Lotus: Second Chance Love with Romantic Suspense

Steph’s pick- July

📚Book Review📚 Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann Published: April 18, 2021 2.75 ⭐️ Before diving in, let’s start off by saying this author was another first for me, so I really didn’t know what to expect from her writing. As always, the cover grabbed my attention by displaying an absolutely stunning lotus flower as the primary focal point. After reading the synopsis, which sounded very intriguing, I became very excited to see what this author had to offer. In a nutshell, it’s about a developing ‘love story’ between two childhood friends that was suddenly stripped away when the young boy was abducted. To everyone’s surprise, he returns home, alive and well, about two decades later. With that alone, you knew you were heading for an emotional rollercoaster ride… but were you? Hartmann’s writing was clean, making it very easy to read. She provided us with the drama and slow burn between the FMC/ MMC, however I’m not sure I would have classified it as a ‘love story’. I feel like that’s where she failed, and here’s why… The relationship between the MC’s didn’t feel genuine in any way, shape, or form. Rather than focusing more on his emotional healing and building on their relationship, it almost seemed like Oliver was a programmed robot who was excessively focused on his sexual interest in Sydney. Many times I felt like he acted more like her lost puppy than her friend/ love interest. On the flip side, I felt like Sydney was very generic and ruined the whole story. She was extremely annoying and selfish, particularly towards Oliver (which pissed me off). Not to mention, for someone who is supposedly around 30 years old, she talked and acted like she was a child. Still watching Rugrats and wearing Dinosaurs underwear?? Everything Oliver brought to their ‘relationship’, Sydney squashed it. In my opinion, their relationship was very disconnected, unrealistic, and unengaging, and Oliver gave Sydney way too many chances to redeem herself. Most people would’ve put a kabash to their pursuit after the first couple of times being treated like crap. And what was the deal with the raccoon?? So weird and unnecessary. Overall, the story wasn’t horrible, maybe frustrating, a bit drawn out, and lacking some depth, but not horrible. The plot twists towards the end of the story added some mystery and violence into the mix, making it feel more of a mystery/thriller rather than your typical relationship building romance novel. Because of this, it caused the ending to feel a bit rushed and clunky, almost like the author was desperate to keep the reader interested, but didn’t know how to actually conclude it. All in all, would I recommend this book? Probably not. It’s one that will not be remembered by me, other than the beautiful Lotus 🪷 on the cover.

3.5 ⭐️ 2 spice

The beginning of this book was very confusing. It took me a couple of chapters to understand what had happened and was happening. I almost thought the beginning should’ve been a throw back to little Sydney and Oliver as younger kids. The ending was cute but I was definitely over the back and forth of frustration/storming off from both of them (mostly Sydney).

I loved this read. Very original premise. Sydney and Oliver were MEANT to be each other's person ❤️ I have swooned completely for Oliver! He can cook, draw, cares for animals... He READ Sydney's book for some (incorrect) insight on being physical, but he tried! I'm sad that he wasn't more upset about the loss of his mother. Sydney is funny, sarcastic and super loyal. My biggest concern were all the red flags from her home invasion that she kept brushing off. I find it very realistic that her best guy friend is just her as a guy and I find their relationship refreshingly healthy. I'm glad she was able to break down her walls for Oliver. my heart breaks for Clementine. I wish more for her