Reviews - Lotus | The StoryGraph

2.78k reviews for:

Lotus

Jennifer Hartmann

4.14 AVERAGE

smariethompson09's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

glopagan's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

green_mm's review against another edition

2.75

dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book had a sweet premise, as childhood best friends reunite after years of unthinkable hardship and gnawing uncertainty to reform their bond and realize they were always meant to be together. I also enjoyed the mystery weaved throughout the novel and thought Hartmann did a great job arousing skepticism of characters and events as the plot progressed toward an ultimately interesting conclusion. I am rating the book kind of low, though, because of what I perceived as millennial cringe in the writing style and dated, redundant references found throughout the book. Plus, I thought the way Oliver spoke was odd and unnecessary; his parents’ dialogue was typical, as was his captor’s, so for him to speak in an overly formal, bordering robotic fashion just seemed like a cheap way to signal his “upbringing” as an isolated abductee. In my opinion, there was no compelling reason for him to talk the way he did.

Content Warnings

humingbirdvick's review against another edition

4.25

hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

aneye4romance's review against another edition

5.0

Oliver Lynch went missing on Fourth of July leaving behind a devastated family and his very best friend in the world, Sydney Neville. When he reappears 22 years later he remembers very little of his old life apart from the little girl with pigtails he thought he invented in his imagination.

The world has grown and changed without him and now he has to figure out where he fits into this new world. The one thing he knows for sure is that Sydney somehow got him through it all and he needs her now more than ever.

When Oliver went missing Sydney lost a huge part of her that she never thought she’d get back. She’s kept everyone at a distance so afraid they’d leave her. But with Oliver back and determined to break down her walls can she open her heart to him again?

I feel like the main trope of Jennifer’s books is you’re going to suffer but you’re going to like it. I flew through 70% of this story in one night before succumbing to sleep and finishing my binge the next day. This book has so much beautiful raw and painful emotions that you can’t help but be swept away. I fell hard for Oliver’s adorable articulate honesty. His lack of understanding of social cues was hilarious and cute as could be. I loved his adorable animal sidekick too.

Definitely mind your TW as this book handles some very dark subject matter and while there is an HEA there’s a lot of emotional trauma and damage to sort through first. Prepare yourself for a lot of build up too cause this one is a slow burn.

This book easily slid into a top read of the year and I am excited but nervous to spend more time in this world with her upcoming release.