**Thank you to @jenniferhartmann, @netgalley, @sourcebooks @bloombooks and, @valentinepr for a free ebook ARC copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another amazing read, 2 in a row...I'm a lucky duck :)

I flew through the pages of this story. With every page I needed to know more, if I was at work I'd be dying to get home to cuddle up and dive into the world of Stevie and Lex 🥰 They are seriously electric. I think they are my new favorite fictional couple :)

I felt so many emotions and cried a little many times. I read Still Beating by this same author so I knew this would break me, but somehow it broke me up repaired me all in one foul swoop. I have another title by Jennifer on my bookshelf and now I'm dying to crack it open!!

**trigger warnings: SA and SIDs, both spoke about in past tense**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣
“You’ve been the only thing that has ever made me feel alive.”⁣
⁣
I loved this heartbreakingly beautiful story so much. Gosh, I felt so many emotions; sad, happy, and angry. And the angst! I loved Lexington Hall and Stevie St. James and their second chance. Their story was addictive and I didn't want to put it down. Lex is so tortured and Stevie gives her all to those she loves, and they were made for each other. I will think about these two characters for a long time. The fake dating in this book felt so fresh to me! So different in a way than I've read in the past and I was so there for it.

Jennifer Hartmann proves once again why she’s the queen of romance. This story focuses on Lexington, a Hollywood actor, and Stevie, a small-town girl with big dreams. I loved the incorporation of Moulin Rouge. As a musical girlie this just sang to me. Hartmann’s ability to weave healing and trauma into her characters’ journeys shines here, creating a story that’s as beautiful as it is poignant. She takes the familiar “fake dating” trope and transforms it into something fresh, compelling, and heartbreakingly real. I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you so much to @author.jenniferhartmann and @valentine_pr_ for the gifted ARC!

Jennifer Hartman just has this way of taking tropes you think you know and then absolutely wrecking you with them. Dream On isn’t fluffy or easy. It’s messy, emotional, and so real. The characters felt like actual people, and their pain, love, and healing hit hard. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted way too many lines. This story gutted me in the best way and reminded me why I love her books so much.

If you want a romance that hurts and heals at the same time, this one’s it.

Add this one to your TBR if you like:
💕 Fake Dating
✨ He Falls First
💕 Second Chance
✨ Forced Proximity
💕 Slow Burn

Thank you so much to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books & NetGalley for this e-arc.


I will read anything written by Jennifer Hartman without question. Dream On is a story about the power of real love, and how dreams may change. Stevie, who loves with her entire heart, and Lex, the popular one who hides all of his broken parts. There is tragedy, healing, and personal development in this slow-burning second-chance romance between a small-town girl and someone famous. The story was a perfect emotional rollercoaster. It was amazing to watch Stevie and Lex develop—to learn to trust, to open up, to let go of the past, to let love actually into their lives. There are many moments throughout their journey that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love, but it is also honest and heartfelt. I really like the Hollywood aspect mixed into this story—the behind-the-scenes reality and the impact.

This book was beautifully devastating that destroyed me and then put me back together. Definitely read your trigger warnings on this one because there are very real and very serious topics being discussed in this book. Lex and Stevie have my heart. If the triggers are something you can handle I would 1000% recommend reading this book. Jennifer cannot write a bad book in my eyes. Most of the time while I was reading this book I forgot I was reading. Her writing style is definitely an art in itself. Definitely keeping this review spoiler free because I believe going into this story you should have a blank canvas.

Thank you so much Valentine PR and Jennifer Hartmann for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC!

“And I knew then that sometimes the dreams we give up make way for dreams we never knew we wanted.”

Jennifer Hartmann knows how to pull at my heartstrings every time. Lex and Stevie broke my heart, but put it back together in the end!

When they meet, they are both young. But Stevie is full of hope and dreams, and Lex has already jaded, already having dealt with more pain than anyone should. I felt like the way Lex and his coping mechanisms were written were very accurate. His story made me tear up multiple times, and I loved the way Stevie was able to show him that life can be different.

There is so much angst and build in this story. The emotions in this book feel so powerful, I was almost holding my breath reading. This is an important story about many things—whether we deserve happiness, how dark Hollywood can be, whether or not we allow other people to control us, learning to stand up for yourself, becoming the person you’re meant to be. I really enjoyed this book and I love these characters.

There are a lot of dark topics in this book, so make sure you check your content warnings and take care of yourself.

TROPES:
Second Chance
Angst
Hurt/Comfort
Fake Dating
Actor MMC

Thank you so much to Jennifer Hartmann, Netgalley, and Valentine PR for sending me a copy for an honest review. 💖

3.5 stars!

i enjoyed the tension and longing in this one. i loved seeing lex and stevie as kids building a trusting friendship and loved seeing them reconnect with banter as adults.

for me this one fell a little flat. it felt a little too long for what the story needed and i think things could have been condensed. additionally i wish lex did a handful of things differently with their relationship and i wish there was more open communication but ultimately was still a fun book to read and loved getting to see more of the hollywood aspects

I loved this book 💕 this was my 2nd book by Jennifer Hartmann and it did not disappoint! I loved the writing style and that it was written in 3 acts showing age and progression of the characters. The story line tied up beautifully and left me so emotional! Lex will forever have my heart ❤️ I cannot wait to check out more books by JH!!

Dream On was my first Jennifer Hartmann book and wow was it good - I can't wait to read more of her books!

I did not know too much going into this book besides that the MMC was famous and that trope is one that I usually really enjoy - so I was excited. I was not prepared for how emotional and devastating yet beautiful this book was. I do highly recommend checking the trigger warnings as some of the topics discussed/that the characters go through can be tough to read.

Lexington, the MMC, was one of the most unique MMCs I have read about in so long. He was emotional and cold yet had such a complex back story and intense emotions. I did struggle with how truly mean he was in nearly the first half of this book but I think the dual POV really helped because we were able to see his true thoughts.

I also did not expect how many jaw-dropping moments I would have while reading this book - it truly kept me hooked! There was a point at the end where Jennifer Hartmann REALLY got me....

I highly recommend this book to any romance fans - please do not let the length intimidate you!

there is just something about jennifer’s writing that captivates me every single time. lex and stevie’s story was heartwrenching, deeply moving and so beautiful, it left me feeling more raw than i have felt in a long time.

side note: lex’s mother got on my nerves SO BAD… i wanted to reach through my kindle screen so i could strangle her, she pissed me off soooo much.

- second chance
- fake dating
- opposites attract
- tortured hero
- slow burn

4.25 stars
2 chilis

What a rollercoaster! Oh my gosh… this book literally has you feeling allllllllllll the feels, sometimes within the span of a single page. Wow.

Lex, the MMC, gave me such mixed feelings through most of the book. While he’s rich and famous, he’s also the underdog of sorts. He’s been through some trauma that left him a shell of a person, and he felt unseen and unloved. So you just feel for him in so many ways. …But he also made shit decisions a lot of the time, that would piss you off. He would treat Stevie (the FMC) beautifully one moment, and be so horribly rude to her the next, which made him hard to like many times throughout the book. But then, inevitably, he’d say the sweetest thing and really be vulnerable and open up…& you’d find yourself falling for the guy right alongside her.

Then you have Stevie, our fearless girl with huge Hollywood dreams, and the talent to get herself there. Until one night takes those dreams and crushes them along with her heart. I absolutely LOVED Stevie. So much. She was a down to earth, smalltown sweetie with the biggest heart. She was uber talented, and all she wanted in life was to be happy and to support her family. Despite her best efforts & his asshole ways, she fell for Lex as a teen. She fell for the boy underneath the Hollywood charms & underneath the broken soul that he was. She saw his heart and saw his talents for more than something to use & gain from (like everyone else in his life). She loved him for him.

They truly complemented each other well, and they loved each other despite their differences and despite what the world threw at them. Their love story was heartbreaking at times, but so full of beauty & hope in other times. I LOVED the ending. An epilogue can make or break a story sometimes, and this one was just perfect. I also loved the messages this story gave. I highly recommend this read….just prepare your heart for the journey! …It’s a bumpy one! Hahaha. But so so worth it!

An emotional story about teenage actor Lex moving to Chicago area and running (literally) into Stevie. They eventually form a bond as they work together on the school play. Tragedy strikes again for the teens, and Lex moves back to LA. Fast forward four years, they agree to a fake relationship for some publicity. Stevie must adjust to life in the spotlight and LA while deciding if she still wants to pursue her dream of acting. Lex must fights his demons if he wants to be happy.
An amazing story full of angst, hope, betrayal, coming together and love conquering all.

Jennifer Hartmann strikes again, and honestly… no one wrecks me quite like she does. Every single book makes me feel everything, and this one was no different—I was hooked, gutted, swooning, and smiling like an idiot all in one sitting.

So here’s the setup: Stevie and Lex first meet in high school. He’s the rich, up-and-coming actor with the world at his feet, and she’s the small-town girl dreaming of chasing the stage. They end up cast as the leads in their school musical, sparks start flying, and then… life happens. A tragedy tears them apart, and four years later, they cross paths again—this time under the guise of a fake-dating arrangement (and we know how that goes 👀)

I adored them both. Lex has the whole cocky, golden-boy image down, but underneath it he’s broken, guilt-ridden, and convinced he doesn’t get to have good things. And Stevie? She’s pure heart. She sacrifices, she fights, she doesn’t give up—not on her dreams and definitely not on him. Their dynamic had me glued to the page.

The fake-dating trope here feels fresh, and Jennifer paints every scene so vividly—whether it’s the glittery chaos of Hollywood or the warmth of Stevie’s farmhouse, it all comes alive. And when that other trope popped up (the one I love most but won’t spoil)? Yeah, I squealed.

This book is heartbreaking but hopeful, layered but so easy to devour. It’s about first loves, second chances, and what it takes to believe you’re worthy of happiness. Lex and Stevie will stick with me for a long, long time.

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Valentine PR & Jennifer for the arc!

Where do I even start? This story is split into 3 Acts, and when I tell you I was SOBBING at the end of Act I, I’m not exaggerating. I feel soooo deeply for these characters but especially Lex. All I wanted to do was reach out and squeeze him, tell him everything would be okay, and that he was safe. There is a “secret” trope in this book that had my jaw on the floor but it fit the MMC so well given his… circumstances.. growing up. I think this trope really helped solidify the MC’s relationship and their feeling safe and finding trust in each other. I also extremely enjoyed the side characters; I always love a feisty, witty best friend in these books and both MCs had one.

Lastly, I want to note that in light of the news that recently broke in the last year regarding the behind the scenes terror for children/young stars in Hollywood, I really appreciated how Jennifer touched on this subject in the book with grace and support. It was a great reminder to parents that might have a child in the industry to always make sure they’re protecting their children in every way they can.

Overall, this book was EASILY a 5 star read me, as seems to be the consensus with Jennifer’s writing. I highly highly recommend 💖

When I saw second chance and Jennifer Hartmann in the same sentence I knew had to read this book.

It follows Lex & Stevie. Lex is the broken Hollywood star. He's a dick to her at first, but after spending time together he feels safe with her. Lex has his own past trauma and he was so broken. But he let her in.

I would of loved a bit more of them together at childhood just for the second chance to really hit.

It’s fake dating and red carpet drama with all the slow-burn tension and emotional elements Jennifer is known for. Her writing just sucks you right in, and I was rooting for these two to get together.

D R E A M O N
•ARC review•

read if you looove…
✨second chance
✨slow burn
✨forced proximity
✨fake dating
✨hurt//comfort + angst for days

Jennifer Hartmann has such a gift with words, and if she’s not an auto-buy author for you yet, what are you waiting for🥹

Lex + Stevie are magical, plain and simple. the chemistry these two have literally jumps off the pages. not just in a romantic, physical attraction kind of way, but in a way where you just know in your bones that they’re soulmates. the road to their HEA is a hard-earned one but O H M Y G O D did I love every second of this roller coaster. 1000000/10 recommend⭐️

Jennifer never fails to hit all of your feels. This story was so beautifully written. So many stories show victoms being woman and girls when it hapoens so often to the male generation as well. Jennifer does a great job providing a voice to that population. Heavy plot per true hartman fashion but i loved it.

this one is for all the theater lovers, the ones who have seen moulin rouge over and over again and the ones that are California dreaming with their sights set on Hollywood.

Jennifer hartmann never fails to write a unique love story. one that people can find themselves in. and one where you inevitably fall for the characters. There's a little bit of everything in this. Young love, heartbreak, troubled pasts, second chances, angst, secrets and dreams.

My best advice, go in blind and let lex and stevie's love story unfold, act after act in front of your eyes. I promise you'll be rooting for these two.

Come what may.
Come what will. ✨

An emotional punch is to be expected when you read a Jennifer Hartmann book. I can say that while this was definitely emotional and heartfelt, it didn’t drag me to despair.

I like the way the book was split up so we could concentrate on each act. There’s when Lex and Stevie meet as teens, where they meet up again 4 years later and finally where we get the culmination of their story.

I’m not hugely into celebrity or rockstar romances but JH has always been able to draw me into her books. She has this way of writing heartbreak and tragedy and slowly turning it into something victorious. Lex was a difficult character to get behind at times but I knew by the end I’d feel differently. Stevie, she’s that girl. The one you want in your corner, the one who can make your day brighter.

This was everything I wanted it to be when I picked it up. Simply breathtaking.

Thank you to VPR, Netgalley and the author for the arc and this is my honest review.