This was my second book by this author and I think I may be in love with her writing. She has such a way with her words that gives you all the feels. I think I may even like Lotus better than Still Beating. This book really has a plot like no other book I have read before. The way Oliver is with Sydney is just so moving even after everything he had been through. Tangerine will forever make me laugh. And Gabe, is he going to get a book? The character development it just so inspiring.

EMOTIONAL romantic suspense
Childhood friends to lovers
Best friends brother
Virgin hero
Love after trauma
Fated lovers
Slow burn

💓 Oliver + Sydney 💓

*Check triggers*

This book is heartbreaking and so insanely beautiful ❤️. Oliver has escaped from being held captive for 22 years. He is such a unique character full of strength in a unbelievable way.

Sydney took a bit for me to warm up to but her growth and their growth together was beautiful to witness.

I enjoyed the narration of this as well.

Thank you to netgalley and Jennifer Hartmann for this ALC.

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.

Just okay. It got rave reviews when previously published, but I guess I just didn't connect with it. I didn't care for the male narrator, and the female narrator was find until she voiced the male part. So, yeah. Just okay.

4 Stars
Sydney and Oliver
This is a re-release; I did the first release in October and was lucky enough to listen again, this time with new narrators. I enjoyed the narrators from before. But I will say I think I may have enjoyed the new narrators more. I felt like they just fit the story. You felt their emotions.

This author isn't afraid to pull out these deep emotions from us or from the characters. I felt like Sydney was just as traumatized as Oliver was.

This is one of my all-time favourite tropes' childhood best friends.
Healing is a huge part of this book from every character we encounter. Oliver, who by all accounts could and should be more traumatized, wants to learn. But also work through what he doesn't know. I liked that he had his brother and Sydney to help guide him, even if I wanted to shake Sydney at times.

But then you must think about his abduction from her POV right like she was just as traumatized as he was. She just hides her well. Oliver's healing seems to help Sydney heal as well.

Gabe, the brother, yes, he was a help, but sometimes he really was more of a hindrance.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. But do check your trigger warnings.

3.5⭐️
I was absolutely intrigued about the plot when I first read the summary because I (just like every other basic bitch) love true crime. I think it's fascinating and to read about a victim (albeit fictional) who escaped and is trying to acclimate to the real world was so unique. However, the execution ultimately was a bit of a let down.

Loved the hero Oliver. I mean, how can you hate this man though, he's so precious and made me laugh out, i love him 😭 But I hated the heroine. Sydney was way too selfish and annoying, constantly gave him mixed signals, and made everything 1000x harder and more complicated than it should be when it came to their romance.

The audio was good, but not the best. I found the narrators voices a bit grating when it came to some of the dialogue, especially if it was voices of the opposite sex. Overall though, it was quite enjoyable especially with the suspense at the end!

*Audio ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!*

I did not read Still Beating before reading this.

Wow. This book had a LOT going on. I was a little confused at first but once I got a few chapters in I caught on to what was going on. There were twists and turns at every corner. Whenever you think you figured out was going on, something else would happen to ask you even more questions. Sydney and Oliver's love story is beautiful but also hard to comprehend sometimes. There are so many layers to what they have dealt with both separately and together. There is so much trauma in this book that it inspires you to do better. If these 2 people that have been through so much can make it, so can you. I was floored by the ending but it also all made sense and clicked together once you found out the true villain. The narrators of this audiobook did a great job. Both of their voices were fitting for the characters. Oliver's voice was perfect. I think he did a great job of making the voice sound equally childish and mature, which is a significant part of Oliver's character. If you have not read this one, I definitely recommend. I have had Still Beating on my TBR for a while and am considering moving it up on my list due to enjoying Hartmann's writing style.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing an alc in exchange for an honest review.
Lotus rereleases September 5, 2023

<i>“There is beauty to be found everywhere… even in the things that scare us.”</I>

I loved the audiobook production! The male narrator made it very easy to distinguish between present Oliver and his childhood flashbacks.

Review:

When Sydney was the age of 7, her childhood best friend and neighbour, Oliver, went missing. After being abducted for 22 years, he has finally been found alive and slowly, we get to see his acclimation back to civilian life, and living with his step-brother Gabe in their childhood home.

For two decades, his abductor had him convinced and brainwashed to think that the world was destroyed and that the air was contaminated.

One of Oliver’s coping mechanisms to living a life in solitary was to create comics and what he thought to be an artifical companion — the Queen of the Lotus — but was actually a character based off of his little remaining memories of Syd.
Throughout the story, we learn the significance of what Lotus means (when I tell you my jaw DROPPED).

This story is so tragic, so complex, and so full of emotion.
With Hartmann’s writing, it’s very easy to form attachments and strong feelings to the characters within the opening pages.
It takes a lot of skill to write a character who was isolated for two decades, through all of their major developmental stages of life, to be so charming and with characteristics akin to a child-like innocence in a way that is not at all childish, and without a single bad bone in his body.

I was really wracking my brain on what Bradford’s motivations were for taking Oliver, and then when everything was revealed, my heart was in my throat.

Every last puzzle piece was connected and no stone was left unturned in terms of answers and what happened to every character leading up to that fateful fourth of July.

This story had me fully hooked from start to end and I could <I>not</I> put it down.
The domesticated raccoon was the most unexpected yet hilarious part of the story, and we even get a crossover from characters that were from <I>Still Beating</I>!

cw: SA involving a child

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 🙏

Lotus

5 Stars

Wow! Jennifer Hartmann is a pro at writing emotionally gripping romances. These characters had so much depth and I absolutely fell in love with them. Oliver’s pure essence and the way he approaches life completely melted me. He truly is one of my all time favorite characters.
This story takes you on an emotional journey that spans over 2 decades. Sydney and Oliver are neighbors and absolute childhood best friends. One fateful day, Fourth of July, Oliver goes missing and he isn’t heard from for 22 years. Sydney and her now best friend, Gabe (Oliver’s stepbrother), are shocked when Oliver is found alive and unharmed.
This story follows along as Oliver reacquaints himself with the world around him, as Sydney fights all the walls she’s built after losing Oliver so many years ago, and how their connection continues to pull them together regardless. As Oliver finds answers, there’s only more questions and what everyone knows as truth, is quickly unraveling.

Gripping, emotionally riveting, I was completely pulled in. I’m having trouble finding the right words, but just read this story. ITS SO FREAKING GOOD!

I listened to the audio version narrated by TJ Clark and Marie Hawkins. I think TJ Clark portrayed Oliver perfectly. His demeanor and innocence was visible in the way he was narrated-beautifully done! Marie Hawkins also did and amazing job voicing Sydney. 10/10!

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! 😭😍😱

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I liked this one significantly more than Still Beating by the author. However, I’m personally not a fan of the narrator for Oliver. He sounded so robotic and emotionless the entire book. Reminded me of those fake AI robotic voices. Book would’ve been 5 stars with a different narrator.

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.

3.75 star, 2 spice

What a unique plot! Oliver went missing at just 8 years old, 22 years later he is found and we get to follow his and Sydney’s love story. They were childhood best friends, and now we get to watch them sort out their feelings for one another as well as see Oliver re-integrate into the world.

I had a hunch about some of the things, but the twists and turns at the end were shocking! (Check your triggers)

I struggled a little bit to connect with Syd, but loved Oliver and Syd together.

Thank you RB media and Netgalley for the Audiobook ARC of this book. The narration was very good.

I really thought I’d like this book after reading the premise, but unfortunately this fell very flat for me.

The characters were frustrating and it felt like the story drug on. I felt it very hard to connect with the storyline & characters. I do appear to be in the minority though, so I hope this works for more of you than it did for me!

Thank you NetGalley & Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this republished book before its rerelease in September!

Oh god wow. That was insane and heartbreaking and twisty and just absolutely amazing.

I’m pretty sure there will be tears in my eyes while writing this whole review.

Oliver and Sydney childhood friends separated and then when reunited just click again. You can just feel the zing they have for each other. LOVE THEM.

I loved both of their progressions. It was all just so incredible. My heart was in my throat a lot, I was on the edge of my seat. There was jaw dropping parts, and other moments that brought me to my knees. I had lots of feelings. I still do. I just gah. I loved it so so much.

Make sure you check the triggers because it has quite a few.

This was absolutely perfect. At first I was like ‘WTF’ and then ‘oooooh okay’ and then ‘oh no, this is so sad’. Like always, Jennifer Hartmann makes me feel everything from despair to fear, to angst, to love and joy. Oliver and Sydney are so sweet, the fact that they (sometimes unknowingly) held on to each other during all of these years is amazing and it was so great to watch them fight and overcome their hardships so they can open their heart for love. Also, this author is a true master of plot twists, it’s insane.

The audiobook was awesome, great narrators both in their role and in each other’s as well.

This was a very lovely and emotional love story. I would classify this as romantic suspense. As a child, Sydney's best friend Oliver had gone missing. Twenty-two years later, Oliver is back and the childhood friends reconnect. Their reunion is a powerful story. There are some darker elements in the story so please check triggers warnings if you have any.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the advanced listener copy. The narrators Marie Hawkins and TJ Clark did a wonderful job.

“I crave to be inside you more than I craved freedom in all of those twenty-two years combined.”⁣
⁣
I read this book last year and cried and swooned throughout most of it. Jennifer Hartmann has a way of just slaying me and ripping emotions straight from me.⁣
⁣
So when I saw there was an audio of this, I immediately needed to listen to it, to see how these narrators brought Oliver and Sydney to life and they did so beautifully.⁣
⁣
If you haven’t read Still Beating yet. My most favorite book ever. Check your triggers. Oliver was mentioned, as the man who was found after being missing for 22 years. ⁣
⁣
Flash forward to Lotus, and we follow his journey back navigating the world after being abducted and living in a house with a stranger since he was a child. He didn’t know anything outside of the stranger who raised him in solitude and the comics he lived through with a little girl he tried to remember to keep his mind busy.⁣
⁣
Sydney never expected for her best friend to show up after all of these years. She never stopped loving her best friend. Loving a ghost her entire life and being unable to follow through relationships with other people because she hoped he was still out there somewhere.⁣
⁣
Their journey isn’t simple, but their love is SOO beautiful. He’s here. He’s alive. He’s everything to her. Their connection still runs deep but there are missing pieces from their past, that ultimately leave deep rooted pain, that they have to overcome as friends and possible lovers. ⁣
I devoured this audiobook just as quickly as I read this and loved every minute of this heartbreaking and heartwarming journey of these two lost souls finding each other again.⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fantastic book that played with all my emotions. I opted to go into this book blind and what an electric ride…dreaded when the book came to an end. Oliver was such a sweetheart and his narrator (TJ Clark) did a fantastic job conveying his chapters. Sydney... often made my head hurt with her dramatics and irrational antics. Aside from an engaging storyline, all the characters seemed to play a pivotal role at some point. I would definitely recommend this addicting book, especially the audio version.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted ARC (audiobook)…as all opinions are my own.