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Dream Date
Katie, a shy and pretty young girl who yearns to meet the perfect guy, encounters the handsome, charming Heath Granger in her dreams, but her life becomes a nightmare when this perfect man begins to make macabre, threatening appearances in her real life.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 25, 2018
Katie Shaw makes a wish upon a star one night for her life to be different. She wants to be exciting, and she wants a boyfriend who's with her all of the time. (Katie is a quiet and not very popular girl who looks drab, wears dull clothes...) Katie has a crush on a boy at school called Jason, but he barely notices her.
Over the next few days Katie has a feeling that something extraordinary is going to happen to her... something big. That night she dreams of a handsome guy who rides a motorcycle and he says he really knows her. His name is Heath. He says he can change her life.
As time goes by Katie starts becoming more popular at school, Jason is noticing her, and she buys a new fashionable wardrobe. Katie also keeps seeing Heath in her dreams. But sometimes he isn't so nice and charming, sometimes he's quite nasty and mean. Katie is starting to get worried and scared to go to sleep and she wants to get rid of Heath. But at night when she sleeps he appears in her dreams. And the more she dreams of Heath the stronger he is getting. Katie is starting to see Heath outside of her dreams to, but how can this be?
This was a pretty good young-adult thriller from the 1990's. I found the storyline interesting. I was curious to see what was going to happen next. Heath reminded me a little of a Freddy Krueger type of character, not in looks, but the way he shows up in Katie's dreams.
A short enjoyable read.
Over the next few days Katie has a feeling that something extraordinary is going to happen to her... something big. That night she dreams of a handsome guy who rides a motorcycle and he says he really knows her. His name is Heath. He says he can change her life.
As time goes by Katie starts becoming more popular at school, Jason is noticing her, and she buys a new fashionable wardrobe. Katie also keeps seeing Heath in her dreams. But sometimes he isn't so nice and charming, sometimes he's quite nasty and mean. Katie is starting to get worried and scared to go to sleep and she wants to get rid of Heath. But at night when she sleeps he appears in her dreams. And the more she dreams of Heath the stronger he is getting. Katie is starting to see Heath outside of her dreams to, but how can this be?
This was a pretty good young-adult thriller from the 1990's. I found the storyline interesting. I was curious to see what was going to happen next. Heath reminded me a little of a Freddy Krueger type of character, not in looks, but the way he shows up in Katie's dreams.
A short enjoyable read.
February 5, 2021
Read this with my Horror Aficionados friends for our 80’s/90’s read!
The guy in the book was a damn twat, but I throughly enjoyed the book! 😉😘 I love blasts from the past!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
The guy in the book was a damn twat, but I throughly enjoyed the book! 😉😘 I love blasts from the past!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
September 7, 2021
Another great 90’s YA Point Horror Novel!
Katie starts dreaming about a young handsome boy named Heath, she finds that it gives her the confidence to express herself more.
Wearing more sexier clothing, Katie soon attracts more attention.
The only problem is that it’s making Heath jealous.
This book was seriously creepy! Heaths behaviour in the dreams was so sinister, they way he tried to control Katie was clear allusion to domestic abuse.
From sleep deprivation to falling asleep in class, Heath was constantly controlling Katie.
I really liked that the book also dealt with Katie’s grades slipping and the concerned teachers raising the issue, this story felt very real and plausible.
Katie starts dreaming about a young handsome boy named Heath, she finds that it gives her the confidence to express herself more.
Wearing more sexier clothing, Katie soon attracts more attention.
The only problem is that it’s making Heath jealous.
This book was seriously creepy! Heaths behaviour in the dreams was so sinister, they way he tried to control Katie was clear allusion to domestic abuse.
From sleep deprivation to falling asleep in class, Heath was constantly controlling Katie.
I really liked that the book also dealt with Katie’s grades slipping and the concerned teachers raising the issue, this story felt very real and plausible.
February 15, 2024
This was highly entertaining from the beginning to the end. The story follows Katie, who falls asleep and meets the man of her dreams (literally) but he turns out to be an absolute psychopath and starts trying to ruin her life. Some of his dialog was actually kinda creepy and this story did an amazing job of developing the protagonist and delivering suspense along the way. I absolutely loved how the main character didn't have a slow progression; she went from being a dorky shy girl to one of the more popular girls without a bunch of cheesy nonsense that you can typically expect from other Point Horror books. I will be seeking out more of Sinclair Smith's work because I had so much fun with this one. I don't hand out 5/5 ratings very often at all, but this here takes the cake for me.
August 29, 2020
3.5
This was like the definition of corny but it was so entertaining. I can rarely listen to an audiobook without doing something else at the same time but this one was a nice experience on its own. It made me laugh multiple times (idk if that was always the authors intention but I appreciate it) I mean the audiobook narrator was literally moaning when a boy talked to Katie for the first time 😂😂 The conclusion part of this book didn’t make a lot of sense tho and the end in general felt a bit too rushed.
I would recommend this to people with short attention spans and for people that are in need of a little bit of escapism.
This was like the definition of corny but it was so entertaining. I can rarely listen to an audiobook without doing something else at the same time but this one was a nice experience on its own. It made me laugh multiple times (idk if that was always the authors intention but I appreciate it) I mean the audiobook narrator was literally moaning when a boy talked to Katie for the first time 😂😂 The conclusion part of this book didn’t make a lot of sense tho and the end in general felt a bit too rushed.
I would recommend this to people with short attention spans and for people that are in need of a little bit of escapism.
September 7, 2020
Teenager Katie wishes she was popular and had a boyfriend but instead she is shy and feels invisible at school. One night she dreams about a handsome guy called Heath who says he can give her anything she wants. Katie goes back to school with a confidence she never had before and people, including the cute Jason, are starting to notice her. But Heath is mad that she no longer wants to spend all her time with him and soon becomes very controlling and takes over her waking life as well as her dreams.
I definitely had a copy of this when I was younger but I couldn't remember anything about the story or whether I liked it or not. I'm so glad I revisited it because I'd now class it as one of my favourite Point Horror books!
I found it to be a really well-paced story and a compelling read. I just needed to know what was going to happen! There were some moments of real danger and I really felt for Katie as she tried to get out of Heath's clutches. Also, the author included a bunch of horror references such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stephen King and Daphne du Maurier which were really fun. This was an excellent and thoroughly entertaining read.
CW: there is a scene of animal abuse. It is very brief and not graphic but still upsetting.
I definitely had a copy of this when I was younger but I couldn't remember anything about the story or whether I liked it or not. I'm so glad I revisited it because I'd now class it as one of my favourite Point Horror books!
I found it to be a really well-paced story and a compelling read. I just needed to know what was going to happen! There were some moments of real danger and I really felt for Katie as she tried to get out of Heath's clutches. Also, the author included a bunch of horror references such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stephen King and Daphne du Maurier which were really fun. This was an excellent and thoroughly entertaining read.
CW: there is a scene of animal abuse. It is very brief and not graphic but still upsetting.
December 29, 2020
I loved this one! This was like A Nightmare on Elm Street, but if Freddy was a psychotic, possessive, narcissistic boyfriend that only appears in your dreams... or your nightmares. Dum dum duuuum!
This honestly had some great moments of tension. Overall, it was a tight, gripping read from start to finish. I also really enjoy these old audiobook productions which can all be heard on YouTube. No need to track down the vintage cassette tapes... though I definitely will at some point.
This honestly had some great moments of tension. Overall, it was a tight, gripping read from start to finish. I also really enjoy these old audiobook productions which can all be heard on YouTube. No need to track down the vintage cassette tapes... though I definitely will at some point.
August 5, 2011
they need to re-release this book!
it would get so much more attention!
fucking epic.
One of the best books I have ever read!
- R.D.
it would get so much more attention!
fucking epic.
One of the best books I have ever read!
- R.D.
February 12, 2021
A fun, nostalgic read that kept me guessing.
May 19, 2019
At first, plain Katie thought that the gorgeous boy who appears to her in her sleep is a godsend, flush with promises of popularity and romance. After a halcyon interlude, he begins baring his fags, and before she knew it she's slowly drowning in nightmares she may never wake up from.
It seems like Heath is actually a dream vampire, slowly gaining strength by draining Katie's energy while she sleeps. And the longer she slumbers, the stronger he becomes, making her even weaker in a vicious cycle that may only come to a dreadful end.
It's a good thing our heroine is a feisty and smart cookie. Like any regular demon, Heath is also circumscribed by a set of rules, and she must find his weaknesses and thumbscrews before it's too late.
It's a good, furious read that had me turning its pages like a fiend. The showdown was as heated as I expected, and again I have to commend our lead's brains. This earns a 6/10 from me or 3 nightmarish stars out of 5.
It seems like Heath is actually a dream vampire, slowly gaining strength by draining Katie's energy while she sleeps. And the longer she slumbers, the stronger he becomes, making her even weaker in a vicious cycle that may only come to a dreadful end.
It's a good thing our heroine is a feisty and smart cookie. Like any regular demon, Heath is also circumscribed by a set of rules, and she must find his weaknesses and thumbscrews before it's too late.
It's a good, furious read that had me turning its pages like a fiend. The showdown was as heated as I expected, and again I have to commend our lead's brains. This earns a 6/10 from me or 3 nightmarish stars out of 5.
August 26, 2021
Dream date by Sinclair Smith is an old book published in the 90s. It's under the thriller genre.
When Katie starts a new school she wishes she wasn't as shy. One night she falls asleep and meets a wonderful guy who promises he can make all her dreams come true. Soon enough she is sleeping alot, just to be with him. But when things turn sinister - she has to fight something she knows nothing about.
.
This sounded really boring but it actually wasn't. I think the plot is unique and I liked how she figured it out in the end.
It has themes of finding out who you are and pushing yourself to be more out there. Sometimes the characters are cringy in these old books but this one wasn't to bad.
When Katie starts a new school she wishes she wasn't as shy. One night she falls asleep and meets a wonderful guy who promises he can make all her dreams come true. Soon enough she is sleeping alot, just to be with him. But when things turn sinister - she has to fight something she knows nothing about.
.
This sounded really boring but it actually wasn't. I think the plot is unique and I liked how she figured it out in the end.
It has themes of finding out who you are and pushing yourself to be more out there. Sometimes the characters are cringy in these old books but this one wasn't to bad.
February 13, 2014
Another exemplary piece of Point Horror 90s cover art.
This is another one of Point Horrors I read in childhood - quite a reasonable set compared to the massive list I have now as part of my ongoing project - and it's one that always freaked me out a little bit. This is more due to the weirdness of the premise and the overtones of abusive relationships more than any real spooky feel to the text.
The book is one of those Point Horrors that actually have no logical explanation for the events (or appear to at any rate); the ghost is supposedly real. And what a ghost; one who appears to haunt through the co-opting of dreams and draws strength from the dreamer to try and make himself real. The book very quickly drops the idea that Heath is actually a dreamboat very quickly, his nastiness gets little to no excusing and Katie quickly cottons on and tries her best to escape. So obviously, you can say this book is about abusive relationships, and I guess it's not a bad introduction to the sensitive topic for children who were otherwise lucky enough not to know about it before. Especially since at the pre-to-mid-teen age most young women will be dabbling in the area of romance (and maybe any boy who might've read it too), and with Heath being supernatural in origin it serves to distance the reader a little bit from the cruelty, which in my opinion softens the topic. Also the book offers a relatively healthy relationship with Jason, though it's only in its early stages he does seem to be a decent guy.
Other than that, the book has two other themes. The more obvious one is the teen standard of trying to find yourself, or indulging in a bit of rebellion. Katie seems to chafe both with the behaviour and attitude of her parents (more on that in a second) and her old identity as a modest clothed and quiet good student; it's Heath's arrival that 'allows' her to change, become fashionable and reasonably popular. Heath himself is a typical image of teenage rebellion - a black leather wearing tough biker sort. I kept imagining him with a duckbill haircut a la Grease though I don't remember it being described that way in the book. He's that sort of cliché. Of course when he's dispatched everything that Katie has become doesn't fade away with him, in the end Katie didn't need a boy's help to discover who she truly was (something that most YA novels these days could do with learning).
The second theme is more subtext, to do with negative reactions to mental health issues. Of course, every hero[ine] of any horror based book is bound to spend some time wondering if [s]he's going round the twist or if it's all really happening, that's standard. But Smith chooses to mention Katie's parents' reaction to an article about a man who apparently has a breakdown, and their disbelieving and disapproving attitude. This is echoed by the fact that Katie has been struggling with insomnia for some time before the book begins, and also during the action in book they try to intervene in her behaviour (which at that point isn't even that strange, they're gone for the real weird behaviour). There are hints and parallels here and there that could suggest that Katie was having some kind of psychotic episode, and of course the horror that some other being might inhabit or take over your body is prevalent in all sorts of paranoid, hallucinatory episodes, even in the controversial multiple personality cases. However this might just be a case of personal subtext, seeing as the text generally leans toward the supernatural explanation.
Speaking of explanation, my only real criticism would be that there's no real explanation as to how or why Katie was able to get rid of Heath. Presumably getting him in the dream-equivalent location of his accident made him relive it and destroyed him (bringing the pendant back might also have helped, though usually in supernatural fiction an artefact of the dead is more likely to summon or keep him around...). The ending feels somewhat rushed and a little flat as a result. The rest of the writing is decent if simple and does the job.
This is another one of Point Horrors I read in childhood - quite a reasonable set compared to the massive list I have now as part of my ongoing project - and it's one that always freaked me out a little bit. This is more due to the weirdness of the premise and the overtones of abusive relationships more than any real spooky feel to the text.
The book is one of those Point Horrors that actually have no logical explanation for the events (or appear to at any rate); the ghost is supposedly real. And what a ghost; one who appears to haunt through the co-opting of dreams and draws strength from the dreamer to try and make himself real. The book very quickly drops the idea that Heath is actually a dreamboat very quickly, his nastiness gets little to no excusing and Katie quickly cottons on and tries her best to escape. So obviously, you can say this book is about abusive relationships, and I guess it's not a bad introduction to the sensitive topic for children who were otherwise lucky enough not to know about it before. Especially since at the pre-to-mid-teen age most young women will be dabbling in the area of romance (and maybe any boy who might've read it too), and with Heath being supernatural in origin it serves to distance the reader a little bit from the cruelty, which in my opinion softens the topic. Also the book offers a relatively healthy relationship with Jason, though it's only in its early stages he does seem to be a decent guy.
Other than that, the book has two other themes. The more obvious one is the teen standard of trying to find yourself, or indulging in a bit of rebellion. Katie seems to chafe both with the behaviour and attitude of her parents (more on that in a second) and her old identity as a modest clothed and quiet good student; it's Heath's arrival that 'allows' her to change, become fashionable and reasonably popular. Heath himself is a typical image of teenage rebellion - a black leather wearing tough biker sort. I kept imagining him with a duckbill haircut a la Grease though I don't remember it being described that way in the book. He's that sort of cliché. Of course when he's dispatched everything that Katie has become doesn't fade away with him, in the end Katie didn't need a boy's help to discover who she truly was (something that most YA novels these days could do with learning).
The second theme is more subtext, to do with negative reactions to mental health issues. Of course, every hero[ine] of any horror based book is bound to spend some time wondering if [s]he's going round the twist or if it's all really happening, that's standard. But Smith chooses to mention Katie's parents' reaction to an article about a man who apparently has a breakdown, and their disbelieving and disapproving attitude. This is echoed by the fact that Katie has been struggling with insomnia for some time before the book begins, and also during the action in book they try to intervene in her behaviour (which at that point isn't even that strange, they're gone for the real weird behaviour). There are hints and parallels here and there that could suggest that Katie was having some kind of psychotic episode, and of course the horror that some other being might inhabit or take over your body is prevalent in all sorts of paranoid, hallucinatory episodes, even in the controversial multiple personality cases. However this might just be a case of personal subtext, seeing as the text generally leans toward the supernatural explanation.
Speaking of explanation, my only real criticism would be that there's no real explanation as to how or why Katie was able to get rid of Heath. Presumably getting him in the dream-equivalent location of his accident made him relive it and destroyed him (bringing the pendant back might also have helped, though usually in supernatural fiction an artefact of the dead is more likely to summon or keep him around...). The ending feels somewhat rushed and a little flat as a result. The rest of the writing is decent if simple and does the job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2025
Strong Point Horror entry that educated young people about the dangers of abusive relationships while still telling an effectively scary story with twists
I am here because of the Teen Creeps pod episode on this book. Granted I think they were a little hard on Katie. While she’s not the most active hero, it makes sense why she starts out self conscious and then has to deal with the stress of being popular and being stalked by a 4 years her senior ghost who wants to take over her body by controlling her in her dreams to gain control of her body IRL.
Much to think about. I do roundly like the Mr Nasty / Little Boy / Mr Wonderful Dias they have for Heath Granger.I think it is a very evocative way to educate young people on love bombing and trauma bonding in an effective way that doesn't become too after school special because Katie is still being run through he'll with the cockroaches and skin melting off her face illusions Heath is doing
It is a very direct pull from A Nightmare on Elm Street but I like how fantastical the dreams that turn to nightmares are. It’s easy to compare these scenes to the more recent Nightmare on Elm Street reboot where their whole conceit is that the kids are falling asleep in school and having these waking nightmares that give the sleep demon more power over them IRL. Here, we get a little less world building but the effect of Heath being able to control Katie more and more and her psyche, health and self esteem dropping worse and worse is really deftly handled.
The ending is kind of a let down because we’ve spent so much time building our Heaths power set and why it’s so difficult to circumvent and suddenly him using a lot of his ghost powers to control things in the real world isn’t important and what is important to the lore of this world is Katie getting to the other side of the street near where Heath died because he can’t reach her their and that overloads his capabilities and puts him down for the count. That and the wild cat lion panther bear amulet that gets exposition like it’s so significant only to be this random artifact that Heath overly values for no reason.
I also wish Heath wasn’t just Evil James Dean from rebel without a a cause since he comes into to town from nowhere years ago, terrorizes his ex in life and in death and only starts haunting Katie because she lives in the same abandoned house as his Ex Cindy. Heaths intro is so interesting because he’s drawn as short but handsome and ripped and to do really nothing with that except set him as a late 80’s hunk boi instead of literally just a 50’s greaser ghost feels like a lot of wasted material
I do need Sinclair Smith to give me more details on this house at the edge of town that's been abandoned for years that our MC has moved into. Is this supposed to be like a busted old ranch built in a subdivision in the 50's or is this a old farmhouse next to a 80-90's conservation subdivision with a ridiculous fake pastoral name
I am here because of the Teen Creeps pod episode on this book. Granted I think they were a little hard on Katie. While she’s not the most active hero, it makes sense why she starts out self conscious and then has to deal with the stress of being popular and being stalked by a 4 years her senior ghost who wants to take over her body by controlling her in her dreams to gain control of her body IRL.
Much to think about. I do roundly like the Mr Nasty / Little Boy / Mr Wonderful Dias they have for Heath Granger.I think it is a very evocative way to educate young people on love bombing and trauma bonding in an effective way that doesn't become too after school special because Katie is still being run through he'll with the cockroaches and skin melting off her face illusions Heath is doing
It is a very direct pull from A Nightmare on Elm Street but I like how fantastical the dreams that turn to nightmares are. It’s easy to compare these scenes to the more recent Nightmare on Elm Street reboot where their whole conceit is that the kids are falling asleep in school and having these waking nightmares that give the sleep demon more power over them IRL. Here, we get a little less world building but the effect of Heath being able to control Katie more and more and her psyche, health and self esteem dropping worse and worse is really deftly handled.
The ending is kind of a let down because we’ve spent so much time building our Heaths power set and why it’s so difficult to circumvent and suddenly him using a lot of his ghost powers to control things in the real world isn’t important and what is important to the lore of this world is Katie getting to the other side of the street near where Heath died because he can’t reach her their and that overloads his capabilities and puts him down for the count. That and the wild cat lion panther bear amulet that gets exposition like it’s so significant only to be this random artifact that Heath overly values for no reason.
I also wish Heath wasn’t just Evil James Dean from rebel without a a cause since he comes into to town from nowhere years ago, terrorizes his ex in life and in death and only starts haunting Katie because she lives in the same abandoned house as his Ex Cindy. Heaths intro is so interesting because he’s drawn as short but handsome and ripped and to do really nothing with that except set him as a late 80’s hunk boi instead of literally just a 50’s greaser ghost feels like a lot of wasted material
I do need Sinclair Smith to give me more details on this house at the edge of town that's been abandoned for years that our MC has moved into. Is this supposed to be like a busted old ranch built in a subdivision in the 50's or is this a old farmhouse next to a 80-90's conservation subdivision with a ridiculous fake pastoral name
March 9, 2021
I can see this being a cheesy 90's horror film, or an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (although there's no vampires in it!) Simple, easy to read, guilty pleasure reading. What more can I say, it's a product of it's time, I mean teenagers don't wear nightgowns to bed anymore! x
June 2, 2021
I had low expectations because I wasn’t a fan of Amnesia or The Boy Next Door, but I ended up really liking this! Cool concept and quite a few scary movie-worthy scenes. I was a little confused by the dream world rules and the extent of Heath’s ~powers/influence, but overall it’s pretty good.
January 18, 2021
I much prefered this to 'The Waitress'. Felt like a regular abusive relationship, just dreamed up. Yikes.
February 6, 2025
This was one of the better entries in the Point Horror franchise. Much stronger plot and characters, and not a completely stupid ending.
February 12, 2022
This really is a fab point horror book, it really was quiet scary at times, and I didn’t want to sleep, just in case I had disturbing dreams lol! I’m looking forward to another Sinclair Smith book again soon!
February 25, 2022
A very long time ago I remember reading this book because of the cover but I totally blanked out on the story except for what the back of the book says. After being disappointed by Sinclair Smith's The Boy Next Door, which is some three years after this one, I revisited Dream Date and found my rating to still be held at five stars.
Murder mysteries and thrillers are nice to read but I do like when some sort of paranormal/supernatural element is brought into stories. Sinclair Smith is very good at that aspect because I almost wanted to stay up and read the book from beginning to end in one night...forgoing sleep myself but for a non lethal reason.
Katie Shaw is a shy girl, quiet and almost blending in with her surroundings, but she's blonde and pretty looking just studious and timid is all. The night before she technically turns seventeen, just minutes after minutes, Katie goes to sleep and has a dream about meeting a handsome young man.
With dark eyes on the back of his dark motorcycle, he introduces himself to Katie as Heath Granger and he flirts and charms Katie telling her he can make her confident to match her outer beauty if she promises to be his special girl.
Katie assumes it's just her wishful thinking for a perfect guy, knowing she could never talk to her real-life crush Jason Miller, and Heath's just the manifestation of a bad boy won over by her charm.
In the real world, Katie is making friends with Rachel Martinez (she calls herself Raquelle) and the real Katie is able to shine through and garner Jason's attention. It's a dream come true...until her actual dreams become more than just nightmares.
Heath is no longer charming, he's down right venomous and cold-blooded, and the fantasy is becoming out of hand. Katie isn't in control of her dreams anymore and soon, Heath is going to make her life not just a living hell...but a dead one.
The plot of course is very Nightmare On Elm Street (the original and some hints of even the remake as well as Freddy's Revenge, the maligned but still creepy sequel) and Heath Granger just happens to be more of a monster on the inside than the outside in his appearance. The characters watch Psycho (of course the original) in the book and boy could Norman Bates look more like the boy next door compared to deranged Heath Granger!
If I had to have maybe only one qualm it would be the ending. The climax is very exciting and it soon gives way to the "everything is okay now" ending with maybe some hints of "well...maybe on the surface but what if..."
I like a good ambiguous ending and of course, nothing against downers as long as they aren't too devastating and soul crushing but this was just...an ending. I would have even preferred a long drawn out happy ending concluding with a hint of some bitter to keep it from being cloyingly sweet or dreadfully corny.
Despite that, Dream Date is a nail biting read and one I can highly recommend.
Murder mysteries and thrillers are nice to read but I do like when some sort of paranormal/supernatural element is brought into stories. Sinclair Smith is very good at that aspect because I almost wanted to stay up and read the book from beginning to end in one night...forgoing sleep myself but for a non lethal reason.
Katie Shaw is a shy girl, quiet and almost blending in with her surroundings, but she's blonde and pretty looking just studious and timid is all. The night before she technically turns seventeen, just minutes after minutes, Katie goes to sleep and has a dream about meeting a handsome young man.
With dark eyes on the back of his dark motorcycle, he introduces himself to Katie as Heath Granger and he flirts and charms Katie telling her he can make her confident to match her outer beauty if she promises to be his special girl.
Katie assumes it's just her wishful thinking for a perfect guy, knowing she could never talk to her real-life crush Jason Miller, and Heath's just the manifestation of a bad boy won over by her charm.
In the real world, Katie is making friends with Rachel Martinez (she calls herself Raquelle) and the real Katie is able to shine through and garner Jason's attention. It's a dream come true...until her actual dreams become more than just nightmares.
Heath is no longer charming, he's down right venomous and cold-blooded, and the fantasy is becoming out of hand. Katie isn't in control of her dreams anymore and soon, Heath is going to make her life not just a living hell...but a dead one.
The plot of course is very Nightmare On Elm Street (the original and some hints of even the remake as well as Freddy's Revenge, the maligned but still creepy sequel) and Heath Granger just happens to be more of a monster on the inside than the outside in his appearance. The characters watch Psycho (of course the original) in the book and boy could Norman Bates look more like the boy next door compared to deranged Heath Granger!
If I had to have maybe only one qualm it would be the ending. The climax is very exciting and it soon gives way to the "everything is okay now" ending with maybe some hints of "well...maybe on the surface but what if..."
I like a good ambiguous ending and of course, nothing against downers as long as they aren't too devastating and soul crushing but this was just...an ending. I would have even preferred a long drawn out happy ending concluding with a hint of some bitter to keep it from being cloyingly sweet or dreadfully corny.
Despite that, Dream Date is a nail biting read and one I can highly recommend.
February 15, 2025
Nightmare on Elm Street—but make it PG-13.
Listen, Dream Date isn’t just your average Point Horror romp. It’s got layers. It’s got metaphor. It’s got Raquel, an absolute icon of a best friend. And it’s got Heath—the leather-clad red flag on legs who basically embodies every toxic Tinder match you know you should swipe left on but don’t.
What I Loved:
💀 Katie? Relatable as hell. She starts off thinking all her self-worth issues will magically disappear if she gets a boyfriend (been there), only to wind up in a full-blown obsession spiral with Heath, the ultimate bad-news boy. Spoiler: it does not fix her self-esteem. Who could’ve guessed? (Everyone.)
💀 Heath himself? Whew. Hot, manipulative, and toxic—basically if a walking 🚩 was somehow attractive enough to keep you invested. The way he slowly takes over Katie’s life? Creepy. Disturbing. And honestly, kind of genius.
💀 The friendship power-up! Katie doesn’t make it out of this mess alone, and I love that. Raquel is a star, and I would like to personally thank Sinclair Smith for giving us a bestie who actually has personality and isn’t just there to fill space.
💀 And let’s talk themes, because this book is serving a two-for-one morality tale. On the surface, it’s about escaping an abusive relationship (Colleen Hoover, take notes). But underneath, it’s also a sneaky, well-crafted metaphor for addiction—Heath literally warps Katie’s sense of self, isolates her, and becomes the only thing she craves. The way the supernatural horror blends into that? Brilliant.
What I Didn’t Love:
Honestly? Not much. Maybe that it ended? Maybe that it made me reflect on some of my own questionable crushes? Maybe that it was too real?
Final verdict: Dream Date is top-tier Point Horror—chilling, insightful, and scarily accurate in its portrayal of toxic obsession. A must-read for anyone who likes their horror with a side of actual substance. 🔥💀
Listen, Dream Date isn’t just your average Point Horror romp. It’s got layers. It’s got metaphor. It’s got Raquel, an absolute icon of a best friend. And it’s got Heath—the leather-clad red flag on legs who basically embodies every toxic Tinder match you know you should swipe left on but don’t.
What I Loved:
💀 Katie? Relatable as hell. She starts off thinking all her self-worth issues will magically disappear if she gets a boyfriend (been there), only to wind up in a full-blown obsession spiral with Heath, the ultimate bad-news boy. Spoiler: it does not fix her self-esteem. Who could’ve guessed? (Everyone.)
💀 Heath himself? Whew. Hot, manipulative, and toxic—basically if a walking 🚩 was somehow attractive enough to keep you invested. The way he slowly takes over Katie’s life? Creepy. Disturbing. And honestly, kind of genius.
💀 The friendship power-up! Katie doesn’t make it out of this mess alone, and I love that. Raquel is a star, and I would like to personally thank Sinclair Smith for giving us a bestie who actually has personality and isn’t just there to fill space.
💀 And let’s talk themes, because this book is serving a two-for-one morality tale. On the surface, it’s about escaping an abusive relationship (Colleen Hoover, take notes). But underneath, it’s also a sneaky, well-crafted metaphor for addiction—Heath literally warps Katie’s sense of self, isolates her, and becomes the only thing she craves. The way the supernatural horror blends into that? Brilliant.
What I Didn’t Love:
Honestly? Not much. Maybe that it ended? Maybe that it made me reflect on some of my own questionable crushes? Maybe that it was too real?
Final verdict: Dream Date is top-tier Point Horror—chilling, insightful, and scarily accurate in its portrayal of toxic obsession. A must-read for anyone who likes their horror with a side of actual substance. 🔥💀
July 6, 2024
I read this with my book club that I run on Instagram where we revisit Point Horror and other books from our childhood - @talespointhorrorbookclub
Katie Shaw has just moved to the area secluded old run down part of the town in an old house on top of a hill with fields out back where the she swears she hears scratches in the walls like rats and there are rumours that her house is haunted. But this is no ordinary ghost story….Move over Freddy Krueger there’s a new bad boy in town! On the cusp of turning 17 Katie is asking herself where is the sparkle? Katie discovers that when she wishes upon a star a tall dark handsome stranger may answer her wish, turn up on a motorbike and become the man of her dreams….. or her nightmares! Heath appears in Katies dreams and promises her the usual Point Horror offering of popularity and to become something special. Katie goes along with it and becomes a fan of nap time, but soon realises (shock horror) that things are not as they seem with the man of her dreams.
Sinclair Smith is clearly a huge horror fan taking inspiration from A Nightmare On Elm Street and Psycho for this Point Horror. Dream Date offers some good horror moments completely making you feel that spiral out of control and the desperation that Katie, the main character, feels. You actually fear for her and root for her to get out of the situation this is in.
I renamed this the Home Alone of Point Horror as Katie’s parents abandon her mid spiral for a holiday! Classic Point Horror 😂
Give it a read if you enjoy A Nightmare On Elm Street, dreams merging into reality and coffee!
Katie Shaw has just moved to the area secluded old run down part of the town in an old house on top of a hill with fields out back where the she swears she hears scratches in the walls like rats and there are rumours that her house is haunted. But this is no ordinary ghost story….Move over Freddy Krueger there’s a new bad boy in town! On the cusp of turning 17 Katie is asking herself where is the sparkle? Katie discovers that when she wishes upon a star a tall dark handsome stranger may answer her wish, turn up on a motorbike and become the man of her dreams….. or her nightmares! Heath appears in Katies dreams and promises her the usual Point Horror offering of popularity and to become something special. Katie goes along with it and becomes a fan of nap time, but soon realises (shock horror) that things are not as they seem with the man of her dreams.
Sinclair Smith is clearly a huge horror fan taking inspiration from A Nightmare On Elm Street and Psycho for this Point Horror. Dream Date offers some good horror moments completely making you feel that spiral out of control and the desperation that Katie, the main character, feels. You actually fear for her and root for her to get out of the situation this is in.
I renamed this the Home Alone of Point Horror as Katie’s parents abandon her mid spiral for a holiday! Classic Point Horror 😂
Give it a read if you enjoy A Nightmare On Elm Street, dreams merging into reality and coffee!
January 27, 2022
Katie's family has just moved to a new town, & a house which seems to be falling down around their ears. She's a good student but fairly shy, so she is not very popular especially with boys. Katie wishes that she could meet the perfect boy, & her dreams seem to literally come true when she meets Heath Granger whilst asleep. The next morning Katie assumes it was just a dream, but then Heath starts to exert power over Katie's sleeping habits, & soon he wants to visit her when she's awake too.
This is an example of how good the Point Horror series could be when it was done well. The story line is great, & the pacing is perfect. There's a growing sense of menace about Heath as Katie slowly realises that he could actually be dangerous to her & her friends & family. Good read for when you're feeling nostalgic about your teenage reads.
This is an example of how good the Point Horror series could be when it was done well. The story line is great, & the pacing is perfect. There's a growing sense of menace about Heath as Katie slowly realises that he could actually be dangerous to her & her friends & family. Good read for when you're feeling nostalgic about your teenage reads.
November 23, 2011
I first read this book about a good 15 years ago and I must say, every time I read it I still love it like the first time. It's very rare to find a book that successfully incorporates dreams into the plot. The main reason I love this book is because it shows on how somebody may seem to be a good person in the beginning but yet do a quick turn around. All in all this is a great recommendation for young avid readers.
January 15, 2018
Recommended to me by a classmate. Until this day I NEVER forgot it. It always stuck with me. Katie is a shy girl who wishes for more, one day she gets it when Heath appears in her dreams making her dreams come true. If you listen to this on audio it's MUCH better. The Story Circle does an excellent job of acting this book out.
August 7, 2018
Re-read this for Episode 6 of the Teenage Scream podcast (lovingly dissecting the best and worst of 90s teen horror). Listen here, or subscribe on your podcast app:
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
April 5, 2018
I used to absolutely LOVE the Point Horror books! I would go through each of them in one sitting, for the most part. They definitely tweaked my interested in the horror genre.
July 5, 2018
The rare PH that has great gender politics and a strong message about domestic abuse. A great fun read.
December 21, 2018
Repetitive and headache inducing.
June 16, 2022
Straight back to my teen years reading this. Great story:)
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