Someone to Daydream About coming March 24th, 2026 from Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 368 pages
Content Warning: Mentions of a deceased parent, financial insecurity, sexism, online harassment
About the Author: “Sydney Langford (they/them) is a queer, Deaf-Hard of Hearing, and physically disabled author who resides in Portland, Oregon. Their biggest passion in life is creating stories that reflect the diverse world we live in—whether that be rom-coms about quirky, disabled teens; or contemporaries that feature queer joy. They are the author of THE LOUDEST SILENCE (Holiday House, 7/30/24) and SOMEONE TO DAYDREAM ABOUT (FSG/Macmillan, 3/24/26)” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Sydney Langford on the following platforms:
Natalie’s summer was supposed to be filled with working as an ASL teacher at her family’s Deaf Center, renovating, revamping, and saving the center with her sister while avoiding annoying-rich-kid-turned-teen-sensation-popstar Felix Song. But the lead of America’s new favorite boy band, Daydream, has a different plan. Felix offers Natalie a deal she can’t refuse: go with them on tour to teach Felix ASL, and in return earn enough money to save the dying Deaf Center. The summer takes a turn as she learns just who Felix is—in and out of the spotlight. As their connection deepens, the lines between professionalism and love begin to blur. When their relationship takes center stage, Felix’s career—and their hearts—are put in jeopardy.
If Someone to Daydream About were a color, it would be bubble gum pink. And not just because our protagonist, Natalie, has bubble-gum-pink hair, but because it’s that kind of feel-good rom-com where the characters are funny, the plot is bright, and you close the book with a smile on your face. Sydney Langford wrote characters I rooted for (especially the golden retriever love interest, Felix), and combined them with commentary on fame and stardom. This book is a love story, but it’s also an exposé of how boy bands and rock stars are treated. Sydney does a great job of portraying the fetishization of boy bands and their mistreatment by fans and labels. The pedestal fans put superstars on is high, and this book tears it down. For me, though, Natalie’s narration didn’t always feel true to her character, and therefore fell a little flat for me. I would have liked to see more of the mature, eldest daughter, breadwinner, and Deaf Center-champion Natalie is through how she spoke and narrated the story; instead, there was a disconnect. Furthermore, as the book progressed, the romance became the central plot point—which is great, except that some of the subplots are lost by the end. I was left a little dissatisfied with the follow-through and the outcomes. Nevertheless, I fell in love with Felix and Natalie, and I know you will too. This bubble gum romance is just what you need if you’re looking for a feel-good rom-com with a dash of social commentary!
Someone to Daydream About releases on March 24th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Hayley Bigelow, Pine Reads Review Writer