As I Dream of You: A Graphic Novel

by Jennifer Lee, LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Franny and Sam are each other’s entire world. So what do you do when your world ends? Frozen’s Jennifer Lee and Lunar New Year Love Story’s LeUyen Pham deliver a tour de force young adult romance with a supernatural twist.

Falling in love is supposed to hurt. That’s what Franny and Sam, two cynical teenagers raised on tales of heartbreak and loss, have come to understand. Yet when they fall for each other, they find the reality of love is something else it’s electrifying, all-encompassing, and easy. Theirs is a love that can conquer anything…perhaps even death.

But Franny and Sam’s quest to stay together—no matter the cost—soon blurs the line between reality and fantasy, and their shared dream threatens to turn into a nightmare.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Romance, Young Adult, Fantasy, Comics, Grief, Teen

352 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

LITERAL PERFECTION - I CRIED!

Jennifer Lee has woven a beautiful tale of grief and love in As I Dream of You. This is a haunting love story that takes the idea of “forever” and pushes it past the edge of reality. Franny and Sam start as two cynical teens who don’t believe in happy endings, until they fall for each other so hard it feels like they could conquer death itself. Jennifer Lee weaves romance with a supernatural twist, blurring the line between dream and nightmare as their obsession deepens. It’s tender, electrifying, and a little terrifying, with LeUyen Pham’s art dripping in emotion and atmosphere. If you love stories that explore the beauty and danger of love when it becomes all-consuming, this graphic novel will leave you breathless. I found myself CRYING as I read the last couple of pages because of how beautiful this story is. You definitely do not want to miss it!

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly beautiful depiction of love, loss, grief, and continuing on even after we think we have no more to give. It brought me to tears at times and at other times lifted my spirits higher than I ever would have thought.

[Zal · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC edition from a goodreads giveaway!

Wow! I thought I was going to give it 4/5 stars for most of it—the art is great, the design is cool and very legible, the characters were decent but not super unique individuals, and the pacing was nice and fast.

But that ending… I did not expect to find myself full-on ACTUAL FACTUAL crying. This graphic novel explored grief, love, and acceptance through Sam and Franny’s love story. The art was super pretty and I loved the way the artist played with colors. It FELT very dreamlike. The side characters were interesting and loveable, particularly Jimmy Gibson. I liked that the parents all had their own mini arcs too. It gave the story much more depth. I wish we saw a little more about Josh and Jared tho. Josh in particular felt kinda flat.

There was one thing that Sam did that bothered me (not apologizing and instead showing her something that was particular to him and not them or Franny). And idk if this is cuz it’s an arc, but the paper quality is pretty poor (see-thru at some points) and the printing had a number of smudges/errors that made streaks across the panels.

8/10!

The foreshadowing was excellent.

[Steff Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams are just dreams...
...until they change your life.

I have a tendency to forget about the book synopsis when I pick up a book to read, something I think can be really rewarding in the end as it allows me to enter the book’s world with a mind somewhat free of expectation. Somewhat as a result of this, I began reading Jennifer Lee’s As I Dream of You a little uncertain of where the story would take me, where everything was headed. And I genuinely believe that this was one of the best ways for this book to be read.

It’s difficult to express how deeply I felt for this story, partially because there is such an incredibly phenomenal twist surprise that I just didn’t see coming. And this twist is truly what solidified not only how impressed I was with the book and story, but how impactful the story would be on my emotional state. I don’t personally think that I cry often while reading, but this story certainly had me crying.

The books all read like truths, which at first helped, because I needed something to hold onto. But as soon as I'd close a book, it would all fade.

There are things we experience in life that hit us all in different ways; love…grief…these are all inherently personal experiences. But there’s a common thread to it all that builds something beautiful in how we can all recognize the experiences of others in ourselves. I had no idea where this story was headed, but I loved every moment of reading it. Even the pieces that were hard for me to feel were exceptional, poignant, so very telling.

And I think we all need something to hold onto. And the fading away of something doesn’t necessarily mean we lose it entirely. It’s all still in there, with us…shaping our souls. Making us who we are. And that, without a doubt, is beautiful.

When we lose someone we are derailed. The future we expected is erased...
...leaving us shattered in its wake.

In truth, I owe my life to losing him, too. It made me who I am.

LeUyen Pham’s artwork is exceptional, really pulls you into the emotions of the story in a visceral way. I think there’s something really brilliant about how you can feel what’s going on simply through looking at the characters. While the story wouldn’t be incomplete without the artwork, I will say that this artwork brings so much more than your typical graphic novel.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[BookishVegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is stunning. Such a lovely read on grief and loss. Graphic novels can be so healing. I absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting a heartfelt beautifully illustrated story. Thank you #Netgalley

[Riana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a tough but important read, and it hit me especially hard. I was not expecting the themes to include something I have been explicitly thinking about myself for a while, and the book kind of puts me to shame but for a good reason and with the best of intentions. I can't say I fully accept it at this moment but I acknowledge very deeply.

In regards to the story and artwork, both combine very beautifully and work together so well. There is some super intense grief explored throughout the story, addressing both romantic and familial relationships, as well as grieving over what could have been and what you thought would be your future. I wish Josh and Jared's story was explored a bit more, but I enjoyed their characters. There are also clear depictions of depression and suicide, but this story does reveal hope at the end of the tunnel. The heartfelt moments will make you cry as much as the dark and tense ones. There was also a character with aphasia in this story, and his character was both interesting and very impactful.

Then there was a twist that honestly confused me a ton at first, but I found that this book is a great reread that reveals multiple metaphors moving through the story at one time. You get some really intense foreshadowing, but then discover a complete shift in perspective that tells more than one story in a fairly innovative way. I had to reinterpret certain things mentioned earlier, but the old interpretation was still a fair one, it is just that the perspective shift allows for the opportunity of having multiple interpretations at the same time. I think it is possible to come back to this story several more times and maybe get something slightly different out of it.

It is going to be very hard for me to forget this book, but I am happy about it. I hope it sticks with me for a long time.

[Christina ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I Dream of You is a YA graphic novel that takes inspiration from the tragic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. It follows teens Franny and Sam, who form a connection with one another despite both having cynical views on love and relationships. They both have their own issues, such as Sam losing his mother at a young age, and Franny not having the best relationship with her mom. Despite all odds, the two are completely enamored with one another until one tragic night. Franny and Sam fight for their love even if they have to defy death itself.

This was a beautiful graphic novel and the art is simply incredible. It felt so immersive and felt like I was a part of their dreamy, whimsical world. It is a powerful and mesmerizing story that not only explores the grief of losing a love one but also the grief of a love story that did not have the chance to flourish. I also did not see the plot twist coming and thought it was well done. It made me tear up a little bit, and I highly recommend everyone checking this graphic out!

Christinas.Chapter
TikTok | Blog

[Hannah Pingel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I wasn't expecting this one. When I received it in the mail I could tell from Page 1 that this would wreck me emotionally, and I was right. The story centers around Sam and Franny, two teenagers who believe that their love will transcend the bonds of time. It is a beautiful story with gorgeous illustration and a gut-punching plot twist that explore love, heartache, grief, moving on, and is told in such a way that it helped me on my own healing journey from loss, too. It is also the type of story you will read over and over again to catch all of the details because of that enormous plot twist as well as the fact it's just such a good story. 11/10 recommend if you want your heart to be shattered and then put back together better than it was before.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sobbing at 6:30 in the morning after staying up all night to finish this masterpiece of a book. This book just hit me like a ton of bricks but in the best way possible. I’m truly shattered. I adore everything about this book. I didn’t expect it to be so intense. It’s just so good. It’s extremely emotional, but extremely magical at the same time. I really can’t even start to describe it. It’s just something you have to read yourself to understand. Grab this book for yourself asap. I can’t say anything else without spoiling it and the magic of the story won’t hit right if you have spoilers. Go in blind. You’ll thank me later.

[Melanie (words.aremagic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel was so good! It’s a retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, and has all of the parts needed for a tragedy, but goes beyond that too. The fantastical elements of the dreams really added a mystical aspect to this tale. Then for it all to be flipped at the end was so unexpected and I throughly recommend you give As I Dream of You a read!

[Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just want to start by saying the art was absolutely stunning in here, with so many dark moments that I appreciated, but the story itself had me a bit disappointed especially with the themes explored. I was hoping to be a bit more emotional, but didn't feel anything for the characters in this story 🥲

This graphic novel gave me You've Reached Sam vibes, while also intertwining the story of Eurydice and Orpheus. Both things that I thought would be a guaranteed recipe to cry, but ultimately just felt okay about it once I finished.

Thank you so much to the publisher for this finished copy!

[Kristen ⭐️ (beansbooktrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for the ARC!

yall, i cried. this was a beautiful graphic novel on grief and loss and finding a way to live on past the trauma of losing someone. really powerful, really emotional. wow, i wasn’t expecting to cry during the middle of a monday!

[Andres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this one on a book shelf and picked it up on a whim, reading it in one sitting. It’s the first book that’s made me cry in years. Such a beautiful story about grief and how it affects each of us differently and how difficult it is to let go of it.

I highly recommend this one. The ending packs a real emotional punch.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fanny and Sam have a “meet cute” when they physically run into each other at school. From there, bit by bit, they fall in love. They talk about forever, as each shares how life is for them. Sam is trying to find native chestnut trees. Fanny is wondering where her music will take her. She wants to go to college, but knows her mother can’t afford it.


It would not be giving it away to say that their love is shattered when their car strikes a stag. The one who survives keeps dreaming of the one who died. But it is not clear which is real and who is still alive.


Amazing illustrations. Surreal story. There is a lot of grief, and love, and teenage end-of-the-world-without-yous. It is a story that is trying very hard to tear your heart out, and stomp on it, as often as it can. I won’t say I cried, but I did eat up thes tory as quickly as I could to find out how it was going to end. As often happens, I thought I was just going to take a quick look at it, which developed into sitting down and reading the whole thing.


Good story. Well designed graphic novel. Good surprises. Nice way of looking at what death is, and where it all goes afterwards.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is going to be published on the 4th of May 2026.

[Shahana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I Dream of You is absolutely beautiful and completely devastating.

Franny and Sam are each other’s entire world, so what do you do when your world ends? Jennifer Lee and LeUyen Pham tell a young adult love story with a supernatural twist that completely broke my heart.

Both Franny and Sam grow up believing that love always leads to loss. When they fall for each other, though, love feels easy and all-consuming. It feels safe. Their connection is so strong that it starts to feel like it could survive anything, maybe even death.

This story is also an Orpheus and Eurydice retelling, which is one of my fav myths, and it adds so much weight and inevitability to the story. Watching how the myth is reimagined here made everything hit even harder.

As they try to hold onto each other no matter the cost, reality and fantasy begin to blur, and the dream they share slowly becomes something darker. This story hurt, but in a way that felt intentional and meaningful.

The illustrations are stunning and add so much emotion to the story. Please check the content warnings before reading, but truly, everyone should read this.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I Dream of You is a deeply unsettling, inspiring, and mythic exploration of love, loss, longing, and hope. That may sound contradictory, but Jennifer Lee has crafted a graphic novel that truly lives at the intersection of text and art — a story meant to be experienced as much as read. Through Sam’s grief after losing his mother and Franny’s yearning to connect through music and her dreams of higher education, this unlikely pair discovers joy, purpose, and each other. When an unexpected event severs that connection, the story becomes a haunting meditation on what we risk — and what we reclaim — in the name of love.

Drawing on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Lee delivers a retelling that feels wholly her own. I read this in one sitting because, even knowing the myth, I was captivated by the emotional depth and the visual storytelling. The art amplifies the narrative’s ache, its beauty, and its sense of mythic inevitability. This is one of those myths you think you know — every beat, every ending — but Lee’s interpretation is wholly her own. I can’t say more without risking spoilers, and I’d rather leave space for readers to experience those turns for themselves.

This is a powerful, emotionally charged story that places grief, longing, and the bonds of family — both given and found — at its center. I would gently caution readers, especially younger ones or those in active mourning, that the book includes direct references to suicide and mental health struggles.

That said, this is not a bleak or glorifying narrative. Instead, it opens an internal dialogue about the lengths we go to for the people we love, and the fierce, protective hope those loved ones hold for us to keep going. It’s tender, haunting, and ultimately full of heart.

Thank you Net Galley and the Publisher for sharing if DRC with me

[That One Witchy Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW for suicide attempt.

Thank you NetGalley and FirstSecond for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not prepared for this story—prepare the tissues. If you wanted to read something heartbreaking—this is the one. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend this for high schoolers and older. The art is beautiful, the writing is great, and it is full of raw grieving emotions. As I Dream of You deals with loss, grief, death, and love. At the beginning, Sam and Franny were hard for me to care about. I think it is because they fell in love hard and fast plus time sped up in the story. However, when the accident happens everything changed for me. I ended up caring more for these characters than I care to admit.

No spoilers, but the twist blew my mind. I was not expecting it at all. But there were signs.

Finding out that it was Sam who had died was a shock to me, but when I thought about it I understood why. However, I was not expecting the Gibson’s grandson that Sam was with had been dead too. It was like I was rewinding the tape as I played back all the scenes in the story. Jennifer Lee did an amazing job with this twist.


I loved that this book intertwined the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. I liked how they questioned if Orpheus’ actions (going to the underworld and then turning back) were selfish actions or an act of true love. It was an addition to the book I wasn’t expecting to matter. Another part of the story was the Gibson’s. I loved them because they personally reminded me of my grandparents. When my grandpa got cancer, he was almost like a completely different person, but even with the change my grandparents still loved each other so much until he passed. So, just watching their love almost got my crying-but that’s due to personal reasons.

[Little Batties · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I wipe tears from my eyes, I am left feeling satisfied and heartbroken all at once. As I Dream of You does a fantastic job of illustrating the grief and sorrow of loosing someone you know, someone you love. It pulls you in and gives you this disjointed sense of reality, where you are still processing the loss and trying to make sense of it, but none of it feels real.

I was particularly fond of how the author used the astral plane/spirit realm in this story. Jennifer captured the feelings of both the living and the dead having unfinished business and not being ready to let go beautifully. It leaves the reader trying to make sense of everything that is going on along with the characters, which mirrors how it can feel in real life when you lose a love one.

The illustrator did a phenomenal job capture different moods thought out the story. The choice of darker colors for the darker moments in the story to the bright and beautiful ones at other moments made it feel like you were being brought in and out of the dream world. It furthers this sense of a disjointed reality where it was not entirely clear if what you were reading/seeing was real or a dream. This worked so beautifully that a part tof me is sad it's all over.

This is a story I can see even the most timid of romance readers enjoying. It's not sickly sweet or over the top. It is honest and raw, and it deals with some heavy topics that could be wonderful lessons to learn. The novel handles so many moments beautifully, and it's clear how much love the author and illustrator put into this book. As I Dream of You is a graphic novel I would recommend to anyone looking for something a little heavy but satisfying in the end.

Thank you NetGalley and First Second Books for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story surprised me in a quiet, meaningful way.

Going in, I didn’t fully know what kind of story this would be, and for a while it felt like a slow burn. The relationship develops quickly, the pacing feels a little disorienting at first, and I wasn’t immediately sure where the story was headed. But that confusion turned out to be intentional. This isn’t really a book about falling in love, it’s about what comes after, and once that clicked, everything else fell into place.

At its core, this is a story about grief: how consuming it can be, how it can narrow your world until nothing else seems to matter, and how hard it is to imagine a future beyond it. The book explores that feeling with a lot of care and respect, showing both the temptation to hold on at any cost and the slow, painful understanding that choosing life sometimes means letting go.

I really appreciated how thoughtfully the themes were woven together. The symbolism feels intentional and cohesive, especially the parallels to mythology, which add emotional weight without feeling heavy-handed. There’s a strong emphasis on what unselfish love actually looks like - not possession, not clinging, but wanting what’s best for someone even when it hurts.

The art complements the story well. At times it’s eerie and unsettling, but clearly so on purpose, reinforcing the story’s atmosphere rather than overwhelming it. By the end, the emotional payoff really landed for me, and while it’s undeniably sad, the story ultimately leans toward hope.

This isn’t a book that tries to shock or overwhelm. It’s quiet, reflective, and sincere. I think it will resonate especially with readers who have experienced loss, but it’s also a story about choosing to keep living and allowing life to grow around grief.

It may not be flawless, but it’s well crafted, emotionally honest, and carries a message that feels both gentle and important. I’m glad I read it.

[Laura Flavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As I Dream of You is a visually breathtaking and emotionally devastating graphic novel that explores first love, grief, obsession, and emotional vulnerability with extraordinary depth and tenderness. Jennifer Lee crafts a romance that feels both intimate and mythic, while LeUyen Pham’s artwork elevates every emotional moment with stunning atmosphere, expressive character work, and dreamlike visual storytelling. Together, they create a story that feels immersive, emotionally consuming, and impossible to forget.”

“What stood out most was the emotional intensity behind Franny and Sam’s relationship. Their connection feels immediate and deeply sincere, not simply because of romance, but because both characters carry such profound fears surrounding love, abandonment, and heartbreak. The novel beautifully captures the intoxicating feeling of finding someone who suddenly becomes your entire emotional world and the danger of losing yourself inside that love. As the supernatural elements begin blurring reality and fantasy, the emotional stakes become increasingly haunting and psychologically layered. The story explores grief, attachment, longing, and emotional dependency with remarkable honesty while still maintaining the tenderness and vulnerability that make the romance so compelling. LeUyen Pham’s artwork is absolutely stunning throughout, shifting effortlessly between warmth, intimacy, surreal dreamscapes, and emotional unease. The visual storytelling amplifies the emotional atmosphere in a way that makes every page feel cinematic and emotionally alive. Heartbreaking, romantic, eerie, and deeply human, As I Dream of You is the kind of graphic novel that lingers emotionally long after the final page.”

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS AHEAD

Ummm, I didn’t think I would be sobbing on a random Tuesday morning, but here I am, doing just that. I went into this book with high art expectations and nothing else (I mean, look at that cover! 😍). I came out of it with a new appreciation on the depth of living.

Usually, when a book is an Orpheus and Eurydice retelling, it focuses on the sadness of him turning around and the love that caused him to do so. However, this book allowed the story to take a drastic turn toward the sadness of the actual search and the beauty that comes after they look. Sam really represented that cycle of grief and desperation after loss so perfectly, and when they surprised us with the fact that he was the one who died? Oh my gosh my heart broke even further!

How does one go on when pain seems the only thing left of a lost love? Franny’s predicament is a lot of us when we lose someone we love. It’s hard to imagine any future, let alone a happy one. Yet those who can see more than us, who see beyond the veil, know that there are more, that there are better things ahead. That’s what I loved about Sam and Franny’s relationship throughout the book; they never stop pushing for each other and wanting to create that happy future, whether in death together or in life alone.

The art was breathtaking, especially the art depicting death’s grasp and the eventual blank beauty of what might be beyond. I seriously couldn’t stop turning the pages, soaking in those rich colors and emotive panels.

I would recommend this book to anyone who’s still struggling with loss, questioning what’s beyond, or simply just a lover of classic myth retellings.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the e-ARC!

This one took me a minute to get into. I was enjoying it, of course, but it did not grip me from the beginning. I still do feel like it was a *bit* too long, but it ended up being worth the read in the end.

The art was very interesting and I haven’t seen many graphic novels with that specific style. It took a second to get into but I really did end up appreciating the style.

No spoilers, but that TWIST. I should have known, but I was too focused on other things and not on the clues that were right in front of my eyes. When it was revealed it was like all the clues came back to me at once and I was like “OMG, OF COURSE!”

I did end up getting pretty teary at the end.

“Falling in love wasn’t like what people said it would be. It wasn’t confusing…or complicated. It was ELECTRIC. Like her atoms and my atoms…locked.”

TLDR: Unique graphics, slow-ish start, amazing twist, almost-got-tears-out-of-me

Edited to add: I liked this, but I couldn't quite figure out what wasn't right with it for me. I browsed other reviews on Goodreads and saw one mentioning how they didn't quite connect with the characters and I'm like that's IT. I just couldn't love this as much as I wish I could for that reason.

(Would give a 3.5 if half stars were allowed on either platform - I'm lookin at you Goodreads and NetGalley!)

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an all-encompassing love story this combination of Lee and Pham's writing and illustrations have provided that combines any teens love of the Eurydice and Orpheus story (made more popular with Hadestown that I just saw for the fourth time last week) with the love/loss/longing of a romance like You've Reached Sam and I Heart You, You Haunt Me ( a throwback I know!)

Franny is new to town and a beautiful classical guitarist. Sam is the dreamer kid from the town trying to find a copse of chestnut trees hidden in the forest because the blight of the trees supposedly took them all away from their namesake town but Sam keeps finding chestnuts in the river and knows there are survivors deep in the woods. When the two meet it's electric and their love is electric and entwines around their beings. Adults are a little worried but they are not. They know nothing but themselves but an accident will change everything again. Caught between reality and a dream, can they find their way back to one another or do they need to move on?

The art elevates the story to another plane. It's the reason graphic novels exist.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read graphic novels but may add more to my TBR after reading this one by Jennifer Lee. It starts off feeling like a moody teen love story… and then slowly turns into something much darker and more intense.

Franny and Sam’s connection is a perfect example of first true love. When they fall for each other, it’s not light or casual — it’s all-consuming. The kind of love that feels bigger than the world and impossible to survive without. And when death threatens to separate them, they don’t just grieve — they try to outsmart it. That’s when the story starts to blur the line between dreams and reality in a way that’s romantic but also honestly kind of unsettling.

The Greek mythology inspiration adds this quiet, tragic feeling underneath everything, like you know from the start that this might not end well. And as their obsession grows, the tone shifts from dreamy to almost nightmare-like. It really leans into the idea that love can be beautiful… but it can also become unhealthy if you refuse to let go.

The artwork by LeUyen Pham is gorgeous and emotional. The dream scenes feel soft and warm, and then as things spiral, the visuals get heavier and darker. It fits the story perfectly.

Overall, this book feels very personal and raw. It’s about love, grief, and that desperate feeling of wanting to hold onto someone forever — even when you shouldn’t. It’s romantic, sad, and a little haunting in the best way. Definitely one that sticks with you after you finish it.

[Jack Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. It had me crying by the end. The story is a pretty simple one about grief and what happens when you move on and how not moving on from tragedy can affect your life and the lives of those around you. The characters are pretty standard. They were not the most complex, but I don’t think that is a detriment to the story. They were distinct enough for the story that the author wanted to tell. I think the more important part was that they were easy for you to see yourself in.

Where this book really shines is the art. The art was gorgeous. I loved the use of color and style. The real world was low saturation and more “realistic,” but the inner thoughts and the dreams of the characters had such an abstract and vibrant quality. There are somber moments with limited color palettes. There are creepy moments with heavy shadows and bright pops of white or other bright colors.Sometimes the art is sketchy and rough. There are so many panels and spreads that I would love to just have hanging up as prints.

It has a very hopeful message, and as someone who thinks about death a lot, I really liked what the story had to say about life and death and what happens after. The quote that is staying with me is one a side character says, “We are never nothing.”

Thank you so much to Netgalley and First Second Books for the DRC!

[Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to First Second and NetGalley for an advanced copy of As I Dream of You by Jennifer Lee to review! I’ve seen some great things about this book, and LeUyn Pham (the illustrator) does beautiful work. However, I wasn’t expecting it to pack such an emotional punch!

This is one of those books that I’d actually recommend going into without knowing too much. Keeping the plot vague helps to keep the experience reading this book the emotional gut punch that it is. Especially with the plot twist at the end. It is an exploration of grief, of death, and what it means to move on, and both Lee and Pham do an excellent job of portraying these emotions through both the images and the text.

There are parts of this book that also feel almost horror-like, while there are other aspects of romance. It’s one of those books that will absolutely stay with you after you read it; Franny and Sam are characters who worm their way into your head and don’t want to leave.

Though this might be a quick read, it doesn’t take away from its emotional impact. I think a lot of teens will be drawn to this story once it comes out in May!

[Sarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the people who have yet to lose someone so incredibly close to them, this graphic novel may come across as a fun romantic tragedy with a supernatural twist. To those of us who have, it is a hug.

Wow. At first, I thought this was going to be a coming-of-age graphic novel about teenagers balancing tragedy and romance, but it really is so much more than that! I enjoyed the characters and story immensely and love how the authors tied everything together at the end. As I Dream of You shows the very real struggle people face when they're grieving over the loss of someone they really loved, but the authors do such a good job of making it charming and interesting, hopeful even. Like I said previously, it felt like a hug and I felt seen reading As I Dream of You.

The only problem I had with this read is that the story drags a bit at first, but, and I can't stress this enough, it is worth it to power through! I'm glad I did because this read made me smile :)

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for allowing me an advanced copy of this beautiful graphic novel! And thank you to Jennifer Lee and LeUyen Pham for bringing it into existence :)

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I Dream of You is a truly gorgeous graphic novel that lingers long after the final page. With artwork by LeUyen Pham that is nothing short of phenomenal, lush, expressive, and emotionally resonant, the book elevates every moment of the story into something visually unforgettable.

At its heart, the narrative weaves the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice into the lives of a young couple grappling with profound loss. The story also expands beyond a single thread, exploring grief in multiple forms. These include the disorientation of moving to a new place, the quiet tragedy of an older man who has lost the ability to speak, and the haunting absence created by a local botanical extinction event. These layers give the novel a depth that feels both intimate and expansive.

Despite its sophistication, As I Dream of You remains highly approachable. It invites a wide audience, including teens and adults, into its meditation on love, memory, and absence without ever feeling inaccessible. Thoughtful, moving, and beautifully crafted, it is a lovely book all around.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of the book.

[Lady Pagewhisper | Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I Dream of You is a soft, dreamy graphic novel about first love, longing, and the quiet moments that feel bigger than words. Following Franny and Sam, the story captures that fragile space between friendship and something more, where every glance, conversation, and shared moment suddenly feels important.

The artwork is absolutely beautiful. The illustrations create a hazy, almost dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the emotional experience of falling in love for the first time. There’s a gentle intimacy in the way the scenes unfold, making the story feel personal and heartfelt.

What stood out most to me was how the book captures the vulnerability of teenage emotions. Franny and Sam’s connection feels genuine and tender, filled with the uncertainty, excitement, and quiet hope that comes with discovering your feelings for someone. I often found myself comparing my first teenage love to Franny and Sam's relationship, very nostalgic it almost made me tear up.

It’s a sweet, reflective read that leans more into mood and emotion than fast-paced plot, and it leaves you with that soft, nostalgic feeling of remembering your own first love.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. He couldn't trust and just had to look back. But Sam thinks it's because he didn't love Eurydice enough while Franny thinks it's because death is the only certainty and any human would fail. Thus begins their romance. It's easy. It's perfect. It lasts a year. It lasts forever. On their anniversary Sam shows Franny what he has been searching for, a grove of chestnut trees that survived a blight in their small Pennsylvania mill town. On the way home they are in an accident with an elk. What follows is an attempt to stay together despite death. This is a stunningly gorgeous book where LeUyen Pham's art is sometimes reminiscent of Tyler Crook, which, for me, is the biggest compliment I can give. The story will crush you even despite it's predictability. You will cry. You will also want to live life to the fullest. If there's one flaw it might be that I felt a tinge of religiosity. But that's a very minor quibble given the artistry on display. Read it and weep.