This was a very difficult book to read and a very difficult book to sort out how I actually felt. I have to say that anyone who is at all triggered by stories about physical and emotional abuse should probably skip this one. I don't feel like that is a spoiler because you get that this isn't going to be a functional relationship in the synopsis.

Dreamland is a brutally honest story of an emotionally and physically abusive relationship. And I know that I am lucky to not have any experience in a relationship like that, although I have had friends who have been in abusive relationships. I feel like it's natural for someone on the outside looking in to see all the warning signs and say, "Hey! He's no good! Why let him treat you like that? Just leave." But once someone gets pulled into the cycle of abuse, it's not easy to get out. And just as in Dreamland, it's not like the guy starts out as an abusive asshole. It begins on a smaller scale: Expecting the victim to be at their beck and call; dictating where the other person can go; becoming short tempered when everything isn't up to their standards. From there it moves on to the more intense psychological and ultimately physical abuse.

So all that being said, yes, I did get frustrated with Caitlin, but I understood that it truly was an authentic story. People stay in abusive relationships all of the time and justify it to themselves in one way or another.

I would've liked to see this story last a little longer,

to she how she's able to cope with her life post-Rogerson.

There was a bit of slut-shaming going on in this book. She even refers to one girl as the 'school slut'.

There is sex (nothing graphic or even vaguely described, it's just mentioned in passing that certain characters are having sex) and drugs (marijuana) contained in this book, as well as mentions of bulimia and drug addiction. the last two are very minor, but this book may not be appropriate for very young teens.

I prefer some of Sarah Dessen's more recent books, and for awhile I thought I was going to hate this book, but then I realized that it was only because reading about this relationship was so disturbing. I actually think it could be a really important book that sends a good message.