Man of My Dreams

by Olivia Worley

A romance author is shocked when one of her characters-in-progress seemingly comes to life… but is he too good to be true, in this dramatic and twisty thriller perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Kate Alice Marshall, where the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Bestselling romance author Ivy Harcourt has been as unlucky in love as she’s been successful in writing—as her sad relationship track attests, there are no good dating options left in New York . . . Until she rescues an escaped dog in the park, and runs into Liam. Charming, British, hot architect Liam. The exact description of the love interest in her next book.

When an instant connection leads to a whirlwind relationship, Ivy is convinced she’s found the dream man. Except he may be too perfect. He may be hiding something.

And Ivy may have secrets of her own.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Romance, Audiobook, Suspense, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

Olivia Worley is an author born and raised in New Orleans. A graduate of Northwestern University, she now lives in NYC, where she spends her time writing thrillers, over-analyzing episodes of The Bachelor, and hoping someone will romanticize her for reading on the subway.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog


⭐⭐⭐
Man of My Dreams
Olivia Worley
Publication Date: June 2nd, 2026
St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
320 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers

This is my first book by this author, and I sorta liked what she did here. The book is a twisty psychological thriller that mixes a romance with dark suspense. Our main character is Ivy; she’s a popular romance writer but has no romance in her own life. Then she meets Liam in the park, a British architect. Ivy realizes that Liam is the spitting image of the fictional character in the book she is currently writing. Of course, the two fall in love instantly and everything is going swell. Then, as the relationship goes along, Ivy starts to get suspicious and wonders if Liam isn’t so perfect after all. (There’s always a but!)

I really liked the idea of this one. Using a romance author as the protagonist was great, and I liked how the author poked fun at herself. She also takes aim at romances and how happily-ever-afters aren’t realistic, and she balances it well with the dread of a failed relationship. I liked how seamlessly she went from a lighthearted romance to a paranoid psychological thriller—it kept me questioning Liam right along with Ivy.

While the execution and the writing were well done, the psychological thriller aspect was very predictable. The twists were seen fairly early on, so the impact of the final reveal wasn’t that big to me. Throughout the book you’re taken on an "is he or isn’t he" ride, and it got kinda repetitive after a while. I also didn't fully understand why they had such a whirlwind romance in the first place.

Still, it was entertaining enough and fast-paced, which are both pluses in my books. I would recommend this as a weekend beach read or something for an airplane ride. It’s fun, but you don’t have to think too much. I would read this author again, so that’s saying something.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Susan Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy is a romance author who has a meet cute with Liam, and both the meet cute and the man are too good to be true. The first part of the book is a thriller with a hint of romance, and the second half was more psychological thriller/suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed both parts. The twists were incredibly twisty, and I was hooked the entire read. I think there are enough elements in this book to make the story memorable, and it had vibes of other favorites in the thriller genre...I'd like to tell you what those are, but it would be a spoiler! You'll have to read for yourself. 😁🔪🙊🔥

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book blended two genres and had me literally wondering what would happen next! This novel is about a successful author named Ivy and a guy named Liam, a character Ivy is currently writing about. Liam seems almost too perfect for her. As the story goes on, we find out Liam may not be the perfect person he claims to be. The romance takes a twist and turns into a thriller. Continuing to read this, I had no idea who to trust and what was real and what wasn’t!

This book made me feel confused, shocked, and emotional. This definitely had mysterious and psychological elements. It is overall an unhinged novel, in the best way possible. I haven’t read anything quite like it, making this extremely unique. The characters felt real and were very multilayered. The pacing started slow but quickly built to a fast-paced read. It is full of twists I did not see coming, with unreliable characters and an unreliable narrator. I enjoyed the suspense and found the novel’s plot well written and executed! I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating!

If you enjoy reading a fantasy romantic novel that turns into a complete psychological thriller, you will love this! It is unpredictable and terrifying. Thank you to NetGalley, author Olivia Worley, and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on June 2nd, 2026!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ivy is a newly successful romance author that hasn't had much luck in love so when she has a meet-cute with a handsome British man, Liam, she's stunned. He's exactly like the main character she's writing about. Same name, same career, heck, they even look the same. Is he too good to be true?

That sums up what the synopsis tells you this story is about but if we're really being honest that has very little to do with this book. This is the classic bait and switch. Liam is nothing but a side character to what this story IS actually about and I was underwhelmed to say the least.

I disliked Ivy as a character. I disliked the plot twists. I disliked the ending. 1 star!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

”The truth is, you couldn’t stop me if you tried. The pen is in my hand, now. It’s finally my turn to tell our story— and im only just beginning.”

i have mixed feelings on this, i feel like it was falsely advertised. i do like when there’s dual timelines and you slowly discover what’s going on through switching from past and present. i’d say the mc Ivy is an unreliable narrator, i was unsure that this “book character turned real” mmc Liam was who she’d painted him out to be.

around 40% of the book actually focuses on the storyline from the synopsis, while the rest of it turns straight psychological thriller. it was very fast paced in the later half, with enough twists to keep you turning the page.. they just weren’t necessarily the twists i wanted from this book. i think it led to a lot of conveniences and it almost felt convoluted in certain areas. i do think this is a fun, digestible thriller for the most part though.

➳ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨📖 Man of My Dreams 📖✨

Hot damn 😭 the ending!!

I genuinely had no idea where this book was going, but it wrapped up so well. The twists were twisting!!

I both loved and hated that ending in the best way.

One thing is very clear though… Olivia Worley is officially an auto buy author for me. She really knows how to deliver a thriller.

💫What to Expect
• Thriller
• Author FMC
• Dream man x real life
• Unreliable boyfriend
• Family secrets
_ _ _ _

⭐ Final Score: 5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3★)

I absolutely devoured the first part of this book… but I’m not entirely sure what happened after that.

The premise alone hooked me: a romance author meets the literal embodiment of her fictional book boyfriend in real life. Coincidence? Fate? Or something much darker? (YOU vibes!!!)

Ivy, a bestselling romance author, meets Liam; a very charming, British, hot architect ... who is basically the exact description of the love interest in the book she’s currently writing. From there, things spiral. We get twists, stalking vibes, murder situations, secrets on both sides… and in the beginning, I genuinely could not put it down.

But somewhere around the halfway mark (maybe closer to 60%) I started feeling like I was reading 2 different books (same characters around) at the same time (does this makes any sense?anyway...). It’s like the blurb set up one direction and then the story quietly pivoted into another plot entirely. It wasn’t bad, just… different from what I thought I had signed up for.

The pacing stayed steady though and I was still curious enough to keep reading. Some twists worked, some were predictable and overall it remained entertaining. But that strong, thriller vibe from the beginning slowly faded for me.

Now for the ending... while everything technically wraps up, I felt like I might've needed just a little more. One or two extra chapters to really wrap it up with a red bow.

Overall, it was interesting and definitely readable, just maybe not what I hoped it will be.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...

[sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Rating: 4⭐️
🫧 Vibes: deciphering the truth
🎶 Song: all the good girls go to hell - billie eilish
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: not entirely where I thought the story was going but I still loved it!

In the package:
📦 family secrets
📦 twisty twists
📦 romantic thriller
📦 dual timeline

Plot: Ivy is currently writing her next novel and ends up in a meet-cute with Liam, who appears to be the exact description of the love interest in her book. They form an instant connection but Liam seems to perfect as strange things start occurring around Ivy.

Thoughts: my flabbers were gasted with this one!! I was fully convinced I had it figured out but I did not until I was about 90% through 🥲 I will say that the title and synopsis of the book don't really match what the book is really about which I find really strange. I'm not upset about it because I ended up loving it but some people might end up feeling tricked. About halfway-ish, the story takes a turn and the story barely revolves around her love interest, and the plot shifts almost entirely. I still had a great time reading this one and it is a page turner that kept me engaged throughout. Short chapters and dual timelines that will keep you guessing until the end 👀

Thank you Minotaur Books for the gifted physical ARC!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[Papillon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.

I feel tricked.

And not in a “oh, this is a thriller. You got me!” I feel tricked, like this is not the book I signed up for.

The synopsis of this story has literally nothing to do with what this book is about. If the intention of it was to act as a smoke screen, it fell very flat. So flat, in fact, I’m actually almost irritated.

By page 86, the whole Liam storyline was laid on so thick, that it was very obvious nothing was happening on that front. Which then raised the question in my head: What on earth are the other 240-something pages about?

About 30 pages later, it hit me then that this was a mystery within a mystery. Or, more accurately, this was a “mystery” and a mystery.

Let me just say right now, and this is an entirely personal preference, I cannot stand that. I don’t mind multilayered mysteries. I don’t mind one door leading the reader down another rabbit hole. My issue is this: Smoke screens, especially when they are not well-done, can only be interpreted as a waste of time. As I’m sitting here now, all I’m thinking about is that Liam didn’t even need to exist. At all. Once I realized what the story was actually about and where it was going, I was irritated that I spent hours of my time reading a story that ultimately didn’t matter at all.

These are two different books smashed into one. None of which were concluded. If it’s meant to open the door for a sequel, I promise it can stay in the drafts.

The plot that we were fed, that made me want to read the book in the first place, was entirely abandoned for another plot so predictable and simultaneously ridiculous that the only real thing that shocked me was the fact that I finished the book at all.

[♡❀Caroline. K❀♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going into this, I wasn't expecting to come away feeling like I had read two completely different stories.

I really went back and forth on how to rate this book. Half of me was completely invested and couldn't stop reading. The other half was confused about where the story was actually headed.

At first, it seems like the story revolves around Ivy and Liam, a man who is essentially a carbon copy of the love interest in the book she's currently writing. But as Ivy's secrets slowly begin to unravel, that storyline ends up feeling much smaller and almost irrelevant compared to everything else that's happening. It genuinely felt like I had started reading a completely different book.

The book definitely kept me intrigued and constantly wanting answers, but the ending fell flat for me. After being so invested in finding out how everything would come together, the payoff just didn't hit the way I hoped it would.

Honestly, I still don't know exactly how I feel about it. There were things I enjoyed and moments that completely pulled me in, but by the end I was left more confused than satisfied.

I want to thank Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Olivia Worley for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[veerali · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm finally freeeeee 🙂‍↕️

[Flor]

dnf • 42%
This sounded like it could be anything from thriller to magical realism, but it was just bad. I genuinely tried, but the second I started skimming, I knew I was done.
The story is completely unengaging, the MC painfully unlikable, and the writing utterly uninspired.

[megan ◡̈]

i was super excited for this book but it was unfortunately a massive let down for me. the most glaring issue here is the fact this book is completely different from the blurb given. liam feels like an afterthought and when he is there its like a total fever dream because ivy is nothing but erratic. this book felt like complete chaos in the worst way while simultaneously dragging and boring.

i truly dont know what this book was trying to accomplish but whatever it was was just not for me and i could not care less about how it ends

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man of My Dream is a twisty, addictive ride that blends romance, suspense, and just the right amount of “wait… what?” energy.

Ivy Harcourt, a bestselling author with a messy past meets Liam, a man who feels like he’s stepped straight out of her manuscript. He’s charming, attentive, and maybe a little too perfect.

I loved how the story kept me guessing. Ivy’s unreliable memories make every chapter feel unstable, and the second‑half twists come hard and fast. I thought I had the plot figured out, but the ending still surprised me.

A quick, addictive read.

🎙Narrator Spotlight🎙
It was fun to read along while Gail Shalan's voice brought a gorgeous emotional clarity to this audiobook which makes every chapter feel a little more intimate. Her performance added layers to Ivy’s character, especially the uncertainty, the self‑doubt, and those moments where you’re not sure what’s real. Shalan leaned into Ivy’s vulnerability without ever making her feel weak, and that balance keeps the tension humming.

Shalan gives Liam just the right amount of charm and mystery, making his “too perfect” energy feel both irresistible and unsettling. The shifts in tone, the subtle pauses, the way she lets silence do some of the storytelling, those choices elevate the twists and make the reveals hit harder. It’s one of those narrations that adds depth to the story.

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man of My Dreams is such a fun and addictive read that completely pulls you in from the start. The story follows Ivy, a bestselling author whose life takes a surreal turn when she meets Liam — a character she created — in real life. Watching their relationship unfold is both exciting and emotional, especially as Ivy begins to fall deeply for him.

The plot moves at a fast pace, making it hard to put the book down. Just when you think you know where things are going, the story shifts, keeping you hooked until the very end. The added mystery of Ivy’s stalker brings an extra layer of tension, and trying to figure out who it is keeps you guessing throughout.

One of the best parts of this book is how unpredictable it is — the ending is not something you’ll see coming. Overall, I really enjoyed this unique and engaging story. It’s a perfect mix of romance, mystery, and a touch of the unexpected.

Definitely a great read for anyone looking for something different and fast-paced!

[Liza (LitLifewithLiza) Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect Valentine's Day thriller! Olivia previously wrote an absolutely unhinged FMC in So Happy Together and she's back with another banger of a thriller that also revolves around love and an unreliable leading lady with questionable choices. 

We follow romance author, Ivy, who meets the "man of her dreams" by chance. The more she learns about him, she realizes she's already met him, as the main character of the book she's currently writing. 😳 The coincidences pile up and secrets from her past come bubbling to the surface. Who is this man and what secrets from her past is she hiding from?! 

What I loved about the story: fast paced and stacked with twists you won't see coming. I was immediately hooked and loved the past vs present timelines as you try to decipher the twisted past she's running from. Pub day: 6/2/26

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns galore, this was a guessing game until the end. I loved the timelines and switch ups for this story. I really didn’t know where it was going, or which characters to trust, and that’s the best part of a thriller. I would’ve liked a bit more info at the end, but regardless it was a fun read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man of My Dreams starts off as a romance with a shocking, and eerie, meet cute. The story then turns into a perfect summer thriller. It had some good twists, great character backstories and was captivating start to finish.

[Cynth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I found this super addictive, it was easy to read and felt unique. I read it in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down. I would absolutely recommend, especially if you’re in a slump or looking for a great thriller with short chapters and good twists.

[Melissa Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to get into this one! It starts off feeling like a rom-com… then BAM—it turns into a twisty psychological suspense. 🤯 I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it! I did have to pay close attention at the end to keep track of who was who, but it was worth it.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new to me author, Olivia Worley with her newest book, Man of My Dreams. Romance author, Ivy meets someone who she is convinced is a character from her recent book she just published. It was such a neat concept and things kept happening throughout the book that I was questioning each and every character. Lies, secrets, deception … this book has it all and then some!!! I had a hard time putting this one down and looking toward to more books by Olivia. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

[michelle ࣪ ִֶָ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Olivia Worley read, and I'm a big fan of the way she writes, and of the characters she creates. The hook for this book really grabbed my attention and I knew I'd be enthralled, and I was, however...

Without spoiling too much - the premise of this book really ended up not being all that relevant in the end. Which was kind of disappointing, when that all wrapped up in a very lackluster way. The romance and the mystery surrounding Liam stopped really mattering at about the 60 percent mark? Give or take a little. I think some readers could be disappointed when they don't quite get what they signed up for.

That being said, the story that we did get instead was still great in my opinion. I read the last quarter of this in one sitting because I needed to know everything immediately. A couple of predictable twists, but it didn't take the route that I personally thought it would and I'm very happy about that.

I did genuinely enjoy every page of this, I just think it's being advertised as something it isn't when it doesn't need to be, because I'd have read it either way.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for the ARC!

[Wendy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid book couldn’t put down.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about this Romance meets Thriller genre bender I was intrigued. Not that those two things could never mix but just that it wasn’t common. The concept had me sold. Woman meets man who seems to be a character from her book? How could I not read more?

I’m pleased to report I was pretty well hooked from the beginning. I think the beginning half is where you’ll find the most romantic parts (while still presenting/setting up the mystery/thriller parts) and the back part is where the twists and turns really take off. The last 1/4 of this novel I read almost straight through. I was glued to the page.

I enjoyed following the main character Ivy and found her to be sympathetic. I liked the romance between her and Liam, thought it was equally sweet and steamy. The pacing was perfect, with chapters being not too short but not too long and the backstory unfolding at well-timed intervals.

I think there’s a lot for even regular thriller readers to have fun with here. At some points my mind just ran wild with what I thought might be going on, and then the pieces slowly started falling into place I could predict fairly well where they were going to land. So take that how you will.

I think the only thing I’d change is that the ending felt a little abrupt! I was holding the book going wait, what?! Not sure if I understood correctly. So I wish a little more had been given to the epilogue to really cement it.

Otherwise a well done thriller. If Worley writes another I’d definitely check it out, I’ve already added some of her backlist titles to my TBR.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook! I absolutely love a well-done unhinged thriller, and WOW does this one deliver.

Ivy Harcourt is a best-selling romance author who has personally been very unlucky in love. Then one day she encounters Liam and his adorable dog in the park. Liam is too good to be true on many levels. A handsome, kind, successful lawyer? Amazing. A man who has the same name, occupation, and college diploma as the MMC in her upcoming book? Deeply suspicious. But Ivy cannot deny the intense pull she feels toward him, and they embark on a whirlwind romance. But even though she suspects Liam of harboring secrets, Ivy has many of her own.

This book is incredibly entertaining. I won’t spoil anything, but expect some truly wild twists. The structure is clever, weaving together past events that shaped her and keeping us in suspense about what’s really happening in the present. While I suspected part of the twist by the halfway point, the rest kept me guessing.

🎧 Audio Performance: (9h 22m) Gail Shalan does a good job with this solo narration. For as WILD as the story is, I felt like the performance wasn’t as unhinged as the story, but still really good.

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️

[Raven (_birdiesbookclub_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Big thanks to Macmillan audio for the ALC copy!! This one is out today and worth a listen, especially if you love a very crazy, twisted story!

This was a super fun, easy listen that kept me entertained from start to finish. The story had a great mix of light romance, humor, and emotional moments, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters. While some parts felt a little predictable and I wished for a bit more depth in certain areas, it was still a solid read overall.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narration definitely added to the experience. The narrator brought a lot of personality to the characters and made it easy to stay engaged, especially during the banter and lighter scenes. There were a few moments where the pacing dragged for me, but the audio performance helped keep things moving.

Overall, this was an entertaining and twisty read that I'd recommend if you're looking for something light and mysterious. Not quite a new favorite, but worth the listen.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Minotaur Books for the gifted ALC and ARC!

This one was such an entertaining thriller. I was constantly trying to figure out what the heck was actually going on and every time I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen that made me question it again.

The whole idea of a romance author basically meeting the real life version of her fictional man was already interesting, but then adding the stalker storyline and all the secrets on top of it made it so much messier in the best way.

I did figure out a couple of the twists before they happened, but there were still enough surprises throughout that I stayed hooked the whole time. The story definitely leans more over-the-top and dramatic at times, but that just made it more fun to read for me.

Overall, definitely a fun, fast paced, twisty thriller, especially if you like messy relationships, unreliable characters, and constantly second guessing yourself.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced roller coaster with all the twists and turns. The pacing did not let up and the surprises kept coming. Wild, messy, outlandish and an absolute ball to read. This is the perfect read in a day type of book.

Best selling author Ivy has her very own meet-cute moment she literally falls into a man’s arms while trying to save his dog. This was not just any man but the real life version of the main character in the new book she’s writing. Strange stuff starts to happen to Ivy - weird packages and messages on instagram. Can she trust her new perfect boyfriend? Can she trust herself? You won’t want to stop turning the pages to find out what really is going on here.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Magen • Bone Chilling Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I flew through the first half of this book and loved it and then it slowed down for me. I also found parts predictable, but that may be because I read many thrillers?

I loved the premise and how it was a rom com meets thriller.

I am looking forward to more books from this author.

[Rosio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance and thriller book all wrapped into one! I read this in less than 10 hours, I couldn’t put it down. Such a unique concept that had me trying to guess what is going to happen next.