A review by cheyfay1995
Older by Jennifer Hartmann

mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5 ⭐s
3.5 🌶️s

Jennifer Hartmann always knows how to take a taboo premise and make it emotional, but Older left me feeling a little conflicted. The writing is smooth and engaging, and the emotional beats hit hard—especially the moments of vulnerability between the characters. The forbidden, age-gap element definitely adds tension, and Hartmann handles it with a surprising amount of care.

That said, the pacing felt uneven; the slow-burn tension sometimes dragged, and a few plot choices didn’t quite land for me. I also found myself wishing the character development went deeper in certain areas, especially around the moral and emotional fallout of their relationship.

It’s heartfelt, a bit messy, and undeniably addictive—but not my top favorite from her. Still, if you love her brand of angsty, morally gray romance, Older delivers just enough to keep you hooked.