I want to thank Jennifer Hartmann, Bloom Books and NetGalley.
Here’s my honest opinion about Older.

Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dramma: 💧💧💧
Sugar: 🧁🧁🧁
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes: age gap - forbidden love - best friend’s dad - slow burn - emotional scars - hurt/comfort

I loved it! No, I ADORED it!
I devoured it in less than 24 hours, and I’m usually not that fast if I have to read in English that’s not my mother language!

This is the second novel by Jennifer Hartmann I read, and if Still beating left me a little bit confused about how to feel, with Older it was love at first chapter.

That’s how age gap and best friend’s dad tropes should be dealt with: you have to feel the drama, the danger, because it’s about a relationship that can destroy everything.
It has to hurt, and that’s exactly what you get while reading Older.

There are yearning and restrain, joy and despair, hope and bittersweet delusion. Heart and mind collide in a continous emotional turmoil.

My heart was in my throat from the first to the last page. It was painful, but all the suffering was rewarded in the end.

The writing style is superb, extremely evocative.

I will never stop recommending it.

If you like angst, strong emotional pull and complex dynamics, that’s the book for you.

I received an free copy of this story from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Older by Jennifer Hartmann tells the emotional and deeply passionate story of Halley, a young woman raised in a broken home, who spent much of her life believing she was unlovable and invisible. That is, until one life-changing night, she meets Reed—a man twice her age—who carries his own hidden scars. Their shared pain creates a powerful connection between them.

Their love story is a slow burn, simmering with tension, forbidden longing, and undeniable chemistry. As they struggle to resist their feelings in order to protect the people around them, the buildup only makes their eventual surrender all the more intense and breathtaking.

I thought the character development in this story was beautifully done. Learning about Halley’s upbringing in an abusive and unloving home was truly heartbreaking, but watching her grow and find herself throughout the story was incredibly rewarding. With the support of Reed, her best friend, and her best friend's mom, Halley gradually found the strength to face her fears and become a more empowered version of herself.

I was completely captivated and devoured this book in under 24 hours. I’ve always been a fan of age gap romances, and the dynamic between Halley and Reed was irresistibly sexy and full of emotional depth. Glad it had a happy ending!

Spice: 3/5
Tension: 4/5
Plot: 4/5

In Older, by Jennifer Hartmann, a girl who has been through a traumatic childhood of abuse and a guarded man find an unexpected connection before he realizes she’s his daughter’s best friend.

Let me be very clear…Older is not a light read. It is, as Hartmann warns, not for everyone (check your trigger warnings). But for those of us who love emotional depth, raw internal conflict, and characters that ache with yearning and restraint, this book delivers in spades.

The age gap here is significant (the male main character is the father of the FMC’s best friend) and yet, the way their relationship develops is so grounded in emotional truth and mutual respect that it feels inevitable. It does still feel taboo, but this isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about timing, sacrifice, grief, and healing.

As always, Hartmann’s character work is phenomenal. You feel the weight these characters carry, especially in the complex dynamic between Reed, his daughter, and his ex. As well as those relationships between Halley and her friend and Halley and her parents. These relationships don’t serve as background noise. Instead, they add emotional richness and realism to the story. And while I would’ve loved a little more exploration of Halley’s relationship with her parents, the glimpses we do get help us understand her deeply ingrained need for love and stability.

The pacing is tight, with enough slow-burn angst and tensions to keep your heart in a vice grip, but never so drawn out that you lose interest.

If you’re someone who seeks out love stories that challenge the rules, embrace vulnerability, and don’t shy away from the ugly parts of love and family, Older will hit all the notes.

Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. This review reflects my honest thoughts and was given voluntarily.

4⭐
3🌶️

.Age gap (16 years)
.Best friend’s dad
.Hurt/comfort
.Angsty as hell
.Found family

I think it's impossible for a book from this author to be anything but good. She has a way of conveying emotions that not many authors have.

Is this my new favourite from hers? No. I still think Still Beating and Lotus are better stories. It's good, but the age gap in the relationship didn't sit right with me. Don’t get me wrong, I do love an age gap, but I like the FMC to be a bit older. Seventeen is just too young. Legal, but still too young. And don't get me wrong, I'm all for taboo romances. It's just that I can't help but think of myself at that age. Definitely not mature enough to be with a 35-year-old (my current age). If this is not your case, then you're going to love this one.

The romance is bittersweet, angsty as they get, and somehow extremely tender. If you're like me and love hurt/comfort as a trope, here you'll get plenty of it.

The book itself was a bit long. I think it could've been cut down by at least a hundred pages. But overall I had fun reading it.

I loved everything this author has written so far. But liking and connecting to a book is subjective. I did not connect with these characters or the storyline.

From a young age, Halley had been abused by the person who was suppose to protect her. She tries to find her place in this world. Out at a party she meets an older man, Reeds, she lies about her age. Before things get too far they are interrupted. Imagine the surprise when Reeds shows up at her best friends house. He’s her dad and Halley is not the age she claims to be.

When I read an age gap kind of story, there needs to be maturity in order for it to work for me. Teenagers are teenagers no matter how it’s written. Nothing happens while she’s a teenager but she’s has mature has Reeds is. That’s where I have a problem. Others may enjoy this story but it wasn’t for me.

5/5 ⭐
2/5 🌶️

What a beautiful story of forbidden love. Older was full of angst and heartbreak and a love so profound it conquered the highest mountains. I've read large age gaps, even ones as forbidden as this one, but none have hit the way Reed and Halley's story did. It was almost tragic the way it played out and I wasn't sure how Jennifer was going to fix it... But like the true mastermind she is, it all came together for an absolutely wonderful happily ever after.

The tension and chemistry and angst between Reed and Halley was freaking E V E R Y T H I N G. It was so well written. I found myself unable to decide whether I wanted to speed read to find out how S was gonna go down, or read slowly to savor every last word of their story. I ate it up and devoured it whole, I truly couldn't get enough. She somehow wrote this age gap in a way that was never once uncomfortable, which is usually how this situation ends up (even if you're uncomfy in the best ways!).

As much as I loved Reed and Halley, I adored Whitney and Scotty too. These were two important side characters that were pivotal to their happily ever after and I thought they sacrificed a lot for Reed and Halley along the way. I would love to see Jennifer give us their stories at some point, even if it's just a short. I fell in love with them too and want to see them happy so badly.

First, I LOVE Jennifer Hartmann. I’ve read everything she’s ever written. But unfortunately this had the trope I really struggle with, which is the extreme age gap. Reed is the father of Halley’s best friend, and when they meet for the first time, it’s an instant connection, but nothing happens until she’s 18.
I KNOW Reed loved her and they had a lot of sweet moments but I still struggled with the power dynamics.

Emotionally connected age gap. I don’t typically like age gap but this one felt authentic and you could hell feeling the connection.

Of course I love Jennifer Hartmann so I will always read her books!!

Jennifer Hartmann is a must read author for me! Well this book was not my favorite of hers it still had its moments. The age gap was a little too much for me but also the fact that it was Halley’s friends dad. Halley had a really hard childhood growing up and it was sad to see how she didn’t want to trust people because of it but eventually she lets Reed it. Also Tara is a saint for accepting their relationship.

“Why won’t you evaporate into thin air, float into somebody else’s atmosphere, and let me finally breathe without choking on the idea of you?”

A gripping, forbidden romance!!

This pulled on my heartstrings, broke me and put me back together; my god, the angst and tension between Halley and Reed was so intense and tangible! All their stolen moments, touches, the sneaking around, I loooved it, in fact, I wanted more of it!

I can’t believe that this is my first Jennifer Hartman book. I have still beating on my TBR which I’ve been meaning to read for the longest and I know that’s very different to this, but I’m also glad that I had started with this first, though!

I was so captivated by Jennifer’s writing and storytelling, it was beyond gripping and emotionally evoking, and I love that in an angst romance!

Tropes

Forbidden romance
Age gap (17 years) 19/36
Secret relationship
Slow burn
Single dad
ALL the angst

I love JH's books. I've read several and before now, I haven't come across one I didn't absolutely fall in love with. Also before now, I thought I didn't have any literary triggers. Turns out that I do, and this was it. I love a good age gap story, but this one was just too much and she was too young for me. Some people are still really going to love this book—many already do. For my mental health, though, I just couldn't do it. 3 stars for the writing because I still love her writing.

Absolutely an amazing and incredible story! It’s full of angst but keeps you in your feels right where you need to be. And as an 80s baby who grew up primarily in the 90s I was loving all the little mementos in the story to the songs and other mentions. It was so very reminiscent.

Halley has had a rough go of life but she’s lucky to have found Tara and her family - most of all Reed. Even though everything is so wrong it’s also just so right between them. Reed is truly just this good guy she’s never had in her life and this healing piece she’s always needed.

The timing and pace of the book is perfection. There’s progression through years that is needed to move along as they all grow and change. It’s just so beautifully written and the emotions are right there on the cusp the whole time.

I just was so in love with the story and the characters and all the little pieces. Even the hurt of it was all worth it in the end.

4/5
Jennifer Hartmann has always been an auto buy author for me. I've loved every single one of her previous books and this one was no exception.
I love the age gap and how she handled it. The forbidden aspect is so well done and i'm a sucker for that trope.
Reed and Halley were perfect for each other. While he's much older than her, i found their dynamic to be pretty balanced and well done. Their first meeting was really something else and while they had all odds against them, they fought for their love.
Whitney was a great side character. She surprised me a lot and i'm happy with how she was written.
Such a gret read!

Older is a standalone romance novel written by Jennifer Hartmann

*Age gap romance
*On page child abuse
*Best friends father

Another amazing novel from Jennifer Hartmann that features a non-traditional relationship. I love an age gap romance, combine that with the best friend’s dad trope, so good!!

The only thing I had troubles with was the daughter/best friend, I understand fully why she felt, and acted, the way she did, I was just surprised it took her two years to accept that the main characters truly loved each other. She couldn’t figure it out by how they talked and acted with each other, but looking at a years old scrapbook did the trick?!?! Just a little weird.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Halley (FMC) & Reed (MMC)

Forbidden romance…taboo…age gap…

I had to try it!
She meets him and lies about her age, says she is 21 but she is really 17. To make it even more complicated her best friend is also his daughter.

This one has some heavy topics like child abuse. But we do get a HEA and lots of spice!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC!

HOLY FUCKING HELL!!! Jennifer, what are you doing to me?? This book was so freaking good. The slowest of slow burns, the angstiest of angst.. like I can't.

This book is told over the span of like 5 years?? So we get bits and pieces of their lives. Typically I'm not a fan of jumps in books and I would want more, but I trusted the vision on this and it works so well.

IDK how to explain it, but this book rooted itself deep in my marrow. I was completely sucked into these characters and their world. Absolutely loved this book sm.

This was so much more than a forbidden romance between a best friend's dad.

Halley grew up with an abusive father. He was mentally, verbally, and physically abusive to her. On a night when she is forced to sleep in the cold garage, she sneaks out and attends a random street party to get her mind off of things. She's alone at this party until she finds herself in the company of Reed. The two hit it off, but before anything could happen her age is revealed (17). Repulsed by what he was about to do Reed leaves.

Shortly after Halley nearly escapes death at the hands of her father and runs to her best friend's house. Because of this, Whitney (Tara's mom) takes her in. Now living with her best friend, she is safe. Until Tara's father moves back to town, the same man she almost slept with at that party. However, they keep their distance from each other and as time goes by, they develop a friendship.
Reed and Whitney have been divorced for years, but they have a really healthy and mature relationship.

After the abuse Halley has suffered, she wishes to be strong again. And due to an incident in Reed's past, he teaches self defense classes. So she asks him to train her. Which he declines her request because he knows being around her like that is temptation waiting to happen. However, he agrees to help her, but eventually the intimacy around helping her is too much.

The pull between these two was insane. Most moments had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation of are they going to finally give in and when they do give in, will they get caught??

How will these two work out?? Will they be able to keep their relationship a secret forever?? Will her best friend forgive her??

HUGE thank you to Bloom Books are Netgalley for an eARC of this. I highly recommend!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book. I already love this author so I went into this blind without reading the summary. This book has a lot in it, age gap, best friend's dad, forbidden love, secret relationship and found family. This book is well written. This book was fairly fast paced and hooked me from the start. I read this book in one sitting. If you enjoy this book make sure to read some of Jennifer Hartmann other books.

Jennifer Hartmann makes me like tropes and themes that sometimes I think that I shouldn't . She pushes the envelope in ways that have me pulling for couples that are very non conventional but also couples that have totally won my heart. This is a pretty big age gap romance. Circumstances and how she writes their pure longing come to create a romance that I can't put down. I will definitely keep low key torturing myself with her books. lol

I absolutely love Jennifer Hartman. She gets me every time. This book was well worth the read if you haven’t read it, please do.

4.5 stars.

I completely disregarded my TBR to start reading "Older" by Jennifer Hartmann as soon as it hit my inbox. I am pleased to say that I am happy with that decision. Hartmann sure knows how to craft angst and pining! She takes these expertly crafted, complex characters full of darkness, trauma, and sadness and makes them new again. Her ability to write these beautiful, lovelorn, heartbreaking, soul-shattering compelling stories is second to none. Hartmann draws readers in, gets them sucked into the drama and the pain, only to patch them up and make them whole again with her delicate prose. I was thrilled to read Halley and Reed's stories. Some readers will have a difficult time overcoming the age gap and the forbidden aspects of this romance, which is valid, but if you've read Hartmann's other works, these tropes won't come as a surprise. The tension and instant connection between these two sucked me into their story, but it's the yearning (and let's be real, the taboo), that kept me reading. Halley's strength in overcoming her horrific upbringing was like a gut punch. She starts as a meek, timid, scared character and eventually evolves into a strong person with the tools to fight off even the worst demons. Reed is a protector above all else. There's nothing he wouldn't do for the people he loves... and that includes Halley. Their slow-burning, moth-to-a-flame type of connection makes this book worth it. I have read four of Jennifer Hartmann's books, and I can honestly say all four of them are winners, "Older" included. What a terrific book that I highly recommend reading. Please check the TWs before reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Hartmann, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.