Thank you to @Valentine_Pr_ @SourceBooks and @BloomBooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I truly loved Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann! The story between Lexington Hall and Stevie St. James feels so real and relatable. Two people from totally different worlds brought together by chance, then torn apart by something bigger than themselves. I loved how their high school connection set the stage for all the feelings and drama that follow.

What made this book stand out for me was how it mixes old heartbreak with a fresh, modern twist. Lex becoming a famous Hollywood star and turning their story into a TV show was such a clever way to keep things interesting. When he asks Stevie to pretend to be his girlfriend for the cameras, I was hooked. Loved this!

Jennifer Hartmann’s writing is smooth and natural, making it easy to get lost in the story without it feeling heavy. The balance of humor, emotion, and real life struggles kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s the kind of book that reminds you chasing dreams isn’t always easy, and sometimes the people who break your heart are the ones who make you feel most alive.

Dream On is a sweet, emotional, and fun read that I’d recommend to anyone who loves second chances and a little bit of Hollywood glam. Definitely 5 star read for me!

#DreamOn, #JenniferHartmann, #FiveStarRead, #BloomBooks, #ValentinePR, #SourceBooks

🎭💔 DREAM ON 💔🎭
by Jennifer Hartmann
📖 Pub Date: 8/12/25 | SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books

“Come what may…” and come prepared to cry.

Lexington Hall: golden boy of Hollywood, former high school Christian to her Satine.
Stevie St. James: small-town dreamer with stars in her eyes, and the only one who’s ever truly seen him.

Four years ago, their story ended in heartbreak. Now, Lex has turned it into a TV sensation and wants Stevie back in his orbit with a fake dating arrangement that blurs every line they swore they’d never cross again.

✨ Tropes You’ll Love:
🎬 fake dating
🎭 forced proximity
💘 second chance
🔥 slow burn
🖤 he falls first
💫 all the feels

💥 Why it hit so hard:
Jennifer Hartmann writes healing like nobody else - human, patient, raw. The way she threads Lex and Stevie’s journey through three acts (yes, with heartbreaking Moulin Rouge nods) is nothing short of perfection. Lex’s vulnerability + Stevie’s steady strength = epic romance. The connection is electric, the intimacy tender, the emotional beats absolutely gut-wrenching and restorative all at once.

This book had a vice grip on my heart tightening, loosening, then squeezing again until the final act’s healing felt like a breath of pure light.

⭐ Verdict: Dream On is a story about loving fiercely, healing fully, and chasing the dreams that matter most. Lex and Stevie own a piece of my heart forever.

💬 QOTD: Which second-chance romance hits harder for you: high school sweethearts reconnecting, or lovers pulled apart by fame?

#DreamOnBook #JenniferHartmann #BloomBooks #FakeDatingTrope #SecondChanceRomance #SlowBurnLove #AllTheFeels #HealingRomance #ComeWhatMay #MoulinRougeVibes #RomanceReaders #BookstagramRecs #EmotionalRomance #ForcedProximityLove

This book will break your heart into a million pieces, but then put it back together piece by piece.

This book follows Lexingion "Lex" Hall, a rich, famous kid from Hollywood who has shown up at a new high school in a small town of Chicago. He is very mysterious and broody. He tries out for the school play of Moulin Rouge and gets the lead part of Christian. His lead partner Stevie St. James is a small-town farm girl with big dreams to become an actress. Sparks fly between the two, but after a tragic accident, they part ways. Stevie thinks all is lost and her dreams have come and gone, but four years later, her and Lex reunite and after a fake dating arrangement, she figures out that her dreams are not lost, they have just changed.

I instantly loved both characters. While Lex's exterior, might show a cocky rich kid, deep down he is broken and doesn't believe that he deserves happiness. Stevie, is this ray of sunshine with a big heart. She sacrifices so much and she never gives up on Lex. This book also shows you how dark and brutal the Hollywood industry is and I really liked how Hartmann shed light onto that part of it.

Hartmann made me feel every emotion the characters felt. She writes in a way that the scenes are so vivid and you just feel like you are there with the characters. This book is heartbreaking and is multilayered. It's about first love and second chances. I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to go back and read more from Hartmann.

Read if you like:
-slow burn
-second chance
-fake dating
-forced proximity
-broken hero
-small-town x Hollywood
-Emotional

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

Thank you to Valentine PR and Jennifer Hartmann for the e-ARC opportunity to read and review another novel! Hartmann has never lead me astray and this book is no exception.

Ever since reading Still Beating years ago, Hartmann has remained one of my favourite authors. Her ability to portray such raw emotions in her characters while simultaneously building beautiful worlds and instilling hope in the reader’s mind, is second to none.

Dream On follows Stevie and Lex in their teenage years until their tragic accident. Then we pick up four years later with them as adults trying to make it in the world. Split into three acts just like their high school musical ‘Moulin Rouge’, this story follows our characters through tragedy, grief, fake dating, and overcoming obstacles they never thought possible.

Each act had me built up, then teared down, then optimistic, only to be brought back down again. Something that Hartmann excels at. Dream On is just another one on the shelf that easily brought me to tears. So many moments that had me wishing something else happened, or someone said what they really meant, but also knowing that these moments shaped our characters and without them we wouldn’t have the masterpiece of this story.

Stevie is such a well rounded character. Her positive energy is infectious and her let it be attitude towards most things is life despite the tragedies she’d endured was not only inspirational, but relateable. After all, I do have Let it Be tattooed on my inner wrist. Stevie never felt to me like she was trying to be someone she wasn’t, she was always unapologetically herself and her character development from high school to four years later was well done.
Lex, oh my poor boy. At the beginning I was worried I wouldn’t like him, he seemed arrogant and full of himself. But when his past and present are unraveled, my heart broke into pieces. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s Lex. I loved the moments when he figured out how much Stevie calmed him down. From his hands ceasing their shaking, to his thoughts quieting down, to him falling asleep in her lap, oof my heart. All that boy ever wanted was to be truly loved and cared for. And who better to do that than Stevie.

Overall, this book was emotional and raw. Real feelings, real unfortunate events that happen in our everyday life, and real connection that injects that hope back into it. Stevie and Lex will forever be a part of me, their journey and lives have definitely left their mark.

Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann
5 stars
Spice: 🔥🔥 /5

Jennifer Hartmann is the queen of angst. She will keep me entertained to the very last page of her books. I was a little nervous because I saw this was marketed towards Young Adult, which as a 35-year-old mom of two, I am getting increasingly removed from. I don’t read a lot of Young Adult these days. But, if Jennifer Hartmann writes it, I am going to be reading it. So, I was super excited to read this book early.

The first 30% of the book is Lex and Stevie in high school. I liked it more than I thought I was going to. Despite them being so young and in high school, I still found it enjoyable. Although, I was much happier when there is a time jump 4 years.

Lexington Hall (even his name is yummy) and Stevie St. James (super cute, I think) are the two main characters. The chemistry and connection that these two end up sharing was heart wrenching. Jennifer Hartmann knows how to create that emotional depth and connection. I ended up really enjoying getting that background in their high school scenes. As the story progressed four years down the line, I found their back-and-forth banter up there with some of my favorites – I was smiling as I was reading. Jennifer was able to catch me off guard with how much I loved the dialogue.

Lex was a little different than some book boyfriends. He went through quite a bit of trauma that left him not being the alpha male some of us would have liked for Stevie in certain instances. His character was flawed, but so was Stevie’s character. He more tortured than most that I have read, but I expect nothing else from Jennifer Hartmann. She knows how to write dark and gritty. This was not on par with some of her work that I have read that is dark and gritty, but it had dark elements. Lex had a dark personality compared to Stevie’s light and homey personality.

You have fake dating, angst, second chance, and celebrity tropes thrown in this story.

This kept me entranced, wanting to avoid reality, and read at any moment I could. Any spare moment I had, my kindle was pulled up and I was reading their story. It was so worth it.

#avidreaderbookblog #readingislife #bookblogger #bookbloggerofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #romance #romancebookstagram #romancebookstagrammer #romancebookblogger #romancebookaddiction #romancebookrecs #dark #fakedating #angst #jenniferhartmann #jenniferhartmannauthor #jenniferhartmannbooks

Honestly, I think I've just read my book of the year. I don't know where to begin to describe my thoughts and feelings. I cried so much when reading this book. Lex is totally broken, and through the beginning of the story, you get hints as to why and what happened to him. But you get glimpses of the man he could be and is, under it all.

Stevie's life isn't easy, but she has a happy life, but Lex changes her life completely at the age of 18 and again 4 years later. When they meet again, Stevie is a different person. She is brilliant, strong, and takes no prisoners, and she definitely takes no nonsense from Lex.

This is a heartbreakingly beautiful love story and one I won't forget in a hurry. I already feel like I've said too much on this story, so I'm going to stop. Make sure you have a spare day, as you won't put it down and plenty of tissues.

I really couldn't recommend this book anymore. It's a fantastic read, and what a love story. It blew me away.

A really enjoyable Jennifer Hartmann read!!
While it was a bit more of a YA read than some of her other reads I really enjoyed it. I loved the dual POV and the character growth as we saw them go from
Terms to adults.

Welp. She did it again. Somehow Jennifer Hartmann wrote a story about two heavily flawed people who find each other and have to fight to prove to themselves and each other that they’re worth it. This story was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Lex and Stevie are true soulmates, and the way that Jennifer was able to make me, as a reader, feel every feel possible. At times I wanted to throw my kindle, but then two chapters later I would be crying or laughing. I loved Lex and all his complex trauma and how he truly loved Stevie. And Stevie who just wants everyone around her to be happy, even though she has dreams of her own. I will read anything Jennifer Hartmann writes, even if it destroys me and puts me back together.

Simply put, I ADORE this book whole heartedly!

This book had it all, the angst, the tension, the emotion and if you’re a musical theatre lover like me, Moulin Rouge references throughout.
The relationship between Lex and Stevie takes you on a ride but they have such a deep connection on many levels you just want more of them.
There are journeys of healing, happiness, self discovery, chasing your dreams and how dreams can change for the better filling these magical pages.

Jennifer’s writing just imbeds itself in your heart and soul and you will be thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing with Lex and Stevie

As a reader who lives for stories that make me feel, being an ARC reader for my favorite author feels like a dream come true. Jennifer Hartmann has held a special place in my heart for so long, and the chance to read Dream On early is something I’ll never take for granted 🥹.

This book reminded me why I trust her with every word she writes. I’ll read anything Jennifer creates—no matter the trope, no matter the premise—because I know she’ll ruin me in the most beautiful way.

Dream On had me smiling one moment and holding back tears the next. It’s raw, heartfelt, and full of longing.
Lexington and Stevie's story is more than just a second-chance romance—it’s a journey through grief, healing, and rediscovering love where you thought it was lost forever.

What "started" as a fake relationship turns into a reckoning with the past, and watching them navigate old wounds and new hope was devastatingly beautiful. Every emotion was so real, so heavy, and so worth it.

Jennifer Hartmann doesn’t just write books—she writes experiences that stay with you long after the last page.

And this one? It’s unforgettable. 🩵❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this!! The way Jennifer Hartmann writes such flawed but yet beautiful characters is something I will always enjoy about her books. Lex is flawed from Trama of growing up in the limelight of being a child star, even though he seems to have it all sometimes all you need is peace and freedom to be you and this shows the aftermath of when that does not happen to someone who so desperately wants it.

I loved Stevie's character, her calming presence and how it affects Lex. No matter how dark it was for Lex, after meeting Stevie, she was that light for him, that small bit of comfort. She was the one beautiful thing in his life amongst the gloom and loneness he felt.

5⭐️ 2🌶️

If Jennifer writes it, I’m reading. This book was so beautiful and tragic and everything you expect from Jennifer. I love her writing and the way she brought these characters to life.

I love a broken man that finds his happy ending and Lex is definitely does. He had some major things to work through, but once he got through them with Stevie the joy he felt was beautiful. I loved Stevie and how fiercely protective and unwavering she was with him. I also liked how strong she was even in her hard moments. Their love story had me feeling sad and hopeful and I was near tears a couple of times. I can’t recommend this book enough. The angst and tension and longing were beautifully written.

“I don’t know what the future holds or where we’ll end up and f*ck, I don’t even know if I can live up to everything you deserve, 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.”

So many raw emotions wrapped up in such a gorgeous book. You never know what to expect when picking up a book by Jennifer Hartmann but one thing you can count on is that you won’t regret it.

I fell in love with Lex and Stevie’s story. I also loved the Moulin Rouge movie and saw the musical on Broadway, so it made this book very nostalgic for me as well.

Dream on was definitely written for the stars. This was incredible. An absolute 5/5 stars. I devoured this book. I read it in the span of two days because i just couldn’t put it down. The pure emotion is this book was phenomenal. It hooks you in instantly and keeps you there throughout the entire book.

This book was so realistic but star studded all at once. It shows you that your dreams can change and come from different places, and that sometimes your dreams aren’t always what they’re cracked out to be.

Stevie and Lex’s relationship was full of ups and downs. It had tragedy, romance, protectiveness, banter and such amazing chemistry. You can feel their fire and passion oozing through the pages. From their first ever meeting to their last scene in the book. This book starts when our two main characters are in high school and has a time jump to a few years past high school. You get to see how their relationship develops. The twists and turns in this book are immersive. There are characters that you just hate so immensely and want their justice. And then there’s ones that are just so joyful and you love them on the spot. You get to see Stevie and Lex grow into themselves. Lex especially when it’s finally his time you just have to cheer him on and be so proud of him.

I don’t want to give anything away so you must read this. This was a spectacular stunning masterpiece and I 100% recommend it.

Another “go in blind” gem. I love this author so much I didn’t even glance at the tropes—I wanted to be surprised. And from the moment I read the dedication, I knew I was in for something special. That choked-up feeling? Immediate.

Stevie’s story hit me hard from the start. Her feelings that her parents would be disappointed in her- gutting. Then they turned out to be so kind and understanding. And then there’s Lex. Lexington Hall: a pompous name for a man who initially came off as an underwhelming, rude, and emotionally walled-off mystery. I wanted to punch him. But I couldn’t stop wondering why he was like this. What happened in LA? What’s up with his family dynamic, especially the loathing toward his dad and the complicated relationship with his mother?

Misty was a much-needed ray of sunshine—such a true bestie. The contrast between Lex’s private vulnerability and his cold public persona had me intrigued. I was torn between frustration and sympathy. His nightmares added a layer of heartbreak, and I could feel that breaking point coming… the one that shatters your chest a little.

The “two truths and a lie” moment? Absolutely wrecked me. I didn’t think puny dad jokes could be so triggering, but here I was—bawling. The way the tension finally snapped between Stevie and Lex was everything. Raw, overdue, and healing. And Rudy? A star in his own right. Such a steady, wholesome presence.

I did not love Lex’s mom. Even with the trauma she endured and I thought maybe a redemption arc would be nice but she just got worse.That last twist about her though? I did not see that coming. But maybe that’s the point—this book doesn’t give easy answers, just painfully honest ones.

Lex was a young man dismantled by grief, guilt, and circumstance, desperate to protect the one piece of light in his world. Stevie was a soul that refused to dim, even when shaped by unimaginable loss. I love how her grief gave her purpose and how her dream career was supported instead of ridiculed.
And I have to say: the fake dating element was brilliantly folded into this story. Emotional, poetic, and deep. Jennifer Hartmann handled the topic of SIDS with grace and care. The imagery and language in this book were stunning.
I finished Dream On with tears in my eyes and a heart full of love. It’s a book I won’t stop thinking about any time soon.

I’m normally a massive fan of this author but this one I really struggled to get into. I’m not sure if maybe I’m a bit over the YA genre at the moment. I struggled to connect with the couple on the pages. Their will they wont they back and forth became a bit of a drag and I quickly lost interest.
Yes there were some deeper themes explore in this again which I did enjoy, but overall I struggled to become engrossed din the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

DREAM ON 🎥🎬🎞️

First & most importantly - JENNIFER HARTMANN HAS DONE IT AGAIN! 👏🏻 Secondly, I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to receive this e-ARC from Jennifer Hartmann and Valentine PR. It means the world to me since JH is one of my top favorite romance writers.

The way how I couldn’t put this book down and completely devoured it over this past weekend! From the disturbing hard truths behind chasing dreams in Hollywood to reconnecting after years of silence being apart due to a life-changing event, I was truly on a roller coaster of emotions with this one. Every word felt intentional and every scene carried weight. I loved how everything written came back full circle — it wasn’t just writing words to hit a word count limit. Just a fair warning that JH will break your heart into pieces but know that she’ll also weave that heartbreak into something so magically beautiful.

TROPES:
🎬 Slow burn
🎞️ Second chance
🎥 Fake dating
🎞️ Moulin Rouge references

I have so many annotations marked but here are some of my favorites:
“The quiet doesn’t sound as loud when you’re around.”
“Nerves are the heart’s way of reminding you that you care.”
“A heart can only break if it care enough to.”
“But…maybe the dream isn’t always about having more. It’s about finally seeing what’s right in front of you.”

Just how much did I enjoy this one? Enough that I already want to re-read it! Oh did I also mention I’ll be attending her NC book tour stop?! I’m even more ecstatic about going now!

You don’t want to miss out on this one! Preorder your copy now as this one releases on Tuesday, 8/12.

If you know Jennifer Hartmann's books then you know that you are in for another emotional roller coaster in the best possible way. Even if you have not experienced the same thing as these characters, Jennifer has a gift for making them relatable. The pacing was fantastic, there is not a lot of spice in here, but what it has, is done perfectly and adds another layer to this story. I must have gone through all five stages of grief reading this but when all was said and done I had a smile on my face. Another five star read for me. This is a standalone crossover and I can’t wait to see more.

Once again, Jennifer Hartmann crushed it! She is easily becoming one of my automatic buy authors because I have loved absolutely all her books so far. This book is so sweet and kept me wanting to read more and more throughout the whole book. The adorable story between Stevie and Lex through high school and into their adult lives is so emotional. I laughed, cried, kicked my feet with happiness so many times while reading this book. I am so thankful to have received this ARC and can’t wait for everyone else to get the chance to read it!

💖

But when you really break it down, I think that's what life is all about.
Feeling.
Feeling everything: joy, heartbreak, grief, loss, friendship, and passion. Feelings aren't a burden, no matter how much they hurt. They're a privilege.
To feel is life's greatest honor.
And I know now, the source of all of it...is love.

Well, I’m always left speechless after a Jennifer Hartmann book. This was no different, I needed some time to gather my thoughts before writing a review. This book broke me and put me back together, several times actually. Such a beautiful story, Lexington the man that you are!

Stevie is a high school student with dreams of becoming an actress, she’s very tight with her family. They don’t have a lot of money, but they have a lot of love. Her parents buy her a car, unfortunately the first day driving it she gets into an accident. This is when she meets Lex….

Lex is a former child actor, he’s wealthy, broody and a pro at hiding his pain. He’s just moved to town, ending up at the same school as Stevie. These two couldn’t be more opposite of each other, but Stevie can see his pain and Lex is drawn to her light. They end up being cast together in a school play, the chemistry between them is undeniable.

A lot happens throughout this story, told in a few different parts as well as timelines. I don’t want to give too much away, but this story is beautifully written. You can feel the pain these characters are feeling, the inner turmoil that Lex is going through. The character growth was phenomenal especially for Lex, healing from his past trauma. I loved Lex and Stevie, I rooted for them from page one. This was such an amazing book, I definitely recommend!

Thank you Jennifer Hartmann and VPR for the ARC!