A review by booksjenrecs
The Nightmare & The Daydream by Jeanette Rose, Alexis Rune

dark medium-paced

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

4.5

Written as a companion novella to The Queen & the King, this story was perfect for anyone looking for a bit darker of a romance from their Greek myth retelling. While Rose and Rune set both books up to be read in tandem if the reader wants, I opted to read one and then the other and I don't feel like reading them that way took away from my overall experience. 

I loved these unhinged lovebirds. Mellie and Helios were somehow the perfect complement to each other while simultaneously remaining at each others' throats throughout most of the story. It was obvious there was a lot going on with Helios and Mellie throughout The Queen & the King, and I loved getting the full picture with this follow-up novella. 

This relationship was a lot darker than Hades and Persephone ever got. There was a lot at play between these two, and a lot of emotional trauma had to be healed before Mellie and Helios could give it a true shot. Part of that healing manifested in a darker, physical relationship as well, one which was a little surprising coming from the Sun Titan, Helios. I thought Rose and Rune handled the physical and emotional aspects of the relationship very well; after everything the main characters have been through, I thought their mutual healing was portrayed realistically. It was gritty and it was dark, and I loved these characters because of how authentic their healing journey came across. 

After everything Hades and Persephone went through in The Queen & the King, this novella was a perfect way to tell another side of the story while bringing supporting characters to the forefront. While readers can enjoy The Queen & the King without reading The Nightmare & the Daydream, the true depth of this novella comes from its tie-in to the events in the main book, and as such, this novella should either be read at the same time or after The Queen & the King. 

[A huge thank you to the authors and team at Rose & Star Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this title for review purposes. All opinions are my own.]