Lotus Paperback – April 18, 2021

1st person/dual pov (mostly)Spice: 3/5I have been saying I was going to read this book for a couple of years now and never got around to it... how stupid of me lol. I should have read this as soon as I finished Still Beating! Oliver is this kind and incredibly smart man who has no idea how the normal world operates after being kept in an underground room for over twenty years. With very little human interaction and nothing but time on his hands, he turned to reading anything and everything his abductor would bring him from fictional stories to textbooks. Once he is back home it is clear how intelligent he is when it comes to his education but his lack of social skills gives him this adorable almost childlike quality that you can't help but feel drawn to. The way he talks to people without using any shortcuts or slang makes him stand out and at times offers up some pretty funny moments during his interactions with other characters. I just wanted to hug him pretty much the entire book lol he is seriously the cutest thing ever!As for Sydney, I liked her instantly due to her laid-back and fun personality. She's goofy and doesn't take herself too seriously which is something that I look for in the people I surround myself with. She's one of those characters that I could see fitting into my own circle of friends and it made me feel for her as I would someone I care about. I wanted her to find happiness, I wanted her to heal from missing Oliver all of these years, and I wanted her to allow herself to experience the love that so obviously existed between her and Oliver. Which brings me to another point - their connection. It is evident early on that they have been connected since childhood even when spending so many years apart but I had no idea just how deep that connection ran until the end of the book. I feel like this took 'childhood friends to lovers' and elevated it a notch. And once the answer to the question that has been haunting Oliver for years about the word that followed him into adulthood is revealed you will understand it as well. At that moment I think I cried more than I did the entire book because my heart just couldn't handle how perfect it was. What an amazing detail to write into a story like this! It's so touching and I never saw it coming.The spice was not super heavy but what was there was very steamy and emotionally charged. In a story like this though I wouldn't want more spice because I feel like it could easily take away from the beauty of their journey to finding love. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have cared it there had been zero spice because their story was that good on its own. Ugh, I just can't get over how sweet and perfect they are together!!As for the audiobook lovers out there do not hesitate on this one. I swapped back and forth between reading and listening and the narrators did a fantastic job on this performance. They brought the characters to life and it felt genuine instead of forced. I've never listened to either of these narrators before so at first I was worried if I would like them but they definitely surpassed my expectations and did such a good job on this book!I truly believe Jennifer cannot write a bad book. At least I haven't found one yet and if one does exist I never want to find it lol!*There is some potentially triggering content in this book so be mindful of the TW provided by the author before reading.*

What. A. Trip. This one combined so many great and compelling elements into a story that was sweet, suspenseful, infuriating, and entertaining. The story's well-written and intriguing, the characters grow on you, the romance is sweet and worth the slow burn, and the mystery elements have layer after layer. There are some VERY triggering scenes, so check the spoiler section below for that.I loved the childhood friends to lovers/second chance romance tropes, and I thought Sydney and Oliver were absolutely made for each other. They fit together seamlessly.Sydney wasn't always the most likeable character, and her decision making skills left alot to be desired in a few situations, but overwhelmingly I was rooting for her success and happiness. Oliver was such a precious lil muffin, and I wanted to protect him at all cost! Gabe and Clem also held their own as substantial background characters, and they brought so much life and color to the story.I wouldn't say that I guessed the big twist with complete accuracy, but my suspicions about certain people were 100% correct! And when those suspicions were brought to light, ooooh buddy. That's when things really heated up.The three things that annoyed me about this book were: the overabundance of 90's cartoon/pop culture references; the way Oliver spoke; the nicknames Sydney and Clem had for each other. Being a 90's gal myself, I love me some back in the day pop culture references, BUT Sydney went way over the top. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to make her the manic pixie dreamgirl next door and ended up making her too obsessed. I'm not convinced that Oliver would have grown up speaking like Sheldon Cooper just because he was abducted for 22 years. He knew how to speak before being kidnapped, and he was exposed to TV, books, etc., so I'm not sure how he came out of all of that speaking so properly and analytically. I just don't like the particular names the sisters called each other because I don't like calling any women those names, but that's just a me thing.Overall a great time!

Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann is one of those stories that quietly burrows into your heart and stays there. It’s tender, tragic, and deeply moving in all the ways I’ve come to love from her writing.The story follows Oliver, a boy who was abducted and held captive for over two decades—and Sydney, the girl who never stopped hoping he’d come home. When he finally returns to the world, broken but brave, the two reconnect in a way that’s equal parts painful and heartwarming. Their bond, once innocent and childlike, transforms into something powerful, slow-burning, and emotionally charged.Jennifer Hartmann has this incredible ability to write trauma with such care. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is romanticized. You feel the awkwardness, the pain, the confusion—and eventually, the hope. Oliver’s journey back to himself is handled so delicately, and Sydney is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for: compassionate, loyal, and just as lost in her own way.What I loved:🔹A slow, healing romance rooted in friendship and trust🔹Deep trauma representation handled with grace and sensitivity🔹Emotional depth that’ll have you crying, smiling, and everything in between🔹Characters who feel real in their brokennessThe message that healing isn’t linear—but love can light the wayIf you’re in the mood for a slow-burn romance that’s heavy on heart and healing, Lotus is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after the last page.