Not sure where to begin with this one. Didn’t love it?? I know this was written five years ago but 2020 me maybe would’ve liked it but 2025 me did not. The irony that the plot of the book is in 2020 and literally happens in five years for the plot premise 💀 writing wasn’t the best. The dialogue was so bland that I was having a hard time connecting or even feeling for the characters. Where were their personalities?? I actually picked this book up to cry and probably would’ve DNFd it but did not cry and did not DNF because I wanted to be surprised by the end/twist.

I won’t even get into the genre of the book being romcom (that it is not) because that’s beating a dead horse at this point.

What a beautiful depiction of grief, life to be lived, sadness, family tragedy and growth, and the cycle of life in a profound way. Extremely talented storytelling that is very character driven but also makes you THINK! From childhood to adulthood, a love story and a life story in an intimate way.

Not quite 5 stars because I thought I’d cry and dear reader 🫶🏾 I did not (devastated). But I see why others did. I almost felt that all the characters I knew of them, but not well enough. So it would’ve been more impactful if I did! I don’t know if it just came off that way in the writing for me personally.

“God did this, you know, he said. Put you in front of me when I've nothing to offer you.”

Hahahahahaha tell me why I'm crying finishing this book. Sad lit fic (even better, irish lit) girls may we rise with this one. Very beautifully written, I couldn't put it down when I was reading it. Northern Ireland circa 1975 in Belfast, deep in the Troubles. The whole premise of the book, you're like, how is this going to end well. I even fell hard for Michael and under THESE circumstances?! How could I? But you're deep in Cushla's monologue. Not quite justifying her, or affairs in general (though I love reading about them), but I was there along the ride. Really just involved.

Anyways, the story disarmed me. Can't wait for the show :') it's fine, I'll just cry again.

A literal homage to romance readers, a love letter. The authors note at the beginning 💌 such a unique and fun premise of a story within a STORY. So much fun and I wouldn’t even say it’s CAMP, because it wasn’t cringe to me. It’s satirical, unhinged, hilarious, witty, and cheeky. Iman just feels so familiar behind her writing! And it’s FUN.

The audiobook is the way to go, loved the narration!

This story was crazzzzzzzzy, I appreciate all the conversations it had throughout but my SIGNNNNNNN for these characters. They made me go through it. It was intense and the reveals by the end..

I know this is fictional, but from true stories. I’m even more intrigued. I do think it moved VERY fast (all in one semester). When people feel this way in any capacity, it takes time. The ending?! Alright…you got me.

The Romeo and Juliet of WEREWOLVES!!! Koen and Serena were hot! Will forever be sat for paranormal romances and by Ali, for always 🪢

Ugh the sick/care trope in this had me SICK (in the best way) 🫦🫦🫦 not quite 5 stars but a 4.25! Maybe it had to do with some of the jokes (only some) or the very for the times verbiage?

This story was everything I love in a book. So so heartwarming (but also so dark). Please check trigger warnings for yourself, including grief, lots of death, etc.

With that, it also had so much humor and laugh out loud moments. I loved the audiobook, I took it slow and listened to it whenever I could. It’s such a great listen and storytelling. Loved this LITERAL found family, just misfits through and through. Their roadtrip to my home state, Arizona! 🌵 How they all got involved on this roadtrip in the first place. The death cat (LOL), I adored. One of my favorite books this year, for sure. Super unique and creative storytelling. So much to appreciate in all the characters you learn to love.

So many twists and turns happen, just waiting for what’s going to happen next. I loved the surprises! Like the surprise of The Road to Tender Hearts.

Such an amazing debut!!! Read it like a movie, perfect for fall vibes. I really felt all the emotions from June and loved the past chapters but most especially the present. Ugh, a second chance romance that felt like Nora Ephron would approve of for a NYC fall. Adam 🥲🥲🥲 I love second chance romance baaaad, the yearning that goes into it. Loved Joss’s writing and can’t recommend this enough for a contemporary romance. I’ve been in a contemporary romance slump (too many feel too repetitive) and this was the cure.

I live in NYC and I think for any other New Yorkers, some things were off for how much you do in a day getting by subway or West Village vs. Upper West Side. And a few other things I noticed that is probably just insufferable coming from me 😂 do ignore.

But loved! I want my own Adam and to get a brownstone in the West Village for free???? Dibs?

You knew l'd write a book about you someday. Now this is how you write. Or really, how I love to read. What I needed to read. Heart the Lover is such a beautiful story, one that literally took my breath away with its last line and hooked me right away with its first line. I love, love, love the way Lily King writes. She's one of my favorite writers because she has this uncanny ability to capture the human mind on the page. Not my mind exactly, but the characters. And yet, I understand them! Their thought processes, their emotions, the way they make sense of the world. She puts feelings into words so simply, you're like, how does she do it? Has it always been this easy? "there is this sense that I could express it all in just one nonexistent word and you would understand exactly what I mean." These lines, these characters, these pages. I loved them all! "It's just this long tender farewell to youth." Every book l've read by Lily, it has found its way to make me cry and that's simply for just stories of being human. If I could nail it down, l'd love to learn how to play Heart the Lover...♥️

“A window opens, and I hear the cranes gathering to fly south.”

Oh, I finished this book with tears streaming down my face 🥺 what a beautiful story. While being with Bo in the present, you’re also carried back through the memories that shaped who he is today, all as the story traces the last moments of his life. The storytelling was sooo well done, with reflections on his life in Sweden throughout. I really loved the audiobook narration and experiencing it hybrid.

The present-day moments with his care team and his family felt so honest. The relationship between Bo and his son Hans, was extremely realistic, especially in showing the generational gap. The frustration Hans feels as he gets older, and even the resentment Bo sometimes carried toward Hans (along with my own frustration with Hans), came through so clearly. It shows how actions really do speak louder than words, and how difficult it can be to communicate feelings. And Bo’s granddaughter! Plus the true star of the book, Sixten. How I cried at the end!! It all wrapped up so beautifully and gave me the ending I wanted.

I loved so many moments in this book. You can really feel how Bo is experiencing this stage of his life and why. I felt like I was right there, truly understanding him, his love for his wife, who lives on in every memory, and his love for his son. Even his struggles with his own parents and moments of how he was raised. The way he notices how his son works too hard compared to the jobs he once had, how this generation never slows down, and he just can't comprehend it.

Through it all, the pride Bo carries, and his deep pride in his family, I just loved. It’s a sad story, but also so hopeful. Grief and caretaking are such strange, constant parts of life, and reading this book felt deeply healing for me. ❤️