Estella and the Dream Traveler

by Mercedes Paradiso

In 2028 Silicon Valley, Estella Larsen, a modern-day witch with the gift of vision, quit her job to follow her dreams, only to face unimaginable loss when her husband, Lucas, was tragically killed. Struggling to rebuild her life for the sake of her two young daughters, Estella finds solace in writing poetry and the enigmatic pull of her drum teacher, Caelum Di Rosa.

But their connection is no coincidence. Estella and Caelum share a past life in medieval Budapest, bound by love and destiny. Now a dream traveler, Caelum crosses time and space to reunite with her, determined to rekindle their bond. Yet his mission is greater than love alone. Estella must fulfill her purpose: to write a book with the power to unite humanity in peace.

Not everyone wants her to succeed. A group of half-souls, bent on spreading their own message of destruction, will stop at nothing to silence her. As Estella and Caelum's love reignites, the forces against them threaten to tear them apart-and doom humanity's future. 

Genres: Fantasy, Magical Realism

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Mercedes Paradiso is the author of thunder and daisy, a poetry collection, and Estella and the Dream Traveler, a witchy time-travel love story. Though she has a background as an attorney, Mercedes feels most herself when writing poems and novels that explore the struggles and beauty of the human condition.

She earned her bachelor's degree from USC and her law degree from Seattle University School of Law. Mercedes was born in New York City, grew up in Southern California, and now lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you enjoy exploring deeper existential questions and themes of self-discovery, strength, hope, love, heartbreak, and a touch of magic, you'll find her work compelling.

Reviews

[anzhelika ୨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 5 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

"He's explored countless minds, but it's hers he connects with. He's loved in many lives, too, but none of those loves were quite like Estella."

"Estella likes gardens, so he's planting one for her."
may every girl have that in life.

"Life is to be lived, not a precious moment wasted or diluted."

"In their eyes, they're one. Without a word, without a touch, they're closer than ever."

i'd like to start off my review by saying that i'm so thankful for the exclusive invite to be among the first to read estella and the dream traveler, i really appreciate it!

this novel was unlike any fantasy type of story that i have read. the book is so unique, and different from what i usually read. to be more specific, the story is set in the very near future, in 2028, and it has magical elements which are witches and dream travelers.

moving on to the characters, let's start with estella and caelum, our two main characters. estella is a witch with the gift of vision, and different witches can have different types of gifts. on the other hand, caelum is a dream traveler. this means that he can travel to all kinds of places while he sleeps. the concept of dream travelers is really interesting to me, and i will think of dreams differently now that i've read this book. i really loved the found family in this book because estella and caelum found a few nice people that they could trust and stick together with.

i recommend paying attention to the cover of the book, because there are little but important details that appear in the story. i love when that happens! i also want to point out that this book is written in third person, and while i usually don't enjoy that as much as first person, it was done really well that i liked it! the book is also written in dual pov so we get to see what both estella and caelum are up to.

overall, i really enjoyed reading this book! i recommend if you like romantasy or magical realism. and as for tropes, if you enjoy the chosen one, fated love, found family, and second chance, then you are going to like it!

and if you haven't already, check out the author's poetry book, thunder and daisy! the poems are beautifully written and whether you already like poetry, or want to try reading something new, i totally recommend checking it out as well!

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to Mercedes Paradiso for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

pre-read:
thank you to the author for personally reaching out to me and asking if i would like to read the arc of this book. this means so much to me!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story that transcends time and space. Estella and the dream traveler is a riveting, heartwarming and beautifully written philosophical romance that will take you on a journey to feel love that is undiluted and craved in time.

Estella Larsen who is trying to navigate through her life with her dreams of writing after the tragic loss of husband's death. Having two adorable daughters, she wants to focus on providing a fresh start to the three of them so she along with Kaitlin and Mina move to a new house. And although her lineage steeped in magic and her being a witch Estella knew that things were about to change.

Upon a chance encounter with the enigmatic Caelum Di Rosa stirs something in Estella. As her drum instructor there feels like a connection that is old and comforting yet somewhere far away in the distance.

However the world is in dire situation as a group of half- souls are about to wreck havoc and to save the world from annihilation, Estella must venture into her writing ability and write a book that will unite humanity. As the fight begins their love is tested and challenged.

Will the chaos rip them apart or will their eternal love will withstand it?

It's a beautiful story, the kind that stays with you even after completing it. There's an undeniable addictive streak of engaging narration and captivating plot with memorable characters that just drew me in. I knew this would a five stars read the moment I heard about it and I was not disappointed. The themes of time travel, magic, love, longing, found family, emotional vulnerabilities, grief, hope, attraction, understanding and fate are deeply explored through the events that transpired in both Estella's and Caelum's lives.

I'd highly recommend this book to all readers who are looking for an engaging philosophical witchy romance novel with superbly crafted twists and

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Estella and the Dream Traveler! Estella, a mother to two girls, and now a widow, must forge her own path in life. As a witch with the power to see visions, she is haunted by images of a faceless man - one she knew in another life who would do anything he can to be with her again. As she picks up her life and moves to a new city, she unknowingly sets into motion her destiny. As she fights conflicting feelings of grief and love, she discovers she is exactly where she is meant to be.

This tale about the power of friendship and love is cute and heart warming. I enjoyed experiencing the friendship grow between all of the characters as they all discover that they have a common goal - stop evil. I wish the importance of Estella writing a book would have been expanded on and that the ending had a little more depth, but all in all, this is a cozy and cute read that I was able to finish in a day!

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

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Estella and the Dream Traveler is an incredibly original story, a futuristic fantasy with time travel via the medium of dreaming, witches, a "fated mates" scenario rooted in modern life, and found family. Estella's story begins with her scattering the ashes of her late husband, and moving to rebuild a life with her two daughters, where she plans to write a novel. Her witch power is visions, and she is plagued with a vision in which a masked man visits her. Whilst visiting a music store for drum lessons, she meets Caelum, and there is an instant and undeniable attraction between them. What she doesn't know, is that in a past life, she and Caelum were a great love story, and he has been searching for her in this lifetime, using his power of dream walking - when he is asleep, he is able to locate people in the past (immediate or further back) and in the future, although it is specified that the future is very much changeable. He discovers that three of his colleagues are also Dream Travelers, sent by the mysterious Source, to watch over Estella and protect her from a great evil, the half souls known as Cassius and Alexander, who mean to steal her written work and create chaos.

I liked the character of Estella, she seemed a pretty straightforward woman who knows what she wants - a new life for her and her kids, and to be a published author. Even once she meets Caelum, whilst she knows she desires him, her focus is still on the above, even going as far to try and date someone else in order to forget her ridiculously strong attraction to him, before eventually giving in. Caelum is, to begin with, seemingly more interested in whiskey than he is in actually finding Estella, but he gets over that quite quickly, and once they meet it is clear that other forces are at play, because what should have been a meet-cute is an instant soul claiming attraction for a woman who has never felt feelings like that before, even for her late husband. He is so confident that they belong together, he practically oozes charm. Together they make a convincing partnership, even in the short time it takes for them to bond. The ensemble cast, particularly the fellow Dream Travelers, bring a punch of necessary lightness to what would be a heavy story without them. The book is well paced for the most part, and the twist about Lucas' death had me stunned.

The only thing I wasn't quite as enamoured with in this book was the insertion of the writer into her own story, by using her own book title and backstory. In some instances this works well, but for what is a futuristic fantasy novel, with such a unique premise, it felt a little out of place. Other than that, I truly enjoyed Estella and the Dream Traveler, and would definitely recommend to people looking for an original read in a landscape saturated with similar stories.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I thought the love story between Estella and Caelum was a very beautiful journey. The way that he never stopped looking for her after so much time was just amazing.

I also liked Estella’s character. She was able to overcome so much and it never stopped her from being a good mother to her children.

I definitely felt like I was taken on an adventure while reading this book and I was also able to witness such a beautiful love story.

Thank you so much to the author for an advance copy of this book via NetGalley!

[Jessica Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars
what a beautiful, imaginative book! I enjoyed this more than I thought i would. complex world building, about how 2 people are fated to be together, over multiple lives. Estella in her current life is a widow with 2 girls, trying to figure out her new life, where she meets various new friends. the story takes you on a journey through various POVs working out who is genuine, and who maybe isn't!

thankyou netgallery for this ARC!

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF’d at 11%, giving 2⭐️ for coherence alone, but I simply didn’t have it in me to force myself to finish this. The primary driver behind my rating is the writing. The story is comprehensible, but it’s entirely lackluster. The descriptions are uninspiring and inconsistent. Using ChatGPT to check the weather, giving specific street names, explaining the ice used in whiskey tumblers, but also not bothering to go the distance to be realistic about how real estate transactions work. Beyond that, more time is spent describing that ice in a glass of whiskey than the FMC’s inner monologue and nonverbal cues when meeting the MMC for the first time or the background on witches in the world.

To that end, there was absolutely no chemistry when the MCs met. It was pure insta love, or at least insta lust, for the FMC, who only just got around to spreading her deceased husband’s ashes. The reason for such reaction is understandable—they share a past she knows nothing about—but it would’ve made so much more sense for her to be confused about her level of interest in him, rather than instantly want to jump him. To be unable to pull away from the conversation, unable to look away, unable to ignore him (and she does ignore him to the point she doesn’t realize he’s left). It just gave a whole lot of nothing.

My other main complaint, which ties into my issue above re: the MC chemistry, is the blatant telling instead of showing. Quotes include: “Her fear of judgment has prevented her from sharing her inner world with others, which had led to profound loneliness.” “Give her a dream, a song, or even a random conversation with a stranger, and she’ll look for deeper significance. That’s just what she does.” Estella considers a polite compliment from her date a testament to how she’s wowed him without any insight to show that it’s anything more than polite/etiquette. Interacting with a server and nodding at someone she knows is considered “engaging” in contrast to her date without any indication her date is boring or rude or self-absorbed or oblivious—all of which could’ve happened and we could’ve avoided overhyping trivial interactions that give nothing more than mundane and run of the mill. And beyond that, the level of just dumping random information, like the name of every person mentioned, how dream travel works in chapter 2, is over the top. It destroys any sense of curiosity or tension or suspense, especially when over explaining plot details and world building that should be revealed gradually and organically. The author clearly has a vision for how everything works and instead of building that vision through the story, she just explains it all as if this is a textbook.

The characters themselves are so so lacking in dimension. Caelum drinks and is obsessed with Estella. Estella has two kids and wants to be a writer. Instead of showing us anything real about these characters, everything around them and that they do feel like props and set pieces. Estella’s kids pitch a fit when she’s leaving for her date because they want their dad. Instead of taking this opportunity to show the depth of Estella’s care for her children or her commiseration with them or her emotions in any way, the babysitter whips out some cookies and the moment passes. Also Estella is giving author self-insert who is “not like other girls”. I understand that characters often have pieces of their creators, but I know maybe 3 things about the author and they’re all prominent parts of Estella explained in the first 11% of the book, right down to sharing the name of their poetry collection.

Overall, I couldn’t force myself to keep going. The inherent flaws in the craft and the lack of tension in the plot and absence of chemistry between any of the characters really just made this a miss for me. I was super excited to read this ARC (received through NetGalley), but the initial problems didn’t resolve—they just kept getting worse actually—and life is too short to keep going on a book that is frustrating you so much.

[Sara Jesus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept was wonderful, persons that can travel to dreams but the romance did not convice me. But I did like Estella and their strength to deal with their grief, be their for her children and publish her book.

[Anna Pence | Positivity & Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an incredible story with characters that I loved which made for such a great read! Mercedes is a beautiful writer and her story was very easy to follow.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Mercedes Paradiso for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"She’s lived lifetimes. Loved and lost. But what if this time, love found its way back to her?"

Estella and the Dream Traveler is a deeply heartfelt story about soulmates, self-discovery, and the slow, painful journey of learning how to love again after unimaginable loss. At its center is a woman in mourning—but wrapped around her is a luminous world of dreamwalkers, reincarnated hearts, and a fate that transcends time.

Estella Larsen is a Silicon Valley witch—one of intuition, art, and quiet resilience. She's still grieving the death of her husband, raising two daughters in a world where her spiritual gifts are both her anchor and her burden. She writes poetry, tends her home, and keeps her pain close to her chest. Then, Caelum Di Rosa walks into her life—and everything changes.

Caelum is not just a drum instructor with an otherworldly aura—he’s a dream traveler. A man who can walk between minds, drift through memory and vision, and find threads that tie people across lifetimes. But more importantly, he’s someone who’s loved Estella before. Centuries ago, in medieval Hungary, their souls were intertwined—and now, fate has brought them back together.

💫 What Makes This Story So Beautiful
🌙 A Love That Transcends Time

This is not your typical romance. It’s soft, deeply spiritual, and slow-burning in the best way. Caelum isn’t written as a dominant fantasy archetype—he’s gentle, grounded, and reverent. He listens. He plants her a garden because she loves them. He doesn’t try to fix her grief—he simply makes room for it. Their connection is quiet but cosmic, like gravity slowly pulling two stars back into orbit.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the book is how it honors Estella’s previous love—her late husband is never diminished or erased. This isn’t about “getting over” grief, but allowing new love to bloom beside it.

🌿 A Heroine Who Feels Fully Real

Estella is mature, introspective, and emotionally layered. Her voice is soft-spoken but powerful. She navigates trauma, spirituality, single motherhood, and the weight of a destiny she doesn’t entirely want. Her identity as a woman, a mother, and a witch is never one-dimensional—it’s lived-in. She doesn’t leap into adventure; she moves through pain and choice with grace and courage.

💭 Dreamwalking and Mythical Threads

The world Mercedes Paradiso builds is full of wonder without being overwhelming. Time is fluid, love reincarnates, and sacred texts point to a destiny involving a book Estella must write—one that could “unite humanity” or prevent its unraveling. It’s mystical without ever losing emotional realism.

Supporting characters like Lavender (a closeted teenager), and Mr. London (a bisexual, dream-traveling teacher), add complexity and inclusion to the ensemble. These characters are not just sidekicks—they have internal journeys and emotional stakes of their own.

💌 Final Thoughts

Estella and the Dream Traveler is for the reader who wants their fantasy poetic, their romance soul-deep, and their characters wounded but brave. It’s about the aftershocks of grief, the miracle of second chances, and the ways love can find us again—maybe not as it was, but as we need it to be.

If you enjoy books that feel like dreams—soft, surreal, and soaked in meaning—you’ll find yourself gently spellbound.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercedes Paradiso’s debut novel, Estella and the Dream Traveler, is a richly imagined exploration of love, destiny, and the boundaries between reality and dreams. From the first page, readers are drawn into Estella’s world, a place that is at once familiar and fantastical, populated by deeply human characters whose inner lives are rendered with subtlety and care.
At the heart of the story is Estella, a character whose emotional depth and complexity make her instantly compelling. Paradiso excels at crafting nuanced internal landscapes, showing readers not just what Estella feels, but how her experiences shape her perceptions and choices. The interplay between her ordinary life and the extraordinary realm of dream travel is handled with sophistication, balancing the magical elements with the story’s emotional truth.

Caelum, the enigmatic dream traveler, is an intriguing counterpart whose presence both challenges and complements Estella’s journey. Their interactions are layered, charged with tension, longing, and subtle humor, reflecting Paradiso’s skill at creating authentic relational dynamics. The novel’s romantic threads never feel superficial. They are grounded in character motivation, psychological realism, and the stakes of the broader narrative.

Paradiso’s prose is lyrical and evocative, often bordering on poetic without sacrificing clarity. Sensory details, metaphoric imagery, and thoughtful pacing allow readers to inhabit both the dream world and Estella’s waking life. While some passages lean toward exposition, these moments are generally outweighed by sequences of vivid showing, dynamic dialogue, and internal reflection.

Thematically, Estella and the Dream Traveler engages with existential questions about choice, fate, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. The novel invites readers to consider the power of dreams, not just as escapism, but as a lens for self-discovery, courage, and personal transformation. Paradiso’s exploration of half-souls and the tension between predestination and free will adds layers of intrigue that enrich the narrative without overwhelming the emotional core.

If there is one area where the novel could be strengthened, it is in the refinement of pacing in a few expository passages, and further integration of magical elements into character-driven action. These are minor considerations in an otherwise accomplished debut that signals Paradiso as a distinctive new voice in contemporary magical realism.

In sum, Estella and the Dream Traveler is an emotionally resonant, beautifully crafted novel that combines lyrical prose, imaginative storytelling, and complex character work. It marks Mercedes Paradiso as a talented author with a keen eye for both the human heart and the fantastical mind, and it promises an exciting future for her literary career.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 stars

There is power within words. Just as they heal, they can poison. Just as they repair, they can destroy. Words, whether spoken by the light or the darkness, may hold great influence.

Estella and the Dream Traveler has an intriguing premise but struggles in its execution. Set in the near future, the novel follows Estella, a witch gifted with visions, who is starting over after the loss of her husband while raising her two young daughters. She’s also pursuing her dream of publishing a novel after finding some early success as a poet. The “dream traveler” of the title, Caelum, can move between past, present, and future through dreams—and even step into the dreams of others. He and Estella were once married in another life, and he longs to reconnect with her in this one. At its core, Estella’s destiny is to write a book powerful enough to reunite humanity, while forces of darkness work to stop her. Along the way, side characters bring warmth and humor that help balance the weight of the story.

Where the book falters is in its structure and pacing. Chapters alternate perspectives but often end so abruptly that it becomes jarring, pulling the reader out of the flow. At times, descriptions feel overly drawn out when they add little to the plot, while other moments are pared back so tightly that important scenes lose impact. This unevenness is particularly noticeable near the end, where the resolution feels rushed and too neatly tied together, undermining the complexity built earlier in the story.

A few other elements strain believability, such as Estella’s role as a single mother with young children who are barely present in the narrative. Her freedom to disappear for long stretches doesn’t align with the responsibilities the book initially gives her, and since the children don’t meaningfully shape the plot, their absence is distracting. A tighter rewrite, ideally with the guidance of a strong editor, could transform this from a promising but uneven draft into the compelling story it aims to be.

[Artemis · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

Based on the synopsis, this seemed like exactly the kind of book I usually fall in love with—a mix of magical realism, past lives, destiny, and a high-stakes mission with humanity on the line. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me.

The writing style felt very dense and technical at times, almost like reading a textbook rather than a novel. Because of that, I had trouble connecting emotionally with the story. Estella’s daughters, who could have added depth and grounding, felt more like background elements rather than fully developed characters. I also found myself wanting more explanation around the magic system and the “source,” which often provided answers without much buildup or clarity.

The romance was another area that didn’t sit well with me. Caelum’s intense fixation on Estella—while explained through the soulmate and past-life angle—sometimes came across as more intrusive than romantic, at least from my perspective.

Finally, setting the book in 2028 created a strange tension. It’s close enough to our current year that it almost feels like present day, but far enough that I wondered why a more flexible or timeless setting wasn’t used instead.

There are interesting ideas here, and readers who enjoy metaphysical fiction or spiritual themes may connect with the story more than I did. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estella and the Dream Traveler is a beautifully imaginative novel that blends romance, magic, and a touch of sci-fi in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. Set in a near-future Silicon Valley, it follows Estella Larsen—a modern-day witch and grieving widow—who’s trying to rebuild her life while raising two daughters and rediscovering her creative voice through poetry.

What makes this story shine is its emotional depth. Estella’s connection with Caelum, a dream traveler from her past life in medieval Budapest, is tender and philosophical. Their love story isn’t just about romance—it’s about purpose, healing, and the idea that some bonds transcend time.

The writing is lyrical without being overly ornate, and the themes of reincarnation, destiny, and creative power are woven in with a gentle touch. There’s a cosmic battle at play, too, with “half-souls” trying to stop Estella from writing a book that could unite humanity. It’s ambitious, but the story stays grounded in Estella’s personal journey.

If you enjoy magical realism with heart, and stories that explore love through lifetimes, this one’s worth curling up with. It’s a soulful read that leaves you thinking about the power of words—and the people who help us find them.

With thanks to Mercedes Paradiso, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Juli Grasso · Rating 2 out of 5]

Estella and the Dream Traveler is an aesthetically gorgeous book that promises a world of nocturnal magic, but sadly, The Lit Whisperer found that something crucial was missing. The cover alone suggests a lush, mysterious journey filled with keys and secrets under a crescent moon. However, despite the intriguing premise—a dream traveler navigating complex, sleepy landscapes—the execution felt frustratingly flat. This is a rare case where the novel never quite lives up to the beauty of its own concept. The world-building is all present, the characters are adequately defined, but the narrative spark—that sense of emotional urgency or compelling voice—is simply not there. Ultimately, while the ideas are fantastic, the story itself is nothing to write home about. This felt like a journey viewed through blurred glass. I’m being generous with 2 stars, hoping the author finds the missing element in her next work.
Thanks Netgalley for this eArc!
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[Aleksandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Mercedes Paradiso for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Estella and the Dream Traveler is a romance novel about 2 people fated to be together over many lifetimes. There was time travel via dreams, found family and many twists and turns.

I adored Caelum’s character and had many swoon moments over how devoted he was to Estella, giving her countless opportunities to shine and grow personally. Caelum even created Estella’s dream home for her.
“It doesn’t matter what house she lives in for the time being because she won’t truly feel at home until she’s with him.” 💕💕

I genuinely wanted to strangle Estella any time she entertained dating any other character (i.e. Kal or Connor) rather than Caelum.

It did take me an unusually long time to get through this book though, and a lot of the big plot moments happened / were resolved very quickly with little explanation, seeming very rushed. Although some lovely story elements and a wonderful idea, it just missed the mark for me.

[Stephanie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Estella recently lost her husband and is a lawyer who is taking a break from law - and wants to write a book and she learns to play or relearns/touches up her drumming skills.

In this world, people travel or reincarnate - and in the past she had been married to the main mc - and they promised before they died in that life to meet up in the next - well they keep missing each other.

Until now, when I guess the time is right, and he wants to be with her - there is another guy that is interested in her - but he turns out to be not so nice - but fortunately the main mc and then the other people she meets are all on her side.

In the end she is able to write her book that was important for humanity.

[Energy Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn't really the right fit for me. It alternated between being overly descriptive about mundane things and glossing over the other things. I don't care what people look like that aren't central to the storyline. Yet Estella goes to Budapest and it's oh we're here, that time went fast, let's go to the vacation home and go into great detail of an event when she was younger that doesn't move the story forward.

While this isn't the right book for me, there is an audience for it, as it already has some favorable reviews.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estella and the Dream Traveler is exactly the kind of book I love. With its slow burn magic and atmospheric prose this book drew me into a dreamlike world that’s enchanting and thought-provoking. The connection between Estella and Caelum is unforgettable and I also loved the dynamic between Caelum and Kal. I’m a fan of magical realism like the Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue so this book was absolutely perfect for me.

[Dark Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique romantasy! While it's technically in the future, it's only a few years away, and there is magic in the world of the book.

This story has strong magical realism and I enjoyed how the magic interacted with the other elements of the plot. The found family here was particularly inspiring. Definitely worth the read!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She left her job to do what she needs to do but loses her husband. The fates have plans for her to write a book to unite everyone but some people want to stop her. He is trying to get back to her as they had been lovers in the past. See how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a lovely read

[Carolanne Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Mercedes for this ARC.
Estella and the Dream Traveller is a beautifully imaginative blend of romance, grief, and spiritual fantasy. Estella, a widowed librarian in Silicon Valley, is trying to piece her life back together for herself and her two daughters when she meets Caelum, a dream traveller with whom she shares a powerful past-life bond. Their romance is tender and heartfelt, and I really enjoyed the way the book explored themes of love, loss, and renewal through the lens of dream travel and the mysterious “in-between.” At times, the pacing felt uneven and laboriously slow, and I felt that the shadowy antagonists never really reached their full potential. At its heart, this book is about healing and rediscovery of hope, and it is a moving, creative, and ultimately uplifting read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with a touch of the mystical.

[Emily Azevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is an enchanting blend of contemporary drama, and spiritual exploration. Set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley in 2028, the story follows Estella Larsen, a modern-day witch whose life is shattered by the sudden loss of her husband. Her grief is tenderly portrayed, and her journey to rebuild her life for her daughters feels raw and deeply human. A pain I surely hope to never ever experience.