Enchanting, bittersweet, and surprisingly gripping. Kilroy mixes whimsy with a darker emotional edge, and it makes the story feel fresh and memorable. The characters pulled me in quickly, and the dreamlike atmosphere gave the whole book a lovely, immersive vibe. A heartfelt, imaginative read that stays with you.

A twisted fairytale dipped in shadow, dreams that you wish delivers magic with teeth and vengeance with style.
Kilroy spins a world where wishes turn dangerous and the line between dream and nightmares.

I want to start out by saying that the writing in this book was beautiful! Lady Kilroys voice is something spectacular. The book starts off 100 years in the past with the back story of Sin and her mother Iris, and how she ended up living with her step-mother Vivienne. Fast forward to the present Sin has been enslaved by her step-mother and step sisters, and whats diffrent then the original Cinderella in this book is that the father is still in the picture, although he is just as bad as the step-mother. Sins "family" goes away for two nights and she decides to go to the ball that the castle is throwing, there she meets her mate Max, the prince. After a magical night with him Sin sneaks out of bed and sneaks back home where her step mother catches her and throws her in the dungon. Sins powers explode and from there she is taken to the king to be executed. Max saves her but at the cost that she is to be his servent and they can never marry, because the King needs Max to marry another princess to build an alliance. Through what the other characters don't know is that Max is working with people behind the scenes to get rid of the king, and marry his mate. Overall this was a very enjoyable book, filled with action, tension, and betrayal. This is definetly one of the best Cinderella retellings i've read.

I will not lie when I say I go in hesitantly with fairy tale retellings, but this one was done extremely well. Felt familiar enough to know what was going on, but unique enough to feel like a whole new story. Definitely worth a read!

Dreams That You Wish by Lady Kilroy is a whimsical, shadow-kissed Cinderella retelling that feels like a fairytale told at twilight—soft with magic, edged with danger, and quietly bittersweet. Kilroy’s writing is lyrical and enchanting, drawing you into a dreamlike world where wishes sparkle… and bite back.

The story opens a century in the past, weaving Sin’s origins and her mother’s legacy into the fabric of the tale before shifting to the present, where Sin lives under the cruel rule of her stepmother, stepsisters, and an all-too-willingly blind father. When she secretly attends the royal ball, magic stirs, destiny awakens, and she meets Max—the prince and her fated mate. Their enchanted night unravels into chaos, leading to imprisonment, a dangerous awakening of Sin’s powers, and a cruel bargain that binds her to Max as his servant while keeping their bond hidden.

What makes this retelling shine is its atmosphere. The story feels familiar in the best fairytale way, yet refreshingly different, layered with magic, court intrigue, and whispered rebellion. While the pacing and worldbuilding occasionally feel rushed—especially around the political and magical systems—the emotional heart of the story remains strong, and the whimsical tone keeps the pages turning.

Overall, this is a beautifully imagined, dark-tinged fairytale that blends romance, magic, and quiet rebellion into a captivating read. A lovely choice for readers who enjoy classic stories reimagined with shadows, softness, and just enough bite.

"Dreams That You Wish" —it’s not your typical retelling of Cinderella's story. Sin is tough and resilient, and Max is swoony and protective. Their romance is definitely hot! The story mixes magic, and political intrigue, while still incorporating fairy-tale elements.

My favorite part of the novel was how it balanced darkness with hope. It turns the Cinderella story into so much more than just a fairy-tale romance - it becomes something deeper, with themes of resilience and empowerment. I enjoyed the end of the novel but it definitely left me excited for the next book... I feel like there will be even more danger and passion!

For anyone who loves dark fairy tales and strong heroines, "Dreams That You Wish" is a must-read. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us with these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lady Kilroy, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.