This story hit deeper than I expected. What started out feeling like a typical YA setup quickly unraveled into something much more emotional, layered, and raw. You get a glimpse into the darker side of Hollywood, fame, pressure, manipulation and how even the people who are supposed to protect you can be the most damaging.

It honestly gave me Jeanette McCurdy memoir vibes, especially with what Lex goes through. His trauma was heavy, and watching him navigate it felt so real. But then there’s Stevie, flawed, honest, and quietly powerful. She doesn’t try to “fix” him but sees him in a way no one else does. She’s his light, and that dynamic? So well done.

This isn’t your average YA it’s deeper, heavier, and lingers long after you finish.

"And I realize it’s those fleeting snippets of joy, the underwhelming moments, that stitch our days together and carry the biggest weight."

Absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down! In true Jennifer Hartmann form, she had me feeling it all. From feet kicking giddiness, to rage, to crying my eyes out! If you have not ordered this book, you need to, like yesterday!


* Thank you Jennifer Hartmann, Valentine PR, and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review the ARC. My review and all options are my own.

if you've never read anything by Jennifer before, I think this would be the perfect introduction. It has her classic emotional tugging at heartstrings, without the absolute heart wrenching turmoil most of her other stories have. Whilst there are still tragic back stories and darkish themes, this is definitely her lightest book (imo)
I've loved everything Jennifer has written and this is absolutely no exception, my heart broke for Lex, and I loved all the Moulin Rouge tie ins.

The biggest thank you to Valentine PR & Jennifer Hartmann for an early copy of Dream On (officially out on August 12 💖)

What to expect with Dream On:
✨Fake Dating
✨Slow Burn
✨Second Chance
✨Angst
*Childhood Trauma (check trigger warnings)

If there’s one thing I know about Jennifer Hartmann, she’ll make you earn the happily ever after. And this book was no exception. And the rollercoaster she takes you on to get there? Epic. I love a tortured hero and Lex delivered in all the best ways. From the beginning, I was sucked in by the quiet, vulnerable moments between two kindred spirits from completely opposite upbringings.

Lex is a jaded former child star who comes to Chicago looking for a break from stardom. Stevie is a small town girl with stars in her eyes and big dreams of acting in her future. The two collide when chosen as the leads of their high school’s production of Moulin Rouge. By the time opening night comes to a close, Lex has left Chicago with no explanation and no goodbye, leaving a devastated Stevie in his wake. What unfolds from there is a journey filled with angst, loss, love, forgiveness and most importantly- self acceptance. This one will stay with me for a while.

“We’re the ones holding the pen. It’s up to us to write the ending” 🥹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Wow! This was a vulnerable, heart wrenching, poetic novel full of angst and bone deep honest truths about life and love.

If you liked your heart to be wrenched from your body, then read this. Any book from Jennifer Hartmann is a deep emotional journey that one has to be prepared for.

A little deeper dive…

Characters: 4 stars
In the beginning, all I could think of was Mandy Moore and Shane West from A Walk to Remember. It just fit in my head so perfectly. If you've watched that movie, then definitely read this. They're totally different stories, but musical scene is where it's at.

Setting: 4 stars
The setting could have been anywhere, it was the characters that made this story, even the villains and side characters. Wherever Stevie and Lex were, it felt real, I was there.

Plot: 4 stars
This story was very much character driven. This is where the plot served the characters and not the other way around. Things made sense when they happened and why they did.

Theme: 5 stars
The themes were deep and meaningful. Moulin Rouge was a big thing in this novel. Just like the theme circled around love, so did this novel -- love of a parent, a child, a caregiver, a friend, a romantic partner… what is life without love? We all think about success as money, power, and fame, but what if success is a life filled with love? Love gives permission for authenticity. It's connection to people and to one's highest self. I can keep going about how this novel also delves in the wounds of abuse and Hollywood's "me too" movement, but it all boils down to love.

Emotional Vibes: 4 stars
It was a rollercoaster. It was heart wrenching at times. I cried. I hugged myself. I reminisced about my own childhood. There were a lot of feelings felt.

@author.jenniferhartmann just always delivers! Lex and Stevie's story was a tragic, beautiful second chance love story. As always I was left feeling all of the feels for the entire read. I was hooked immediately and it never let me go. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about it. Lex's story killed me, I felt so much for him. Jennifer's books always make me so emotional, they take me apart and put me back together again in the best way💖

If you like:
✨Fake Relationship
✨Forced Proximity
✨Second Change
✨Slow Burn
✨He Falls First
✨Hollywood Star x Farm Girl

Thank you so much @valentine_pr_ and @author.jenniferhartmann for the advanced copy. The squeal that came out of me when I got the email was epic.

Please check the triggers!

Stevie x Lex 🩷

This book had me hooked from the first page! I was so excited to receive this ARC. Let’s be honest… if Jennifer writes it, I’m reading it without question. Lex and Stevie’s story was so deeply touching I felt it in my bones. Tragic yet beautiful. An angsty emotional roller coaster (as most of JH’s stories are).

It starts out in their high school era where they develop an unlikely friendship after being cast as the lead roles for 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘦! in the schools big play:

𝗟𝗲𝘅, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀

Lex seems to be more of a loner despite his popularity. And then we see how heartbreaking his home life is and it killed me to watch him go through so much pain. Even as the story fast forwards to years in the future, I can’t remember the last time I felt such seething hatred as his past unravels and threatens to destroy his future.

Stevie was such a loving and genuine person with the biggest heart. And I adored her family! They were such a tight knit family that cared about each other so much, I couldn’t help but smile when they were together. Her dad’s punny jokes were the best.

We also got several lovable side characters- Rudy is hilarious, Joplin was cute and quirky, and Misty was a total firecracker/the friend everyone deserves. (Speaking of side characters, “Everyone knows that all epic love stories start with llama socks.” Are they getting a book?? 👀)

The end of each Act was slowly killing me and then wrapped up with the sweetest ending.
Ugh, the epilogue! 🥹

✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠✨

𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞 𝕆𝕟

🗓️August 12th

📄448

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥:
🩷He Falls First
💚Slow Burn
🩷Fake Dating
💚Hollywood’s Golden Boy
🩷Second Chance
💚Forced Proximity
🩷Angst/Emotional
𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼

"𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀" 💕

The rich boy. The poor girl.
The only friend he’s ever had until one split second decision rips them apart.
Four years later their paths cross, this time he is Hollywood’s golden boy and she’s still struggling to make ends meet.
A slip of the tongue has the two fake dating and trying to outrun Hollywood tabloids. As Stevie and Lex navigate their situation, past secrets are revealed – Dream On is an angsty slow burn, second chance you don’t want to miss.

𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
If Jennifer Hartmann writes it, I am going to be first in line to read it. I was so excited for this book, when I saw it was broken into 3 Acts - I knew she was going to destroy me in the best way!

If you are a 90s kid and followed the childhood stars and the effects Hollywood can have, you are going to love this one! Lexington’s story was heartbreaking; he was thrust into acting as a young child and still struggling to navigate life in the spotlight as an adult. He has mastered playing the part and I adored the vulnerable moments the two shared.

Stevie St. James, named after Stevie Nicks, had big dreams and a heart of gold. Her character is real and relatable; I loved her and her family. The sisterly bond between Stevie and Joplin was everything.

Stevie and Lex stole my heart, childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and JH delivered! This book is filled with so many emotions and so much angst. Their story spans over several years, told in 3 Acts, this book had me in a chokehold. I could not put it down.

"𝙈𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣" 💚

As if my heart had not been through it, I almost had a heart attack at 95% - thankfully their story was wrapped up with an epic ending that had me clapping and followed by the sweetest Epilogue.

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann, NetGalley, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of Dream On!

It’s been a while since I’ve devoured an angsty, heartthrob romance that kept me up all night lost in between the pages, wanting to know what happens next…. but Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann pulled me in like only she can. This story is full of ache, tension, and second-chance longing, and Jennifer Hartmann reminds us exactly why she’s the queen of angst.

Lexington and Stevie are a power duo with history, heartbreak, and chemistry that practically crackles off the page. I rooted for them through it all; bad luck, raw emotion, and moments that made me pause and feel. There’s wisdom in these pages, but also so much vulnerability and truth and love. This story lingers. It hurts, it heals, and it hums with hope.

If you love messy love, Hollywood glitz tangled with small-town grit, and characters who fight their way back to each other, you’ll be obsessed! This is definitely a story I won’t forget.

Oh my sweet sweet Lex. I need to give you a BIG hug. I LOVED this couple. I usually don't go for this type of MC but I couldn't help but love him. He was very reclusive and didn't really give anything but when he did it was impactful.
Their fake romance setup was everything I love in a slow burn. At first it felt like a contract, then it got messy, emotional, layered. Watching them go from cautious co-stars to something that really felt like real love had me swooning. The way Lex speaks about their past high school musical moment? So raw, so hopeful. It worked for me.
I absolutely loved Rudy and Joplin! Joplin had me laughing every time she opened her mouth! The cat! The Thanksgiving dinner with Lex. Perfection!
This one hit five stars no question. The characters felt vivid, the fake-dating angle turned into something much deeper, and the story wrapped with a hope that stuck with me.

My poor heart! Dream On is the story of Lex and Stevie and I absolutely love how it is presented to us. The narrative is written sharing the thoughts and feelings of both protagonists – which works perfectly for the story being told. There are moments when memories are used to convey what we need to know, which I found perfect for enabling the reader to truly understand the character’s actions.

The way in which the first part of this story is written is ingenious. It is here that the history between Lex and Stevie is shared with the reader, and I honestly don’t think my emotions would have been as affected as they were during later scenes without this. The second part onward was everything I expected and needed from a book written by Jennifer Hartmann. It took me on the most incredible emotional roller coaster ride, and I never wanted it to end.

Lex is a very complex character. My feelings towards him changed whilst reading this novel - which I loved. There were times throughout the novel when I didn’t fully understand the reasons behind his actions, however, now that I know his whole story, I completely comprehend why he did what he did. My heart breaks for what he has been through and I do feel bad that I ever doubted his intentions. Stevie is incredible! I loved her from the moment I met her. Her character development is fabulous to witness. She has a wonderful personality and possesses strength that I wish I had. I cried real tears for Lex and Stevie – they truly are perfect for each other.

Dream On is beautifully written, demonstrating the power of first love, second chances, and the way some connections are simply meant to be. Jennifer Hartmann writes with so much heart. If you love slow burns, broken hearts that find their way back, and stories that feel real - this one is perfect for you.

“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.”

★ No entienden cuánto amé esto 😭✨
★

Este libro fue...uf! Una prueba a mi fe, pero es Jennifer Hartmann! Sabía que lo amaría aunque me hiciera daño psicológico!

Stevie...te adoro. Adoro los personajes que sienten pasión por el canto, porque me siento tan relacionada! Amo la música.

Lex, fue difícil para mí entenderte al principio. Pero supiste ganarte mi corazón.

Definitivamente el tipo de libro que se vuelve inolvidable.

4.5 ★

Thank you Jennifer Hartmann, Valentine PR, and bloom books for the ARC!

Every time I read a Jennifer Hartmann book I am immersed in the world she creates, and I feel as if I am right there with the characters experiencing their emotions and life first hand. She just has a way of bringing you into the story and gripping your heart with her beautifully woven words. Her stories and writing remind me why I love reading so much. 💖

What to expect:
✨Fake dating
💖Second chance
✨Hollywood golden boy
💖Slow burn
✨emotional

Dream On tells the story of Stevie and Lex, teenagers who land the lead roles in their high school production of Moulin Rouge. Lex is a childhood actor who comes to Chicago for a break from stardom and Stevie is a small town farm girl with big dreams of singing and acting. Lex shuts most people out, but something about Stevie allows him to open up to her and they form a friendship. Events unfold, and Lex is forced to leave Chicago without a goodbye. 4 years later, he’s a Hollywood starlet who wrote and starred in a show about him and Stevie… and now he needs her help.

This book had me hooked from the first page. Stevie’s character was so endearing. She has a pure heart, big dreams, and stars in her eyes. Lex… oh Lex… he’s so much more than what everyone sees. Everyone sees the hot Hollywood star with talent and money. But deep down he’s hurt, lost, and empty. Stevie is the only one who sees the man beyond the Hollywood star. I wanted to give him a hug so badly.

Their journey is filled with pain, longing, healing, love, and forgiveness. I’ve never rooted for a couple to make it as much as I did with Lex and Stevie. The angst!!! Oh the angst! It had me turning the pages late at night!! This story is one that will stay with me for a long time!

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘬, 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭.”

This story kept pulling on my heartstrings and most times I just wanted to reach in and give Lex a hug. Jennifer Hartmann has done it again, I was compelled, touched, & emotional. Hartmann’s captivating writing and tearjerker storylines never disappoint and I can’t wait to add another awe-inspiring book to my collection.
In this book, we see the true worth of genuine love and also a harsh reality that love is often conditioned or exploited through money, power, or fame.

Lexington “Lex” Hall has lived a celebrity lifestyle since childhood but despite the money, fame & reputation, he moves from Hollywood to a small-town in Illinois. Meeting Stevie St. James, a small-town dreamer, for the first time was by accident, but having to share the stage with her in a musical was by faith.
Though talented, Stevie’s dreams of stardom is mainly motivated by repaying her parents for all their love and sacrifices they’ve made for her and her younger sister. Sadly, her dreams are quickly shattered when tragedy hits.

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

If she writes it, I’m definitely buying it! 💕

3.5 ⭐

I’ve been in a reading slump for about two months now, so I think it’s only fair that a Jennifer Hartmann book is the one to pull me out of it. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite live up to her past works (which were all solid 4–5 star reads for me), but it was still a decent comeback read.

Let me break it down—spoiler-free, of course:

First of all, when an author can make you deeply hate a character, that speaks volumes about their writing. Jennifer knows how to write emotion.

That said, I didn’t feel the same level of connection between the main characters that I felt in books like Lotus or Catch the Sun. Maybe it’s because I’m just not that into celebrity romance tropes, or maybe I wanted to see a more protective side to the MMC.

I don’t know… I just didn’t feel completely fulfilled. I craved more. I wanted more revenge, more emotional depth, more character growth.

Still, it’s a good book—just not my favorite from her. But I’ll absolutely keep reading whatever Jennifer writes next.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER: 32, 35, 43, 44

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I was so lucky and got chosen by Valentine PR to read and review this highly anticipated ARC 🥹🫶🏻

I am a Jennifer Hartmann super-fan and this book has just been added to my list of favourites. Dream On had me fully absorbed into the lives of Lex and Stevie. Lex was a child star who is then thrown into a normal school across the country, to reset after things aren’t going to plan in LA. Stevie is a small town girl with big dreams - dreams of performing, acting and singing and having her name out there in lights. But nothing ever goes to plan.

The characters in this book are so complex. Lex is a broken man. His struggles feel so raw and his coping mechanisms leave him in more problematic situations. Stevie is a true talent with big dreams and an innocent heart, will the Hollywood & LA lifestyle swallow her whole?

The angst and tension in this was perfect. I really felt what they were going through both together and alone. Lex frustrated me, but his character was so broken that I couldn’t help but feel for him. Jennifer’s writing is always so absorbing. I was in that world, the chemistry and their connection came off the page so many times it had my heart gripped.

I need to read this again soon - it was that good. I’ll be recommending to everyone!!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this gifted e-arc. I am very grateful.

Jennifer Hartmann is an automatic must-read for me as an author. She so flawlessly develops tragic romance stories that really make you deeply feel for all of the main characters in the book. I find myself highlighting some really specific quotes within each of her books that resonate with me based on a main character’s internal thoughts and dialogue. While I often get extremely annoyed with the whole “miscommunication trope”, I didn’t feel that way with this book and the main characters: Stevie and Lex. The tropes involving fake dating, forced proximity, and second chances, is taken to a whole other level in this book.

Stevie is a sweet and wholesome girl with a love for theater who comes from a blue collar family who lives in a farm. The love in their family is incredibly heartfelt and something anyone would envy who comes from a broken home. Stevie’s family has suffered from a tragedy within their family, which makes it hard for Stevie to open up completely to others. She gets into a car accident with a boy, Lex, who is a Hollywood star and who seems from a different world. This boy shows up at her school and they both try out for the school play. While it may sound cliche, they end up being cast as the main roles in the school performance of Moulin Rouge: Satine and Christian. They need to rehearse together, but they come from completely different worlds. Stevie comes from her extremely tight-knit family who struggles financially, while Lex comes from his extremely wealthy family who have skeletons and pretend to be the perfect family. Lex finds solace in Stevie’s company. However, as in all of Jennifer Hartmann’s books, tragedy strikes - which forces these characters to separate and not fulfill their love story.

Once again, I could NOT put this book down and absolutely needed to find out what would happen between Stevie and Lex. Their love story seemed timeless and epic and I was rooting for them HARD. I found myself crying for both characters. There is never a “bad guy” in the relationship and Jennifer Hartmann does such a wonderful job making the reader completely invested in both characters. I was a horrible mother - at a children’s birthday party with my head in this book and not socializing with any of the other moms…and I’m not even mad about it. Totally worth it. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read it again and have it on my trophy shelf!

I received an ARC from Valentine PR and NetGalley as well as Jennifer Hartmann in exchange for my honest review. I feel so lucky that I got to read this before it was published! Such a beautiful book! I’m gonna go watch Moulin Rouge now! ;-) COME WHAT MAYYYYYYYY!

3.75 Stars

I was so excited to read this book, but it was a bit of a let down for me. I didn’t really connect to it… I think I would have liked this book a whole lot more if it was dual timelines. Overall, not bad, not good, just meh.

Wow, I have no words! Such a touching, beautiful, mind-blowing, adorable story, so exquisitely written, one of my favorite books this year and It's one of the best second chance stories ever. I'm trying to process everything this made me feel, and it's impossible. BRILLIANT

Stevie and Lex are soulmates; they are meant to be, but the author doesn't make them easy, their path is filled with pain and suffering. The story is an emotional rollercoaster of longing, love, passion, heartache, and so much angst that it spills over from the pages. I love Lex's tortured soul, and the love and passion with which Stevie gives herself to everyone and everything she does.

This is an intense, powerful, emotional, and addictive story, but it's also a story that shows us that love is the force that can overcome all obstacles. MAJESTIC .

This is my first book by Jennifer Hartmann but definitely not the last one, now I need to read all of her books. I highly recommend it if you're a fan of
Fake Dating,
Second Chance,
Friends to Love,
Angsty.
Damaged Hero

Omggg. Infinity stars. Perfection. No notes.

Jennifer Hartmann absolutely never misses for me! If she writes it, I’m going to read it.

Stevie is entering her senior year in high school and she is all around a performer. She is a brilliant singer, pianist and actress with dreams of Hollywood. Lexington enters the picture, a child star from LA, that has moved to her small town to escape the life he left in Hollywood.

Enter insane chemistry, past and current traumas, and an event that pulls their lives in separate directions.

Until Lexington is in the spotlight again. Having written and staring in a television drama that, when Stevie watches it, she can see is based on his time with HER.

This is a first love turned second chance romance, set between small town and Hollywood lights.

I absolutely ate this up. Read it in one sitting. The story and these characters will live rent free in my brain.

**Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann, Bloom Books, and Valentine PR for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.