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Codename Lotus
Not yet published
Expected 22 Mar 26To keep his sister alive, Sidharth Hazra sends her to the one woman she can’t face.
Saanya Hazra has spent years doing everything right—dutiful daughter, perfect wife, quiet shadow in her family’s empire. But when her abusive husband turns up dead and strangers start testing the locks to her London flat, “doing everything right” stops being enough. With danger closing in and nowhere safe to run, Saanya is exiled to a secluded villa in Switzerland under the protection of her brother’s best friend… and the woman she once secretly adored.
Naomi Smith-Chopra built a fortune dismantling other people’s companies. Precise, distant, and engaged to a golden-boy fiancé who fits her life on paper, she’s spent her career closing deals—not opening her heart. Flying to Geneva with Saanya should have been a controlled risk. Instead, it becomes the one thing she can’t outthink.
When Saanya discovers she’s pregnant with her late husband’s child, she’s faced with an irreversible choice. Naomi’s search for answers pulls them deeper into a web of secrets that could destroy them both.
Their connection is undeniable. Their timing is a disaster. And the truth, when it comes, will cost them both more than they’re prepared to lose.
Two women must decide what they are willing to risk for a love that won’t stay buried.
Saanya Hazra has spent years doing everything right—dutiful daughter, perfect wife, quiet shadow in her family’s empire. But when her abusive husband turns up dead and strangers start testing the locks to her London flat, “doing everything right” stops being enough. With danger closing in and nowhere safe to run, Saanya is exiled to a secluded villa in Switzerland under the protection of her brother’s best friend… and the woman she once secretly adored.
Naomi Smith-Chopra built a fortune dismantling other people’s companies. Precise, distant, and engaged to a golden-boy fiancé who fits her life on paper, she’s spent her career closing deals—not opening her heart. Flying to Geneva with Saanya should have been a controlled risk. Instead, it becomes the one thing she can’t outthink.
When Saanya discovers she’s pregnant with her late husband’s child, she’s faced with an irreversible choice. Naomi’s search for answers pulls them deeper into a web of secrets that could destroy them both.
Their connection is undeniable. Their timing is a disaster. And the truth, when it comes, will cost them both more than they’re prepared to lose.
Two women must decide what they are willing to risk for a love that won’t stay buried.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 22, 2026
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a story! Where should I start? Codename Lotus had me hooked right at the first few pages, or rather, right at the book description. I mean… a live-or-dead situation for a woman who needs protection paired with a longtime unrequited childhood crush? This is a match made in heaven for me. A mix of suspense and romance. The best of both worlds.
Before I delve further, please be mindful of the trigger warning. Codename Lotus deals with abuse and homophobia. It’s not the first book I read that explores domestic abuse, but I have never encountered that form of violence. The modus operandi and its impact on Saanya were heartbreaking to see. What a woman she is! So much resilience, so much kindness and warmth despite the horror.
There is nothing more satisfying when the title takes on meaning in the book. The definition of lotus placed at the beginning of the book really helps to understand it. Saanya is truly a lotus.
Naomi is an ice queen. Unwavering, ruthless in affairs with everything set in place for success, but caring and capable to do and drop everything for those she loves. Her struggles with her identity, the erasure, and the refusal to deal with her past made her human. I absolutely loved her homecoming to herself.
Both Saanya's and Naomi’s journeys were poignant.
I can’t finish this review without talking about the cultural elements. The food, the clothes, the traditions. It was a deep dive into a culture that is vaguely familiar to me, and it was awesome to read.
I won’t say more. You will just have to read Codename Lotus.
Before I delve further, please be mindful of the trigger warning. Codename Lotus deals with abuse and homophobia. It’s not the first book I read that explores domestic abuse, but I have never encountered that form of violence. The modus operandi and its impact on Saanya were heartbreaking to see. What a woman she is! So much resilience, so much kindness and warmth despite the horror.
There is nothing more satisfying when the title takes on meaning in the book. The definition of lotus placed at the beginning of the book really helps to understand it. Saanya is truly a lotus.
Naomi is an ice queen. Unwavering, ruthless in affairs with everything set in place for success, but caring and capable to do and drop everything for those she loves. Her struggles with her identity, the erasure, and the refusal to deal with her past made her human. I absolutely loved her homecoming to herself.
Both Saanya's and Naomi’s journeys were poignant.
I can’t finish this review without talking about the cultural elements. The food, the clothes, the traditions. It was a deep dive into a culture that is vaguely familiar to me, and it was awesome to read.
I won’t say more. You will just have to read Codename Lotus.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 ⭐
Codename Lotus is an angsty, high-stakes romance that follows Saanya—a woman who has spent her entire life sacrificing her own happiness to be the perfect wife and dutiful daughter. When her abusive husband dies and leaves her entangled in the aftermath of his illegal dealings, she’s forced into hiding under the roof of Naomi Smith-Chopra, her brother’s best friend. As danger closes in and proximity blurs the lines between safety and desire, they’re faced with one impossible question: can love survive when everything around you is falling apart?
Saanya completely broke my heart. She’s a widow who has endured more than most, yet she doesn’t let herself crumble entirely. Her resilience felt quiet but powerful. Watching her slowly reclaim her voice after years of repression was deeply moving. Her decision to openly embrace her identity as a lesbian and introduce her partner to her homophobic parents was such a strong, defining moment. And when she finally speaks about the abuse she endured? It hurt in the most honest way. I was also genuinely fascinated by the psychological element involving scent as a form of torture; it was chilling and so unexpectedly written.
Naomi was harder for me to warm up to. She begins distant and guarded, the complete opposite of Saanya’s softness. But slowly, layer by layer, we see her walls start to fall. I loved seeing her reconnect with her roots and allow herself to truly commit. I just wish her coming out journey had been explored more deeply; it felt slightly rushed. Still, her emotional growth throughout the story is clear.
The love story grew on me, but it wasn’t until the last third that it fully resonated, nonetheless the buildup was undeniably there. Their connection develops naturally, with longing that simmers beneath every interaction. The intimacy feels earned and aligned with their emotional progression. I did wish they communicated better instead of pushing each other away during hard moments. Even if their intentions were protective, the avoidance was frustrating. I also would’ve loved more glimpses of them as a couple after the chaos; especially navigating life and parenthood together. That would have strengthened their bond even more in my eyes.
At times, the plot also felt crowded, and I wasn’t always sure where the story was heading. Some sections could have benefited from slower pacing instead of wrapping things up so quickly. Even so, the action and suspense kept me hooked, constantly wanting to know what would happen next.
If you’re looking for an emotionally intense, raw sapphic romance layered with suspense and danger, Codename Lotus might be exactly what you’re craving. It’s a story where love grows in the middle of chaos, fear, and healing—where vulnerability meets high stakes, and every emotional step forward feels earned. If you enjoy messy feelings, slow-burning tension, and a relationship tested by both trauma and external threats, this one delivers that intensity.
Thank you to the author for the early read!
Codename Lotus is an angsty, high-stakes romance that follows Saanya—a woman who has spent her entire life sacrificing her own happiness to be the perfect wife and dutiful daughter. When her abusive husband dies and leaves her entangled in the aftermath of his illegal dealings, she’s forced into hiding under the roof of Naomi Smith-Chopra, her brother’s best friend. As danger closes in and proximity blurs the lines between safety and desire, they’re faced with one impossible question: can love survive when everything around you is falling apart?
Saanya completely broke my heart. She’s a widow who has endured more than most, yet she doesn’t let herself crumble entirely. Her resilience felt quiet but powerful. Watching her slowly reclaim her voice after years of repression was deeply moving. Her decision to openly embrace her identity as a lesbian and introduce her partner to her homophobic parents was such a strong, defining moment. And when she finally speaks about the abuse she endured? It hurt in the most honest way. I was also genuinely fascinated by the psychological element involving scent as a form of torture; it was chilling and so unexpectedly written.
Naomi was harder for me to warm up to. She begins distant and guarded, the complete opposite of Saanya’s softness. But slowly, layer by layer, we see her walls start to fall. I loved seeing her reconnect with her roots and allow herself to truly commit. I just wish her coming out journey had been explored more deeply; it felt slightly rushed. Still, her emotional growth throughout the story is clear.
The love story grew on me, but it wasn’t until the last third that it fully resonated, nonetheless the buildup was undeniably there. Their connection develops naturally, with longing that simmers beneath every interaction. The intimacy feels earned and aligned with their emotional progression. I did wish they communicated better instead of pushing each other away during hard moments. Even if their intentions were protective, the avoidance was frustrating. I also would’ve loved more glimpses of them as a couple after the chaos; especially navigating life and parenthood together. That would have strengthened their bond even more in my eyes.
At times, the plot also felt crowded, and I wasn’t always sure where the story was heading. Some sections could have benefited from slower pacing instead of wrapping things up so quickly. Even so, the action and suspense kept me hooked, constantly wanting to know what would happen next.
If you’re looking for an emotionally intense, raw sapphic romance layered with suspense and danger, Codename Lotus might be exactly what you’re craving. It’s a story where love grows in the middle of chaos, fear, and healing—where vulnerability meets high stakes, and every emotional step forward feels earned. If you enjoy messy feelings, slow-burning tension, and a relationship tested by both trauma and external threats, this one delivers that intensity.
Thank you to the author for the early read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for this ARC!
I absolutely loved this. It had everything I love and more. The slow burn was amazing. it was a true slow burn and I appreciate that so much. The plot was different from what I am used to in a romance but it made it that much more interesting.
For a brief moment, it was hard to like Naomii. It was only for a few chapters and while I love Ice Queens, for a minute she was glacier. She seemed to be rude and mean for no reason. It didn’t make sense that she agreed to the arrangement when she resented it so much. But like I said, it was a brief time before I started loving her. She was a complex characters with layers and trauma, just like Saanya.
The way the trauma was portrayed was beautifully written with care. Especially the handling of Saanya’s. How the trauma manifested and honestly the type of trauma that she faced was something I hadn’t really read in a romance before.
Codename Lotus had the opposties attract trope and dang, were Saanya and Naomi opposites. But they complemented each other so well. Even before Naomi realized her feelings for Saanya, the chemistry was off the charts. It made when they finally got to together worth it. The slow burn was buuuurning.
While I hate the rejection and homophobia that Saanya’s Baba showed, I respected how the author portrayed it. It was realistic. I think with how progressive today’s society is, we tend to forget that there is still a huge way we have to go. There are so many people that are queer that do not have familial support.
l loved the representation that Codename Lotus had. I enjoyed learning about Saanya and Naomi’s culture. I also appreciated how the author portrayed Naomi’s struggle as being a mixed race woman. To hear about her parents’ marriage and how they both embraced each other’s cultures was beautiful. I’m glad the author didn’t shy away from racism and discrimination that women of color face.
I do wish we could’ve seen more about how Sidharth took the news of his best friend dating his little sister. The bathroom scene was hilarious. There were so many good little moments as well. The mention of the movie Carol and Saanya being a huge lesbian by complimenting Naomi’s hands.
Codename Lotus was such a beautiful, somewhat suspenseful, unique love story. I devoured this story in one day! It is one that I plan on buying the physical copy of and rereading in the future! Again, thank you so much to the author for allowing me the early read!
I absolutely loved this. It had everything I love and more. The slow burn was amazing. it was a true slow burn and I appreciate that so much. The plot was different from what I am used to in a romance but it made it that much more interesting.
For a brief moment, it was hard to like Naomii. It was only for a few chapters and while I love Ice Queens, for a minute she was glacier. She seemed to be rude and mean for no reason. It didn’t make sense that she agreed to the arrangement when she resented it so much. But like I said, it was a brief time before I started loving her. She was a complex characters with layers and trauma, just like Saanya.
The way the trauma was portrayed was beautifully written with care. Especially the handling of Saanya’s. How the trauma manifested and honestly the type of trauma that she faced was something I hadn’t really read in a romance before.
Codename Lotus had the opposties attract trope and dang, were Saanya and Naomi opposites. But they complemented each other so well. Even before Naomi realized her feelings for Saanya, the chemistry was off the charts. It made when they finally got to together worth it. The slow burn was buuuurning.
While I hate the rejection and homophobia that Saanya’s Baba showed, I respected how the author portrayed it. It was realistic. I think with how progressive today’s society is, we tend to forget that there is still a huge way we have to go. There are so many people that are queer that do not have familial support.
l loved the representation that Codename Lotus had. I enjoyed learning about Saanya and Naomi’s culture. I also appreciated how the author portrayed Naomi’s struggle as being a mixed race woman. To hear about her parents’ marriage and how they both embraced each other’s cultures was beautiful. I’m glad the author didn’t shy away from racism and discrimination that women of color face.
I do wish we could’ve seen more about how Sidharth took the news of his best friend dating his little sister. The bathroom scene was hilarious. There were so many good little moments as well. The mention of the movie Carol and Saanya being a huge lesbian by complimenting Naomi’s hands.
Codename Lotus was such a beautiful, somewhat suspenseful, unique love story. I devoured this story in one day! It is one that I plan on buying the physical copy of and rereading in the future! Again, thank you so much to the author for allowing me the early read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an exquisite book.
If this book had a scent, it would smell like the most intoxicatingly enveloping combination of jasmine, coriander and spices.
If you are looking for a light-hearted, fluffy romance, this is not it. This is a beautifully written story of trauma, grief, abuse and feelings shoved deep inside. This is a story that depicts impotence in the face of oppressors and protection in the name of love. But love always triumphs, and powerful bonds are created through trust, courage and vulnerability.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, but I was hooked from the very beginning, and it only kept getting better. Saanya and Naomi are both troubled MCs, each in their very own way. They are both victims of their past and of the choices that they made or that were forced onto them. However, when unexpected events bring these two women together, that's exactly where the magic happens.
This was such an evocative read, with its aromas, its flavors, its beautifully written descriptions of feelings and the amazing Indian representation, which is something we don't see a lot of. The mystery and the tension will keep you on your toes. And your female rage will definitely be fueled. But at the end of the day, this book feels exactly like coming home.
Bonus points: the lotus metaphor is so beautiful, and Cate Blanchett mentioned??? I was sold IMMEDIATELY.
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
If this book had a scent, it would smell like the most intoxicatingly enveloping combination of jasmine, coriander and spices.
If you are looking for a light-hearted, fluffy romance, this is not it. This is a beautifully written story of trauma, grief, abuse and feelings shoved deep inside. This is a story that depicts impotence in the face of oppressors and protection in the name of love. But love always triumphs, and powerful bonds are created through trust, courage and vulnerability.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, but I was hooked from the very beginning, and it only kept getting better. Saanya and Naomi are both troubled MCs, each in their very own way. They are both victims of their past and of the choices that they made or that were forced onto them. However, when unexpected events bring these two women together, that's exactly where the magic happens.
This was such an evocative read, with its aromas, its flavors, its beautifully written descriptions of feelings and the amazing Indian representation, which is something we don't see a lot of. The mystery and the tension will keep you on your toes. And your female rage will definitely be fueled. But at the end of the day, this book feels exactly like coming home.
Bonus points: the lotus metaphor is so beautiful, and Cate Blanchett mentioned??? I was sold IMMEDIATELY.
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I never expected a book full of murder, intrigue, and danger to feel cozy, and yet, it did. Debut author Yiliana Ferran does a phenomenal job creating a tantalizing world that truly cultivates the senses and enthralls the reader. Her plot twists will keep you guessing, her character development will have you falling for the protagonists and the food descriptions will leave your stomach grumbling with desire.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews