Older Book Review - No Spoilers
Rebecca comes home from school asking impossible questions about growing up, and I remember being exactly her age—wondering about boundaries and what life looks like when you're older. Older explores that complexity beautifully, reminding us that age is just a number when two people have a profound connection, even if circumstances make their relationship forbidden.
Plot Summary
Older by Jennifer Hartmann is a slow-burn age-gap romance set in the 1990s. Halley Foster, a traumatized teen who has been forced to grow up too quickly, finds solace in Reed Madsen, her best friend's father. Despite the age difference and social taboos, their connection becomes undeniable as Reed helps Halley heal and rediscover herself. Their relationship navigates the complicated terrain of forbidden love, family loyalty, and the question of whether true connection transcends age.
Why I Love This Book
I love Older for its emotional authenticity and the careful, respectful way Jennifer Hartmann handles the age-gap romance. This doesn't feel icky or predatory; instead, it explores two wounded people finding healing in each other. The slow-burn tension is exquisite, and the 1990s setting adds nostalgia and charm. Halley's resilience and maturity, coupled with Reed's tenderness, create a romance that feels earned and deeply emotional rather than rushed.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love age-gap romance, slow-burn relationships, forbidden love, or emotionally complex characters, Older is for you. Fans of contemporary romance with real emotional depth will appreciate Hartmann's nuanced approach to this sensitive dynamic. The spice is moderate, and the focus remains on emotional connection and healing.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mentions of past trauma and abuse, age-gap relationship (teen and adult), forbidden love, complex family dynamics, grief.
Tagged As
Age-gap romance, forbidden love, contemporary romance, slow burn, emotional depth, trauma recovery, 1990s setting, family conflict, healing, second chances, forbidden attraction, HEA, indie published
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️ Mild to Moderate
Older features moderate steam with intimate scenes that serve the emotional arc of the story. The focus is on emotional connection and healing rather than explicit content, making this a character-driven romance that prioritizes emotional intimacy over physical spice.
