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Somnier Dreams: Book One: A Black Thread

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Everly Bowman had a perfectly normal life in the Seattle suburbs when her world abruptly shattered—her father died unexpectedly in a hit and run accident, leaving their family in shambles. She began to have vivid dreams, which persisted into her college life. After joining a sleep study at her university, she discovered just how realistic her dreams really were.
She and her friends are kidnapped by a man seeking to exploit her talents—talents she had no idea she had. She is rescued, then relocated by the FBI. Despite their interference, she is still in danger. With the secret world of Somniers revealed to her, Everly begins to unravel the power she possesses that changes her life forever.

475 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

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JENESSA JACOBSON

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Sharmila Sengupta.
425 reviews38 followers
March 21, 2026
“Somnier Dreams” is a story that pulls you into a world of loss, mystery, and discovering hidden strength. It’s about how life can change in an instant and how, sometimes, the toughest moments help us find who we really are.

The story starts with Everly Bowman living a pretty normal life in the Seattle suburbs. But everything shifts when her father is suddenly killed in a hit-and-run accident. That moment of loss hits hard, and the book does a good job showing how confusing and painful grief can be. It feels real, not overly dramatic, just honest about what it’s like to lose someone you love so suddenly.

As Everly gets older, she begins to have strange, vivid dreams that stick with her. These dreams aren’t just night-time stories—they feel incredibly real. The more she dreams, the more she starts to wonder what’s happening to her. The story then introduces the idea that there’s more to her dreams than she first thought. She joins a sleep study at her university and begins to understand that her dreams might be trying to tell her something important. This part of the book is exciting and keeps you wondering what will happen next.

What’s really interesting is how the story mixes moments of quiet reflection with fast-paced action. The writing flows easily, making it easy to stay involved without feeling overwhelmed. The way the story switches between her waking life and her dreams adds to the suspense, making you think about what’s real and what’s just in her mind.

Throughout the book, the author shows a kind and caring attitude. Everly’s feelings—her fears, doubts, and hopes—are shown with kindness. The story respects her journey and doesn’t rush her growth. Instead, it takes its time showing how she begins to understand her talents and the dangers that come with them. It’s about learning to trust herself, even when everything around her feels uncertain.

One of the best parts of “Somnier Dreams” is how it talks about finding strength inside yourself. Everly’s discovery of her talents doesn’t happen all at once—it unfolds gradually, making her growth feel real and believable. It’s a reminder that even when life throws us into chaos, we can find the courage to move forward and discover something new about ourselves.

It’s easy to relate to Everly’s feelings and her journey. The story isn’t just about magic or dreams; it’s about resilience, being present, and the quiet power we all have to change, even when it’s hard.

Overall, “Somnier Dreams” is a well-written story that balances excitement with heartfelt moments. It respects its characters and their struggles, and it invites us to think about what’s real and what’s possible. It’s a story about how dreams can reveal hidden parts of ourselves and how, in the end, we all have the strength to face whatever comes our way.
Profile Image for Dhawy Febrianti.
40 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2026
I received a free coppy from author in exchange with my honest review

What if you woke up in tears at times you weren’t supposed to be awake? Sweating, panting, out of breath because of dreams that feel like real events? A car wreck. A devastating death from an avalanche. And the dreams keep coming, both in the moment and long after you’re grieving the loss of your father. Would you start thinking something is wrong with your mind?

Everly thinks she needs to understand hers. She wants to know why these terrifying dreams keep haunting her. She’s desperate to uncover what’s hidden behind them, especially when she can remember every single detail as if it all truly happened. So she joins a sleep study at her college. A sleep study that leads her into something far bigger than she ever expected, a kidnapping, an FBI rescue, and eventually a training program for people like her called Somniers she never knew existed. But that also means painful isolation from the outside world. But that does not mean a freedom from damage.

Honestly, what first pulled me into this book is the sleep study. Yes, THE. SLEEP. STUDY.
While turning page by page, I kept telling myself, oh maybe it will come back later. Maybe after the kidnapping. After this. After that. But somehow… I found a different kind of satisfaction instead. In Everly’s journey. In the learning institution. In the small glimpse of school politics. In the secret missions she gets involved in. And especially in the way the concept of dreams is elevated throughout the story.

So somewhere in the middle of my reading, I paused. I told myself again… forget about the sleep study. Forget about the professor who conducts it, even though I was suspicious of him. Forget about the side characters who don’t fully tie into the Somniers world.

This is a fantasy read that pulls you into a world where dreams are no longer private, because Somniers can step into them for several purposes. It’s also a rich concept that reshapes the idea of dreaming, turning it into a gateway, a tool for solving crimes without the cops being involved.

Even though the chapter lengths sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, I still find this to be such a fun and tense read that never lets you get bored.

I love how the dream concept is fully explored and transformed. Starting from very little understanding, you slowly see how dreaming is twisted into something entirely new. I love the solid friendship between Everly and her group. I love the plot, the characterization, and the emotionally engaging writing style.

Alongside Everly, my favorite character is Dr. Ramos. He doesn’t appear often, but his role is essential to the Somniers. Here’s a line from him that hits really hard:

“Revenge feels like God’s work, Everly, until you realize one day that there is no absolution for the sins you’ve committed on this path of soul degradation.”
Profile Image for Rob T..
51 reviews6 followers
April 4, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Everly Bowman, or Evie as her friends know her, seems like any other college student. She’s easy to like, but her dreams are where things get interesting. They’re so vivid and emotional that they feel almost real. By chance, she finds a notice about a sleep study on campus and decides to sign up, hoping to understand what’s happening in her dreams.

She learns that she is a Somnier. “Somnier”—someone connected to a hidden world where dreams are not just imagination, but a gateway to influence, secrets, and danger. After a kidnapping and rescue, she discovers her abilities and is taken to the Sanctum, where she starts to learn about them and how to use them. To me, the Sanctum reminds me of how I imagined District 13 in the Hunger Games books. It’s definitely a good vs. evil trope, but you sometimes wonder which side is really the good guys.

Whew! So much happens in this novel, it may make your head spin. All this talk about aura and vibe has me thinking of The Matrix. That’s how I envision it while reading.

The Fragment, Mr. Quinlan, and Elias. Are they the villains that they are set up to appear? And who is the anonymous traitor at the Sanctum? You’ll have to read to find out for yourself. Trust me this is a thrill ride.

The major themes, IMHO, are:
1. Dreams vs reality,
2. Hidden abilities and self discovery, and
3. Control vs freedom.

Some chapters are a bit long, so hang in there—the story is really engaging and interesting. I’d say this book is fantasy or science fiction, either way works for me. Reading it made me curious about what the future holds for Everly.
13 reviews
April 7, 2026
4 1/2 stars!!
Thank you to Jenessa Jacobson for providing an advanced copy of Somnier Dreams, A Black Thread in exchange for an honest review.

**Somnier Dreams: A Black Thread** by Jenessa Jacobson was a story I absolutely could not put down! I love when a book hooks me so much that I stay up late into the night to finish—that's how every good book should be, and this one nailed it. The storyline is mysterious and not easy to guess the outcome, which is tough to do when you read as many books as I do, so I really liked that aspect.

Everly is a very strong-minded girl who I instantly connected with—without giving anything away, I definitely could relate to her dealing with her mom’s grief at the beginning of the book. She's thrown into a situation where she has to understand the difference between what’s real and what’s not based on her dreams, and it kept me turning pages. The pace felt just right; it didn’t drag but had enough detail in each chapter to build the plot and characters.

I also loved how Everly ends up with a group of friends—their friendship grows naturally, and I appreciated how it evolved over time. Overall, I am thrilled to know there will be more to this story and look forward to what's next from this author in the Somnier Dreams world! I will definitely be reading more from Jenessa Jacobson.
1 review
March 12, 2026
Great Concept, Rushed Execution.

The concept of this book is really interesting and ultimately the reason i landed on three stars instead of two. There are some genuinely cool ideas in here, but the execution didn't quite live up to the premise.

One thing that pulled me out of the story was how late character descriptions appeared, which was something i originally enjoyed but then by the time the character actually was described the image in my head was conflicting with the description.

The pacing also felt rushed. Several plot elements and ideas had a lot of potential but weren't explored deeply enough. I would have really loved if this book was split into two books with more depth and time spent in each location. I also found certain parts of the writing to be a bit too simplistic, when more descriptive language in general could have added more depth.

Overall, a cool premise but the execution left me wanting a bit more.
Profile Image for Minal Arora.
Author 10 books15 followers
March 30, 2026
Somnier dreams grew on me unexpectedly. The plot was well developed and by when I really understood what a Somnier was, I was well invested in the story. The author weaves a complicated web of the personal life of the protagonist into the mission or purpose she is born into and it all slowly unfolds and comes together to convey her strength, resilience and commitment towards helping others in a very unique way.

Its a unique storyline and I would have loved a little more of the emotional sides of the characters to be explored as they are going through the experience. A little wider range of emotions, a little banter, humour and some intimacy could make the book feel so much richer. I loved the concept and totally see how it has the potential to explore a wide range of human vulnerabilities. It is mysterious and a great start and I am hoping to see more books in the series.
29 reviews
February 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The concept around dreams and the sleep study was unique and pulled me in right away. The way the story slowly shifts from normal college life into something darker and more intense kept me curious the whole time. The idea of the Somniers was especially interesting and added a mysterious layer without being too confusing.

The characters felt real and layered, and I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading it. A few parts in the middle moved a bit quickly, and I would have loved more detail in certain scenes, but overall it was an engaging and thought-provoking read. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy mystery with a psychological twist.
56 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2026
Great Dream Control YA novel. A Must Read

A good solid debut novel. The dreams of a Somnier. I wish I was one. Strong academy and dream powers background and mechanics. It is unevenly paced in spots but easy to catch up and keep on reading the good storyline. It has an amazing cast of side characters who are drawn as strong as/ Everly. This makes the story so much more interesting follow along with. Watching Everly streghten her abilene follow along her amazing journey.
You will greatly enjoy this YA novel of dreams and life.
Profile Image for Audrey.
6 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️���

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A creative supernatural academia story with a unique dream-based ability—Everly can enter and influence near-future realities. The plot is fast-moving and packed with events, though sometimes it feels like too much at once. The writing leans more toward telling than showing, which made it hard to fully connect with the characters.

Despite that, the concept is strong, and the book ends on a major cliffhanger that makes me excited for book two.
Profile Image for Marie.
51 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2026
This was about a girl named Everly who has her entire world thrown for a loop basically overnight. She finds out there’s a world around her that she never knew existed that is due to a family link. She makes friends with a group of others similar to her and making sure they each have their backs. While reading this book, I admired Everly’s can-do attitude and how she supports those around her.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series when it is released!
927 reviews7 followers
February 16, 2026
Somnier dreams is book 1 of this series. A gripping story that is hard to put down. Makes you question your own dreams. Complex and believable characters.
Profile Image for Tiel.
60 reviews2 followers
March 30, 2026
Are your dreams just dreams or could they be part something connected to the past? What if you could enter REM and go into someone's mind and look into there past secretly. Everly is someone who's dreams mean something but she doesn't know why. Family secrets, kidnapping, learning what your secret talent is and how to use it effectively. Go on a journey with Everly and her new friends as they hone their skills and solve a mystery. You get pulled into plot and dont want to stop reading.
11 reviews
March 3, 2026
Very unique urban fantasy. Fascinating dreams lore, well developed characters and just the right amount of action - a really enjoyable read!

Would recommend it to both YA and adults readers.
1,309 reviews21 followers
May 14, 2026
This is a captivating journey into the ethereal world of dreams, blending vivid imagery with profound emotional depth. Jacobson's writing style is both lyrical and accessible, making complex themes feel intimately personal. The characters are richly drawn, each grappling with their own subconscious desires and fears, which resonate long after you've finished reading.
What sets this book apart is its exploration of how dreams shape our waking lives, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Jacobson masterfully weaves together multiple narratives, creating a tapestry of interconnected stories that challenge our perceptions. The pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the dreamlike atmosphere, and the plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.
This is a beautifully written novel that will appeal to anyone interested in the power of the human mind. It's a book that stays with you, prompting introspection and a deeper appreciation for the hidden landscapes of our inner selves.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
5 reviews
March 30, 2026
Somnier Dreams by Somnier Dreams is a thoughtful and imaginative story that blends emotional depth with a slightly surreal, dreamlike premise. The plot centers around the concept of dreams as more than just subconscious experiences, weaving in elements of mystery and introspection that gradually unfold as the story progresses. While the storyline can feel slow at times, it ultimately rewards patient readers with a layered narrative that explores identity, memory, and the blurred line between reality and imagination.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is its characters. The protagonist is written with a quiet complexity, making their internal struggles feel authentic and relatable. Supporting characters add dimension to the story, though some could have benefited from deeper development. The emotional connections and tensions between characters are handled well, giving the story a grounded feel even when the premise leans into the abstract.

Jacibson’s writing style is descriptive and often poetic, which fits perfectly with the dream-focused theme of the book. There are moments where the prose becomes almost lyrical, creating vivid imagery that pulls you into the world. However, this same strength can occasionally slow the pacing, especially in the middle sections where the narrative lingers on atmosphere over action. Readers who enjoy immersive, reflective storytelling will likely appreciate this, while others may find it a bit drawn out.

The world-building is subtle but effective. Instead of overwhelming the reader with rules and explanations, the author reveals the mechanics of the dream world gradually, allowing for a sense of intrigue and discovery. This approach works well for the tone of the book, though it may leave some readers wanting clearer answers.

Overall, Somnier Dreams is a unique and introspective read that stands out more for its mood and emotional resonance than for fast-paced plot twists. It’s a book that invites you to slow down and think, rather than rush to the end. While it may not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for a quick or action-driven story, it offers a memorable experience for readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with a touch of the surreal. I would be interested in reading more from Jenessa Jacibson, particularly to see how her style evolves and how she continues to explore such imaginative concepts.
157 reviews10 followers
April 14, 2026
When this started we are introduced to our protagonist and find out within a few pages that her father is killed while out jogging. She becomes mode adult, her mother spirals...ahe starts seeing detailed dreams (which honestly those quick scene changes into detailed stories of other people's lives were one of my favorite parts of the whole story, they were so good and detailed and really wanted to know more of their lives which shows how real the author made them). The plot point of her finding out she is a somnier happens fast and dirty with a kidnapping that took me on an emotional ride...I wasnt sure where we were going. Then we discover what she is and what she can do and family connects and man it was do good.

Yes its a long book but its so worth it because Jacobson builds the world for you in a way that feels like you are there. Really I hope we get more books in this world because its so deep and detailed in could keep going.
Profile Image for Sara Dodd.
21 reviews
April 15, 2026
I was provided with an eARC to provide a review.

2.5 ⭐️

I love the original concept of this book. The story takes place in an supernatural academia setting, where the protagonist ends up early in the book after discovering she has supernatural gifts to enter others' near future realities via her dreams, with the ability to influence outcomes while in these dream like states. This is an action packed book with lots (perhaps too much?) happening as the narrative races forward.

The storytelling is very prescriptive (tells, rather than shows) and failed to engage me emotionally. It felt very barren and sterile. For this reason, unfortunately I was unable to connect with any of the characters and even the story to some extent.
Author 1 book2 followers
February 22, 2026
I really liked how the story focused so much on Everly’s dreams and how real they felt, especially once the sleep study began. The transition from a normal college life into something darker and more dangerous was done well and kept me curious about what would happen next. The concept of the Somniers was interesting and added depth without feeling confusing or overwhelming. Some parts in the middle moved a little fast, and I wished a few scenes had more detail, but overall it was a gripping read that kept me going all the way to the end.
Profile Image for Tanya.
1,005 reviews6 followers
March 26, 2026
Absolutely love this book! I got sucked in and couldn’t put it down. It’s so new and different and reads like a movie I’d want to watch. I also like that it was more narrative and didn’t go down the rabbit hole of individual thoughts that some writers get caught up in. Very cool ending and look forward to book two.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review
February 16, 2026
Janessa Jacobson is brilliant!!! Sommer Dreams is one I cannot put down. I bought two more copies of her book and will be sending one to my aunt and my mom. Must read! You won’t be disappointed! 10/10 will get you hooked
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews