Blue Is Also for Dreaming

Blue is for Nightmares #5.5

by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Someone’s watching you . . .

The nightmares are back. Only it’s twenty years later, and Stacey Brown’s daughter, Anna LeBlanc, is experiencing haunting dreams that keep her awake at night. The dreams involve Madeleine, a fellow student at Hillcrest Prep, the same boarding school that Stacey and friends attended all those years ago.

In her dreams, Anna sees Madeleine trapped in a closet with a blood-stained note at her feet. As the nightmares get progressively detailed and disturbing, Anna remains in denial, keeping the dreams a secret. She doesn’t want to believe they could be prophetic, like her mother’s, nor does she want to feel responsible for someone else’s life—even if that someone is a close friend.

If only Anna could embrace the power of magic to help her cope. But Anna hates all things magical, despite having been raised on moon-bathed milk, lavender-sprinkled bedsheets, and crystals. After all, magic wasn’t able to save her father, so what good is it?

But as eerie things start happening in Madeleine’s life—creepy notes, menacing phone calls, and a mysterious person lurking—Anna can’t deny her premonitions are real, and if she doesn’t embrace her abilities and use them to help her friend, Madeleine might just wind up dead.

Genres: Young Adult

49 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2023

About the author

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.

Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.

Reviews

[Kereesa]

Ffs Laurie, stop killing off poor Jacob.

[Woodsmoke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry but I won't ever consider this book canon. Killing a main character off - especially off the page. After everything they went through, and what we went through with them, it's insulting to readers and it's lazy writing.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad to be back in this world

Love love love. I had read all of the previous books but this could definitely be read as a separate story. It felt familiar and amazing.

[D Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

*sigh* going to be honest I want to give 2 stars, even less but that’s more about my own personal feelings than anything with the writing. For the record I love Laurie and her books! The story itself was fine and fun and great to have a continuation of my all time favorite book series on its 20th anniversary but I JUST CAN NOT BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS. Why did we have to kill Jacob again? At the end of book 3 I actually cried, nothing crazy but there was definitely watery eyes and a tear or two.. during those transcripts with the psychologists.. ugh.. just all of Stacey’s pain over Jacob .. Jacob who is best boy! And a true soulmate to Stacey .. obviously I was so happy when it turns out he was alive. I was SOOO excited for this short novel to come out, even though I knew it would probably primarily be about Stacey’s daughter because of Laurie’s instagram post BUT I assumed we’d see some true love snippets between the two, or just a passage from Madeleine like “ugh my parents still act like they’re just two teens in love” but no we get ..pause for effect .. dead Jacob. I went on a rant about this to my boyfriend, lmao couldn’t we have found another way Laurie?? We’ve been through so much ..just wanted to see Stacey and Jacob happy. 🤷🏻‍♀️😒

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I really wanted to LOOOOVE IT. But it really was just middle/high school nostalgia for me. I love how Stolarz gave us a glimpse of what happens with amber, Drea, and Jacob. This won’t contain any spoilers, but it was definitely a fast, good little read. I don’t remember if I was just younger and now I’m older, but the way it was written was very straightforward, no ✨ umpf ✨ . Like someone said “there’s been talks of a tv show, it’s not here, but here’s a little novella instead!” Like if I didn’t read the whole series I’d think it was very “novice”, the way it was written if that makes sense. Blue will always hold a special little place in my heart & will forever be on my bookshelf. Thank you, Laurie ❤️

[Luna Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Is Also for Dreaming by Laurie Faria Stolarz is a haunting, emotionally layered novel that revisits the world of prophetic dreams with fresh intensity and heart. Set twenty years after the original events that captivated readers, this story introduces a new generation through Anna LeBlanc, the daughter of Stacey Brown. The result is a compelling blend of suspense, legacy, and self-discovery that will appeal to both longtime fans and new readers alike.

Stolarz masterfully builds tension as Anna is plagued by disturbing dreams that seem to predict danger for her friend Madeleine. The slow unraveling of these visions, paired with real-world threats like eerie notes and unsettling phone calls, creates a constant sense of unease that keeps readers turning pages. What makes the story especially powerful is Anna’s internal conflict. Her resistance to magic, shaped by personal loss and grief, adds emotional depth and realism to her journey.

The novel thoughtfully explores themes of denial, responsibility, and courage. Anna’s struggle to accept her abilities mirrors the universal fear of stepping into roles we didn’t choose, especially when the stakes are terrifyingly high. Stolarz balances supernatural suspense with authentic emotional growth, grounding the story in relatable feelings of fear, love, and determination.

Atmospheric and gripping, Blue Is Also for Dreaming delivers chills without sacrificing heart. The boarding school setting, creeping sense of surveillance, and prophetic dreams combine into a rich, immersive reading experience. This novel is a satisfying continuation of the series and a standout story about embracing who you are in order to protect those you love.

[Samantha Marino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the book & found it interesting with Anna going through the same thing as Stacey did & being very similar to Stacey in her behavior, etc & wanted the book to be longer. But killing Jacob off a second time makes no sense. What was the point of him being alive after the cruise, just to be killed off again. Stacey & Jacob deserved their happy ending after all they went through & putting the main character through a second trauma like that while pregnant no less makes absolutely no sense.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a joy to see Stacy as an adult, with a daughter and in the role her own mother played in Blue, with their own dynamic. Laurie still has the same wit and suspense here that she did in the original series, and I loved every second of it. It was an honor to have grown up with Stacy and to see her grown up as well. This series changed my life as a teenager, and is the reason I got an MFA in writing for teens. Forever my favorite!

[Misha Linn · Rating 4 out of 5]

short story, high review

For those of us that read the original books, we might be a little disappointed, but it was really sweet to revisit the series that holds all of us so tightly during our preteen and teen years. I love to read more and especially see our girl get her powers back and maybe be able to solve Jacob‘s death as of right now I’m just reminiscing over how much I love the series as a 13-year-old and hope that my 30+ year-old self gets more 🖤

[Dalene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stacey is back but this time with her daughter Anna. And guess what? Jacob is dead...again. 🙃

It's a quick read and could be skipped imo. If you want to see how Stacey is doing it's good to read but otherwise, skip.

[Amber Muston · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to read this book! I
Love the entire series!