Review: Dream On - Jennifer Hartmann

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Review: Dream On - Jennifer Hartmann - August 2025

I’ll admit it straight away: I adore Jennifer Hartmann, so I was practically bouncing in my seat when I got my hands on Dream On. Her books are always lovely chunky reads, and that made this the perfect travel companion for my bus ride up to Auckland to see Hilary Duff. Four uninterrupted hours-  Bliss.

And can we talk about that cover? Total cover crush. It’s so beautiful that I kept pausing just to look at it. Honestly, it deserves pride of place on the shelf.

The story follows Stevie St. James, a small-town dreamer with stars in her eyes, and Lexington Hall, the golden boy of Hollywood. They first collided on the stage of their high school musical, and something sparked. Then it all fell apart, leaving Stevie’s dreams in pieces. Fast forward four years and Lex is a household name, turning their past into a television sensation while Stevie is still haunted by what they lost. When he turns up with an offer to fake a romance and keep the buzz alive, in exchange for the financial freedom she so desperately needs, she tells herself she can play the part. But, as you can guess, the line between pretend and real starts to blur in the most delicious way.

What I loved is that this book gave us a peek behind the glittering curtain. It shows the ugly side of Hollywood, and the way even boys and men can be victims in the world the #metoo movement exposed. It’s an important reminder that the shine doesn’t always tell the whole story, and Jennifer Hartmann handles it with real care, giving the book some depth beneath the romance.

The fake-relationship trope is one I will happily read again and again, and the second-chance angle adds an extra ache. Stevie’s wariness is completely understandable, and you spend much of the book wanting to wrap her up in a blanket while also cheering her on. Falling for the guy who shattered your dreams could cost you everything, and that tension kept me turning pages long after the bus pulled into the city.

If you love second chances, fake dating, and a touch of heartache with your happily-ever-after, pop this one on your list. 


Amazon: https://link.amazon/B08yVh00f



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