really liked this book, it was fun and easy to get through. the mc is a great character she isn’t the usually annoying i liked the side characters even more the main relationship was the best thing. the pacing and the setting of this novel was so good and just made the book even better.

Clem Madigan has never dreamed. She is one of the few who guards against dreams becoming reality and stalking the streets during the full moon. A magician and assistant warden of her small town, she is content with her life. That is until two young men arrive and challenge her father to a magical duel and win. What seemed an impossibility at first quickly becomes a reality and then a walking nightmare. Suddenly Clem must leave her home and seek revenge against those who wronged her family. But what if they were not who she thought they were, in fact, what if nothing she believed about her life was true? Thus begins the story within the story. In Rebecca Ross's new book, Dreams Lie Beneath, leave what you thought you knew at the door and prepare yourself for a ride unlike any other. A book worth reading again and again.

I was intrigued by this one for 2/3 of it, but then so much happened in part 3 that was hard to keep track of & I lost of excitement. I loved the concept of fighting dreams and the overall premise. The love story didn’t do much for me & one of the most intriguing main characters from the beginning of the book is sort of forgotten by the end…we never learn what happened to him.

this was so beautiful and haunting. i could not put this book down at all. rebecca ross did such an amazing job

I absolutely loved it. It sucked me in from the get-go, and felt ike escaping into another reality. It was one of those books in which I forgot about my surroundings and truly felt I was THERE, and could see the scenes unfolding in my kind, rather than just words on a page. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.

I was given this ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review :) Thanks HarperCollins and NetGalley!!!

Clem works with her father as a magician to rid their town of nightmares every New Moon because of the curse put on the land. When an unexpected pair shows up to challenge their right to guard the town, her whole world turns upside down, and she needs to become someone she never thought she’d have to.

This book was really good. It was so unique and plot-twisty (new term lol). I loved how it kept me guessed and engaged. It was definitely hard to put down. It was was beautifully written and magical. I loved the magic system, and the enemies to lovers was fantastic. I loved the main characters, and the way everything played out. It kept me very intrigued from beginning to end. Clementine was a great female lead, who was slightly morally grey, and can really hold her own against all the other players in the book. Phelan was an amazing partner for her in the book and I really enjoyed reading about the two of them. Nura and Olivette’s partnership and relationship was a breath of fresh air. I’d definitely recommend this to others to read for a magical and beautifully written read. 4/5 stars

Overall I really loved this book. The plot was enticing and filled with adventure, mystery, romance, and lots of twist and turns. The characters are easy to love (my favorite was Mazarine). The romance is definitely YA but the story has both enemies to lovers/ slow burn romance trope which I adore and found myself rooting for Clem nontheless! The writing was captivating and I was able to easily immerse myself into the book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s thinking about reading it.

Woah...the cover is so beautiful and the book was so amazing. 🥰

This is the first book I've read by Rebecca Ross and it certainly won't be my last book by her. I loved this book so much.

The ending surprised me I wasn't expecting that. Definitely would recommend this book to anyone who likes books about magic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Rebecca Ross for letting me read this wonderful book.

Wow.

Honestly, this book caught me by surprise. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The world and magic felt entirely original, while also managing to feel comfortably familiar at the same time. Furthermore, the plot kept me on my toes. I was never certain about what would happen next.

Onto the characters: Clem might be one of my new favorite protagonists. Furthermore, the enemies to lovers romance between Clem and Phelan was to die for. I also loved that you never knew exactly who the other characters were. I was constantly second guessing their motivations.

My one complaint is that this story does not feel complete to me. I sincerely hope that the author decides to write a sequel.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was truly amazing. I’m disappointed to have finished it as quickly as I did, because it was really just that good. Dreams Lie Beneath is a fantasy that pulls you into a world of curses, dreams, nightmares, and magic -- and it does not disappoint.

Clem was a legitimately enjoyable character to read about. She was strong-willed and independent, with an artist’s soul. She was also a very skilled magician, which is always nice to see. She was kind to a fault at times, but she truly had a personality that stood off the page. Phelan was a little more lackluster in comparison, and I did want to see more of who he really could be, but his backstory and time on the page was interesting and definitely had me rooting for this slowburn, enemies to lovers piece.

Truly, I think the only reason why I docked this book down to a 4.5 star off a 5 star is because I think it should have been written to an older audience. The concept of having to battle nightmares is grisly and terrifying, and could have been written as a really good fantasy horror piece. I desperately wanted to see it get more terrifying (I also was longing for some decent smut) but was definitely treated to it being a YA piece. It’s on the older spectrum of YA, since some of the details are still violent, but I was left a tad bit wanting.

The plot itself was hardly predictable, taking so many twists that it really kept you in suspense. You could make guesses (and I was right about a few) but it felt unique and I was never disappointed about the way things twisted and turned. The plot was also really fast-paced and never seemed to lag. It covered a lot of time and material within the pages, without being rushed or boring you along the way. The world-building was also exceptional and I’m honestly really disappointed that this is a standalone.

This book will definitely live as a favorite of mine, and I’m sure to reread this again in the future. I cannot recommend this enough for fans of magic, dreams, enemies to lovers, and a really good plot that doesn’t disappoint.

This was SUCH a good book! The writing was lyrical and well paced and really draws you into the story. I loved how driven Clem was and how her motivations slowly shifted throughout the story. I loved how Phelan wasn't quite what you expected and the friendships that grow in this book.. It's also a stand alone fantasy, which is great!

A young magician disguises herself in order to exact revenge on a rival magician only to learn that there are larger forces at work that will require her to work with her rival to save herself and those that she loves. There were many likable characters whose flaws only made them more endearing. The struggles and the continual growth of the main character felt authentic and made me like her even when her choices were misguided. The supporting characters were equally well developed and memorable. The plot contained classic fairytale elements but had enough originality to make it interesting. There was plenty of action and just enough backstory to keep things moving at a steady pace. Teens who like magic, fairytales, and/or romance will enjoy this book. This title is appropriate for younger teens.

This book wasn’t necessarily boring but it wasn’t for me. I didn’t enjoy the characters or the development but I did find the world and magic intriguing. And I would still recommend to a friend.

The description sounded great, but the pace was very slow and something about the writing seemed a bit stilted? I found myself going to read other books instead and each time I returned to this one, I honestly just wasn’t interested. I loved the description in the beginning and the mystery of everything but I just did not find myself able to finish the book. :(

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

While this wasn't my cup of tea it was a good read if you like the cruel prince and the night circus it just wasn't for me but the writing was well written.

Rebecca Ross has become an auto-buy author in my household at this point. Ever since I read The Queen’s Rising, I have fallen in love with Rebecca’s ability to weave a story. The way she carefully crafts a world so intricate and lush is breathtaking. Dreams Lie Beneath is just another example of how Rebecca creates worlds you want to live in.

Clementine is a tenacious main character. She’s clever, strong-willed, and will do anything to protect her family. Her father is the warden of a small town, and she is his apprentice. They’re tasked with protecting the townsfolk from their nightmares which can become real on a new moon and attack the town. As a prevention, if they’re able to afford it, people purchase tonics which prevent them from dreaming. I loved the magic system and the use of dreams throughout this story. The magic is so seamlessly woven into the lore of this world, and I couldn’t get enough everytime a story was being told within the book. It was just layers and layers of backstory that I loved.

I received an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ooh I loved this one. I am already a fan of her work but Ross really outdid herself with the world building, magical system, and curse in this one - her imagination is just incredible, and really brought this world to life. The Curse itself feels like it could have walked out of an already existing Fairy Tale (and if it was, it would be a famous one), but then her unique development of the dream magic (alongside the casting magic) really pushed it beyond the boundaries of fairy tale and into the best kind of full flung fantasy adventure. **Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books/Harper Collins for my eARC in exchange for my honest review**

There's a lot of mysteries wrapped up into the "curse" as well as the magic that permeates the land, creating lots of layers in the plot, and many revelations to come. Magic disguises and hidden identities muck up the waters and make it difficult to nail down who are the friends and who are the foes. Having one of the main characters in disguise always creates a good premise for romantic tension too, which was on point in this story.

Perfect for fans of Naomi Noviks Uprooted, and Margaret Rogerson's Sorcery of Thorns.

My only dislike of this whole story? The last page. I re-read it a couple times thinking I was missing something or miss-interpreting something, it just doesn't fit with the rest of the denouement (which up until that point was perfect for the story). Maybe I am just interpreting it wrong, maybe it was supposed to be deep or thought provoking or? But to me it was very ominous. Which definitely didn't fit the vibe of the rest of the ending. Maybe it would make more sense if there was another book to come? But as is, I'm just going to ignore that last page and pretend it wasn't there...

Amazing!! This book felt like opening the pages of your favorite fairytale. There is a taste of familiarity, of nostalgia, and you just know you will be coming back to this story again even after you have turned the last page.

In one night, Clementine Madigan's life suffers an upheaval due to two brothers who galavant into her father's house and challenge him to a duel. And so, Clem thinks she has the right to revenge her family's honor and home. Little does she know how her quest will pale in comparison to the tales of treachery, vengeance, and greed she will uncover.

This is my first book by Rebecca Ross and it will not be the last! I felt like I was getting to know her as an author through this story. The worldbuilding, the characters' development, and even how each part set came together beautifully. Clementine is a heroine you can't help but cheer for. She's fierce and passionate, not really measuring consequences. And the story develops, you see that her big heart is what drives her, intensifying the wrestle between stone and flesh within her.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the digital copy of this beautiful book. I adored it! it was hard to put down because it was so fast paced and the plot twist where amazing! These characters were lovable and relatable and I could not get enough. Just wow, I can not speak high enough about it!

#DreamsLieBeneath #NetGalley
Another beautifully, written novel by Rebecca Ross. She entrances readers with her writing and storylines. The characters are very original and Clementine kept me turning page after page. Doesn't read like other books. Ross's writing has a very lovely and deep feeling to it.