A review by readswithdev
Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

WOW. 

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I fell in love with Jennifer Hartmann’s writing in Still Beating and this one was no different.

Lex and Stevie’s relationship is a rollercoaster from start-to-finish, one where you will never want to get off of the ride. The emotions I felt while reading this—my heart hurt and healed and hurt again in every Act.

I appreciated the depth of both characters. I adored Lex and his internal monologue. How his struggles were portrayed from Act I when they were in High School to when Stevie and him re-meet in Act II to the culmination of Act III. And Stevie—I wanted to wrap her in a hug the entire time. She has such a big heart and you can’t help but root for her. 

The portrayal of Hollywood to show the toll it takes was crafted so well. Lex and Stevie’s lives are so entangled, but at the same time, they are complete opposites of each other—and it works beautifully. You have Lex, who already knows all of the ins and outs and ups and downs of Hollywood even before the book begins, and then you have Stevie, who is thrust into the world of stardom without truly knowing about it, and the way they try and protect each other in their own way through all of it is heart-wrenching and heartwarming all in one. 

JH’s writing is absolutely phenomenal. I have no other words for it. The way you’re able to put yourself in every scene and feel what the characters are feeling. It makes you want to pick up everything she writes—be a book or a grocery list—and not put it down until you’ve read the whole thing. 

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann and Valentine PR for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review 🤍