A Place Between Dreams

by Jess Munday

He can't remember what he did, and he'll do anything to keep it that way.Tennessee Walker blinks his eyes open in his San Francisco apartment and realizes he's washing blood off his hands with no memory of what happened. His girlfriend, Lucy, is nowhere to be found, and all that remains are shattered picture frames, holes punched in drywall, and her final words echoing in his "You're just like your father." These five words haunt him—and he’ll do anything to escape from under them.

Burying the truth behind blackouts, Tennessee retreats into a haze of LSD and delusion where he finds the perfect refuge—vivid, lucid dreams where he can rewrite the past and relive his favorite memories with Lucy. As his grip on reality loosens, the line between what's real and what's a dream begins to blur and he’s dragged deeper into a hazy space between memory and madness.

But no matter how hard he tries to outrun the past, the truth always catches up to him.

A Place Between Dreams is a psychological thriller that follows Tennessee's attempt to escape his painful reality as he discovers he can lucid dream his way back to happier memories with his lost love Lucy—but the line between dreams, hallucinations, and reality becomes dangerously blurred.

Perfect for fans Unreliable narratorsYou by Caroline KepnesInceptionReality-bending thrillers

359 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 19, 2026

Reviews

[Alyssa Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to get an advanced reader copy of this book.

I felt so much empathy for Tennessee and honestly rooted for him for a good part of the story. Love hurts, and you can really feel that in the way he tries to hold onto his memories. His whole slide between dreams and reality was messy, emotional, and totally addicting to read.

And the San Francisco imagery was amazing. I could picture every part of the city so clearly in my head, and it added so much to the mood of the story.

Such a wild, trippy psychological thriller. Loved it!!

[Allie DeMars · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

When I say this is unlike anything I’ve read before, I truly mean it. A Place Between Dreams is a vividly descriptive work of literary fiction built on the bones of a haunting psychological thriller. Jess Munday’s writing is so immersive that it feels less like reading a book and more like slipping into someone else’s consciousness.

The atmosphere is where this novel absolutely shines. Jess Munday paints scenery with such clarity and beauty that I felt as though I were walking the streets of San Francisco myself—looking up at Sutro Tower, breathing in the fog, and slipping into the same disorienting headspace Tennessee occupies as he trips on LSD. The imagery is lush, cinematic, and deeply sensory. It’s the kind of writing that lingers.

The story leans heavily into themes of mental illness, PTSD (including trauma from domestic violence), and drug use, so readers should be aware of those elements going in. But these themes are handled with a raw honesty that adds depth and emotional weight to the narrative.

As for the ending, it gave me everything I wanted in a conclusion. The only thing I found myself wishing for was diving more into the investigation of Lucy’s death. I wanted more from the side of her friends and family who are trying to figure out what happened to her. But even without it, the emotional payoff at the end was incredibly satisfying.

If you’re looking for a book that pulls you in, messes with your senses, and leaves your jaw on the floor with its sheer imagery, don’t miss this one. Jess Munday has crafted something truly unique and unforgettable.

[Stefan Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and it's pushed me out of my comfort zone of genres. This book was so different than the books I normally read and I was so pleasantly surprised. The air of confusion and frustration you feel while reading this book will force you to keep going. As you continue to read, it's a combination of slowly learning more while also not learning enough.

What was so difficult to fight through was the absolute self destructive tendencies of Tennessee and how he would make terrible decision after terrible decision. As the book goes on, you uncover the trauma and childhood that has made Tennessee this person and it's sad to think how different he could be otherwise.

It's hard to get me to root against the protagonist while also not hating him, but Jess has done a great job of doing so. This book had me confused and frustrated and hating Tennessee in the best way.

If you want your kid to never take any drugs ever, please have them read this book.

Can't wait for this book to be launched and for everyone to have a chance to read!

[Leah Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. This book has me shook. It begins and ends with a bang, both of which are still rattling around in my head.

This book dives deep into the human soul and the dark places it can take people, especially those who have suffered abuse. So if crave those tough characters who are messed up, this book is up your alley. If you aren’t in a good headspace to read about trauma, come back to this book later. The trigger warning was essential, so pay attention to that if you have any concerns about whether you can handle this book.

The descriptions are beautifully written, and I enjoyed the exploration of how dreams shape our reality. It highlighted the consequences of drug use and family trauma. I wasn't into the drugs part, but I can see why it was included in the storyline. And the ENDING will wreck you. This book is not my main genre, so it didn’t hit my buttons, but if you like dark psychological thrillers, this is a book to check out!

[Bridget Lapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like stepping directly into Tennessee’s disorienting reality. I often found myself never fully sure where the boundary lies between dreams and reality. That blurring of perception pulls you in so completely that it becomes difficult to step back from the story. This book is definitely a page turner.

Despite dealing with heavy and complicated subjects, the author manages to handle them with remarkable restraint. There is no romanticizing of violence, drug addiction, or the darker aspects of Tennessee’s life. Instead, everything is presented with a clear, steady, neutrality that allows the reader to engage with the material without feeling manipulated. That balanced voice is genuinely refreshing.

It’s the type of story that leaves you wanting to know more. To understand more about the characters, to know what happens next, to know what really happened when there were lapses in time.

[Chellsvibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Place Between Dreams by Jess Munday was a unique and moving experience. I listened to an early audio edition, and the narration was very well done. The narrator’s voice was pleasant and made each character feel believable and real. I have never read anything quite like this. I really enjoyed how each chapter moved between memories and the present. It was sad at times, emotional, and even heartbreaking. What happened in the past clearly shaped who he became, and you could feel how deeply it affected his life in the present. I appreciated how this was handled without spelling everything out, letting the reader piece things together. I was always questioning what was real and what might be part of a dream, which added to the impact. I truly hope there is a sequel because I want to learn more about Tennessee and the other characters.

[Whitney Villmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an advanced reader copy and just finished this book. It was an incredibly immersive experience that gets darker the farther you go. As Tennessee, our main character, goes deeper into his drug use, we begin to share his inability to distinguish what is real what isn't. It was written in such a compelling way, you really do get a clear idea of each aspect of his life and the people in it. Jess does well making each character distinct and with depth so that Tennessee's relationship with this has its own stakes. The plot twist at the end about knocked me off the couch. I appreciate the way it was wrapped up and won't say more because I don't want to spoil anything. If you're into dark thrillers that bend reality, I definitely recommend checking this out when you can.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place Between Dreams is a deep, dark, gripping, heart-wrenching read. It’s a true psychological thriller that pulls you into an intimate spiral and never lets go. There is absolutely no dead air. Every chapter pushes you forward with a constant need to understand what happened.

The memory lapses are handled beautifully. The blackouts feel disorienting and real, slowly revealing an unreliable narrator in a way that keeps you questioning what is memory, dream, or reality. The sensory writing is sharp and evocative, especially in its depictions of San Francisco.

Tennessee is a bold, unforgettable protagonist. Largely irredeemable yet impossible to look away from. This book stayed with me long after I finished.

[Berenice Leung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is quite the page turner. I followed Jess’s character Tennessee all around San Francisco, a place I’m quite familiar with but read about with a completely different lens. The city grew much more complicated once drugs, romance, and unresolved trauma were all layered in—often all at once.

A typically nonfiction reader, I felt such strong emotion for the characters in this riveting and at times heart wrenching storyline.

As an ARC reader, I also know how passionate the author has been in the writing process, a culmination of many years of effort and turning dreams into a written reality.

Be sure to read A Place Between Dreams if any of the above resonates with you.

[Mommakaitsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5✨
THIS WAS UNLIKE anyyyyy THRILLER I’ve ever read👏🏻

This had me hooked from page one (prologue). Chapters 1-4.5 I felt like the author was finding her voice and building out the main character but starting back up half way into chapter 4 until the end of the book was an INSANE ride.

[Ashley Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun thriller suspense ride under the backdrop of a perfectly described San Francisco, filled with all its quirks and charms. Loved every page and how genuinely fun of a read it was. Looking forward to seeing where Ms Munday goes from here after such an exciting debut

[Jess Munday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the culmination of so many things—grief, pain, love, obsession, nostalgia. It took eight years for me to write and I hope you all enjoy it. 💛