A review by perksofbeinganorchid
Daydream by Hannah Grace

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

"I disagree," he says. "I think the right person makes you the person you were supposed to be in the first place. I don't agree that you become a different person. That suggests people can't change through all the other factors that make people evolve that aren't romantic."

I have been waiting on Henry's book as soon as I found out Maple Hills was going to be a series. I read Icebreaker back in 2022, and I fell in love with the characters (especially Henry) and the friendship dynamics immediately. It was the first romance book I enjoyed in a long time. I'm pretty sure half - if not the majority - of my annotations in Icebreaker are about Henry. A frequent point I see made about Icebreaker is that there was not enough of Nate and Stassie and that probably would have bothered me more if I did not equally enjoy reading about all the other characters. Hannah did a phenomenal job of setting up the entire series in Icebreaker, giving us enough insight into each of the characters and then continuing to build on it throughout the rest of the series. Hannah Grace is on a very short list of authors that, when criticised, I take it personally. I have the deepest appreciation for the attention she pays to the 'everything in between', and to the way I never have questions about the characters because she answers them before I'd think to ask.

I am not a huge romance fan, but Hannah is one author who writes about romance, love, and friendship in a way that makes sense to me. I'm even less of a fan when it comes to friends to lovers, but because Henry and Halle's relationship with each other was unique from the jump, I didn't mind it. I've always resonated with Henry's simplistic way of approaching the relationship in his life and getting to see his character development from book one with his general aversion to unnecessary company to his unquestionable preference for Halle's company felt so natural. Although there was his grand romantic gesture, all the little things he did in between without a second thought is why he's my favourite boy in the series.

 While the romance is a significant part of the story, it's not central in a way that overshadows every other aspect of the character's lives. I'm a firm believer in the fact that romantic partners should add to your life, not be the reason you have less of it. While it may seem like the bare minimum, it was wonderful seeing Henry give Halle the space she needed to put energy into her friendships, book club, studies, and writing journey, and recognise how important it is for her to find fulfillment in those areas of her life outside of her relationship with him. Halle herself is a character who is easily willing to put herself second, and there's something healing about watching her get to put herself first, even in a relationship. I am not an eldest daughter but Halle was a character that I could relate to, so this story will always be one of my absolute favourites!