Daydreamers Anonymous

by Samantha Rose Parker

Clara has always lived in her head, occupying a secondary life while her own has fallen apart around her. At 35, she finds herself still temping in unsatisfying jobs while living in a shared house with five other girls. She knows her compulsive daydreaming is killing her chances to succeed in life so when an ad appears to join a support group, she pushes out of her comfort zone and signs up.

There she meets her people but she's not exactly sure she wants them to be her among them there's Jax, who lives a double life as a detective; Bob, who has an invisible family and Janice, who’s been married to Tom Cruise in her head for 30 years. Under the guidance of ex-daydreamer, Dr Hill, and his assistant Alice, they all attempt to free themselves from their fantasies and reconnect with the real world.

Clara is determined to cure herself from her addiction to relationships that only exist in her head but her recovery is threatened by her growing obsession with Dr Hill. Could he be the person to finally fix her?

Genres: Literary Fiction

348 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Kyla Borcherds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara is in her mid-30s. No friends, no partner. She is trapped in a house-share with girls she hates, and a dull office job with colleagues she barely knows. Life is passing Clara by, because the only place she ever feels truly alive is in her imagination. That is, until she joins a support group and meets others who find fantasy more captivating than reality.

This book is a realistic and relatable depiction of what it is like to live with maladaptive daydreaming. It will be an eye-opener for anyone who thinks you can't be addicted to your imagination or who thinks that maladaptive daydreaming isn't a real disorder. The glimpses into the lives of the members of the support group reveal the cost of years spent avoiding reality. Clara's journey also shows the quiet power of acceptance and connection, and will leave those struggling with maladaptive daydreaming wishing that support groups like Dr Hill's really existed.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daydreamers Anonymous was an easy read but also a thought-provoking one. It considered the role of fantasies and daydreaming and how they can become a burden rather than a release, and how quickly obsessions can form that affect our lives. However, it was not a dark work overall, but rather a hopeful one. It shed a light on an area of mental health not often considered and did so in a sensitive way. There were sad moments, but also little moments of shared humour and understanding between the characters. I am prone to a bit of daydreaming myself, so I could understand the characters to an extent even if mine is very minor compared to the level the characters were experiencing. I found this book to be both an entertaining story and a worthwhile look at a fascinating topic. I am giving it 4.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Halley · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm always alone and I'm never alone." I knew from this first sentence I could empathize with our main character.
I can be somewhat a daydreamer myself - and I don't quite enjoy small talk.

After finding Dr. Hill's ad for a 10-week experimental research program for compulsive daydreaming, Clara, and eight others, decide they need to join. All of them have their unique, imaginary worlds they slip to, to escape their realities. But these "shadow lives" have left them feeling hopeless and desperate for a cure.

This book portrays what Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) is like through these characters and their time throughout the sessions - and reveals where we can find fulfillment in the real world.
It was witty, honest, enlightening, and I really enjoyed it - Highlights everywhere.

Take deep breaths. Appreciate the air and sunlight.
Most importantly - Find your people.

"I know it's hard to believe that small moments add up and begin to make you feel more and more alive, but trust me, that is what happens."
"After all, being a Spanish tourist is just a state of mind."

PS forget about that red button <3