Dreaming by Starlight

The Moonlight Dreamers #3

by Siobhan Curham

Jazz, short for Jasmine, and her parents have just moved to Brighton from Sydney, so that Jazz’s dad, Mikey, can pursue his career as a music producer. Jazz is finding it difficult to fit into her new school, and her love of surfing seems destined to be quashed for ever. Not only do Brighton’s beaches have stones instead of sand and the water is downright freezing. but there’s not a surfboard in sight. When she meets her older cousin, Amber, at a family dinner in London. Amber senses Jazz’s unhappiness and tells her about the Moonlight Dreamers, a secret society of likeminded friends that she founded years earlier. Amber suggests that Jazz seek out a group of soulmates too and form her own Moonlight Dreamers.

At first Jazz is wary, but then decides to leave postcards for prospective soulmates, just as her cousin had. And so a new group of Moonlight Dreamers is born. Allegra, Hope, Portia and Jazz may be very different but they soon become firm friends who are always there for one another. They listen to each other’s problems and support each other’s hopes – and help them make their dreams come true.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2022

About the author

Hi, I’m Siobhan - which for those of you not familiar with the wonder of Irish names, is actually pronounced, Shiv-on!

I’m an award-winning author of over 50 books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, young adults and children, and my first book was published back in 2000, so I’ve been at this writing game for almost a quarter of a century now.

I’m also a former council estate kid and a university drop-out - I dropped out because I didn’t think I had what it took to make it in the middle class world of publishing. Thankfully I managed to overcome my self doubt and fear and achieve my writing dreams, and now I love helping others do the same through my mentoring, courses and talks.

I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic I felt as if my life had collapsed in on itself and I’d had to shrink myself to fit this strange new world of lockdowns and zoom calls (oh, so many Zoom calls!) and working from home and working alone. Even when things returned to some semblance of normal back in 2022, I felt that I’d lost sight of who I was and I’d definitely lost my joy for living.

Then, an unexpected trip to Jamaica changed everything, jolting me back to life and reminding me of who I truly am. In a bid to never lose sight of myself and my sense of wonder and purpose again, I started travelling more and writing a weekly Substack letter called Wonderstruck. And in September 2023 I gave up my home in the UK and pretty much all of my worldly goods to solo travel the world while I write my books and mentor other writers.

I send Wonderstruck out to my subscribers every Sunday morning, writing about the places I visit and the lessons I learn there. My sole aim for writing this letter is to inspire others to rediscover their own sense of purpose, wonder and adventure.

If you've enjoyed reading any of my books I'd love it if you joined the Wonderstruck community over on Substack.

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my books, I really appreciate it!

Siobhan

Substack: siobhancurham.substack.com
Facebook: Siobhan Curham Author
Instagram: @SiobhanCurhamAuthor
Twitter: @SiobhanCurham

For more information about my books, mentoring and courses, please visit: http://www.siobhancurham.com

Reviews

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find more reviews at: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Dreaming by Starlight is book #3 in The Moonlight Dreamers series. However reads well as a standalone as it centres on a different group of girls.

When Jazz's father gets a new job the family pack up and move across the globe to the UK, leaving behind everything that Jazz loves. Jazz soon starts at a snooty private school where no-one will talk to her. She doesn't fit in. She's not a rich girl. She's just a girl from the Gold Coast of Australia and she's missing her friends.

Jazz is miserable, but before her cousin Amber (from book 1 & 2) moves to Paris she shares with Jazz her unique way of connecting with people and making new friends.

Dreaming by Starlight is the most endearing story about the might of friendship and the power of dreams
Siobhan Curham has written a beautiful, uplifting and positive story about four teenage girls who felt trapped and unsettled with their current lives and needed each other to help bring out their true selves. A friend to listen to their dreams and fears.

As the chapters alternate between the four girls, Jazz, Allegra, Portia and Hope, we get to know more about their lives. There is also a little mystery and adventure thrown in.

Dreaming by Starlight is a story that will resonate with its intended audience.

Publisher recommended age 12+

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dreaming by Starlight” by Siobhan Curham

Thank you to Better Reading for an ARC of this novel by British author, Siobhan Curham

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars” – Oscar Wilde
Friends make dreams come true but just what happens when a dream seems impossible to achieve? When we start to have doubts? That’s the time when we need others to listen to our fears as well as encourage our hopes and help us to believe in ourselves. Essentially that is what this book is about.
The author takes the reader into the world of four very different girls who come together through the Moonlight Dreamers, a secret society. While they start off as complete strangers they do become firm friends as each follows their quest to fulfil their dreams. As they share with one another their trust in each other grows and they are able to raise their cups of hot chocolate “To the Moonlight Dreamers – and Oscar Wilde.”
This was such a fun book to read. It has been a long time since I read any YA fiction but I really did enjoy this book which is deemed suitable for 12+. I look forward to passing it on to my oldest granddaughter to read.

[Blue · Rating 2 out of 5]

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Thank you Walker Books for this book in exchange for an honest review

Dreaming by Starlight was an okay book to read… the concept behind the story were modern and valid. When it comes to the lives depicted on social media are flawless but, its flawed and people are mentally struggling, life really isn’t that perfect and so on. But I found that the dialogue and the characters were repetitive and a draining. Maybe I’ve been reading too much contemporary books lately? Maybe this book just wasn’t the right fit for me?
You experience the lives of four girls, the ins and outs of their lives as well as their dreams, hopes and aspirations. Basically, it gives you real big Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants vibes but without the pants. Unfortunately, this isn’t my vibe.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read.

As a reader with aphantasia I'm used to feeling "at arm's length" from stories, but Curham evokes so many senses I was pulled straight in.

This is a heartwarming story of friendship and courageous self-discovery; a safe book to get lost in.

A bit of whimsy, grounded in reality.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

nostalgia value

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely new standalone story in the Moonlight Dreamers series. Jazz’s family have recently moved to Britain from Australia and Jazz is upset. She misses her friends and her life surfing on the Australian beaches every day. While at a restaurant dinner with Jazz’s English uncle and his family, her cousin Amber spots how downcast she is and they go for a walk. Amber wants to tell Jazz all about the Moonlight Dreamers club she began when she was Jazz’s age, and explains how she made friends with girls she didn’t know who have become her best friends since. Jazz isn’t sure she can just ask random strangers to meet her and become friends with her the way Amber did, but after having a terrible time at her new school, Jazz decides to try it and to her surprise she manages to meet Hope, Portia and Allegra. But with two of the girls not liking each other much, and the rest of the moonlight dreamers all having such different goals and personalities, will any of them get along and keep the Moonlight Dreamers going?

This is an interesting new book in the Moonlight Dreamers series, following four new girls as they get to know each other and help each other achieve their dreams. Although this is part of the series, it can be read as a standalone as it includes four random girls, this time in Brighton, but I love how Jazz is related to Amber from the original Moonlight Dreamers books and how if you’ve read those books you’ll spot some of the other characters too like Amber’s dads and Maali. I love what happens in this story as Jazz tries to find a way to make friends with some girls she meets. I like who she ends up meeting and how different all the Moonlight Dreamers are. Portia’s love of dogs and wanting to rescue any dogs in trouble is interesting, and I liked Hope’s story too, as she struggles to come to terms with being diagnosed with a life changing health condition. Allegra’s tale is interesting too as her life revolves around being with the popular girls and I did like how Hope and Allegra’s awkward encounters made the situation difficult between them at first.

As the story moves on the chapters alternate between the characters and we learn more about their situations. I like how Allegra’s character is far deeper than we first think and how she later grows and decides who she really wants to be friends with. I found all of the stories of the individual girls interesting and I love how each girl goes through her own story and deals with her own problems. Jazz’s main problems are her difficulty adjusting to living in England and attending her private school. Meanwhile Portia struggles to make friends with anyone who isn’t an animal and Allegra struggles with her issues with her mum’s behaviour and the fact that she doesn’t actually enjoy spending time with her current friends or boyfriend. It was Hope’s story though that had me the most interested, as someone suffering from a chronic health condition when I was a teenager, I could instantly relate to her and while Hope struggles to deal with her new diagnosis, she begins living in a lot of fear and even exhibiting mild ocd symptoms. I like what happens with her though, as she later grows and becomes more confident the further we read into the book.

A lot happens and I don’t want to give anything away, but I like how this story goes for all of the girls and how they later do something together which brings the four of them even closer. Ultimately there’s a good and satisfying ending for all of the characters and I like what happens especially with Allegra and Hope’s stories. The book has occasional use of the s swear word or the female b word but nothing else too upsetting. It’s ultimately a lovely tale of finding friendships, growing as a person and I hope that there will be more from this new set of Moonlight Dreamers in the future too. While I didn’t connect to the characters as quickly as I did with the original books, there’s something about these four girls I just really liked, especially at the end, and I really hope we’ll see more of them in future.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreaming by Starlight is the third book in the Moonlight Dreamers series written by Siobhan Curham.

The story starts with a young girl Jasmine, Jazz for short who has moved to Brighton from Sydney, she is finding it hard to fit in to her new school and her love of surfing has come to a halt, Brighton beaches have not a lor to offer.

Jazz needed some kind of assurance that her life will get better, after meeting her older cousin Amber she finds hope in knowing that once there was a secret society called Moonlight Dreamers Amber founded when she was younger and suggested Jazz do the same and a new club was born.
Siobhan Curham completely captures the highs and lows, dreams, and insecurities of the average teen through her protagonist, Jazz along with supporting characters Hope, Portia, and Allegra. The story flowed, was very easy to read with dramatic realism blended with metaphysical and psychological elements to tell a powerful story that gives deep meaning to the term 'teen angst.'

Dreaming by Starlight is an encouraging friendship story. I loved how supportive the girls were, facing obstacles, showing that it takes a whole lot of effort and encouragement from one another to pull through with their own monsters.

This is a delightful read that will leave reader’s full of hope, guaranteed to fully engage it’s intended young adult audience in every respect. I feel most teenagers will grasp, understand, and identify with the characters' fears, motivations, and angst.

I’m as far away from the author’s intended demographic as possible, but I can still say this is a very enjoyable read.

[Frankiie Lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreaming by Starlight was such a fun book to read.
I enjoyed it from start to finish as it took me into a place of imagination and fun.
Life isn't always as perfect as it seems for many people, especially these days with all of the social media we are surrounded by, a lot of influencers' posts show a beautiful, flawless life which many of us know isn't completely real but can't help but compare our own lives to.
This book takes you through the eyes of four different girls and their quests to fulfil dreams they have shared with each other.
Jazz, an Aussie relocated to Brighton, England by her dad's career, finds it hard to make friends so when her cousin Amber pitches her 'moonlight dreamers' idea she really has nothing to lose.
Starting off as complete strangers brought together by an anonymous postcard, the moonlight dreamers form a bond of friendship like no other.
Jazz, Hope, Allegra and Portia are all trying to find that something that will make their lives just that little bit better. With the help of 'what would Oscar do' as well as each other pushes them to find that inner confidence to make their dreams come true.

[Misbah Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moonlight Dreamers duology was what pulled me into the world of reading. So imagine my joy when I discovered there were more books in the series! Simply overjoyed. And now, after six years, I finally got to read the third book and it took me right back to where it all started. Just as wholesome, just as heartwarming.

And the fact that this book is dedicated to us, the Moonlight Dreamers, makes it all more special.

Thank you, Siobhan Curham for continuing this dreamfilled journey, for reminding us not just to dream, but to chase those dreams, even when the world feels dark. Always gaze at the stars.

P.S. Tell Amber that I, toooo, found my own Moonlight Dreamers.... My best friends who believe there's more to life than just fitting in☑️ Who are proud to be different☑️ Who lift each other up, and never give up☑️
I truly can't imagine life without them. xx

P.P.S. What would Oscar say "With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?" 🎀

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I essentially ran to the shop to buy this thinking it was a continuation of MLD 1 + 2 so was so gutted to find out its a full new narrative & bunch of characters!! I wanted to know what was going on with the original Moonlight Dreamers.

Alas, it was still a good story, easy read and the characters and storylines were really cute as per. It felt a bit rushed / shorter than the others and more of a cash grab than anything else. But it was still a cute book.

Definitely need another one in the series for the originals.

[Alexandra May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely easy paced read, really enjoyed this book. Definitely need to read the other books in the series now. It was a very lovely read about blossoming friendships and had relatable storyline throughout🥰

Absolutely loved characters, favourites had to be Jazz and Hope😊

[Hayley Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wholesome, sweet story about the power of friendship. Great messages and empowering characters! I enjoyed the story, but I honestly felt like it read more as a middle-grade, with the occasional YA reminder.

[trijnewijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lijkt op de eerdere delen, maar de vier nieuwe hoofdpersonages zorgen ervoor dat er andere zorgen aan bod komen. Je weg vinden op een nieuwe plaats was herkenbaar voor de dochter, Hope nog veel meer. Spiegels en vensters, dat is waarom ik zo blij ben dat beide kinderen graag lezen.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting story about friendship. Great Aussie flavour.

[Kerrie Kellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free in return for an honest review. Aimed at young adults, it is well written. Story flows nicely but finishes a little too neatly for my liking.

[EM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, can Sky and Rose make a cameo in the next one please?

[Isabella Nalder · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first read the moonlight dreamers I was much younger which definitely made them more enjoyable. This was still a good book but I think I would have liked it more at a younger age.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice enough - felt younger than the previous book in the series. Had a lovely message to the story