Review: Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake

Ashley Herring Blake kicks off her Clover Lake series with Dream On, Ramona Riley, a warm and wistful sapphic romance that blends small-town charm with Hollywood sparkle. If you love your queer romcoms with layered characters, second chances, and a healthy dose of steam, this one’s worth the pre-order.

Ramona Riley had big dreams—art school, costume design, maybe even a red carpet or two—but those dreams got put on hold when her dad’s accident forced her to return home and step into a caregiving role for her younger sister. Now, twelve years later, she’s still in Clover Lake, working at the local café and wondering if it’s too late to want more.

Enter Dylan Monroe—Hollywood it-girl, daughter of rock stars, and Ramona’s long-lost first kiss. When a romantic comedy begins filming in Clover Lake, Dylan signs on for more than just the starring role. She’s trying to shed the “nepo baby” label, so she volunteers to shadow a local waitress… Ramona. The only problem? Dylan doesn’t remember her.

From there, sparks fly. The chemistry between Ramona and Dylan is undeniable, and Blake doesn’t hold back on the heat. (Seriously—full star awarded just for the smut.) But what really anchors this book is the emotional honesty beneath the attraction. Ramona and Dylan are both grappling with the weight of their pasts, the choices that shaped them, and the parts of themselves they’ve had to hide or sacrifice along the way.

The romance is sweet with a nostalgic throughline: a shared first kiss that quietly lingers in the background until it’s given the chance to become something more. Blake builds on that history beautifully, and the “movie within a book” structure—complete with a film adaptation of an Iris Kelly novel (yes, that Iris Kelly)—adds a fun meta layer to their story.

I especially loved Ramona’s arc. Her quiet strength, the way she gave up so much without bitterness, and still dared to hope for more—it made her an incredibly compelling character. Dylan, too, had surprising depth beneath her bold, chaotic energy, and her growth felt well-earned.

Was it a perfect read? Not quite. The miscommunication trope rears its head here, and while it’s believable (and emotionally grounded), it did add some unnecessary frustration. A few lines of dialogue took me out of the moment, and the plot leans heavily on familiar beats. But in this case, that familiarity worked in the book’s favor—it’s comforting, cozy, and exactly the kind of small-town queer romance I was craving.

This isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. Dream On, Ramona Riley is a story about reclaiming dreams, finding joy in the unexpected, and allowing yourself to be fully seen. Plus, it sets the stage for the rest of the series in a way that already has me itching for April’s book.

Read this if you love:

• Queer romance with emotional depth
• Small-town setting meets big-city tension
• “First kiss we never forgot” vibes
• A behind-the-scenes Hollywood romance
• Steam that will absolutely curl your toes

Final thoughts:
This isn’t a life-changing book, but it is a life-affirming one. It’s thoughtful, sexy, and sweet—everything I’ve come to love from Ashley Herring Blake. A solid four-star read that delivers on charm, heart, and heat.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!