Short story collections aren't always my vibe, but the selection here from J.S. Bailey just might have converted me. I love space, I love fantasy, I love that there were multiple genres covered. Collected works by the same author usually hit better for me than anthologies, so I appreciated that consistency across stories.

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

This book wasn't what I was expecting, in the best way! I enjoy sci-fi, but often find it a little too serious and maybe even a bit pretentious. If you've ever wanted to get into sci-fi but weren't sure where to start, I highly recommend this book! It was so much fun and all of the stories were incredibly entertaining and felt like watching old episodes of The Twilight Zone.

The first story in this book was probably my favorite. It tells the story of a flat-earther getting abducted by aliens and is both hilarious and heartbreaking. The stories vary in tone which I also appreciated, as it made each one feel distinct from the rest.

This was my first time reading J.S. Bailey's work, but I will definitely be eager to pick up more of her writing in the future.

I’m normally not a big fan of story collections but this was surprisingly right up my alley. I enjoyed the variety of stories and the author clearly is able to write well in different genres.
I especially loved the story of the flat earther who was abducted. It just was silly and fun for me to read.

Upon a Waking Dream by J. S. Bailey is a really cool read. The mix of mystery and supernatural elements creates a gripping atmosphere. The main character’s experience of navigating between dreams and reality keeps things intriguing, and the twists definitely caught me off guard. It’s got just the right amount of suspense without going overboard, and it holds your attention from start to finish. Definitely an interesting story that keeps you on your toes!

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

Upon a Waking Dream is such an intriguing combinations of short-stories. each one will prompt you to explore your imagination to see the possibilities.

Thank you NetGalley for an earc of this book. I didn’t really realise that this was a short stories collection as I‘m usually not reading short stories but the blurb sounded great and I wanted to give it a try. It sadly wasn’t for me

I loved this collection of stories, brining out the conspiracy part of my brain/heart.
The prompts were interesting and really detailed with each breakdown. Some of the ideas that were discussed were:
-A Flat Earther gets abducted by aliens
-A college dropout gets by with a little help from her imaginary friend
-A woman obsessed with her favorite actor creates a new universe just to meet him
-A magic pen bridges the gap between generations
This is a wonderful collection of stories that can easily be a favorite.

I was thoroughly impressed by J.S. Bailey's collection of stories. Each piece showcases Bailey's remarkable talent for beautiful prose and captivating ideas. The collection exhibits impressive versatility by navigating various styles and subgenres, including science fiction, fantasy, and more. Bailey's writing is both eloquent and deeply evocative, often stirring profound emotions in the reader.

One standout story in Bailey's collection is 'Inheritance,' a poignant tale with a powerful narrative and emotionally rich content that left a lasting impression on me. The themes of legacy and loss were handled with such sensitivity and depth that they continue to resonate with me.

Bailey's collection is a captivating journey that draws the reader into vivid, immersive worlds. Each story is a unique experience, set in meticulously crafted settings with compelling character arcs. Whether exploring futuristic landscapes or fantastical realms, Bailey's storytelling consistently engages and, importantly, provokes thought.

This collection is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction or anyone who appreciates masterfully written stories. Bailey's skillful blend of genres and heartfelt storytelling ensures that each tale resonates long after turning the final page.

The tales are unique, endearing, enjoyable, comical, and perfectly quirky. Put otherwise, it was enjoyable to read.
One aspect I really like in short fiction collections is the afterword, which gives history to each of these stories.

I am grateful to Netgalley for giving me a free ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.Upon a Waking Dream by J. S. Bailey is a collection of twelve stories about aliens, imaginary friends, invisible houses, magic pens and more. It was such a great read and I loved "Inheritance" the most. The stories often ended in cliffhangers and left me wanting more. Thanks for the great cover..

An engaging collection of sci-fi and fantasy short stories that genuinely captivate readers with imaginative plots and original concepts. With themes ranging from alien encounters to time travel, 'Upon a Waking Dream' offers an exciting escape for readers looking for adventure and intrigue.

"Upon a Waking Dream" by J. S. Bailey is a mesmerizing journey into the realms of the subconscious, where reality blurs with fantasy and dreams hold the key to unlocking hidden truths. In this tantalizing collection of short stories, Bailey weaves a tapestry of intrigue and wonder, each tale offering a glimpse into the mysterious depths of the human psyche. From surreal landscapes to haunting encounters, the author's evocative prose and vivid imagery captivate the imagination, inviting readers to lose themselves in worlds both strange and familiar. "Upon a Waking Dream" is a masterful exploration of the power of dreams to illuminate the darkest corners of the soul, leaving readers spellbound and longing for more.

This book starts out with an adrenaline-and-magic-fueled backdrop and amazing word building and simply just gets better and more high-octane from there. I couldn’t out this one down.

This is a wild collection of sci Fi and fantasy stories. You definitely have to let your imagination run wild with each story. I wanted something different than my usual reads,

Upon a Waking Dream by J.S. Bailey is a mesmerizing collection of stories that left a lasting impression on me. I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bailey's mastery of prose and their diverse storytelling abilities shine throughout this collection. Spanning across various genres from science fiction to fantasy and more, each story presents a unique and captivating experience. I particularly found "Inheritance" to be deeply moving, evoking a sense of both warmth and melancholy that tugged at my heartstrings.

Bailey's passion for science fiction is evident in these tales, presenting a whimsical and conceptual approach rather than a heavy focus on technical details. The stories are original, charming, and infused with a delightful sense of whimsy. I greatly appreciated the afterword, which provided additional insights and backstory to enhance my reading experience.

What truly stood out to me was how Bailey's storytelling centered on human experiences amidst the vastness of the universe. Each story offered a different perspective and explored a wide range of themes. While a few stories didn't resonate with me as strongly as others, the majority were strong and intriguing in their own unique way.

"Upon a Waking Dream" served as a delightful escape from reality, transporting me to intriguing and peculiar worlds. Bailey's ability to evoke emotion and provoke contemplation made each story a pleasure to read. The only minor drawback was the brevity of a couple of stories, which left me craving more depth and substance.

As I concluded this collection, I couldn't help but anticipate the future creations of J.S. Bailey. Their storytelling prowess and the captivating nature of these tales have solidified my admiration. If you are in search of beautifully crafted stories that transport you to extraordinary realms, I highly recommend exploring "Upon a Waking Dream."

Upon a Waking Dream it’s a collection of short stories with amazing, beautiful, fantastic, emotional aspects differentiating each other. The stories cover many genres, though most are sci-fi short stories envolve around aliens technology, space time travel. Bringing us the concept of the humanity with perspectives on the cure to give humans eternal life. Love between human and aliens etc.
This was a very easy as fast-paced pace read, I recommend it to anyone interested in an introduction to J.S. Bailey's writing it was my first time.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this Book and for the opportunity to review it giving my honest opinion on it.

This book has a different quality about it that makes it very easy to read and make you think about it after you put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

This is a collection of twelve futuristic sci-fi, speculative and fantasy stories, showcasing a range of styles and content, but all well-written and immersive.

My personal favourite stories, ‘Jay’ and ‘Inheritance’, featured a modern-day saint/prophet and a magic pen respectively and both managed to provoke strong emotional responses and deep thoughts, while remaining entertaining as light, quick reads too.

Others in the collection explore all sorts of fascinating ideas – a very unlucky man, an egg hunt with a twist, a world of boys with few girls, a world where aging has stopped, an imaginary friend and an invisible home. Every single one was a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Unusually for me, I was less fond of the lighter and more humorous stories – the Flat Earth correspondence, the hero worship, interstellar signals from a potentially fowl source and a dispute about the number of floors in a hotel. These all felt more like snippets of a wider story to me, and not as stand-alone satisfying as the rest of the collection.

There is a bit of something for every sci-fi fan or spec-fiction reader here and the whole book makes a great introduction to J.S. Bailey’s writing. I hadn’t read her work before, but certainly would in the future (any future!).