Tulips and Lost Time

by Emilia Finn

Tulips and Lost Time is Emilia Finn's next 'Rollertown' novel and can be read as a complete standalone.
Full blurb and final cover coming soon.

Genres: Romance

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2024

About the author

Emilia Finn is an Amazon Top 20 bestselling, Australia-based author with more than 55 books written and published to date.

She's a mom, a coffee addict, a collector of quirky coffee mugs, and before she had kids, she was a real-life full-contact fighter.

Her experience on the fight circuits helped her pen her first ever book—Finding Home—featuring a world champion MMA fighter Bobby Kincaid, and his leading lady and equal in every way, Kit Reilly. What was only supposed to be a once off experience instead turned into a career for Emilia, a thriving empire, and a daily grind she never wants to be rescued from.

Join Emilia's mailing list for exclusive material and new release alerts.

Website➜ https://www.emiliafinn.com

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow another story to be added to the rest of this family and friends series. I truly loved this one - the banner, pranks and incidents of Luca and Kari got into when young. Later when they were adults when I shed a few tears when they were struggling with their feelings. Afterwards I was laughing at their antics. This was a beautiful heartwarming story. Have a box of Kleenex near by, you will need them.
If I could give it 10 stars I would.

[thespicybooknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am speechless. Tulips and Lost Time takes everything you love about Emilia Finn's original world and brilliantly weaves the details into Luca Lenaghan and Kari Macchio's love story. It's truly the book I never knew I needed, and didn't want to put down for a second.

"I've loved you for as long as I've known how to love."

Updated to add: Now you can listen to Luca and Kari's emotional and beautiful love story in audio, narrated by the fantastic Dane Anderson. Luca and Kari's emotional story is performed entirely by Dane, with an incredible list of family and friends included, starting from the day Luca and Kari met, and Dane had me all up in my feels just as much as when I read the pages of the book, if not more. You don't want to miss it.

[Jamie Seachrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luc and kari... ugh, why do you always make it hurt so good! Lol...sooo we finally get their story. The story so many of us have wanted for a while.. Throughout the whole book, it is truly an amazing masterpiece. It takes everything you love about Emilias, other books and series, and smoothly, and effortlessly, she creates these interwoven moments with all of these amazing characters. While the whole book breaks you in two and makes you cry ugly fat tears for these beautifully written characters that you fell in love with 20, 30, 60 books ago. All I can say is trust the process. This book is amazing and well worth the wait. Emilia, you have outdone yourself yet again! I've said it before and I'll say it again. Nothing hits like a Finn book.

[Mike and Sande Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I cannot even begin to explain how much this book means to me! As a true Emilia Finn fan, this book has been the best of all I think. To revisit all of the characters that we grew to love through her books, truly means a lot. And the true heartbreak of the story, with the surprising twist just makes it that much better! Thank you, Emilia, for finally giving us this story and letting us fall in love all over again!

[Susan Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 Star by Emilia Finn. This book was well overdue and because of that it was amazing, with an intense, and emotional ride. I could t put it down. Every chapter was look into Luc and Kari’s relationship and brought in so many of the old characters!! What a crazy ride this one is !! 5 stars !

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luc and Kari!! 🥹🫶🏼

If you have read Emilia Finn then you know Luc and Kari. Their story has been a long time coming! It was a story I didn’t know I needed but ended being everything I needed and more. We get their whole backstory from Luc’s POV with cameos from some of our absolute favs (Kane Bishop anyone🤪). I laughed, I cried, and my heart is so so full. It was next level perfection and absolutely worth the wait. 🌷❤️🧸✨

[Sandra R · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing itself is good and I loved that this book was written from Luc's point of view. Seriously, a short novella would have sufficed, as there's so much filler re Luc and Kari as children and teens I skipped a lot. Many readers have given this book 5 stars and obviously they love the Roller series and have immersed themselves in this world. I enjoyed the series too, but I truly didn't see the point of this story, especially when I got to the end... Eye roll.

[Brittany Azolino · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve waited so long for this story. All the peeks in the others giving a little teaser here and there. The build up was real! And Emilia did not disappoint!! This book was absolutely everything we didn’t know we needed. We wanted it for sure. But we didn’t know we NEEDED it.

Emilia, once again, makes you feel everything. And it all starts in the prologue! Right off the rip y’all! I smiled. I laughed. I cried like a big fat baby. I got angry. I cursed Emilia up and down during chapter 16. Like you really had to do us dirty like that?! But at the end you remember why you’re so drawn to her books.

Luc and Kari. There are no words. Love and pain and happiness and fear and just alllll the feels. You can feel it all. Like a blanket being draped over you. Their story just pulls you in. The way he loves her? Swoon! The way she doesn’t tolerate his sh.t? You go girl!

Tulips and chocolate (preferably white chocolate). Stars and Hugh Grant movies. Oh if only I could read this book for the first time again.

Thank you Emilia. This book was everything and so worth the wait 💜

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even count the number of times I cried, then laughed, then cried some more.

Bouncing back and forth from past to present is usually something I detest in books but I was living for TALT! Emilia Finn is a genius. She flawlessly tied so many stories together and delivered a masterpiece!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilia? Swoon.

One of the biggest emotional whirlwinds I have ever read, and in the best way possible. You want a book that will break your heart? One that will make you want to, and potentially actually, cry but then put you back together again with a pretty bow and a cheesy smile? This is the one for you. Luc and Kari are nothing short of the best kind of heart-wrenching love that there is possible.

There is just something about the way Emilia writes about her characters and fills in a timeline like no one’s business. It still amazes me, that after 60+ books she is able to have some sort of tracking system or a badass recall in order to place all of these characters right where they should be in order to make the story and her previous ones make sense.

TLDR; Emilia Finn never misses.

[Sarah Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilia broke my heart in chapter 1, and by the end, she sewed it right back up. Luc and Kari were the story we had gotten parts of for years in everyone else’s books, but they finally got to tell their whole story. It was beautiful, with moments of silliness and heartbreak. Luc and Kari’s story was different from others, but I loved how the details were finally colored in on how and when.

Luc and Kane were the buddies we didn’t get before but make perfect sense now.
Also, loved finding out more behind the infamous chapter 8 and questions I always had!

[Leyanna Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

emilia finn knows all the heart strings to pull!! This story is a beautiful insight into luc and kari's story spanning over 20+ years! It's been worth the wait! We bugged and begged and finally got it! And it was so beautifully written and even tho I ugly cried for so many different reasons, this is a book I wish I could read again for the 1st time!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been 84 years...

No, seriously we waited YEARS for Luc or Kari to speak and It was worth the wait. A little anxiety inducing from the start, but getting to see their history unfold through Luc's eyes was both beautiful and gut wrenching at the same time. Literally soooo much LOST TIME (thanks Luca 😒) but man Kari definitely made him work for it. We get to read Luc's point of view from his bits in the other books. In the end, as always, Emilia wrote an amazing book.

[Lisa Baffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars!!

I have loved everyone in these books! The way they Interact with one another is always loving and humorous at times. I loved finally getting to see what was happening with Luca and Kari all this time. It was definitely a tear jerker in parts. I loved the ending.

[Jaci Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS* EMILIA

I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WITH THIS BOOK! It was everything I didn’t know I needed to fill in the gaps of my favorite couple. I loved how it was written and boy it will send you on a roller coaster of emotions, but it truly is a masterpiece! Highly, highly recommend ❤️

[Shell Marie Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilia Finn's fans have been waiting for years for Luc Leneghan to tell his story .. it was well worth the wait. Ms. Finn did an amazing job tying in threads from so many of her earlier books. If possible, you will want to do a full re-read before you start Tulips. This book hurts, you will shed a lot of tears, but - as always - Emilia Finn will make you thankful for the journey.

[Bookomaniac · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Sweet trip down Memory Lane from Emilia Finn's Stacked Deck, Gilded Knights and Checkmate series! Funny, sad, enraging, hopeful, sweet, sexy.

This book really isn’t a standalone. All the siblings and friends have their own books, which is alluded to frequently. I have read most of the previous books, so it was fun to revisit these couples as well as hear Luc and Kari’s story. Nostalgia, sadness, sweetness, anger (Luc, seriously!), hope, family, friends... this story has it all!

Tropes:

* MF Contemporary
* storytelling from present day (when they are married, but she is terribly hurt in car accident; he is alone with their baby and their friends)
* EMT MMC
* nurse FMC
* childhood friends
* small town
* forced proximity
* her older brother's best friend
* very protective older brother
* childhood trauma
* large group of friends/ siblings
* he was a player
* she was a virgin
* he rejected her at 18
* she went to college/ fake dated a gay guy
* he was celibate for 3 years, until he thought she was dating for real, then was a player again
* until she came back to town
* he relentlessly pursues her
* hidden relationship from her brother
* brother nearly beats him to death
* eventual forgiveness
* marriage and pregnancy (twins)
* terrible car accident; she took the worst of it
* in hospital for 2 weeks with one twin
* he and friends take care of the other twin baby, reminisce on their long love story
* funny, sad, enraging, hopeful, sweet, sexy
* eventual HEA (awwwwwww ❤️❤️)

[BookLover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've looked forward to Luc and Kari's story ever since The Survivor Series but unfortunately this fell flat. It's told entirely from Luc's point of view which I didn't mind but I couldn't deal with Kari and Luc constantly bringing up the breakup when Kari was 18 and Luc was 21. His reason for breaking was stupid but it just banged on until the end of this read. And as grown adults well into their late 20's almost 30 having a secret relationship for years for fear of Kari's brother?! Seriously l think the issue we should be concerned with here is the brothers physical assault and serious anger management issues. If young adults are afraid to live their lives because of a family member then that's domestic violence.

Their story is mainly told in the past with a few present day events thrown in. It is cleverly written, I'll give the author that but it didn't remotely pick up until around the 40% mark when some interconnecting characters joined the story.

The only glimpse we get of a present day Luc and Kari is in a rushed epilogue and then the story ends. Personally I enjoyed the Luc and Kari from the Survivor Series and perhaps they should have been left as support characters and not had their own book.

[Destiny Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was gifted an ARC from the author*


This book has been a long time coming and was written specifically for established fans of the world from previous books of Emilia's. Ordinarily, her books can be read as standalones, but there are a lot of characters from previous books and details and backstory you may miss in this one if you haven't read her other books. Reading this one first isn't really recommended, as it can be hard to follow for new readers.


This one was such and hit and only cemented the fact that Emilia Finn is one of my favorite authors. Luc and Kari have always been one of my favorite couples, and I never felt like we got very much from them. This was their redemption, and provided all the details you would have wondered about along the way when they'd pop up in one of her previous books. I'm so glad we finally got their full story! Get your copy and read asap if you are already an established fan, and if not, there are so many good ones that lead here!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I begin. First off I was so excited about reading this book and getting to read about their story, while heading back to some of the first set of characters. I know it was written in a way to drawn on the suspense and keep people reading but not a big fan. Luc seemed like he lost his other half and kept talking about her in past tense while everyone else still remained in present tense. Which of course makes you think, naw she’s not dead. I think I could have done better with at least one less chapter of them fighting about who was right six years ago and them moving on quicker and more of their time together.

Part of what I think makes it hard to write this book now is the missing pieces in the other books. That fight would have been mentioned in Marc’s book. But since it wasn’t written at the same time and the storylines all converge at the same time it’s almost hard to go back. I know there are bits and pieces of their relationship in the other books, but I think I would have liked to have seen more as they grew together. It was fun to see Kane in this light and wanting a bunch more kids, and being that listening ear as they wait for time to go on. Why didn’t he just stay in the hospital with Billy, while waiting until they can all be checked out together.

In the end I’m glad we got the story, and everything worked out for the best. May they have a happy life together.

After thinking about this a little more, Luc acted like he was going to have to raise that baby by himself for the rest of her life. It was one day at home before Kari and the other twin came home. I get it’s a traumatic experience but seriously he could have left her with family and stayed at the hospital and stopped having a pity party for one. It’s a single night, yeah not everyone came home but it was probably for the best. Not the end of the world he made it out to be, like she was going to have to grow up without a mom. She’s not dead just having more observation to keep her alive.

[Alysti · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** SPOILERS ***

After six-ish years, a fully-finished fanfic written in my head, and a lot of pining and begging for this story to be told and we FINALLY get Luca and Kari’s story. And it kinda breaks my heart to say that, though it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t really very satisfying either. Luc and Kari are so beloved by this fandom, it’s entirely possible that there was no way to tell this story that would satisfy everyone. Though I liked the way the book was written and it was fun to relive their journey through the various flashbacks, it grew a bit repetitive and boring after a while. I thought it was really clever to make Kane the audience since he wasn’t there for most of the big drama and we always love Kane’s contributions to any conversation, amiright? 😏 But it took 6ish years to write the BTS of a story we essentially already know. I needed a little bit more of what we didn’t know. A new story that might justify the reason why it took so long for their story to be told. All the emotional anguish through over 400 pages only to find Kari alive and well and no worse for wear. I feel a bit hoodwinked rather than relieved. I wanted to see more of their HEA especially since, this book ended faster than you could type “the end”. Again, it wasn’t bad, but not great either.

And also…
Fuck. Wayne. Hart.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite must read

First off, I would highly recommend that you not read this book until you have read all of the following books: The Rollin On series, The Survivor series, and The Checkmate series. Personally, I would suggest reading all of the series by this talented author. Most of the series are connected by huge character crossover. Not only will you get to learn about new characters, but you also get to have your favorite characters from the previous books involved as well ~ win, win. Also, all of these stories are absolutely fantastic.
This story was the epitome of an emotional roller-coaster. Due to the fact that I refuse to give away spoilers, it makes it difficult to explain how I felt about this story. The author did a fantastic job of leading the readers exactly where she wanted their thoughts to go, wringing the emotions from them ~ just like she did with her characters. All while keeping you guessing until the very end. It's an amazing story, and a definite must read book.
The only thing that I would recommend is that this book needs to be added to the other series so that it won't be missed.
I would definitely recommend this book and outstanding author.

[Shirley Kilgore · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all most likely have that one author. That one-click, will buy anything they release. Emilia Finn is that author for me. She could literally write the handbook on “how to watch paint dry, grass grow and other boring sh!t” and I’d read it in KU, then buy the ebook, the paperback, the hardback and then, for good measure, just to make sure this woman gets every cent she’s got coming to her, I’d order an autographed edition to be shipped all the from Australia to the US.

Now. Having said all that. I say this with all the love in my heart for this woman. This. Book. Was. Torture!!!

I can read a book of EF’s in mere hours. This book? Took me days!!!! That’s because she had me fearing for my broken heart. In the best way! We’ve waited soooooo long for Luc & Kari to “talk”. And boy, did they! This book was worth every single moment of our wait!

If you’re already a fan of Emilia’s, you know you’re going to absolutely love this book. If you’re not already a fan of hers, well, what the actual heck are you waiting on? Do it!! Come join us in Roller Town. We have hunky, swoon worthy men. Kick a$$ women. And the cutest, most mischievous littles you’ll ever meet!

[Katie Clausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍😍

Ok so it took me awhile to write my review, only because I couldn't put into words what I was feeling after reading this ( good feelings ) so here goes.
I knew this book was gonna hurt, and all throughout the book I expected to be so dang gutted, I mean I was a little but not for the reasons I thought. Luc and Kari have been hanging in the background of the authors head for awhile, just waiting for the right time to have their story told. And now they were ready. Emilia Finn had written so many amazing books, I love that we get to see a part of their lives and that weren't involved in other books. We even get a few characters that make appearances. Our favs of course!!! Would we love a part two? Of course but I don't think we need to know anymore then what they shared with us. This was absolute perfection!!! I of course balled my eyes out, but it just wouldn't be a great Emilia Finn book if I didn't. So thank you for writing these amazing stories that your die hard fans can read, and that we can escape to when life gets a little hard for us to deal with. I look forward to 65 mores books to read!!!

[Sheryl Slavensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

kinda shocked at the end.

I love the way this book starts. I don't think I've read anything quite like it. I adore how the story plays out and you're on the edge of your seat because you just don't know. Did she or didn't she? Is he or isn't he? I'm going to say that this will be a WILDY unpopular opinion, I'm sure. I was expecting a completely different ending. I was ready. I grabbed tissues and held on KNOWING that Luc was going to have to say goodbye to Kari and maybe do organ donation or compassion extuabtion end of life stuff. It would have fit and been SO beautiful in a different way. I was ready. And then it was a lost uterus, not a lost life, and I was a little unprepared for the anticlimactic feeling of that, like duh, duh, duh, eh. I would've cried like a fool, full on ugly tears, but it would've been the best book I've ever read. ever. It was good. and I'm a sucker for an HEA. As always, the writing is impeccable. In this ONE case, I wanted to get my heart broken but feel warmed in a different way. It was a perfect opportunity to showcase a different kind of sacrifice.

[Toni Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!! If you’re a fan of Emilia’s Rollin On, Survivors, & Checkmate series’s this read is definitely for you! But be warned!!! I was in tears, face legitimately leaking, less than 1% into this book!
This book follows Luc’s POV the entire way through. Through stories being told to friends & family, we get to see the ups and downs of his relationship with Kari through the years. Some memories happy & some memories sad. All memories brought this couple a little closer to my heart.
As the story unfolds, we get glimpses of times past with our favorite characters that make us smile. There’s times where my brain perked up saying, “THAT’S where they were!?!? Sneaky sneaky!!” And though there’s times of heartbreak, Kane Bishop & Jack Reilly are right there to give me a smile & a chuckle.
I HIGHLY recommend reading this book if you’ve been on this journey in the earlier days of Roller Town. But just prepare yourself with some tissues, a snack because you won’t want to put it down, and maybe a beverage of your choice to make you feel better.
Emilia…well done my friend!!

[Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐓𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 by Emilia Finn is the long awaited story of Luc and Kari, spanning more than 20 years, all told from Luc’s POV. She was the off-limits little sister of his best friend, always too young for him, even when she didn’t think so. As fans we’ve gotten glimpses of their forbidden and sometimes secret love affair in other books, but nothing has prepared us for the epic emotional roller coaster set to hit Amazon on July 19th! The Prologue itself wrecked me emotionally, and set the stage for the angsty twists and turns to come. Through a masterful use of flashbacks, storytelling, and present day dialogue, we see everything through Luc’s eyes as he ponders the past and navigates a whole new reality. If you can get through this book without crying, you’re a stronger person than me!🥹 However, its not all sad, because some of our favorite characters are around to bring the classic irresistible banter and antics that we love, even Kane Bishop!!😂 You know Kane will have you swooning and laughing in no time!😍 Every time I read a book by this author, I’m impressed my her talent and originality. This book is in a class of its own. The heart-wrenching emotion, the angst, the intricate way it was all constructed for maximum effect. I’m just blown away. If you’re not reading Emilia’s books, you should be!! Prepare to be hooked!! Tissues are highly recommended!!😅 This beautiful, emotional, epic story will stick with me for a long time!! There is just something special about this fictional world!🥰

I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Rachelle Crumbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a tremendously good read!

Just a word of caution: Please have tissues on hand! Emilia has built this whole world that has seamlessly blended, weaving in all the characters from different backgrounds, from fighters, rockstars, to dancers. Firefighters, cops, the "good guys" and the men and women who ride the fence between good and evil so others can be free of the evil that exists in their world. She makes us laugh, makes us cry. But always leaves us feeling that no matter how difficult it is, no one can go through life alone. To find a true family, not just blood related, but of love. People who are flawed, but honest, loyal and even though they argue, they can forgive because their love for each other is the most important part. Luc and Kari's story sums it all up. Don't overspend time mourning the losses. Because we don't have forever, even though we think we do. Forgive and get back to love!

[Dawn Weekley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally.

Finally, Emilia is giving us Luca and Kari... Finally, Luca and Kari are in love and get to be a couple... Finally, Luca and Kari have a home and babies on the way...

FINALLY, Emilia tells me what happened and let's me take a full, complete breath for the first time since starting this book at noon today!!!!! OMG, I was transfixed by the love story that Luc was telling, but in the back of my mind every second was "What about Kari, again.?.?.?. Exactly where is she?" That last minute reveal was heart stopping.

If you are already a fan of Rollertown, it is a must-read! But, if you are a fan of all-around great storytelling, you will love this book. You won't get all the in-jokes and tidbits of meaning she throws in like shooting stars aimed at our hearts, but the STORY, y'all, the story is touching and beautiful.

[Jennifer Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

So worth the wait

Luc and Kari's love story has so many ups and downs, twists and turns, and Emilia made it all work. You will laugh, and you will cry, but Tulips and Lost Time is worth the wait. Chapter 16...what?!?! It's 20 years of stories told from Luc's POV. After only seeing small snapshots of this couple, we finally get to see their full story. I loved the interactions from characters that we've known from other Emilia books. Always so many Easter eggs! My all-time favorite character from the last 60 some books is Kane Bishop. He has a large presence in Tulips, and it made me fall in love with him even more. If you are an Emilia fan, you will be so satisfied with this latest story. If you are just finding Emilia, what are you waiting for? You've got some serious reading to do. Welcome to the Rollerverse.