Ashley is a night shift nurse, freshly qualified, still trying to adapt to owning her own place, and struggling through her first tour of duty in the ER. With men problems, a lonely flat and a cat, it is at work that she really comes to life. Even there, with drug thefts, bullies, and most of all patients, she can find herself swamped.

This advertises itself as chicklit with backbone and real issues. Its definitely chicklit – the writing style and drama fit that perfectly – however it is a lot lighter than serious medical dramas like “Seven Patients”, and the contrast between her training in this and that described in the memoirs “Ooh Err Matron” are stark. What “Dreams of a Day Sleeper” doesn’t have is anything that makes it stand out: I think the phrases I would use are light and undemanding. Unfortunately it is very average. I couldn’t remember many of the details within moments of finishing it and had to re-read to make notes for the review.

This is good, but it seemed a little bland to me. In some ways Ashley is a little blank, and many of the other characters have sketched personalities. Ashley doesn’t really have much of a personality of her own: she does what she is told, is good at her job, we know she likes reality television, but there’s not much of a feel for her. She does eventually gain a backbone and shout at a bully, but its a little too late considering the reason.

Chicklit readers should enjoy it: it has light medical drama, some romance problems before she finds the right man, and some career problems all coming together in a happy ending.