Jennifer Harrtmann writes original and intense storylines where the characters have suffered but yet love manages to prevail. I love these books - - it is like catnip to me.

In Lotus, Sydney's best friend, Oliver returns after being missing for twenty-two years. They all assumed years before that Oliver had probably died but yet he didn't. No only is Oliver still alive - - he and Sydney appear to have some crazy natural chemistry. As children, they were best friends so when Oliver went missing, Sydney was devastated and never truly recovered.

This story was written in a way that flowed. It was effortless to read the book because the characters were so well developed and the plot was unique and well executed. A true gem.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration was good and I enjoyed listening to this story as much as reading it for myself. It was well-done and easily pulls the listener into the story. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to read/listen and review them and the opinions contained within are my own.

This book was absolute perfection! There was heartbreak, laughter, swooning… so many emotions. I found myself smiling and my eyes watering multiple times. Jennifer writes in a way that you feel like you are right there with Oliver through everything past and present. The story weaves different series of events seamlessly and I liked the twists brought in throughout. I loved every scene involving Athena! This book is by far my favorite I’ve read all year!

This book is in my re-read folder for a quite some time. I read, loved it, annd re-read it again, and loved it even more.
Lotus is one of these rare stories that stay with you, refuse to leave and when your're caught up in everyday life, they sneak up on you, demanding a re-read.
Sydney Neville lost her best friend on the 4th of July 22 years ago.
And now he's back.
Oliver Lynch was held in cap for decades and now he discovers a whole new world, strange, outlandish. But his constant is Sydney. Both still have a strong connection, even when nothing is as it seems, literally nothing.
Lotus is an incredible, outstanding read that I can't praise enough. I recommend the book.

This is my second book my Jennifer Hartman, and I think I am official a fan. This is the second book in something of a series. The first book, "Still Breathing" tells the story of 2 star crossed lovers who are forced together in a kidnapping torture scenario. The main character of "Lotus" is mentioned in "Still Breathing" as a passing news story. Oliver Lynch was kidnapped when he was only a boy and held captive for 20 years. He faces physical, emotional and psychological hardships as he returns the present world and the little girl he left behind. It's a sweet love story, a steamy romance and a twisty thriller. I am excited to keep reading her books. This is part of trend of dark romances with a HEA.
More like 4.5 stars. I would have given it 5, but there's a racoon I couldn't get behind.

This story was beautiful, heartbreaking, and mysterious. I loved the reading experience of this one.

Oliver disappeared as a little boy on the 4th of July. While the rest of world moved on, Sydney was never the same after losing her best friend. She lives her life with this loss as a shield around her. Twenty-two years later, Oliver reappears after being held captive. Confused, lost and overwhelmed, he works to rejoin society. Sydney can't believe it, but is thrilled to have her best friend back. Their friendship picks up where is left off, but begins to blossom into something more. The closer they become, the more they realize secrets and scars stand in there way. As the mystery behind Oliver's disappearance threatens to surface, their happy ending may be only a dream.

I've been a fan of other Jennifer Hartmann books and this one was no exception. I loved how the story focused not only on the romance, but Oliver's reintroduction to society. His innocence and naivety was both sweet and heartbreaking. I was really rooting for the characters' healing throughout the story. You could just feel the connection between Sydney and Oliver while reading. The mystery and twists around Oliver's capture were wild and I was shocked by the final twist.

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy!

This book follows Oliver, the boy who disappeared on the Fourth of July at a young age and Sydney, the girl who always wondered what happened to him. The absence of her best friend has shaped her life, leading her to build around this void.
After an astonishing twenty-two years, Oliver unexpectedly returns, having endured years of captivity underground. Despite the changes he faces, his connection with Sydney remains strong. As their friendship rekindles and deepens, both grapple with painful truths that keep them apart.

I found Oliver's character and his storyline to be highly engaging. The concept behind his abduction was different, and I was genuinely surprised by the way all the twists and turns of the story. I believe his role holds the most depth and significance in the story, and he genuinely deserved the positive conclusion his character received. The relationship between Oliver and Sydney navigates through trials that no young individuals should ever encounter.

I wished I would have liked this book more. I did not fully connect with the storyline. I couldn't help but feel that the pacing of their journey was slow, and the chemistry between the characters didn't resonate with me as much as I would have liked. I did finish it, and appreciate the story overall.

All the stars! 🤩

“The Lotus will bloom into the most magnificent flower, even when its roots are in the murkiest of waters.”

This is my first book my this author, and holy hell, I want to read them all now! Next one on my radar is Still Beating and I have found a new favourite author.

Lotus is one of those unique stories that blends and incites all the emotions. At its essence we meet Oliver and Sydney, childhood best friends. Until the day he was abducted 22 years earlier …

“We’ll be best friends forever, right?” “Yes. Until I die.” “Even then, I’ll find a way to bring you back.”

Picking up where Oliver has escaped captivity, we see the effect his disappearance and subsequent return has on all family members and friends touched in the aftermath of this tragedy. The author does a remarkable job giving Oliver’s character a rich stream of depth and emotion. Between all the fabulous characters, I laughed, I cried, I bawled.

Add to the narrative some wickedly, clever twists and we have a 5 star book!

Many thanks to @tantoraudio @bloombooks @sourcebooks and @netgalley for an advanced ALC and eArc 🙏

Such a beautiful and unique story

I absolutely loved the writing style & will definitely re read this in future!

One of my new favourite books!

4.5 stars. When I was about 60% into this story, my husband walked into our room and asked why I was reading with my eyes crossed. We had a laugh then I explained that this book felt like a yo-yo to me. The story comes around over and over again, each time dipping a bit deeper with more information. As a lover of books and devourer of words, this meant it took me longer than usual to read and absorb. The story just layered, and I went back and read the first couple chapters and saw that all the clues and skeleton of the story was there but the author masterfully made it feel like you knew what was happening (or what would happen) before circling around and giving you another breadcrumb. Bravo, Jennifer Hartmann. I will most definitely be reading more of your books in the future (when I am not indulging in my love of romcoms.)

This book is a dark and thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat! 😱 Thank you SOURCEBOOKS and Jennifer Hartmann for sending this book my way in exchange for my honest opinion. 🙏 It has been on my TBR forever and I finally understand what all the fuss is about. 🙌

When I read the premise, I was hooked from the beginning. 🎣 I had read another Jennifer Hartmann book and I knew that this would be quite the ride. 🎢 And boy, was I pleasantly surprised! 😍

I personally thrive on stories with broken characters that find that missing part through a partner in love. 💔 And we have two extremely broken characters that really needed each other. 💞 I was amazed by how this story unfolded, not only in that romantic way I love, but also how they started to heal. 💗 The plot twists were gasping out loud moments. 😲

I really enjoyed the narration and I have to say this story was so different, so raw and romantic at the same time that I couldn’t stop listening. 🎧

This dark romance thriller had me hooked from the start! The plot twists were shocking and the characters were so broken and raw. I loved how they found each other after being apart for 22 years. This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you love suspense and spice, you’ll love it too!

I rated this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ because this story was so unexpected and I loved it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ because love. 🌶️🌶️ for its spiciness.

If you are looking for a dark romance thriller that will make you gasp, cry, and swoon, then you should definitely check out this book! Don’t miss this amazing book that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions! 😭😍😱

5/5 ⭐
2/5 🌶️
5/5 🎧

I absolutely adore this book. There is something so sweet and sincere about Oliver, you can't help but love him. Add his personality to a riveting story with a dark undercurrent and you have a beautiful story practically guaranteed to wreck your heart.

The audio was fantastic. I absolutely loved Marie Hawkins and TJ Clark in these roles and how they brought this story to life.

Sydney is so quietly broken... Having lost her best friend in a tragic way at such a young age messed her up more than her friends and family realized. I loved watching her come back to life and facing her demons after Oliver resurfaced. And Oliver, ohhhh Oliver. His little nuances, lack of "street smarts" and the way he loved Sydney grabbed my heart and just refused to let go. I loved these two so dang much.

The mystery aspect of this story was something else and when reading it for a second time I noticed so much alluding to the darkness lurking in the background. This book wasn't just about a man found after 22 years and I really enjoyed the web Jennifer wove.

Listening to this book again made me so impatient to re-read The Thorns Remain and June First again as well. I loved getting to see Evan and Brant in Lotus after reading their own stories this time around. And of course, I'm even more anxious for Gabe and Tabitha's story, it's going to be incredible.

This book was not for me. I didn't really connect with the characters,, and I'm generally not a fan of childhood soulmate romances. The pet raccoon side plot was kind of weird. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

"The Lotus will bloom into the most magnificent flower, even when its roots are in the murkiest of waters."

This was such a unique storyline! I was super interested after reading it being mentioned in Still Beating. This book was definitely lighter than that one - which I think is the reason why I enjoyed it more.

I love Oliver & Sydney together, and love how they rekindled as friends first, before moving things forward romantically.

Also, how he was caught in the first place?! Plot twist there LOL.

Absolutely heartbreaking, beautiful story that will have you at your highest and lowest all at once.

The tragic disappearance of Oliver Lynch on that fateful 4th of July. Thought to be dead, but found years later. For Sydney, this was phenomenal as her best friend was back even if he was dealing with being back in society and everything he had gone through, which you get bits and pieces as the story progresses.

We really do get to see the overwhelming toll of what occurred with Oliver and how he interacts and picks up on the little and it just absolutely broke my heart with how adorable, innocent and soft he is. With that being said, once the feelings began to fly Sydney did need to take the reins just a little bit.

I absolutely loved the tender loving care in giving Oliver a support system in this novel between Sydney and his brother Gabe and how they went above and beyond to give him the space or care needed to sort things out.

The romance though? He totally falls first, while she tries to give him the space to acclimate and gain a sense of normalcy and the tension was so much you could cut it with a knife. Like. If they were sitting across the room from each other, you could simply feel its immense intensity. They were filled with so much want and desire, and it simply exploded once it came to a head.

This compelling and deliberately emotional novel is filled to the brim with all the heavy hitting topics that Jennifer writes with immense care.

I absolutely loved this book, once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I love this author! Thank you so much for the ARC.

OMG I absolutely loved LOVED #Lotus !!!!!
It has everything going on , some mystery/thriller, some "horror" , some smut/romance , friendships & relationships that make me jealous 😂 I LOVED Syndey's 90s obsession ! 90s girl here 🤘
Loved this book & most of the characters . I absolutely love Oliver , we all need one of him.
Great character development in this book.
I'm still craving all the food that was talked about lol this book made me hungry.
Also made me NEED to listen to barenaked ladies .
Overall this was just a fun book with some deep issues but overall I loved it.

Thank u #NetGalley for an amazing Arc.
I recommend to everyone . ❤️

This book was so amazing! I would give it 10 stars if I could. The love story between Sydney and Oliver was one of the best I’ve ever read. Jennifer Hartmann is one of my favorite authors. This one the second best book I’ve read this year, the first one is “Still Beating”. I also enjoyed the side characters Gabe, Tabitha and clementine. Great book! I cant wait to read more by Jennifer.

Jennifer Hartmann really knows how to rip your heart out and then slowly mend it back together.

This book was amazing, and the plot was so interesting and the twist was so unexpected. I love all the books Jennifer Hartmann writes, and this one did not disappoint! Highly recommend!

Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann captivated me with its powerful emotional depth, leaving me in tears at several scenes. Even days later, I find myself unable to shake off its grip, as my mind continues to dwell on its profound impact. The urge to revisit and relish the cherished moments within the book has become irresistible, as my fingers eagerly itch to delve into its pages once more.

This book was heart wrenching and amazing! Do you expect anything less than perfection from Jennifer Hartmann? I do not! I saw her speaking at a book convention and have been intrigued by her writing ever since, and this book certainly did not disappoint either. This story was beautiful and mysterious (with a side dose of some trigger warnings, reader be aware), and I will continue to recommend it and delve into her other works!