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Last Night I Dreamed of Home
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26This romantic debut graphic novel follows two college freshmen grappling with coursework, new friends, first love, and their Chinese heritage.
After botching the only exam that matters in China, Alice arrives at college eager to party like the North Americans on TV―not to hang out with a studious boy who reminds her why she left home.
All Haoran wants is a business degree. His father has spent all his money sending Haoran overseas, and in return, he must graduate and find a stable job. If only he could get rid of the nagging itch to draw a comic book.
From burnt cooking, a stuck elevator, and late-night bubble tea, Alice and Haoran’s unlikely friendship promises into something more―unless their differences drive them apart. When a creative opportunity arrives, Haoran must choose between his passion and his family, and Alice must discover her own identity or lose touch with her roots altogether.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a richly nuanced and sweetly satisfying rom-com from a brilliant new graphic novel creator.
illustrations throughout
After botching the only exam that matters in China, Alice arrives at college eager to party like the North Americans on TV―not to hang out with a studious boy who reminds her why she left home.
All Haoran wants is a business degree. His father has spent all his money sending Haoran overseas, and in return, he must graduate and find a stable job. If only he could get rid of the nagging itch to draw a comic book.
From burnt cooking, a stuck elevator, and late-night bubble tea, Alice and Haoran’s unlikely friendship promises into something more―unless their differences drive them apart. When a creative opportunity arrives, Haoran must choose between his passion and his family, and Alice must discover her own identity or lose touch with her roots altogether.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a richly nuanced and sweetly satisfying rom-com from a brilliant new graphic novel creator.
illustrations throughout
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Sophie Li
7 books8 followersSophie Li is a character concept artist and illustrator.
Sophie is from Beijing, China, with a BFA ('15) in Film & TV production from Tisch School of the Arts NYU, and MA ('22) in Animated filmmaking from Gobelins, Paris. She has worked as character designer, illustrator, painter and color stylists for animated Feature and TV projects.
Sophie is from Beijing, China, with a BFA ('15) in Film & TV production from Tisch School of the Arts NYU, and MA ('22) in Animated filmmaking from Gobelins, Paris. She has worked as character designer, illustrator, painter and color stylists for animated Feature and TV projects.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 24, 2026
“Life isn’t meant to be a straight line. So let it wander.“
Thanks to Sophie Li and NetGalley for sending me an early review copy! 💕 Out 20/10/2026 📖
For the girls who feel lost and burnt out, this one’s for you. This graphic novel is a heartfelt love letter to everyone who’s experienced longing and never feeling like you’ve belonged anywhere.
As someone who’s also since moved abroad for university, it feels incredible seeing myself in both Haoran and Alice. Holding on to your heritage while missing your home is a very difficult experience to get used to (not enough asian restaurants where i am i miss my ppl!! >_<) Then there’s also the constant guilt and pressure to do something good with your life because your parents gave everything to put you there. If you fit these boxes then I highly recommend! This graphic novel is light, a tad romantic, and a bit emotional at the same time.
Perfect for fans of Ann Liang and Tashie Bhuiyan 💕
Thanks to Sophie Li and NetGalley for sending me an early review copy! 💕 Out 20/10/2026 📖
For the girls who feel lost and burnt out, this one’s for you. This graphic novel is a heartfelt love letter to everyone who’s experienced longing and never feeling like you’ve belonged anywhere.
As someone who’s also since moved abroad for university, it feels incredible seeing myself in both Haoran and Alice. Holding on to your heritage while missing your home is a very difficult experience to get used to (not enough asian restaurants where i am i miss my ppl!! >_<) Then there’s also the constant guilt and pressure to do something good with your life because your parents gave everything to put you there. If you fit these boxes then I highly recommend! This graphic novel is light, a tad romantic, and a bit emotional at the same time.
Perfect for fans of Ann Liang and Tashie Bhuiyan 💕
July 16, 2026
3.5⭐️ This was cute! The beginning started off a bit slow, but as the story continued I connected more to the characters. I wish we had gotten some more scenes of them together and developing their connection (the scene where they fell asleep together was adorable and I wanted more) instead of some pages dedicated to schoolwork jargon, but overall this was a great debut!
The artwork was well-done and I enjoyed the random pops of color such as with Alice’s hair. I would’ve ideally enjoyed more overall color, like on the cover, but it didn’t detract from the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The artwork was well-done and I enjoyed the random pops of color such as with Alice’s hair. I would’ve ideally enjoyed more overall color, like on the cover, but it didn’t detract from the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2026
Alice begins college in Canada with an eagerness that is as alive as it is faulty, when suddenly her path is intercepted by Haoran, a hard-working exchange student who comes from China, just like her. Despite being from the same town, however, these two’s polar-opposite personalities soon face the challenge to make the right choices while coping with their past traumas through dreams of home.
I quite enjoyed this book. Alice seemed like an enthusiastic character that I couldn’t help but enjoy following. She had a peppiness to her that aided the story and anchored it in a sweet enough tone— enough to make Haoran’s less-enthusiastic point of view still engaging. Additionally, the humor was light and charming, keeping things simple yet still being quite funny.
Ultimately, this is a story about courage. The themes are driven forward almost completely predictably until the end, when Haoran’s courage plays a big role in the unraveling of the story. The narrative choice to right a wrong through pre-established character roles and hobby was picture perfect and I thought the way it was done here worked remarkably well. The author utilizes such a handy device yet jabs at it unexpectedly, which is fun for the reader.
I found myself laughing at Alice’s quirky personality and endeared by Haoran’s determination to give his family a better life. These motivators were each enough to drive the characters forward individually, so when paired up within a contained enough narrative line, they bloom together organically.
Finally, as an ARC, this was quite solid and fun. I can see it producing a couple sequels to hone in this opposites-attract dynamic that was so enjoyable— I’d love to find out.
I quite enjoyed this book. Alice seemed like an enthusiastic character that I couldn’t help but enjoy following. She had a peppiness to her that aided the story and anchored it in a sweet enough tone— enough to make Haoran’s less-enthusiastic point of view still engaging. Additionally, the humor was light and charming, keeping things simple yet still being quite funny.
Ultimately, this is a story about courage. The themes are driven forward almost completely predictably until the end, when Haoran’s courage plays a big role in the unraveling of the story. The narrative choice to right a wrong through pre-established character roles and hobby was picture perfect and I thought the way it was done here worked remarkably well. The author utilizes such a handy device yet jabs at it unexpectedly, which is fun for the reader.
I found myself laughing at Alice’s quirky personality and endeared by Haoran’s determination to give his family a better life. These motivators were each enough to drive the characters forward individually, so when paired up within a contained enough narrative line, they bloom together organically.
Finally, as an ARC, this was quite solid and fun. I can see it producing a couple sequels to hone in this opposites-attract dynamic that was so enjoyable— I’d love to find out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc of this book!
The artwork was so cute and I loved the colors, and the way it changed when there was a flashback, it made it easy to identify! I think it did a good job of showcasing different people and their experiences in college but there's still things to connect us together. I do wish we had more to learn about the characters and see them interact with each other th0ough, but I still had fun reading.
The artwork was so cute and I loved the colors, and the way it changed when there was a flashback, it made it easy to identify! I think it did a good job of showcasing different people and their experiences in college but there's still things to connect us together. I do wish we had more to learn about the characters and see them interact with each other th0ough, but I still had fun reading.
Read
July 30, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc copy in exchange for my honest review ✨
Super cute and fast-paced!! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! Though, the art style was cute and the choice to add the Chinese translation whenever the main characters spoke to one another was clever and made for a more immersive experience. Genuinely wish it was about 100 pages longer, but other than that pick it up!!
Super cute and fast-paced!! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! Though, the art style was cute and the choice to add the Chinese translation whenever the main characters spoke to one another was clever and made for a more immersive experience. Genuinely wish it was about 100 pages longer, but other than that pick it up!!
September 3, 2026
This was such a cute story! I loved the characters and found them to be quite relatable. The art style was really pretty and had a nice flow to it as well.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of the book.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Sophie Li’s Last Night I Dreamed of Home is one of those graphic novels that wraps around you softly — visually, emotionally, thematically. The first thing that struck me was the beautiful, dreamy colour palette, all hazy pastels and gentle gradients that make every page feel like a memory you’re trying to hold onto. It’s the kind of art that makes you pause, breathe, and just look.
But what really stayed with me was the dynamic between Alice and Haoran. They’re complete opposites — she’s brazen, outgoing, a little chaotic; he’s quiet, studious, and laser‑focused on repaying his father for years of sacrifice. Yet they share a deep, unspoken common ground: two young people away from home, carrying the weight of their upbringing, trying to figure out who they are allowed to become.
Their friendship-to-love arc is sweet and tentative, just beginning to bloom… and then it’s over almost too quickly. I found myself wishing for more — more stolen glances, more emotional payoff, maybe even a scene where Alice finally reunites with her family. But the more I sat with it, the more I realised that the romance isn’t the point. The story is really about home — how it shapes you, how it haunts you, and how you eventually find your way back to it.
Alice’s journey hit me hardest. She’s convinced she’s a disappointment, running from a disastrous school experience and reinventing herself so thoroughly that she loses touch with her roots. Her fear of facing her mother is palpable. Watching her slowly confront that fear — even if we don’t get the reunion scene — is quietly powerful. It’s about reclaiming the parts of yourself you thought you had to abandon.
Haoran is an absolute darling. Raised by a widower father who poured everything into his education, he’s determined to repay that sacrifice by going into business… even though his true passion is drawing. His arc is gentle but meaningful: he has to learn that making his father proud doesn’t mean erasing himself. And the moment his father gives him permission to choose his own path? Soft, understated, and lovely.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a lovely little story — tender, atmospheric, and emotionally honest. Yes, I wish it had been fleshed out more. I wanted more romance, more closure, more time with these characters who feel so real. But what we do get is a thoughtful meditation on identity, family, and the complicated, beautiful idea of home.A good read, and one that lingers.
Sophie Li’s Last Night I Dreamed of Home is one of those graphic novels that wraps around you softly — visually, emotionally, thematically. The first thing that struck me was the beautiful, dreamy colour palette, all hazy pastels and gentle gradients that make every page feel like a memory you’re trying to hold onto. It’s the kind of art that makes you pause, breathe, and just look.
But what really stayed with me was the dynamic between Alice and Haoran. They’re complete opposites — she’s brazen, outgoing, a little chaotic; he’s quiet, studious, and laser‑focused on repaying his father for years of sacrifice. Yet they share a deep, unspoken common ground: two young people away from home, carrying the weight of their upbringing, trying to figure out who they are allowed to become.
Their friendship-to-love arc is sweet and tentative, just beginning to bloom… and then it’s over almost too quickly. I found myself wishing for more — more stolen glances, more emotional payoff, maybe even a scene where Alice finally reunites with her family. But the more I sat with it, the more I realised that the romance isn’t the point. The story is really about home — how it shapes you, how it haunts you, and how you eventually find your way back to it.
Alice’s journey hit me hardest. She’s convinced she’s a disappointment, running from a disastrous school experience and reinventing herself so thoroughly that she loses touch with her roots. Her fear of facing her mother is palpable. Watching her slowly confront that fear — even if we don’t get the reunion scene — is quietly powerful. It’s about reclaiming the parts of yourself you thought you had to abandon.
Haoran is an absolute darling. Raised by a widower father who poured everything into his education, he’s determined to repay that sacrifice by going into business… even though his true passion is drawing. His arc is gentle but meaningful: he has to learn that making his father proud doesn’t mean erasing himself. And the moment his father gives him permission to choose his own path? Soft, understated, and lovely.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a lovely little story — tender, atmospheric, and emotionally honest. Yes, I wish it had been fleshed out more. I wanted more romance, more closure, more time with these characters who feel so real. But what we do get is a thoughtful meditation on identity, family, and the complicated, beautiful idea of home.A good read, and one that lingers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review: 4.25 stars
Thank you, Sophie Li, for the eARC via Netgalley.
This is such a cute and sweet read about two freshman exchange students, Alice and Haoran, who, despite being from China, are polar opposites in personality and outlook due to their upbringings.
Alice comes to Canada to escape the pressure she faces from her mum and to avoid doing poorly on the national exam in China. Wanting change, she majors in English literature and just wants to enjoy life in Canada. Haoran is pursuing a business degree to seek a better life in response to his father’s sacrifices. He also secretly loves drawing comics. Despite their differences in personality and outlook, they find themselves bonding over bubble teas, Chinese dramas, and late-night talks.
The struggles they face in moving to Canada to study were portrayed well and are relatable to what I faced when I first came to Canada in pursuit of my degree. The adjustment period was definitely a thing coming from an Asian country to a Western country, and it could be quite jarring at times. It was wonderful to see it being depicted in a graphic novel. I especially relate to the struggles Haoran faced in pursuing a business degree to honour his father's sacrifices, even though it wasn’t his passion, as I find myself in the same predicament at a university crossroads, having to make a choice.
I love the development of their relationship. Alice is enthusiastic, outgoing, and optimistic, while Haoran is studious and quiet, yet the friendship between them slowly blooms tentatively, eventually turning into love as they spend more time together. I do find that ultimately the book is all about two people trying to figure out what they want despite the pressures they face in life and the weight of their family pressure and sacrifices.
The art isn’t the usual type I usually go for, having normally read more manga/manhwa than graphic novels, but I do love the depictions of the characters and how the story naturally flows. The emotions are clearly seen and felt, and I love that the author uses a one-colour palette to drive the story. I also love that this is bilingual and you can read it in either English or Chinese.
My only wish is that I had wanted more, as I felt it was too short and fast-paced at times, but overall, a fun and sweet read featuring the opposites-attract trope!
Thank you, Sophie Li, for the eARC via Netgalley.
This is such a cute and sweet read about two freshman exchange students, Alice and Haoran, who, despite being from China, are polar opposites in personality and outlook due to their upbringings.
Alice comes to Canada to escape the pressure she faces from her mum and to avoid doing poorly on the national exam in China. Wanting change, she majors in English literature and just wants to enjoy life in Canada. Haoran is pursuing a business degree to seek a better life in response to his father’s sacrifices. He also secretly loves drawing comics. Despite their differences in personality and outlook, they find themselves bonding over bubble teas, Chinese dramas, and late-night talks.
The struggles they face in moving to Canada to study were portrayed well and are relatable to what I faced when I first came to Canada in pursuit of my degree. The adjustment period was definitely a thing coming from an Asian country to a Western country, and it could be quite jarring at times. It was wonderful to see it being depicted in a graphic novel. I especially relate to the struggles Haoran faced in pursuing a business degree to honour his father's sacrifices, even though it wasn’t his passion, as I find myself in the same predicament at a university crossroads, having to make a choice.
I love the development of their relationship. Alice is enthusiastic, outgoing, and optimistic, while Haoran is studious and quiet, yet the friendship between them slowly blooms tentatively, eventually turning into love as they spend more time together. I do find that ultimately the book is all about two people trying to figure out what they want despite the pressures they face in life and the weight of their family pressure and sacrifices.
The art isn’t the usual type I usually go for, having normally read more manga/manhwa than graphic novels, but I do love the depictions of the characters and how the story naturally flows. The emotions are clearly seen and felt, and I love that the author uses a one-colour palette to drive the story. I also love that this is bilingual and you can read it in either English or Chinese.
My only wish is that I had wanted more, as I felt it was too short and fast-paced at times, but overall, a fun and sweet read featuring the opposites-attract trope!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a heartfelt story about two opposing students who try to connect and find their way in student life. The sweet feels are enhanced by the beautiful, smartly put-together graphics of richly soft colours, as shown on the cover. While on the short side, the story immediately pulled me in and made me empathise with the characters.
The story follows Alice and Haoran, both starting college as freshmen. One longs for a fresh start, to find new friends, and discover college life like in American TV. The other wants to make the most out of his studies for a better life for his family. Yet both Alice and Haoran slowly start to form a strong bond over time. Their chemistry was sincere and surprising. They show that the dichotomy between introvert and extravert is more complex than it seems. Alice and Haoran have more in common when you get to know them better. I also loved that while Haoran pursues a business career, his passion lies with drawing comics. There's this beautiful moment about this with his father. On the other hand, Alice's relationship with her mother is the complete opposite. It's kind of your stereotypical "work hard, study hard, and you climb the social ladder." Notably, Li pushed this further by showing a few genuine loving moments between Alice and her mother when they were younger.
We meet a few side characters, but the story solely focuses on the main characters. Alice is the kind of person you'd immediately want to be friends with because of her magnetic nature, while you might need some patience with Haoran, but that patience pays off when you get to know him.
Personally, I could find myself more in Haoran, but I also felt much for Alice. The flashbacks into their childhood were a great addition to the story, and I loved the way those were made distinctive from the regular timeline, style-wise. The graphic style in general was amazing and cleverly done.
Underneath the coming-of-age arc are some interesting themes of immigration life and family expectation vs discovering who you are and what you want. They were wonderfully carried through the main characters. It was a very fast-paced graphic novel, and It's definitely worth continuing.
A 4.7🌟 for me!
The story follows Alice and Haoran, both starting college as freshmen. One longs for a fresh start, to find new friends, and discover college life like in American TV. The other wants to make the most out of his studies for a better life for his family. Yet both Alice and Haoran slowly start to form a strong bond over time. Their chemistry was sincere and surprising. They show that the dichotomy between introvert and extravert is more complex than it seems. Alice and Haoran have more in common when you get to know them better. I also loved that while Haoran pursues a business career, his passion lies with drawing comics. There's this beautiful moment about this with his father. On the other hand, Alice's relationship with her mother is the complete opposite. It's kind of your stereotypical "work hard, study hard, and you climb the social ladder." Notably, Li pushed this further by showing a few genuine loving moments between Alice and her mother when they were younger.
We meet a few side characters, but the story solely focuses on the main characters. Alice is the kind of person you'd immediately want to be friends with because of her magnetic nature, while you might need some patience with Haoran, but that patience pays off when you get to know him.
Personally, I could find myself more in Haoran, but I also felt much for Alice. The flashbacks into their childhood were a great addition to the story, and I loved the way those were made distinctive from the regular timeline, style-wise. The graphic style in general was amazing and cleverly done.
Underneath the coming-of-age arc are some interesting themes of immigration life and family expectation vs discovering who you are and what you want. They were wonderfully carried through the main characters. It was a very fast-paced graphic novel, and It's definitely worth continuing.
A 4.7🌟 for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★★☆
Last Night I Dreamed of Home (Sophie Li - releasing 10.20.2026)
eARC Graphic Novel Review
✧ Read with me ✧ Instagram ✧ | @haileydianereads
A massive thank you to NetGalley, W.W. Norton & Company, Norton Young Readers & the author, Sophie Li, for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌
“They say your memories change a bit every time you relive them in your mind.” 🥟 🍜
“Life isn’t meant to be a straight line. So let it wander. Let it bring you joy and failure. Let it take you places you’d never thought you’d be.” 🫂 🧳
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
- New friendships
- College settings and the life transition that is one’s freshman year
- The dreamiest of color combos
Graphic novels are one of my favorite forms of storytelling. I think they offer so much in such a limited amount of time and space. From beautiful settings to complex and nuanced character relationships, Sophi Li’s debut hits the spot!
Two Chinese college freshmen arrive in Canada for their first year of university. When Alice and Haoran meet, it quickly becomes apparent how different they are. They came from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Alice is grappling with who she wants to be as she starts fresh in a new city. Haoran is striving to make his father proud after all that his father has worked and sacrificed for Haoran’s future, but will he remain true to his own passions or let his dreams fall behind?
What I love about this graphic novel is the impression that you are left with after it is over. Sure, I am a huge fan of closure, but readers get a more realistic ending of what the college transition looks like when our family relationships are being renegotiated, and young adults start forming their identity outside of familial expectations. What is home and who are our family?
I’m not sure if Li is going to continue this story or not. It definitely feels like it could easily become a series. Four books? One for each year in college? I’m not sure if this was supposed to be a slice-of-life with little closure or if there might be more to the story on the horizon. While the ending did feel a little abrupt, if Li continues the story, I will be eagerly waiting to see what comes next for Alice and Haoran.🤞
Gratitude, always.
- H.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home (Sophie Li - releasing 10.20.2026)
eARC Graphic Novel Review
✧ Read with me ✧ Instagram ✧ | @haileydianereads
A massive thank you to NetGalley, W.W. Norton & Company, Norton Young Readers & the author, Sophie Li, for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌
“They say your memories change a bit every time you relive them in your mind.” 🥟 🍜
“Life isn’t meant to be a straight line. So let it wander. Let it bring you joy and failure. Let it take you places you’d never thought you’d be.” 🫂 🧳
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
- New friendships
- College settings and the life transition that is one’s freshman year
- The dreamiest of color combos
Graphic novels are one of my favorite forms of storytelling. I think they offer so much in such a limited amount of time and space. From beautiful settings to complex and nuanced character relationships, Sophi Li’s debut hits the spot!
Two Chinese college freshmen arrive in Canada for their first year of university. When Alice and Haoran meet, it quickly becomes apparent how different they are. They came from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Alice is grappling with who she wants to be as she starts fresh in a new city. Haoran is striving to make his father proud after all that his father has worked and sacrificed for Haoran’s future, but will he remain true to his own passions or let his dreams fall behind?
What I love about this graphic novel is the impression that you are left with after it is over. Sure, I am a huge fan of closure, but readers get a more realistic ending of what the college transition looks like when our family relationships are being renegotiated, and young adults start forming their identity outside of familial expectations. What is home and who are our family?
I’m not sure if Li is going to continue this story or not. It definitely feels like it could easily become a series. Four books? One for each year in college? I’m not sure if this was supposed to be a slice-of-life with little closure or if there might be more to the story on the horizon. While the ending did feel a little abrupt, if Li continues the story, I will be eagerly waiting to see what comes next for Alice and Haoran.🤞
Gratitude, always.
- H.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m pretty new to graphic novels and I’m happy I stumbled upon Last Night I Dreamed of Home. It had me giggling and tearing up in the same breath.
There's two things that stand out the most: the use of both English and Mandarin for dialogue and the pink/grey color palette. Both were unique and excellent choices for the narrative and characters.
It was definitely an ambitious undertaking to include both Mandarin and English for Haoran and Alice's dialogues. The choice for dual language captures the reality our characters are living in as international students from China now studying in Canada. I don't really speak Mandarin so I can't comment on the quality of the translation. But I can trust the author since (as far as I know) they had a sensitivity tester for the cultural accuracy of the translation.
Another thing that stood out was the color palette. At first, it was adorable to see a pastel pink against a cool grey. These colors were muted so the flashbacks (in bright, blood red) were intense.
The color palette matches the baggage our characters Alice and Haoran carry. Their wounds and traumas weigh on them. Alice's insecurities and wounds seep into her connection with Haoran. Any form of pressure (even the productive kind) sends her flashing back to her mom and her experience being bullied. On the other hand, Haoran is weighed by the pressure of supporting his father who sacrificed so much for him.
Alice and Haoran share the same heritage yet are part of different social classes. This brought so much angst to their connection! They understand each other, but, at the same time, they also don't. They're friends who could be lovers, who bond over their culture and homesickness. And they're both so deep in their wounds that they don't realize their parents aren't holding them at gunpoint.
I loved Last Night I Dreamed Of Home. I would love seeing more from our lovely cast of characters.
Thank you to Sophie Li and Norton Young Readers for providing an eARC for review.
There's two things that stand out the most: the use of both English and Mandarin for dialogue and the pink/grey color palette. Both were unique and excellent choices for the narrative and characters.
It was definitely an ambitious undertaking to include both Mandarin and English for Haoran and Alice's dialogues. The choice for dual language captures the reality our characters are living in as international students from China now studying in Canada. I don't really speak Mandarin so I can't comment on the quality of the translation. But I can trust the author since (as far as I know) they had a sensitivity tester for the cultural accuracy of the translation.
Another thing that stood out was the color palette. At first, it was adorable to see a pastel pink against a cool grey. These colors were muted so the flashbacks (in bright, blood red) were intense.
The color palette matches the baggage our characters Alice and Haoran carry. Their wounds and traumas weigh on them. Alice's insecurities and wounds seep into her connection with Haoran. Any form of pressure (even the productive kind) sends her flashing back to her mom and her experience being bullied. On the other hand, Haoran is weighed by the pressure of supporting his father who sacrificed so much for him.
Alice and Haoran share the same heritage yet are part of different social classes. This brought so much angst to their connection! They understand each other, but, at the same time, they also don't. They're friends who could be lovers, who bond over their culture and homesickness. And they're both so deep in their wounds that they don't realize their parents aren't holding them at gunpoint.
I loved Last Night I Dreamed Of Home. I would love seeing more from our lovely cast of characters.
Thank you to Sophie Li and Norton Young Readers for providing an eARC for review.
July 29, 2026
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for the ARC!
Cute premise, messy execution on a few fronts.
Let's start with the art, because it's the thing that threw me the most: young Alice is drawn with typical Asian features (as she should be, she's from China), but present-day college Alice suddenly has blonde hair and completely different facial features. Like... she got fully whitewashed by her own graphic novel? I get that it's supposed to represent her reinventing herself in North America, but changing her actual bone structure is a choice. A costume change or a dye job reads as "new identity." A different face reads as "we swapped artists." Real turnoff.
The story itself: cute. Two Chinese exchange students, polar opposite personalities, stuck orbiting each other through burnt cooking and a stuck elevator until it turns into something more. That part works.
Some notes though:
The lettering needs a pass. Several bubbles overlap and it's clearly happening because they're trying to cram both Chinese and English into the same bubble. Pick one. If the point is showing the reader when they're speaking Chinese vs English, there are cleaner ways to do that (font change, color, a small tag) that don't turn the panel into a word jumble.
The ending: we build this whole slow-burn, they finally kiss, and then... credits roll? They just go visit their families and that's it? After all that setup I wanted an actual landing, not a "sure, I guess that's resolved now." Doesn't earn the abruptness.
Flashbacks: fine, not a complaint really, just kind of there. They didn't drag, but they also didn't add much emotionally; felt more like structural filler than anything that deepened the characters.
TLDR: sweet couple, ending needed another 20 pages, and someone needs to explain why Alice's face got a rewrite.
Cute premise, messy execution on a few fronts.
Let's start with the art, because it's the thing that threw me the most: young Alice is drawn with typical Asian features (as she should be, she's from China), but present-day college Alice suddenly has blonde hair and completely different facial features. Like... she got fully whitewashed by her own graphic novel? I get that it's supposed to represent her reinventing herself in North America, but changing her actual bone structure is a choice. A costume change or a dye job reads as "new identity." A different face reads as "we swapped artists." Real turnoff.
The story itself: cute. Two Chinese exchange students, polar opposite personalities, stuck orbiting each other through burnt cooking and a stuck elevator until it turns into something more. That part works.
Some notes though:
The lettering needs a pass. Several bubbles overlap and it's clearly happening because they're trying to cram both Chinese and English into the same bubble. Pick one. If the point is showing the reader when they're speaking Chinese vs English, there are cleaner ways to do that (font change, color, a small tag) that don't turn the panel into a word jumble.
The ending: we build this whole slow-burn, they finally kiss, and then... credits roll? They just go visit their families and that's it? After all that setup I wanted an actual landing, not a "sure, I guess that's resolved now." Doesn't earn the abruptness.
Flashbacks: fine, not a complaint really, just kind of there. They didn't drag, but they also didn't add much emotionally; felt more like structural filler than anything that deepened the characters.
TLDR: sweet couple, ending needed another 20 pages, and someone needs to explain why Alice's face got a rewrite.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
• 3.75 ☆ •
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Last Night I Dreamed of Home took me a little while to settle into. The beginning felt slow, I wasn't immediately connecting with Alice or Haoran, and I wasn't totally sure where the story was going.
But then we got toward the end and the tension between the two of them finally came to a head and I felt it. That's when it clicked for me. It didn't happen gradually either. It all clicked for me right near the end, when everything the book had been quietly building finally came together.
The cover? Stunning. I saw it and immediately thought: yes, this is going to be a whole vibe. But once I got into the actual pages, the interior art was much simpler than I expected. It's not bad, it just wasn't what the cover had prepared me for. I was hoping the inside would carry that same dreamy atmosphere, so the mismatch made it harder for me to stay fully locked in.
The story itself is sweet and the themes around identity, heritage, and figuring out who you are outside of your family's expectations are handled in a way that feels genuine rather than heavy handed. Alice and Haoran's dynamic is the heart of it and once I was finally invested in them, the softer pacing stopped bothering me.
Slow start, but a genuinely satisfying finish. Not bad at all for a debut, and I'd be curious to see what Sophie Li does next.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ coming-of-age
✔️ identity and heritage
✔️ slow burn friendships
✔️ family expectations
✔️ emotional character growth
✔️ contemporary YA
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
📅 Pub Day: Oct 20, 2026 📚
💌 Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Last Night I Dreamed of Home took me a little while to settle into. The beginning felt slow, I wasn't immediately connecting with Alice or Haoran, and I wasn't totally sure where the story was going.
But then we got toward the end and the tension between the two of them finally came to a head and I felt it. That's when it clicked for me. It didn't happen gradually either. It all clicked for me right near the end, when everything the book had been quietly building finally came together.
The cover? Stunning. I saw it and immediately thought: yes, this is going to be a whole vibe. But once I got into the actual pages, the interior art was much simpler than I expected. It's not bad, it just wasn't what the cover had prepared me for. I was hoping the inside would carry that same dreamy atmosphere, so the mismatch made it harder for me to stay fully locked in.
The story itself is sweet and the themes around identity, heritage, and figuring out who you are outside of your family's expectations are handled in a way that feels genuine rather than heavy handed. Alice and Haoran's dynamic is the heart of it and once I was finally invested in them, the softer pacing stopped bothering me.
Slow start, but a genuinely satisfying finish. Not bad at all for a debut, and I'd be curious to see what Sophie Li does next.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ coming-of-age
✔️ identity and heritage
✔️ slow burn friendships
✔️ family expectations
✔️ emotional character growth
✔️ contemporary YA
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
📅 Pub Day: Oct 20, 2026 📚
💌 Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For a romantic debut graphic novel, this did not disappoint. I immediately fell in love with the art style for both main characters, Alice and Haoran. Not to mention, the cover art truly caught my attention to desire to read this novel.
Book Description/Storyline:
The story follows Alice who is off to college after not doing so well on an exam in China (not to mention there are other factors to consider as well). At her new school, she wants a fresh start, meeting new people, and partying. Little does she know how much of an impact one of her roomates, Haoran, has on her.
Hanoran, the main male character, wants to focus and achieve getting a business degree. He wants to study hard and do all his best since his Dad sacrificed so much for him to attend school overseas. However, Hanoran always has an itch to draw and aspire submitting comics for a contest.
When these two characters get tangled up in burnt cooking, getting stuck in an elevator, and just overall hanging out, Alice and Hanoran realize that there may be something more than just a simple friendship. Each character faces a different challenge whether it be choosing your family or your passion; discovering your identity or losing yourself.
My favorite part of the plot was seeing how Alice and Haoran develop a friendship which leads to a crush/romance. The part that takes the cake for me is the misunderstanding yet, how it is made up was heartfelt and sweet. I felt the pacing of the storyline was not rushed and every scene made the build up worth it!
I would recommend this novel to any young adult reader interested in romance, going off to college, and facing difficult situations.
Thank you NetGalley, Sophie Li, and Norton Young Readers for the early ARC!
Book Description/Storyline:
The story follows Alice who is off to college after not doing so well on an exam in China (not to mention there are other factors to consider as well). At her new school, she wants a fresh start, meeting new people, and partying. Little does she know how much of an impact one of her roomates, Haoran, has on her.
Hanoran, the main male character, wants to focus and achieve getting a business degree. He wants to study hard and do all his best since his Dad sacrificed so much for him to attend school overseas. However, Hanoran always has an itch to draw and aspire submitting comics for a contest.
When these two characters get tangled up in burnt cooking, getting stuck in an elevator, and just overall hanging out, Alice and Hanoran realize that there may be something more than just a simple friendship. Each character faces a different challenge whether it be choosing your family or your passion; discovering your identity or losing yourself.
My favorite part of the plot was seeing how Alice and Haoran develop a friendship which leads to a crush/romance. The part that takes the cake for me is the misunderstanding yet, how it is made up was heartfelt and sweet. I felt the pacing of the storyline was not rushed and every scene made the build up worth it!
I would recommend this novel to any young adult reader interested in romance, going off to college, and facing difficult situations.
Thank you NetGalley, Sophie Li, and Norton Young Readers for the early ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Norton Young Readers for providing me with the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alice and Haoran are both international students from China now attending college in Canada. Both face their own set of struggles, be it their personal circumstances, adjusting to a new environment and figuring out what it is they want from life and their studies. Despite their different personalities, they connect and even help each other discover things.
I don't often read graphic novels but this was simply lovely. While my personal experience wasn't quite the same, I do recall the struggles I faced at university - having moved country to study, not knowing anyone and navigating my way to a yet unknown career goal. I have also seen my husband's struggles as a Chinese adjusting to a Western university life and I could see a lot of that reflected in Alice and Haoran's story. I can absolutely see this book hitting close to home for anyone who has experienced studying abroad.
The romance was really cute though I would argue that it's not central to the plot. Yes, there is a romance and I am happy that it's there. But I think it's more about Alice and Haoran finding their way forward and figuring out what they want in life.
The art isn't a style I usually gravitate towards but I did appreciate how colour was used. It doesn't use many colours but it effectively changes tone for scenes such as flashbacks. What I also really enjoyed was that all the dialogue that was meant to be in Mandarin was written in both English and Chinese - it makes this a really great book for language practice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is for anyone who’s had to leave their home while young and go far away for the sake of their future, whether it be for school or work. The illustrations were gorgeous, and the artwork choices were fun. I was particularly impressed with the creative storytelling decisions Li makes with her illustrations. For example, she uses film strips to show flashbacks and a long panel across two pages to show Alice and her brother communicating between two different countries. It was always enjoyable to see the various ways Li shows the progression of Alice and Haoran’s story.
As a coming-of-age story, Last Night I Dreamed of Home was both relatable and nostalgic; however, as a romance, it fell a bit flat. For most of the book, Alice came off as incredibly inconsiderate, and while part of it could be due to her background and past, it also shows just how great of a divide there was when it came to her and Haoran. While I can appreciate that both are young and are going to make the effort, I still don’t buy their love story. Given how short of a read this was, it would have been better if the book focused on developing Alice and Haoran's relationship as roommates and friends more. Though the extra material from the author's Instagram suggests there is potential for a fun romance between the two characters, the condensed nature of this graphic novel meant there wasn’t much room for it to happen organically while also following both characters’ personal journeys. Still, Last Night I Dreamed of Home has a lot of warmth and humanity, and as an Asian Canadian, I appreciated the representation, as the postsecondary experience in Canada does have its differences when compared to our American counterpart.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is for anyone who’s had to leave their home while young and go far away for the sake of their future, whether it be for school or work. The illustrations were gorgeous, and the artwork choices were fun. I was particularly impressed with the creative storytelling decisions Li makes with her illustrations. For example, she uses film strips to show flashbacks and a long panel across two pages to show Alice and her brother communicating between two different countries. It was always enjoyable to see the various ways Li shows the progression of Alice and Haoran’s story.
As a coming-of-age story, Last Night I Dreamed of Home was both relatable and nostalgic; however, as a romance, it fell a bit flat. For most of the book, Alice came off as incredibly inconsiderate, and while part of it could be due to her background and past, it also shows just how great of a divide there was when it came to her and Haoran. While I can appreciate that both are young and are going to make the effort, I still don’t buy their love story. Given how short of a read this was, it would have been better if the book focused on developing Alice and Haoran's relationship as roommates and friends more. Though the extra material from the author's Instagram suggests there is potential for a fun romance between the two characters, the condensed nature of this graphic novel meant there wasn’t much room for it to happen organically while also following both characters’ personal journeys. Still, Last Night I Dreamed of Home has a lot of warmth and humanity, and as an Asian Canadian, I appreciated the representation, as the postsecondary experience in Canada does have its differences when compared to our American counterpart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two foreign exchange students from China are studying abroad at University of Toronto and coincidentally are sharing an apartment. Haoran is an introverted studious nerd who needs his quiet time at the library due to too much partying noise. Alice is an extroverted party girl who thinks college life is awesome and whose primary goal is to make lots of friends and ignore any studying. You’d think they would have a lot in common since they were raised in northern China, but they have opposing backgrounds. Haoran grew up without his mother who died while he was young and had a supportive father. Alice has a mother who applies pressure for her to be the best at everything. Haoran is financially struggling; Alice comes from wealth. Haoran’s father encouraged him to see the world; Alice couldn’t get away fast enough from her mother. In time during the school year, their differences are actually what brings them together and they form an unspoken bond and romance eventually blossoms.
First of all, I enjoy all graphic novels with characters of Chinese descent who try to find their place in the world. I wish I had these types of books to read while growing up in the U.S. The red-hued flashbacks of Alice and Haoran provided some context to their differing backgrounds and help the reader to understand their personalities. The story was enjoyable and the illustrations were fun and cute, not too manga-ish. Even though this graphic novel is a bit longer than most, I was surprised how quickly I was able to read it in just a couple of hours. Despite its fast pace, it was completely enjoyable.
Warning: excessive alcohol consumption
First of all, I enjoy all graphic novels with characters of Chinese descent who try to find their place in the world. I wish I had these types of books to read while growing up in the U.S. The red-hued flashbacks of Alice and Haoran provided some context to their differing backgrounds and help the reader to understand their personalities. The story was enjoyable and the illustrations were fun and cute, not too manga-ish. Even though this graphic novel is a bit longer than most, I was surprised how quickly I was able to read it in just a couple of hours. Despite its fast pace, it was completely enjoyable.
Warning: excessive alcohol consumption
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is one of those books that appeals profoundly to shared human experience on two particular levels: (1) Coming of age, that last cusp between adolescence and adulthood that comes with being in your late teens and early 20's, which college perfectly exemplifies, and (2) the sense of duty, gratitude, expectation, and yearning for acceptance from family, and one's parents in particular.
Both of these themes are strongly interwoven throughout Last Night I Dreamed of Home, but what makes the storytelling so effective is that Sophie Li doesn't try to force anything: As we get to know Alice and Haoran, see their separate struggles and their spark of connection, the romance is a beautiful slow-burn buildup. Li is happy to sacrifice scorching scenes for character depth and relationship progression, which makes the character's experiences hit with refreshing authenticity.
The challenge of layered identity (Chinese students in Canada) is of course also threaded throughout the book, but is handled with a certain simplicity, focused on being genuine more than anything. There's no preaching, there's no agenda here: just good storytelling. We see Alice and Haoran not as 'Chinese' first and foremost, though of course that matters and is integral to getting to know them, but as human beings with relatable past traumas, hopes, and fears.
While providing a satisfying degree of resolution by the end of the book, the author has definitely set things up nicely for an intriguing sequel. I look forward to reading it.
Both of these themes are strongly interwoven throughout Last Night I Dreamed of Home, but what makes the storytelling so effective is that Sophie Li doesn't try to force anything: As we get to know Alice and Haoran, see their separate struggles and their spark of connection, the romance is a beautiful slow-burn buildup. Li is happy to sacrifice scorching scenes for character depth and relationship progression, which makes the character's experiences hit with refreshing authenticity.
The challenge of layered identity (Chinese students in Canada) is of course also threaded throughout the book, but is handled with a certain simplicity, focused on being genuine more than anything. There's no preaching, there's no agenda here: just good storytelling. We see Alice and Haoran not as 'Chinese' first and foremost, though of course that matters and is integral to getting to know them, but as human beings with relatable past traumas, hopes, and fears.
While providing a satisfying degree of resolution by the end of the book, the author has definitely set things up nicely for an intriguing sequel. I look forward to reading it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is such a beautiful comic, from finding your identity to being far away from home. It will resonate with a lot of people especially those with strict parents, beginning University and moving away from home/ going on exchange and connecting with people of a similar heritage.
This romantic debut graphic novel follows two college freshmen grappling with coursework, new friends, first love, and their Chinese heritage.
Alice arrives at college eager to party like the North Americans on TV-not to hang out with a studious boy who reminds her why she left home. Especially after failing the one exam that mattered.
All Haoran wants is a business degree. His father has spent all his money sending Haoran overseas, and in return, he must graduate and find a stable job. If only he could get rid of the nagging itch to draw a comic book.
I really loved the use of colour in this graphic novel with the bland tones. Except for the red or pink with key moments and past events. Which you could say means that the current world is dull and grey and the past is bright. However with Alice and Hooran falling for one another we get slight moments of pink and red between them.
I also really enjoyed the connections we got with side characters and the found family and bonds made during college/University. As well as not giving up on your dreams and finding your feet with passions and boundaries.
For those feeling lost, starting a new chapter in their lives or wanting a light Graphic novel to read, I strongly recommend this one.
This romantic debut graphic novel follows two college freshmen grappling with coursework, new friends, first love, and their Chinese heritage.
Alice arrives at college eager to party like the North Americans on TV-not to hang out with a studious boy who reminds her why she left home. Especially after failing the one exam that mattered.
All Haoran wants is a business degree. His father has spent all his money sending Haoran overseas, and in return, he must graduate and find a stable job. If only he could get rid of the nagging itch to draw a comic book.
I really loved the use of colour in this graphic novel with the bland tones. Except for the red or pink with key moments and past events. Which you could say means that the current world is dull and grey and the past is bright. However with Alice and Hooran falling for one another we get slight moments of pink and red between them.
I also really enjoyed the connections we got with side characters and the found family and bonds made during college/University. As well as not giving up on your dreams and finding your feet with passions and boundaries.
For those feeling lost, starting a new chapter in their lives or wanting a light Graphic novel to read, I strongly recommend this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel gave me all the feels! It hits during that pivotal stage of life when you leave home for the first time and you're trying to figure out who you are outside of your family's expectations. Reinventing yourself as a university freshman is such a relatable experience, and watching both Alice and Haoran navigate their new lives in North America is incredibly endearing.
When we first meet Alice, she's changed herself to fit in--blonde hair, Western name, North American fashions. She's coming off a high school scandal and majorly disappointing scores on a critical exam. Convinced that she's a complete failure in her successful mom's eyes, she blows off classes and procrastinates on assignments.
Haoran, on the other hand, studies in almost every spare moment--determined not to let his hard-working father down. He knows how much he's sacrificed to send him to a university in Canada for a business degree. But he doesn't love business like he loves the process of creating comics. But he doesn't have the money to do whatever he wants, as Alice does. He'll just have to tough it out and study even harder.
The two inevitably clash due to their vastly different backgrounds and expectations of work ethic and responsibility. But readers will find themselves rooting for these two to find their way back to each other.
*I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley
When we first meet Alice, she's changed herself to fit in--blonde hair, Western name, North American fashions. She's coming off a high school scandal and majorly disappointing scores on a critical exam. Convinced that she's a complete failure in her successful mom's eyes, she blows off classes and procrastinates on assignments.
Haoran, on the other hand, studies in almost every spare moment--determined not to let his hard-working father down. He knows how much he's sacrificed to send him to a university in Canada for a business degree. But he doesn't love business like he loves the process of creating comics. But he doesn't have the money to do whatever he wants, as Alice does. He'll just have to tough it out and study even harder.
The two inevitably clash due to their vastly different backgrounds and expectations of work ethic and responsibility. But readers will find themselves rooting for these two to find their way back to each other.
*I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a short, sweet and cute little read. For me, it was very clear that this was for a young adult audience, and that's great considering that's who it is marketed to. I've read other graphic novels marketed to young adults and felt like they could be enjoyed by adults as well, but this one just missed the mark for me. I did enjoy my time reading, but I felt it was missing something and I think that probably stems from the age group this is targeted to. If you are a young adult, or know a young adult who would be interested in this book, I do recommend it. I just personally couldn't relate and found the story a bit boring.
I really did enjoy the romance aspect of this. Once that plot kicked in, I was more interested in finishing this and wishing for their happy ending. The art style leaves something to be desired. I've read plenty of graphic novels that do the limited color palette justice (i.e. Heartstopper, Northranger, Bloom), but unfortunately this was lacking something for me. It just felt a little incomplete to me .
Younger adults who are in college or are entering college would probably really like this and relate to the characters and situations more. I think this book would be a perfect gift for a student who is going abroad to study. Overall, it just wasn't my favorite, but I still recommend it to a limited audience.
I thought this was a short, sweet and cute little read. For me, it was very clear that this was for a young adult audience, and that's great considering that's who it is marketed to. I've read other graphic novels marketed to young adults and felt like they could be enjoyed by adults as well, but this one just missed the mark for me. I did enjoy my time reading, but I felt it was missing something and I think that probably stems from the age group this is targeted to. If you are a young adult, or know a young adult who would be interested in this book, I do recommend it. I just personally couldn't relate and found the story a bit boring.
I really did enjoy the romance aspect of this. Once that plot kicked in, I was more interested in finishing this and wishing for their happy ending. The art style leaves something to be desired. I've read plenty of graphic novels that do the limited color palette justice (i.e. Heartstopper, Northranger, Bloom), but unfortunately this was lacking something for me. It just felt a little incomplete to me .
Younger adults who are in college or are entering college would probably really like this and relate to the characters and situations more. I think this book would be a perfect gift for a student who is going abroad to study. Overall, it just wasn't my favorite, but I still recommend it to a limited audience.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a cute story of two college freshmen, both from China and studying abroad in Canada but both from very different socioeconomic backgrounds. And with very different motivations.
The art is a tiny bit simple for my tastes. I really like some of the panels, but others are a little hard to tell what's going on with the zoomed-out focus and featureless faces on the characters. In other panels the facial expressions are great and the art style has a distinct flair. It's a little uneven. The color palette of soft blues and pinks is gorgeous though.
I like how when the characters are speaking in Chinese it includes both Chinese characters and English translations in the text bubbles.
Haoran's drawings are often the previous comic panels in a more "drawing" style, which was a nice touch.
I really appreciated how Haoran and Alice's relationshp develops even though they are so very different. They work well together and help one another reach for what they really want. The other characters are great too. It's also just a great snapshot of freshman year of university.
The story flows really well and nothing was ever too confusing, which I appreciated after the last graphic novel I read.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.
The art is a tiny bit simple for my tastes. I really like some of the panels, but others are a little hard to tell what's going on with the zoomed-out focus and featureless faces on the characters. In other panels the facial expressions are great and the art style has a distinct flair. It's a little uneven. The color palette of soft blues and pinks is gorgeous though.
I like how when the characters are speaking in Chinese it includes both Chinese characters and English translations in the text bubbles.
Haoran's drawings are often the previous comic panels in a more "drawing" style, which was a nice touch.
I really appreciated how Haoran and Alice's relationshp develops even though they are so very different. They work well together and help one another reach for what they really want. The other characters are great too. It's also just a great snapshot of freshman year of university.
The story flows really well and nothing was ever too confusing, which I appreciated after the last graphic novel I read.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Last Night I Dreamed of Home follows two international students who find an unexpected connection while navigating life away from home. Through bubble tea, family relationships, and a sweet budding romance, they discover comfort and familiarity in each other.
This was such a cute and needed read!
Sometimes you just need a simple story that you can pick up on a quiet day and enjoy without having to think too hard, and this was exactly that for me.
I loved the art style and especially the colours used throughout. There was something nostalgic about the whole book that reminded me of the kind of graphic novel I would have picked up in junior high or high school. The romance was sweet, cute, and innocent, which made it such an easy read.
It’s also on the shorter side, but I think that works in its favour. The story is simple without feeling incomplete, and it manages to say what it needs to without stretching itself out.
I especially loved the focus on two international students bonding over bubble tea, family, home, and love. There’s something comforting about finding a little piece of home in another person even if their experiences doesn't line up fully with yours.
A short, sweet, nostalgic read that was exactly what I needed.
This was such a cute and needed read!
Sometimes you just need a simple story that you can pick up on a quiet day and enjoy without having to think too hard, and this was exactly that for me.
I loved the art style and especially the colours used throughout. There was something nostalgic about the whole book that reminded me of the kind of graphic novel I would have picked up in junior high or high school. The romance was sweet, cute, and innocent, which made it such an easy read.
It’s also on the shorter side, but I think that works in its favour. The story is simple without feeling incomplete, and it manages to say what it needs to without stretching itself out.
I especially loved the focus on two international students bonding over bubble tea, family, home, and love. There’s something comforting about finding a little piece of home in another person even if their experiences doesn't line up fully with yours.
A short, sweet, nostalgic read that was exactly what I needed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Last Night I Dreamed of Home was a sweet and enjoyable read. For starters, I really liked the color scheme—the pink and blueish gray make for a lovely aesthetic, and the memories being in a darker raspberry color was a clever way to help the reader differentiate past from present (especially considering the childhood memories of the protagonists figure prominently in the story).
I also really appreciated how most of the dialogue between the main characters was presented in both Mandarin and English! I couldn’t help but think about how helpful a book like this would have been for me back in my days a student learning Mandarin, and I imagine it would be a great resource for English speakers learning Mandarin or vise versa.
There are some formatting issues, at least with the ebook version. For example, there was one page toward the middle (page 62/63 I believe) that repeated twice but with most of the text missing or misaligned on the repeat page. This left me wondering whether a page in that section might have been left out. I’m sure these issues will be resolved before publication though.
Though the above is an honest review and all opinions are my own, I would like to thank Norton Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
I also really appreciated how most of the dialogue between the main characters was presented in both Mandarin and English! I couldn’t help but think about how helpful a book like this would have been for me back in my days a student learning Mandarin, and I imagine it would be a great resource for English speakers learning Mandarin or vise versa.
There are some formatting issues, at least with the ebook version. For example, there was one page toward the middle (page 62/63 I believe) that repeated twice but with most of the text missing or misaligned on the repeat page. This left me wondering whether a page in that section might have been left out. I’m sure these issues will be resolved before publication though.
Though the above is an honest review and all opinions are my own, I would like to thank Norton Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two Chinese exchange students have come to Toronto. One, Haoran, because he wants to do better than his father. He studies every chane he gets. Alice, on the other hand, had hoped to study business, but feels she can’t do that, and enrolls in English lit, which she hates, skips classes and parties.
THey are two very different students, but they are room mates, and Alice wants to know who this quiet guy is. And he, when he looks up from his books, wants to know more about her. He is studying business, but it isn’t want he wants to do for a living. He would rather be a cartoonist.
Two fish out of water, who don’t want to studying what they are studying. It is a sweet story. Full of genuine feelings. It was a quick read, and I wanted more. Not sure if there will be more. It also made fun of itself, as though the characters knew they might be in a ron-com, where they ended up falling asleep beside each other in the same bed, just after having watched a movie where the same thing happened.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 20th of October 2026.
THey are two very different students, but they are room mates, and Alice wants to know who this quiet guy is. And he, when he looks up from his books, wants to know more about her. He is studying business, but it isn’t want he wants to do for a living. He would rather be a cartoonist.
Two fish out of water, who don’t want to studying what they are studying. It is a sweet story. Full of genuine feelings. It was a quick read, and I wanted more. Not sure if there will be more. It also made fun of itself, as though the characters knew they might be in a ron-com, where they ended up falling asleep beside each other in the same bed, just after having watched a movie where the same thing happened.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 20th of October 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the E-ARC.
Not to long ago, I saw a video talking about picture books. And how the pictures in a picture book are part of the story. This applies to Graphic Novels in general as well but this thought popped up in my head while reading Last Night I Dreamed of Home.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a year in the life of two Chinese college students. Alice is running away from her mother’s expectations and Haoran is trying to find a stable job so he can provide for his father.
The artwork in this graphic novel works overtime. The imagery in this story was phenomenal. There are multiple points in the story where there are no words, but you understand fully the emotions on the page.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a wonderful story about expectations, following your dreams, and understanding people’s differences. Alice and Haoran come from very different backgrounds and they have very different goals, but as two Chinese students amongst everyone else they cling to each other. Through that they form a friendship and begin to understand themselves better through the other’s struggles.
Not to long ago, I saw a video talking about picture books. And how the pictures in a picture book are part of the story. This applies to Graphic Novels in general as well but this thought popped up in my head while reading Last Night I Dreamed of Home.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a year in the life of two Chinese college students. Alice is running away from her mother’s expectations and Haoran is trying to find a stable job so he can provide for his father.
The artwork in this graphic novel works overtime. The imagery in this story was phenomenal. There are multiple points in the story where there are no words, but you understand fully the emotions on the page.
Last Night I Dreamed of Home is a wonderful story about expectations, following your dreams, and understanding people’s differences. Alice and Haoran come from very different backgrounds and they have very different goals, but as two Chinese students amongst everyone else they cling to each other. Through that they form a friendship and begin to understand themselves better through the other’s struggles.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think I must be the target audience for this graphic novel because it was perfect for me. Alice and Haoran are two international students from China studying in Canada. Both their struggles felt very grounded in contemporary Chinese social issues, while their budding relationship in Canada was heartwarming and uplifting. The illustrations are lovely and the bilingual details add not only a nice touch but are extremely meaningful in showing the reasons why Alice and Haoran might bond together despite the huge socio-economic gap between their families. While super cute, fun, and accessible for all readers (both my 9-year-old and my husband wanted to know what I was reading), this book is a subtle masterpiece. I can't wait to see what Sophie Li writes/illustrates next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Li brings something new to the table with a graphic novel set away from both of the main character's homeland- China. Alice and Haoran end up in Canada at college. Alice is escaping issues from her school and a flubbed test while Haoran is determined to take advantage of every opportunity since his dad sacrificed a lot to send him to school though he has a niggling idea of wanting to be a comics artist rather than in business.
Alice and Haoran's meetings from the start are different and their interactions and pasts provide opportunities for both to think a little more about their futures and who they want to become rather than who they were but they are still twentysomethings and have doubts. This reluctance to fully commit is the conflict for each other and their future where family plays a big role, but so do friendships and a possible romance.
I can't wait to see the final copy since it's alluded to that there is a distinct color scheme (I love graphic novels that do this) and includes their native Chinese alongside the English.
Alice and Haoran's meetings from the start are different and their interactions and pasts provide opportunities for both to think a little more about their futures and who they want to become rather than who they were but they are still twentysomethings and have doubts. This reluctance to fully commit is the conflict for each other and their future where family plays a big role, but so do friendships and a possible romance.
I can't wait to see the final copy since it's alluded to that there is a distinct color scheme (I love graphic novels that do this) and includes their native Chinese alongside the English.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
i love the colours they're so unique, & the cover is beautiful. i love how when it's a memory the colour turns red.
haoran taking notes & scribbling in between sentences because he missed the words is so relatable i love it.
i love how haoran & alice are trying to navigate their new lives while still dealing with things from their pasts, it just shows how life really isn't linear & although progress has been made you can see how things from their past pop up & show how it's influenced them in the present & their plans for their futures. i think this captured how life is uncertain & things can always change, even our perspectives
i love that it takes place in toronto i think that's really cool
"life isn't meant to be a straight line. so let it wander. let it bring you joy & failure. let it take you places. you'd never thought you'd be."
i like how alice & haoran started talking & getting closer i feel like i wanted more from that connection though.
overall, it was enjoyable.
- arc provided via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
haoran taking notes & scribbling in between sentences because he missed the words is so relatable i love it.
i love how haoran & alice are trying to navigate their new lives while still dealing with things from their pasts, it just shows how life really isn't linear & although progress has been made you can see how things from their past pop up & show how it's influenced them in the present & their plans for their futures. i think this captured how life is uncertain & things can always change, even our perspectives
i love that it takes place in toronto i think that's really cool
"life isn't meant to be a straight line. so let it wander. let it bring you joy & failure. let it take you places. you'd never thought you'd be."
i like how alice & haoran started talking & getting closer i feel like i wanted more from that connection though.
overall, it was enjoyable.
- arc provided via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Last Night I Dreamed of Home follows two different lives at college. I liked seeing how their stories developed alongside each other, watching both characters go through different experiences and handle their own personal dealings.
I thought the idea of following two people and seeing their different experiences side by side worked well. I also really enjoyed seeing the Gōbuntai (口語体) text layout running alongside the English translations underneath.
The artwork is simple but colourful, and I actually liked that a lot—it felt subtle and soft at the same time.
It doesn't try to do too much, and the colours are mostly pastel, turning occasionally vibrant to help give the pages a bit more life in a very gentle way.
There were some parts of the story that I enjoyed more than others, and I think I would have liked a little more time with the characters to really get to know them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Last Night I Dreamed of Home follows two different lives at college. I liked seeing how their stories developed alongside each other, watching both characters go through different experiences and handle their own personal dealings.
I thought the idea of following two people and seeing their different experiences side by side worked well. I also really enjoyed seeing the Gōbuntai (口語体) text layout running alongside the English translations underneath.
The artwork is simple but colourful, and I actually liked that a lot—it felt subtle and soft at the same time.
It doesn't try to do too much, and the colours are mostly pastel, turning occasionally vibrant to help give the pages a bit more life in a very gentle way.
There were some parts of the story that I enjoyed more than others, and I think I would have liked a little more time with the characters to really get to know them.
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