4.5….This book is a journey. A journey of friendship, love and everything in between. A journey that starts in high school and does not end. Just weaves its way through several years. Weaves its way through good times, bad times and times you never want to remember again. This is the journey that is Stevie and Lex’s love story. These two meet in high school he was the rich kid who had found fame on TV…but not everything was Hollywood gold. She was the girl that was raised on a farm. Her family had great times and they had great sadness. For some reason Lex and Stevie have a connection, a bond that no one would understand…not even them. This is a very layered slow burn with a lot going on. Between family drama, Hollywood dysfunction and real life issues this book did not disappoint. These characters were strong and had an important story to tell. This author has a way of writing drama filled emotional stories. Stories that suck you in and don’t let you go. Stories with important topics…sometimes sensitive topics that she always handles with grace. This book was no exception. As this book ends I look forward to seeing what this author will bring us next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I felt every emotion is this book. This was my first Jennifer Hartmann book and I ate it up! I’ll definitely be diving into her back catalog. She has wonderful way of building tension with emotion. And the slow burn, so good!

Lexington Hall might just be the broodiest of all broody MMCs—and trust me, his backstory more than earns that title. Heads up: while I didn’t personally read the trigger warnings, this story could be highly triggering for readers sensitive to themes of domestic abuse or sexual assault.

The story starts back in high school, where Lexington—a former child actor—meets Stevie, a tomboy theatre girl who sees him for who he is, not what he can do for her. Years later, Lexington has written and starred in a hit drama series inspired by their past. To generate buzz, his agent suggests reconnecting with the girl who inspired it all—Stevie—and asking her to play the role of his date for a while.

She agrees, mostly to get the closure she never got when things between them ended so suddenly. But as she gets closer, she realizes the sweet, soft-hearted boy she once knew is still in there—he’s just hiding behind walls she’ll have to take down one painful brick at a time.

Thank you Valentine PR and Jennifer Hartmann for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

5 HEARTACHING STARS FOR THIS ARC.

I truly don't know where to start with this review. It's been three days since I finished this book and I still cant fully articulate how much I loved this book.

Usually, I do not enjoy Hollywood heartthrob novels and this trope was the last thing I ever expected from Jennifer, but I'm in my "If she writes, I will read it" era and have been working my way through her catalog & I'm SO THANKFUL that I signed up for this arc.

Lex & Stevie were everything, and although I WISH Stevie would have given him more of a hard time and it had more bitter tension, I was still obsessed with their dynamic. The yearning. The anger. The history. They're fake relationship was a ticking time bomb and boy was I there for that explosion on the piano.

Lex was not the typical "tortured artist" you see in most Hollywood tropes- he had every reason to hate where his life had taken him and as with every Jennifer Hartmann book, the way she wrote his story was achingly tragic and written beautifully and with such care.

Stevie - well, Stevie was a shining star. Strong. Resilient. Brave. Personally, if I were Stevie, I would have told Lex and his agent to go pound sand and to never come near me again after what I thought he had done to me, but I loved the fact that she was determined enough to use the situation to her advantage and go after what she knew she deserved.

I've said it before and I will probably say it for the rest of time - Jennifer Hartmann can't write a bad book. Every book she writes is tragically unique and she is the only author I will ever willingly let break my heart.

Ugh, I just loved it so much and I'm so thankful to her and Valentine PR for the ARC!

Such a heartwarming story. This was a beautiful story with second chances, dreams and finding peace. Please check triggers beforehand. This is marketed as young adult but it’s more adult leaning with a couple spicy scenes. I really enjoyed this and it had me giddy reading Lex and Stevie’s story

4.25 stars—I was not a fan of Lex for the firat 75-80% of this book. I thought he was a whimp for blaming his past for all the wrong and hurt he was putting Stevie through, but I am happy to say he made up for it in the end. I should have known Jennifer Hartmann would not write an unlikable MMC ♥️ This story was like all her books..ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. Stevie was an amazing FMC and I loved that she always put her heart on her sleeve even when Lex did not.

It's a big ole yes from me on this one! It took me a minute to get into this one just because it starts with out MCs in high school- but the parallels in the lines these kids were delivering in their school musical to what they were actually experiencing in real life were next level. Seriously, Jennifer Harmann knows how give all the feels!

Fast forward four years and now I am majorly invested- these characters were so devastatingly torn apart and I wanted to reach through the pages and shake them! Like, I get it Lex, but mostly I wanted to shake him. They well they fell apart and came together repeatedly was unreal and had my heart aching so wholly.

This one is a major yes and I will be running out ton pub day to grab a hard copy of this gem to put on my shelves!

I am a HUGE Jennifer Hartmann fan. If she writes it, I’m 100% going to read it. And chances are, I’m going to LOVE it. That’s most definitely the case with this story.
This YA/NA story manages to pack a punch & gives you all the same feelings as her adult novels.

I absolutely fell in love with Lex & Stevie. Act 1 had me reliving my days of being a choir/theater nerd in high school. I felt so represented on those pages. Also, Moulin Rouge, are you kidding?! I was drawn in from the very first page.

Obviously I became attached very quickly to these characters, so when tragedy strikes, I’m heartbroken. (QUEUE THE TEARS.) When tragedy strikes again, I’m throwing my kindle across the room. I love all the small twists and details that come together to make this story magical.

These characters grew so much. Especially Lex. His story was handled with so much thought and care. I loved that this book showed the glitz and glam of Hollywood but also all the bad & damaging things that can come from it as well.

The way Jennifer writes healing is unlike any other. Her stories are so raw & vulnerable. They never shy away from the pain and heartbreak, but they never leave you in it either. Her characters don’t just survive, they grow & that’s truly the most beautiful thing about her writing & this book.

This is a slow-burn second-chance YA/NA romance between a celebrity and a small-town girl, filled with tragedy, healing, and personal growth. I’m definitely going to recommend this book (as I do with all Jennifer Hartmann books.)
4.5 Stars

LThank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This was a beautiful story that tugged on my heart! 🫶🏼

What to expect:
✨ second chance romance
✨ fake dating
✨ forced proximity
✨ he’s a famous actor
✨ she’s a small town girl
✨ it’s always been you
✨ third act breakup
✨ dual POV
✨ HEA
🌶️ 1.5/5

There are many parts of this book that contain heavy topics. Please check the trigger warnings! 🫶🏼

So Lex and Stevie meet in high school and become friends and maybe even a little more when they perform in a play together. In a tragic turn of events they don’t end up together back then.
Fast forward 4 years and they are thrown back together in a fake dating arrangement to boost his new TV series.

Stevie is wonderful. She is one of the most empathetic and caring characters I’ve read, to the point that in some situations I wished she would get angry and stand up for herself more. It also speaks to her character growth though because at some point she does just that. She is the perfect girl for Lex and I loved seeing them rekindle their relationship!

I don’t even know where to start with Lex. His family and upbringing are the literal worst, I felt so bad for him and everything he had to go through. I wish he would have gone to therapy, I think he would have benefited from that immensely. I’m sure his mother would have tried to stop him but I kept wondering, once he turned 18, what could she really do? That’s also one thing I really didn’t understand, this woman is objectively horrible, why didn’t he cut the ties to her all this time? I get that it’s not an easy decision because she’s his mother and he doesn’t have a good relationship with his father either, but wow I don’t even have words for her. When I read that dinner scene, I was speechless.
I’m glad he did get his priorities straight at last. Nobody deserves to be treated the way he was treated by his own parents.

I also liked Rudy and Joplin and I feel like maybe they could be getting their own book? 😇

This book is absolutely brilliant. Jennifer’s writing is masterfully paced, and I’m genuinely in awe of how she draws readers in, making us feel every emotion woven into the pages. It’s both tragic and beautiful…and the ending is nothing short of perfect.

Absolutely everything!!!
I did have a rage moment over Lex’s Mom but he redeemed himself and the life lesson was so worth it!

Nix has got to be the cutest nickname ever and this story and the micro trope were perfect!!

I was sooooo excited for this one, and I was not disappointed! The story follows Stevie, a warm, hopeful aspiring actress, and Lex, a closed-off former Hollywood actor who has fled to her small town. They meet as teens during a school play, and what begins as a confusing friendship builds into something more—until Lex leaves. The book then jumps forward four years to the present day, when Lex and Stevie reconnect.

Instead of flipping back and forth between past and present, Hartmann smartly devotes the first half of the book to their backstory, letting readers fully understand what was lost. This structure makes the second half even more impactful.

One of the strongest elements is a motif where Lex, who struggles to verbalize his feelings, is encouraged by Stevie to text them instead. That vulnerability-through-technology thread runs beautifully throughout the book. Also noteworthy are the contrasting family dynamics—Stevie’s parents are loving and supportive, while Lex’s are cold and damaging—and a cast of funny, lovable side characters like Lex’s agent Rudy and Stevie’s sister Joplin.

My only real critique: I wish we had more time with Lex and Stevie as a happy couple after all the build-up. Twas a very slow burn. That said, the payoff is still rewarding!

Especially recommended for fans of: grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, dual POV, slow burn romance, and emotionally complex characters.

Solid 4.5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC!

Dreams can be shattered and rebuilt but always continue to dream. This book embodies that spirit. The MCs have a deep connection and it’s evident to everyone in the story. I adore the Moulin Rouge references in this story. It’s one of my favorite movies so that really resonated with me. There were tragic moments that definitely had me in tears but there was also so much redemption in the story. Deep mental health issues in here and how that plays out in a relationship, impacting not only the person who is struggling but also their partner. Jennifer does a beautiful job illustrating this. Make sure to read the triggers.

As with all of Jennifer Hartmann’s books, Dream On was excellent. It’s a story of two people who are perfect for each other, but are kept apart by circumstances beyond their control. The story starts out with the main characters in their senior year of high school and then flashes forward four years later. I loved how the story played out and the character development, especially with the MMC.

Tropes include dating, second chance romance, forced proximity.

Every Jennifer Hartmann book I read, I could never put down, and it ALWAYS makes me cry. This one was no exception.

The story follows Lexington "Lex" and Stevie. I wanted to desperately give Lex a hug. The emotional and physical trauma he went through was horrible, and nobody, let alone a young kid, should ever have to go through. Lex meets Stevie by getting into a car accident with her, and he is not the kindest person. He keeps her at bay by being really mean and arrogant. However, he slowly starts to open up a bit more before something really bad between them happens.

The book jumps to 4 years later, and Lex is a popular actor who is on a sitcom that is based on Lex and Stevies life. Stevie is offered a chance to be Lex's girlfriend (fake girlfriend), which she agrees to, and all those emotions and past traumas come back.

Jennifer really wrote this one with love and care. I fell in love with Lex and Stevie and rooted for them until the end. The plot is every emotional, and you should read the trigger warnings. I loved this book 😭❤️❤️ .

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann and VPR for this ARC.

Dream On by Jennifer Hartman completely stole my heart.
This was unlike the other stories that I have read from Jennifer before and I loved it!

This is a second-chance romance that is packed with a lot of emotional depth, unforgettable chemistry, and just the right amount of Hollywood drama. Stevie and Lex’s story is raw, tender, and beautifully complicated. What begins as a fake relationship becomes a soul-stirring journey of healing, vulnerability, and rediscovering their love for each other.

Jennifer Hartman writes with so much heart—I couldn’t put it down. If you love slow burns, broken hearts that find their way back, and stories that feel real… this one’s for you.

I highly recommend adding Dream On to your TBR!

Tropes:
Fake Dating
Hollywood Golden Boy + Ordinary Farm Girl
Second Chance
Ex-theater partners
Forced Proximity
Broken Hero
Angsty & Emotional
Loads of tension
He develops a TV series based on their story
Slow burn


**Thank you NertGalley and Jennifer Hartman for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC

This is only my 3rd book by Jennifer Hartmann but she's easily become a "If she writes it, I'll read it" author for me.
Dream On is a beautiful story. You have Lexington (Lex) who is struggling and in a dark place. Stevie is this bright, caring person who sees him for him and not his fame or looks.

The way Jennifer writes is just *chefs kiss*.
I got a little teary eyed multiple times while in this story. You literally go through every emotion while reading.
The character development is beautiful and I love a good healing lol.

This book is split in 3 Acts.
You have the 1st one where they meet their senior year of high school.
Act 2 goes to when they are in their early 20s and reunite
And act 3 is five years later
It's just a beautiful heartfelt story and I'm going to be thinking about it forever.

I think this book has become one of my favorite reads this year.

I would love a book with Joplin and Rudy 😋

Dream On was another emotional and heartfelt story you would expect from Jennifer Hartmann. While I did enjoy it, I was expecting more from the romance to be honest.

It’s dual POVs of the main characters, Lex and Stevie, and there are some great tropes like fake dating, forced proximity, slow burn, and a celebrity and second chance romance.

The overall premise was enjoyable; I liked the dual timelines and the Hollywood/celebrity aspects. The story showed the negative side of Hollywood and its effects. There were some heartbreaking, emotional and beautiful moments.

One of my favorite aspects was Stevie’s strength and kindness. She was a dreamer and despite all the unexpected turns in her life, she remained true to herself. Lex on the other hand was a broken hero constantly fighting an inner battle. His issues with his parents and trauma with Hollywood were heartbreaking. His journey was just written perfectly.

I will say though, while I understood where he was coming from, some of his actions and thoughts were quite frustrating. I wished he would have realized the toxicity around him and stood up for himself and Stevie sooner.

Unfortunately, the romance between them just didn’t quite work for me. While they did have some heartfelt, passionate and genuine moments. I just didn’t feel that deep profound connection between them. I would have liked more moments or scenes of them in the past or seen them as a couple in the present more.

The ending and epilogue were really heartfelt. The story wrapped up their journey beautifully and gave them the happily ever after they deserved. Overall, while the romance didn’t quite work for me, I still really loved the characters and premise.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first time reading anything written by Jennifer Hartmann and I am absolutely blown away by the range of emotions I was able to feel while reading this. I loved the unique story line, I loved that the story was able to span over years and I LOVED sweet little Stevie, who really carried hers AND Lex's emotions all on her shoulders with absolute ease and never once made him feel like he was less than. Which is perfect, since he did that on his own plenty.

Dream On is exceptionally well written and really had me feeling every type of way throughout the entire book. Especially that one chapter near the end that almost had me throwing my Kindle into the trash. That was a real WTF is happening moment for me. IYKYK.

If you like a good second chance romance and enjoy a roller coaster ride of emotions, please read this.

SPICE: 🌶️.5

gosh this story was so full of emotions. the begging was stevie and lex in their teens and then we see how they grow up and move forward. the story was perfect and had so much emotion in it and it dealt with a few heavy topics that truly broke my heart for both characters. i’m grateful to have received an early copy of this book and truly enjoyed reading it. i definitely recommend especially if you’re a fan of other books written by this author!

shes done it again 😭 This one was so beautiful...SO beautiful. Full of so many up and down emotions in true Jennifer fashion. Stevie and Lex absolutely stole my heart. A story of chasing your dreams while learning maybe those dreams aren't all you thought. Realizing that dreams can change. I laughed, I cried, my jaw dropped, I physically wanted to reach in the book and hug them both at times. The character growth in this one was SO heartwarming. Absolutely 5 stars and easily one of my top 3 fav JH books. Dream On Nicks & Lex🩷

so grateful to Jennifer & Valentine PR for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.