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dxisymitch's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Ableism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Self harm, Car accident, and Medical content
tee_tee_lou_lou's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 beautifully broken stars
Seraphina and Julien.
What a fantastic and heartwarming conclusion to what would have to be one of my favourite series of the year.
Im so glad that Julien got a story of his own, after falling in love with him in "bright like midnight" and having my heart break when he had his accident, I was so happy for him to get his happy ending... I NEEDED him to have it.
This book has some great tropes in it:
✔️Secret identity via text messages
✔️A bet
✔️Fake relationship (that wasn't so fake)
✔️Scarred and grumpy hero
✔️Sweet and soft heroine
Julien and Sera had a brief meeting in the shadows of a party and you just knew the spark was there, and although he gave her his number it was really the wrong timing, Sera had a boyfriend and following their encounter Julien had his accident.
It was months before he messaged her and they became fast friends via text, he knew who she was but she only knew him as "the Phantom", regardless they formed a connection and the story truly begins.......
At the mention of a bet I was internally screaming and was really ready to dislike Sera if she dared to hurt Jules that way, thankfully she's too nice and honest to have been capable of taking that road and I was greatful, my like for Sera only grew from there, I loved that she actually had alot of confidence to tell Julien what shes thinking and feeling outloud no matter how they left her feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed, even though she lacked that ability with her family. She was soft and sweet but Julien really helped her come into her own.
Julien was a little buised and cracked, but not broken. I really felt his pain for what he'd been through and his anger at life in general, he was so grumpy in the beginning. As things developed with Sera he was soft as butter and I started to see glimpse of the guy we first saw in book 2. I just adored him.
They were so perfect for each other, they have both been into the darkness, both took different paths at different times to get there but only someone who has been into the abyss can truly understand how cold and lonely it can be, darkness knows darkness after all.
Reading how they helped draw eachother away from the dark and into the light was beautiful. They both had such patience and care for eachother when they needed it to deal with all those tricky outside factors in their lives and in navigating their relationship.
It was also kinda awesome to discover how much Julien was into Sera from that first encounter, I loved that.
I had so many feels throughout this book, there where some truly beautiful moments, some sad ones too, and lots of happiness. Really fantastic book and I cant wait to read what comes next with Savage Academy.
"Imperfection meeting imperfection, flawlessly."
They really where a beautifully real daydream ❤️
5 beautifully broken stars
Seraphina and Julien.
What a fantastic and heartwarming conclusion to what would have to be one of my favourite series of the year.
Im so glad that Julien got a story of his own, after falling in love with him in "bright like midnight" and having my heart break when he had his accident, I was so happy for him to get his happy ending... I NEEDED him to have it.
This book has some great tropes in it:
✔️Secret identity via text messages
✔️A bet
✔️Fake relationship (that wasn't so fake)
✔️Scarred and grumpy hero
✔️Sweet and soft heroine
Julien and Sera had a brief meeting in the shadows of a party and you just knew the spark was there, and although he gave her his number it was really the wrong timing, Sera had a boyfriend and following their encounter Julien had his accident.
It was months before he messaged her and they became fast friends via text, he knew who she was but she only knew him as "the Phantom", regardless they formed a connection and the story truly begins.......
At the mention of a bet I was internally screaming and was really ready to dislike Sera if she dared to hurt Jules that way, thankfully she's too nice and honest to have been capable of taking that road and I was greatful, my like for Sera only grew from there, I loved that she actually had alot of confidence to tell Julien what shes thinking and feeling outloud no matter how they left her feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed, even though she lacked that ability with her family. She was soft and sweet but Julien really helped her come into her own.
Julien was a little buised and cracked, but not broken. I really felt his pain for what he'd been through and his anger at life in general, he was so grumpy in the beginning. As things developed with Sera he was soft as butter and I started to see glimpse of the guy we first saw in book 2. I just adored him.
They were so perfect for each other, they have both been into the darkness, both took different paths at different times to get there but only someone who has been into the abyss can truly understand how cold and lonely it can be, darkness knows darkness after all.
Reading how they helped draw eachother away from the dark and into the light was beautiful. They both had such patience and care for eachother when they needed it to deal with all those tricky outside factors in their lives and in navigating their relationship.
It was also kinda awesome to discover how much Julien was into Sera from that first encounter, I loved that.
I had so many feels throughout this book, there where some truly beautiful moments, some sad ones too, and lots of happiness. Really fantastic book and I cant wait to read what comes next with Savage Academy.
"Imperfection meeting imperfection, flawlessly."
They really where a beautifully real daydream ❤️
lets9255's review against another edition
3.0
for me
This book was good in the beginning. In the middle the book fell off a little bit in being interesting. I liked the premise but the book seem to drag on for too long. I liked the ending and I wish we got to see the MMC propose and the wedding but whatever. I also would have liked the scene of them finding out they were pregnant. The end seemed abrupt and in a way rushed. The book overall was eh and some what average. I thought this was a fake dating book but the fake dating didn’t last long. The plot was wayyy too complicated at times and tried too hard. It wasn’t natural to read. I did like how the guy read her favorite fanfic so they could talk about it. The couple was cute at the end. In the beginning a little and in middle kinda but too much drama to like them together. Overall it was an okay book. I don’t know if I would recommend it it would depend on the person. 3/5
This book was good in the beginning. In the middle the book fell off a little bit in being interesting. I liked the premise but the book seem to drag on for too long. I liked the ending and I wish we got to see the MMC propose and the wedding but whatever. I also would have liked the scene of them finding out they were pregnant. The end seemed abrupt and in a way rushed. The book overall was eh and some what average. I thought this was a fake dating book but the fake dating didn’t last long. The plot was wayyy too complicated at times and tried too hard. It wasn’t natural to read. I did like how the guy read her favorite fanfic so they could talk about it. The couple was cute at the end. In the beginning a little and in middle kinda but too much drama to like them together. Overall it was an okay book. I don’t know if I would recommend it it would depend on the person. 3/5
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
5.0
THIS is how you end an amazing series!
This book & characters are simply wonderful! What an emotional and exquisite story!
Julien has been a favorite secondary character of mine in this series past books, I’m so very glad he got a story and it happens to be my new favorite!
These characters are so beautiful, they’ve both been in such dark places. I love their connection, I love Sera’s (Seraphina) upbeat chatty conversations, I love Julien’s gruff exterior, I love it even more when Sera is able to get a smirk from him.
The story has such heart aching, heart wrenching qualities and on the flip side it is so intensely beautiful and hopeful.
I really felt everything for these soulful, damaged, resilient characters who are so caring and full of love for the people in their lives.
Depression, self esteem and body image issues are something both characters have in common. They’ve struggled and still are.
They truly understand and accept each other. It’s a beautiful relationship they form that helps encourage the other.
Family plays a painful part for them both. I love the way this is handled and the way these characters support and give each other a safe place to fall. They push when it’s helpful and stand by the other no matter what.
I could go on forever…there’s so many amazing aspects to this story. So many wonderful scenes, so much steam and sexiness. And there’s a lot of big, smart and heartfelt moments.
The chemistry and emotions of their sexual connection are both incredible! Hot and explosive, they gave me all the butterflies and steam.
The secondary characters are wonderful as always, they’re like family and I loved the parts they play.
This is an absolute MUST read book and series!
Such unique characters, so entertaining and very thoughtful storytelling.
I LOVE it all! Top favorite forever!
This book & characters are simply wonderful! What an emotional and exquisite story!
Julien has been a favorite secondary character of mine in this series past books, I’m so very glad he got a story and it happens to be my new favorite!
These characters are so beautiful, they’ve both been in such dark places. I love their connection, I love Sera’s (Seraphina) upbeat chatty conversations, I love Julien’s gruff exterior, I love it even more when Sera is able to get a smirk from him.
The story has such heart aching, heart wrenching qualities and on the flip side it is so intensely beautiful and hopeful.
I really felt everything for these soulful, damaged, resilient characters who are so caring and full of love for the people in their lives.
Depression, self esteem and body image issues are something both characters have in common. They’ve struggled and still are.
They truly understand and accept each other. It’s a beautiful relationship they form that helps encourage the other.
Family plays a painful part for them both. I love the way this is handled and the way these characters support and give each other a safe place to fall. They push when it’s helpful and stand by the other no matter what.
I could go on forever…there’s so many amazing aspects to this story. So many wonderful scenes, so much steam and sexiness. And there’s a lot of big, smart and heartfelt moments.
The chemistry and emotions of their sexual connection are both incredible! Hot and explosive, they gave me all the butterflies and steam.
The secondary characters are wonderful as always, they’re like family and I loved the parts they play.
This is an absolute MUST read book and series!
Such unique characters, so entertaining and very thoughtful storytelling.
I LOVE it all! Top favorite forever!
leys33's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kaydanielsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Wow! My heart is overflowing with so much WOW!!
While my heart crumbled numerous times for both Julien and Sera, it also overflowed with so much love for these two beautiful people. Each of them scarred in their own way, they truly bring out the best in each other, while healing one another in the way only love can do.
I saw so much of myself in Sera, aside from just the red hair, so I was rooting for her from the very beginning. Julien, with his beautiful soul, is the perfect fit for Sera, while in turn she is the perfect for him. While there are quite a few obstacles in their way before they can get to their HEA, their road mentions a lot of daydream moments, but they actually have a lot of nightmare realities to face which are heartbreaking to read. I won't go into all of them because this book needs to be experienced and trust me, once you pick it up you won't want to put it down. I'm still lost in their world and I don't want to return anytime soon.
Real Like Daydreams is interconnected to the other books in Savage U and while reading the other books in this series would probably enhance your reading experience, especially when other characters drop in, it's not necessary to thoroughly enjoy falling in love with Julien and Seraphina. Their story is like walking in a daydream, and perhaps because they handle real life problems together, which only made them stronger, I know I can't stop thinking about them even days after finishing their book. This couple is truly special and will hold a special place in my heart.
While my heart crumbled numerous times for both Julien and Sera, it also overflowed with so much love for these two beautiful people. Each of them scarred in their own way, they truly bring out the best in each other, while healing one another in the way only love can do.
I saw so much of myself in Sera, aside from just the red hair, so I was rooting for her from the very beginning. Julien, with his beautiful soul, is the perfect fit for Sera, while in turn she is the perfect for him. While there are quite a few obstacles in their way before they can get to their HEA, their road mentions a lot of daydream moments, but they actually have a lot of nightmare realities to face which are heartbreaking to read. I won't go into all of them because this book needs to be experienced and trust me, once you pick it up you won't want to put it down. I'm still lost in their world and I don't want to return anytime soon.
Real Like Daydreams is interconnected to the other books in Savage U and while reading the other books in this series would probably enhance your reading experience, especially when other characters drop in, it's not necessary to thoroughly enjoy falling in love with Julien and Seraphina. Their story is like walking in a daydream, and perhaps because they handle real life problems together, which only made them stronger, I know I can't stop thinking about them even days after finishing their book. This couple is truly special and will hold a special place in my heart.
bluebarryhoneybee's review against another edition
3.0
I liked a good chunk of this, but I got very bored near the end. Not necessarily the book’s faults. I tend to get bored once the couple admits to their feelings for one another.
I also didn’t love how the characters spoke. Like when they were fucking, it was like they were reciting Shakespearean words of love or something. Like who talks like this during sex?
I did really like that forst sex scene though. I liked how bold Sera was when she was just like “hey, maybe we should have sex for fun” and then they just did it. I respected the rizz.
I wish her ex and Katie were on it more. I feel like they just disappeared halfway through only to reappear for minor plot reasons. I also wish they had to pretend more. Like that’s the fun of fake dating! The pretending! But so much of their interaction happen when they’re alone! Like! Come on! Give me the drama!
Anyways, it this were out of 10? 6.
I also didn’t love how the characters spoke. Like when they were fucking, it was like they were reciting Shakespearean words of love or something. Like who talks like this during sex?
I did really like that forst sex scene though. I liked how bold Sera was when she was just like “hey, maybe we should have sex for fun” and then they just did it. I respected the rizz.
I wish her ex and Katie were on it more. I feel like they just disappeared halfway through only to reappear for minor plot reasons. I also wish they had to pretend more. Like that’s the fun of fake dating! The pretending! But so much of their interaction happen when they’re alone! Like! Come on! Give me the drama!
Anyways, it this were out of 10? 6.
spazzykatie's review
5.0
I don't have the emotional bandwidth to write a review right now. Just know that Julien and Sera's story was the best of the Savage U series. They destroyed me. HE destroyed me.
amc599's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0