I love Jennifer Hartmann books, Still Beating and Lotus are two of my favourite books ever… sadly however, Catch the Sun wasn’t a favourite

There is nothing wrong with the writing or story, it was just a case of me not being interested in the characters due to their age and stage of life

I would recommend it to those who enjoy YA and Jennifer’s writing. I personally will stick to her adult fiction about adult characters

I don't know why I torture myself. I know I'm going to cry if I read one of Jennifer Hartmann's books but I just can't stop. It's like she puts crack into her books 😭

Catch the Sun is a beautiful, heart-wrenching coming-to-age story, following Max and Ella. My heart PUMPS for the two of them. I have never been so invested in two characters before! Max wants one thing and one thing only: Ella. And boy could you tell. His determination to be close to her is everything 🥺

I adored the hell out of this story and you will too!

P.S. It's labelled as YA but it's definitely not. So don't let the label put you off of reading this book!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

Although this one was not my personal favorite of JH's that doesn't mean it wasn't good! She cannot *not* write excellent books. I devoured this in 48 hours.

Possible spoilers: I'm used to difficult subject matters (Still Beating, for example), but I really struggled with 1) what Max's brother did 2) what Ella's brother did (and yes, I think he absolutely did it). And by the end when Ella took off and didn't come back, and Max chased after her...everyone knew where she was except him...then he just kind of showed up at the end. I didn't feel like she pined after him as much as she should have in her new life....I don't know? But something didn't land for me. :(

Okay, with all of this being said, it is still a Jennifer Hartmann book, and like I said before, she doesn't write anything that isn't worth reading! I would still recommend it to others.

Will there come a day when Jennifer Hartmann doesn't make me weep at a book?!
Catch the Sun is a beautiful, sad and amazing story.
Ella is such a beautiful soul. She broke my heart. I was really rooting for her family to have a happy outcome.
And, Max 🥺 he has so much on his shoulders but is still such a wonderful person.
There is so much tragedy and heart ache in their story. I was praying for them to come through it all and get their happy ending! (You'll have to read it to see if they do 😗)
Absolutely amazing book. Highly recommend

Jennifer Hartmann never fails in writing some of the most beautiful, yet, tragic stories. Catch the Sun was no different—it left me absolutely reeling by the end. It was emotional, angsty, a grip you by the heart story. It involved some pretty dark and tough topics, but she tackled them with incredible delicacy.

Catch the Sun is one of those stories that will stick with me for a long time!

This was one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Jennifer Hartmann could do no wrong. The way this book had me feel so many different feels.

This story centers on two teenagers, each grappling with incredibly difficult lives. With a shared history between them, they slowly reconnect, opening up and forming a deep, meaningful bond. Just as their relationship begins to change, tragedy strikes again, forcing them apart—for their own good. Despite the heavy themes, the book offers a satisfying resolution, providing closure on where the characters ultimately end up. The relationship between Max and Ella brings the only real light to an otherwise heavy, often bleak story. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What I liked: young love, dealing with tragedy, found family, dual povs

What I hated (yes, hated): the length of the book (did this book have an editor?), the speeches about what it means to be alive and that love is war (again, see the previous point, no one speaks like this especially at this length), the Winnie the Pooh references (I hated reading “pooh sticks” every time it was on the page), the whiplash of the will-they-won’t-they (one second she’s giving a speech about how she’s unlovable, the next her tongue is in his mouth), the over the top gestures (here have $200,000; I don’t need that for anything), the gratuitous tragedy on top of tragedy (the murderous brother and the alcoholic father were enough, thank you).

This is the second novel I’ve read by this author, and I’ve learned that she is just not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.


There isn't much I can say about this book besides the queen did it again! Jennifer has a way of sucking you into the story and making you feel like you personally know each character. I will always recommend Jennifer's books!

If Jennifer Hartmann writes it, I will read it.
PERIOD. WOW, I am unwell. This is such an emotional read right from the beginning and so beautifully written as always. Max is perfect. He loves Ella so hard and in the most beautifully simple ways. She is so broken. The trauma and heartbreak that Ella and Max go through shattered my heart holy cow. I have no words that won't spoil this book for you ... just read it if Jennifer Hartmann writes it you will not be disappointed!!! Thank you so much for this arc.

*Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!*

Ugh Jennifer hartmann does it again! This was so good. I found myself wanting to do nothing but dive into Catch the Sun! I ignored responsibilities to finish this book and it was 100% worth it!!

Finally a book to break my reading slump.

Romance. Angst. Friendship. Coming of age. Family. This book had it all. And the writing style of Jennifer Hartmann just sucked me right in. I could just feel the emotion of the characters. I loved how they told the story of the past and present. I loved how the story of Ella and Max developed. I want more of them!

This was a 5 star read for me. It was exactly the book I needed at the right time. I feel like I should write more since I loved this book so much, but I have nothing else to say except go buy the book!

Jennifer Hartmann just knows how to capture the heart in ways that no other author ever can. This book, like all of hers will capture your heart and put you through the emotional ringer.

We meet Ella and Max first when they are young and then again ten years later as teens. Ella has gone through a tragedy that unfortunately everyone is aware of and throws in her face, and to Max- she’s just Ella! Max has so much going on at home with his dad and twin brother, that his focus isn’t on the social scene like all the other kids. Once their friendship starts blossoming again, their connection was almost like no time passed at all. Max just remembers all the little things and it will make your heart SWOON!

But in true Jennifer Hartmann fashion, there is that all consuming heartache that just gut wrenches you—but it’s also to find the light and you just have to trust her process, knowing she’s going to bring you to the most beautiful outcome for these two.

Catch the Sun completely stole my heart. Jennifer Hartmann has this incredible way of weaving emotional depth into every page, and this book is no exception. The story of Ella and Max is raw, powerful, and filled with both heartbreak and healing. I loved how their past was unraveled alongside their present, slowly revealing the depth of their connection and the weight of everything they’ve endured.

The writing is lyrical and immersive—I found myself highlighting so many lines. Hartmann doesn’t shy away from tough topics, but she handles them with so much care and empathy. I felt every ache, every moment of hope, every flicker of joy. By the end, I was a puddle of feelings (in the best way possible).

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about forgiveness, resilience, and the kind of love that endures through even the darkest times. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year. Highly recommend, especially if you love emotionally rich stories with beautifully flawed characters.

4 stars
Jennifer Hartman does such a wonderful job of invoking emotions in her readers, it’s a huge part of why I love to read her books, and she’s done it again with Catch the Sun. I enjoyed Max’s character so much and it’s such a breath of fresh air when this comes effortlessly. I will mention that her content is usually more explicit with some dark elements, but as a reader, I am not one to shy away from the genre. Catch the Sun is worth the read!

“Stay.” 😭 One word that made me cry. My heart feels so full after reading this book. The writing is so beautiful, and while I believe it’s marketed as a YA novel, it has everything I look for in a romance read. It captures the essence of young, all-consuming love, complete with heartache, incredible chemistry, and some spicy moments.

When 17-year-old Ella moves to a small town with her mom to rebuild their lives after a terrible accident, she faces rejection from everyone who knows her story—except for Max. He sees her for who she truly is, remembering her from when they were both just seven years old. Their love is so genuine and pure, and I loved every sweet moment of their connection. The characters are well-developed, and Jennifer’s talent for portraying young love is unmatched.

I kept thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading it, which is exactly what I look for in a great read. From nostalgic childhood memories to intense teenage emotions and mature romantic growth, this book is captivating from start to finish. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jennifer Hartmann does it again! I don’t know what she puts in her books but they are written so beautifully. Her words are incredibly moving and never fail to bring tears to my eyes.

This was a beautiful story, Ella and Max destroyed me. The way Jennifer writes their struggles, their love and the journey of their relationship blew me away.

I will always recommended her books!

I love Jennifer Hartmann! Her books hook you from the start.

This is a coming of age story but more of a upper young adult. Hartmann handles some sensitive topics and does it well.

Ella and Max are childhood friends that get separated when she moves away. This little boy impacted this sweet girl so much!

Fast forward to their teenage years and Ella moves back with her mom... with some family history following her, Ella is an outcast, but just next door, is her childhood friend.

The crazy events, sweet moments, this one kept me on my toes.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloom Books for a review copy!

Catch the Sun by Jennifer Hartmann was an emotional and beautifully written story, but it didn’t hit quite as hard for me as Still Beating. While the characters were well-developed and the romance had its moments, it lacked the same intensity and grip that made Still Beating a five-star read for me. That said, Hartmann’s writing is always powerful, and fans of her work will still find plenty to love in this one!