💫Dream On🎬

4.5⭐️ 2🌶️

- fake relationship
- slow burn
- second chance
- forced proximity
- he falls first

“I’ve never loved anything the way I love you. That’s why it’s so obvious that I haven’t been the same without you. I’ve been this shell, this broken person. Every part of me—everything I am—makes sense when you’re here. That’s how I know.”

Cry count: 5 times

Lex is the new kid in town, and happens to be speeding and when he isn’t able to stop in time, he ends up plowing right into and totaling Stevie’s new car. But what neither of them expect, is just how much their lives will start to intertwine from that moment forward.

Lex has been running from his past, and all of that running has led him right to Stevie. Will he open up and let Stevie in? Or will he continue to pick up and run?

Thank you so much to Valentine PR, Jennifer and NetGalley for the ARC!!

I devoured it. It starts with a bang, and it all explodes by 80%! This is slow burn. This is fake dating at its best. He falls first. Close proximity. He is an actor, she is also an aspiring actress/singer. They star in a school play together (MOULIN ROUGE!!!!).
He cannot stand physical contact. You'll have to read it to find out why.
Stevie was just an amazing, super relatable heroine. She was so kind and good and just perfect. I want her as my best friend.
Lex was tortured and distant but also so so good.
Yes, I loved this one, and it shows.
There is also a super secret trope that I LOVED, and we don't often see it in romance.
Read it if you love angst, drama, and just super relatable heroes. Oh and if you love cows too. 🐄
This book also showcases what is going on in Hollywood and how difficult it is to simply exist there.
Read it!

Jennifer Hartmann just knows how to pick a few tropes and magically take them to the next level! This book had an original plot, complex characters and incredible banter! Lex has probably one of the most interesting backstories I’ve ever read and because of that, I found myself selfishly rooting just for him 🥺 At one point, the story became a powerful reflection of a real, contemporary issue and I just wanted him to be okay, in whatever form that may be! As always, if Jennifer writes it, I’ll read it, buy it, and keep thinking about it long after I’ve finished the book! 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 for anyone looking for books that tackle contemporary issues and broken characters.

I have been in the slump of my life for the last few weeks and it's been a struggle for me to get through anything. This took me 10 days to read overall, however, once I really got into it, from 24% onwards, it actually took me about 26 hours with a work day in the middle LOL!

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann is one of my all time favourite books, so I don't know why I don't reach for her more often, especially when I'm struggling to read like this. She has such an incredible way with words. An incredible way of giving us some pretty toxic (mentally) broken characters/relationships and making us fall in love with this people, giving them incredible character arcs that make sense. Nothing feels "too convenient" it all makes sense. I truly loved this. It gave us such a good insight into Hollywood and child actors, how they're treated, how it can go to peoples head - the fame, the money. There were some completely shocking revelations in this book that I wasn't expecting but make complete sense.

I think what Jennifer can do with a pen and paper and a computer is nothing short of phenomenal and this didn't miss a beat. I ate this up once I got going. Not only do I think it's potentially cured my slump (so naturally, 5 stars) but it was actually amazing so deserved every single one of those 5 stars. And as someone with a fiancé who's literally obsessed with Moulin Rouge (it's his favourite movie of all time) this book had a nostalgia feel running through it for me and it just felt a little bit like home. Loved it!

Please check the trigger warnings for this one. There's A LOT going on.

Wow! and this is why Jennifer Hartmann is my fav author! She does not write a bad book! Her writing is just so emotional and done so beautifully well. From the first page she sucks you in and doesn’t let go.
The book was tragic, beautiful and full of emotions. It’s about the battle of following your dreams and the fallout of what happens when things don't go as you hoped they would. I fell in love with these 2 characters and felt all the feels. So freaking good! In typical Hartmann fashion she breaks your heart and puts it back together so beautifully. 5⭐️
Thank you to valentine pr, netgalley and Jennifer Hartmann for this arc!

I devoured this book in four hours. FOUR. And I’ve only slept for an hour and a half last night because I have no self-control. Jennifer Hartmann absolutely ruined me-in the best way.

I knew from the moment I saw her name on the cover that Dream On would hit every emotional note. I went in expecting swoon and sadness, tension and tenderness, and this book delivered it all with her signature blend of raw emotion, aching beauty, and characters you’ll never forget.

Lexington and Stevie’s story pulled me in from the first page. Two teenagers with a spark and a dream, torn apart by circumstance and reunited years later with a “fake dating” setup that, of course, is anything but fake. The line between real and fake becomes blurred. There’s grief and healing and heartbreak underneath it all...because that’s what Jennifer Hartmann does. And she does it so well.

The banter? Flawless.
The pining? Painful in the best way.
The chemistry? A full-body yearn.
And the emotional payoff? Worth every single tear.

There’s a softness to Lex that will break you. Stevie’s hope and heart will stitch you back together. I laughed, I cried, and I whispered “oh no” to myself more than once. This story doesn’t just tug at your heart. It wrings it out, then hands it back to you with love.

This is contemporary romance with a hint of spice, a dose of Hollywood drama, and all the depth and nuance I crave in a second-chance love story. If you’re a fan of broody golden boys, quietly strong heroines, and writing that makes you feel, this book is for you.

And yes, I absolutely pre-ordered it the second I saw it was "coming soon." I need this on my shelf.

Also - not a spoiler, just a wish: fingers crossed for a Rudy/Joplin story next. 😉

Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so emotional. It was one of the books I knew it was a five star read within the first few pages. I read so many romance books, but this one had such a unique spin on the tropes which was done perfectly. I wrote a review post for it on Bookstagram that I have linked down below.

Wow. I’m still reeling. What a story. It was so frustrating to see the ups and downs that could have been avoided. Lex, the MMC, is such a complex character. His trauma is raw and destructive. His damage is all internal but so endearing that you fall in love with all the broken pieces that make him whole. All I wanted to do was swaddle him up and hold him close.

The dynamic between the two characters, Lex and Stevie, is addicting. I found it hard to put their story down.

Even the layout of the book, how it’s organized, is genius and just forces you deeper into their messy lives—tangled in the fame and all that comes with it.

The attention to detail is surreal. Even things I simply forgot about because so much else was happening was acknowledged and settled.

Like all of Jennifer Hartmann’s books, the story is painful and cathartic. It takes you where it hurts then builds you back up again. It’s a hard feeling to truly explain.

All this to say, I love this book and I will have a hard time letting these characters go.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 5 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

“Dream on, Nicks.”

“You’ve been the only thing that has ever made me feel alive.”

“Come what may, right?”
“Come what will.”

"I think, sometimes, love isn’t always in the ones who stick around. It’s in the missing pieces— the holes carved out, the gaps that strain and stretch. You notice when it leaves, the quiet, empty moments where absence lingers, and you feel the weight of what’s gone."

“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.”

“I always knew it would be the blue I'd remember. I just never dreamed I'd find my forever in it.”

this was my first jennifer hartmann book, and it did not disappoint! not a single bit! she sure knows how to take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride, because that’s exactly what this book was. like actually, so many emotions were felt. one minute you’re laughing, and the next you’re sobbing of pure heartache. i know i cried at least twice reading this.

the writing in this book is beautiful. it takes serious talent to make a reader feel all the emotions a character feels, and jennifer hartmann does that with ease. i love how i went into this book with no expectations in general, but got immediately sucked into the story and ended up loving it so much. her writing is captivating, and truly something else.

nothing can explain how much it hurt to read about lex and everything he went through. like it PHYSICALLY hurt. i will admit, at first i thought i wouldn’t like him because he was so full of himself, but as soon as i found out things about his past, and why he is the way he is, my heart broke for him. it was so sweet to see him learn that stevie is able to calm him down. all he ever wanted was to truly be loved by someone.

i think stevie and lex have a piece of my heart now, and that this book is among my favorite reads of the year. i loved everything about this book, so if you’re looking to read something emotional that will be memorable and tug at your heart, you won’t want to miss this.

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and Jennifer Hartmann for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

Five stars! Again and again. Dream On is an emotional journey filled with beauty and magic that only Jennifer can write.

Can we bring these characters to life? Because I truly felt like a part of this story! This book had me invested, hanging on to every word and every second that ticked by with these two! Stevie and Lex's story was a slow burn, meeting as teens, becoming friends and later trying to overcome the aftermath of trauma particularly for Lex. There are moments that will shred you to pieces, only to put you back together again. Eventually. Jennifer has truly perfected the building and pacing of stories like this, in order to achieve the ultimate love story. I am in awe once again. Beautifully done!!

Okay, a few things I did not realize going into this read, about 1/3 of it does take place in high school, not as high school flashbacks. The trigger warnings should be minded; however, note the SIDS warning is not a current in book occurrence, it is something that happened in the past and it is very brief, though obviously impacts the character long term.

It's hard to say this was a cute read but it was a cute romance, but this book was bigger than the romance. This book dealt with heavy topics of abuse, mental and physical, for both child and adult. This book dealt with loss, of siblings, of dreams, of self. This book is not the book you choose for a light read. While the characters are 21ish in the majority of the story, there is a lot emotional trauma going on here and it is handled as you'd expect for that age range with that level of trauma.

As a parent, it hurt to read in places, when Stevie calls her parents to thank them for her childhood, I lost it.

I am glad I read this one and am happy to get an advanced copy from NetGalley, this one will linger for awhile.

🎭🎬𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄🎬🎭
📖- Dream On
✍🏼- Jennifer Hartmann
📆- August 12, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you @valentine_pr_ & @author.jenniferhartmann for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ
🎭Forced Proximity
🔥Slow burn
💕Friends to lovers
🎬Fake dating
💘Second chance

⚠️SIDS, sexual assault, domestic abuse ⚠️

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ

Lexington Hall golden boy from Hollywood, has moved to a rural town. He meets Stevie St. James by none other than rear ending her and once it’s been sorted they go their separate ways. Stevie ends up trying out for a musical in school, only to find out the boy she wrecked with is also trying out. Something ignites between the two of them on the stage. But as quickly as it ignited it started to fall apart.

Four years later, Lex is back in Hollywood. He’s turned his and Stevie’s story into a tv series. Now everyone wants to know the real Stevie St. James, Lex’s agent advises for him to contact Stevie. A fake romance with a hefty salary that it’s too good to turn down. Now lines are crossed and it’s hard to turn back. Will they give themselves a chance they deserve or let it wilt?

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ 💭

Jennifer always knows how to play with my heart 🥹 this honestly has got to be my favorite book out of all the ones she’s wrote. To be able to feel the characters emotions through the book it honestly makes you want to reach into the book and hug them. The connection between the two is so strong and electric, the character growth also a plus. Lex and Stevie are it for me, not only do they show you that you CAN achieve your dreams but they also you how healing ❤️‍🩹 can help you achieve these goals and dreams.

Jennifer Hartmann just keeps climbing higher on my list of favorite authors—and Dream On firmly cemented that. This book grabbed me by the collar and shook me in all the right ways.

It offers a compelling glimpse into the other side of wealth and fame—and how, for many of us less fortunate, having even one person who truly loves you can be everything. Well, some of us anyway.

This was a slow burn romance that absolutely paid off. At first, I wasn’t a fan of Lex—he came off a bit cold and kinda a jerk. But getting to see inside his world, the pressures and sacrifices, made me understand him on a much deeper level.

And then there’s Stevie—our girl is so emotional, and honestly, I get it because I’m the same way. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and her journey had me rooting hard from start to finish.

I’m beyond grateful to have received this ARC—huge thanks to Valentine PR, Jennifer Hartmann’s team, NetGalley, and Bloom Books for the opportunity.

If you want a story about chasing dreams, messy pasts, and the blurry lines between reality and performance, Dream On is a must-read.

Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars) // 5 stars
ARC Review

Lex and Stevie had a spark back in high school when they shared the stage in their school musical—but everything fell apart before it had a chance to become something real. Now, four years later, Lex is a Hollywood star, and Stevie is struggling. When Lex turns their story into a hit show and offers her a fake dating deal to keep up the media buzz, it reopens old wounds—and feelings.

This story is about chasing dreams, letting go of the past, and learning to love yourself before you can fully love someone else. Lex is a broken hero who’s convinced he doesn’t deserve happiness. Stevie is strong, steady, and full of heart.

Their chemistry is 🔥, the slow burn is so worth it, and the emotional depth had me hooked. The Moulin Rouge vibes? Spot on.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ slow burn
✓ second chance
✓ fake dating
✓ forced proximity
✓ broken hero

Jennifer Hartmann writes characters who feel—and she always makes sure we feel everything right along with them. Hartmann never misses, and this one’s no different. Raw, romantic, and utterly consuming.

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann and Valentine PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐ 4.5
🌶️ 1.5
🥵 Spicy chapters: 35, 43, 44
📚 Tropes/Themes: rich/poor, first love, childhood crush, second chance, forced proximity, virgin MC, fake dating, celebrity romance, slow burn, tortured hero
👀 Dual POV 1st person
💔 Triggers: mentions of SIDS, SA, DV, CA,
🛍️ Available: 8/12

💬Oh man. I don't think it's possible for Jennifer to write a bad book 🥹. Per usual, this book broke my heart and then put it back together again. It's a wonderful slow burn, with beautifully complex characters.

Even though this book sucked me in from page one, I don't usually read YA/NA, mostly because of a maturity levels of the MCs. But first of all, if Jennifer Hartmann writes it, I'm going to read it. And second of all, even in her YA/NA books, the characters always seem light years ahead emotionally of their physical age and this is no exception. So basically I ate it up.

I loved loved loved the Moulin Rouge references, it's long been a fave movie...I used to sing Your Song to my daughter when rocking her as a baby 🥺 I definitely put the soundtrack on in the background while reading.

And while this one definitely has Jennifer's usual emotional angst, Dream On was more focused on feelings than situational tragedy, which I really liked. Most of the trauma is off page and only referenced. I remember reading June First and just the pit of dread I felt in my stomach waiting for the hammer to drop. This one isn't like that. Like I always know going into it that I'm going to be heartbroken and emotional but this one didn't hurt as bad lol.

As for the characters, I feel like the focus was more on Lex than Stevie. Stevie is Lex's anchor, And while I appreciated her steady presence, I think I was more drawn in by Lex's heartbreak and brokenness. Really more than anything. I just wanted to be able to travel back in time and completely change the course of Lex's life (but then he might not have met Stevie. So never mind. Ignore me 🤣)

Also I would like to award the Oscar for best supporting actor to Lex's agent Rudy 🤣 I liked Joplin a lot, but of the two, I liked Rudy better.

This one is a little softer and sweeter than Jennifer's usual books, but no less wonderful. Highly recommend!!!!

absolutely brilliant, as always jennifer hartmann never disappoints, loved the story, the characters and everything in between

Once again, Jennifer Hartmann proves herself a master of her craft. She expertly weaves poignant and emotional stories that will tear your heart out, only to gently mend it back together.

Dream On is an emotional rollercoaster, charting a path through young love, heartbreak, shattered dreams, and, ultimately, redemption. Stevie and Lex are wonderfully complex characters you can't help but feel for. Their journey is a powerful mix of mistakes, regret, growth, and liberation, all balanced with the perfect amount of angst, spice, and turmoil. I was an emotional wreck through the final chapters, but I cherished every minute of their story. Now I'm just hoping for a spin-off that focuses on a certain sister/agent!

Thank you, Jennifer Hartmann, for writing such a moving and beautiful story of young love, and thank you, Valentine PR, for the early eARC.

4⭐
2🌶️

.Fake dating
.Second chance
.Friends to lovers
.Hurt/comfort
.Found family
.Famous and tortured MMC
.Dual POV

Lately, I’ve been in the middle of a weird slump, unable to focus, reading a few pages before getting distracted and going back to scrolling through my socials. But finally, FINALLY, I found a book that grabbed me and didn’t let go. I missed that feeling. This story is completely addictive.

Was it my favorite from this author? No. Still Beating and Lotus are hard to top, but I still really enjoyed it. Honestly, I don’t think she’s capable of writing a bad book.

The story is angsty, dramatic, almost telenovela level in intensity, but I loved it nonetheless . Lex felt raw and real, his actions (even the ones I didn’t condone) made emotional sense. I’m a sucker for a tortured MMC who only opens up to the FMC, and those scenes where Lex finally shared his past with Stevie were perfect.

That said, a few things didn’t quite land for me. Lex’s outbursts were understandable given his trauma, but I wish he had treated Stevie better. Especially during that awful dinner with his mother. I wanted to shake him and yell, “Wake up!”

I also wish their first time had happened under different circumstances. The story was building toward something tender and intimate, but instead, it turned into rage fueled make up sex, which felt off. Stevie, in my opinion, needed to stand her ground more in that moment and make Lex truly see how wrong he was.

Lex needed some serious therapy before being in a healthy relationship with anyone. I hoped that after the breakup, he’d take some time to work on himself before going after Stevie again. It all wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste.

On a lighter note, I’d love to see a book about Jo and Rudy. I adored them as side characters.

Overall, while this wasn’t a new favorite, it reminded me why I always come back to this author. The emotional pull, the flawed but compelling characters, and the way her stories make you feel. If you're in a slump and need something that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go, this might just be it.

I normally don’t love YA books, but Jennifer Hartmanns writing never ever disappoints. I loved this so much and I can’t wait to keep reading more of her books.

The writing was just so powerful, the story was incredible.

5 ⭐
1.5 🌶️

The queen of 5 star books and the best most rewarding slow burn romances has done it yet again! Every new book I read by Jennifer Hartmann just keeps remind me why she is my favorite author. I love her writing style, she engages you from page 1! She knows how to write in trauma and make you feel every emotion.

Lex and Stevie meet when Lex rear ends and destroys Stevie's car. Stevie's family lives on a farm and have their struggles, whereas Lex comes from a rich family, but rich doesn't equal happy. The only one to see past his fame of being an actor and his families wealth and see him for him is Stevie. Something happens in high school that tears them apart, and 4 years later they are forced back together for a publicity stunt. Lex is the true definition of money can't buy you happiness, but Stevie was always his one good thing. This book has forced proximity, fake dating, he is rich and she isn't. I absolutely adore their story. Thank you Netgalley and Jennifer Hartmann for an ARC of this story, and I recommend everyone to read this.