Hugo & Rose: A Novel

Bridget Foley

May 2015 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

Rose is disappointed with her life, though she has no reason to be - she has a beautiful family and a perfectly nice house in the suburbs. But to Rose, this ordinary life feels overshadowed by her other life - the one she leads every night in her dreams.
After a childhood accident, Rose's dreams take her to a wondrous island fraught with adventure. On this island, she has never been alone: she shares it with Hugo, a brave boy who's grown up with her into a hero of a man. But when Rose stumbles across Hugo in real life, both her real and dream worlds are changed forever. Here is the man who has shared all of her incredible adventures in impossible places, who grew up with her, even if they aren't what either one imagined. Their chance encounter begins a cascade of questions, lies, and a dangerous obsession that threatens to topple everything she knows. Is she willing to let go of everything she holds dear to understand their extraordinary connection? And will it lead her to discover who she truly wants to be?

Ratings and reviews

Hugo and Rose by Bridget Foley is a weird (I’m sorry, but the word fits) contemporary novel. Rose has been dreaming about Hugo since she was six years old and injured in a bicycle accident. She has been dreaming of him and the island for the last thirty years. Rose is now married to Josh, a surgeon, and they have three children: Adam, Isaac, and Penelope. Rose has shared her adventures on the island with the boys (they like the stories). Rose is tired of her life and unhappy with the way she looks (she has gained weight, forgets to shower, shave, or change her clothes). She does not consider her problems “real problems” but she is tired and frustrated. Rose loves her husband very much, and she knows, even though he is very busy, that he loves her and their children. However, the only things Rose wants to do is sleep so she can dream of Hugo. One day she takes the kids through an Orange Tastee for some food and she sees a man who looks like her Hugo. She stalks him for weeks before finally approaching him. He is the Hugo from her dreams. Hugo cannot believe that Rose is real. He has books of drawings and recently he had begun doing comic books of their adventures on the island. Seeing Hugo in real life is starting to change their dreams. Rose seems drawn to Hugo and Hugo wants to spend time with Rose (they are obsessed). Rose neglects her children and sort of “check out” of real life. She finally tells Josh and he does not believe her when she tells him about real life Hugo. Josh is a guy who only believes in reality (a scientist) until he sees irrefutable evidence. Rose tries to stay awake and avoid Hugo. She loves her family and wants to do what is best for them. Then things get really strange as the dream world and reality collide. With Rose avoiding Hugo, Hugo decides to take matters into his own hands. I did not enjoy reading Hugo and Rose. The book describes their dreams at length (childish dreams of pink beaches, strange monsters, and trying to get to the Castle City). The idea of two people seeing each other in their dreams is good, but the way it was carried out was not. Rose has a wonderful husband (I found him irritating, but he did love her), but all she does is whine, complain, and lie to the poor guy. I found real life Hugo very creepy. Hugo and Rose was not my type of book (which is okay). I give Hugo and Rose 1.5 stars. I received a complimentary copy of Hugo and Rose from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Stared out interesting but then just got stupid.

About the author

Bridget Foley has always loved storytelling. She's the author of several screenplays and is often featured on annual industry best-of lists. Hugo & Rose is her first novel.