it failed.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read *⁀➷
Trying to squeeze a sapphic book in before the end of Pride month!! 🏳️🌈
Small-town waitress x big-name actress
Childhood sweethearts/first-kiss
Second-chance romance
Sapphic romance
Bisexual FMCs
Miscommunication
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dream On, Ramona Riley is set in the same world as the Bright Falls series, so, we get a cameo from Iris Kelly, who wrote the book that's getting adapted into a movie! I never actually finished that series (I only read the first two). I really liked Delilah Green Doesn't Care, but I think that might have just been a fluke. I've now read 3 Ashley Herring Blake books and with the one exception, I've found the others to be lukewarm.
I just don't believe Ramona and Dylan are two characters who would fall in love. When Ramona first thought, I love Dylan, I was like damn, coulda fooled me.
Them getting together was anti-climactic. Dylan only asked Ramona out because her publicist thought it would be a good idea. It was very un-dramatic and un-angsty, which was a theme that followed much of their relationship. Both "reveals" of their ulterior motives for dating were dumb. Dylan actually asked out Ramona with an ulterior motive in mind. Ramona just literally liked costume design. What did Ramona do wrong? Nothing. My sweet angel never does anything wrong.
Dylan also didn't know a whole lot about Ramona. Due to Dylan's family/past relationship trauma, she never asked Ramona many personal questions. Ramona knew a lot about Dylan, but what did Dylan really know about Ramona.
I also hate shitty parents. Especially shitty parents who are just forgiven for being shitty. Dylan's parents were bad. Neglectful. And they are still causing issues for Dylan, to this day. Dylan is a 31 year old woman. And NOW they are trying to become good parents? A little late. I just hate when the MC has to be the "bigger person" when it comes to bad parents. Like, I get it, the MC is trying to move on from their past trauma, but COME ON! Your parents were assholes!
I wasn't totally impressed with this book. It wasn't horrible and the characters had some interesting issues and backstory, but as a convincing romance, I think it failed.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read *⁀➷
Trying to squeeze a sapphic book in before the end of Pride month!! 🏳️🌈
May 28, 2025
2.5⭐ and I've read worse but letting it simmer in my mind is taking it down lol
I don't really have strong feelings toward AHB as an author because I disliked Delilah Green so like, based on that idk why I thought I'd enjoy this but w/e. It's firmly fine. I don't think the romance made much sense though and that's really all I have to base this on.
- Ramona and Dylan have a weird not quite "childhood friends to lovers" thing going on because they have a moment at 13? Which is somehow the emotional grounds for Ramona to like Dylan romantically in the present as adults. Sure I guess.
- the entire romance is based on miscommunication in a fake dating skin suit, but them fake dating doesn't really seem relevant to anything going on and they aren't even actually dating. They just have tons of sex in private. Not sure how that's dating, real or fake but ymmv i suppose. We've all had situationships. Adding on to that, they basically both like each other immediately so that makes the fake-ness of it all even more nonsensical. The declarations of love are like "I guess".
- the small town vibe didn't work for me. I guess I already don't care for that trope, but like, it didn't make sense in the context of them filming a Hollywood movie in this small town that EVERYONE is from?
- Too many characters and no actual background to any of them. Names floating in one ear and out the other. I am guilty of not caring about side/background characters but they also just didn't serve a purpose in this particular story. Even worse, neither Ramona or Dylan really felt to me to have personalities that I could get invested in
- i think.....dare I say...this book had too many sex scenes. Considering they barely talk to each other or develop anything, there's really no real reason for them to have multi page sex scenes like 3-4 times in this story which isnt that long. And you know, I enjoy a good spicy read every now and then but omg they were doing too much. The audio narrator did a lot of yelling moaning and groaning and I couldn't lol. Also, and this is definitely a me thing, but i dislike the word "cunt" on a regular day because it's just crass and cringy, but they use this word a lot lmao. Like, if you think you know what a lot is, double that. CUM ON MY CUNT MY LITTLE SLUT YEAH YOU LIKE IT WHEN I CUM ON YOUR CUNT like?? it was giving overkill for me PERSONALLY. The sex vibes were giving an energy that the rest of the story was not
I don't know how to explain that the plot came secondary to the sex scenes, but it did and the plot that we were given was honestly not that exciting so idk. It's fine if you love her other books, probably fine if you love fake dating 🤷🏾♀️
I don't really have strong feelings toward AHB as an author because I disliked Delilah Green so like, based on that idk why I thought I'd enjoy this but w/e. It's firmly fine. I don't think the romance made much sense though and that's really all I have to base this on.
- Ramona and Dylan have a weird not quite "childhood friends to lovers" thing going on because they have a moment at 13? Which is somehow the emotional grounds for Ramona to like Dylan romantically in the present as adults. Sure I guess.
- the entire romance is based on miscommunication in a fake dating skin suit, but them fake dating doesn't really seem relevant to anything going on and they aren't even actually dating. They just have tons of sex in private. Not sure how that's dating, real or fake but ymmv i suppose. We've all had situationships. Adding on to that, they basically both like each other immediately so that makes the fake-ness of it all even more nonsensical. The declarations of love are like "I guess".
- the small town vibe didn't work for me. I guess I already don't care for that trope, but like, it didn't make sense in the context of them filming a Hollywood movie in this small town that EVERYONE is from?
- Too many characters and no actual background to any of them. Names floating in one ear and out the other. I am guilty of not caring about side/background characters but they also just didn't serve a purpose in this particular story. Even worse, neither Ramona or Dylan really felt to me to have personalities that I could get invested in
- i think.....dare I say...this book had too many sex scenes. Considering they barely talk to each other or develop anything, there's really no real reason for them to have multi page sex scenes like 3-4 times in this story which isnt that long. And you know, I enjoy a good spicy read every now and then but omg they were doing too much. The audio narrator did a lot of yelling moaning and groaning and I couldn't lol. Also, and this is definitely a me thing, but i dislike the word "cunt" on a regular day because it's just crass and cringy, but they use this word a lot lmao. Like, if you think you know what a lot is, double that. CUM ON MY CUNT MY LITTLE SLUT YEAH YOU LIKE IT WHEN I CUM ON YOUR CUNT like?? it was giving overkill for me PERSONALLY. The sex vibes were giving an energy that the rest of the story was not
I don't know how to explain that the plot came secondary to the sex scenes, but it did and the plot that we were given was honestly not that exciting so idk. It's fine if you love her other books, probably fine if you love fake dating 🤷🏾♀️
February 1, 2025
Content warnings: alcohol, toxic parents, toxic exes, parental abandonment, several sex scenes, lying, manipulation, mentions of parent being injured, panic attacks.
Rep: Ramona (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Dylan (MC) is cis, white and bisexual. April (SC) is pansexual. Side queer characters, side POC characters.
As always, let's get this out of the way: This is NOT a lesbian book. There's no need for y'all to erase bisexuals by 'shelving' this as lesbian. They are bisexual. Change your tag/shelf.
Second: this review is not for the author. This is for other readers only. I am starting to state this on all reviews now.
Third, this is spoiler heavy. You have been warned. There will be spoiler cuts as well as the entire thing being hidden for spoilers.
Rep: Ramona (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Dylan (MC) is cis, white and bisexual. April (SC) is pansexual. Side queer characters, side POC characters.
As always, let's get this out of the way: This is NOT a lesbian book. There's no need for y'all to erase bisexuals by 'shelving' this as lesbian. They are bisexual. Change your tag/shelf.
Second: this review is not for the author. This is for other readers only. I am starting to state this on all reviews now.
Third, this is spoiler heavy. You have been warned. There will be spoiler cuts as well as the entire thing being hidden for spoilers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
3.5 stars. The Bright Falls series I enjoyed so much and I’ll just read everything this author writes now. Dream On, Ramona Riley is the latest release for Ashley Herring Blake. This is a sapphic romance where one heroine is an actress and the other is working in a small town diner and they have a bit of history! The whole “one of them is famous” set up isn’t always a personal fav of mine, celeb romances in general aren’t my fav thing, but this one worked for me.
The first bit of the book really had my attention, I think this book was way too long than it needed to be though so I wasn’t as invested in the second half. This has a bit of hidden identity/miscommunication for a bit, basically they shared a kiss as teens and meet again as adults where Ramona remembers and Dylan doesn’t seem to (at first at least). This has a “movie being made in the small town” set up and it was cutesy! But let me tell you, the spice was spicy in this read! Holy moly, looking at you chapter 24 (and a lot of chapters after that too). All in all, it was a solid new sapphic romance, but Delilah Green Doesn’t Care remains my fav from this author.
I received an audio ALC and ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.
CW: mentions of parental neglect, mentions of parental abandonment, mentions of drug use, discussions of sobriety
The first bit of the book really had my attention, I think this book was way too long than it needed to be though so I wasn’t as invested in the second half. This has a bit of hidden identity/miscommunication for a bit, basically they shared a kiss as teens and meet again as adults where Ramona remembers and Dylan doesn’t seem to (at first at least). This has a “movie being made in the small town” set up and it was cutesy! But let me tell you, the spice was spicy in this read! Holy moly, looking at you chapter 24 (and a lot of chapters after that too). All in all, it was a solid new sapphic romance, but Delilah Green Doesn’t Care remains my fav from this author.
I received an audio ALC and ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.
CW: mentions of parental neglect, mentions of parental abandonment, mentions of drug use, discussions of sobriety
June 27, 2025
Ok I really loved this! It’s definitely a second chance romance with a third act breakup that annoyed me a bit (just communicate y’all it’s not hard 😭). But I really appreciated how the subject matter of starting over later in life was handled and the message that it’s never too late. Ashley’s books just *do it* for me every damn time, I love her so so much y’all.
*huge thanks to PRH Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review*
*huge thanks to PRH Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review*
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 24, 2025
It was enjoyable but it didn't pack its usual AHB wallop of delightful secondary characters. They just didn't seem as well developed as they normally do? And some of the BIPOC characters were just kinda...flat.
I did like Ramona's backstory, and I wanted more of her costume design at the theatre!! Gimme MORE. Dylan was a spoilt brat, and thankfully a spoilt brat who did learn to wise up and not be so self-centered, although I felt like she forgave her parents too easily.
The miscommunication trope was...meh. And they were not not par with each other.
Anywho, the sex scenes were fairly hot, minus the "red, green, yellow" stuff (Riley screaming out "green!" during her moment made me laugh into my lunch at work).
I did like Ramona's backstory, and I wanted more of her costume design at the theatre!! Gimme MORE. Dylan was a spoilt brat, and thankfully a spoilt brat who did learn to wise up and not be so self-centered, although I felt like she forgave her parents too easily.
The miscommunication trope was...meh. And they were not not par with each other.
Anywho, the sex scenes were fairly hot, minus the "red, green, yellow" stuff (Riley screaming out "green!" during her moment made me laugh into my lunch at work).
May 20, 2025
Even closer now, impossibly defying physics. Ramona wanted to be closer still, crawl inside Dylan and set up a home.
I love romance. It's my favourite genre and always will be. I know some people find it too predictable and formulaic, which I kinda get? I guess? But not me! I love that aspect of romance novels. I love picking up a book and knowing that it's going to end in a happily ever after for the two main characters, no matter what they have to go through to get there.
However. Lol.
Something that I'm beginning to realise that I hate (or I realised it a while ago, and this book really underscored it for me) is when a romance novel clearly telegraphs its upcoming conflicts. I don't like it at all, when it's clear to the reader exactly what the characters are going to be fighting about and breaking up over in about 200 pages. It's the worst. And as I'm typing this up, I'm trying to be reasonable, trying to be fair. Because I'm sure there have been other books where the third act conflicts have been obvious from jump, and it hasn't bothered me this much. So why did I find it SO irksome this time around? I don't know. I read a lot of romance, so maybe it's just that I've been exposed to it too many times, and in this case, it was SO egregious. Sometimes, an author will do a fake-out, like, "Aha! The thing you thought they were going to fight about? The other person actually already knows, and it's cool! The third act conflict will be about something else! Or actually, there isn't any third act breakup in this book!" But I wasn't holding my breath for a revelation like that. In Iris Kelley Doesn't Date (my favourite AHB book, by the by) the main character says something along the lines that like, she LOVES third act breakups in romance novels, and maybe that was Miss Ashley subtly telling us that she'll always include one in her books.
Anyway, this was a romance, kinda second chance-ish, about a messy Hollywood actress and a small town waitress. There were SO many things about this book that I really like, but alas, they are currently pit-fighting with the things that I really did not like. It's looking close. The crowd is on their feet. She's on the ropes...!
(Spoilers from here on out. I'll try not to get too in-depth.)
- I think the premise for this book was lovely. The two women met when they were teens and shared a magical moment by a lake, but before they share names or any significant details about each other, they have to separate. This is one of the kinds of second-chance that's really sweet to me, where it's just a electric moment that changed both their lives, but most of the relationship building and chemistry is seen in the present day. I'm not one for celebrity romance, but this particular setup, with a famous Hollywood star meeting a humble small town girl and them falling head over heels for each other, is really sweet to me. AHB is so good at writing pure attraction and romance, which is this book's saving grace.
- But my biggest gripe with the story starts pretty soon. Both characters are keeping secrets from each other/lying by omission in a way that's clearly crafted to create conflict later on. Dylan agrees to her publicist's suggestion to fake date Ramona, and even though she wants to date Ramona for real, she doesn't tell her about the deal with her publicist. Ramona knows that getting close to Dylan could get her close to a famous designer on the set of the movie, but she tells Dylan nothing about her aspirations to be a costume designer. Plots like this, that are built up entirely on deceit, are the WORST. In my opinion. They stress me out, because I'm an anxious baby, and they also whittle away at whatever belief I might have that the couple might be good for each other. Because you're telling me they really start with lies from day one? DAY ONE? And can't bring themselves to have simple conversations? The narrative offers us reasons why they each don't come clean, but those reasons don't stop the whole thing from feeling really manufactured. Cooked up in a lab to be 'The Thing That Will Lead to the Third Act Break Up.'
- On a related note, this does a thing that I hate, which is to make the characters have sex when they clearly need to have a conversation. There's a moment where Dylan and Ramona have been hanging out all evening, but they're both really quiet, and some things happened earlier that day, and they both have things on their mind, and there's clearly a conversation that clearly needs to be had, and there's even a long moment where they stare at each other about to say something............ and then they just have sex instead. Boooo! Hiss! Bad!!! Sex is great but it can't replace chemistry, and it can't replace meaningful relationship building! Not only did it not DO anything for the couple in that moment, it was just really frustrating how they both put blinders on and refused to talk about the issues in front of them. Again, the author offers reasons as to WHY they feel so avoidant. And I'm an avoidant person; I empathise! But it was a HUGE elephant in the room. I can't believe they just ignored it.
- Speaking of the sex scenes, they were really hot, really great, A+ and all that. I love kink and nicknames and all that. But this? Idk. Something about the way it was written felt a little jarring, for these characters especially.
- I keep coming back to how much I really disliked the miscommunication and misunderstandings. Other than the big ones, there were a few smaller instances in the beginning and middle of the book. It really felt like they narrative never let them exist on equal footing for a long time. And we didn't get to see a lot of the conversations and little moments that are crucial to make a romance work for me. Every time we got a time-skip, I was disappointed.
- I can't believe this book made me sympathise more with the rich character than the small town character, but it did. Dylan just can't catch a break. It feels like she's being used as a punching bag for so many people, and everyone hates her for reasons she can't control. There are several moments where she just breaks down and started crying, and I wanted to reach into my phone and hug her. And I was a little frustrated at the resolution for her person arc, tbh. At a certain point in the book, a character criticises her for being a spoiled rich brat who gets everything handed to her, and I was so confused when the overall narrative seemed to agree with that sentiment. Because that's not the character that we see in the book, IMO. It's the person that the tabloids paint her as, but there's never been anything bratty or spoiled about her, and she had good reasons for mistrusting people. So I was a little miffed on her behalf when, later on, she kindly meekly agrees that she's spoiled. And I really didn't like the resolution with her parents. I know they've changed and they've been trying, but the book still paints them as pretty selfish people who simply don't understand how much they hurt their daughter in the past and how much they continue to hurt her. So when narrative becomes "Dylan needs to just grow up and forgive her parents" (not framed that way exactly, but close enough) I was so pissed on her behalf.
- Is it just me, or did that grand gesture fall really flat? Part of me can't help but think it's really really sweet, but the fact that we were told all about it from before... eh. And honestly, their refusal to talk to each other about anything earlier in the book doesn't make me the most optimistic for this relationship.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Gail Shalan, and I was so obsessed. I adore her voice, and she really brought life to each other thee characters, so well. It's pretty much thanks to her that all those swoony and emotional moments hit (when they did manage to hit). I will probably always read AHB's books, because I'm always glad to see a big name author in sapphic spaces. And really, this is the first time any of her books have gotten this negative of a reaction from me, so I'm hoping it's an outlier. And I know that it mightn't look that way, judging by the review I just wrote, but I did like this more than I disliked it. I guess I'm just sad that after such a promising beginning, I didn't end up loving this like I thought I would.
Now I'm off to read something that hopefully doesn't rely so heavily on miscommunication and deceit, and doesn't telegraph the conflict from the beginning, lol.
January 8, 2025
Do you love small-town romances set in the summer, in a picturesque lake village? Romances that are sapphic and spicy 🌶️? Do you also enjoy romantic stories with actors, fake dating in a wholesome town with a 🍄 museum, a sassy group of close friends and family, and a beautifully crafted, perfectly queer world? Then this is the book for you!
I loved this book! As someone in their mid-30s (36), I adore how much it centers on the idea that it’s never too late to start over, pursue your dreams, or learn more about yourself and those around you. My favorite romances to read are those with characters who are deliciously flawed and relatable. Both Ramona and Dylan have been through so much, and their healing and growth journey together made my heart so happy—especially as they learned to let each other in. This book gave me all the feels. I even shed a few tears at parts that hit a little too close to home.
I can’t wait to receive my preorder of this book. Another Ashley Herring Blake book for the win—all the stars! I’m also beyond excited to read more about the characters introduced in this book.
The biggest and sincerest thank you to the Berkeley Publishing team and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book! As someone in their mid-30s (36), I adore how much it centers on the idea that it’s never too late to start over, pursue your dreams, or learn more about yourself and those around you. My favorite romances to read are those with characters who are deliciously flawed and relatable. Both Ramona and Dylan have been through so much, and their healing and growth journey together made my heart so happy—especially as they learned to let each other in. This book gave me all the feels. I even shed a few tears at parts that hit a little too close to home.
I can’t wait to receive my preorder of this book. Another Ashley Herring Blake book for the win—all the stars! I’m also beyond excited to read more about the characters introduced in this book.
The biggest and sincerest thank you to the Berkeley Publishing team and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2025
ughh the first and last name thing has got to stop. at first it was maybe cute? but it went too far in this book. i knew every character's full name. it seems blake is creating some sapphic cinematic universe where everyone refers to each other by their full names and also is white. by the time i was halfway through the book anytime i saw some trite last name drop i nearly screamed.
blake has added some people of color, and a few nonbinary people too! which is nice. delilah green was whiter than mayo. ramona may even be a person of color?? not that any culture or heritage is at all referenced but i don't think she was explicitly called white. the poc are such caricatures though. the asian terrifying costume designer who's called a "shark." the black uptight high-performing lesbian actress who's called "classy." they're one dimensional and side-lined for the white characters' development.
but to be fair all of blake's characters feel like caricatures and i think i need to give up on her stories. they're just not made for me.
oh and the miscommunications were so bad, i know you can't make a modern ya romance without 17 miscommunications culminating in a tearful breakup and then a more tearful makeup (/makeout) but god was it rough in this one.
blake has added some people of color, and a few nonbinary people too! which is nice. delilah green was whiter than mayo. ramona may even be a person of color?? not that any culture or heritage is at all referenced but i don't think she was explicitly called white. the poc are such caricatures though. the asian terrifying costume designer who's called a "shark." the black uptight high-performing lesbian actress who's called "classy." they're one dimensional and side-lined for the white characters' development.
but to be fair all of blake's characters feel like caricatures and i think i need to give up on her stories. they're just not made for me.
oh and the miscommunications were so bad, i know you can't make a modern ya romance without 17 miscommunications culminating in a tearful breakup and then a more tearful makeup (/makeout) but god was it rough in this one.
December 6, 2024
I thought this was such a cute romance and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes. This is a peak queer romcom that has the backdrop of a small town where one of the fmc's Ramona is a waitress and the other Dylan is a famous actress with rock star parents. So both main characters first meet when they were teenagers and share a kiss, now years later Dylan can't remember her when they meet again. I liked the movie and small-town plot especially as the main characters spend more time with each other. The romance was full of lots of attraction and steam though I needed more with the emotional connection. There is mental health rep and both characters have some trauma in their backstory though the book is pretty light. There is miscommunication which I'm not a big fan of but overall this was a good read. Thank you Berkley for this arc for an honest review.
Read for:
- Queer romance
- Opposites attracts
- Small town fmc x City girl fmc
- Movie plot
Read for:
- Queer romance
- Opposites attracts
- Small town fmc x City girl fmc
- Movie plot
did-not-finish
June 23, 2025I just couldn't get into this one. DNF at 15%
May 19, 2025
Dream on Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake
Omggg Ramona is adorable I lover her , Dylan just sounds so hot and rebellious I’m into it they are different but connect and blend so beautifully. I’m telling you I gotta move to a small town and fall in love with star that’s filming a movie there lol. Basically this book has me delulu and feeling giddy. There were a few cringey moments but this was still a good read. They were too cute. This was a fun and cute read 🥹🥰🍒🍭
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Omggg Ramona is adorable I lover her , Dylan just sounds so hot and rebellious I’m into it they are different but connect and blend so beautifully. I’m telling you I gotta move to a small town and fall in love with star that’s filming a movie there lol. Basically this book has me delulu and feeling giddy. There were a few cringey moments but this was still a good read. They were too cute. This was a fun and cute read 🥹🥰🍒🍭
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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