I loved this book SO, MUCH.
Oliver is so sweet and innocent and just perfect. Sydney is wild, genuine and understanding.
I appreciated the suspense, mystery and the darker undertones to this really sweet childhood best friends to lovers story,
As I was reading it I couldn’t help putting myself in Oliver’s shoes. He had 22 years stolen from him, everything he knew and loved just ripped away, so heartbreaking.
This book will definitely stick with me for a long time.

Wow what a book. A lot of people talked about this one and I was curious if I would like it as well and I really did. Definitely want to read more from this author.

Any time a book gets republished by a big publisher, it sends a message that it has enough love and following to do so. So I had high hopes going into this book. Unfortunately, I am not in that majority. Lotus has a unique plot, so unique in fact that it hindered the story. It relied on the shock factor to keep you going. But something about it feels wrong, uncomfortable. Maybe even insensitive? I don’t know how to feel about it but I know I don’t feel good.

Brief summary: Oliver is 30 years old and has been missing since he was 7. The book starts with him escaping (although he does not even know he was taken, he thinks the world was destroyed by nukes….. sure okay). He now returns home to live with his step brother, next door to his childhood best friend, Sydney. Basically the entire book is him trying to learn about life and our modern world (again, he thought nukes had destroyed everything, so he does not even know what a “cellular device” is. The amount of times he refers to a phone that way drove me crazy. And “electronic messages”, agh) and a friends-to-lovers romance.

Something about reading this kind of trauma in a romance novel made me feel uncomfy, is this insensitive? Could it be bringing awareness to hard topics? Well not that it matters, because his trauma quickly takes a backseat to the romance. And of course everyone deserves love and healing, but this was executed in a way that just brushed it aside and definitely felt insensitive and ridiculous. And he never goes to see a therapist; we get his inner dialogue saying he does not want to and no one ever brings it up… in fact the only advice he is given is to have sex… Are we on the same page here? Because I am clusterfucked. So with that being said, the majority of this book is about him being a 30 year old virgin and forming a physical relationship with Sydney. There is hardly any realistic focus on him acclimating to life.

The romance was problematic, especially considering his history. Sydney is wishy-washy and gives mixed signals, only wants a physical relationship and runs away because she is scared of commitment. And he becomes her knight in shiny armor, both physically and emotionally. Um, what. A lot of the conflict is about Sydney. Her trauma over her best friend being missing, how that has shaped her as an adult. And that is valid, but it is what fills the whole book. In comparison to Oliver’s history, I don’t have more descriptions, it is ridiculous.

I really wanted to DNF this book but pushed through, to be rewarded with twists at the end that were also traumatic yet predictable. This was just not worth my time.

I received both an audio arc and ebook arc for the rerelease of Lotus. I have a really nitpicky opinion of the audio version; the female narrator whistled with every s sound. I feel pretentious even complaining about something like that but it hurt my ears and definitely hindered my listening experience.

~Thank you to Sourcebooks, Bloom Books, RB Media and NetGalley for this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a rollercoaster (in the best way.) While this is a standalone, Oliver our MMC, is actually first mentioned in Jennifer hartmans book, Still Beating ( which is 5 star book as well). After 22 years, Oliver finally escapes his captors and is reunited with hisonf lost childhood best friend, Sydney. This was such a unique take on childhood friends turned lovers. And I’ll be honest I don’t always love an innocent boy however, the way all over his character is written… I absolutely fell in love with Oliver. Sydney grew up struggling to commit, and ultimately couldn’t let go of all of her. Slow burn emotional just an epic story of overcoming trauma and learning how to keep going. If you loved Archer Hale, from Archers voice, you will really love this book.

A fine book, but just not my cup of tea. I’m personally just not a fan of more suspenseful books like this. And books dealing with child trauma is really hard for me. It’s nothing to the book itself, that’s on me.

This is one of the most unique, emotional and beautiful stories I have ever read. It gave me the biggest book hangover and I don't think I will ever be truly over it. I'm still not okay. I sobbed at the ending. How do some people write such beautiful stories, such emotional prose?

Even if I didn't care for the plot (which I DID, big time) I'd still fall in love with it. I'm sure there's people out there more capable to write a proper, coherent review, unfortunately I'm not one of them. Sorry.

I guess this is a unique spin on a grumpy sunshine trope, if you will. Sydney never forgot her childhood friend Oliver and when he returns from captivity, completely lost and disoriented, she does everything in her power to bring him back to reality. It's a struggle, it's angsty and slow burn and intense, but it's working. She has an upbeat, cheerful vibe that wakes him up little by little. She becomes the queen he always envisioned when in captivity.

Then there is Oliver. Omg. There's some cute, even hilarious moments as he adjusts to today's everyday life and technology, but he never gives up. He doesn't give up on Sydney either, though there is some pining and hurt and fear and miscommunication among them as they try to adjust and accept themselves, their past and their love. Love that became absolutely explosive by the end! For someone who was hidden from the world, Oliver sure knows how to show passion, protectiveness, care and even possessiveness. Loved them so much!

See? Not coherent. Just feels. I love Jennifer's writing and I will read anything she sends out in the world, even though I know there will be hard things to read, triggers and lots of emotional moments and trauma baggage. She just knows how to wrap everything, balance and give the characters the HEA they need and deserve.

"Strength. I use to think strength was rooted in the fight. Prevailing. Surviving the things determined to tear us down. But true strength isn't necessarily overcoming the fight-it is how we fight. It is not within the sword itself, but in how we wield it. And sometimes, it's not about survival at all. Its about living through the worst possible loss, heartache and pain, regardless of whether or not we make it to the other side."

What You'll Find:
✔️Childhood Bestfriends
✔️ALL The Feels
✔️Slow Burn
✔️Multiple POV

Wow. I went into this one right after Still Beating. And while it was not as intense, it still had a level of darkness and heart pounding emotions. I felt for them both. They have this connection, that is both new and old at the same time. There was heat and humor ('the amazon' lol), with plenty of feels. This story so unique which I've found to be a continuing trend with this author and I'm here for it. So many wow moments that made up for it. A great read, and I look forward to reading more from this author!

Edited to add: Did a recent reread on audio-following along in the new Bloom Book paperback version, and loved it even more the second time around. Also love the added comic in the end in the Bloom Books version.

*Thank you to Blook Books for a finished copy and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

This book.. its a book that will have you trapped from the beginning. You go in thinking you know that to expect due to the blurb, but you are mistaken.

You start the book off by knowing that twenty years ago on July 4th a child goes missing. No one had any idea what happened to the child (Oliver). Since so many years have gone by, everyone just assumes that he has died. Then one random day, he is found on the side of the road. The book starts off with Oliver trying to figure out how to live life and adjust being back home. Everyone felt like they get a second chance with Oliver. However, as expected its a struggle.

I love how Oliver is the soft and gentle character, which is expected since he grew up thinking there was no world out there then what he was used to. He has so many reservations but also the ability to read people easier then most. He could tell what Sydney was feeling just by a certain look she would have. I loved reading about him figuring out all the different emotions were, from happiness to arousal.

Sydney was the perfect FMC in my eyes. She acted as if no time went by that Oliver wasn't in her life. She helped Oliver navigate this big bad world he had no idea about. She taught him about all the new technology, she helped him feel comfortable and gave him a support system outside of his brother. You got to see her help him as a friend to eventually helping him develop an emotional relationship with her.

I enjoyed how this book started off as a wonderful friendship and focused on that, until Oliver (and Sydney) was ready to explore the more romance side of their friendship. You get to follow along as Oliver grows into his own person. I also love how each chapter benefited the plot twist and drama that comes later in the book. Honestly the book came off as a book well thought out and not rushed like some books i read with a similar story. There is so much depth, romance, and heartache thorough out this book. To be honest its not a book for the faint of heart. Please check the trigger warnings as some of the topics in the book can be hard to read..

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

check trigger warnings.

Twenty two years ago Sydney's best friend went missing. One day a man finds Oliver and he his thrust back into his actual life, learning to come to terms with what happened and what his life should have been like. Sydney and Oliver are reconnected, to find, once again their friendship and love.

This story was filled with all the emotions. Oliver was sweet, and reserved and had a real connection with Sydney. He seemed to be connected to her feelings. Being held captive for 22 years, Oliver had a lot to catch up on. Sydney was patient and kind and treated his innocence with care. The romance was sweet and intimate but there was also a layer of teasing and playfulness in their relationship..

I’ve been interested in this book for a while and after reading still beating, I wanted to read more by this author. . Oliver was a little mix of everything, sweet and innocent but spicy when needed. Dark but not too dark
Read this along with the audiobook and it was really good

This book was completely unexpected and completely amazing. I expected a love story and got so much more. I loved watching this gentle romance develop in a sweet and sensitive way. I loved Oliver and the way he worked to move back into society. The criminal elements in this story added something extra to this experience. An raw and honest glimpse into the terrible things that can occur in our world and the way we don't talk about them. It was a gentle reminder that there is a path through the pain. This story was full of smiles, laughs, pain, surprises, grief, strength and love. This will be a story I easily recommend to others. So glad I received this gifted copy. Such a unique and special story!

This book was manifested chaos. There was so much going on throughout the entire story that it never gave me a moment to disconnect. It felt like one odd unexpected situation after the next. While it kept me interested, it also made the later half of the books feel hard to connect with on a personal level. It does all come together to make sense at the end, connecting all the seemingly unrelated events and bringing the story to a grand conclusion, which is why it's getting 4 stars from me.

The MC, despite surfacing from a 22 year wildly unique trauma, was endearingly relatable. His purity and innocence drew me in and pulled on all my heart strings. I wanted to protect him at all costs, ESPECIALLY from the flighty, confusing, and arguably very immature fmc. I'm always looking for books with older MCs (late 20s and higher) but this one might have been better suited to a young 20s lead. She definitely clings to her commitment issues while making messy choices that cause pain for everyone involved. I would have liked to see a slightly better character arc/development from her. The character that added the most value was the flirtatious, quirky best friend/younger brother Gabe- who added humor and emotional relief to an otherwise very heavy story.

Overall this was a beautiful, emotional, anxiety riddled, chaotic love story. I will definitely pick up more books from this author in the future.

This book had me captivated right from the start. The story line is unique and beautifully written. Sydney was not one of my favorite characters, but I absolutely adored Oliver. This story is powerful, gut wrenching and emotional, and captivating. What an amazing read.

Oliver is the cutest and sweetest book boyfriend ever! I also loved Sydney’s personality. Actually everyone in this book I loved! I definitely need more from the other characters 😍

Lotus
Jennifer Hartmann

Genre: Dark Romance
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Recommended: Yes!

This book was so out of my comfort zone… and I loved it! After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to go into this book with very different expectations than usual (aka desensitizing myself a little). I’m so glad I did because I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book as much!

Read if you like…
🤍 Dark Romance
🤍 He Falls First
🤍 Hurt/Comfort

Thank you to netgalley and Jennifer Hartmann for an ebook in exchange for a free review!
Rating: 4/5

This was the first of Jennifer Hartmann’s books I’ve read and I’m happy to say I really enjoyed it! Very emotional and good book.

I’m not sure what I was expecting but I certainly was not expecting to cry twice before the third chapter! This book was phenomenal and unlike any story I’ve read. I recently read Still Beating and I assumed if this book was anything like that one I was in for a whirlwind of emotions and I assumed correctly. Oliver’s story is heartbreaking. The love story is beautiful. The writing is amazing. Jennifer Hartmann is easily becoming one of my one click authors. Her stories suck me in and keep me hooked. I would absolutely recommend this book to others!

I thoroughly enjoyed Oliver's unique kidnapping storyline, but I was disappointed by the excessive focus on his and Sydney's sexual relationship at the expense of exploring his emotional journey. Sydney's character felt generic and often annoying, contributing unnecessary drama. Multiple side plots detracted from the main narrative.

What saved the story for me was Oliver's compelling character and the satisfying ending. Overall, the book had great potential but missed the mark by prioritizing physical attraction over the emotional impact of Oliver's 22-year abduction, leaving me wanting more depth and substance.

Lotus, like the other Jennifer Hartmann books I have read, has characters facing some of the worst of humanity. They escape, but the emotional and physical scars are still there. However, there is hope, healing, and love too.

Oliver and Sydney were childhood best friends, but he disappears one night when they are eight. Twenty-two years later he is finally found and their love and friendship is stronger than ever. This was such an emotional, sweet, and heartbreaking book. There were moments that made me laugh and smile, but at its heart this is a story of healing and overcoming terrible things. I liked the dual POV to really understand Oliver and Sydney as they each worked through their hopes and fears. Their bond was unbreakable and I loved them together.

If you have read Still Beating this book is connected but can also be read as a standalone.

3.5/5 Stars
So I've read Still Beating by this author and while I saw potential there were a couple of things that hindered my enjoyment of the book and I think that is the case for this book too.

The concept itself was a very creative way to set up a romance book with one of the main characters previously being kidnapped. So the plot itself was great. The issue is that I had a hard time connecting with the characters and for a cook to captivate me it has to have both interesting plots and interesting characters, The romance and the two MCs' relationship also wasn't my favourite.