Reviews

Dreaming of You by Melissa Lozada-Oliva

saphira7's review against another edition

5.0

Okay so was I skeptical of reading this. I blame Hopkins for making me hate novels in verse. I actually kept putting off reading this book because I was afraid I wasn’t going to like it. Or worse, that I would hate it. But I forced myself to read this today & I’m glad I did. It was slow & confusing at first but let me tell you how I became captivated by the book. I read it in a few hours. I’m just so in love with this book. First five-star read of the year.

chaotic17's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

selinaleona_'s review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

3.0

cosmicreadinggirl's review against another edition

3.0

i have mixed feelings about this book
i think lozada-oliva's writing is incredible but this just didn't hit as much as i wanted it to. i enjoyed her poetry collection, Peluda so i was expecting to feel that same love here.
i feel like this would do better as a poetry collection rather than a narrative story if that makes sense? i felt lost at some points and didn't know what i was reading
what i did understand, was written beautifully and there are some definite stand out poems in this book. but some stuff didn't sit right with me while i was reading
idk? 2.5 or 3 stars??

earnestgirl's review against another edition

funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

joanasoeiro's review against another edition

2.0

Some of the poems are interesting and creative, but overall the book feels disrespectful, no matter how hard you try to twist it.

sashasmith's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.75

the fuck?

mashley14's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Lozada-Oliva's poetry is delightfully casual while evoking the growing pains of a girl in her 20s in such a way that rips your heart out. If you're in your 20s, you can relate.

maralyons's review against another edition

4.0

Dreaming of You by Melissa Lozada-Oliva is a wildly strange and hilarious novel in verse. The author narrates the story largely in stream of consciousness. This sometimes didn’t work for me as it was a little confusing, but the book really picks up steam about a third of the way in when the plot is more established. The humor is dark and sometimes the content is really thought provoking. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts. I read the book and listened to the audiobook, which is masterfully narrated by the author. Lozada-Oliva has such fantastic delivery, I would recommend pairing the physical book and audiobook. I found the poems easier to follow when read aloud. I recommend this book if you’re looking for something unexpected.

Thank you Astra Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

maryehavens's review against another edition

1.0

I just couldn’t get into it. Too trippy for my particular needs at the moment. Lozado-Oliva worried about disrespecting Selena’s image and that concern is legit. Living in Texas, I can attest to the very real Selena worship.
Going to put this at the Little Free Library at work and I hope someone else will appreciate this work.