Title: Dream Student (Dreams #1)

Author: J.J. (James) DiBenedetto

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publication Date: March 18, 2013

About the Book

(from Goodreads)

What would you do if you could see other people’s dreams? If you could watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their deepest, darkest secrets without them ever knowing?

Sara Barnes is about to find out. She thought that all she had to worry about was final exams, Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman in the next dorm who’s got a crush on her.

But when she starts seeing dreams that aren’t hers, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about her friends, her classmates…and a strange, terrifying man whose dreams could get Sara killed.

Dream Student is the thrilling first installment of the Dreams Series.

My Review

I received a free copy of the audiobook for an honest review.

I found the Dream Student an interesting idea overall. Sarah being in others’ dreams is creative, especially the way she was able to remember detail. It was a bit annoying when she woke up from her “dreams” not knowing who she was or where she was. The where is more believable than the “who am I?”

There was a lot of repeating and there were times that my mind wandered because of Sarah’s rambling (and it’s difficult to skip in an audiobook).  I stuck with it, though, mainly because I was traveling and didn’t have any other audiobooks to listen to. I was glad I did because the ending was good.

The love story between Sarah and Brian was sweet but unrealistic. I liked the relationship between Sarah and her roommate, Beth. They could talk about anything and were supportive of each other no matter what.

The mystery that unravels because of Sarah’s dreams was the best part of the book. I did, however, wonder how Sarah could be so dumb at times when she was such a good student.

I don’t think I’d recommend this book if it weren’t part of a series, but I’m almost done listening to book #2 and it’s much better. If you plan on reading the Dream series,  I would recommend reading, not listening to Dream Student.

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About the Author

J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve university, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.
He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he’s not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.

The “Dreams” series is James’ first published work.