When you meet someone, you're meeting a whole person with an amazing story and entire history that spans beyond what meets the eye. Their humanity, their presence, their purpose is an opportunity that shouldn't be taken for granted. Amidst Dreams centers the story Leilani Alexander, a single mother and professional, who routinely puts the needs of others before herself. She and her culturally diverse group of friends suffer an insanely earth-shattering tragedy. Soon Leilani comes to a split in the road along life's marathon. But for the path forward to be revealed, she must first unload a heavy burden. Jess L. Jackson's emotionally-wrenching debut novel is a rollercoaster ride that urges us to consider how we heal, how we self-inflict, and bond with family and friends, and no less raises important questions around intimacy and sex, cultural clashes, colorism, and the ways Black women impact the world. At times hilarious and shocking, sobering and inspiring, Amidst Dreams is a reminder that often the answers to life's biggest questions are already within us.