Sweet Dreams

Dream House #2

by Stephanie Fournet

The DREAM HOUSE series continues with SWEET DREAMS (DREAM HOUSE BOOK II)…

Tyler Mouton is half the man he used to be.

He can’t talk worth a damn. He can’t work. He can barely tie his shoes. He has a roof over his head because of Stella, his take-charge younger sister. The best part of his day is watching SpongeBob with Maisy, his four-year-old niece.

Until he stumbles into the kitchen in his underwear and lays eyes on her.

Nina Lemoine is desperate to start over. Again. This time, her life depends on it. But her track record on decision-making leaves a lot to be desired. If she forgets that, all she has to do is look in the mirror at her vicious black eye.

And if she can’t trust herself, how can she trust her scary, scowling, scarred roommate? Even if he does look at her like she’s made of gold.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Disability, Ebooks

ebook

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Bestselling romance author Stephanie Fournet has thirteen novels and one novella to her name. She lives in Lafayette, Louisiana—not far from the Saint Streets where her novels are set. She shares her home with her husband and their needy dogs Mabel and Bud, and the ghosts of dogs past. When she isn’t writing romance novels, Stephanie is usually helping students get into college, camping, or curled up with a good book. She loves hearing from readers, so look for her on Facebook, Instagram, and stephaniefournet.com.

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Find her books at https://www.stephaniefournet.com.

Reviews

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Dreams is the second book in the Dream House Series. Stephanie Fournet never fails to amaze me with her writing. This story follows the story of Tyler Mouton and his love for Nina Lemoine.

Tyler is no run-of-the-mill hero in a romance story. He has been badly injured in a horrific motorcycle accident. Although he has the love of his sister and family, deep in his heart he knows that he is missing out on having a full life. He is also constantly haunted by his past. His deepest fear is that he will never be able to live his life the way that he was meant to.

Nina has been living in hell. Trapped in an abusive relationship, she will do anything to get out. When she finally finds the courage to flee, she finds herself in a strange new place. With no money and nowhere to go, Tyler is her only hope of finding refuge. Can two damaged people find the healing they need in each other? Tyler and Nina's relationship is beautiful and raw all at once. The imagery Fournet uses to describe their inner turmoil and longing for each other is both touching and heartfelt.

Overall, Sweet Dreams will appeal to readers seeking a story of love and redemption and overcoming all odds. The characters are incredibly well-developed and you feel for them throughout their journey. Stephanie Fournet is an exquisite writer who never fails to amaze me. I look forward to every single one of her stories and I cannot wait for more of this series.




For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this. I am telling you I ate it up and left no fucking crumbs with my ten fingers and my toes bitch. I am in a coma and I don't want to get out of it. I don't know what it is and I don't know how, but I am melting in my seat.

there is something in this, some sort of secret sauce that made me obsessed with it. I love wounded male characters when they are vulnerable and fragile but not in a toxic way. in a way that is like I want to heal and I want to make it on my own and you be my guiding light. ugh. tbh the past Tyler and the one in part 1 gave me the impression that he is slightly arrogant and kind of a grump and is not even trying. which was the perfect persona for us to crack into once you read his povs and see how he thinks and communicates and how challenging it is. god, I loved him so much. I wanted to kiss him marry him make love to him cook for him. WHO AM I?

Nina is such a delight my heart breaks and is healed again with how her character develops throughout the plot. I also loved the redemption arch for Teddy. That was expected but extremely lovely to read.

lovely swoony so panty melting and so heart-warming.

[Antonella · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: domestic violence

hate when I have to preface my ramblings with I love this author's books and have read almost all of them...but this one wasn't it.
but here we are...
- instead of heroine abuse (by ex-bf) and the hero's brain injury (from a motorcycle accident) is just one aspect of the story and identity, it is all of it...
- the writing could benefit from a little subtlety
I just don't like when I am hit on the head with some points the author is trying to make
- for such a long ass book the romance was unconvincing and sudden
- almost a dnf

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update 2024: About every month (sometimes more, sometimes less), I remember Tyler. His frustration, pain, excitement, love, everything he feels, I just adore him. Thank you, Fournet, for creative such a wonderful human being.
Happy reading, snowflakes :)


2022: This was a great romance read. Tyler’s perspective as a narrator for half the book was fascinating. I’m not a doctor and have limited knowledge of traumatic brain injury (TBI), so I can’t speak to the accuracy of her writing. However, Tyler’s frustration, his elation, his open and raw emotions are written beautifully.
No two life experiences are the same- no one experiences a loss, for example, the same way. But everyone who’s endured loss knows that exact feeling. For me, the author captured that emotional relatability with Tyler perfectly.
Will probably reread :)

[Amy Tippins · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: partner abuse and TBI (traumatic brain injury) - but not as a result of abuse!

When I started reading Sweet Dreams, I assumed it would be a sequel or continuation of Dream House (which I also loved, btw), but I was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn't the case. Sweet Dreams is a parallel story to Dream House told from different characters' POV. While the first book centered on Lark and Stella with Tyler and Nina as supporting characters, this book centers on Tyler and Nina's stories with Lark and Stella as supporting characters. I loved that I got to read a different insight on situations that happened in the first book - it almost felt like a "behind-the-scenes" account of what really happened in book 1.

The domestic violence Nina endures is brutal and heartbreakingly realistic. Stephanie Fournet does an excellent job of portraying the debilitating control abusers can have over their victims, but she does so beautifully without ever making Nina seem weak or less than. Her telling of Nina's story makes it easier for the reader to understand why she stays.... why anyone stays....

Tyler is a man of few words, but many, many thoughts. ha! He sees and feels so much and is struggling to express it. I love that he finds his voice in his own way throughout the book. Sweet Dreams is a reminder that we are all fighting our own battles - some are just more visible than others. And things that may seem insignificant or "no big deal" to us could be life-changing for someone else... a ride somewhere, a smile, an acknowledgment, a bouquet of felt flowers :)

Sweet Dreams will break your heart and then piece it back together - as only the stories worth sharing can.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I loved this book! It’s the second book in the Dream House series, and while it’s not strictly necessary to have read the first one, it definitely helps if you do. Tyler has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is living with his sister, niece, and a number of roommates in his late grandmother’s house. Nina is one of those roommates, and Tyler is drawn to her from the start. Nina is escaping a domestic abuse situation and leery of men, but soon forms a friendship with Tyler.

I loved that we got insight into Tyler’s mind in his chapters, especially since it was such a challenge for him to speak. I don’t personally know anyone with a TBI but it seemed very realistic.

I also loved that Tyler called Nina “Golden” as a name. It was so sweet. Tyler’s desire to improve his fine motor skills and communication for Nina was cute. Nina coming up with the idea that they could sign to one another was wonderful and opened up things for them.

Tyler and Nina were so good together, and really understood each other. Nina never pitied Tyler and was patient with him when he talked. The resolution to Nina’s ex-boyfriend still being after her was a good one, and a relief. The book was touching and sweet in so many parts, I would absolutely recommend it.

4/5 on the Spicy Scale

M/F

Domestic abuse, on page (Not between the MC’s)

Violence

Grief

Contemporary Romance

[Brenda Romconfan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fournet’s books keep getting better and better. I am in awe how she embraces people with different limitations and support needs (and I’ve encountered books about people with spinal cord injuries but never TBI). It was utterly satisfying and cathartic to read about love that transcends laws and physical limitations, fuses with impossibility and doubt to survive. Language fails to describe the goodness of this book… Nina and Tyler have piece of my heart forever :)

[ML Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get your hankies ready.
It’s not like I didn’t know from the first book that Nina was abused. But it still nailed me.
A sweet love story and who doesn’t want that?

[gen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 !!! It was good LOVED THE TBI and loved his love for her I did get frustrated with miss girl at the end and wanted better epilogue

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

i liked this considerably less the guy dropped a racial slur and tried to justify it in the preview and then i was supposed to just forget about it ig

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this isn’t 5⭐️ is because I don’t like the trope of one of the protagonists leaving to protect the other. I actually hate it? BUT I LOVE TYLER!

He made this book; he was absolutely sweet and amazing! Nina was cute, but I didn’t like her as much when she left Tyler with no real proof that she would be ok. Felt a tad selfish.

But otherwise! Great book!!

[Lazy Gardener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Fournet has done it again. Love everything about this. So much better than book 1. I knew I would want to read Tyler and Nina's story. There is lots of angst and heartbreak and so much cuteness!

[Haley Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, back at it again with another Inkslinger classic. This is book 2 of Dream House 🏡 series by Stephanie Fournet.

So thankful for this story! I was totally in love with the first book and I was so excited to hear that there was a second one!

If you need a recap of the first, go to my feed and find Dream House so you can get caught up! Okay here’s the deets.

It’s most of the story from Dream House but instead of focusing on Stella and Lark, this is about Tyler and Nina. Nina was on the run from her abusive boyfriend and needed a new place to go. She found Stella’s ad and had moved in with her, her daughter, her brother, best friend and 2 other roommates.

All the roommates get pretty close to each other pretty quickly. Nina took awhile to warm up to everyone especially Tyler and Lark (trauma from men). And Tyler, Stella’s older brother is the sweetest human on the planet. He suffers from TBI (traumatic brain injury) and he lost most of his speech capabilities, fine motor skills and balance a couple of years ago. But Nina is the bright light in his dark world. 🌞 His Golden 🌞 there are some twists and turns and run ins with Nina’s ex but the whole household comes together to help protect Nina. And Nina and Tyler find out more about each other and how they are meant to be. 😍

This really warmed my heart! Check it out today!!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
Series or stand alone: series 📚

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Domestic abuse (FMC on page and retelling), MMC with Traumatic Brain Injury, physical violence on page multiple times, use of racist and ableist slur (denounced and reprimanded by other characters)

The first book in this series Dream House is on my favorites of 2022 list and while I did love Sweet Dreams, it had a different feeling than the first book. A good portion of this book takes place at the same time of DH but from different viewpoints and that was interesting; I also felt it was a tad redundant. That said this book focuses on Nina (aka Golden), the young domestic abuse survivor we met when she left her abuser and found a new home and a found family and Tyler a big bear of a man suffering from TBI following a motorcycle accident two years prior. In the first book it was obvious these two had a unique friendship and so it was interesting to see how it came to be and to watch is grow into something more.

All of the characters from the first book were present although Stella and Lark and is some ways Stella’s daughter Maisy, take a bit of a backseat in this one. Present but as Stella and Lark are also finding their way to one another, we don’t see that they are more in the peripheral. However the other two residents Pen and Livy play a bit of a bigger role and I loved seeing a bit more of their personalities shining through. An interest addition was Stella and Tyler’s father, Ted, who might have not been the best father during their formative years but seems like he’s trying to be a better one now.

With Tyler’s communication skills a bit lacking and the fact he was still relearning words and feelings, this was a very interesting story and what made it batter was Nina’s absolute understanding and caring heart. Honestly I felt that Nina realizing Tyler’s limitations and wanting to help and comfort him helped her realize she was stronger than she thought, that she was useful, and that she mattered in the world.

As this book overlaps with the first one Nina’s ex plays a big part in it and his actions against Nina are front and center, but we absolutely see Nina’s metamorphosis throughout this book. From the woman who was afraid of her own shadow to one learning to trust and let people in, to realizing there are men in the world who treat women right, to a strong, capable woman not afraid to say “no more, I am done.” I loved watching her blossom, the way she began her friendship with Tyler, and their blossoming romance. Tyler also changed a great deal in this book, Nina gave him a reason to be a better man and he took charge and began to focus on his recovery and learned to not be embarrassed about what he couldn’t do but how far he come.

This is one of those series that just makes a reader feel good. You just can’t help rooting for these people who all have had some challenges in their lives yet they kept moving forward. Finding each other and creating their found family despite how different they are and how different their experiences have been is a thing of beauty. While Sweet Dreams deals with some very heavy themes, it is well written and I found it impossible to put down.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a unique book with two super interesting characters. (Tyler is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and has trouble with speech, memory and certain movements, and Nina is escaping an abusive relationship.)

I adored how they leant on each other for support and developed such a sweet friendship that turned into a really beautiful love. The book is so emotional and raw, and I was really rooting for both characters and the transformation they went through.

My only critique with this book is something I went back and forth over whether to change my rating over. I eventually decided not to because I felt like it was a pretty minor thing, though I still wanted to mention it here:

Right at the start of the book, Tyler casually uses a offensive slur, which is rightfully called out and criticised by other characters. I actually hadn't heard of this before because I'm not from the US, but Google says it's a derogatory term used to refer to Mexican people?

I understand it was probably done to show that he is a flawed person who changes so much after the TBI (this happens prior to his injury), but it felt like it was a super weird choice for the author to make because: 1) there were definitely other ways this could have been achieved and 2) it's never referenced to again, which made it even more jarring.

[Isabella. R · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Then I Am More Stars ⭐

This book was genuinely touching. But do yourselves a favor by reading Dream House before Sweet Dreams. Only to fully appreciate how Tyler and Nina first meet and all the other inhabitants of Nana's house, a haven filled with hope.

Showing her who I am. She makes me feel whole. She makes me feel like a man. She makes me feel seen and understood. How could I not love her?

Tyler Mouton is recovering from a head injury which is a very slow and frustrating process. Barely able to communicate, he believes he's only half the man he used to be. Then Nina enters his life and it's a real incentive to try harder.

After being battered far too many times, Nina finally finds the courage to flee her abusive boyfriend. However she knows this isn't the end. Fortunately she's found a safe place with Tyler and his roommates.

This was an emphatic tale of two very broken people who find comfort and healing in each other's presence. Gah, the struggles were real at every turn and frightening in parts. But Tyler and Nina were something else.

Surrounded by people that were only eager too assist, you saw them both reclaiming their lives piece by piece. The romance was tender and the intimacy sizzling with a bit of drama that kept you on the edge of your seat. It was pretty special!

[Hilal Tunçkol · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. I KNEW IT! I just knew from the first moment Tyler and Nina were introduced as a couple in "Dream House", I would adore their story.

And I was right.

The book began with Tyler trying to rescue a young woman from her abusive boyfriend and the moment it was clear to me that the young woman was none other than Nina, I teared up and they literally did not dry up until I was done with this book. This story both broke my heart and gave me immense hope.

Do you have any idea how hard this is? And how rare? Evey time Tyler thought he wasn't good enough for Nina because of his Traumatic Brain Injury but couldn't stop himself from trying to do and be better, and every time Nina conviced herself that she didn't deserve a healty relationship with Tyler because she did't leave her previous abusive relationship with the douchebag Kaleb early enough, I could stop the tears from flooding my eyes.

Towards the end, Nina left Tyler to protect him and rest of her roommates from Kaleb, I didn't like those chapters one bit because I couldn't stand to see the two apart. That is why I took of half a star but this book was so good, I couldn't bring myself to give this a four star rating.

[Slick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming 9/8/22 www.simplylovebooks.com

This is one of those series that just makes a reader feel good. You just can’t help rooting for these people who all have had some challenges in their lives yet they kept moving forward. Finding each other and creating their found family despite how different they are and how different their experiences have been is a thing of beauty. While Sweet Dreams deals with some very heavy themes, it is well written and I found it impossible to put down.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is not a light-hearted read, so beware.
Also, I would say you better read it after the first book and not asa standalone - some important scenes were barelly covered as the interactions happened with other people

I liked the mcs and how they fought for each other but for me personally I really needed a lot more light at the end for all the grief they had gone through. I'm not sure the epilogue was also enough because despite the great disability representation I still had many questions about how they would build their life

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite like Stephanie Fournet's books. I would read "Dream House" first if you want to read this one. It focuses on two different characters this time, Nina and Tyler, but goes through the same events. Tyler is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and finding speech and fine motor skills difficult. His life changes when Nina, a young woman struggling to get out of an abusive relationship moves in.

TW: Domestic violence.

[Areeba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the hero in this book, but I had a few issues with the heroine. There's an event that happens at the very start of the book that isn't addressed until much later. Not only is it not addressed until much later, but then it's overcome in a few sentences. The heroine is also...flighty? I'm not sure if that's the best description, but it's something I don't like in books.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love this book but I wasn’t prepared for just how much!!! I fell in love with Tyler and Nina in Book 1 and got to fall for them even freaking harder in this one (which I got in the this afternoon and finished this evening).

Getting the super effing sweet insight into each of their perspectives was so wonderful.

[Lee Cleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as always!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was JUST as good as book one! Love love love Stephanie Fournet! I really hope there is going to be a book three for Pen and Livy!

[Kaci read-and-be-merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen it had its funny moments and romantic moments but man was it wordy and repetitive af

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Que triste que fuera necesario que Tyler tuviera el accidente para que cambiara porque antes era un asco de persona.

[Marika · Rating 1 out of 5]

⛔️(in notes)

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. Tyler and Nina are both golden ❤️ it's a five star for me even though I wanted more from the epilogue and still feel we needed more info about Lark and Stella. I'm waiting for a third book about Pen and Livy.

[JoSchau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and heartfelt; well written side characters