What do you think?
Rate this book
Evie and Her Nightmares
After the death of her best friend, Evie Leigh seeks solace in an online role-playing game. In the game, she finds purpose, community, and even romance. But online life alone can’t sustain her, and the farther she pushes herself away from reality, the harder it will come back to bite. A stand-alone companion to the acclaimed Eliza and Her Monsters from award-winning author Francesca Zappia. Illustrated by the author.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Francesca Zappia
11 books3,836 followersWriter of MADE YOU UP and ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS. Represented by Louise Fury of the Fury Agency.
Also wrote The Children of Hypnos serial on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/story/9547883...).
Social Media: @ChessieZappia
You can find links to all my social media on my website, www.francescazappia.com.
Also wrote The Children of Hypnos serial on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/story/9547883...).
Social Media: @ChessieZappia
You can find links to all my social media on my website, www.francescazappia.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 30, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's and HarperCollins Children's Audio for providing me with advanced copies.
This was a very deep YA book. I haven't read Eliza and Her Monsters but reading this definitely makes me want to. This worked perfectly fine as a standalone with some cameos from the previous novel. Evie's mental health struggles were portrayed really well, showing a real-time change in her emotions and how she worked on it eventually. It covers a lot of heavy topics including autism, death of a friend, suicidal thoughts and a lot of grief. But it also balances it out by showing other happy or relatively stable parts of her life, including a supportive mom, the rest of Alissa's family, her friends and gaming community. I really liked the conclusion of the story and the closure she got after solving Alissa's puzzle. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to read about someone who goes through a lot at a young age but comes through stronger at the end.
The audiobook was narrated really well. The emotions were expressed perfectly and brought tears to my eyes. It definitely improved my reading experience.
This was a very deep YA book. I haven't read Eliza and Her Monsters but reading this definitely makes me want to. This worked perfectly fine as a standalone with some cameos from the previous novel. Evie's mental health struggles were portrayed really well, showing a real-time change in her emotions and how she worked on it eventually. It covers a lot of heavy topics including autism, death of a friend, suicidal thoughts and a lot of grief. But it also balances it out by showing other happy or relatively stable parts of her life, including a supportive mom, the rest of Alissa's family, her friends and gaming community. I really liked the conclusion of the story and the closure she got after solving Alissa's puzzle. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to read about someone who goes through a lot at a young age but comes through stronger at the end.
The audiobook was narrated really well. The emotions were expressed perfectly and brought tears to my eyes. It definitely improved my reading experience.
April 15, 2026
A beautiful, emotionally powerful standalone sequel to Eliza and her Monsters.
Evie’s best friend Alissa has recently committed suicide, leaving Evie struggling with questions like: why? and was there something I could’ve done? The subject matter of mental health (depression and grief) as well as autism was handled with care and awareness. Like Eliza and her Monsters, this story interweaves strong fandom culture, this time through a book series and video game. I loved this aspect of the story and how it grounds the story and its themes.
many thanks to netgalley for an arc :)
Evie’s best friend Alissa has recently committed suicide, leaving Evie struggling with questions like: why? and was there something I could’ve done? The subject matter of mental health (depression and grief) as well as autism was handled with care and awareness. Like Eliza and her Monsters, this story interweaves strong fandom culture, this time through a book series and video game. I loved this aspect of the story and how it grounds the story and its themes.
many thanks to netgalley for an arc :)
July 28, 2026
3.5⭐️
August 9, 2026
Read: August 3rd - August 7th
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 5 Stars
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
Oof. Just... oof. I have had books make me teary from epic moments and teary eyed from emotional moments, but this book... I had tears running down my face while I listened to the climax moments, because oof. So real. In my darkest moments, I definitely related to Evie's emotions.
But that's just tackling the end. The lead up to get to that end also was just so real. Evie had so many complicated emotions, and she was processing them in ways I have myself, which also is another reason for part of the oof. And if you haven't been in the midst of the spiral, it would be very easy to see what she was doing as just staying afloat. And she sort of was, but in a way that led her to an even darker place.
I struggle so much talking about this book because I can't really delve into why it's so good without getting personal or spoiling why it was done so well, because it's really a journey where each step forward was so intentional and just OW.
This book hurt in the best way, because this is one of those books that allows you to remember your own pain but share in the hope with Evie that your nightmares are not forever, and just... gah, it's so good! And then all the interwoven elements of bookish and nerdy things, and that's not even touching on the fact Evie is autistic, which added a whole other layer to how she was experiencing everything.
Caitlin Kelly knocked the narration out of the park. I don't know if I'd have cried as hard without her narration, but UGH, she killed it.
My only MINOR complaint is I felt like the brother's unhealthy dependence on being high to cope could have been addressed a bit better, but it's a very minor meh thing. This is Evie's perspective, and she wasn't as aware of her own issues, so it would be strange for her to be aware of that.
This feels like a very impactful read that I recommend to everyone. Just be sure you're in a mental place to handle dark topics and check in on what all it explores, because man, it doesn't hold back.
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 5 Stars
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
Oof. Just... oof. I have had books make me teary from epic moments and teary eyed from emotional moments, but this book... I had tears running down my face while I listened to the climax moments, because oof. So real. In my darkest moments, I definitely related to Evie's emotions.
But that's just tackling the end. The lead up to get to that end also was just so real. Evie had so many complicated emotions, and she was processing them in ways I have myself, which also is another reason for part of the oof. And if you haven't been in the midst of the spiral, it would be very easy to see what she was doing as just staying afloat. And she sort of was, but in a way that led her to an even darker place.
I struggle so much talking about this book because I can't really delve into why it's so good without getting personal or spoiling why it was done so well, because it's really a journey where each step forward was so intentional and just OW.
This book hurt in the best way, because this is one of those books that allows you to remember your own pain but share in the hope with Evie that your nightmares are not forever, and just... gah, it's so good! And then all the interwoven elements of bookish and nerdy things, and that's not even touching on the fact Evie is autistic, which added a whole other layer to how she was experiencing everything.
Caitlin Kelly knocked the narration out of the park. I don't know if I'd have cried as hard without her narration, but UGH, she killed it.
My only MINOR complaint is I felt like the brother's unhealthy dependence on being high to cope could have been addressed a bit better, but it's a very minor meh thing. This is Evie's perspective, and she wasn't as aware of her own issues, so it would be strange for her to be aware of that.
This feels like a very impactful read that I recommend to everyone. Just be sure you're in a mental place to handle dark topics and check in on what all it explores, because man, it doesn't hold back.
Want to Read
April 12, 2026NEW FRANCESCA ZAPPIA BOOK?!?!?! July can't come soon enough!!!
August 16, 2026
First, props to the author for having a glossary at the start for all the MMORPG terminology. Helps to have those at the start as opposed to the end! The story itself is about Evie coping with the death of her best friend Alissa, who died by suicide. Heartbreaking from the start, obviously. Evie is really struggling, and finds comfort in her friend’s brother, and the book/game community Alissa (and her brother) were involved in. Of course, Evie goes all-in, I am talking obsessed within days, cannot put the thing down. Which honestly, you can understand, because she’s lost her best friend and is trying to find something to fill the holes left behind. I loved that Evie and Alissa’s brother (whose name escapes me at the moment, sorry!) are able to bond over their shared loss. Basically, this whole story is about grief, and how you can’t just bury it, but have to face it, and the author handles these huge, difficult topics very well.
(Obviously this comes with trigger warnings for suicide. )
(Obviously this comes with trigger warnings for suicide. )
August 11, 2026
I enjoyed this YA coming of age story featuring an autistic girl grieving the death of her best friend from suicide. This story was a great depiction of grief and mental health from having to deal with the death of a friend. It was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jackie Kahlilieh. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ALC and eARC of this one! I listened to the audiobook for this one.
Is it really a Francesca Zappia book if it doesn’t absolutely wreck me?? 😭 From the very beginning, you can feel just how much of everything Evie feels. She is an absolutely incredible protagonist, not because she’s a strong person but because she’s a real person. She is you and me, and all of us sometimes. I think we have all felt like Evie. Maybe not everything, maybe not all at once… but there are bits and pieces of Evie’s story in all of us. Zappia took us on a journey, an overwhelming and intense journey of self-discovery, self-love, and all the in between.
I absolutely loved the way the mmorpg community was incorporated into this book. I liked that it was a subplot to Evie’s journey and a catalyst for growth.
Then there’s Ash. Obviously we have to talk about his role in the story. I adored him, from beginning to end, again because he felt real. All of his emotional ups and downs and the way he existed - his whole being. These two have my whole heart and I just want to give them both huge hugs. 😭
What I love in particular about Zappia’s writing is that she never sugarcoats the narrative. This is real. This is intense. You feel every single drop of happiness and heartache and joy and pain. It’s all there, waiting for the reader to find it. There is no agenda, only what the reader takes away from Evie and Ash and their lives.
The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, was absolutely phenomenal. The way she used her voice to convey the emotions within the text was exceptional.
This is a book I think everyone could read, a book that will strike a lot of hearts. Just please read the trigger warnings, make sure you are in a safe place while reading, and take time for yourself if needed. 💖
Is it really a Francesca Zappia book if it doesn’t absolutely wreck me?? 😭 From the very beginning, you can feel just how much of everything Evie feels. She is an absolutely incredible protagonist, not because she’s a strong person but because she’s a real person. She is you and me, and all of us sometimes. I think we have all felt like Evie. Maybe not everything, maybe not all at once… but there are bits and pieces of Evie’s story in all of us. Zappia took us on a journey, an overwhelming and intense journey of self-discovery, self-love, and all the in between.
I absolutely loved the way the mmorpg community was incorporated into this book. I liked that it was a subplot to Evie’s journey and a catalyst for growth.
Then there’s Ash. Obviously we have to talk about his role in the story. I adored him, from beginning to end, again because he felt real. All of his emotional ups and downs and the way he existed - his whole being. These two have my whole heart and I just want to give them both huge hugs. 😭
What I love in particular about Zappia’s writing is that she never sugarcoats the narrative. This is real. This is intense. You feel every single drop of happiness and heartache and joy and pain. It’s all there, waiting for the reader to find it. There is no agenda, only what the reader takes away from Evie and Ash and their lives.
The narrator, Caitlin Kelly, was absolutely phenomenal. The way she used her voice to convey the emotions within the text was exceptional.
This is a book I think everyone could read, a book that will strike a lot of hearts. Just please read the trigger warnings, make sure you are in a safe place while reading, and take time for yourself if needed. 💖
July 31, 2026
Advanced Reader Copy Provider by NetGalley
Evie and Her Nightmares was such an emotional, beautifully written audiobook. Francesca Zappia did an incredible job capturing grief in a way that felt raw, honest, and deeply personal. I really felt Evie’s pain throughout the story. Her emotions and her struggle to navigate the death of her best friend, Alyssa, were incredibly relatable, and I found myself empathizing with her every step of the way.
What initially piqued my interest in this story was the incorporation of an MMO-style video game. As someone who loves those kinds of games myself, I really enjoyed seeing that aspect woven into the story. It added another layer to Evie’s character and made the book feel even more immersive. I loved how the game wasn’t just there for fun, it became another way to explore the characters, their relationships, and the emotions they were struggling to process.
I’m also really glad this book included a trigger warning. It dives deeply into themes of depression and suicide, and while those topics are heavy, they’re handled with so much care and responsibility. Rather than feeling sensationalized, the story shines a light on the mental health crisis affecting so many people today, especially teenagers, whose emotions and struggles are too often dismissed or misunderstood.
Overall, this is a powerful, compassionate story that left a lasting impression. If you’re prepared for an emotionally heavy read, I definitely recommend giving it a chance.
Evie and Her Nightmares was such an emotional, beautifully written audiobook. Francesca Zappia did an incredible job capturing grief in a way that felt raw, honest, and deeply personal. I really felt Evie’s pain throughout the story. Her emotions and her struggle to navigate the death of her best friend, Alyssa, were incredibly relatable, and I found myself empathizing with her every step of the way.
What initially piqued my interest in this story was the incorporation of an MMO-style video game. As someone who loves those kinds of games myself, I really enjoyed seeing that aspect woven into the story. It added another layer to Evie’s character and made the book feel even more immersive. I loved how the game wasn’t just there for fun, it became another way to explore the characters, their relationships, and the emotions they were struggling to process.
I’m also really glad this book included a trigger warning. It dives deeply into themes of depression and suicide, and while those topics are heavy, they’re handled with so much care and responsibility. Rather than feeling sensationalized, the story shines a light on the mental health crisis affecting so many people today, especially teenagers, whose emotions and struggles are too often dismissed or misunderstood.
Overall, this is a powerful, compassionate story that left a lasting impression. If you’re prepared for an emotionally heavy read, I definitely recommend giving it a chance.
August 10, 2026
I have no idea how I found out about this book but omg! I was getting annoyed with Evie for a minute but when everything came to a head I was bawling 😭😭😭😭
August 3, 2026
When I opened the May 2017 Owlcrate and was introduced to “Eliza and Her Monsters”, I didn’t know that I was going to be reading one of my favorite books. It was my first or second five star read of that year, and I have read it three or four times since, always coming away with something new.
Hearing that there was a standalone companion coming out, I rushed to pre-order it. And I’m glad I did. Evie and Her Nightmares is a different tale, it doesn’t follow the same formula. But that’s fine, because it’s still excellent.
Evie’s story is powerful. Evie‘s grief is profound. Evie‘s lessons and mistakes feel natural in human, devastating and real.
Yeah, five star read once again. Now excuse me because I need to go find more tissues. This book had me crying.
Hearing that there was a standalone companion coming out, I rushed to pre-order it. And I’m glad I did. Evie and Her Nightmares is a different tale, it doesn’t follow the same formula. But that’s fine, because it’s still excellent.
Evie’s story is powerful. Evie‘s grief is profound. Evie‘s lessons and mistakes feel natural in human, devastating and real.
Yeah, five star read once again. Now excuse me because I need to go find more tissues. This book had me crying.
August 3, 2026
I don't normally write reviews anymore on Goodreads, but I absolutely love this book and this author. I'm very offline these days and the only reason I knew about it is because I looked it up Eliza and her monsters to see if the author had done anything else and my timing was simply perfect.
Excellent YA book that delves into grief, and the many emotions that come alongside it. Really well written story and very relatable. loved the gaming references and it's obvious that there's some experience with MMOs which I highly appreciate. Hope this author continues writing and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Excellent YA book that delves into grief, and the many emotions that come alongside it. Really well written story and very relatable. loved the gaming references and it's obvious that there's some experience with MMOs which I highly appreciate. Hope this author continues writing and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
August 5, 2026
For maximum emotional damage, read this after Eliza and Her Monsters. It isn’t needed though. Both are very well done standalone novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I first read the title of the next release by Francesca Zappia, Evie and Her Nightmares, I immediately thought of the book Eliza and Her Monsters. There is something everyone needs to understand about that book, my dear Eliza. Eliza and Her Monsters is the one book I usually recommend to readers on social media. I've talked about how important the book is to me in my group chat of reader friends. I love Eliza and Her Monsters still to this day, I have favorite passages that I go back and read over again, knowing that they'll break my heart but I embrace those feelings and then everything that comes after that. So the symmetry to the title made me think it had something to do with that book and I immediately jumped at the chance to request it to review. Evie and Eliza do, in fact, exist in the same world and with that in place, I knew I was about to find a new favorite to read. I have favorite passages already that I want to read again and again in Evie and Her Nightmares. I want to tell all my friends and family to read this book. When I finished reading this story, I had to choke back a few tears because it was the small hours of the morning and the one thought in my head was ALL THE STARS IN THE WORLD to rate this book.
Evie and Her Nightmares is a beautiful, stunning, heart-wrenching read and it was perfect.
This story follows Evie Leigh, picking up at the funeral service for her best friend who suddenly passed away. Alissa committed suicide and now Evie is struggling to figure out how she should be acting at the service. Should she be outwardly sad? Should she be sitting up front with Alissa's family? Evie is autistic and she wants to be blunt and honest with the fact that she doesn't know what to do and this situation makes her want to leave. So she does. Everyone asks how she's feeling but Evie doesn't know how to answer them. While trying to avoid what is going on in her world, she receives a last birthday gift from Alissa, Alissa's set of the Children of Hypnos books. Evie tried to read them once but they didn't appeal to her but now, for the sake of her lost friend, she tries to read them again. Realizing that she loves the story, Evie decides to start playing The Children of Hypnos Online, joining a gaming community that Alissa was also a part of when she was alive. Determined to become the best, Evie devotes all the time she can to this online game, all the while leaving behind the things she used to care about. Evie is skipping track practice, talking back to teachers and letting her grades slip but none of it matters as much as the game. Except the more Evie avoids the real world, the worse it'll be when she is finally forced to face the loss of her best friend.
The world-building in this book is everything you can expect from a high school setting. Evie attends her classes with people who avoid looking at her because they know the loss that she had suffered. They know that Alissa should be with her but she isn't and because of the way she died, everyone would rather avoid the situation altogether instead of paying her any attention. The school is filled with everyone you expected to see and that you used to know in school, from the sympathetic teachers to the hateful classmates that use Alissa as a way to insult Evie. This book perfectly captured that sense of being a teenager and struggling with making choices for the future all the while knowing the struggles that will come with college and finding a job and everything else after that. Which brings in the why about what Alissa did and how different characters, including Evie, are trying to find the reason that drove Alissa to what she did. My heart hurt wandering the school halls with Evie, visiting Alissa's house, hiding in Evie's room while she played online and sitting in the room while Evie tried to start therapy. Everything felt real and because it felt real, it hurt to see Evie avoiding reality. This world felt like opening a window into someone's life and watching all the pieces falling and moving as the story developed.
My lovely, brutally honest Evie, you are one of the best examples of autism I've seen in a book in recent memory. I recognized so many aspects of people I know in this character and for that, I loved her. I found her grief to be authentic and her reactions to the people around her to be incredibly realistic. I was right there with her when she talked back to a teacher and when she fought back against an incredibly rude classmate. I felt her struggle to find a way to interact with Alissa's parents all while not knowing how to stop from making things worse with anything she said or did. I found it interesting that the other character we learned more about, besides Alissa in Evie's memories, was Ash, Alissa's older brother. Ash as a character was someone who was in Evie's corner, feeling her anger and her grief at Alissa's loss and searching for answers. Literally, the moment these two characters really interacted involved the two of them bumping into each other where Alissa was found, because they each thought that it was possible they could find something that Alissa left behind, something that could give them some answers. As the story developed, I appreciated how much effort Ash put into comforting Evie when she needed help and how in turn, Evie became someone Ash could confide in as well. I also adored the fact that Ash was a Monstrous Sea fan. That automatically made me want to help him to be happy along with my dear Evie.
As for the themes of the book, the idea of loss and grief and the effects it has on people, the word that kept circling in my mind was kintsugi. Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken things, ceramic cups and bowls, with gold or sometimes some other substance, all to show that just because they were broken, it's not the end. The cracks are celebrated, showing a story about the history of the piece. The scars are something to be celebrated and admired, and if the term is applied to people, can show resilience. This word kept going around and around in my head, especially when I thought as I opened this book that I was ready to get my heart broken and put together again while reading this story which reminded me of the term. Kintsugi stayed with my thoughts along with the idea that Evie and Ash, and Ash's parents, and Evie's mom, had all gone through some kind of devastating loss, they had become broken, and they were learning, or had learned, how to fit their broken pieces back together, to make themselves whole again. Watching Evie learn to be more authentic, to be able to say what she wanted and not necessarily be the people pleaser she claimed to have been, all helped with showing how she was remaking herself. Who was Evie without the best friend she thought would always be by her side? What did Evie have to live for and what was it that made Alissa feel like she couldn't stay?
Zappia also adds in the usual adults who don't how to talk about suicide and the adults who dare to judge a girl because she didn't ask for help before she made the decision that she made. All of this highlights how difficult it is to understand the complexities of suicide, showing how many people will never know why someone killed themselves or even if there was anything they could have done that would have made a difference. At the same time, there are no answers given, and that helps with the idea that grief and loss and growing up is different for everyone. No one knows for sure what is going on in someone else's mind but these characters, my dear Evie, are learning what they need to continue on and that lesson is a good one to learn. The book ends on the note of hope of acceptance and it made me cry when I read those last words.
In the end, I truly, sincerely loved and adored this book. If you're a fan of Eliza, you'll find a new favorite with this release. Evie's struggles and her hope for the future are something to be admired and I, for one, am so grateful that this book exists.
Rating on my Scale: All the Stars in the World or 10 Glowing Stars!! Now when I talk about a book you just have to read, it will either be Eliza and Her Monsters or Evie and Her Nightmares. Here's hoping we might see something else from this world again in the future. You never know what the future might hold, after all.
My thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, Greenwillow Books and Francesca Zappia for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Evie and Her Nightmares is a beautiful, stunning, heart-wrenching read and it was perfect.
This story follows Evie Leigh, picking up at the funeral service for her best friend who suddenly passed away. Alissa committed suicide and now Evie is struggling to figure out how she should be acting at the service. Should she be outwardly sad? Should she be sitting up front with Alissa's family? Evie is autistic and she wants to be blunt and honest with the fact that she doesn't know what to do and this situation makes her want to leave. So she does. Everyone asks how she's feeling but Evie doesn't know how to answer them. While trying to avoid what is going on in her world, she receives a last birthday gift from Alissa, Alissa's set of the Children of Hypnos books. Evie tried to read them once but they didn't appeal to her but now, for the sake of her lost friend, she tries to read them again. Realizing that she loves the story, Evie decides to start playing The Children of Hypnos Online, joining a gaming community that Alissa was also a part of when she was alive. Determined to become the best, Evie devotes all the time she can to this online game, all the while leaving behind the things she used to care about. Evie is skipping track practice, talking back to teachers and letting her grades slip but none of it matters as much as the game. Except the more Evie avoids the real world, the worse it'll be when she is finally forced to face the loss of her best friend.
The world-building in this book is everything you can expect from a high school setting. Evie attends her classes with people who avoid looking at her because they know the loss that she had suffered. They know that Alissa should be with her but she isn't and because of the way she died, everyone would rather avoid the situation altogether instead of paying her any attention. The school is filled with everyone you expected to see and that you used to know in school, from the sympathetic teachers to the hateful classmates that use Alissa as a way to insult Evie. This book perfectly captured that sense of being a teenager and struggling with making choices for the future all the while knowing the struggles that will come with college and finding a job and everything else after that. Which brings in the why about what Alissa did and how different characters, including Evie, are trying to find the reason that drove Alissa to what she did. My heart hurt wandering the school halls with Evie, visiting Alissa's house, hiding in Evie's room while she played online and sitting in the room while Evie tried to start therapy. Everything felt real and because it felt real, it hurt to see Evie avoiding reality. This world felt like opening a window into someone's life and watching all the pieces falling and moving as the story developed.
My lovely, brutally honest Evie, you are one of the best examples of autism I've seen in a book in recent memory. I recognized so many aspects of people I know in this character and for that, I loved her. I found her grief to be authentic and her reactions to the people around her to be incredibly realistic. I was right there with her when she talked back to a teacher and when she fought back against an incredibly rude classmate. I felt her struggle to find a way to interact with Alissa's parents all while not knowing how to stop from making things worse with anything she said or did. I found it interesting that the other character we learned more about, besides Alissa in Evie's memories, was Ash, Alissa's older brother. Ash as a character was someone who was in Evie's corner, feeling her anger and her grief at Alissa's loss and searching for answers. Literally, the moment these two characters really interacted involved the two of them bumping into each other where Alissa was found, because they each thought that it was possible they could find something that Alissa left behind, something that could give them some answers. As the story developed, I appreciated how much effort Ash put into comforting Evie when she needed help and how in turn, Evie became someone Ash could confide in as well. I also adored the fact that Ash was a Monstrous Sea fan. That automatically made me want to help him to be happy along with my dear Evie.
As for the themes of the book, the idea of loss and grief and the effects it has on people, the word that kept circling in my mind was kintsugi. Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken things, ceramic cups and bowls, with gold or sometimes some other substance, all to show that just because they were broken, it's not the end. The cracks are celebrated, showing a story about the history of the piece. The scars are something to be celebrated and admired, and if the term is applied to people, can show resilience. This word kept going around and around in my head, especially when I thought as I opened this book that I was ready to get my heart broken and put together again while reading this story which reminded me of the term. Kintsugi stayed with my thoughts along with the idea that Evie and Ash, and Ash's parents, and Evie's mom, had all gone through some kind of devastating loss, they had become broken, and they were learning, or had learned, how to fit their broken pieces back together, to make themselves whole again. Watching Evie learn to be more authentic, to be able to say what she wanted and not necessarily be the people pleaser she claimed to have been, all helped with showing how she was remaking herself. Who was Evie without the best friend she thought would always be by her side? What did Evie have to live for and what was it that made Alissa feel like she couldn't stay?
Zappia also adds in the usual adults who don't how to talk about suicide and the adults who dare to judge a girl because she didn't ask for help before she made the decision that she made. All of this highlights how difficult it is to understand the complexities of suicide, showing how many people will never know why someone killed themselves or even if there was anything they could have done that would have made a difference. At the same time, there are no answers given, and that helps with the idea that grief and loss and growing up is different for everyone. No one knows for sure what is going on in someone else's mind but these characters, my dear Evie, are learning what they need to continue on and that lesson is a good one to learn. The book ends on the note of hope of acceptance and it made me cry when I read those last words.
In the end, I truly, sincerely loved and adored this book. If you're a fan of Eliza, you'll find a new favorite with this release. Evie's struggles and her hope for the future are something to be admired and I, for one, am so grateful that this book exists.
Rating on my Scale: All the Stars in the World or 10 Glowing Stars!! Now when I talk about a book you just have to read, it will either be Eliza and Her Monsters or Evie and Her Nightmares. Here's hoping we might see something else from this world again in the future. You never know what the future might hold, after all.
My thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, Greenwillow Books and Francesca Zappia for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Read
January 20, 2026Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a free eARC in exchange for my honest revie. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book deals with Evie Leigh, who is dealing with the grief and fallout after her best friend who dies by suicide. As part of her grief, Evie turns to her friend's favorite book series and her older brother, and the rest follows.
I was so excited coming into this book because I am such a big fan of Eliza and Her Monsters, and although this book didn't resonate with me as much, it was still solid. I found pieces of Evie to resonate with me. I do like romance, but I think it was probably wise for it to not be really the focus or a major part of the plot. I would have liked a little bit more to happen in the plot. Also, I wasn't expecting the book to be so gaming-focused, which wasn't for me, but I won't hold that against the book. But in a way, I like the representation of Evil being a gamer girl.
This book deals with Evie Leigh, who is dealing with the grief and fallout after her best friend who dies by suicide. As part of her grief, Evie turns to her friend's favorite book series and her older brother, and the rest follows.
I was so excited coming into this book because I am such a big fan of Eliza and Her Monsters, and although this book didn't resonate with me as much, it was still solid. I found pieces of Evie to resonate with me. I do like romance, but I think it was probably wise for it to not be really the focus or a major part of the plot. I would have liked a little bit more to happen in the plot. Also, I wasn't expecting the book to be so gaming-focused, which wasn't for me, but I won't hold that against the book. But in a way, I like the representation of Evil being a gamer girl.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Children’s for an ALC of Evie and Her Nightmares by Francesca Zappia, narrated by Caitlin Kelly.
I lost a friend to suicide, so I was especially interested in how an author would handle it in a Young Adult book. I can say this author did an ALMOST perfect job. I thoroughly enjoyed (not sure if that’s the right word, but you get it) this audiobook. My only criticism is that the MMC used “weed gummies” as a coping mechanism for the grief he was experiencing after his sister’s loss. Even in states where THC products and marijuana are legal, users must be 21 years old (a limited number of states in the US allow it with proper medical documentation; 18 is the minimum age). The MMC states he got the gummies “off someone” and then says it’s not like it’s an opioid. This is extremely dangerous language, especially for the young adult audience this book was written for. The use of gummies is mentioned several times, even causing the main characters to miss an important event after they fell into a deep sleep while using them. There was never any discussion of the MMC realizing he had a problem with the gummies he was hiding from his parents, no mention of the illegality of his possession and use, nor any mention of him considering stopping their use. I think the way his use is written and addressed in this book may lead young readers to believe it’s okay and that nothing could go wrong when using a substance to cope with grief other than falling asleep. This simply isn’t true. I am not trying to sound like a Reefer Madness fan, but the lack of negative connotation around the illegal use of a substance to cope is a slippery slope.
With that said, I thought the book was beautifully and thoughtfully written. The audiobook was produced with such high quality, with an extremely talented narrator. The narrator’s voice had a tone that aligned with the age of the characters in the book. She has a unique skill set that allows her to narrate several characters with such distinction that readers will find the story easy to follow. She was also able to express the emotions felt by the characters, which must have been difficult due to the depressing topics covered in this book. I would highly recommend anything narrated by Caitlin Kelly.
The story is set in the same world as Eliza and Her Monsters, but it is not required to read that book to appreciate this book. I attempted to read Eliza and Her Monsters and did not find it engaging enough to finish, but I listened to this audiobook in 2 days because the story was so good.
I would highly recommend this book, but I would want readers to keep in mind the marijuana usage previously mentioned in this review. This author has an incredible writing style and storytelling ability. There is no doubt, after reading this book, that this author is award-winning.
Warnings: suicide, depression, substance abuse, violence (not graphic or gratuitous)
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Children’s for an ALC of Evie and Her Nightmares by Francesca Zappia, narrated by Caitlin Kelly.
I lost a friend to suicide, so I was especially interested in how an author would handle it in a Young Adult book. I can say this author did an ALMOST perfect job. I thoroughly enjoyed (not sure if that’s the right word, but you get it) this audiobook. My only criticism is that the MMC used “weed gummies” as a coping mechanism for the grief he was experiencing after his sister’s loss. Even in states where THC products and marijuana are legal, users must be 21 years old (a limited number of states in the US allow it with proper medical documentation; 18 is the minimum age). The MMC states he got the gummies “off someone” and then says it’s not like it’s an opioid. This is extremely dangerous language, especially for the young adult audience this book was written for. The use of gummies is mentioned several times, even causing the main characters to miss an important event after they fell into a deep sleep while using them. There was never any discussion of the MMC realizing he had a problem with the gummies he was hiding from his parents, no mention of the illegality of his possession and use, nor any mention of him considering stopping their use. I think the way his use is written and addressed in this book may lead young readers to believe it’s okay and that nothing could go wrong when using a substance to cope with grief other than falling asleep. This simply isn’t true. I am not trying to sound like a Reefer Madness fan, but the lack of negative connotation around the illegal use of a substance to cope is a slippery slope.
With that said, I thought the book was beautifully and thoughtfully written. The audiobook was produced with such high quality, with an extremely talented narrator. The narrator’s voice had a tone that aligned with the age of the characters in the book. She has a unique skill set that allows her to narrate several characters with such distinction that readers will find the story easy to follow. She was also able to express the emotions felt by the characters, which must have been difficult due to the depressing topics covered in this book. I would highly recommend anything narrated by Caitlin Kelly.
The story is set in the same world as Eliza and Her Monsters, but it is not required to read that book to appreciate this book. I attempted to read Eliza and Her Monsters and did not find it engaging enough to finish, but I listened to this audiobook in 2 days because the story was so good.
I would highly recommend this book, but I would want readers to keep in mind the marijuana usage previously mentioned in this review. This author has an incredible writing style and storytelling ability. There is no doubt, after reading this book, that this author is award-winning.
Warnings: suicide, depression, substance abuse, violence (not graphic or gratuitous)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
This is a book I will enthusiastically recommend to my college students who are studying YA literature, planning to teach, or generally experiencing circumstances that could make this a helpful read for them. Zappia covers a lot of motifs, themes, identities, and situations that will prove relatable to readers of all kinds.
Evie is in high school, and she is autistic. She shares this detail early in the novel, and it's a helpful one to know. Readers get some insight into how Evie perceives the world and why she behaves certain ways in specific situations. Zappia gives enough insight for the layperson to understand how being autistic impacts Evie and avoids common pitfalls like ever feeling didactic or - especially - the notion that Evie's experience is universal. This is one of several reasons I know I'll have many opportunities to share this with students.
In this particular moment, Evie has something else she's become known for: being the best friend of a peer who recently died by suicide. The conversations around suicide, mental health, and especially the experience of surviving this are also well articulated. Young readers need access to this information for obvious reasons. More seasoned readers need to know how to talk to teens about these situtations, and there are a number of useful scenes and details that can help.
Along with all of this, Evie is a typical teen exploring romantic relationships, hobbies, community building, therapy, religion and other social structures, a growing love of reading, and so much more. While there are some serious themes and moments in this novel, it's ultimately informative, responsible, moving, and memorable in a good way. I'm looking forward to sharing it with my students.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Greenwillow Books, and HarperAudio Children's for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a book I will enthusiastically recommend to my college students who are studying YA literature, planning to teach, or generally experiencing circumstances that could make this a helpful read for them. Zappia covers a lot of motifs, themes, identities, and situations that will prove relatable to readers of all kinds.
Evie is in high school, and she is autistic. She shares this detail early in the novel, and it's a helpful one to know. Readers get some insight into how Evie perceives the world and why she behaves certain ways in specific situations. Zappia gives enough insight for the layperson to understand how being autistic impacts Evie and avoids common pitfalls like ever feeling didactic or - especially - the notion that Evie's experience is universal. This is one of several reasons I know I'll have many opportunities to share this with students.
In this particular moment, Evie has something else she's become known for: being the best friend of a peer who recently died by suicide. The conversations around suicide, mental health, and especially the experience of surviving this are also well articulated. Young readers need access to this information for obvious reasons. More seasoned readers need to know how to talk to teens about these situtations, and there are a number of useful scenes and details that can help.
Along with all of this, Evie is a typical teen exploring romantic relationships, hobbies, community building, therapy, religion and other social structures, a growing love of reading, and so much more. While there are some serious themes and moments in this novel, it's ultimately informative, responsible, moving, and memorable in a good way. I'm looking forward to sharing it with my students.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Greenwillow Books, and HarperAudio Children's for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*4 stars*
Big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!
This book caught my attention because it’s set in the world of Eliza and Her Monsters, but this book stands on its own and is powerful by itself.
Evie just lost her best friend, Alissa, who took her own life. Evie doesn’t even know the reasons why her friend killed herself. All she knows is that her friend was obsessed with a book series called Children of Hypnos and the online game set in that universe. Evie then gets obsessed with the game and tries to be the best at it. All the while in reality her life is slowly unraveling.
You learn early on in the book that Evie has autism so she grieves differently than others and doesn’t always understand other people’s emotions or social cues. The things she does or says or feels are different, but its such wonderful insight as to how those who are neurodivergent can be. And the fact that she poured her entire self into the game because she knew her best friend loved it and wanted to be the best at it? Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It was one of her coping mechanisms. How she grieved.
Unfortunately for me I kept getting annoyed whenever I would read parts of the book where the game was described. Since we don’t really know 100% about the Children of Hypnos world, I just couldn’t picture any of it. Sometimes it would just be the game chat between players and I couldn’t visualize any of what they were talking about. It could just be me and how my brain works though. If it were a real life game I already knew, I think I would have enjoyed it way more.
Overall, I really enjoyed the way this book portrays grief and depression, especially in those who are neurodivergent.
Note this is a standalone companion novel to Eliza and Her Monsters. You don’t have to have read that one to read this one, but it is fun knowing some more backstory to the Children of Hypnos books and the Monstrous Sea webcomic.
Big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!
This book caught my attention because it’s set in the world of Eliza and Her Monsters, but this book stands on its own and is powerful by itself.
Evie just lost her best friend, Alissa, who took her own life. Evie doesn’t even know the reasons why her friend killed herself. All she knows is that her friend was obsessed with a book series called Children of Hypnos and the online game set in that universe. Evie then gets obsessed with the game and tries to be the best at it. All the while in reality her life is slowly unraveling.
You learn early on in the book that Evie has autism so she grieves differently than others and doesn’t always understand other people’s emotions or social cues. The things she does or says or feels are different, but its such wonderful insight as to how those who are neurodivergent can be. And the fact that she poured her entire self into the game because she knew her best friend loved it and wanted to be the best at it? Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It was one of her coping mechanisms. How she grieved.
Unfortunately for me I kept getting annoyed whenever I would read parts of the book where the game was described. Since we don’t really know 100% about the Children of Hypnos world, I just couldn’t picture any of it. Sometimes it would just be the game chat between players and I couldn’t visualize any of what they were talking about. It could just be me and how my brain works though. If it were a real life game I already knew, I think I would have enjoyed it way more.
Overall, I really enjoyed the way this book portrays grief and depression, especially in those who are neurodivergent.
Note this is a standalone companion novel to Eliza and Her Monsters. You don’t have to have read that one to read this one, but it is fun knowing some more backstory to the Children of Hypnos books and the Monstrous Sea webcomic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
a big and loud THANK YOU to greenwillow books, harpercollins children’s, and netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. i’m incredibly biased here because i utterly adored this book’s predecessor, eliza and her monsters, but i do think this was the perfect follow-up. it’s definitely different in tone than eliza, but that is a good thing. it’s dealing with a totally different set of circumstances and in a different time. i had lots of feelings about all the little reminders that eliza came out almost a decade ago. evie is a fantastic main character. her perspective is always interesting, and i liked how we really got a thorough exploration of her grief, and that it doesn’t fit into what many assume grief to look like, whether that’s based on their own experiences or that of others. she’s allowed to be angry in a way we rarely see, which was very appreciated. add the layer of her autism on top of it, and this book captures an incredibly unique point of view. my only real gripe with this book at all is that there were a couple of loose ends dropped that i would’ve liked to see resolved, but ultimately they were not that important, and that’s just me wanting to know more. her relationship with ash is… interesting, but i’m really pleased with where the end of the book leaves it. the ending in general was really lovely and had me in tears. it might not hit the same if you haven’t read eliza, and i do recommend looking at content warnings beforehand, but i highly recommend this book.
this review is also available on instagram here!
this review is also available on instagram here!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for the eARC!
Eliza and Her Monsters is my all-time favorite book. Ever. I've read over 1,000 different books (at least), and it will forever take the cake as one of my favorites, if not my absolute favorite. So, obviously, I had to beg on my hands and knees for an arc of Evie and Her Nightmares.
Overall, this was a very solid read. I didn't feel quite as connected as I did with Eliza, which makes sense in a lot of ways. This novel very much focuses on grief rather than the artist's struggle, and I believe it was well-written and important to discuss. It also moved very quickly, and I found myself rooting for the main characters. I do wish, to a degree, there was more fandom and more overall with both of the characters to really make the romance more satisfying, but it's also possible I'm being over critical because Eliza is my favorite book of all time.
Spoiler? There is some weed usage, and I do wonder about the ethics of that not only being used, but promoted, in YA books. This is the second YA book that I've read where this happens. I know that it is common for teenagers to do this, and it's really about the same as a YA book having drinking, but I feel as if introducing weed as a comping mechanism for grief (as it's used in this book), should not have happened or been normalized when you think about young adult readers that may end up picking this book up.
Eliza and Her Monsters is my all-time favorite book. Ever. I've read over 1,000 different books (at least), and it will forever take the cake as one of my favorites, if not my absolute favorite. So, obviously, I had to beg on my hands and knees for an arc of Evie and Her Nightmares.
Overall, this was a very solid read. I didn't feel quite as connected as I did with Eliza, which makes sense in a lot of ways. This novel very much focuses on grief rather than the artist's struggle, and I believe it was well-written and important to discuss. It also moved very quickly, and I found myself rooting for the main characters. I do wish, to a degree, there was more fandom and more overall with both of the characters to really make the romance more satisfying, but it's also possible I'm being over critical because Eliza is my favorite book of all time.
Spoiler? There is some weed usage, and I do wonder about the ethics of that not only being used, but promoted, in YA books. This is the second YA book that I've read where this happens. I know that it is common for teenagers to do this, and it's really about the same as a YA book having drinking, but I feel as if introducing weed as a comping mechanism for grief (as it's used in this book), should not have happened or been normalized when you think about young adult readers that may end up picking this book up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TW - I highly implore you read the trigger warnings for this book. It centers around the suicide of Evies best friend Alyssa, evies spiraling mental health, and suicide ideation/near attempt. It’s all handled truthfully and compassionately.
Evie and her nightmares was an excellent adventure in the life of a teen in the aftermath of her friends death, her depression, and a budding romance/friendship with her best friends brother. It was fully engaging and kept me listening. I loved how Zappia wrote autism representation in Evie and showed how depression can really trick our minds. Evies mom was an mvp in recognizing her daughter’s symptoms and keeping an open communication relationship going with her in a way that wasn’t naggy or pushy, just understanding. Sharing with Evie her own struggles and guiding her to more therapy. Would that we could all have Evies mom on our side!
The narrator Caitlin Kelly did an amazing job capturing and expressing the emotions Evie experienced as well as the typical teenage moodiness.
I did take 1 star away just due to the weed gummy usage. Personally I see nothing wrong with using them, however ash and Evie are teenagers, it’s illegal to use them at their age, and yes while marijuana is a helpful drug it does have downsides which Evie experienced a small amount of when she took too much and her brain couldn’t handle it.
Thank you HarperCollins Audio, green willow books, & Netgally for this advanced listener copy.
Evie and her nightmares was an excellent adventure in the life of a teen in the aftermath of her friends death, her depression, and a budding romance/friendship with her best friends brother. It was fully engaging and kept me listening. I loved how Zappia wrote autism representation in Evie and showed how depression can really trick our minds. Evies mom was an mvp in recognizing her daughter’s symptoms and keeping an open communication relationship going with her in a way that wasn’t naggy or pushy, just understanding. Sharing with Evie her own struggles and guiding her to more therapy. Would that we could all have Evies mom on our side!
The narrator Caitlin Kelly did an amazing job capturing and expressing the emotions Evie experienced as well as the typical teenage moodiness.
I did take 1 star away just due to the weed gummy usage. Personally I see nothing wrong with using them, however ash and Evie are teenagers, it’s illegal to use them at their age, and yes while marijuana is a helpful drug it does have downsides which Evie experienced a small amount of when she took too much and her brain couldn’t handle it.
Thank you HarperCollins Audio, green willow books, & Netgally for this advanced listener copy.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Evie's best friend Alissa has died by suicide, and Evie is obviously having a hard time dealing with this. Not only are the kids at school not taking it as seriously as she would like them to, but Evie has already lost her father to cancer. Her mother insists she sees a therapist, but after getting a birthday note from Alissa with the Children of Hypnos books, Evie tries desperately to find some meaning surrounding her friend's death. There is also an online game, and Evie tries to puzzle out how all of these pieces fit together.
The cover of this (especially the shadowy creature hovering over Evie) made me think it would be a middle grade book, but it really is more of a young adult one. Evie is a junior in high school, and there is some more mature language, as well as some situations. The book is very heavy, which is not surprising given the topics. It's all fairly realistic, although I don't know that the school would have any kind of memorial for Evie; at least in the past (and in my experience), schools tend to steer clear of students who have died in this manner.
This would work well in a high schools setting for readers who appreciated White's D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. Mather's Where Was Goodbye?, Nolan's Running Past Dark, or Niven's All the Bright Places.
Evie's best friend Alissa has died by suicide, and Evie is obviously having a hard time dealing with this. Not only are the kids at school not taking it as seriously as she would like them to, but Evie has already lost her father to cancer. Her mother insists she sees a therapist, but after getting a birthday note from Alissa with the Children of Hypnos books, Evie tries desperately to find some meaning surrounding her friend's death. There is also an online game, and Evie tries to puzzle out how all of these pieces fit together.
The cover of this (especially the shadowy creature hovering over Evie) made me think it would be a middle grade book, but it really is more of a young adult one. Evie is a junior in high school, and there is some more mature language, as well as some situations. The book is very heavy, which is not surprising given the topics. It's all fairly realistic, although I don't know that the school would have any kind of memorial for Evie; at least in the past (and in my experience), schools tend to steer clear of students who have died in this manner.
This would work well in a high schools setting for readers who appreciated White's D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. Mather's Where Was Goodbye?, Nolan's Running Past Dark, or Niven's All the Bright Places.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!
I didn't realize when I started this but Evie and Her Nightmares takes place in the same world as Eliza and Her Monsters. It's been a few years since I've read (and loved) that one so I didn't make the connection until the end of the book but it's definitely a fun connection. Evie and Her Nightmares follows our main character Evie whose best friend just recently died. The whole book surrounds Evie's feelings of grief and the series of events that take place after one's best friend commits suicide. Similar to Eliza and Her Monsters, there's a lot of video game/book talk included. The fandom is not my favorite aspect of this book and my mind was kind of wandering in the scenes where our main character is playing the video game. I didn't hate these scenes though because I do understand the importance of them. I don't think this was as impactful as Eliza but it was still an overall enjoyable book. I appreciated the discussions around grief and depression as well as the insight into our character who has autism. Her commentary on how she thinks in certain situations and her reactions/ the way she's perceived were so relatable and I really enjoyed that aspect. 3.5 stars!
I didn't realize when I started this but Evie and Her Nightmares takes place in the same world as Eliza and Her Monsters. It's been a few years since I've read (and loved) that one so I didn't make the connection until the end of the book but it's definitely a fun connection. Evie and Her Nightmares follows our main character Evie whose best friend just recently died. The whole book surrounds Evie's feelings of grief and the series of events that take place after one's best friend commits suicide. Similar to Eliza and Her Monsters, there's a lot of video game/book talk included. The fandom is not my favorite aspect of this book and my mind was kind of wandering in the scenes where our main character is playing the video game. I didn't hate these scenes though because I do understand the importance of them. I don't think this was as impactful as Eliza but it was still an overall enjoyable book. I appreciated the discussions around grief and depression as well as the insight into our character who has autism. Her commentary on how she thinks in certain situations and her reactions/ the way she's perceived were so relatable and I really enjoyed that aspect. 3.5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and GreenWillow Books for the eARC; all opinions are my own!
When I heard there was going to be a book set in the same universe as Eliza and Her Monsters (a favorite of mine!), I new it would be a must read. But I didn't realize how special the book would be.
To get it out of the way: trigger warnings for suicide, suicidal ideation, and depression.
This exploration of one young woman's experience with depression was gorgeous, heartbreaking, and so, so important!
Evie's best friend has died by suicide, and she's desperate for people to stop asking how she is. She tries to tell everyone, even herself, she's fine. And then the walls crumble. The way that Zappia manifests depression in Evie is truly enlightening. Having struggled with depression periodically in my life, it's such a true depiction of how it can look in some people.
I loved Evie's therapist and her support system (mostly her mom and Ash, but also some of the track team). This is truly a remarkable story and I know it's going to help a lot of people know they aren't alone.
I loved the hopeful tidbits, and I LOVED seeing Eliza and Wallace again. I love everything Zappia writes, but she's definitely won my heart again with this one.
When I heard there was going to be a book set in the same universe as Eliza and Her Monsters (a favorite of mine!), I new it would be a must read. But I didn't realize how special the book would be.
To get it out of the way: trigger warnings for suicide, suicidal ideation, and depression.
This exploration of one young woman's experience with depression was gorgeous, heartbreaking, and so, so important!
Evie's best friend has died by suicide, and she's desperate for people to stop asking how she is. She tries to tell everyone, even herself, she's fine. And then the walls crumble. The way that Zappia manifests depression in Evie is truly enlightening. Having struggled with depression periodically in my life, it's such a true depiction of how it can look in some people.
I loved Evie's therapist and her support system (mostly her mom and Ash, but also some of the track team). This is truly a remarkable story and I know it's going to help a lot of people know they aren't alone.
I loved the hopeful tidbits, and I LOVED seeing Eliza and Wallace again. I love everything Zappia writes, but she's definitely won my heart again with this one.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a copy of this book from the publishers' drop at Bookcon. This is a very smooth read. Plot is interesting over the entire book and didn't stray into the realm of boring or losing focus.
This novel deals with the loss of a friend to suicide. Evie, our FMC, struggles with the fallout of losing her closest friend. I really enjoyed how it showed that not everyone processes grief the same way. I've often felt wrong for how I process loss myself. One thing that is talked about during the book is how everyone around you keeps moving forward, while you are left looking at the world utterly changed. It discusses seeking therapy for navigating hard times. All of it is done in a way that felt natural to me. Not preaching in any way. I think this would be a great book for teens who may be dealing with similar things in their lives.
This is an instance where I wish you could rate half stars. I always round up when I wish I could rate a half star. There is exploration into how a secondary character deals with his grief and ptsd that I wish was discussed more in the end. I will not spoil anything beyond that very general info.
This novel deals with the loss of a friend to suicide. Evie, our FMC, struggles with the fallout of losing her closest friend. I really enjoyed how it showed that not everyone processes grief the same way. I've often felt wrong for how I process loss myself. One thing that is talked about during the book is how everyone around you keeps moving forward, while you are left looking at the world utterly changed. It discusses seeking therapy for navigating hard times. All of it is done in a way that felt natural to me. Not preaching in any way. I think this would be a great book for teens who may be dealing with similar things in their lives.
This is an instance where I wish you could rate half stars. I always round up when I wish I could rate a half star. There is exploration into how a secondary character deals with his grief and ptsd that I wish was discussed more in the end. I will not spoil anything beyond that very general info.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Evie and Her Nightmares is a solid book that dives into the subject of mental health, especially in teens. After the death of Evie's best friend, she struggles with her grief, and her mental health slowly spirals. The book handles the situation delicately and has solid advice about seeking therapy and accepting help from those around that wish to support you without being preachy. The game elements were fun too, and the story never lagged and maintained a good pace. The only drawback for me was that the MC was repeatedly judging everyone else around her, criticizing the way they were grieving, and assuming the worst in almost everyone else's actions, yet hated anytime anyone did the same to her. It's a normal reaction under the circumstance, and characters are supposed to have flaws to have a proper character arc, and she fortunately did have a great journey, but this specific issue never was really addressed as something that might need to work on. Even a brief mention of her realizing she might have been too hard on some people would show character growth in that area. But the book was written well, and overall a great addition to YA books about mental health and grief.
July 31, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
Evie and Her Nightmares is a quick read that features some heavy topics in a way that is both nuanced, and appropriate for upper-middle and high school aged children. It follows Evie as she copes with her best friend's suicide and how Evie processes her grief, anger, and confusion through reading her best friend's favorite books and playing her favorite video game.
Like the first book in this interconnected stand alone series, it features a romance subplot that offers another avenue to talk about teenagers and mental health. It also deals heavily with the concepts of fandom and online spaces and how these can be both helpful and harmful for young (especially neurodivergent) teens.
As a former neurodivergent fandom obsessed teen, I think this portrayal is nuanced, authentic, heartfelt, and it makes for a well paced story that I'd recommend to my students.
The audiobook narrator also does an excellent job showing Evie's emotions and particularly conveying her distress in moments of the book where Evie is struggling with depression and anxiety.
Evie and Her Nightmares is a quick read that features some heavy topics in a way that is both nuanced, and appropriate for upper-middle and high school aged children. It follows Evie as she copes with her best friend's suicide and how Evie processes her grief, anger, and confusion through reading her best friend's favorite books and playing her favorite video game.
Like the first book in this interconnected stand alone series, it features a romance subplot that offers another avenue to talk about teenagers and mental health. It also deals heavily with the concepts of fandom and online spaces and how these can be both helpful and harmful for young (especially neurodivergent) teens.
As a former neurodivergent fandom obsessed teen, I think this portrayal is nuanced, authentic, heartfelt, and it makes for a well paced story that I'd recommend to my students.
The audiobook narrator also does an excellent job showing Evie's emotions and particularly conveying her distress in moments of the book where Evie is struggling with depression and anxiety.
August 17, 2026
4.5 stars
I just love Francesca Zappia so much. I wish I had remembered more about Eliza and Her Monsters because it took me forever to remember why Monstrous Seas sounded so familiar. I've read so many books that have a gaming sub plot in them (not even counting DCC) in the last few years, which is interesting because I'm not even close to a gamer. I'm only married to one. A lot of times, I get bogged down in the gaming aspect since it's just not something I'm drawn to, but this one didn't really bother me. I felt like the amount of gaming was limited enough to keep me from getting bored in those parts.
It's been a while since I've read a good emotional book, and this one definitely fit the bill. There's a lot of talk around suicide and depression, so just know that before going in. But overall, I really enjoyed this one.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just love Francesca Zappia so much. I wish I had remembered more about Eliza and Her Monsters because it took me forever to remember why Monstrous Seas sounded so familiar. I've read so many books that have a gaming sub plot in them (not even counting DCC) in the last few years, which is interesting because I'm not even close to a gamer. I'm only married to one. A lot of times, I get bogged down in the gaming aspect since it's just not something I'm drawn to, but this one didn't really bother me. I felt like the amount of gaming was limited enough to keep me from getting bored in those parts.
It's been a while since I've read a good emotional book, and this one definitely fit the bill. There's a lot of talk around suicide and depression, so just know that before going in. But overall, I really enjoyed this one.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2026
I have become someone else so that I can exist in this awful place.
3.5 stars. This is a much deeper book than Eliza and Her Monsters. It still brings a strong fandom tie that grounds the real life events and provides more light-hearted moments...but this is a book that I can tell came from a very personal place for the author. It explores very deep emotions. It will bring up very strong emotions. It will make you cry. But it will also offer hope.
Recommended for readers that are in a healthy place but may need reminding that no matter what you go through, you can come out stronger in the end.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
4.25 stars
It's hard to review this book without just talking about Eliza and Her Monsters and how much that book means to me. I think it was always going to be an unfair comparison between these two books. I was seventeen when I first read Eliza, and it was a book that I needed, that deeply spoke to my soul. What that book means to me is not just the book itself, but the context in which I read it, also being a senior in high school like Eliza. I'm now twenty-six, so of course I don't relate to Evie, a junior in high school, as much as I did Eliza. But I'm still so happy this book exists. I think it's very well-done as a companion novel, standing alone from Eliza whilst also covering a lot of the same themes and bringing a degree of closure I didn't know I was missing.
It's hard to review this book without just talking about Eliza and Her Monsters and how much that book means to me. I think it was always going to be an unfair comparison between these two books. I was seventeen when I first read Eliza, and it was a book that I needed, that deeply spoke to my soul. What that book means to me is not just the book itself, but the context in which I read it, also being a senior in high school like Eliza. I'm now twenty-six, so of course I don't relate to Evie, a junior in high school, as much as I did Eliza. But I'm still so happy this book exists. I think it's very well-done as a companion novel, standing alone from Eliza whilst also covering a lot of the same themes and bringing a degree of closure I didn't know I was missing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews