A romance author is shocked when one of her characters-in-progress seemingly comes to life… but is he too good to be true, in this dramatic and twisty thriller perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Kate Alice Marshall, where the truth really is stranger than fiction.
Bestselling romance author Ivy Harcourt has been as unlucky in love as she’s been successful in writing—as her sad relationship track attests, there are no good dating options left in New York . . . Until she rescues an escaped dog in the park, and runs into Liam. Charming, British, hot architect Liam. The exact description of the love interest in her next book.
When an instant connection leads to a whirlwind relationship, Ivy is convinced she’s found the dream man. Except he may be too perfect. He may be hiding something.
And Ivy may have secrets of her own.
Print length: 321 pages. Publisher: Quercus. Publication date: 2 June 2026
My Thoughts:
I don’t DO romance. I don’t DO meet-cute and I certainly don’t DO happy ever after, but for some reason this book appealed to me after seeing it on someone’s Instagram page and after reading so many crime thrillers I thought it was time for a sweet palate cleanser.
I haven’t read any of Olivia Worley’s books before and wasn’t sure what to expect but happily settled down to read Man of My Dreams in the sunshine.
Within a few pages it was pretty evident this wasn’t your usual meet-cute rom-com. It was rather dark, rather tense and packed full of twists that I just didn’t see coming immediately.
Ivy Harcourt is our female lead character. She’s the best-selling author of a romance novel which is currently topping the book charts. She’s also trying (and failing) to write that notoriously difficult second novel, nursing a broken heart and struggling to find love again.
When a chance encounter including a run-away dog results in meeting a handsome British architect called Liam, she can’t believe her luck, especially as the character in her current book is called Liam and also is a handsome British architect. Has she manifested her desires, or is something strange going on?
Man of My Dreams combines a twisted psychological thriller with romance, something I never thought I would enjoy, but I LOVED it. Full of secrets, lies, danger, deception and obsession, twists, red-herrings with a love story, I would definitely recommend this to fans of romance AND psychological thrillers.
Has this changed my mind about Meet-Cute Romances – NAH! I will stick to dark, disturbing and dysfunctional for now, but will keep my eye out for more books by Olivia Worley.
