Fleeing the relentless pursuit of a terrifying and powerful man, governess Lucy Hayes finds herself stranded in a storm. Desperate and with events quickly spiraling, she pretends to be engaged to a stranger she only knows as William. When he falls ill, Lucy is not only drawn deeper into the charade but also into the folds of his loving family.

Lucy knows she should tell them the truth, but she’s relishing their warmth and kindness. Pretending for a few more days couldn’t hurt too much and would keep her safe. But she didn’t count on meeting Lord Simon Calloway, William’s brother. The baron doesn’t trust her, but worse yet, Lucy is falling for the man who believes her to be betrothed to his sibling.

A delightful and heartwarming tale, What Dreams May Come captivated me from the opening page and gave me my first top read for 2023. A new-to-me author, Dana LeCheminant’s writing style so thoroughly enchanted me that I promptly rushed to find her other Regency-era novel, The Thief in the Noble.

Inspired by the popular 90’s film While You Were Sleeping, and at the risk of being hunted down by its many fans, I confess I loved this story even more. The characters, the setting, and the author’s voice not only ensured that this will be a definite reread, but that I’ll also be on the lookout for every Regency book LeCheminant writes.

Lucy’s back and forth debate of whether to tell the truth or not felt repetitive on occasion, and a few things about the villain didn’t quite compute. Nonetheless, they didn’t dim the overall enjoyment I experienced.

Fans of While You Were Sleeping and sweet, fun stories won’t want to miss What Dreams May Come.

This was fantastic! The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were well-developed; complex, and intriguing. I highly recommend this beautiful telling of the power of love. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I enjoyed this story. I love the movie While You Were Sleeping, so I was excited for this story line. While there were times in the story where it felt repetitive, I overall enjoyed the story.

In an effort to escape a man, Lucy escapes and begins her travels to a governess job. However, while forced to stay at an inn because of a storm, she has no choice to play along with a handsome young man when the unwanted suitor shows up at the inn. Unfortunately, her rescuer is seriously ill, and in an effort to remain save, Lucy continues her lie of being his betrothed. What Lucy doesn't expect is his handsome brother, Simon, the Baron.

I enjoyed seeing the love story blossom between Lucy and Simon.

Okay…I genuinely don’t know how to feel about this book. Knowing it’s based off While You Were Sleeping was the biggest draw for me, and I went in super excited (because let’s be honest it’s one of the greatest movies ever!). And yes, I know the story line is based on assumptions, lies of omission, mistaken identity, and a bit of miscommunication, so I’d like to say I was prepared going into this book, and I guess I was, but man…this book was honestly so frustrating for me.
While the romance was sweet, I could not stand the back and forth and back and forth of Lucy deciding whether to tell the truth or not. It was okay the first bit, but it kept going and going and was truly frustrating for me. Again, I get why and I totally understand the reasons for telling/not telling the truth, but it just continued to the point of irritation for me. Especially when she gave snippets of the truth or opened up a bit to some characters, it was a bit annoying when she would be upset knowing she could easily fix the problem.
I hate, hate, HATE leaving not positive reviews (I honestly only like to build authors up because it can’t be easy putting your soul out there in the form of a book/story), but this, for me, was a big enough issue to express how I truly feel. This book had so much potential and is based on one of my favorite movies so I was so excited, and I hated that I had to force myself to read it sometimes.
But there are parts/aspects I did enjoy!
My absolute favorite part and, for me, the redeeming quality, was the last two chapters and epilogue of the book. Lucy and Simon finally have everything out in the open and were able to truly be with each other. Dana does a great job, despite what’s said above, of building the chemistry and romantic tension between Simon and Lucy. I also loved how she created such a warm and loving family for Lucy to get to know, especially with her past. Plus the reference to her other regency book was fun.
I truly hope we get Nick’s story! I will gladly always pick up a book by Dana and can’t wait for her next regency story!

What Dreams May Come is loosely based on one of my favorite romantic comedies from the 90s (While You Were Sleeping). I was really looking forward to this book and, while it was enjoyable, it did get pretty repetitive in the middle. Most of the story is spent with the main characters waffling about what to do- tell the truth, confront Lucy- and I did end up skimming large chunks. While I liked the characters and the general idea of the plot, a few aspects of the story felt very repetitive. I'd recommend this book to people who love regency romances or While You Were Sleeping, but I do wish the characters were a little more decisive.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a delight. I would definitely recommend to those looking for a clean regency romance.

An enjoyable regency romance. Lucy is desperate to flee an unwanted suitor. On her journey she meets a rescuer, William Calloway., he falls ill and she ends up at his family estate. Lucy is befriended by Lord Simon, Williams older brother. Simon and Lucy become close but are there too many secrets to let these two find a forever love? Enjoy this book!

Thank you to Dana LeCheminant for the e-ARC of “What Dreams May Come,” a Regency romance, and my first read by the author in exchange for my honest review.

What first caught me was the title - “What Dreams May Come” - a line from Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy in Act III. I was also intrigued by the blurb as I love a romance where there’s subterfuge and running away from a nefarious individual.

Overall, I enjoyed the read. I would recommend it to folks. And I will definitely read another story by LeCheminant (hopefully where Nick is the hero and we get to learn about his sudden change to a more flouncy fabricator of stories).

However, there were a number of things that just fell flat for me. One, with a title like that, I expected it to be more related to Hamlet or be darker? Or have something more to do with dreams? Though, I suppose they (Lucy, Simon, Nick, and William) each had their own dreams and hindrances in their way… I just feel like the title doesn’t really go with the vibe. Also, I expected the villain to be darker. Or do more… villainy things? Compared to the other characters, he was as flat as a board and I never felt like he was a threat. So, I didn’t feel like the stakes were high, or even slightly threatening…

Also, while yes I love the subterfuge plot in romances, Lucy and Simon going back and forth and back and forth again and again got old. Lucy is going to tell them, oh, no, she’s not. Simon is going to confront her, oh, no, he’s not. Lucy feels guilty but then keeps going with the charade. She’s told Nick. Everyone is pretty forgiving. And so much more. It got tedious to keep track and their emotions were all over the place - oscillating from guilt to joy and back again.

Also, this is a me thing, I’m not fond of romances where they fall in love in like a day. Legit, this was nearly insta-love and they were in love with one another in a week. I cannot connect to that at all. Does not compute in my brain. How they all forgive one another for the lies and just accept Lucy when they barely know her?

I will say, as much as their flip flop of emotions kinda irked me, these were well-rounded, likable characters. Each is defined and has their own strengths and weaknesses.

TLDR: Maybe aimed for younger or YA romance readers who can better relate to the insta-love and moving through emotions so quickly? Just not entirely my cup of tea. But, definitely enjoyed parts. Would definitely love to read Nick’s story.

I just reviewed What Dreams May Come by Dana LeCheminant. #WhatDreamsMayCome #NetGalley


I loved this story!

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a Regency Era clean romance that reminded me a lot of the movie While you were sleeping. Lucy shows up on the doorstep of her "engaged" family (brother who is in a fever sleep) but falls in love with the older brother during their daily interactions. It was a good, fast read and I will look for more by this author who created a great slow burn romance.

This book started off with a bang and kept the energy going! Definitely a historical while you were sleeping! I loved seeing how LeCheminant crafted the story pulling in different elements!

Gracious what a great book!
This book had me pulled in by the second page and it just kept getting better. The characters are so well developed I found myself truly involved in their lives and struggles. Lucy is a governess happily moving to another job since it will allow her to escape the very unwanted attentions of her employer’s brother, Mr. Granger, who cannot accept the answer no. When the coach she is traveling in is forced to stop at an inn because of a storm, she is horrified to see Mr. Granger entering the same inn. Looking for a place to hide, she takes shelter behind a large man, William Calloway. When he asks and she explains her need to stay hidden from Granger, he immediately announces that she is his wife and, keeping her hidden, takes her up to his room. Upon entering the room, Calloway quickly collapses with a fever. A doctor is called and Calloway is sent home with his “wife” where he can be treated. Being helpful, the innkeeper sends a note alerting the family that “an unconscious William Calloway and his wife” were on their way home. And it only gets better with each succeeding page mixing in William’s sister and mother, a family friend from London, an older Calloway brother drawn to Lucy, and of course the determined Mr. Granger. An excellent read you are sure enjoy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

On the run from a dangerous man intent on taking her to be his wife, Lucy encounters a stranger, William, who offers her his protection. However, one little lie turns into a snowball of a mess when he falls ill before they reach his family and she is unsure of how to carry on the charade, but the family open their arms to her and don't give her much room to explain.

A twist to the "compromising situation" trope of historical romance, as Lucy gets to know the older brother, Lord Simon Calloway. Then, a friend from London arrives to add his own suspicions to those growing from Simon. Once William wakes up, he has surprises of his own to reveal.

A sweet story of a girl with no one left in the world being absorbed into a family and finding belonging and protection. If you enjoy a story with a lot of anticipation, you'll like getting to know these characters.

*A big thanks from Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.

I could not put this book down! What Dreams May Come is a fun, witty, and heartfelt read of mistaken identity.
When governess, Lucy Hayes is caught in a storm she goes along with a strangers lie to keep her safe from an unwanted suitor. But when the stranger, William, falls ill there is little time to sort out the truth and she soon finds herself introduced to his family as his betrothed. She is taken in by William’s family and quickly grows attached to them, especially his older brother Lord Simon Calloway. The closer she grows towards Simon the harder it is to keep up the ruse. But danger isn’t far behind. Can she trust Simon with her secrets?
I loved Lucy and Simon. After years of being on her own, Lucy craves the love and belonging of the Calloway family. Simon feels the weight of his responsibilities as head of his household keenly and is overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy. Together they are able to help each other become a better version of themselves.
In this fun While You We’re Sleeping retell I thought the author did a wonderful job with pacing and character development. There was very little drag. And besides Lucy and Simon there are a lot of fun side characters. I am very much looking forward to some future stories about about a few of them. Overall I would highly highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good and clean regency romance.
Thank you to Covenant Communications and Netgalley for a ARC in review for my honest opinion.

Lucy Hayes, penniless governess, is travelling to her new job and also trying to escape the unwanted attentions of a persistent suitor, the brother of he previous employer. Caught in a storm William Calloway offers help, only to all ill with fever. She travels with him to his family to make sure he arrives safely only to be mistaken for his fiancée. His family are so welcoming, how can she tell them the truth, and then she begins to fall for his older brother Simon.

This is a regency “While You Were Sleeping”, a sweet romance between two worthy protagonists. Whilst I enjoyed the book I did find some of the internal monologue from both main characters a bit repetitive; she’s his brother’s betrothed, she’s told him and his family lies, and repeat. But overall an enjoyable light, romantic read.