REVIEW: Like I Dreamed by Charlie Novak (Heather Bay Collection)

LIKE I DREAMED

Heather Bay - Collection

by Charlie Novak

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Review

A collection of really cute short stories from the beloved Heather Bay series by Charlie Novak.

We get to catch glimpses of our favourite couples, witness some cute moments, and follow the adventures of Theo’s love of gifting unusual presents.

It’s a short collection, but a lot of fun if you’ve read the series.

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Synopsis

What happens after the happily ever after?

The Heather Bay short story collection brings together seven short stories from Charlie Novak’s world of Heather Bay.

What The Frog?
When Theo gifts Lane and Oliver the unusual housewarming gift of a taxidermy frog, hiding it around the house and trying to catch each other by surprise soon becomes a running game between them.
Until Lane decides to use the frog to pull off the ultimate surprise...
Best read after Like I Promised.

Baker Mouse
Volunteering to make various dishes for a New Years Eve party sounded like a good idea at the time, but Noah's not convinced it was his best idea. He's even found himself talking to their latest kitchen addition: a stuffed mouse named François.
Is the kitchen destined to stay a mess forever? Or will Spencer's enthusiasm save the day?
Best read after Like I Wished.

Farmer Squirrel
When Theo turns up with a suspiciously large box containing a long awaited housewarming present, Will and Jamie already know what's coming.
But what Jamie didn't expect was the realisation that being inducted into Theo's cursed taxidermy club means he's here to stay, and what it feels like to have friends who'll do anything to find the perfect gift. Even if it is a stuffed squirrel...
Best read after Like I Needed.

Captain Bunny
An exhausted Alex is highly suspicious when Henry asks if he thinks he'd make a good pirate, especially when the question comes accompanied by the arrival of a stuffed rabbit in a frock coat.
Best read after Like I Pretended.

Sweet Dreams & Coffee Machines
When Alex comes down with a nasty cold, Henry decides to pitch in and help by opening up Novel Tea for the day. He has no idea what he’s doing, but he does have enthusiasm. And that has to count for something!
Best read after Like I Pretended.
This short story was originally published in the 2024 anthology: The Love Archives.

The Chess Set
Laurie, assisted by their friends, has a surprise present for Theo. Something he's wanted all year. Something he's been told he can't have. Something involving a large amount of stuffed rodents on a board...
Best read after Like I Wanted.

Loved & Locked
Theo and Laurie celebrate Valentine’s Day as only they can: with satin, lace, cream, and a pretty pink cage.
Best read after Like I Wanted.

All these stories contain the character’s happily ever afters and spoilers for each novel. This collection is not intended to be read as a standalone.

About Charlie Novak

Charlie lives in England with her husband and a dachshund named Biscuit. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.

She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.

Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…

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