I thought this book was excellent. The story and its characters were appropriately nuanced and complicated. While there were clear real-life analogues, it wasn't purely ripped-from-the-headlines and I was satisfied by the conclusion.

The Daydreams is about a group of young adults who star in a musical TV show much like what you would have seen on the Disney Channel back in the day. We have sweet, innocent, Summer, bitchy Kat, boy next door Noah, and the sidekick Liana. They are all living high on their fame and coming of age when a live taping of their show ends in disaster and the cancellation of a movie and another season. The story alternates between the past and present as we find out how each of them were guilty for the shows downfall in their own ways.

I read this book in one sitting because it was very entertaining, much like reading a gossip magazine. I didn’t fully love any single on character and I feel like the main scandal could have been juicier but overall I enjoy Hankin’s writing and look forward to continuing to devour her books!

I really wasn't sure this book was for me at first but the twists and turns of this former child-star show reunion sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. We owe the young women of the early 00's a big apology.

The daydreams was pretty interesting and I enjoyed it a lot - it really reminded me of a Taylor Jenkins read story, something that reminded me of her story telling. I really enjoyed this and would read another book in the future by Laura hankin!

Lovely story about a group of friends to reconnect. I absolutely was drawn into the plot and couldn’t wait to find out the ending.

Daydreams might be one of the best reunion readings I’ve lately had. It was realistic, thought provoking, emotional, brave with its criticism to mansplaining at work and unfairly exploiting of young adults at the work place, excruciating price they pay for fame at young age!

Four young kids around 18 years old are chosen to be the stars of Atlas Production’s most anticipated teenage musical drama “Daydreams” on 2004. An innocent girl next door Summer, her sweetheart, handsome love interest Noah are leading stars as Kat is the villanelle- mean girl of the show who stands between lovers. Lillian is the best friend of trio. They sing their hearts out, dancing with full of energy and turning into best friends of each other in real life as they use their real names at the show.

But when season two starts things get derailed. The betrayal, jealousy, love triangles, competition, the extra stress of stardom, nosying paparazzi, increasing fan numbers who want pieces of them change the entire balance of their bonding.

An unfortunate meltdown at the end of live season finale results with cancellation and heartbreak. Four of them go their separate ways and they barely contact for 14 years!

Kat insists to be called as Katherine who is also the main narrator of the book, pursuing her career as an aspiring hotshot D. C. lawyer, getting so close to be managing partner of the firm. Noah becomes A-list movie star, getting an Oscar nomination from his first screenplay. Liana turns into trophy wife/ Instagram influencer, married with famous athlete and finally Summer who was the rising star of their show turns into trainwreck- spending her years between more unfortunate career choices, more meltdowns in front of the cameras, checking in and out rehab for several times.

Kat has a secret and she has no intention to tell even to her long time boyfriend who is about to propose sooner.

When Noah mentions he might accept for reunion if the rest of the others are also in, Kat rejects the offer. Then Summer pays her a visit to change her mind. She reluctantly says yes because she owes her big. She is the one who ruined Summer’s life ( that’s her big secret) and she needs to make amends in expanse losing her career and her longtime relationship by getting committed to the reunion.

As four friends reunite, they feel like so many things changed with their lives. All of them hold grudges, keeping secrets, suffering from unfinished businesses. When their reunion turns into a confrontation, they realize nothing as it seems and each of them might have had different lives if they made different choices.

This book is hooking me up from the beginning. I loved Kat and the other gang members. All of them are flawed, a little broken inside, suffering from past mistakes. Each of them is honest, genuine and likable. I loved how their characters evolved as I read their past and present. I also enjoyed how things brilliantly wrapped up at the end!

I’m giving highly deserved five stars! It was exquisite, vivid, addictive reading!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I liked this book but didn't love it as much as HAYKI or ASPFW. Both of those were entertaining 4-star reads for me. All three of Laura Hankin's books include plot twists that always take me by surprise - and the Daydreams did not disappoint. I think I enjoyed this one a little less because I wasn't really rooting for any of the characters and had a hard time empathizing with them. The child-star angle and the problematic aspects of fame were interesting and important. But I did feel frustrated with the characters. I liked the ending in the airport but wasn't sure I bought Summer and Noah's romance. I think part of what made the book feel a little off was that a huge plot point was Summer and Noah's romance, but the book was from Kat's perspective.

Not my favorite Laura Hankin, but I'll definitely read her next!

3.5/5

3.5 stars and I still can't decide whether to round up or down. This was a fairly enjoyable read; it's well-written and mostly entertaining. I think the book would have really benefitted from being ~20% shorter, I felt it was really moving slowly from 30-60% or so. I didn't put it down to take a break, because I thought I just wouldn't pick it back up again, so I powered through.

The characters are archetypes on the surface but written to be more nuanced than that. Both their arcs and the overall story is still pretty predictable. You have to go into the book with a healthy willing suspension of disbelief, but if you can manage that, you'll probably have a nice read.

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin is a novel about friendship, redemption, and love. Its a women’s fiction akin to Taykor Jenkins Reid in the way it portrays women and goes in and out of both timelines and effortlessly weaves in magazine articles, journal entries, and more. I sincerely enjoyed everything about this book. The characters were excellently developed, the writing was very well done, the plot developed at just the right speed with secrets unfolding at all the right times, and I couldn’t help but compare (as I said before) this book to books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six.

Thank you @netgalley and Penguin Publishing for the e-arc of The Daydreams.

The story follows Kat, a DC lawyer who used to star in a pretween hit show (think Hannah Montana) until things got messy and the show was canceled. When the show gets traction for a reunion, Kat must face her co-stars and former best friends thirteen years later. As secrets come out about those final days on set thirteen years ago, the characters confront truths about themselves and each other.

I can’t praise this book enough! It just captivated my attention and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to all the characters in the end. This one will stay with me for a long time.

If you love TJR, you will absolutely love this book by Laura Hankin.

Writing: 4/5 Plot: 4.5/5 Characters: 4/5

Four somewhat innocent (at the time) stars of a wildly popular teen show in the early 2000s had their dreams of stardom snuffed quickly after a disastrous live finale at the end of season two. Going their separate ways — one a Washington lawyer, one the wife of a famous athlete, one a star in his own right, and one a complete disaster in and out of rehab — they somehow end up agreeing to a reunion … and then things really fly.

Good writing, a convoluted plot full of surprises (where I wasn’t expecting surprises) that unwound at a good pace. The machinations of the entertainment machine, with its inherent bias toward men and white girls and its double standards for men and women was well portrayed without overplaying the drama (I am so over drama these days). Good interactions and self assessment with real depth and a somewhat unusual but gratifying ending. Quite enjoyable!

Loved this! I happened to read Jeannette McCurdy’s memoir shortly before this, and the similarities between reality and fiction are eerie. Like the memoir, it shows the ugly side of the lighthearted “teen/tween” programs and the actors who are frequently as destroyed by fame as they are “made” by it. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys behind-the-scenes stories and certainly anyone who enjoyed McCurdy’s memoir. I know there’s a lot of interest in her memoir at the high school level; I suspect this will do well too.

Whew, first of all, don't you just LOVE the title AND the cover? I am in awe of both. Very eye-catching and attention-grabbing.

Thankfully, the story within the pages matches up very nicely. This is a dramatic story about TV stars with different reasons for wanting a reunion. One wants another chance to be a star. One wants to rekindle lost love. One even wants revenge...

Although the characters often make bad choices, the author does a good job at maintaining the reader's interest. This is drama-filled and fans of YA and juicy dramas will keep turning the pages.

3.75 stars

This was a really fun and super fast reading experience. The characters are all very well developed. A total nostalgic read.
Compared to Daisy Jones, but in my opinion maybe not quite as good but close!

SOOOOO fun. As a 90s baby, this totally gave me Mickey Mouse vibes & I was living for all of it!!! Mostly fluffy but with some depth, this is my fave book of Laura's so far. A fun, addictive read. 4.5 stars- highly recommend.

Thank you to Penguin random house for the EARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

‘The Daydreams’, sold as Daisy Jones and the Six (one of my favourite books ever) meets the Justin / Britney era, follows a group of former child stars (now adults, having followed varying paths) as they reunite, following the disastrous final episode that aired thirteen years ago.

It’s phenomenally written - each character seems to leap off the page and scream “look at me!!”. You have the narrator of the show, a mean girl turned Lawyer - one who was villainised in fiction and real life. You have the supporting actress turned Instagram influencer, the most talented of the lot, cast aside because of racism. And then you have the two stars.

One is an A-lister.

The other has completed more stints in rehab than successful projects.

Hankin’s storytelling is a true delight to read - I’ve been obsessed with this plot since I saw it on tiktok many months ago, and it was executed so well. As the live reunion gets closer, we find out more of the secrets of the past and what ultimately tore this group of stars apart. You get obsessed with the two child stars whose chemistry was just a little *too* strong to be faked, you become invested as to whether they’ll be friends again from the reunion. Essentially, you are catapulted into being a pre teen girl obsessed with this fictional show.

A riveting read and one I cannot recommend enough.

This wasn't a bad book but it definitely should be known as a teen read, at least in my opinion! It was a cute read, a feel good teen beat type of book. Which is fine, as long as you know! I would recommend it to a teenage group. The storyline was fine and flowed nicely. Its just for a younger audience! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Almost twenty years after the cast of Daydreams and their hit TV show imploded, their fans are begging for a reunion. Back in the day, the cast were teenagers who kept the audience spellbound with their romances, deceptions and machinations, but after a disastrous live season, the cast all went different ways. Now, they each have their own reasons for wanting to make the reunion a reality – another chance at stardom, lost love and revenge. As they reunite, the real reasons the show imploded come to light. Hankin captures the desire for popularity and notoriety that compel people to make some very bad choices