“Live every day like it’s your first. Lasts are tragic. Firsts are exciting and full of celebration.”

This book hit me right in the heart. I’m not sure I’ve ever highlighted so many times in a book. I’m excited to get my paperback on release day so I can tab them all.

Jennifer Hartman is a beautiful writer and I think that her talent truly shines in Catch The Sun. Such a beautiful, tragic, and hopeful story. Have your tissues ready but also prepare your heart because this story latches onto it.

“Words are never innocent. They’re either weapons or remedies. Like seeds, they grow and expand, becoming skyscraping trees or invasive weeds.”

There’s just something so beautiful about books written about that soul deep young love and not many can do it justice but this book makes you feel everything that Max and Ella do, which is a lot. Catch the Sun captivated my attention from the start. Both Max and Ella were so well written and so easy to connect with.

“Love is war. You fight until you win, or you fight until you lose.”

This story is about tragedy, love, healing, friendship, hope, and perseverance in the face of darkness you can’t quite see your way out of but you keep pushing through to the light in the end where the sun is shining so beautifully. I 100% recommend this book if you love any of the below. It is one of those reads that will stick with me.

☀️ Reasons to read:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Small Town
- Beautiful writing
- First love
- A captivating, beautiful story that grips your heart from page one. ♥️

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

How can I put into words how deeply I fell for this story. Jennifer Hartmann’s writing gripped my heart and refused to let go. No words can truly express the depth of my emotions or convey the masterpiece she has written. Reading this felt like chasing a fleeting ray of sunlight, trying to catch the sun.

Jennifer, the journey you took us on, with its heart-wrenching moments and all-consuming love, left me utterly speechless. I’m at a loss for words. I’ll cry myself to sleep tonight, overwhelmed by the all emotions from falling in love with Max & Ella!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced e-copy of Catch the Sun, in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Hartmann's 'Catch the Sun' delivers a heart wrenching YA romance that explores the complexities of life, love, and overcoming adversity. The story follows Max and Ella, childhood friends reunited after a decade of separation.

The novel's strength lies in its exploration of heavy themes. Ella's brother's incarceration and the resulting social stigma she faces add depth and poignancy to her character. Max's responsibilities as a caretaker for his disabled father and his desire to provide a normal life for his brother McKay create a compelling narrative.

While the YA aspects may not appeal to all readers, the darker moments are executed with brilliance. The novel would have benefited from a slightly shorter length, allowing for a more focused and impactful storyline.

Despite these minor criticisms, 'Catch the Sun' remains a highly enjoyable read. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the plot offers a rollercoaster of emotions. This was a solid 4.75 stars for its compelling themes, emotional depth, and overall engagement.

OMG!!! Jennifer Hartmann knows how to make your heart stop. I think mine stopped at least three times in this book. This was such a heartbreaking but heartfelt book. I went through every emotion imaginable . Thankfully I'm not the type of person that cries but it you are make sure you have the tissues around. This one will put you though the wringer. The characters and story were so well written that I felt like I was living in the moment with them. I felt everything they felt. There were so many plot twists in this nook that I couldn't put it down. Jennifer had me hooked from the beginning until the end. This is a YA book and you will definitely want to check trigger warnings. This book deals with a lot of different situations that could be hard for some people. I would HIGHLY recommend this book. Jennifer Hartmann never disappoints so I would also recommend any of her other books as well. Grab a blanket, get cozy and enjoy this emotional but beautiful book!

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

An emotional angsty young love story that was devastatingly beautifully written. A couple chapters in I thought to myself, oh it’s not as sad and traumatizing as the previous books I’ve read from JH. Just wait, as you go into the story more the emotions will rise and as soon as you think all is calm everything explodes. A great read.

Where to begin?! I'm not at all exaggerating when I say Jennifer Hartmann is one of my favorite authors and is an auto-buy/auto-read whenever she comes out with a new book. Most of her books have garnered 5 stars from me (easily). This book was different. Now gimme a second to explain before you crucify me. As her first YA novel, I was intrigued because let's all admit, most of JH's writing does not qualify as YA. She's not afraid to get graphic - not that I mind! Immediately starting this book, I thought - OK the characters might still be in high school, but this is absolutely NOT a YA novel. I'll explain more below.

It's not uncommon for her novels to have some length to them, which is ok since they're typically so hard to put down that you breeze right through them. For the first half of this book, the pace was extremely slow burn. I struggled to trudge through. That could be the younger character element. I understand the necessity for the backstory but it did feel overly drawn out and for the first half, I really thought 'wow - is this book barely going to qualify as a 3 star?' That pained me... seriously.

The second half - holy guacamole! Action-packed doesn't begin to describe it. Finally!!! Here's the Jennifer Hartmann we've all come to know and love! I laughed - I cried - I whipped through the pages at an alarming speed. Does the incredible second half of the book make up for the almost painfully slow first half? That's the question you'll have to ask yourself. My answer is YES.

Now to get into the issue of what genre this book truly falls into - I'd say 'New Adult'. While yes, there are parts of the book where the characters are kids - specifically an extended period of time where they're 17/18, when you see YA - you expect no foul language, no sexual content, etc. That's not the case with this book, which is why it really should be categorized as New Adult Romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and Jennifer Hartmann for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

First, I want to thank Jennifer Hartmann for an ARC of "Catch the Sun" in exchange for an honest review.

Every single book by Jennifer rips my heart open. This wasn't any different. The prologue sucks you in immediately - I could not put this down once I started.

Ella and Max stole my heart. Grief is hard, and it's messy - Jennifer portrays it perfectly.

Now excuse me while I cry. 🫶

Oh. My. Goodness. This book broke my soul, then healed it, then broke it again.

Childhood friends Ella Sunbury and and Max Manning reunite in high school ten years after life sent them separate ways. Ella returns to the small town of Juniper Falls, TN as a lonely 17-year-old reeling from the highly publicized trial of her brother, who is a convicted felon on death row. Though she is shunned and bullied by her peers for her association with her brother, she and Max rekindle their friendship and lean on one another for support.

I'm not a big reader of YA books, but this one caught my eye, and honestly, the only thing "YA" about this book is the age of the charactes for most of the story. This story tackles TOUGH issues and is not an "easy" read, but it is BEAUTIFUL. The writing is superb, full of life and color and feeling. I loved how the author weaved so many sweet little details into the narrative, making you fall hard for the characters. There were times I wanted to rip my hair out at some of the characters' decisions, but the challenges they face and how they heal was very compelling. I think Max has become my all-time favorite MMC!

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read this wonderful story and provide my honest review!

I tiptoed around this book for a few days now. Reading Catch the Sun by J. Hartmann, published by Sourcebooks Bloom Books - I just knew it would tear me apart. And I was right. It did - in best way imaginable.
Ella and Max are friends since age 7. But Ella had to leave. Now, 10 years later she's back and moved in just across the road from Max. But she changed. She's just a shadow of her old self. She just wants to be invisible, following the huge scandal her brother is responsible for.
A raw and gritty ya contemporary romance full of twists that had me guessing til the very last page.
A masterfully crafted, epic, outstanding novel, one of my very few fav in 24, I recommend the book.

Title: Catch The Sun

Author: Jennifer Hartmann
Genre: Romance

Rating: ★★★★★

Wow, wow, wow…… one hour after finishing this and I’m still crying!!!!!! What a story!

At seven years old, Ella Sunbury and Max Manning were inseparable best friends. Life scattered them in different directions when Ella abruptly left town. Now, a decade later, she’s back for their senior year of high school, moving in right across the street from Max.

But Ella’s not the same girl Max once knew. She now carries the weight of her brother's notorious crime, which shook the nation and left her living in his shadow. Shunned by her peers and desperate to blend into the background, all Ella wants is to survive her last year of high school in peace.
Max, on the other hand, has his hands full with a disabled father and a distant twin brother. Despite his many responsibilities, Ella's return rekindles old feelings. He’s determined to be close to her again, to understand her struggles, and maybe even turn their friendship into something more.

As their relationship blossoms, new tragedies threaten to disrupt their lives once more. Together, they must navigate the darkness to find the light and rediscover the bond that once made them inseparable.

"Kissing you feels like catching the sun…" is a heartfelt story about rekindled friendships, overcoming past shadows, and finding love in the most unexpected places.

From the very first page, Catch the Sun by Jennifer Hartmann had me hooked. This beautifully written novel took me on such an emotional rollercoaster ride, with all the feels from heartache to hope, and everything in between.

What I loved about this book is the depth of the characters. Max's unwavering support for Ella, despite his own burdens, is touching. Ella's struggle to reclaim her identity amidst her brother's shadow is realistic, heartbreaking and relatable. Their journey from childhood friends to something more is filled with tender moments and heart-wrenching challenges.

The romance blossoms naturally, with Hartmann masterfully building tension and connection between Ella and Max. Just when you think they've found their footing, new tragedies strike, testing their bond and their resilience. The emotional stakes are high, and the author doesn’t shy away from exploring the dark moments, which makes the eventual light feel all the more rewarding.

I cried so much throughout this book... and I'm still tearing up just thinking about it. The raw, emotional honesty of Catch the Sun makes it a standout read. It's a five-star journey of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, this is it.


Thank you to Blooms Books, The Author Jennifer Hartmann & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I knew Jennifer Hartmann was gonna take me on this journey of whole earth shattering heartbreak and I still sign up because I love her writing so much!!!! I absolutely binge read this book and loved every minute of it !!! The development of characters and plot was done beautifully

Make sure you are prepared for some deep trauma and love that is truly tested with this story. Our FMC, Ella, is mourning her brother. He didn’t die, at least not yet, but he is sitting on death row. And our MMC, Max, is dealing with a difficult home life as he cares for his father and brother. Neither is interested in love, but once upon a time they had been best friends and that friendship doesn’t seem to want to let them go. This story was complicated and extremely compelling. Max and Ella were continuously drawn to each other as the only bright spots in their otherwise dark lives. Such a great read!

Catch the Sun by @author.jenniferhartmann comes out July 16, 2024. Thank you @valentine_pr_ and @netgalley for sending me an eARC of this book!

Please read trigger warnings prior to beginning this book.

Max and Ella were inseparable as kids, but her parents' divorce forced Ella to leave town abruptly, without a chance to say goodbye. Now, ten years later, Ella returns and moves in across the street from Max. However, time has changed them both. Ella is stigmatized due to her brother Jonah, who is now a notorious felon on death row. She faces ostracism not just from her peers, but also from her teachers. Meanwhile, Max is preoccupied with caring for his disabled father and trying to ensure his twin brother McKay enjoys a normal teenage life. Despite these challenges, Max yearns to rekindle his friendship with Ella. Yet, life’s complexities mean he must put in considerable effort to make things work between them.

This YA romance is quite the emotional rollercoaster! It features numerous ups and downs, with some frustrating and heartbreaking moments, along with some overly sweet and cheesy ones, and a few very dark scenes. The darker elements were truly brilliant. However, be sure to check content warnings before diving into this one.

I will admit that the second half was far more compelling than the first. I found the first 30% a struggle to get through. This was my first book by Jennifer Hartman even though I have been seeing her books all over Bookstagram. I am so glad I received a chance to read this early as I thoroughly enjoyed the book! I am 100% going to be reading her other releases ASAP!

“Grudges are a burden on the heart, so I turned my heart to stone”

As always, this book ripped my heart out. The characters in this book are seniors in high school. It is themed around young adults, but this book is FULL of heart ache, some dark themes, and some on page spice. I would say good new adult aged and up book because of this.

Ella and Max meet in grade school age and are separated for awhile due to life changes. When Ella has to move back to where Max is they re connect.

Ella is a black cat, and has a very tragic past and I loved seeing max peel around her outer layers to help her open up. Max also has plenty of heart ache and well above his age in terms of responsibilities.

This book has lots of suspense and twists that were literally jaw dropping to me, and was written phenomenally not that I’m at all surprised by that!

This is my favorite Jennifer Hartmann yet.


“Forgiveness without love is one thing. But love without forgiveness? That’s like a tree without roots; it can’t stand for long. It can never truly live.”

Catch the Sun is listed on NetGalley as a YA novel. While I have read 36 YA novels this year, Catch the Sun is not one of them. It is very much a true romance novel spanning about 15 years and containing multiple sexually explicit scenes. The only thing YA about this novel is the ages of the main characters for the bulk of the narrative, which is quite long at 448pgs.
None of this is meant to be negative. In fact, this book was a fairly quick read despite its length, and the story was very compelling. I especially loved Ella's backstory as the little sister of a notorious murderer on death row. I did find the characters to be a little too one dimensional, especially the side characters. I know Kai bakes and is a great artist, for example, but I don't think he had more than 3 scenes of dialogue in this entire book despite being present for most of it.
Catch the Sun is a great read for anyone who loves a deep, long-term romance wrought with serious obstacles but ultimately a happy ending 💖
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this ARC!

4.5 Stars

Wow!! Another phenomenal romance book by Jennifer Hartmann. I am convinced that she cannot write a bad book. Just like her other books, the love story between Ella and Max was a painful one yet beautiful. The only critique I have is although it was fun to see Jennifer do something different by writing a Y.A novel, I think I would have personally enjoyed this story if the characters were a bit older.

I've never read anything by Jennifer Hartmann before but I'm in love! I normally don't cry reading books, but this one got to me. I was so emotionally connected to the characters and loved seeing them grow, progress, and fall in love with each other. The characters are all so loveable, and the book is a super fast read. I thought it was going to be a typical coming-of-age story, high school romance, type of story. And while it was, the story include some dark points but doesn't distract from the romance and chemistry going on.

There are also diverse characters, including two gay dudes, and I love seeing diversity in books expanding!

I have mixed feelings about this one for my students. The love story and the healing aspects were moving, all the complicated family dynamics were as well, but many parts of the story were overly dramatic and not realistic. Hard to talk about without giving spoilers but that is way more than would happen in real life. The sexual content was a little too explicit for many of my students as well. It was a long book as well.

Rounded up from 4.5
Max and Ella were inseparable when they were kids. But her parents' divorce forced Ella to leave town without being able to say goodbye. When she is back in town 10 years later, she moves in across the street from him. But neither of them is the same. Ella's brother is a now a notorious fellon on death row, and Ella has to pay for her Jonah's mistakes, being shunned not only by her peers, but by her teachers too. Max is busy taking care of his disabled father, trying to give his twin brother McKay the teenage life he deserves. Nevertheless, he wants his friend back. But life being what it is, he will have to work hard to make things work between them.
This YA romance sure was a rollercoaster! It had lots of ups and downs, some very frustrating things (and characters), some heartbreaking things, so bubblegum and rainbow super cheese moments and some very dark moments. The pacing and balance between the two was a bit weird. I didn't like the more YA side of things, as I am not a big fan of YA in general, but I was willling to make an exception for this author (when you read a Jennifer Hartmann book, you're not there for sunshine and unicorns, right?). But the darker parts were pure genious. No need to say that you should look up the content warnings before diving in to this one. I feel like it could've been a 100 pages shorter and pack a bigger punch. The second half was much more interesting than the first half. My mind did go a bit further in the dark and twisted side of things as I was expecting certain things to happen that would've made for a stellar twist, but the author took another road. I really enjoyed it overall nonetheless!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book will lead you down and emotional roller coaster ride and hold your hand while doing it. What a heart shattering read. It breaks you, and heals you and breaks you again. I have read a couple of Jennifer's books but this one might be my favorite. Max and Ella are certainly survivors and I just want to give both of them the biggest hug ever. I love all of the little things Max does for Ella, the rocks, the notes, the Dr. Pepper, he is just amazingly perfect and I'm so glad he gets to Catch his Sun. Ella is so strong and resilient and I feel for her so much. There is so much longing and heartache in this book, but the pain is worth the journey.

I have so much more to say but don't quite know how to put it in words. 6 Dr. Pepper stars!

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.