I Dreamed of Falling, A Novel By Julia Dahl

In Julia Dahl’s I Dreamed of Falling, the quiet rhythm of a small Hudson Valley town is shattered when Ashley, the mother of Roman Grady’s four-year-old son, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Roman, the town's only newspaper reporter, is thrust into an investigation that hits far too close to home. Despite the town's tight-knit appearance, as Roman delves deeper into Ashley’s life, he discovers a web of secrets and betrayals that suggest she was living a life he never knew.

Ashley’s death at her ex-girlfriend’s cliffside home raises troubling questions—what was she doing there, and how did no one in a house full of people notice what happened? As Roman teams up with his mother to piece together Ashley’s final days, the investigation leads them into dangerous territory. Every answer seems to unravel more secrets, not just about Ashley but also about the people Roman has known his entire life. What emerges is a town steeped in guilt, hidden motives, and long-buried sins.

Dahl masterfully combines the emotional depth of a family grappling with loss and the heart-pounding tension of a thriller. I Dreamed of Falling explores the fragile nature of trust and the devastating consequences of deception. As Roman unearths truths that challenge his understanding of love, forgiveness, and regret, the novel asks: How far would you go to uncover the truth? And can you ever truly forgive someone—or yourself—for the secrets kept in the shadows? 📚❤️