I loved listening to this! It was so well done, I couldn’t put it down. It made me laugh and shed some tears. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.

I really enjoyed Oliver and his storyline. I thought that the whole idea behind his kidnapping was really unique and different and I was definitely surprised when everything finally came together at the end.

What I didn’t like was that the majority of this book ended up heavily focusing on his and Sydney’s sexual relationship as opposed to diving deep into what someone in his situations would be going through and feeling after everything he’s been through.

I feel like we got the bare minimum of getting to see him reacclimate himself into society as well as the backstory of what actually happened to him all those years that he was gone - and instead we focused on the fact that he’s a 30 year old virgin and is experiencing all of thoseee type of things for the first time…. which I think is definitely important considering this is a romance book, but I wanted to see a bit more of everything else as well and I felt like it was too much of all of that, and not enough of the latter.

I was also not a fan of Sydney - I think she was a cookie cutter character that didn’t bring anything special to the story… Oliver was so amazing and unique and she was not only a forgettable character, but actually annoyed me many times throughout the book - she really ended up bringing my enjoyment for the story down because the majority of my issues stemmed from her actions.

She always had a sexual edge in every thought and conversation she had with and about Oliver - she brought unnecessary drama and jealousy to their situation, she was too push and pull with him which is the opposite of what someone like him needed in those moments, she always overreacted, talked before thinking things through and just made everything more dramatic than it had to be.

Furthermore, a lot of things felt unnecessary to me even if some of it came full circle by the end. She randomly mentions that she had a stalker right at the beginning of the book but we never got more details other than that one mention of it, then she gets attacked and it felt like it was totally just brushed off and felt super random up until the very end of the story… so even though it came full circle, it felt too random in the moment and threw me off while I reading the rest of it. I also thought that all of the side drama with his brother and her sister was unnecessary.

Additionally, I didn’t like how every single character was focused on sex instead of dealing with this life altering development that is the basis of why they all are the way they are today. I feel like all of the deep stuff was completely brushed over and it made the entire book feel really superficial —- His brother constantly telling him he’s gotta get laid, her sister telling her to bang Oliver, her sister sleeping with his brother and then later his brother getting with someone else — even the fact that Sydney and Gabe had hooked up at one point… there was just too much unnecessary drama and information.

But what saved the story for me was Oliver - I really liked him and I enjoyed following his story even though I wish we got to see a bit more of the moments and internal thoughts that ended up happening off page — I also enjoyed the ending when everything finally came full circle and finally some of the randomness didn’t feel as random anymore, as well as getting some satisfying answers to some of the questions I had throughout the book.

So overall - I think this was a great premise for a story and it didn’t completely flop in my eyes, but I think it focused on the wrong things and could have been a much more memorable and hard hitting story if it pivoted away from the physical attraction between the two of them and instead focused slightly more on the fact that he was kidnapped for 22 years and somehow survived. We got the bare minimum, but with a story like this… I wanted more than that.

Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann is a deeply emotional and beautifully written story that explores themes of love, trauma, and healing. The novel follows a young man who is rescued after years of captivity and the childhood friend who becomes his lifeline as he tries to reintegrate into the world. Hartmann’s writing is tender yet raw, capturing the fragility of her characters’ emotions with incredible depth. The slow-burn romance is perfectly paced, balancing moments of sweetness and heartbreak as the characters navigate their pain and rediscover hope together. The themes of resilience and unconditional love shine through every page, making Lotus a story that is both heart-wrenching and profoundly uplifting. It’s a book that stays with you, long after you’ve read the last word.

I never listened to it because my NetGalley app wasn't working properly. So I had to uninstall it and then all but two of my audio books were gone.

Oliver and Syd's love story has altered something in my brain. This is only my second book I have ever read by Jennifer Hartmann and her other one still lives rent free in my head and I think about very often. I have a feeling the same thing will be said about this book. Lotus was very, very different than I anticipated, I went in entirely blind and I was wholeheartedly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Jennifer brings us through the entire spectrum of emotions over the course of this story and while I feel washed and a bit exhausted, I also feel completely fulfilled. Oliver and his quirky self could very well be one of my favorite MMC's to date and I simply adored him and the way he adored Syd. Infinite stars. I honestly cannot wait to listen to this again down the road.

3⭐️

Oliver Lynch was the little boy who went missing on the Fourth of July but to Sydney Neville he was her best friend and she was never the same once he disappeared. 22 years later Oliver returns after being held captive underground and Sydney still feels the pull between them but will they be able to overcome their trauma?

You’ll like Lotus if you like:

-childhood best friends to lovers
-dual pov
-slow burn
-suspense/mystery
-🌶🌶

Please check trigger warnings! TW including kidnapping, torture, SA.

There were things I liked about this story and things I did not. Oliver was the gold star of this story. I enjoyed Oliver’s journey throughout the story but would have liked to have see more of him working through his trauma. I felt like he was leaning a little too heavily on Sydney, which numerous side characters also stated through the book. For Sydney, I wasn’t crazy about her. Sydney has major abandonment issues and due to that she was constantly pulling Oliver close then leaving him high and dry. She has trauma over losing her best friend and it has shaped her so much as an adult, which is very valid but I felt like her trauma over took Oliver’s trauma of literally being kidnapped and held underground for 22 years. I honestly would have rated this book lower however the last 20% really saved it for me. The twist really brought it together for me and keep me engaged for the rest of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advanced audio copy for an honest review.

Jennifer Hartmann is one of those authors that ill read anything she puts out.
This book was excellent, and met all my expectations. Please always check trigger warnings, as always.
I could never imagine I would have liked this even more than still beating, but she knocked it out of the park.

5⭐️ 3🌶️ 5🎧

Jennifer Hartmann has quickly solidified herself as a one click author for me. This was so unlike Still Beating, yet her elegant writing and masterful story telling shone through and made this so uniquely Jennifer.

I absolutely adore Oliver. He’s smart, unknowingly witty, and so pure and innocent despite all the trauma he’s endured. His beautiful spirit and willingness to fight for and protect Sydney at all costs even after being separated for decades left me teary eyed and warm inside.

And Sydney was such a complex character that felt so raw and real—fierce, yet vulnerable and forever a reminder that trauma is widespread and doesn’t affect just the victim. Watching her work through her issues with abandonment, attachment, and trust was so heart wrenching and when she finally broke though, I felt my heart swell with pride and satisfaction.

The plot was so much more complex that you believe at first glance and I loved watching it unfold, along with the twists, turns, and unexpected villains I never saw coming. I adore Jennifer’s side characters yet again—cheering for the return of Tabitha and Cora—and I am crossing my fingers for Tabitha’s very own book because despite having her twice now, I’m not quite ready to let her go and I’d love to finally get the full picture. I love that Jennifer’s books are mostly interconnected and I’m so excited to see where the next read takes me.

The narrators were absolutely fantastic and I felt so immersed in the story. I’ll absolutely be seeking out future books they narrate and hope Jennifer uses them in the future again as well. 🤞🏼

ARE YOU KIDDING??? i’m in love. this story was beautiful, and SO UNIQUE! I’m not gonna lie, after ‘still beating’ I had high expectations.. and this did NOT LET ME DOWNNNN!! Childhood friends to lovers remains superior!!!!! Oliver had me so emotional this entire book, he was the perfect mix of sweet / romantic & innocent but yet spicy when needed. Sydney was an angel, and I adored everything about her. AND THE SIDE CHARACTERS IN THIS??? i’m obsessed. There was not a single moment where I wanted to put this book down & the plot twists had me by MY NECKKKK. This is one of those UNFORGETTABLE stories yall.. Jennifer Hartman does it again!

i’m gonna need a gabe & tabitha story immediately pls & thank you.

also getting to see hear about my babies Dean & Cora made me giddy!

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

THE NARRATION WAS JUST AS GOOD AS THE BOOK

Another book by Jennifer Hartmann that I don’t have words for. This was a fantastic follow up to Still Beating. Sydney never forgot Oliver, and Oliver never forgot her. Oliver was kidnapped when they were barely old enough to remember each other, but that didn’t keep the memories away. When Oliver miraculously returns after 22 years, and he is forever changed. The only person that can connect with him is Sydney.
Some parts of this book were gut wrenching. I can’t imagine what Oliver went through, but Jennifer does quite the job bringing the story to life. I wanted to hold him and protect him from the outside world, but I also wanted to hold his hand and bring him into the strange new world too, just as Sydney wanted to. I loved Sydney’s devotion to Oliver and his brother. She would clearly do everything for them, and she loved them both in different ways.

I enjoyed listening to the audio of this book. It made me feel even more in the story than simply Jennifer’s words on paper. The dual POV really helped connect with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for my ALC of this book.

Thank you, Tantor Audio and NetGalley, for allowing me to read the ALC of Lotus in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Once Upon a Time, a little boy named Oliver went missing on the Fourth of July. Oliver was best friends with Sydney. Now, it is 20 years later, and never in Sydney's wildest dreams did she think Oliver would return.

I have wanted to read a Jennifer Hartmann book for the longest time, which is why I requested Lotus on NetGalley. It has been many months since I first read Lotus, but I still stick by my 2-star rating.

The premise of Lotus was very intriguing, but I did not feel it was executed well. I question if this book may not have been for me because I read it on audio. I find some books work well as audio and some do not. This could be one of the reasons for Lotus.

The chemistry between Oliver and Sydney was lackluster. The chemistry could have been lacking because Oliver and Sydney had been apart for so many years and because Oliver had been living underground for all those years, which alienated him from the modern world.

As the story progressed, I wanted to know what happened to him. His character arc was great. As for Sydney, I found her unlikeable.

I am hesitant to read another book by Jennifer because this book was a letdown for me, but I own Still Beating on my Kindle and will give the author another chance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I absolutely adore JH's writing! Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me early access 🥹

If she writes it I will read it. Jennifer knows how to rip your heart out and stitch it back up. Smash it again but then make it more whole. I just cannot get enough of her books!!

I wanted to enjoy this story more than I did but it was slow and the peeling back of the layers of the mystery took so long that I lost interest. I had read Still Beating first so I was hoping to be enthralled like that book, but this slow burn romance didn't draw me in.

The main character Oliver was kidnapped as a child, before he was eventually escaped after 22 years, and this book was his reintegration into society and with people. He held on to Sydney as a connection to life as he suffered at the basement where he was held by a doomsday psycho. Sydney was a childhood friend and she wasn't really my favorite Jennifer Hartmann heroine. This relationship didnt make me feel good so I couldn't enjoy this book the way that I wanted.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the audio for this book. This was my first Jennifer Hartmann book and I have to say wow what an emotional story this was. Our main characters Oliver and Sidney are so easy to root for as a couple, and I loved seeing them both grow individually and together once they were reunited.
In this book we have childhood best friends, romantic suspense/thriller, and the sweetest MMC.
Please make sure to read the Trigger warnings before diving into this book.
Over all I really liked this story and thought the narration was well done. I don’t think this will be my last Jennifer Hartmann book

Oliver is such a lovable character. I didn’t connect with the fmc much but their story was still enjoyable. The narrators did a great job

Coming off of still beating I thought this book would be dark but it's really not. The concept is a boy was help captive for 22 years and magically comes home and then we don't talk about that until the last 20 is percent. What falls in the middle is this awkwardly given story trying to prove these characters love each other/falling in love but the age and actions don't work the characters are 29 years old but talk and act like preteens and it's way too awkward for me. If you are looking for a swoon teen romance and can ignore the ages given it will settle better with you

I absolutely love listening this audiobook while reading the actual book. It added to certain aspects and kept me interested in the plot.

Oh my goodness.

I am new to Jennifer Hartmann and am slowly working my way through her books. This story…was like a punch right to the feels. It was unique and interesting. It was heartbreaking and a little bit gut-wrenching. But most of all – it was completely compelling and I was totally hooked on it.

I listened to an audio version of this book and I really enjoyed it. It was beautifully narrated, and done in a way that kept me in the story (keeping my brain from wandering or getting distracted). All in all, this story was so uniquely different from <i>Still Beating</i> but I loved it in almost exactly the same way. It’s different than what I normally read, the story was fascinating (if a little gutting), and I really really enjoyed my time with this story. I will definitely be back for more! ~ Shelly, 5 Stars

Thank you to Tantor Audio, Jennifer Hartmann, and Net Galley for the ALC!

After reading Still Beating, I had to read another book by Jennifer Hartmann and this one was just as good. I really loved the development of Oliver and Syndney's relationship after years of separation. Similar to Still Beating, there is tragedy and loss followed by healing and love. Oliver's character was sweet and sad, as he had missed so much and was trying to learn how to live again. Sydney was kind and also struggling with how to be there for Oliver. It is a beautiful story of friendship to romance. I am most impressed with Hartmann's ability to take stories of knapping and torture and turn them into hope and recovery. Bravo!