Jennifer Hartmann has written another beautiful book that had me captivated from the beginning. Again. She is a must-read author for me, as I know time and time again I will thoroughly enjoy the story. And Dream On is no different. This is another story that my I will revisit many times!

Dream On follows Stevie and Lex as they navigate their school play. Both coming from very different backgrounds, and both drawn to each other in a way that soothes their souls. Following a performance of their play, they go to a party that doesn't end in the way you expect it to.

Fast forward a few years, and they're brought back into each other's lives and thrust into the limelight (something Stevie is not accustomed to). This, of course, comes with some challenges, but ultimately, as they say, the rest is history.

My heart ached for Lex, for all he had been through, and the ways in which he learned to cope. I lost count of the number of times I just wanted to jump into the pages and give him a cwtch, to tell him it would be OK, or to just high five his mum, with a chair, around the face!

Despite being a bumpy ride, they found their end goal, and I'm so proud of how far Lex came, how he ran towards what he wanted.

This is another fantastic book, a story that shows the meaning of friendship and what a safe family looks like. A story that will stay with me for months and years to come.

Jennifer Hartmann’s storytelling is so beautiful and captivating that every book I’ve read of hers has instantly drawn me into the story. Dream On is no exception.

Stevie and Lex’s relationship is full of trauma, betrayal, and heartbreak, but it’s also very apparent that they are meant to be together. Both characters are extremely frustrating and lovable, and I wanted to scream at Lex for 80% of the book. However, his own story is heartbreaking, and Stevie’s understanding of him made their relationship.

I adored the Moulin Rouge aspect and structure of the book. The first two acts are full of suffering and ache, while the last act is full of repairing and healing. If I remember rightly, this is the same as Moulin Rouge.

I do wish we had gotten more revenge and anger from Stevie after the four-year time loop, but I think this speaks of her character.

“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘼𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙄’𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡-𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙙.”

“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣-𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙜𝙡𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛-𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙪𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧. 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨.”

“𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚, 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠, 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙥 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙩𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣, 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙪𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢—𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙪𝙨.”

“𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠, 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨. “𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙖 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙚.”

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released TODAY called, Dream On. This was a masterpiece! The story starts out with a teenage Lex, a former child actor who just moved to town, and he runs into Stevie, a small town teenage girl who lives a happy life on her family farm. These two couldn't be more opposite, but after their initial bump in the road they begin to see something special in each other. They start spending time together and Stevie becomes a safe haven for Lex from his home life. Lex trusts Stevie but he doesn't know how to open up; he is being tormented by the ghosts of his past. After a tragedy as teenagers tore them apart and a time jump, the story continues with them as adults that haven't spoken in years. Stevie is trying her best to live her life and keep memories of Lex out of her mind, but now he's famous and has turned their story into a TV show. And then he shows up, back in her life after all these years of silence, with a proposition for her that results in turning her world on its axis.
I loved this story! This book had my undivided attention from the first paragraph. I loved that the story started out with them as teenagers and then transitioned into adults, it gave me such a deep connection and attachment to these characters. This was an emotional rollercoaster: I was laughing, I was crying, I was rooting for these two the whole way through. 🥹 The struggles and growth for Lex throughout this story was so well done, and the kind and compassionate heart of Stevie was so beautifully written. The worlds and characters that Jennifer Hartmann creates are always nothing short of incredible, she is my absolute favorite author for a reason, she is a mastermind and I am ALWAYS blown away by her books! 💚📚

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann, Valentine PR, and to Netgalley for this ARC of Dream On, in exchange for an honest review.

4.25🌟

Urgh show me a Jennifer Hartmann book that does not hit you in the feels.

I will wait.
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Yeah I thought not. 😔

I went into this book blind as I find that this usually works best with JH books (maximum emotional damage and all) and was surprised that this was a small town turned Hollywood romance. While Hollywood romances are not usually my cup of tea, JH's talent for crafting authentic stories with genuine emotions once again stood out.

The two main characters meet at the age of 17 in high school when Lex, a successful former(?) child actor, accidentally runs into Stevie with his car. Our gal Stevie, a bit of a dreamer, aspires to leave her small town and become a famous actress to support her family. They both end up starring in the high school production of Moulin Rouge, and as they rehearse together, they slowly fall in love. However, an accident tears them apart, leaving Stevie heartbroken.

Four years later, Stevie learns that Lex has written a TV series inspired by their high school romance, albeit with some inaccuracies. In a bid to promote the series, Lex's PR team suggests a fake relationship with Stevie after the paparazzi identifies Stevie as the FMC in Lex's show. What follows is the unfolding of their story...

Both Stevie and Lex grapple with their own childhood traumas, and there were moments when I wished I could shake Lex into making better decisions, but hurt people hurt people.... Ultimately, he is a broken soul trapped in time. At times, I felt Stevie was too quick to forgive and that Lex didn't grovel enough, but I still adored the story. The slow burn romance was just 🧑🏼‍🍳💋

Read this if you like:
🎥 Second chance romance
🎬 Fake dating
🌟 Forced proximity
🎥 Slow burn
🎬 Hollywood star x small town farm girl
🌟A bit of trauma on the side 👀

Would I recommend this to a friend? 🙂‍↕️👌🏼

Also...
➡️ Stevie's mum and dad totally gave me Molly & Arthur Weasley vibes 🤷🏼‍♀️ I loved them!
➡️ Stevie & Lex literally living out the alternate ending was perfection.
➡️ Emmy the cow. that is all 🫶🏼🐮


Big Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann, Valentine PR and Sourcebooks | Bloom Books for sending my an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Maybe the dream isn’t always about having more. It’s about finally seeing what’s right in front of you."

I was excited to read this book and I liked how the past and present timelines flowed seamlessly. Stevie was a dreamer but was unaware of how harsh the real world of fame is, and Lex always tried to protect her. His past was heartbreaking and both of them had their own set of vulnerabilities. Their chemistry was palpable at times, but the romance just didn't work for me tbh. I also really didn't like how Lex stayed silent whenever his vile mother made Stevie feel inferior. Though he kind of redeemed himself, I still can't get over it. Still, i think it was a good read. The epilogue was adorable and the writing was good. Overall, for me it was a solid 3.5 star read.

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review

Lex and Stevie meet in high school and couldn’t be from more opposite worlds. Lex was raised on tv sets with cold parents, and Stevie was raised on a farm by kind supportive parents. The two teens have some mixed feelings while working on the school play until tragedy strikes. Fast forward four years and the opportunity to connect comes up.

This was my first book by this author and will not be my last! This was such a bingeable style of writing l couldn’t put it down. The characters had cliché moments but I felt for them and they came to life in the story. I didn’t fully understand some of the decisions made, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.

Thank you so much to Valentine PR and Jennifer Hartmann for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review. Happy pub day!!

Stevie St. James and Lexington Hall are from two different sides of the track and it would appear that they have nothing in common. Lex Hall is a celebrity with a privileged upbringing while Stevie has never traveled out of the state and lives on a farm. However, Stevie never stops dreaming in hopes of one day getting a career on stage. The stars in her eyes is endearing and Lex knows all too well what the price of fame is.

Stevie has this sweet naïveté about her and because of her family, she has all the love and support a girl could want. She also has talent and drive so she’s determined to get the main part in the school musical. Lex, who is not known for his singing, makes it obvious that his skills are more diverse than initially believed. While the two of them did not have a good first meeting, they work closely with one another for the lead roles of the big high school production and their chemistry grows.

Lex is complicated because he is shiny and glamorous on the outside, but also brooding and reserved, making it difficult to really get to know him. Everyone is kept at arm’s length but somehow Steve slips in under his shield. While this teenage version of them is still too young to know better, a terrible tragedy makes it abundantly clear that choices have consequences.

I wasn’t Lex’s biggest fan for obvious reasons, because to the outside observer, he capitalized on his history with Stevie while leaving her behind with nothing. And when I say nothing, Stevie was literally in a gutter while Lex had everything at his fingertips. However, not everything is as it seems. I credit Stevie foe having a generously big heart, more than Lex deserved if I’m being honest, however, he has enough self awareness to recognize this.

Jennifer Hartmann pens a story of heartbreak, struggle, adversity and overcoming the odds with character arcs that we can all advocate for. Lex does step it up to be a worthy man for Stevie and I did hate how he had such a checkered past of villainous people who kept holding him back, but Lex gets the last word, fortunately. This novel tugged at my nostalgic love for reading young adult and new adult blended together and I always look forward to this author’s books so this was another fantastic delivery of angst, second chance and new beginnings.

I’m going to start a support group for those who have been emotionally devastated by Jennifer Hartmann. This author has a way of ripping your heart out of your chest, holding it hostage, breaking it in a million pieces, then slowly glueing it back together. It’s cathartic and mesmerizing.

Dream On is no different. Get ready for a story that will turn your world on its axis, catapult your emotions and completely consume you. You’ll be forced to feel all your feels, and by the end of it you’ll be thanking her for the ride. I can’t explain it, but damn if I don’t keep coming back for more.

The story of Lex and Stevie is more than just your average romance. Their journey was heart wrenching at times but also there were so many life lessons to be learned throughout the pages. It demonstrates how life can change in an instant, the power of sacrificing everything for love, and what’s meant to be will always find a way. The tension and angst was just as palpable as the chemistry between these two. The push and pull of wanting them to find their way back to each other was so addictive!

Clear your entire schedule and grab your tissues because you will not be able to stop reading this gem once you start.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It completely destroyed me, but you should definitely read it!!

3.5 out of 5 stars
I usually love Jennifer Hartmann's writing but this one was just so-so for me.
I think I went into this expecting a more angst than what there actually was, because I'm so used to reading Jennifer Hartmann's dark romances. I did like this book, but the middle of it was very very slow to me. The first part was really good, and I loved the young love, high school co-stars storyline so much, but once the MCs reconnected after the time jump, I didn't feel like they had as much chemistry and I wasn't as invested in the story as much.
I really wish that the book had delved way more into Lex's trauma and explored some healthy healing mechanisms because it really seemed like the story glossed right over his mental health when that was such a big part of who he is and why he acts the way that he does.

Wow. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I never wanted to put it down. I connected with these characters and their story right away, and I won’t forget them anytime soon! I am a sucker for a second chance romance, and this one was so moving. I can’t believe this is my first book by Jennifer Hartmann, but it most definitely won’t be my last! She writes such emotional, real and raw characters in the most beautiful way!

Thank you to Valentine PR and Jennifer Hartmann for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Did I let Jennifer Hartmann break my heart but put it back together again? Yes, yes I did!!

Dream on follows Stevie, who is a small town high schooler with a huge heart that wants to be an actress. Lexington, a child Hollywood actor, suddenly transfers to her high school and together they end up starring their high school musical. Sparks are flying between these two, when a sudden tragedy separates them.

It’s not until 4 years later that they reunite when Lexington has created a series showing his story with Stevie. Lexington’s manager suggests to have Stevie join him as they fake a relationship to promote the series.

We then follow their story as they fight their chemistry, while having to fake a relationship and trying to overcome the traumas of their past. Jennifer brings us to tears as she portrays a beautiful yet tragic story for them.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, which I devoured as it felt like watching a movie.

Thank you NetGalley, Valentine PR and Bloom Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I devoured this book. The emotions that pour off the pages kept me captivated. Lex and Stevie, they meet their senior year of high school when he starts attending her school and when they both end up as the leads in the school musical, sparks fly! Until a tragic event has them parting for the next four years.

My heart broke for Lex. This man was so broken and felt like he didn’t deserve any kind of happiness. He found a safety in distancing himself and shutting down.

Stevie was amazing, the way she fought and stood up for Alex. When Alex reappeared in her life, she didn’t hesitate to help him, as she has a kindness that knows no bounds.

There is something magical about reading a new release by your favourite author. Sprinkled with some fake dating and broken hero and the juxtaposition between a small town and Hollywood. Leaving you with hope, for a better future. I cannot wait for my special edition to arrive!!

“You’re it for me, Nicks. You’ve always been it for me.”

Stevie St James never imagined her path would cross again with Lexington Hall the golden boy of Hollywood after their high school musical sparked a connection that quickly crumbled. Four years later, Lex has transformed their past into a hit TV series, making millions swoon over the “real” Stevie, while she’s still grappling with the heartbreak he left behind.

When Lex returns with an offer to fake a romance for the cameras in exchange for the financial freedom she desperately needs, Stevie tells herself she can keep her heart out of it. But as old emotions resurface and the line between performance and reality fades, chasing her dreams may come at the cost of losing herself again.

UGH! Jennifer Hartmann MAM! You know how to write a story that literally shatters the soul... That is how I felt reading about Stevie and Lex. Stevie is from such a wholesome family and she is not without love, but trauma and grief made their appearance even in their home. Lex was born in the spotlight... Where Stevie dreams of being he is running away from. How can these two from total opposite homes come together and make the most of their trauma??

When I tell you I cried I mean ugly cried at how broken they were in such different ways is ugh... Yall if you want to read a book that will shatter your heart just read this one. There are some trigger warnings that I always advise if you are sensitive to certain topics please read them!

This book is filled with grief, trauma and love, not just romantically either. Broken people or people in grief don't always look/act the same... you see that example in this book and it was honestly beautiful.

Jennifer always manages to yank my feelings out, even when I'm not expecting it! Dream On is no different. I felt myself in the FMCs shoes, being pulled around by the whiplash of the MMC. I also completely understood why the MMC chose the actions that he did - even if they made me mad at him.

This isn't a super spicy book - I think maybe two scenes. So if that is all you're in it for - you will be disappointed. Personally, I'm glad. The characters ages for the first third of the book (high school) made me extremely nervous. But have no fear, the hook ups do not come until they are older. Also, the MMCs growth is incredibly frustrating. He made me so irritated with his lack of action. But by the end, he explains himself and - in my eyes - redeems himself.

Would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for second chance romance, Hollywood vs small town, found family-ish, and a rollercoaster of emotions!

Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK! I cannot stop thinking about it. It was so raw and so heartbreaking and just so incredibly good. I think I felt every emotion possible reading this one...
Lexington & Stevie were polar opposites but when they were the stars of their high school theatre play, they got to know each other and something was definitely there. But something awful happens during this time and he disappears from her life and their town. 4 years later - he is a famous actor and has turned their story into a very popular tv show. Millions of people have fallen in love with it, and she soon gets an offer from his agent - come to LA, fake a relationship with Lexington to keep everyone interested. In return - she will receive quite a bit of money. She desperately needs the money, so she reluctantly agrees. Right away - old feelings come up (on both sides) and she has to decide if this is all worth it.

ARC READ- Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann
5 Stars!

Jennifer Hartmann did it again! She wrote a beautiful sad story that had all the elements. Jennifer writes so elegantly and delicately on topics that can be tough to see unfold. Although not has heavy as some, the topic of Hollywood child abuse comes into play.

This is a story of the FMC Stevie and the MMC Lex and it had my emotions all over the place. The story had a way of being introduced to these characters, watching their journey and routing through them even through the messy and the tears! In the end it was a great journey I was happy to be apart of and i even enjoyed some secondary characters too!

Fav quotes:

“At the end of the day, I’m the tragic artist in our real life show. And he’s the sparking diamond.”

“Dream on Nicks”

“He washed me away. And I’m still drowning.”

“You can’t put fire out with lightning”

Tropes include:
Contemporary romance
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Second change romance
Opposites Attract
Hollywood golden boy/farm girl
Complex family dynamics
Hollywood child abuse

I was gifted this e-arc Valentine PR and am truly thankful and grateful!

Dream On surprised me. I expected a typical fake-dating romance with some angst, but Jennifer Hartmann delivers something much deeper—intimate, raw, and emotionally messy in the best way. Stevie and Lex have this complicated, unfinished history, and watching it unfold felt so real and vulnerable.

The story is a slow burn, with tension that builds gradually and hits hard when it does. The characters are messy and full of aching vulnerability, which made their growth feel earned and authentic. Some parts dragged a bit for me, but honestly, the emotional payoff was worth it.

If you’re into slow burns, complicated feelings, and love stories that aren’t neat or easy, this one will stick with you long after the last page.

Jennifer Hartmann is known for her soul-achingly beautiful stories and this one was no exception. My heart bled for our two MCs over and over. The brooding, misunderstood hero and the sweet, loving heroine had such a heavy path to follow, but it was a healing one in the end.

This book will send you on an emotional roller coaster of a ride that will both heal you, and hurt you in all the best ways. I’m not sure what magic Hartmann puts in her books but she never misses.

Dream On

Tropes: Friends to enemies to lovers / 2nd chance / slow burn / fake dating / young adult

I was so excited to receive this ARC from Jennifer Hartmann and VPR! Whenever I feel the need to have my soul ripped out and sewn back together Jennifer is the author I can count on to do it!

Dream on was an emotional roller coaster journey with twists, turns and tragedy that were all woven together to make up this beautiful work of art. The writing was so detailed, easy to read and engaging.

Stevie was the girl next door type- honest, humble, hardworking and family oriented. I love how she loved fully and loved hard. She had a strong back bone and was a beautifully written and lovable FMC.

Lexington Hall! The teenage actor turned Hollywood heartthrob who had grown up in the industry and overcome many hurdles throughout life. One look at Stevie and he was a goner! I did question his character throughout the book. I liked his character throughout act 1, I began to dislike him in act 2 and in act 3 I was left confused with my feelings for him as an MMC. I did enjoy many aspects of his character that made him different but he was a pretty big pansy if you ask me.

In a nut shell this book was emotional, engaging and beautiful!