“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.” Lexintong and Stevie’s were never meant to cross. He was a famous young star in Hollywood. She was a small town girl with big dreams. But their paths brought them together and break them apart. Can they have a second chance and finally find true love? Emotional, real feelings, tough topics and so much passion in this book from Jennifer Hartman. Thanks to NetGalley and PR Valentine for the ARC copy. This is my honest review.

Got the ARC from valentines pr
Full RTC

ANYTHING JENNIFER WRITES IM GOING TO READ


This was so so good!!

The romance between Lexington and Stevie is a rollercoaster of emotions. Lexington, a deeply troubled man, finds his life entangled with Stevie's, a strong and determined woman who usually gets what she wants. However, her resolve weakens around Lexington, making her emotionally vulnerable to him. Their journey is fraught with turmoil and passionate moments, but they ultimately overcome their struggles to find their happily ever after.

Jennifer Hartmann is brilliant - a true artist who consistently crafts the most diabolical, emotional, beautiful stories that burrow under your skin and take home there. Dream On was just added to her legendary lineup of heart stopping works.

Dream On stunned me with its depth. Featuring tropes like friends to lovers and fake dating, it sounded like the makings of a cute, fluffy romcom. But this is Jennifer Hartman we’re talking about… “fluffy” and “easy” aren’t in her vocabulary. In fact, Dream On was deeply emotional and lived up to its predecessors with its raw, real subject matter. Dream On demands truth, tackling real world issues with grace and honesty, delivering a strikingly devastating plot mixed with a hard won HEA. I loved both MCs, with their unmatched, unyielding strength, courage, tenacity, and resilience. Their chemistry felt real, their story felt real, their passions felt real. Dream On was exquisite.

If you’re in the mood for romance that hits you in the gut, this one is for you.

Jennifer Hartmann has done it again.

Jennifer Hartmann never disappoints, and this latest story has cemented her place as one of my absolute favourite authors. From the very first page, I was hooked into the world of Stevie and Lex, two souls who met in high school, where something electric sparked between them.

Lex’s brooding, guarded exterior is beautifully disarmed by Stevie’s whimsical light. Their youthful chemistry is undeniable, almost tangible through the pages. But their connection shatters when Stevie feels abandoned during one of the hardest moments of her life. She never knew why Lex left, until four years later, when fate throws them back together.

Now, Lex is a rising Hollywood star, and the story of their young love has been adapted for the big screen. Overnight, Stevie finds herself in the spotlight, forced to navigate not just fame, but the complicated, unresolved emotions between her and Lex.

This is a story about push and pull, love and pain, and the deep scars left by past trauma and abuse. Jennifer Hartmann is unmatched in the way she threads raw, aching emotion through every chapter, I felt everything right alongside these characters.

I know Jennifer Hartmann can write a hot and steamy sex scene with ease, but what I loved here was how she leaned into Lex’s character as a virgin. Those intimate moments carried a touch of awkwardness and clumsiness that felt so real and true to him, yet the love and passion between them still burned through every word. It made their connection all the more authentic and beautiful.

Unlike some of her spicier reads, this one doesn’t rely on heat to pull you in, it’s softer, more reflective. It’s a tender exploration of the highs and lows of love, showing how relationships are built not only in the beautiful moments, but in the storms you weather together.

For me, it hit harder than expected. As someone currently experiencing the ebb and flow of a long-term relationship, this book felt like an echo, a reminder to lean into the difficult times, to communicate, and to try to see things from the other person’s side.

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read this early. The mark of a truly powerful book is when its deeper meaning lingers with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and this one will stay with me for a long, long time.

The tea ☕️

❤️ - 2nd chance love
📚 - high school lovers
🔥- slow burn
💔 - mention of loss, child abuse, DV & SA
🌶️ - 1.5/5

4.5⭐️|1🌶️

What a freaking beautiful story. Jennifer Hartmann never fails to amaze me with her writing

I loved getting the glimpses of Lex & Stevie in high school and how they formed a close friendship. Then when things took a turn, coming back together years later.

Poor Lex broke my heart with all of his internal struggles. It’s honestly so eye opening to see someone who looks like they have it absolutely made and everything is painted into a perfect picture when in reality, it’s not.

I adored Stevie. She was so perfect for him and I felt their connection and love grow throughout the book.

Thank you so much Jennifer Hartmann & VPR for this arc 🤍

Dream on was absolutely captivating! I could not get enough of this love story! The pain these two characters go through was truly so heartbreaking but to see them grow and develop in the end was so rewarding. This book touch on a lot of topics I feel aren’t talked about enough in the film industry. I absolutely loved this book!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2🌶️🌶️ (but the Passion, not just spice, but tension that you could cut with a knife that when it happened, was intense.)

This was just….beautiful to read. I read this so quickly because it hooked me immediately. My first ever Jennifer Hartmann book, and absolutely not my last.

This is a slowburn. A story that begins at the age of 17 for Lex and Stevie and carries all the way through till they’re about 27. And what a journey.

Stevie St James is a farm girl, born and raised. Not wealthy, not dirt poor but lives with her family who “get by.” She has dreams beyond the scope of her everyday life, a career in the bright lights of acting, singing (in which she’s extremely gifted) and finding a path that’s her very own. Her home life is happy. Between her parents and her sister, it’s a good life, but her dreams are much greater than what she currently has.

Due to an unforeseen incident, she unintentionally meets the new boy in school.18 yr old Lexington Hall, or Lex as he goes by. The wealthy. Hollywood tv show star who’s moved to the Midwest for a short period of time for reasons unknown.

From the moment they meet, it’s hostile. Two ends of different worlds. The barely getting by girl, and the rich beyond comprehension boy.

But as we know, there’s always more than what we see on the surface, the part of us that we allow people to see, that’s not who we truly are deep down.

Lex is burdened by parents that see him as a financial playing piece in Hollywood Society and has a home life that is hid behind a fake smile.

While Stevie enjoys the simple things in life but knows love and comfort where it begins, at home.

A high school play of Moulin Rouge, a mismatched boy and girl who take the lead roles and discoveries about who they really are and the destructive nature of the bright lights of fame in Hollywood, spin a beautiful story, that shows you that first impressions can be false and that the more time you spend with someone, the more you see who they really are and those feelings can grow into something you never thought possible.

Spanning over ten years, with ups and downs, heartache and heartbreak, trying to protect what you hold closest to your heart, made me fall in love with these characters and this book.

Such a good read and so highly recommend.

Jennifer Hartmann does it yet again! She gives us readers these raw, deep, and tragic stories, and turns them into such beautiful masterpieces.

Dream on is a story of two high schoolers with big dreams, trying to find themselves in the difficult hurdles that life throws at them. Lexington Hall grew up as a child star actor, but doesn’t care about the fame or the money that comes along with it. Stevie St. James is a small town dreamer, and wants nothing more than to have more financial freedom and make it big as an actress.

Lex and Stevie collide into each other the day they meet, metaphorically and physically, and it changes their lives completely. They start spending more time together once they are both chosen for the lead roles of their high schools musical, “Moulin Rouge.”

With both having difficult pasts, Lex has a really hard time opening up to people. He yearns for that unconditional love that his parents lack, and feels the most alive he’s ever felt when he’s with Stevie.

Just when things start to be looking up, tragedy strikes…. And I’m not sure Lex and Stevie can survive it.

“Dreams are easy to chase but falling for the guy who shattered mine could cost me everything.”

This second chance, slow burn, fake dating story is something you won’t want to miss. You will fall so in love with this story and these amazing characters. The character development, especially in Lex, was so inspiring.

Lexington is a tortured soul who has a lot to deal with. His life is filled with drama, and he pulls Stevie into the drama. I love that Stevie is a strong female who goes after what she wants. But when it comes to Lex, she is vulnerable and her heart is really his for the taking. Their story is filled with ups and downs, and is high on emotions. I really loved the way they found their way to their HEA. It was a great story. I was sent a copy and these are my thoughts about this book.

Lex Hall is basically the textbook definition of a dreamy, blue-eyed Hollywood star 🌟💙 who’s way too good at fake dating... and honestly, way too easy to accidentally fall for. Meanwhile, Stevie St. James is the small-town queen 👑✨ with zero patience for all the glitz and drama—but a heart that could melt even the coldest Hollywood spotlight.

Watching these two navigate the fake dating game was like binge-watching a rom-com 🍿🎬 where every “will they, won’t they” moment hits just right. Jennifer Hartmann serves up all the slow-burn, swoony vibes 🔥🥰 with a side of realness that keeps things grounded and refreshing.

The chemistry? Electric ⚡️. The tension? Deliciously awkward 🙈. The Hollywood glam vs. small-town feels? A perfect clash that makes you root for both of them hard. Sure, the middle dragged a little (because, let’s be real, sometimes fake dating stories do), but when the sparks finally flew, it was totally worth the wait.

I’ve always loved Jennifer Hartmann’s writing ✍️❤️—she knows how to write characters that feel real and stories that stick with you. If you love a blue-eyed leading man who can melt your heart with just a look 😍, paired with a heroine who’s equal parts strong and sweet 💪💕, and a fake dating trope that’s loaded with real emotions and Hollywood flair 🎥✨—this book’s got your name all over it.

Four stars because sometimes love—and a good romance—takes a minute to really get cooking 🔥💫. Jennifer Hartmann’s writing hits that sweet spot between fun and emotional, and I’m already here waiting for the next one! 🙌📚

This story was filled with both miscommunication and quiet, aching sadness. My heart broke for Lex—he was just trying to do his best for Stevie, even when the path wasn’t clear.

Compared to some of Jennifer Hartmann’s other books, this one feels a little milder in intensity, but it’s still beautifully executed. The emotional beats land, the characters feel real, and it left me with the bittersweet reminder that dreams are worth following… and that life, people, and relationships inevitably change.

A tender, heartfelt read that lingers after the final page.

An Emotional Rollercoaster I Never Wanted to End!

Jennifer Hartmann has a gift for taking an original concept and infusing it with so much heartache, hope, and raw beauty that it stays with you long after the final page!

Dream On is one of those books that made me feel everything—love, loss, longing, and the bittersweet ache of “what if.” Lex and Nick’s are flawed yet unforgettable, each moment between them layered with tension and tenderness. Hartmann’s writing is stunning, pulling me so deeply into the story that I found myself reading long into the night, desperate to know how it would end yet not wanting it to be over. This isn’t just a love story—it’s an emotional journey that will leave you wrecked in the best way possible.

If you love books that are beautifully written, deeply emotional, and impossible to put down, Dream On is a must-read!

Well done!

How do I accurately describe how this book broke me and pieced me back together? The depth of emotions. The rawness. It’s absolutely perfect. 10/10 no notes.

First off… touching on Hollywood life and the behind the scenes people don’t talk about enough. Chefs kiss. Take that bow Jennifer!

Second… the look into depression over YEARS experienced was amazing. I felt everything to the core. The way I cried my eyes out. The way my chest ached. Just perfect. I have no other words.

Third… the ending… wow. What a way to feel free.

Read TW of course but just pick it up. The absolute masterpiece this was. This tops Lotus for me… I’ll be thinking of these characters forever. Love! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

100000% a Jennifer fav!!!!! As a reader of all her books, I really didn't know what to expect going into this! What I was walking into! It was absolutely fantastic! From the get go, it had that classic heart wrenching soul gripping vibe that she is infamous for in her writing and you just KNEW you were gonna be a goner for these two. Lex and Stevie were precious, first and foremost.
Starting with the sweetest high school friendship that you really got to know the inner struggles of their hearts. I feel like it wasn't long into reading that I knew who these two were.
Throughout the story so much heartache, loss, angst, and anger was floating throughout, I telt constantly on edge about where it was going! Spinning away in the most beautiful tangled love story with all the trauma, I was hooked! This was incredible!
Absolute 5 star read!!!!

You’ll find, my friend, that what you love will take you places you never dreamed you’d go.”

This single handedly cured my month long reading slump🥲
Jennifer you’ve done it again. She does not miss when it comes to stories of character’s healing journeys. You just feel like you know the characters personally & feel every raw emotion. I loved this so much & the tension with the slow burn😮‍💨 & I love a good fake dating trope! so good!
All the songs mentioned were chef’s kiss too!!

Thank you ValentinePR & the one & only Jennifer Hartmann for this ARC🩵🩷

Jennifer never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful heartbreaking words. Her stories captivate me and I love feeling all the emoti0ns while reading. Dream On was no exception and I was hooked from the beginning. And we all know we're going to get some pain and tears with Jennifer's books but then she wraps up the most beautiful love story.

I love how we get a glimpse into how Lex and Stevie's story began in high school. I feel like this is where they truly build a foundation for their relationship and Stevie offers Lex a lifeline. A lifeline that helped keep Lex's inner struggles at bay until tragedy strikes and decisions were made and hearts were broken. My heart broke for them both and everything they had to endure.

I felt like Lex and Stevie had this incredible bond that felt real and relatable. I think this is good book to go in blind and let it take you for a ride. These two experience so much together and apart and I don't want to spoil anything so just take a chance and you won't be disappointed.

And Stevie's family...loved all of them!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann is an unforgettable, emotionally charged masterpiece that gripped me from the very first chapter. Lex and Stevie’s story is raw, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. I absolutely fell in love with tortured, closed-off Lex—his pain was palpable, and yet you couldn’t help but root for him. Stevie, with her light, warmth, and unshakable spirit, was the perfect contrast and exactly what Lex didn’t know he needed.

Their connection felt so authentic—slow-burning but electric, filled with tension, healing, and vulnerability. Jennifer Hartmann has a way of writing characters that feel incredibly real and layered, and these two were no exception. I was crying one minute and swooning the next, completely invested in their journey. The emotional depth in this book is staggering—it explores grief, guilt, trauma, and love in a way that’s both honest and poetic.

The pacing was perfect, the writing lyrical, and the dialogue sharp and meaningful. Every moment felt intentional, every chapter added weight to their story. Dream On isn’t just a romance—it’s a story of redemption, healing, and finding hope after unimaginable pain. This book broke me and put me back together, and I’ll be thinking about Lex and Stevie for a long time.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️

Another beautiful story by one of my favourite authors, although this one didn’t quite hit like all her other books. I am not saying it wasn’t a great read… but something was definitely lacking for me. Maybe it was because I couldn’t connect to either of the characters as well as I had hoped. One grew up on a small town farm with her siblings and wanted to be a singer/actress and the other was a Hollywood Movie Star with a horrible set of parents. Both roles so vastly different from my own upbringing so I was struggling. That being said the story was definitely there. The yearning, the heartbreak, the little significant moments woven throughout. All of it was done so well and I know this is a story many of you will truly love.

A beautiful second chance romance between a lonely scarred boy and a caring big dreamed girl 💖

Dream on by Jennifer Hartmann had be hooked after the first chapter. The chemistry between Lex and Stevie was palpable, it bled from the pages and I felt it in every scene. The story was beautifully heartbreaking but filled in all the empty sad spaces it caused by the end. One of my favorite reads of the year!

I LOVED the side characters in the book! Stevie’s sister Joplin had me laughing out loud at times and I want nothing more than to have her and Rudy to get together 😂
And can I just say a huge F**k you to Lex’s parents?! The worst kind of people and I hope they get what they deserve in this fictional world lol

I absolutely loathed Lex when he was first introduced 😅 but he blossomed into such a lovely character, flaws and all. My heart was in physical pain finding out the things he went through 🥺
His growth was amazing, being able to identify his feelings and emotions and decipher them so he could truly love Stevie melted my heart 💖

Stevie was a shining star during this whole book. She wore her heart on her sleeve, no matter how much it hurt her at times to do so. She gave her all for family and friends and most definitely for Lex 🥹
I ached for her to get her happy ending and I loved seeing it come true. One of my favorite FMCs to date 🫶🏼

My heart was stolen by this book and the sweet couple that was within its pages 💘 a true masterpiece and about the power of love in all its forms!

*A huge thank you to Jennifer Hartmann and Valentine PR for sending me this ARC*