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Description
Small SpacesBestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightingale makes her middle grade debut with a creepy, spellbinding ghost story destined to become a classic After suffering a tragic loss, eleven year old Ollie only finds solace in books. So when she happens upon a crazed woman at the river threatening to throw a book into the water, Ollie doesn't think she just acts, stealing the book and running away. As she begins to read the slender volume, Ollie
Bestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightingale makes her middle grade debut with a creepy, spellbinding ghost story destined to become a classic After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie only finds solace in books. So when she happens upon a crazed woman at the river threatening to throw a book into the water, Ollie doesn't think--she just acts, stealing the book and running away. As she begins to read the slender volume, Ollie discovers a chilling story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who both loved her, and a peculiar deal made with "the smiling man," a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price. Ollie is captivated by the tale until her school trip the next day to Smoke Hollow, a local farm with a haunting history all its own. There she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she's been reading about. Could it be the story about the smiling man is true? Ollie doesn't have too long to think about the answer to that. On the way home, the school bus breaks down, sending their teacher back to the farm for help. But the strange bus driver has some advice for the kids left behind in his care: "Best get moving. At nightfall they'll come for the rest of you." Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie's previously broken digital wristwatch, a keepsake reminder of better times, begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message: RUN. Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed the bus driver's warning. As the trio head out into the woods--bordered by a field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them--the bus driver has just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: "Avoid large places. Keep to small." And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/25/2018
ISBN: 9780525515029
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.00d
Review Citations: Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2018 pg. 73
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2018 pg. 87
Booklist 08/01/2018 pg. 91
Publishers Weekly 08/06/2018
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2018
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2019 - Superior,Well Above Average
Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 197010 / Small Spaces
Reading Level: 4.1 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 6
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4.1 ★★★★★
Based on 429 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 4
Good Short Read
Format: Kindle
I found the story to be pretty engaging, but I felt like there could have been more depth to the story.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2018
★★★★★ 4
Beautiful Family Contemporary
Format: Kindle
“But I believe strongly that we all have multiple versions of ourselves. And the true test of love is learning to accept all of those versions, even when it’s messy.
Actually, especially when it’s messy.”
I LOVE family-centric contemporary stories. They are so easy for me to get invested in and I love seeing the relationships form and evolve. I just love them so much. Here We Are Now was a really good family centric contemporary, that also really highlighted opening yourself up and conquering your fears - whatever they may be. We follow Taliah as she meets her rockstar dad Julian Oliver for the first time, when he asks her to come visit his dying father. Tal learns more about her mom, Julian, and herself than she ever expected and she has to learn to reconcile these new truths with what she’s always believed to be true.
Things I Liked
I really loved the flashbacks we get throughout the story. They show personality, relationships, and I love that we get to see more of Lena’s Jordanian culture. They really helped develop the characters and provide more backstory and depth.
I really liked a lot of the characters! I thought Harlow was a great friend, who tried to help Taliah grow and open up about things, even if she was uncomfortable. Debra, Tal’s grandmother is so kind and insightful and warm.
I also liked the moments we get to see Tal and Julian learning more about each other. These pure family moments are the ones that really shined for me and gave life to the story. I also really liked that they bonded over music!
Things I Didn’t Like
I have kinda mixed feelings about Taliah. I understand that Tal’s been put in this weird position and has a lot of confusing and probably conflicting feelings, but I thought she was being purposefully difficult a few times. But she did apologize for that and for being hard to get to know - and I liked that. I think overall I was just a little indifferent to her, which was unfortunate.
I feel like the budding romance between Tal and Julian’s neighbor Toby, was pretty unnecessary, and mostly just took page time away that could have been used to further develop family moments.
This such an easy book to get invested in. I loved seeing the family moments and Julian and Tal becoming closer, and while I would have liked more development in the family relationships, I was satisfied with what I got. Here We Are Now is a lovely story of family and discovering where you fit in.
I received a copy of the book from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from an ARC and are subject to change.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2017
★★★★★ 5
Ahhhh!
Format: Kindle
So I went back and read the first Dreamers Bay book again before reading this one. So very good! Melissa never disappoints! Kyle and Savanna's story is so great. It is funny, spicy, and oh so sweet and getting to revisit Devyn and Elizabeth again just makes me smile! On how I wish Ms. Brayden would revisit the girls from Soho series. Hint, hint! They were the first books I ever read from this author and they hold a special place in my heart! I have probably reread then 3 or 4 times each. It would be so great to see what Hunter, Sam, Brooklyn, Jessica, Hope and Mallory are all up to in the future. As readers we get invested in this wonderful authors characters and getting to catch up with them is like getting an early Christmas present! Buy this one - you won't regret it and if you have never read Melissa Brayden's work before you are totally missing out!!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2025
★★★★★ 4
Small town romance. Love the banter.
Format: Paperback
Savanna Potter is a perky can do person that is beloved in her small hometown. But she has suffered a lot of losses including her parents and the aunt who took her in and raised her. On a weekend in Charleston she has a chance meeting and hook-up with the right person but at the wrong time. They agree to meet up again in a year but Dr. Kyle Remington doesn’t show up. A few months later Kyle arrives in Dreamer’s Bay. She is embracing small town living and wanting Savanna as well.
Brayden is delightful, as usual, with her witty banter. This is a fairly light and breezy LesFic romance. There are some side plots. But the easy romance between Savanna and Kyle is the focus. I think the only extra thing I wanted was to know more about Kyle. Everything is from Savanna’s POV and you see Kyle mostly in Savanna’s world. It was almost as if her character was irrelevant to the plot other than for her work crisis. Why did she change careers? Does she have a family that she stays in touch with? But with that said this is the kind of book I pull easily from my shelf to read again on a day when I want a quick pick me up.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
★★★★★ 5
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want donuts...classic Brayden
I enjoyed several things about Dream a Little Dream. The small-town setting, checking in with folks from a previous book - Beautiful Dreamer - in this case -
how the author focused on the relationships Savanna and Kyle have with their friends/families, which helped me have a better understanding of each character. In my opinion, Brayden is one the best out there writing dialogue between all characters in her books. The small details she adds to each person help you get to know them a bit better. And the story took a few "did not see that comings," which kept me turning the pages long after I should have turned off the lights.
But what I enjoyed most was simply Savanna and Kyle. They have rocketed to second place on my "Top Ten Melissa Brayden Character" list. Both go through several personal and professional ups and downs, but it is Savanna who makes me want to reach into the book and give her a big ole "everything's going to be okay, hug."
It's classic Brayden, with a twist.
I give it a solid 12.3 out of 10. I highly recommend it.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2025