Dream On is a slow burn, second chance, fake dating romance told in dual POV. The story is divided into three parts, giving the relationship time to grow.

Two people from completely different worlds, bound by a connection that always pulls them back together. His trauma runs so deep that he chooses numbness and distance over fighting it. Her dreams are his nightmares—the life he was forced into but no longer wants is the life she has always longed for.

I loved the way he sees her: she is his peace, the calm in his mind, the one who makes him feel alive again. The banter between Lex and Rudy added the perfect touch of lightness to balance the heavier themes. This isn’t a light, easy love story—it’s heartfelt, emotional, and layered with character.

This was my first Jennifer Hartmann book, but it definitely won’t be my last. Sometimes dreams change along the way, and that’s perfectly okay.

Jennifer Hartmann's Dream On told the story of two kids who should have been experiencing carefree and fun lives but instead carried the weight of the world on their shoulders as they navigated their feelings for each other and the effects of tragedies in their lives.'

Talented musician Stevie St. James came from a poor but caring family and the one thing she never lacked was love. Yet underneath her happy exterior she carried the wounds of a tragedy that lived on in her heart and mind shaping many of her decisions and actions.

Celebrated child actor Lexington Hall was constantly on the verge of breaking. Wounded and sensitive he created self-imposed walls to protect and isolate himself. Dealing with his parents' selfish agendas their dysfunction dictated Lex's life.

Both Stevie and Lex had an instant connection quickly seeing past each other's defenses and cherishing the real people behind their facades. If any couple deserved a happily ever after it was Lex and Stevie. This pair clawed from the depths of despair to reach for hope only to be knocked down again and again. If there is a lesson to be learned from their story it was love is not easy and does not come with a formula where you pass the hard parts and win a heart. What readers will come away from this story is that even if you are knocked down a thousand times if your love is meant to be you will find a way to be together and that was Lex and Stevie's truth.

Abuse, hurt and pain filled the pages of Dream On but they ran parallel to hope, joy and comfort. The key being when the two merged producing a perfectly messy love that readers will hold close and empathize with and know that yes love did conquer all in this story. In pure Jennifer Hartmann style it was the little details in this story that took it from captivating to meaningful.

It takes great emotional fortitude and a strong heart to work through and present the experiences this author's characters live through. Jennifer Hartmann brings life's struggles to a personal place with her audience. Dream On will cause readers brutal tears and gentle smiles for a lingering story that will break and rebuild their faith in love.

Well Jennifer Hartman did it again!!
a love story of a small town girl and a celebrity boy.
Stevie wants to become an actress and gets cast as the lead in the musical with the new celebrity student Lexington Hall

Lex is just sick for the like light and wants a normal life

They become friends, best friends , and then a tragic accident charged it all …..

This book was really sweet. Its your quintessential second chance, celebrity romance. The connection between Stevie and Lex was amazing. Also, totally unrelated—but I love the name Lexington. I don't know why... but something about the guy having a name like that... it just got me. Their relationship arc was really good. It was a little frustrating at times because there was a lot of "back and forth" with the characters trying to deal with their feelings and all that. but the ending ultimately paid off. It was also nice for a change that this book is not as dark as some of her other books.

Check this story out if you love a brooding boy searching for peace, a sunshine girl finding her confidence, and the unbreakable connection they share.

Trope Casting
⭐️ Second Chance Romance
⭐️ Fake Dating
⭐️ Forced Proximity
⭐️ Hollywood Golden Boy
⭐️ Happily Ever After

#JenniferHartmann #DreamOn

Lexington Hall and Stevie have an almost instant connection. Both participating in the high school rendition of Moulin Rouge, their close proximity will cause butterflies and the start of young love. But when Lex disappears from Stevie’s life suddenly and without warning, their romance is all but over. Several years later, Lex is a television sensation, making a name for himself off of their love story, with an offer for Stevie that may change her life as well.

Jennifer Hartmann is the master of the angsty, turbulent romance, and I am here for every single one she writes. Dream On is filled with trauma and heartbreak but so perfectly juxtaposed with forgiveness and healing. I think this is what makes her books feel so emotionally dynamic. And with a romance that unfolds over many years, it’s hard not to get swept up in not only Stevie and Lex’s love story but in each of their growth arcs as well.
Seeing these characters go from the butterflies of first love while handling teenage struggles and insecurities to two much more mature, though still internally troubled adults, is what makes this story feel really special. By the time we reach the end, it’s hard not to find yourself shedding a tear or ten over how far they have come in their journeys. And thankfully, JH is a little less brutal on our hearts with this one.

Read if you like:
-Hollywood romance
-first love
-school musicals
-second chances
-emotional love stories
-flawed characters

Thank you Bloom Books for the advanced copy.

Jennifer Hartmann's Dream On is a truly powerful and unforgettable reading experience that left me an emotional wreck in the best possible way. This is a story that doesn't just ask you to read about its characters—it demands that you feel their journey, their pain, and their eventual healing right alongside them.

The narrative is brilliantly structured in three acts, allowing us to first meet Stevie and Lex as young teenagers from different worlds. Their initial connection is both instant and undeniable, but life pulls them apart. When fate brings them back together years later, their second chance at love is tangled up in a delicious concoction of a fake relationship, forced proximity, and a slow-burn romance with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.

What sets this book apart is its incredible emotional depth. Hartmann masterfully weaves a story about trauma and recovery, giving the romance a weighty, raw, and authentic feel. The vulnerability is palpable, and the flashbacks add rich layers to the history between Stevie and Lex. Seeing Lex fall first and completely for Stevie provides a beautiful foundation for a dynamic that is filled with angst, push-and-pull, and a slow, beautiful journey toward healing. The Moulin Rouge references were an absolute standout detail that elevated the entire experience.

Dream On is an emotional rollercoaster that is absolutely worth the ride. It is a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful, raw and romantic. For anyone who loves a second-chance romance that goes beyond the surface and digs deep into the heart, this book is a must-read. Every ache and triumph along the way was worth it for that stunning and emotionally resonant ending. I loved every single word.

I can always count on a Jennifer Hartmann book to deliver a gut wrenching yet heart filling story and this was no exception. Stevie and Lex have a piece of my heart, right alongside the rest of JH’s characters. They met at seventeen years old (and hit it off!) and after four years of separation they reunite and start fake dating. While this is a “fake dating” story, like most Jennifer Hartmann books, this is so much more. It’s about second chances and will break you down and build you back up again. 🩵

JH's writing is always so beautiful and striking, this is absolutely no exception. This story is heartbreaking, gut wrenching and full of drama.
Lexington is a TV star, his life has been filled with people he loves letting him down in the worst possible ways. Their dreams have been forced onto him and made into his dreams.
Stevie is the girl he meets in high school and the first person to ever fully see him. Unfortunately his trauma and triggers are one of the reasons he leaves and believes he doesn't deserve her, leaving Stevie fighting for her own dreams after disaster strikes. 4 years later circumstances throw them back together and they are forced to 'fake date. Can they ever truly get over the hurt from the past?
This book shows the worst of Hollywood and is unfortunately some people's true story. It was written beautifully and truly captures the love between lex and stevie. It is full of heartbreak, trauma and hope. It's an epic love story where the characters truly do deserve happiness and peace. I'm true JH fashion this story will take you through an emotionally devastating journey before you get the HEA. This book will stay in my heart forever. Absolutely amazing!!

“He washed me away. And I’m still drowning”

I read this book in two days about two weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it. This was an easy but heartbreaking read that tells a beautifully layered love story about the perfect timing, second chances, and the kind of connection that never fades.

Lex and Stevie’s chemistry had me routing for them from the get go but what I loved most was the pure, deep love between them. The first love most girls dream of. The glitz of Hollywood added sparkle, but it’s the emotional heartbeat of the story that made me fall hard (the kind that only Jennifer Hartman knows how to deliver!)

An easy 5 star read for me that blended the reality of real love mixed in with life. Dream On gave me butterflies but also broke my heart a little! Honestly, the best kind of romance and a must read!

Thank you to Valentines PR and Jennifer Hartman for gifting me an arc copy!

There’s just… something about this book. The writing. The Moulin Rouge! magic. The way it made me feel. Jennifer’s books always do this to me — one moment I’m grinning, the next I’m clutching the pages like they might fix my heart.

Lex might seem cocky at first, but once you see the cracks — once you know why he is the way he is — your heart will break for him. And Stevie? She’s all heart, all grit, and she never stops showing up for him. I loved the glamorous LA moments, but honestly, their quiet scenes? Perfection.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Romantic. Emotional. Heartbreaking. Beautifully healing.

Thank you so much Jennifer Hartmann and Valentine PR for this ARC.

Another emotional rollercoaster of a story from Hartmann! This opposites attract romance had me running the gamut of emotions. Lex is the product of his jaded Hollywood upbringing and Stevie couldn’t come from more humble beginnings. They forge a real bond acting in their high school play until Lex suddenly disappears.

When these two reunite there is a lot of mistrust and emotional barriers up. I loved how Stevie was the only one who could really make Lex feel, despite him being a gifted actor. And when we find out why Lex is such a closed off jerk, you can’t help but want to hug him. This definitely shows that you can have everything, but still feel like nothing

There is a tension that runs throughout the book that Hartmann is so good a maintaining. Even when our couple is happy, you know that forces are conspiring against them. When they both stand up for themselves and their relationship, it is a wonderful thing.

Loved this one and totally recommend it!

5⭐️ 2🌶️

No one does longing and heartbreak like Jennifer. This book tore me up and put me back together. I loved every aching moment of Lex and Stevie’s journey.

Stevie and Lex were beautifully complicated characters with so much depth. Their pain was so visceral and is going to be with me for a long time.

I love a broken MMC and Lex was so broken. Constantly betrayed by those closest to him and unable to find comfort in Stevie because of that trauma. My heart ached for how helpless he felt despite living what many would think of as a charmed life.

I loved Stevie. She was brave, strong, and fiercely loyal. I envy the courage it took for her to let Lex back into her life. I’m so glad it all worked out in the end but holy cow did Jennifer make them work for it.

I’m really hoping we get Joplin or Misty’s story next! I loved them and am really hoping they get their own HEAs.

I do think it is important to note that despite being designated as a YA book by the publisher that this is not a YA book. There is a lot of adult content and trauma in this book. Those familiar with Jennifer’s work won’t be surprised by the content, but I feel like new readers should know what they are getting into.

Thank you to Jennifer and Bloom for the ARC.

I had no idea when I started this book that it was to become my favorite of 2025! But I did know it before I was finished. In the ugly cries I felt giddy because suddenly the author would heal me. I’m still riding the waves from this story that burrowed in my bones and slid into my soul. I did know it would be good because I love this author but I didn’t know it was going to affect me so profoundly. This author can bring you to your knees with emotions. She’s just that amazing. Dream On was no exception but these characters Lex and Stevie she put them in a class of their own. You’re in the room with them. You’re inspired by them. I highlighted and book marked through the whole book because they inspired me! I feel lucky to have read this story and I hope that everyone can experience this phenomenal couple who grieve, who hurt, who hold trauma, and yet learn to trust and forgive, understand just by really looking and seeing each other. Sometimes going through the pain is actually part of the beauty in the end. It’s their story and it’s one I’ll never forget. All the stars in the sky for this book.

⭐⭐⭐️⭐️.5/5 Plot
🌶️.5/5 Spicy
💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾/5 Characters

Jennifer Hartmann only knows how to give heart and hurt. I love it. Dream On was the perfect contemporary romance that makes you rethink everything you knew about life.

Picture this: a famous actor comes to town and happens to wreck your car. After a frustrating encounter, you learn he will be attending your school and is playing your counterpart in the new play. You start to fall for each other when an accident occurs, and he runs away. Now it's years later, and he makes a successful show about your life and asks you to be his fake girlfriend for the press. What's even crazier is this is just the beginning...

This book hit me in the feels on so many levels. It brought more to light about the media industry than I ever thought. Our MMC is Lex. He was raised in privilege, but at what cost. Due to his experiences, he became Jaded and took it out on the world. Lex is your troubled boy, but the one you want to fix. His only ray of sunshine is Stevie (FMC). She is the most golden retriever character and deserves everything good in this world. She is strong, selfless, and sees everything about Lex, even things he doesn't know about himself. The tension was so good. This was a fantastic read. I cannot rave about it enough.

Reviewed for A Wanton Book Lover Blog

Dream On is a coming-of-age book divided into two parts in mind. First, the first time Lexington Hall and Stevie St. James met was during their senior year of high school. No one could figure out why former Hollywood child star Lex showed up at their high school during their senior year. He was aloof, quiet, and already "popular" without really doing much of anything but existing. Stevie St. James is beginning her senior year, hoping to score the lead in the school's musical to help propel her dreams of making it big once she graduates. Lex and Stevie soon begin a fragile friendship where only Stevie sees the real Lex and begins to fall for him. Lex tries to protect Stevie from his toxic life and pushes her away. On the opening night of the musical, when Lex tries his best to take care of Stevie, their worlds implode
The second part of the book takes place 5-ish years later, where Lex had written and starred in a movie loosely based on his life growing up, and when he met Stevie. Soon, reporters dig into Stevie's life, and she becomes front and center in Lex's life when a plan is cooked up to keep the buzz of his movie going. Although they don't know each other as adults, they knew each other as teenagers, and soon that familiar feeling of love and admiration surfaces.
Dream On is not a sweet teen romance but deals with tragic adult and heartbreaking situations. Lex deals with things the best he can with the support of Stevie, but she is also dealing with her life not turning out anything like she had imagined. Both characters grow throughout the book, and the love and admiration they had once felt as teens soon come back to them tenfold. Their story is raw and moving and perfect for the characters that Hartmann had written. A beautiful story once again by the author.

Jennifer Hartmann did it again, y'all.

This book was so beautifully written that I am sitting here in awe and at a loss for exactly what to write in this review.

Typical of Hartmann's style, there is deep rooted trauma in her characters. Unlike some of her previous books, like Still Beating, the trauma isn't quite as in your face or triggering for the reader, but it is most definitely there and just as heartbreaking.
(It can potentially be triggering, so if you are bothered by abuse both domestically and sexually, please read with caution.)

I will never fully understand how she is able to write a broken person so well. Lexington Hall had my heart from the very beginning of this book and I spent the entire 400+ pages torn up over his situation and wanting to wrap my arms around him. The depth and growth of both him and Stevie St. James from the beginning when you meet them as seniors in high school to the end of the book is done so well. I was worried that their healing would be unrealistic or rushed, but it wasn't. It was perfect.

There is some spice in this book, but it is not super heavy or plot based - so if you enjoy a good book but don't want the spice you can skip it without ruining any of the story.

I am a mood reader and I generally have multiple books going at once. I couldn't read anything else during this time. All I could do was read about these two characters, and when I wasn't reading about them - I was thinking about them. I cried so many tears, both sad and happy, and absolutely devoured it. There wasn't a single part of this book that I didn't love, and when it was over, all I wanted to do was turn back to the first page and start it all again.

That right there, my friends, that is a five star book.

I believe this is my favorite book of hers.

This was such an emotional and beautiful story. Lex and Stevie were great characters. I felt their chemistry and angst. They did not have an easy love story, and their second was full of hardships, but I loved every minute of it.

This starts out with the characters as Seniors in HS. It was great seeing this part of their story and how so many events shaped their future. They both dealt with trauma that impacted them individually and each other. The story then moves forward 4 years, and they reconnect.

Lex was sometimes his own worst enemy when it came to choices he made, but he had so much unresolved trauma that truly pulled on my heartstrings. I loved that Stevie saw the real him.

Definitely recommend.

🌴 Fake dating
🌴 Hollywood golden boy + ordinary farm girl
🌴 Second chance
🌴 Ex-theater partners
🌴 Forced proximity
🌴 Broken hero
🌴 Angsty and emotional
🌴 Loads of tension
🌴 He develops a TV series based on their story
🌴 Slow burn (but we always make it to the spice)
🌴 A secret trope you’ll have to read to find out 🤭

Jennifer Hartmann has a way with words that pulls you in, tangles up your heart, and somehow leaves you smiling through the tears. Dream On is no exception. Lex and Stevie’s love story is captivating from the very first page—tender, messy, and achingly beautiful. Hartmann writes with a softness that makes every emotion land deeply, and there’s a raw honesty to the storyline that lingers long after you turn the last page. This book is proof that love can be both heartbreaking and healing all at once.

Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann is a second chance romance that was full of angst, includes a fake relationship and is so emotional. Lexington Hall and Stevie St James met with a bang, literally, when they were seniors in high school. Lex is already a professional actor but finds himself taking a break and ends up in the school play that would change everything. He was arrogant and determined. Stevie is caring and full of dreams and though Lex hurts her at first with his words initially, when they are both cast as the leads in the high school production of Moulin Rouge, everything changes. Then tragedy strikes and changes everything again.

Now four years later, Lex has turned their time together in a television entertainment. She still remembers and is hurt by those events and he took them to grow his career, but now he is back and wants her help to keep the buzz growing. Though this will be a business deal and fake, can she ignore what her hearts still longs for? I loved Lex and Stevie so much. I rooted for them and my heart broke for them throughout their journey. I also truly enjoyed the intertwined moments that tied in Moulin Rouge with Lex and Stevie’s story. This is a definite must read!

Happy reading!