Daydream by Hannah Grace Summary

Daydream by Hannah Grace is the third book in the Maple Hills series, following recently dumped Halle Jacobs and newly appointed hockey captain Henry Turner as they help each other through their junior year struggles. Halle, battling writer's block on her romance novel for a writing competition, needs real romantic experiences, while neurodivergent Henry needs academic support in a challenging class. They create a "dating project" to help Halle write her book while exploring their growing feelings for each other, all while navigating themes of self-discovery, people-pleasing, and mental health.

Daydream is perfect for fans of college hockey romances with emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and relatable characters. It's ideal for readers who struggle with people-pleasing tendencies, self-doubt, or finding their voice, as well as those seeking positive neurodivergent representation in romance. This book appeals to BookTok enthusiasts who love friends-to-lovers tropes, Taylor Swift references, and stories about female friendships and personal growth. Note that Daydream contains mature content suitable for audiences 18 and older.

Daydream by Hannah Grace is absolutely worth reading for its authentic portrayal of neurodivergence, meaningful character development, and thoughtful exploration of self-love and boundaries. Unlike typical sports romances, this story prioritizes emotional growth over dramatic conflict, making it feel more grown-up and comforting than previous Maple Hills books. Readers praise Hannah Grace's ability to create characters that feel like real people with genuine flaws and insecurities, while delivering a romance that's both sweet and sexy with beautiful, heartfelt dialogue.

Daydream by Hannah Grace can be read as a standalone novel without reading Icebreaker or Wildfire first, as each Maple Hills book follows different main characters. However, reading the previous books would enhance your experience by providing familiarity with the Maple Hills setting, recurring characters, and established friendships. Many readers recommend starting with Icebreaker to fully appreciate character cameos and references, though the core story of Halle and Henry is self-contained and doesn't require prior series knowledge.

Daydream explores multiple interconnected themes including self-love, people-pleasing behaviors, and setting healthy boundaries in relationships. The novel thoughtfully examines neurodivergence through Henry's character, mental health challenges faced by high-level athletes, and the pressures placed on eldest daughters within family dynamics. Hannah Grace also emphasizes the importance of adult female friendships, overcoming writer's block through new experiences, and the courage required to prioritize your own dreams after years of putting others first.

Halle Jacobs is a bookish junior who runs a romance book club, struggles with people-pleasing due to her overbearing mother, and enters a writing competition after her gaslighting ex-boyfriend Will dumps her. Henry Turner is the newly appointed ice hockey captain who is neurodivergent (AuDHD representation) and struggles with certain teaching styles despite being academically capable. Both characters carry insecurities and fears about interpersonal relationships, but their friendship helps them break down walls and discover their authentic selves while potentially falling in love.

The dating project in Daydream is Henry's plan to help Halle overcome writer's block by providing real romantic experiences for her novel without crossing friend-zone boundaries. In exchange for Halle tutoring him in his challenging class using methods that work for neurodivergent learners, Henry agrees to take Halle on dates and create the experiences she's never had due to her previous unhealthy relationship. Their agreement includes one crucial rule: Halle cannot fall in love with Henry, though this boundary becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.

Hannah Grace authentically represents neurodivergence through Henry Turner's character, inspired by the author's own AuDHD (Autism and ADHD) diagnosis. Henry struggles with certain teaching styles and class presentations despite being intelligent, reflecting how neurodivergent students process information differently. The novel normalizes accommodations like Halle's tutoring methods adapted from helping her neurodivergent sister, and shows Henry's genuine personality traits rather than stereotypes. Grace's representation resonated deeply with neurodivergent readers who found Henry's character refreshingly relatable and validating in mainstream romance.

Halle's character arc centers on overcoming years of people-pleasing behavior and family pressure to finally prioritize herself. After losing her friend group following her breakup with manipulative ex-boyfriend Will, she decides to enter a writing competition offering a free course in New York—her first truly selfish decision. Throughout the story, Halle learns to set boundaries, recognize her worth beyond helping others, and understand that her lack of romantic experience doesn't diminish her value as both a writer and person.

Daydream feels more grown-up and evolved compared to Icebreaker and Wildfire, with softer conflict between the romantic leads and deeper character development. While maintaining the signature college hockey romance setting, Daydream prioritizes personal growth and mental health themes over dramatic tension, making it more of a feel-good, comforting read. The focus shifts from external obstacles to internal struggles like people-pleasing, neurodivergence, and self-acceptance. Readers note that Daydream emphasizes female friendships and emotional authenticity more prominently than the previous Maple Hills installments.

Daydream distinguishes itself through authentic neurodivergent representation, thoughtful exploration of eldest daughter syndrome, and realistic portrayal of adult female friendships forming from scratch. Unlike many college romances focused solely on drama and spice, this novel examines how Halle struggles to make friends as an adult after losing her social circle, creating deeply relatable moments about building relationships from the ground up. The book also tackles body image, perfectionism, anxiety, and mental health challenges athletes face with sensitivity, while maintaining the romance genre's escapist appeal.

Daydream by Hannah Grace contains mature content and is suitable for audiences 18 and older, featuring sexual scenes and adult themes throughout the 448-page novel. While categorized as a sweet and sexy romance rather than dark or extremely explicit, the book includes intimate moments between Halle and Henry as part of their relationship development. The mature content serves the story's exploration of Halle gaining romantic experiences and both characters discovering physical intimacy within a healthy, consensual relationship built on friendship and mutual respect.