♾️/5

All the stars! ALL!
This is the second book from Jennifer Hartmann that I have read this year and once again I am blown away!!!

Oliver is kidnapped and held hostage for twenty two years. When he is free, he learns how to rebuild his life, relationships, and himself.
Sydney’s heart broke the day her childhood best friend disappeared. She has built walls around herself and when he returns, nothing is the same.

This book was absolutely incredible. There were twists and turns that blew my mind! The feelings you get reading her books make you feel like you are right there with the characters. They are relatable, lovable, compassionate, complicated, and hilarious.
This was such a heartwarming, heartbreaking read. I will be thinking of this book weeks after reading it and I look forward to reading it over again. Jennifer Hartmann is an auto buy author for me from here on out!


📘: Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann
🗓️: September 5, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Hartmann, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

Tropes:
-Childhood Best friends
-Friends to Lovers
-It’s always been you
-Slow Burn
-Romantic Suspense


This book broke my heart into a million pieces, then put it back together. This was such an incredible read. I absolutely adored these characters with all my heart. This is a book that will stick with me forever.

The tears started falling when it finally revealed the meaning of the word LOTUS!!

I also loved the Still Beating “Easter Eggs”.

“Two words Moist Muffin”… I cackled.

I just love this book.

Thank you to Jennifer Hartmann and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books.

After reading Still Beating, I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't disappoint. If you've read Still Beating, this book is connected by side characters making an appearance, but that's it. This book was heartbreaking and devastating in its own way, but it was hopeful, and it was everything I needed it to be. I was kept on my toes, trying to work out the mystery, and I was wrong to the identity of the person. Very highly recommend this book.

This is my second book by Jennifer Hartmann and I’m hooked! I loved Oliver and Sydney. I was hooked immediately and couldn’t put it down. So much so that I had to get the audio so I could listen to it when I couldn’t read! You will definitely feel all the feels while reading this book. There was also humor to make you chuckle. Which was needed because there were times that this book was very heavy. I would definitely recommend reading Still Beating before reading this book, but it is not absolutely necessary. As I have mentioned this book did have some heaviness too it. Make sure to check for content warnings if needed. The only bad thing about this book was that it ended! I definitely recommend this book!

Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann

I went into this book blind, I didn’t know what to expect other than what I read from the blurb. Oliver and Sydney are childhood best friends, one day Oliver disappears and after 22 years he returns home, returns to Sydney.

I don’t want to give much away from this book because it was absolutely amazing. It was interesting to see Oliver’s and Sydney’s love for each other and how they slowly learned from one another. Jennifer Hartmann did a wonderful job with this story, there were so many unique things about it, one especially being the beginning that caught my attention in this book 😂 There were parts of the story I didn’t understand and that made me want to read further to understand because why Oliver? Was he always meant to be the one? What happened to the other characters? this book made me ask myself so many questions where I wouldn’t get the answers until I read on and I am so glad I did because the ending was 100% worth it! Although when I finally did learn the reason my heart broke for everyone 💔 This book was written beautifully and so well thought out it was just perfect. Oh! also the meaning behind “Lotus” was perfect like I never even thought of it, I thought there was another meaning but the actual meaning was so much better 🫶🫶🫶

Overall this book was an enjoyable read and if you’re reading this review you should 100% go read Lotus it would definitely be worth your time.

Lotus has become one of my top reads of the year!! I fell in love with Jennifer Hartman’s writing through this novel and I need everyone to pick up her books and obsess over them with me! She has a beautiful way with words and her stories are unlike any others you’ve ever read. The original premise of Lotus is angsty and painful and I recommend checking TWs but this story needed to be shared and I confidently feel Hartman handled the delicate topics very well. The love story between the characters stands brightly and I absolutely adore the strength of the heroine and the care of the hero. The tropes, the characters, the plot, and the writing make this one of the best books you’ll read all year so please read Lotus ASAP!!

I finished this book yesterday and I am still processing this book. It was heart wrenching, but endearing all the same time. I could not put it down, from the moment I picked it up. The internal conflict each character was dealing with and the external circumstances of their lives was told in such a way that was truly captivating. I experienced a plethora of emotions from joy, to anger, to sadness, to fear, to celebrating. This was the first book I have read by this author, and I cannot wait to read more. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this magnificent book.

As with every book I've read by this author, I was completely sucked into the storyline. So many twists and turns in this book that I did not see coming. I just love her writing and the chemistry she creates between the main characters.

Sydney and Oliver were childhood best friends. One day on the 4th of July, Oliver goes missing for 22 years. I couldn't read this book fast enough trying to find out what happened to Oliver. I had so many questions and with many surprising answers.

Sydney and Oliver's love story was so unique and beautiful. The connection between them was still so strong after all those years. They had such different personalities, yet somehow fit perfectly with each other. I loved the different relationships throughout the book - Sydney with her sister and Gabe both stand out.

Even with the heavy material that drove this book, the author brilliantly is able to interject some humor throughout. She creates characters that you can't help but love and root for.

I really don't think I can put into words just how much I loved this book! Oliver and Sydney were everything.

“𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒖𝒑, 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏… 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆.”

I am a wreck after finishing Lotus. It was utterly captivating, brutally heartbreaking and damn perfection. From start to finish I was hooked and on the edge of my seat needing to see this pan out and know that Oliver and Sydney were going to be OK and get to a HEA. Oliver... omg where do I start. What he had been through and how he came out of it all broke me. He made me laugh and he made me cry. I was so happy that he got his chance with his Queen of the Lotus. The suspense in this story really was brilliant. I couldn't predict how it was going to pan out and I love being kept guessing untill the end. It was great having Cora and Tabitha back. I am so excited now for Gabes story. After everything him and his leading lady have been through I know I'm going to be put through the wringer but I can't wait. If all Jennifer Hartmanns books are of a similar standard to Still Beating and Lotus I know she's going to end up as a definite auto buy author for me. This book consumed me and will stay with me 🩷

LOTUS is a blazing fast read with a great storyline and heart-wrenching emotions. Once I started this book, it was near impossible to stop until I had finished. I quickly fell in love with Oliver and Sydney, and rooted for their happy ending the entire way.

This was my second book by Jennifer Hartmann, and now on a quest to track down the remainder.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review LOTUS!

This was my first book by Jennifer Hartmann and I was completely blown away. I love childhood friends to lovers however this had a darkly unique twist full of suspense and romance that I couldn't put this down. Although Lotus is a slow burn I was completely absorbed with this mix or thriller and romance and I truly think this is going to be a massive hit. I highly recommend to any dark romance fans as this won't be like anything you've ever read before.

"My Heart was with a ghost"

This tale is a little dark and twisted with just the right amount of suspense, romance and spice to keep me awake in the wee hours of the night. It was often difficult to put down and I was surprised at the depth of the overall story. I am not even sure how to categorize it exactly, it felt like thriller mixed with romance and I loved that.

Oliver has been missing for 22 years. When he finally returns home to his brother and childhood best friend, he must acclimate back to normal life. The connection between Sydney and Oliver is still alive as much as it was when they were kids, but as adults it feels like something more. Sydney and Oliver must fight their own respective demons to see if love can truly blossom after a 22 year tragedy.

The storyline was very captivating and unique. I adored Oliver, even though I generally do not love cinnamon roll type men. He was just so sweet and I couldn't not love him. I found Sydney to be a little grading sometimes but it felt right in the story actually.

tropes:
Friends to Lovers
It was always you
miscommunication
slow burn

This was my first Jennifer Hartmann book and overall, I was very impressed with the writing, the plot and the characters. I loved the genre mix and I am definitely off to read Still Beating next!

Jennifer Hartmann's prose is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the characters' emotions and the world they inhabit. The writing is poignant and filled with moments of introspection that delve deep into the hearts and minds of the characters.

As the narrative progresses, the novel explores themes of forgiveness, healing, and the power of second chances. It's a reminder that even in the face of the darkest moments in life, there is always the possibility of redemption and love.

"Lotus" is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that left a profound impact on me. Jennifer Hartmann's storytelling is nothing short of extraordinary, and I found myself fully immersed in Sydney and Oliver's world. This is a story of love's endurance and the resilience of the human spirit, and it will resonate with anyone who appreciates a beautifully crafted tale of lost and found love. "Lotus" is a poignant reminder that, in the end, love always finds its way back home.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from I received a complimentary copy of this book from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

OMG Jennifer Hartmann does it again. I am obsessed with her books and her writing. This is a stunning, sensitive and beautifully worded story following a rekindling friendship that turns into something more. Oliver is a such a strong but gentle character who is learning to navigate a new world. Syd is the girl who has a dream right before her eyes and is determined to help Oliver unlock all the memories he has blacked out from his mind.

The chemistry between these 2 characters is stunning. Hartmann nailed the paced of this book!! Nothing felt rushed and each character felt real, fully developed, and have woven their way into my heart. I adored the friendship between Gabe and Sydney. It felt balanced as a story of trauma healing, friendship, and relationships. I cannot get this story out of my head. Hartmann masterfully wrote this story and there are so many quotes that I have written down. It's such as effortless reading experience that will both break and mend your heart.

Thank you Jennifer, bloom books and netgallery for an ARC of Lotus in exchange for my honest review.

What to expect:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Overcoming trauma
- Long lost love
- Second chance
- Heart warming romance
- Slow burn

Have you ever read a book that you know will stick with you forever? A book where writing a review is so hard because you just don’t know how to put into words how much you loved it? This is one of those books for me. The other one was “Still beating” which is also by Jennifer. ABSOLUTELY WOW! First off, I need to say Jennifer knows how to write the most beautiful, heart wrenching and captivating novels.
Jennifer had my heart breaking only a few short chapters into the book and I couldn’t help but feel all the emotions the characters were feeling throughout the book.
Oliver is the most beautiful and wholesome man! I loved how innocent and abrupt he was, and after the amount of trauma he went through, it was beautiful to see him grow and start a new life, trying to adjust back into society and never giving up.
Although this book is a dark romance, Oliver’s personality made the topics of the story so much lighter. His honesty, lack of social cues and the way he spoke added humour into the story which made me love the book that much more.
Oliver and Syd were meant for each other. Even as children, they shared a beautiful connection, a connection that was so strong it gave Oliver hope throughout his captivity, even when the memories of her faded.

Other things I loved about this book:
- The secret that Clementine kept all those years. That plot twist was one I didn’t see coming.
- Reading more about Tabitha (character from Still beating)
Fave side character:
- Does a racoon count as a side character because I absolutely loved Athena and Oliver’s relationship 😂

This is my first Jennifer Hartmann book, and I am so happy I received an ARC of Lotus! The author's narrative style was simply brilliant, luring me to unearth the beautiful relationship between childhood friends Sydney and Oliver, Oliver's subsequent kidnapping, and its long-term impact on Sydney.

I strongly suggest reviewing the trigger warnings, as multiple sensitive issues are covered.

Oliver's progression and character development were emotional, while Sydney slowly grew on me. Both characters had to face their fears before finding their way to one another. The slow burn element beautifully progresses throughout the book amidst well-written supporting characters. The final reveal tugged my heartstrings, and yes, I did get teary-eyed towards the end.

I look forward to reading more from the author. Thank you, NetGalley & Bloom Books, for providing an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

"All these years, I've never given my heart to anyone...The truth is, I didn't have a heart to give. My heart was with a ghost."

Jennifer Hartmann absolutely WRECKED ME with Lotus. If you're a fan of Still Beating, make sure to pick this one up as it takes place in the same universe. It is less dark, but it does touch on sensitive subject matter, so check TW prior to reading.

Next door neighbors/childhood best friends Sydney and Oliver were inseparable....until the fateful day that changed everything. Oliver was kidnapped and now, two decades later, he's found but is missing all of his memories prior to the abduction. Sydney never forgot her best friend and now she's determined to help him acclimate back into the world that he's missed out on. As they grow closer, it becomes harder to deny their connection, but will they both be able to let go of the past and move forward together?

Y'ALL. I don't know how she does it, but Jennifer Hartmann writes the most incredible, gut wrenching yet heartwarming at the end stories that I've ever read. 5 stars simply seems like too low of a rating for a book that I'd give 100 stars if I could. The characters were perfect. Oliver was such a well developed character and I loved every word that he said. His comic books and the reveal of the meaning behind the lotus had me WEEPING. I was hanging on every word and shocked by the twist that I never saw coming. The ending was happy and left me in my feels and the epilogue was everything.

Happy Release Day! (find my full review at my blog!)

I have had Lotus on my TBR for a few months ever since reading the blurb a while back. As soon as I started reading, I could. not. put. it. down. I didn't want to eat, sleep or do anything else until I was done. This story is all the "-ing"s : captivating, heart warming and fascinating.

Summary: Oliver returns to "real life" after 22 years in captivity. He finds only his childhood crush, Sydney had still been holding out hope for his return. Sydney had been holding onto her childhood dream, until finally it came true. Oliver navigates his new world, with the help of Sydney, as she battles internally with what her heart has always wanted, and what's right for Oliver.

The Good:

Oliver. All of Oliver is fascinating and genuine. I thought he was well written and well thought out.
The setting - I felt like the town, neighborhood and the rest of the characters were detailed
The writing - poignant enough, while not being pretentious.

The Not as Good:

Sydney was very unlikable, and not in the way that I normally enjoy that makes the character more "real". Her priorities were very very skewed and unrealistic. There were no real redeeming qualities I found, and she was more like a name or stand in.

The twists. I thought this book should be shorter. I felt like the overall twist wasn't as successful as it could have been.
Overall:

Read it. Read it now. You won't be able to put it down or think about any other books for a while.

Thank you to Bloom Books for this ARC Copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting story. I was very curious about the kidnapping plot in this one but fell in love with the romance. Oliver was very swoon worthy. This story was emotional. If you’re looking for something a bit different I recommend giving this a try. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this copy.

Cover and description made me want to read this book. And I must say at the beginning I was fearing it might become a "did not finish* book - because I didn't like Syd ( she would probably not be a friend of mine ). Also I was afraid that we wouldn't know what happened to Oliver BUT we got ALL the answers and it was great.

And oh my god the meaning of LOTUS!! it was perfect!

Oliver and his story made me go through the pages I didn't like ( mostly Syds "blabla ) and in the end I really loved this story!