Sweet Nightmare introduces us to Calder Academy, an isolated island where juvenile paranormals—vampires, werewolves, witches, dark fae, and more—are sent to learn control. Still, for some, it's more like a prison. As the first book in a series, the story is understandably slow to start, with a significant focus on world-building to establish the rules and intricacies of this supernatural society. While the beginning took its time, I found myself more engaged as the plot picked up towards the middle and end, especially once the connection to "nightmares" became clearer.

The highlight for me was the budding romance between Clementine, the protagonist, and Jude, a broody yet compelling character. Jude quickly became my favorite, because we learn more about his complicated past as the story progresses. Beneath his tough exterior, he's a character with depth, and his interactions with Clementine are both sweet and genuine, adding a nice touch of warmth to the otherwise dark and mysterious setting.

The story hit its stride in the later chapters, especially when a major twist left Clementine reeling in the final moments. That cliffhanger was intense, making me wish I had the second book right away!

Sweet Nightmare is a promising start to a series with plenty of room to grow, and I'm excited to see where Clementine and Jude’s journey takes them next. If you enjoy paranormal stories with complex characters, slow-burn romance, and some thrilling twists, this one is worth checking out!