After a bad breakup with a popular boy who never really got her and a rough divorce between her parents, Annabelle, part of a group of nobodies in her high school, dreams. Reality and dream blur together, though, when the literal boy of her dreams shows up, live and in person, in her chemistry class. It appears as though she has conjured him from her subconscious, and he is drawn to her, reading her mind and seeking her out. At first, she is excited, because he is completely perfect and everything she would ever want in a boyfriend, but the story twists when she realizes she is not the only one who can dream up people and things. What's really real and what's merely dreamed-up vapor is unclear, which makes for an original, twisty paranormal romance. Some of the metaphors fall flat (eyes compared to windshield wiper fluid, and lakes to blueberry jellybeans), though they only add to the surreal quality of Annabelle's dreams, where things are brighter and stranger than her real life.

Gr 9 Up-Annabelle has always had vivid dreams, especially about one particularly cute boy. But when that boy walks into her chemistry class, she knows that everything is going to be different. Her dreams are coming to life, but it isn't the perfect reality Annabelle has wanted. Instead, her nightmares are also coming true. The novel is slow to start, focusing mostly on Annabelle's romantic relationship with Martin, the boy from her dreams. In the second half, the story picks up once the action begins. The fast-paced plot lacks tension due to superficial character development. Readers are supposed to feel like the stakes are high, but since they do not really get to know some of the secondary characters, it's hard to be fully invested. The relationship between Annabelle and Martin is a little too instantaneous, even with their dream connection. Some revelations that are meant to be shocking fall flat due to a lack of hints about the eventual reveal. The end is satisfying but underwhelming. Purchase for collections where paranormal romance are still popular and desired. Paige Garrison, Aurora Central Public Library, CO

Annabelle's perception of reality has become greatly skewed due to recent events. Her "dream boy" has decided to step out of her dreams and into her high school science class. This is great when you are hoping for a drop-dead gorgeous gentleman who will surely win the boyfriend of the year award; however, it also poses certain problems. Martin is certainly attractive, attentive, and intelligent, so why is it that Annabelle cannot seem to let the craziness go? Unfortunately, Martin is not the only person that Annabelle has been dreaming of. A helpless and lonely girl in white is haunting Annabelle's nightmares. Giant snakes strangle Annabelle while the little girl whispers and hisses in her ears. The girl wants Annabelle, and Martin knows why.Crockett and Rosenberg's novel moves quickly. Short chapters keep the reader going; however, there are some issues with the narrative. The story is predictable; there is no twist or "a-ha" moment; and characters are two dimensional, giving them no depth. Because of this, it is difficult to connect with the main character. The authors also do not explain why Annabelle possesses these powers. What is she supposed to do with them? Why is she "the one?" Readers will be left with too many questions and not enough answers. The ending leaves room for a sequel, where perhaps some of these questions could be answered. Teens who are clamoring for more supernatural stories may be persuaded to try this one.Jonatha Basye.