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The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny
What if the love of your life only existed in your dreams?
Sam Cooper, a U.S. diplomat stationed in Singapore, leads a meticulously controlled life. But when he sleeps, he’s transported into vivid dreamscapes—falling in love with three women across three Shiva in Los Angeles, Céline in Paris, and Lara in Dubai.
Each encounter feels real. Too real. As the dreams deepen, Sam starts questioning his reality—and the lonely relationship he maintains with Kate, the one woman he actually knows in the waking world.
The Good Nights is a sweeping novel of longing, memory, and the mysterious power of destiny. A hauntingly romantic debut that explores what happens when our deepest connections don’t live in our world… but in our sleep.
Reviews:
“A contemplative, symbolic debut… a quiet lure in Charafeddine’s exploration of love, destiny, and the fine line between reality and imagination.” — BookLife by Publishers Weekly
“Charafeddine’s rich emotional landscape offers intimate glimpses of Sam’s inner path.” — BookLife by Publishers Weekly
Sam Cooper, a U.S. diplomat stationed in Singapore, leads a meticulously controlled life. But when he sleeps, he’s transported into vivid dreamscapes—falling in love with three women across three Shiva in Los Angeles, Céline in Paris, and Lara in Dubai.
Each encounter feels real. Too real. As the dreams deepen, Sam starts questioning his reality—and the lonely relationship he maintains with Kate, the one woman he actually knows in the waking world.
The Good Nights is a sweeping novel of longing, memory, and the mysterious power of destiny. A hauntingly romantic debut that explores what happens when our deepest connections don’t live in our world… but in our sleep.
Reviews:
“A contemplative, symbolic debut… a quiet lure in Charafeddine’s exploration of love, destiny, and the fine line between reality and imagination.” — BookLife by Publishers Weekly
“Charafeddine’s rich emotional landscape offers intimate glimpses of Sam’s inner path.” — BookLife by Publishers Weekly
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
5 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Jaafar Charafeddine
1 book14 followersMy name is Jaafar Charafeddine, born in Lebanon, my professional journey has been rooted in the dynamic realms of sales and business development, spanning across the Middle East and Africa. My passion for cinema and storytelling ignited early, prompting me to earlier co-found DVD rental shops in Beirut, granting me unparalleled access to the world of movies. Though I've always harbored creative concepts for stories and films, it wasn't until recently that I took the plunge into authorship. I now proudly identify as an author, not merely a writer. Recently, I've completed my debut contemporary fiction novel, hoping for its success to open doors for a multitude of other creative works brewing in my imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 12, 2025
The lyrical and compelling writing that The Good Nights grips you in is curiously elegant, Jaafar Charafeddine creates a mirrored existence through Sam Cooper, a guy straddling two universes that speak opposing truths into the same ear! Sam's waking life is refined and tactful, adorned with velvet-lined obligations and serene dinners with Kate, however, sleep blurs the lines! In his dreams, he works as a surgeon in Los Angeles, lovingly circling Shiva, who may be the lifeblood he lacks, every personality feels like a relic of something Sam is attempting to recall, whether it's the enigmatic Lara, the artistic Shiva, or the hurting Céline!
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The delicately constructed emotional dissonance between Sam's two realities keeps you proprioceptively off-balance but ever drifting too far into surrealism, the quieter, more horrifying question, what do we choose to believe when we're not sure, is what drives this book, the romance that maintains on autopilot is Sam and Kate's relationship, which is covered in an atmosphere of polite tiredness but isn't really uncomfortable! Shiva is vibrant, messy and beautiful, the dream that brings to life everyone he has buried, the conceptual structure is delicate and very well-thought!
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The way a man's desires sprawl out like constellations that only he can follow, twisting across continents and lives, is the subject of emotional geometry, it is paradoxically exploratory and emotional, like looking at the stars through tears! The structure of Jaafar Charafeddine's writing is compulsive and original, never too fast nor too slow, but just enough to give the impression that time is slipping away from you! Singapore, Los Angeles, Paris, Dubai, and other cities were wonderful backgrounds, the plot unfolds in astonishing structure that knows exactly where it's headed, even if you don't! Every woman Sam meets gives him a piece of a life he's either missed or wished he had, looking at him collapse elegantly is an unique excitement, comparable to someone regaining emotional awareness after having forgotten what feeling actually meant!
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The Good Nights is an entertaining, poignant contemporary also a way of thinking, an intense, understated experience disguised as a romance story! It never forces you to choose between realities, on the contrary, you're offered the pleasure of dwelling in both, this book is 10/5 stars, definitely a masterpiece romance literature that I will not soon forget!
.
The delicately constructed emotional dissonance between Sam's two realities keeps you proprioceptively off-balance but ever drifting too far into surrealism, the quieter, more horrifying question, what do we choose to believe when we're not sure, is what drives this book, the romance that maintains on autopilot is Sam and Kate's relationship, which is covered in an atmosphere of polite tiredness but isn't really uncomfortable! Shiva is vibrant, messy and beautiful, the dream that brings to life everyone he has buried, the conceptual structure is delicate and very well-thought!
.
The way a man's desires sprawl out like constellations that only he can follow, twisting across continents and lives, is the subject of emotional geometry, it is paradoxically exploratory and emotional, like looking at the stars through tears! The structure of Jaafar Charafeddine's writing is compulsive and original, never too fast nor too slow, but just enough to give the impression that time is slipping away from you! Singapore, Los Angeles, Paris, Dubai, and other cities were wonderful backgrounds, the plot unfolds in astonishing structure that knows exactly where it's headed, even if you don't! Every woman Sam meets gives him a piece of a life he's either missed or wished he had, looking at him collapse elegantly is an unique excitement, comparable to someone regaining emotional awareness after having forgotten what feeling actually meant!
.
The Good Nights is an entertaining, poignant contemporary also a way of thinking, an intense, understated experience disguised as a romance story! It never forces you to choose between realities, on the contrary, you're offered the pleasure of dwelling in both, this book is 10/5 stars, definitely a masterpiece romance literature that I will not soon forget!
May 20, 2025
A hauntingly beautiful and emotionally resonant novel, The Good Nights blurs the line between dreams and reality in the most captivating way. With elegant prose and a deeply introspective protagonist, this story explores love, identity, and the quiet ache of what might have been. Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Haruki Murakami will find themselves deeply moved. A cinematic, soulful debut.
June 10, 2025
3.5 rounded down.
Thanks to author Jaafar Charafeddine and Book Sirens for access to this ARC for free and to which I am leaving this review voluntarily
Sam Cooper, American diplomat working out of Singapore is having ultra realistic dreams where he lives a life he craves so badly it begins to impact on his ability to enjoy his real life and his relationships.
The story flips between his awake/dreams & when this first happened, I got a bit confused what was going on as it was very sudden! 🤯 But very quickly, it became very clear and the transitions were seamless and flowed well.
The writing, at times, felt overly descriptive. Things that could have been alluded to were expressly stated which was a bit clunky but overall, it was wonderful to be plunked into the city feels of Singapore (& other cities in his dreams 🤫 no spoilers 🤐) and live out these borderline other-worldly experiences with Sam.
Thanks to author Jaafar Charafeddine and Book Sirens for access to this ARC for free and to which I am leaving this review voluntarily
Sam Cooper, American diplomat working out of Singapore is having ultra realistic dreams where he lives a life he craves so badly it begins to impact on his ability to enjoy his real life and his relationships.
The story flips between his awake/dreams & when this first happened, I got a bit confused what was going on as it was very sudden! 🤯 But very quickly, it became very clear and the transitions were seamless and flowed well.
The writing, at times, felt overly descriptive. Things that could have been alluded to were expressly stated which was a bit clunky but overall, it was wonderful to be plunked into the city feels of Singapore (& other cities in his dreams 🤫 no spoilers 🤐) and live out these borderline other-worldly experiences with Sam.
June 21, 2025
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC.
I received this ARC for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
4.7/5 (rounded to 5) for me
For a debut novel, I think this book is brilliantly written.
Sam's character is at a point in his life where there's so much uncertainty in his personal life. I could connect to his uncertainty which is why Sam, as a character, works. Being able to connect to the protagonist is what hooks you to this book.
The plot itself seemed so ethereal (it's the best way for me to describe it). The travel across time and space in this dreamworld. I thought it would confuse me but I felt warm instead.
I assumed that the constant shift in places, timezones, etc would make me hate the book, find faults in it, but instead it surprised me. I felt warm. Seen. Kinda wish this would happen to me. I wish I could find the perspective and clarity that Sam found through his dreams.
I did knock off .3 points because it felt slightly repetitive towards the end.
However, will I recommend this book? Yes. Definitely. Will I be looking forward to this author's future works? Heck yes.
I received this ARC for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
4.7/5 (rounded to 5) for me
For a debut novel, I think this book is brilliantly written.
Sam's character is at a point in his life where there's so much uncertainty in his personal life. I could connect to his uncertainty which is why Sam, as a character, works. Being able to connect to the protagonist is what hooks you to this book.
The plot itself seemed so ethereal (it's the best way for me to describe it). The travel across time and space in this dreamworld. I thought it would confuse me but I felt warm instead.
I assumed that the constant shift in places, timezones, etc would make me hate the book, find faults in it, but instead it surprised me. I felt warm. Seen. Kinda wish this would happen to me. I wish I could find the perspective and clarity that Sam found through his dreams.
I did knock off .3 points because it felt slightly repetitive towards the end.
However, will I recommend this book? Yes. Definitely. Will I be looking forward to this author's future works? Heck yes.
June 25, 2025
This was a beautiful story about Sam and Kate, his complicated romantic partner, during the day and alternates with his dreams where he has completely different lives, jobs, and romantic partners who he forms deep meaningful relationships with. These dreams have him desperately crave that love and forces him to reevaluate his true relationship with Kate.
I loved everything about this story. I really enjoyed Sam’s desperation for love and his character. His romantic partners each brought out a different perspective to Sam. It was so heartbreaking to read about how Sam desperately wanted to love and be loved for him to only experience that vicariously through his dreams. The ending was so sweet and cute I loved it!
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved everything about this story. I really enjoyed Sam’s desperation for love and his character. His romantic partners each brought out a different perspective to Sam. It was so heartbreaking to read about how Sam desperately wanted to love and be loved for him to only experience that vicariously through his dreams. The ending was so sweet and cute I loved it!
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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November 26, 2025(I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.)
The Good nights is a swirling debut by Jaafar Charafeddine. The main character, Sam, experiences dreams of alternate realities. Instead of an ambassador in Singapore, he’s a surgeon in LA, a consultant in Paris, a business man in Dubai, and although he’s perfectly happy with his ‘real’ life, Sam finds himself questioning the choices he has made. With earnest characters and vivid prose, Charafeddine asks what it is to be successful, to find true love, and to exist in a singular path.
The concept is interesting enough, and I particularly enjoyed the beginning, which sets up his dreams. Sam’s alternate realities, see, are framed by the fact that he meets a different enchanting girl in each one, ultimately falling in love with them. The idea that Sam has no control on where and when he will go was fascinating, though I wish the loss of his lovers was felt more strongly. Charafeddine characterises everyone well, but is notably gifted in his descriptions of cities. The atmosphere and architecture were depicted extremely vividly, perfectly mirroring Sam’s dream world.
However, I did find that the plot dragged a bit and got repetitive after a while. As I previously mentioned, I wish there was more of a toll on Sam and his mental health. The Good Nights focuses on depicting Sam’s decline in happiness in his ‘real’ life, particularly in his relationship with his girlfriend, Kate. While Sam occasionally interacts with people other than Kate in his real life, there is little action rather than internal dialogue and waiting for the dreams to come. Likewise, I wish there was more exploration of the physics of the alternate realities, and an explanation as to how they worked and why.
Charafeddine’s writing peaks when exploring new things: new cities, new feelings, new love interests. Here, everything feels fresh and welcome, and the world is filled with possibilities, just as Sam is, in his new life. If you’ve ever memorised The Road Not Taken, this book is for you. Take a chance on it.
The Good nights is a swirling debut by Jaafar Charafeddine. The main character, Sam, experiences dreams of alternate realities. Instead of an ambassador in Singapore, he’s a surgeon in LA, a consultant in Paris, a business man in Dubai, and although he’s perfectly happy with his ‘real’ life, Sam finds himself questioning the choices he has made. With earnest characters and vivid prose, Charafeddine asks what it is to be successful, to find true love, and to exist in a singular path.
The concept is interesting enough, and I particularly enjoyed the beginning, which sets up his dreams. Sam’s alternate realities, see, are framed by the fact that he meets a different enchanting girl in each one, ultimately falling in love with them. The idea that Sam has no control on where and when he will go was fascinating, though I wish the loss of his lovers was felt more strongly. Charafeddine characterises everyone well, but is notably gifted in his descriptions of cities. The atmosphere and architecture were depicted extremely vividly, perfectly mirroring Sam’s dream world.
However, I did find that the plot dragged a bit and got repetitive after a while. As I previously mentioned, I wish there was more of a toll on Sam and his mental health. The Good Nights focuses on depicting Sam’s decline in happiness in his ‘real’ life, particularly in his relationship with his girlfriend, Kate. While Sam occasionally interacts with people other than Kate in his real life, there is little action rather than internal dialogue and waiting for the dreams to come. Likewise, I wish there was more exploration of the physics of the alternate realities, and an explanation as to how they worked and why.
Charafeddine’s writing peaks when exploring new things: new cities, new feelings, new love interests. Here, everything feels fresh and welcome, and the world is filled with possibilities, just as Sam is, in his new life. If you’ve ever memorised The Road Not Taken, this book is for you. Take a chance on it.
August 13, 2025
A pinch of Gatsby at the beginning. I thought that Sam, the main character, would travel through time. Surprisingly, it was beyond that. It’s a mix: a deep dive into human relationships, here in the couple context of “Sam & Kate,” with conversations and scenes we all could go through. At least I did.
Each chapter felt like a scene from a series, episodes, light dreams, navigating through emotions, subconscious, what we really want vs. what’s there. Should we take what life offers, or wait for what we desire?
The writing is poetic yet modern. The author, Jaafar Charafeddine, mixed modern life with “Marcel Pagnol” like descriptions that awaken the senses. This contrast is rare. I lived with each character, each scene. Some scenes were emotionally triggering because I could relate to the conversation or to one of the characters.
It’s not all serious though. There is also a mix of humour. Many times, I found myself laughing alone or smiling. It’s a novel that smoothly blends light psychology with romantic fiction, a story that travels through time and space.
A flawless journey from one adventure to another, from one city to the next. A mix of reality and dreams. And why not let the mind and soul escape to a dreamy world?
The book ended and left me with some open-ended questions that leaves you reflecting.
It’s a great book that could easily be turned into a series. I can’t wait for the second book’s birth.
Each chapter felt like a scene from a series, episodes, light dreams, navigating through emotions, subconscious, what we really want vs. what’s there. Should we take what life offers, or wait for what we desire?
The writing is poetic yet modern. The author, Jaafar Charafeddine, mixed modern life with “Marcel Pagnol” like descriptions that awaken the senses. This contrast is rare. I lived with each character, each scene. Some scenes were emotionally triggering because I could relate to the conversation or to one of the characters.
It’s not all serious though. There is also a mix of humour. Many times, I found myself laughing alone or smiling. It’s a novel that smoothly blends light psychology with romantic fiction, a story that travels through time and space.
A flawless journey from one adventure to another, from one city to the next. A mix of reality and dreams. And why not let the mind and soul escape to a dreamy world?
The book ended and left me with some open-ended questions that leaves you reflecting.
It’s a great book that could easily be turned into a series. I can’t wait for the second book’s birth.
November 1, 2025
1. 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 • This is truly a unique love story. I found it a bit hard to wrap my mind around at first and wasn’t sure I was fully invested. But I wanted to know how it would play out…and I’m glad I stuck around to find out! Between the romance, world travels, and Sam’s soul searching, there were moments I was holding my breath on what was going to happen.
2. 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐬 • When reality and dreams collide, we see how Sam grapples with his sanity. The people around begin to question whether he is beginning to have a mental breakdown. It amazed me how much each situation took over his life. He truly cares about the people he encounters and wondered about their well-being while in his waking life.
3. 𝐅𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 • Sam’s exasperation at how quickly his dream worlds would end and change truly affected him. He would find himself in the depths of despair as he trudged through his daily life just to get back to his dream world.
4. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 • As the end neared, Sam and his one true confidante, Tiffany, begin to realize that his dream worlds may be more real than they appear. As he traverses the continent, many truths reveal themselves.
5. 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 • Sam finds himself at a point of peace until he is given a huge promotion and is whisked away to live in a new city (no spoilers here). In the background of his mind, one of his dream world’s lingers and I couldn’t wait until the defining moment presented itself!
August 26, 2025
Jaafar Charafeddine’s The Good Nights is a rare novel that blurs the lines between reality and dreams, with Sam Cooper, a U.S. diplomat living in Singapore, at its center. His mundane life is contrasted with vivid dream encounters with Shiva, Céline, and Lara in various cities, which threaten to overshadow his relationship with Kate.
What makes the book so compelling is its portrayal of the fragile boundary between longing and reality, as Sam’s dream women embody various aspects of love, loss, and self-discovery that elude him in real life, raising the universal question of whether our deepest connections exist in the world we live in or the one we imagine?
The writing has a lyrical quality that perfectly complements its dreamlike theme, taking the reader on a journey from Singapore’s tranquil diplomacy to the vibrant energy of Los Angeles, the wistfulness of Paris, and the shimmering desert nights of Dubai. Each city serves as a mirror, reflecting a hidden aspect of Sam’s emotional world. The pacing is gentle yet engaging, with time unfolding in a fluid, dreamlike manner.
The Good Nights is more than a romance novel – it’s an exploration of memory, desire, and fate that raises questions about the nature of reality and whether our inner lives can be just as real as our external ones. This book is a must-read for fans of romantic mysteries with a touch of the surreal, offering a haunting and unforgettable journey.
What makes the book so compelling is its portrayal of the fragile boundary between longing and reality, as Sam’s dream women embody various aspects of love, loss, and self-discovery that elude him in real life, raising the universal question of whether our deepest connections exist in the world we live in or the one we imagine?
The writing has a lyrical quality that perfectly complements its dreamlike theme, taking the reader on a journey from Singapore’s tranquil diplomacy to the vibrant energy of Los Angeles, the wistfulness of Paris, and the shimmering desert nights of Dubai. Each city serves as a mirror, reflecting a hidden aspect of Sam’s emotional world. The pacing is gentle yet engaging, with time unfolding in a fluid, dreamlike manner.
The Good Nights is more than a romance novel – it’s an exploration of memory, desire, and fate that raises questions about the nature of reality and whether our inner lives can be just as real as our external ones. This book is a must-read for fans of romantic mysteries with a touch of the surreal, offering a haunting and unforgettable journey.
August 6, 2025
This book felt like poetry wrapped in a dream. The writing was just so elegant, like every line had weight but still flowed easily. Sam Cooper was one of those characters you don’t just read, you experience. I related to him more than I expected, especially his confusion and search for meaning. The emotions were soft but intense, not dramatic but definitely deep. Shiva stood out to me the most chaotic, kind of heartbreaking. The cities, the women, the emotions, everything came together in a really beautiful and strange way. Nothing felt forced, and yet it kept me slightly off balanced the whole time. It’s not just a love story, it’s about identity, choices, memory. This was definitely one of those books that made me think about life long after I closed it. Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy of her book and giving me the opportunity to read it, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
September 2, 2025
Fragmented, poetic structure Paris in the rain. Dubai beneath the desert sun. Los Angeles, alive with color. Singapore, orderly and silent.
The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny gave me all of this, wrapped in a story that felt both intimate and immense.
Sam Cooper’s struggle spoke to me more than I expected. A man admired, respected, and safe—yet restless. In his dreams, he found the truth his waking life refused to offer. Shiva’s warmth, Céline’s elegance, Lara’s resilience—they carried more weight than reality itself.
I read this book slowly, almost greedily, afraid to miss even a breath of the atmosphere. And yet I could not stop turning the pages, because every chapter was a promise of beauty.
It felt like a reminder that our hearts are braver than we realize, and sometimes our dreams know us better than we know ourselves.
The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny gave me all of this, wrapped in a story that felt both intimate and immense.
Sam Cooper’s struggle spoke to me more than I expected. A man admired, respected, and safe—yet restless. In his dreams, he found the truth his waking life refused to offer. Shiva’s warmth, Céline’s elegance, Lara’s resilience—they carried more weight than reality itself.
I read this book slowly, almost greedily, afraid to miss even a breath of the atmosphere. And yet I could not stop turning the pages, because every chapter was a promise of beauty.
It felt like a reminder that our hearts are braver than we realize, and sometimes our dreams know us better than we know ourselves.
September 1, 2025
I remember the night I opened The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny. Coffee on the table, silence in the room, and then suddenly I was no longer there. I was walking streets I had never touched, speaking to people I had never met, and yet everything felt uncannily real.
That is the power of Jaafar Charafeddine’s writing. Sam Cooper’s journey was not just his; it became mine. His double life resonated with me—duty in the day, fire in the night. Shiva, Céline, Lara… they were more than names on the page. They were voices, scents, faces I could almost reach out and hold.
The story filled me with a strange ache, the kind that comes when you realize you’ve tasted something extraordinary and must return to the ordinary again. It is rare for a book to make me pause, breathe, and ask: what if destiny lives inside the dreams we ignore?
This was not an escape. It was an awakening.
That is the power of Jaafar Charafeddine’s writing. Sam Cooper’s journey was not just his; it became mine. His double life resonated with me—duty in the day, fire in the night. Shiva, Céline, Lara… they were more than names on the page. They were voices, scents, faces I could almost reach out and hold.
The story filled me with a strange ache, the kind that comes when you realize you’ve tasted something extraordinary and must return to the ordinary again. It is rare for a book to make me pause, breathe, and ask: what if destiny lives inside the dreams we ignore?
This was not an escape. It was an awakening.
July 18, 2025
#bookreview
What if your truest love story was one you could only experienced while you slept?
This book,"The Good Nights" is a deeply moving story of Sam Cooper and his journey through love in dreams and reality.
The story revolves around Sam Cooper, a successful US diplomat who finds more emotional truth in his dreams than in his high profile life he leads during the day.
Sam falls in love with three different women in his dreams and each one represents a part of his emotional needs. While in real life, his relationship with Kate is distant and marked by duty more than desire.
As the dreams grow more vivid and emotionally satisfying, Sam begins to question whether his heart belongs more to a fantasy than to reality.
The author beautifully paints the tension between escapism and authenticity. The story flows like a lucid dream something which shifts from elegant diplomatic halls to intimate and dreamlike experiences.
The emotional depth of the characters especially Sam's longing for connection is very beautifully written and relatable to a great extent. Sometimes the life we are living is not the one that truly reflects who we are as we will see with Sam.
With poetic prose and unforgettable imagery, the story leaves us asking - are dreams just illusions or are they the soul's way of telling the truth?
If you enjoy romantic stories with a twist of psychological intrigue and if you have ever loved someone more in your imagination than in reality then this book is a must read for you.
Do grab your copy from Amazon 😊
Book : The Good Nights: Dreams Of Destiny
Author : Jaafar Charafeddine
Genre : #romanticfantasy
Rating : 4.8/5
What if your truest love story was one you could only experienced while you slept?
This book,"The Good Nights" is a deeply moving story of Sam Cooper and his journey through love in dreams and reality.
The story revolves around Sam Cooper, a successful US diplomat who finds more emotional truth in his dreams than in his high profile life he leads during the day.
Sam falls in love with three different women in his dreams and each one represents a part of his emotional needs. While in real life, his relationship with Kate is distant and marked by duty more than desire.
As the dreams grow more vivid and emotionally satisfying, Sam begins to question whether his heart belongs more to a fantasy than to reality.
The author beautifully paints the tension between escapism and authenticity. The story flows like a lucid dream something which shifts from elegant diplomatic halls to intimate and dreamlike experiences.
The emotional depth of the characters especially Sam's longing for connection is very beautifully written and relatable to a great extent. Sometimes the life we are living is not the one that truly reflects who we are as we will see with Sam.
With poetic prose and unforgettable imagery, the story leaves us asking - are dreams just illusions or are they the soul's way of telling the truth?
If you enjoy romantic stories with a twist of psychological intrigue and if you have ever loved someone more in your imagination than in reality then this book is a must read for you.
Do grab your copy from Amazon 😊
Book : The Good Nights: Dreams Of Destiny
Author : Jaafar Charafeddine
Genre : #romanticfantasy
Rating : 4.8/5
September 1, 2025
I did not expect to lose track of time, but this novel pulled me into the night and kept me awake until dawn. The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny is more than a love story; it is an exploration of what it means to feel alive. Sam Cooper’s double life fascinated me. By day he is steady and predictable, yet in dreams he becomes daring, vulnerable, and endlessly human.
The dreamscapes felt like hidden doors to the soul. The prose carried a quiet elegance, and the pacing was almost hypnotic. I turned pages quickly but also paused to let the imagery sink in. This story reminded me that sometimes our truest selves live in the spaces we cannot explain, in moments we call dreams.
I highly recommend this book.
The dreamscapes felt like hidden doors to the soul. The prose carried a quiet elegance, and the pacing was almost hypnotic. I turned pages quickly but also paused to let the imagery sink in. This story reminded me that sometimes our truest selves live in the spaces we cannot explain, in moments we call dreams.
I highly recommend this book.
October 23, 2025
What would you do if you find the love of your life in your dream?
The Good Nights by Jaafar Charafeddine is a beautifully written and thought-provoking collection that explores the quiet, intimate moments that define our lives. Charafeddine’s prose is elegant yet accessible, weaving together emotion, reflection, and a touch of melancholy in a way that feels both personal and universal.
What stands out most is the author’s ability to capture human vulnerability — the tenderness of relationships, the ache of nostalgia, and the search for meaning in ordinary nights. Each story (or reflection) feels meticulously crafted, with language that lingers long after reading.
Thank you Jaafar Charafeddine for gifting me this beautifully written book for exchange of my honest opinion.
The Good Nights by Jaafar Charafeddine is a beautifully written and thought-provoking collection that explores the quiet, intimate moments that define our lives. Charafeddine’s prose is elegant yet accessible, weaving together emotion, reflection, and a touch of melancholy in a way that feels both personal and universal.
What stands out most is the author’s ability to capture human vulnerability — the tenderness of relationships, the ache of nostalgia, and the search for meaning in ordinary nights. Each story (or reflection) feels meticulously crafted, with language that lingers long after reading.
Thank you Jaafar Charafeddine for gifting me this beautifully written book for exchange of my honest opinion.
August 15, 2025
The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny is a refreshing twist on romance, told from the male main character’s point of view. Sam dreams of three different women, and the dreams feel so vivid he can’t shake them. As he tries to understand what they mean, he’s also navigating what he truly wants in a relationship. I enjoyed the unique perspective and the mix of romance and self-discovery. A thoughtful and engaging read. #booksirens
August 12, 2025
The Good Nights was such a beautiful, thought-provoking read. ✨ Sam’s journey—torn between the life he knows and the dream world where love feels achingly real—completely pulled me in. The way the author blended magical realism with raw emotion made each city, each woman, and each connection feel vivid and unforgettable.
I loved how the story explored fate, longing, and the blurry line between dreams and reality. It’s romantic, mysterious, and deeply moving—a book that stays with you long after the last page. 💖
I loved how the story explored fate, longing, and the blurry line between dreams and reality. It’s romantic, mysterious, and deeply moving—a book that stays with you long after the last page. 💖
June 3, 2025
Loved this story!
Best debut story .!
Writing style and effortlessly imagery was fluid , and a league of his own , Jaafar Charafeddine.
Best debut story .!
Writing style and effortlessly imagery was fluid , and a league of his own , Jaafar Charafeddine.
July 8, 2025
The Good Nights is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story. The characters are genuine and layered, and the writing has a quiet strength that gently pulls you in. It explores love, healing, and resilience in a way that feels both tender and powerful. A truly heartfelt read that deserves to be seen and shared.
October 16, 2025
Reading The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny was like receiving a secret letter from my own subconscious. I thought I was stepping into a romance, but what I found was a meditation on choice, passion, and the silent spaces between desire and duty.
Sam Cooper became more than a character for me. His polished days in Singapore reminded me of the masks we all wear, but his nights, his encounters with Shiva, Céline, and Lara, felt like confessions of the heart. Each woman was not just a figure in a dream but a mirror, reflecting the parts of ourselves we often keep hidden.
The emotions lingered long after I closed the book. That bittersweet pull between comfort and longing, between what is safe and what sets the soul on fire—it stayed with me, like the echo of a dream you do not want to wake from. This novel is not simply read; it is felt.
Sam Cooper became more than a character for me. His polished days in Singapore reminded me of the masks we all wear, but his nights, his encounters with Shiva, Céline, and Lara, felt like confessions of the heart. Each woman was not just a figure in a dream but a mirror, reflecting the parts of ourselves we often keep hidden.
The emotions lingered long after I closed the book. That bittersweet pull between comfort and longing, between what is safe and what sets the soul on fire—it stayed with me, like the echo of a dream you do not want to wake from. This novel is not simply read; it is felt.
September 5, 2025
Torn between reality and the women in his dreams, Sam is forced to reevaluate what he truly wants when it comes to love.
Sam Cooper is a diplomat working for the United States government who is currently stationed in Singapore. His life mostly consists of work, but at least he has Kate to help pass some of the long hours before he retires for the night. Once his eyes close though, Sam finds himself transported to an alternate universe where his chances at finding love are flourishing and his happiness is better than he's felt in his current life. As the dreamscapes begin to expand, Sam starts to wonder which life is he truly living? And what exactly does he desire in a romantic relationship?
"The Good Nights" is a thought-provoking book with a truly interesting premise. The fact that Sam is living multiple different AU versions of his life all while he sleeps raises quite a few questions but is mostly used as a uniquely cinematic way to explore some deep questions about life and love.
One thing that was really interesting in this one is the fact that Sam is sorta with four different women at different times. It is interesting to compare the four, and see which ones make Sam truly happy. The best part is, every woman is quite different from the next, which leads for an exciting dating pool. Kate is a successful diplomat who values her independence and her physical relations with Sam over any other part of their relationship. Shiva is a caring art gallery curator who values family and loyalty above all else. Céline works in marketing in the fashion world and is rambunctious and spontaneous. Finally, Lara is a bit shyer and more reserved, while also having a quiet sense of adventure. It's cool to see how each woman brings out a version of Sam. It really made me think about how we act differently depending on who we're with and the importance of finding someone that makes us truly happy.
Also, Sam's dreams force him to think about the situation that he is currently living in. Is he truly happy? Can he keep living how he is? I think we all need a reminder to be proactive with our lives rather than just coast through doing things that are easy and familiar. This book does an amazing job at passing on this reminder.
I was a bit thrown off by the whirlwind nature of this narrative. Mid-chapter and after many of the dinkuses, the perspective often changes to a different Sam in a completely separate AU. This was often not the easiest to follow, but it truly fit the vibe of this story. The dream Sams are not aware of the fact that they aren't real, so it is totally fitting that there is little warning that they are now suddenly existing again with no knowledge of anything else. When Sam wakes up again, he retains his memories, but it's still a jarring experience that he is waking up from. I wouldn't recommend this style for many books, but I actually liked it for this one.
The themes that discuss destiny, fate, and taking control of one's own life are very powerful. There is obviously a reason that Sam, Shiva, Céline, and Lara are connected with one another, but I love that they're not really sure what it is. The universe works in mysterious ways, after all. I think this book did a great job of balancing the messages that some things are meant to happen while also pressing that with enough effort, one can find the things that they desire.
Another thing that was neat about this one is that every Sam had a different career as well as lived in a different city. It was not only cool to experience various areas in the world (I think learning a bit more about Dubai was my favorite), but it also made me think about just how different one's life can become off of one single life decision. This can be scary to think about, but it's also insanely interesting.
The ending to this one is a bit predictable, but it has such a feel-good vibe that it's hard to be mad at this fact. I'm obviously not going to spoil the ending, but you can rest easy knowing that Sam gets his happily ever after.
Overall, "The Good Nights" was a very intriguing read that had me thinking about fate, destiny, and the idea of true love. Seriously, the number of deep thoughts that this book had me thinking about was pretty crazy, but it's still a super easy to read book. I'm glad that I was given the chance to witness Sam's search for love and all the various messages that his journey had to offer. If you're interested in a philosophical love story with a hint of magical realism, I highly recommend this one!
Sam Cooper is a diplomat working for the United States government who is currently stationed in Singapore. His life mostly consists of work, but at least he has Kate to help pass some of the long hours before he retires for the night. Once his eyes close though, Sam finds himself transported to an alternate universe where his chances at finding love are flourishing and his happiness is better than he's felt in his current life. As the dreamscapes begin to expand, Sam starts to wonder which life is he truly living? And what exactly does he desire in a romantic relationship?
"The Good Nights" is a thought-provoking book with a truly interesting premise. The fact that Sam is living multiple different AU versions of his life all while he sleeps raises quite a few questions but is mostly used as a uniquely cinematic way to explore some deep questions about life and love.
One thing that was really interesting in this one is the fact that Sam is sorta with four different women at different times. It is interesting to compare the four, and see which ones make Sam truly happy. The best part is, every woman is quite different from the next, which leads for an exciting dating pool. Kate is a successful diplomat who values her independence and her physical relations with Sam over any other part of their relationship. Shiva is a caring art gallery curator who values family and loyalty above all else. Céline works in marketing in the fashion world and is rambunctious and spontaneous. Finally, Lara is a bit shyer and more reserved, while also having a quiet sense of adventure. It's cool to see how each woman brings out a version of Sam. It really made me think about how we act differently depending on who we're with and the importance of finding someone that makes us truly happy.
Also, Sam's dreams force him to think about the situation that he is currently living in. Is he truly happy? Can he keep living how he is? I think we all need a reminder to be proactive with our lives rather than just coast through doing things that are easy and familiar. This book does an amazing job at passing on this reminder.
I was a bit thrown off by the whirlwind nature of this narrative. Mid-chapter and after many of the dinkuses, the perspective often changes to a different Sam in a completely separate AU. This was often not the easiest to follow, but it truly fit the vibe of this story. The dream Sams are not aware of the fact that they aren't real, so it is totally fitting that there is little warning that they are now suddenly existing again with no knowledge of anything else. When Sam wakes up again, he retains his memories, but it's still a jarring experience that he is waking up from. I wouldn't recommend this style for many books, but I actually liked it for this one.
The themes that discuss destiny, fate, and taking control of one's own life are very powerful. There is obviously a reason that Sam, Shiva, Céline, and Lara are connected with one another, but I love that they're not really sure what it is. The universe works in mysterious ways, after all. I think this book did a great job of balancing the messages that some things are meant to happen while also pressing that with enough effort, one can find the things that they desire.
Another thing that was neat about this one is that every Sam had a different career as well as lived in a different city. It was not only cool to experience various areas in the world (I think learning a bit more about Dubai was my favorite), but it also made me think about just how different one's life can become off of one single life decision. This can be scary to think about, but it's also insanely interesting.
The ending to this one is a bit predictable, but it has such a feel-good vibe that it's hard to be mad at this fact. I'm obviously not going to spoil the ending, but you can rest easy knowing that Sam gets his happily ever after.
Overall, "The Good Nights" was a very intriguing read that had me thinking about fate, destiny, and the idea of true love. Seriously, the number of deep thoughts that this book had me thinking about was pretty crazy, but it's still a super easy to read book. I'm glad that I was given the chance to witness Sam's search for love and all the various messages that his journey had to offer. If you're interested in a philosophical love story with a hint of magical realism, I highly recommend this one!
July 8, 2025
🥀 What if the one you were meant to be with was just in your dreams? Through the life of Sam Cooper, a U.S. diplomat whose days are characterized by formality and professionalism and whose nights devolve into a realm of romance, mystery, and intense longing The Good Nights examines this extremely troubling topic.
🥀The debut book by the author crosses the boundaries between reality and dreams with its distinctive fusion of literary fiction, magical realism, & emotional introspection. With sophisticated parties, well rehearsed speeches, and a nuanced relationship with colleague ambassador Kate, Sam's waking life in Singapore appears to be flawless. But his soul really awakens when he sleeps.
🥀In three different cities, Sam has vivid visions night after night. He meets Shiva in Los Angeles, Céline in Paris, & Lara in Dubai. Every woman and every scene seems remarkably authentic. Additionally, every interaction leaves a persistent pain that the conscious world is unable to resolve. Here, Charafeddine creates dreams that don't feel like dreams, which is an astonishing feat.
🥀These are intricately layered storylines that rival (and ultimately eclipse) Sam's actual experiences rather than hazy, fantasy scenes. With their sensory details, emotional depth, and cinematic flow, the dreamscapes compel you to ask, like Sam, What is real? And above all, what really counts meaning or reality?
🥀The story's smooth transitions betwixt dream and consciousness and its exquisite wording make it stand out. The author's skill at switching between timelines as well as emotional trajectories without losing the reader's attention is a testament to his narration skill.
🥀The characters in Sam's dreams bear the emotional burden of real life experiences, whether it's a poignant father daughter scene in Los Angeles or an enigmatic encounter in Dubai. The story is further complicated by Kate, the only woman in Sam's waking life, who depicts the silent agony of two individuals trapped in emotional purgatory. The foundation of their relationship is diplomacy political, pragmatic, but cold. Sam's attraction to his ideal ladies is a subliminal protest against emotional complacency rather than merely a matter of love.
🥀By using this contrast, the author delicately examines themes of fate, emotional fulfillment, and the enduring human need to be noticed and loved. The way the novel handles time and memory is among its most fascinating features. Particularly moving is the chapter on "one year later," which serves as a reminder that even if time goes by and reality sets in, the memories of what could have been never really go away.
🥀Understanding the underlying need that connects dream and reality is more important to Sam's journey than having to choose between the two. This book works well as a sensory experience as well. The architecture, fragrances, and emotional tone of each location are all depicted in such a way that the book feels like a worldwide romantic journey.
🥀The allure, however, is not found in the locations but rather in what they stand for: various interpretations of connection, love, and loss. Readers who appreciate slow burning stories with depth, reflection, and a hint of surrealism will love this book. It's also a fantastic choice for anyone who has ever felt more alive in a dream than in the real world or woken up missing someone they've never met. This is a heartfelt & lingering book that challenges your ideas of reality, love, and fate while pulling at your heart. Long after you've turned the last page, you'll still remember this lovely and intensely emotional debut.
🥀The debut book by the author crosses the boundaries between reality and dreams with its distinctive fusion of literary fiction, magical realism, & emotional introspection. With sophisticated parties, well rehearsed speeches, and a nuanced relationship with colleague ambassador Kate, Sam's waking life in Singapore appears to be flawless. But his soul really awakens when he sleeps.
🥀In three different cities, Sam has vivid visions night after night. He meets Shiva in Los Angeles, Céline in Paris, & Lara in Dubai. Every woman and every scene seems remarkably authentic. Additionally, every interaction leaves a persistent pain that the conscious world is unable to resolve. Here, Charafeddine creates dreams that don't feel like dreams, which is an astonishing feat.
🥀These are intricately layered storylines that rival (and ultimately eclipse) Sam's actual experiences rather than hazy, fantasy scenes. With their sensory details, emotional depth, and cinematic flow, the dreamscapes compel you to ask, like Sam, What is real? And above all, what really counts meaning or reality?
🥀The story's smooth transitions betwixt dream and consciousness and its exquisite wording make it stand out. The author's skill at switching between timelines as well as emotional trajectories without losing the reader's attention is a testament to his narration skill.
🥀The characters in Sam's dreams bear the emotional burden of real life experiences, whether it's a poignant father daughter scene in Los Angeles or an enigmatic encounter in Dubai. The story is further complicated by Kate, the only woman in Sam's waking life, who depicts the silent agony of two individuals trapped in emotional purgatory. The foundation of their relationship is diplomacy political, pragmatic, but cold. Sam's attraction to his ideal ladies is a subliminal protest against emotional complacency rather than merely a matter of love.
🥀By using this contrast, the author delicately examines themes of fate, emotional fulfillment, and the enduring human need to be noticed and loved. The way the novel handles time and memory is among its most fascinating features. Particularly moving is the chapter on "one year later," which serves as a reminder that even if time goes by and reality sets in, the memories of what could have been never really go away.
🥀Understanding the underlying need that connects dream and reality is more important to Sam's journey than having to choose between the two. This book works well as a sensory experience as well. The architecture, fragrances, and emotional tone of each location are all depicted in such a way that the book feels like a worldwide romantic journey.
🥀The allure, however, is not found in the locations but rather in what they stand for: various interpretations of connection, love, and loss. Readers who appreciate slow burning stories with depth, reflection, and a hint of surrealism will love this book. It's also a fantastic choice for anyone who has ever felt more alive in a dream than in the real world or woken up missing someone they've never met. This is a heartfelt & lingering book that challenges your ideas of reality, love, and fate while pulling at your heart. Long after you've turned the last page, you'll still remember this lovely and intensely emotional debut.
October 17, 2025
A Conversation With Myself After Finishing This Book
★ First, what exactly am I holding here?
The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny by Jaafar Charafeddine. A book that arrived quietly but left loudly. I thought I was picking up a simple romance about a man and his dreams, but what I found was a mirror, a map, and a manifesto all bound together. Charafeddine writes from the perspective of someone who understands that we're all living split lives, one foot in the world we've built, the other in the world we're too afraid to reach for. This isn't just his story about Sam Cooper. It's a conversation starter about every compromise we've ever made with our own hearts.
★ What did you just read?
A meditation disguised as a romance. A travel journal written in sleep. An atlas of the human heart.
★ Tell me about Sam.
He's every person who ever woke up next to the right person and felt completely alone. A diplomat who negotiates everything except his own happiness. By day he exists in Singapore's pristine efficiency, all glass towers and scheduled smiles. By night he dissolves into pure feeling.
★ And the dreams?
Oh, the dreams. They arrive like letters from a self he forgot he was writing to. Shiva in Los Angeles, all golden warmth and unguarded laughter, the kind of connection that makes you forget to check your phone. Céline in Paris, where conversations taste like good wine and every silence means something. Lara in Dubai, fierce and tender simultaneously, a mirror held up to his hidden strength. Each city blooms around these women like they're summoning it into being.
★ What about Kate?
Kate is the truth we don't want to admit. That you can love someone and still be lonely. That comfort and passion are not the same country. She's written with such gentle honesty that you ache for both of them.
★ How does Charafeddine write?
Like someone who learned to dream in multiple languages. His sentences don't rush or drag, they breathe. He layers atmosphere until you're not reading about Paris, you're standing in it, rain cooling your face. The prose shifts textures between waking and dreaming so smoothly you stop noticing the seams. It's elegant without being cold, emotional without being sentimental.
★ What stays with you?
The bravery it takes to admit you want more. The way our sleeping minds sometimes see clearer than our waking ones. How every city holds a different version of love, and maybe we need to visit them all before we understand which one is home. The reminder that settling is a choice we make so gradually we don't notice until we're already numb.
★ Would you recommend it?
To anyone who's ever felt more alive in a daydream than in their actual day. To travelers and dreamers and people brave enough to ask themselves uncomfortable questions. To anyone who suspects their heart knows something their head refuses to acknowledge.
★ In one sentence?
The Good Nights is what happens when someone writes about longing so beautifully that you remember how to want things again, really want them, the way you did before you learned to be reasonable.
★ Final thought?
Some books you finish. This one finishes you. Then rebuilds you slightly different, slightly more awake, slightly more willing to follow your dreams even when the morning comes.
★ First, what exactly am I holding here?
The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny by Jaafar Charafeddine. A book that arrived quietly but left loudly. I thought I was picking up a simple romance about a man and his dreams, but what I found was a mirror, a map, and a manifesto all bound together. Charafeddine writes from the perspective of someone who understands that we're all living split lives, one foot in the world we've built, the other in the world we're too afraid to reach for. This isn't just his story about Sam Cooper. It's a conversation starter about every compromise we've ever made with our own hearts.
★ What did you just read?
A meditation disguised as a romance. A travel journal written in sleep. An atlas of the human heart.
★ Tell me about Sam.
He's every person who ever woke up next to the right person and felt completely alone. A diplomat who negotiates everything except his own happiness. By day he exists in Singapore's pristine efficiency, all glass towers and scheduled smiles. By night he dissolves into pure feeling.
★ And the dreams?
Oh, the dreams. They arrive like letters from a self he forgot he was writing to. Shiva in Los Angeles, all golden warmth and unguarded laughter, the kind of connection that makes you forget to check your phone. Céline in Paris, where conversations taste like good wine and every silence means something. Lara in Dubai, fierce and tender simultaneously, a mirror held up to his hidden strength. Each city blooms around these women like they're summoning it into being.
★ What about Kate?
Kate is the truth we don't want to admit. That you can love someone and still be lonely. That comfort and passion are not the same country. She's written with such gentle honesty that you ache for both of them.
★ How does Charafeddine write?
Like someone who learned to dream in multiple languages. His sentences don't rush or drag, they breathe. He layers atmosphere until you're not reading about Paris, you're standing in it, rain cooling your face. The prose shifts textures between waking and dreaming so smoothly you stop noticing the seams. It's elegant without being cold, emotional without being sentimental.
★ What stays with you?
The bravery it takes to admit you want more. The way our sleeping minds sometimes see clearer than our waking ones. How every city holds a different version of love, and maybe we need to visit them all before we understand which one is home. The reminder that settling is a choice we make so gradually we don't notice until we're already numb.
★ Would you recommend it?
To anyone who's ever felt more alive in a daydream than in their actual day. To travelers and dreamers and people brave enough to ask themselves uncomfortable questions. To anyone who suspects their heart knows something their head refuses to acknowledge.
★ In one sentence?
The Good Nights is what happens when someone writes about longing so beautifully that you remember how to want things again, really want them, the way you did before you learned to be reasonable.
★ Final thought?
Some books you finish. This one finishes you. Then rebuilds you slightly different, slightly more awake, slightly more willing to follow your dreams even when the morning comes.
June 17, 2025
This was unremittingly gorgeous, The Author Jaafar Charafeddine deftly walks a tightrope between despair and hope, heartache and love! Dream logic, diplomatic life, and emotional awakening are all bound in this creative, experimental love story in a way that feels current and carefully significant. It doesn't necessarily change places, it changes realities, set against the magnificent scenery of Singapore, Paris, Los Angeles, and Dubai. And the ideal guide through this ambiguous landscape is Sam Cooper, who is torn between an exciting dream-romance with Shiva and a sterile relationship with Kate.
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The writing has a compelling element that throws you off balance a little bit, as if your internal compass were readjusting every few pages. The novel's magic is based on nuance. Charafeddine allows confusion to flourish, which is where the genius is, unlike telling you what to believe. Sam's fantasies and his real life alternate in an unnoticed, elliptical, and unnervingly seamless manner. At times, I had to stop and ask myself, "Wait—where are we now?" That's the point, though. It's not about clarity, it's really about the conflict between desire and reality and what occurs when our imagined world begins to feel more real than the one we've created.
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This book has a beautiful yet sophisticated emotional range. Kate is smart, dependable, well-organised, and completely devoid of mystery. Shiva, however, is intense, alluring, and resembles a fever dream that Sam is unwilling to wake up from. However, this isn't about choose between two women; it's in fact about the more important subject of what fulfilment means to us. Is it stable? Or is it the beating heart of an elusive entity that we can only reach when we're not staring at it? Sam's story compels us to consider duality in identity, desire, memory, and love. Furthermore, the supporting cast members—Céline and Lara—do not feel incidental; more so, they contribute layers to this emotional suspense, each of whom reflects Sam's struggles in a somewhat different way.
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This novel will enthral you if you like romantic fiction with academic nuances and fantasy fiction that breathes with intellect. It's an excellent read, but it doesn't go quickly. The Good Nights is a thoughtful, multi-layered, and emotionally complex book that will blow your mind because of unexpected turns and because of its subdued resonance. You won’t want to put it down, but more importantly, you won’t want to stop thinking about it when you do.
.
The writing has a compelling element that throws you off balance a little bit, as if your internal compass were readjusting every few pages. The novel's magic is based on nuance. Charafeddine allows confusion to flourish, which is where the genius is, unlike telling you what to believe. Sam's fantasies and his real life alternate in an unnoticed, elliptical, and unnervingly seamless manner. At times, I had to stop and ask myself, "Wait—where are we now?" That's the point, though. It's not about clarity, it's really about the conflict between desire and reality and what occurs when our imagined world begins to feel more real than the one we've created.
.
This book has a beautiful yet sophisticated emotional range. Kate is smart, dependable, well-organised, and completely devoid of mystery. Shiva, however, is intense, alluring, and resembles a fever dream that Sam is unwilling to wake up from. However, this isn't about choose between two women; it's in fact about the more important subject of what fulfilment means to us. Is it stable? Or is it the beating heart of an elusive entity that we can only reach when we're not staring at it? Sam's story compels us to consider duality in identity, desire, memory, and love. Furthermore, the supporting cast members—Céline and Lara—do not feel incidental; more so, they contribute layers to this emotional suspense, each of whom reflects Sam's struggles in a somewhat different way.
.
This novel will enthral you if you like romantic fiction with academic nuances and fantasy fiction that breathes with intellect. It's an excellent read, but it doesn't go quickly. The Good Nights is a thoughtful, multi-layered, and emotionally complex book that will blow your mind because of unexpected turns and because of its subdued resonance. You won’t want to put it down, but more importantly, you won’t want to stop thinking about it when you do.
June 17, 2025
This is one of those books that speaks to you at 2 a.m. and makes you question everything you've ever known. The Good Nights by Jaafar Charafeddine is engaging, unsettling, and quietly stunning in the way it bends your heart without even trying. Can you imagine falling asleep and waking up in a different version of yourself, with a new life and love that feels authentic? That is Sam Cooper's reality. He's a polished and put-together US Ambassador in Singapore, but when does he sleep? He's in Los Angeles with Shiva, living a wonderful other life. I devoured every single dream of Sam, the Author's intriguing design plots made me flip the pages like crazy wanting to know what will happen next!
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The writing is so wonderful and delicate, I highlighted a lot of quotes. The book was like think cosmopolitan glitter meets dream-state melancholy, with a touch of slow-burn romanticism. Sam's relationship with Kate is fine but safe. And then Shiva arrives, as if desire shocked him awake from his lifelong sleepwalking. But the wild part is... you never truly know what's true. Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Singapore all feel like postcards from two souls hoping to meet halfway. It made me feel everything: puzzled, enchanted, dreamy, and completely in love.
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The way Jaafar Charafeddine writes about emotions is absolutely heartbreaking in the best imaginable style. Sam is caught in a life that is "perfect on paper" but empty in emotion, and honestly, it was RELATABLE!!! His dreams are more than just that, they are his heart's attempt to communicate with him. And Shiva, Celine, and Lara feel like mirrors, reflecting different aspects of his yearning. It's so complex, yet also really entertaining. It reads slowly and beautifully, but I couldn't stop turning the pages. So, if you enjoy stories that blur the lines between fiction and reality, that are mystical and emotionally charged, READ THIS. It's romantic in the most haunting, lyrical form. You'll finish feeling as if you've just awoken from a dream you didn't want to end.
.
The writing is so wonderful and delicate, I highlighted a lot of quotes. The book was like think cosmopolitan glitter meets dream-state melancholy, with a touch of slow-burn romanticism. Sam's relationship with Kate is fine but safe. And then Shiva arrives, as if desire shocked him awake from his lifelong sleepwalking. But the wild part is... you never truly know what's true. Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Singapore all feel like postcards from two souls hoping to meet halfway. It made me feel everything: puzzled, enchanted, dreamy, and completely in love.
.
The way Jaafar Charafeddine writes about emotions is absolutely heartbreaking in the best imaginable style. Sam is caught in a life that is "perfect on paper" but empty in emotion, and honestly, it was RELATABLE!!! His dreams are more than just that, they are his heart's attempt to communicate with him. And Shiva, Celine, and Lara feel like mirrors, reflecting different aspects of his yearning. It's so complex, yet also really entertaining. It reads slowly and beautifully, but I couldn't stop turning the pages. So, if you enjoy stories that blur the lines between fiction and reality, that are mystical and emotionally charged, READ THIS. It's romantic in the most haunting, lyrical form. You'll finish feeling as if you've just awoken from a dream you didn't want to end.
June 17, 2025
The Good Nights is a rich and curious glimpse at the transitional areas between love and loneliness, truth and fiction, the known and the unknown. It is a work that requires thoughtful consideration, rewarding patient readers with a thoroughly complex reflection on the nature of selfhood in a shattered society. The Author Jaafar Charafeddine has created a work that is as much a philosophical study as it is a romantic romance, recognising him as a unique voice in modern contemporary literature.
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This story is the perfect amalgam of romance, magical realism, and speculative fiction, so if you enjoy stories that make you think while still tugging at your heartstrings, you'll love this one.
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The plot concentrates around Sam Cooper, a United States Ambassador in Singapore, who begins to live two lives, his waking one with Kate, his "safe" but passionless wife, and his dream existence, in which he is a physician in Los Angeles who falls in love with the intriguing art curator Shiva. What piqued my interest was how the border between dreams and reality became increasingly blurred, prompting Sam (and me!) to examine what is true and what truly important. I enjoyed watching him battle with what fulfilment means, can we truly exist in two worlds? And, given how complicated love is, how do we describe it?
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What impressed me the most was the tenderness of the language and Jaafar Charafeddine's power to bring out the emotion of longing, the kind of desire that isn't just about romance, but about wanting something deeper, something you can't quite pinpoint. The characters felt honest and nuanced, particularly Sam, who struggles to find equilibrium among so much and discover who he truly is despite all the expectations. If you want a novel that is compassionate, intellectual, and a little mysterious, this is it. It's more than only a romantic story. it's about identity, dreams, and how difficult life can be when you're torn between what you want and what you have.
.
This story is the perfect amalgam of romance, magical realism, and speculative fiction, so if you enjoy stories that make you think while still tugging at your heartstrings, you'll love this one.
.
The plot concentrates around Sam Cooper, a United States Ambassador in Singapore, who begins to live two lives, his waking one with Kate, his "safe" but passionless wife, and his dream existence, in which he is a physician in Los Angeles who falls in love with the intriguing art curator Shiva. What piqued my interest was how the border between dreams and reality became increasingly blurred, prompting Sam (and me!) to examine what is true and what truly important. I enjoyed watching him battle with what fulfilment means, can we truly exist in two worlds? And, given how complicated love is, how do we describe it?
.
What impressed me the most was the tenderness of the language and Jaafar Charafeddine's power to bring out the emotion of longing, the kind of desire that isn't just about romance, but about wanting something deeper, something you can't quite pinpoint. The characters felt honest and nuanced, particularly Sam, who struggles to find equilibrium among so much and discover who he truly is despite all the expectations. If you want a novel that is compassionate, intellectual, and a little mysterious, this is it. It's more than only a romantic story. it's about identity, dreams, and how difficult life can be when you're torn between what you want and what you have.
June 17, 2025
The Good Nights by Jaafar Charafeddine is an intriguing and thought-provoking exploration on identity, desire, and the brittle lines separating dreams and reality. The novel, which is set in a number of cosmopolitan locations, including Singapore, Paris, Los Angeles, and Dubai, follows the fractured consciousness of Sam Cooper, a U.S. Ambassador whose dream world becomes more and more traumatic and dominates his waking life.
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Fantasy and realistic fiction are cleverly built throughout Jaafar Charafeddine's story, as a basic framework for exploring the nature of fulfilment and the elusiveness of genuine connection in a globalised, fleeting age.
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The novel's central conflict is Sam's everyday life with Kate Moore, an intellectually curious but unpassionate friend, contrasts sharply with the dream-world in which he lives as a surgeon in Los Angeles, intertwined with the mysterious art curator Shiva Asfahani. The book challenges readers to think about the suppleness of truth when mediated via memory, desire, and subjective experience by carefully negotiating the ambivalence of these conflicting existences.
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This elliptical style questions accepted ideas of linearity and objective reality, making one consider how performative, malleable, and dependent our identities are on the environments we live in both awake and asleep.
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Elegant discipline characterises the Author's writing, which prioritises modesty over exposition and lets the story's emotional tone come through through inference and suggestion. Longing is a delicately crafted theme that never descends into melodrama. Lara and Celine, the supporting characters, provide more meaning by implying various aspects of Sam's personality and the countless potentials for connection.
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Fantasy and realistic fiction are cleverly built throughout Jaafar Charafeddine's story, as a basic framework for exploring the nature of fulfilment and the elusiveness of genuine connection in a globalised, fleeting age.
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The novel's central conflict is Sam's everyday life with Kate Moore, an intellectually curious but unpassionate friend, contrasts sharply with the dream-world in which he lives as a surgeon in Los Angeles, intertwined with the mysterious art curator Shiva Asfahani. The book challenges readers to think about the suppleness of truth when mediated via memory, desire, and subjective experience by carefully negotiating the ambivalence of these conflicting existences.
.
This elliptical style questions accepted ideas of linearity and objective reality, making one consider how performative, malleable, and dependent our identities are on the environments we live in both awake and asleep.
.
Elegant discipline characterises the Author's writing, which prioritises modesty over exposition and lets the story's emotional tone come through through inference and suggestion. Longing is a delicately crafted theme that never descends into melodrama. Lara and Celine, the supporting characters, provide more meaning by implying various aspects of Sam's personality and the countless potentials for connection.
August 19, 2025
Jaafar Charafeddine's debut novel, The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny, presents an extraordinary narrative that challenges the boundaries between dream and reality. Sam Cooper, a U.S. Ambassador stationed in Singapore, begins experiencing vivid dreams where he lives alternate lives—first as a doctor in Los Angeles meeting Shiva, then as a brand consultant in Paris working with Céline, and finally as an investment banker in Dubai encountering Lara.
What captivated me as a reader was Charafeddine's meticulous attention to detail in crafting these dream worlds. Each setting feels authentically lived-in, from the clinical precision of Sam's medical practice to the sophisticated elegance of Parisian business culture. The author's ability to maintain narrative coherence across multiple realities is genuinely impressive.
The emotional core lies in Sam's deteriorating relationship with Kate Moore, the U.K. Ambassador, whose practical concerns about her daughter Sara clash with Sam's romantic yearnings. Their conversations crackle with diplomatic tension that extends into their personal lives, creating a compelling parallel between professional and intimate negotiations.
The novel's most audacious element—Sam's discovery that these dream women actually exist—is handled with remarkable restraint. When Sam finally encounters them in reality, each meeting feels both inevitable and surprising. Particularly moving is Shiva's recognition of him during her labor, and Lara's explanation of how their shared dreams helped strengthen her real relationship.
Charafeddine has written something genuinely unique: a love story that takes seriously the notion that our sleeping minds might connect us across impossible distances, ultimately leading Sam to his destined partner, Céline.
What captivated me as a reader was Charafeddine's meticulous attention to detail in crafting these dream worlds. Each setting feels authentically lived-in, from the clinical precision of Sam's medical practice to the sophisticated elegance of Parisian business culture. The author's ability to maintain narrative coherence across multiple realities is genuinely impressive.
The emotional core lies in Sam's deteriorating relationship with Kate Moore, the U.K. Ambassador, whose practical concerns about her daughter Sara clash with Sam's romantic yearnings. Their conversations crackle with diplomatic tension that extends into their personal lives, creating a compelling parallel between professional and intimate negotiations.
The novel's most audacious element—Sam's discovery that these dream women actually exist—is handled with remarkable restraint. When Sam finally encounters them in reality, each meeting feels both inevitable and surprising. Particularly moving is Shiva's recognition of him during her labor, and Lara's explanation of how their shared dreams helped strengthen her real relationship.
Charafeddine has written something genuinely unique: a love story that takes seriously the notion that our sleeping minds might connect us across impossible distances, ultimately leading Sam to his destined partner, Céline.
June 17, 2025
This novel completely stole my heart and did not let go. From the first chapters, I was gripped with heart and brain by Sam Cooper's chaotic existence, which alternates between a hyper glossy ambassador feel in Singapore and a dreamy, surgical life in LA, where he falls for the lovely Shiva. The way the novel offers actual life with these fantastic dream moments is unlike anything I've ever read before, and it seems so vivid and emotional, as if you're living both worlds alongside Sam.
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The romance is everything , delicate and swoony, but also deep and confusing making it feel far more sincere than your typical love story. Sam's sentiments for Kate are mature and peaceful, but his dreams about Shiva are like rockets in your chest. And then there are these stunning, mysterious women like Céline and Lara, who bring even more shine and mystery. The writing is so lovely and flowing, it's like an affectionate dance of emotions that makes you want to keep turning the pages forever. The whole feeling is lovely, but it's also full of yearning and the sweet anguish that comes with not having a simple love.
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The Good Nights is a compelling novel with elements of literary fiction, fantasy, and romance. I'm obsessed with the way it's written with finesse and tenderness, and I'm still thinking about Sam and all his complicated loves days later. This book gave me all the feels, and I'm completely hooked with it. It's a must-read for everyone who likes beautiful, emotional novels with a magical twist. Definitely five stars.
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The romance is everything , delicate and swoony, but also deep and confusing making it feel far more sincere than your typical love story. Sam's sentiments for Kate are mature and peaceful, but his dreams about Shiva are like rockets in your chest. And then there are these stunning, mysterious women like Céline and Lara, who bring even more shine and mystery. The writing is so lovely and flowing, it's like an affectionate dance of emotions that makes you want to keep turning the pages forever. The whole feeling is lovely, but it's also full of yearning and the sweet anguish that comes with not having a simple love.
.
The Good Nights is a compelling novel with elements of literary fiction, fantasy, and romance. I'm obsessed with the way it's written with finesse and tenderness, and I'm still thinking about Sam and all his complicated loves days later. This book gave me all the feels, and I'm completely hooked with it. It's a must-read for everyone who likes beautiful, emotional novels with a magical twist. Definitely five stars.
August 31, 2025
Every page of The Good Nights: Dreams of Destiny feels like a ticket to another city and another version of love. I was swept away by how Jaafar Charafeddine captured places as living, breathing characters. Paris glowed with elegance, Los Angeles pulsed with creativity, Dubai shimmered with energy, and Singapore offered the polished order of Sam’s waking life.
Sam himself is such a fascinating figure. By day he fulfills duty and expectation, but in his dreams he is free to be vulnerable and reckless. That duality struck me because so many of us live between the person we are expected to be and the person we secretly want to become.
What I admired most was how Shiva, Céline, and Lara each reflected a piece of Sam’s desire for meaning rather than existing as simple romantic figures. Each dream world peeled back a layer of his identity, while Kate remained the constant reminder of reality, steady but incomplete.
This novel felt personal because it asked questions I often ask myself. What is more authentic: the life others recognize, or the one that lives inside our imagination? Can our dreams carry truths that reality hides from us?
Charafeddine’s story moved me with its blend of romance, mystery, and philosophy. It is not just about chasing love but about chasing the truest version of yourself.
Sam himself is such a fascinating figure. By day he fulfills duty and expectation, but in his dreams he is free to be vulnerable and reckless. That duality struck me because so many of us live between the person we are expected to be and the person we secretly want to become.
What I admired most was how Shiva, Céline, and Lara each reflected a piece of Sam’s desire for meaning rather than existing as simple romantic figures. Each dream world peeled back a layer of his identity, while Kate remained the constant reminder of reality, steady but incomplete.
This novel felt personal because it asked questions I often ask myself. What is more authentic: the life others recognize, or the one that lives inside our imagination? Can our dreams carry truths that reality hides from us?
Charafeddine’s story moved me with its blend of romance, mystery, and philosophy. It is not just about chasing love but about chasing the truest version of yourself.
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