The Review

“The Daydreams” by Laura Hankins is a compelling novel that takes readers on a journey through the lives of four young adults: Kat, Noah, Liana, and Summer, who became stars of a popular teen show, The Daydreams, in the early 2000s. The book starts with the cast’s rise to fame and takes us through their eventual downfall and the aftermath that followed.

The four stars of the show all went their separate ways after the show ended in a scandalous flameout during the live airing of the season two finale, which left fans with a decade-long cliffhanger of what “could have” been. But thirteen years later, when Noah, the only male star and the only one to make it out of their “child actor days” unscathed from the controversy, is put on the spot during an interview for his new film, the four stars are forced to confront their past and the reasons behind their downfall.

The book is narrated from the perspective of Katherine (Kat), who is now a successful lawyer in Washington, DC. Kat was initially declined the offer to return for a reunion show until Summer, the former lead of the show and current train wreck, comes to her seeking redemption. Kat then reluctantly agrees to participate, only to repent for a dark secret about the show’s ending that she has kept hidden from everyone, including her longtime boyfriend.

After the stars are reunited, we soon learn they each have their own reasons for being there through the two subsequent timelines of the story – 2002-2005, during the initial filming of the show, and 2018, when the reunion is taking place. The book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride as the characters confront their past mistakes and try to make amends. The story is beautifully written, with each character being genuine, likable, and flawed in their own way.

The book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride as the characters confront their past mistakes and try to make amends. Hankin does an excellent job of capturing the ups and downs of fame, the price of stardom, and the struggles of young adults in the entertainment industry. The story is beautifully written, with each character being genuine, likable, and flawed in their own way, and explores relevant themes like mansplaining at work, unfairly exploiting young adults in the workplace, and the excruciating price of fame at a young age.

Though you could probably guess “where” and “who” most of the inspiration for the characters came from cough Disney Channel cough, I especially loved how Hankins portrayed Liana’s character in the 2018 timeline. Hired as the “token” best friend for the show, Liana was determined to stay in the spotlight after filming wrapped. Modeled after a Kardashian-esque fitness influencer, Liana held brand deals with skinny-teas and workout supplements while constantly posting about her basketball player husband; Harkins arguably gave her the best, and very well-deserved, redemption of the four.

In conclusion, “The Daydreams” is a fast-paced and engaging read, particularly suitable for those who enjoy stories that feature dual timelines, second chances, and redemption. The inclusion of fan forums, social media, and magazines from the early 2000s adds to the authenticity of the story. Moreover, the diary entries, news snippets, and social media posts at the end of certain chapters help propel the story forward. Overall, “The Daydreams” is an enjoyable, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt novel about the pitfalls of teenage stardom and the significance of second chances.

Overall, I give “The Daydreams” 4 out of 5 stars!