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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I absolutely adore Lia Louis. I read Eight Perfect Hours last year and Dear Emmie Blue earlier this year and I fell in love with the style of writing and the characters. And The Key to My Heart was no different.
I think one of my favourite things about this book was following Natalie’s journey of grief and guilt and watching herself slowly start to overcome those feelings, because a lot of the time we know someone in that same situation, or we have been in that situation. It feels so real. And music has always been a huge part of my life considering my Poppa taught me how to play the piano when I was very young, so the music therapy was very close to my heart as well.
It’s a book that fans will not be let down by.
I think one of my favourite things about this book was following Natalie’s journey of grief and guilt and watching herself slowly start to overcome those feelings, because a lot of the time we know someone in that same situation, or we have been in that situation. It feels so real. And music has always been a huge part of my life considering my Poppa taught me how to play the piano when I was very young, so the music therapy was very close to my heart as well.
It’s a book that fans will not be let down by.
I’ve had the same reaction every time I’ve finished a book by Lia - I immediately want to go back to the beginning and read it again. The stories she weaves together draw you in and you’re then caught in the web of reading along as the story unravels. But it never unravels the way you expect and at the end, I want to go back and piece it together, pay attention to the bits she left for the reader and notice the nuances knowing the outcome.
This story is full of the grief of young widow Natalie, but also of lightness and life, of music, friends, family, risk, bravery, sadness and love. Very few books make me cry but Lia’s gotten me twice now, dang it, and Natalie’s story wound it’s way around my heart. Grief is a strong theme and it’s explored very authentically. As much as there’s grief here, I also read a lot of the story with a smile on my face, a warmth in my heart and strong curiosity as Natalie comes back to love through the mystery of who’s leaving special sheet music at the train station piano where she plays twice a week. It’s very quintessentially a Lia Louis story of serendipity.
Thank you to atriabooks and netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
This story is full of the grief of young widow Natalie, but also of lightness and life, of music, friends, family, risk, bravery, sadness and love. Very few books make me cry but Lia’s gotten me twice now, dang it, and Natalie’s story wound it’s way around my heart. Grief is a strong theme and it’s explored very authentically. As much as there’s grief here, I also read a lot of the story with a smile on my face, a warmth in my heart and strong curiosity as Natalie comes back to love through the mystery of who’s leaving special sheet music at the train station piano where she plays twice a week. It’s very quintessentially a Lia Louis story of serendipity.
Thank you to atriabooks and netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First off, let me say that this is not a holiday book
I did not want this book to end! As soon as I finished, I went back and reread my favorite sections! There were so many.
Lia Louis has become one of my must-read authors during the past few years. The Key to My Heart did not disappoint! It’s heartbreaking, funny, hopeful, mysterious, romantic, and full of likable characters (minus one—you’ll figure out who when you read it!)
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lia Louis has become one of my must-read authors during the past few years. The Key to My Heart did not disappoint! It’s heartbreaking, funny, hopeful, mysterious, romantic, and full of likable characters (minus one—you’ll figure out who when you read it!)
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Natalie is lost after her husband died more than two years ago. She can’t seem to find joy in the things she was passionate about in her life “before”. She takes to playing piano a few days a week at a London train station when she begins to find sheet music to songs that are significant to her. With the help of old friends and new, Natalie sets out to discover who is leaving her the music, as she discovers that life can be meaningful again in the “after.”
Lia Louis knows how to write a story that really punches you in the gut of your feelings. While reading this, you can feel Natalie’s grief pouring off the pages. I felt very invested in Natalie’s journey, as well as some of the side characters. And the ending left me both crying and smiling!
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review. The Key to My Heart is out December 6, 2022.
Lia Louis knows how to write a story that really punches you in the gut of your feelings. While reading this, you can feel Natalie’s grief pouring off the pages. I felt very invested in Natalie’s journey, as well as some of the side characters. And the ending left me both crying and smiling!
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review. The Key to My Heart is out December 6, 2022.
Natalie's husband Russ died two and a half years ago. Her friends think it's time she moves on, but that doesn't happen on their schedule. And then she starts finding sheets of music in the bench at the public piano she plays. The songs are ones that were important in her relationship with Russ.
This was a beautiful book. It is focused on Natalie and her journey, rather than on a romance. There is a romantic element, but I won't even name who the character is. There's also a fun sense of mystery, as Natalie tries to determine who is leaving her the sheet music.
I also enjoyed watching her relationship with her friends and sister. Priya is such a great friend to Natalie. It really got me thinking not only about grief and healing, but also about how to be there for someone in need.
The pacing is slow, as befits the topic. It kept me engaged throughout. Though not my favorite from her, it's another lovely example of how well Lia Louis writes. Her prose is so thoughtful. At times, I paused just to admire a particular sentence or metaphor.
Thank you to Atria, Emily Bestler Books and @BookClubFavorites for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
This was a beautiful book. It is focused on Natalie and her journey, rather than on a romance. There is a romantic element, but I won't even name who the character is. There's also a fun sense of mystery, as Natalie tries to determine who is leaving her the sheet music.
I also enjoyed watching her relationship with her friends and sister. Priya is such a great friend to Natalie. It really got me thinking not only about grief and healing, but also about how to be there for someone in need.
The pacing is slow, as befits the topic. It kept me engaged throughout. Though not my favorite from her, it's another lovely example of how well Lia Louis writes. Her prose is so thoughtful. At times, I paused just to admire a particular sentence or metaphor.
Thank you to Atria, Emily Bestler Books and @BookClubFavorites for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
5 Stars
Lia Louis does it again! I have definitely got a new favourite author for sweet romances that have a huge emotional impact.
The Key to my Heart is about Natalie, a young widow who 2 years after her husband's death is still struggling with the crushing grief and guilt. It is such an emotional book but ultimately it is incredibly uplifting and focuses on grief, self care, being kind to yourself, the importance of friendship and of course, love. I don't want to spoil any of the storyline so no details here! But it is a beautiful book that swept me away. I also had zero idea what would happen and loved all the twists and turns and mysteries within the story. It is just perfect.
The story is obviously amazing but it is the characters that make this book extra special. Natalie our lead female is such a realistic protagonist and I just wanted to give her the biggest hug. She had my heart from the beginning and I loved the journey Lia Louis took her on and her growth in the book.
There are so many amazing side characters but the two main male characters were also incredibly special in their own way and brought so much to the book. I adore Tom and his humour and how he was always there for Nat and just SO sweet and caring. Can I please have a Tom in my life?!
The other guy Joe was a little more mysterious and I really loved how he and Natalie connected through their grief and built a sweet supportive relationship from that.
Lia Louis is an incredible author. She had me hooked on every single word. I rarely give romance books 5 stars if there isn't smut involved (this is a clean book), but her writing and storytelling is just so captivating that there is no way I could rate it any less than perfect.
I really recommend this book and hope you all love it as much as I did!
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lia Louis does it again! I have definitely got a new favourite author for sweet romances that have a huge emotional impact.
The Key to my Heart is about Natalie, a young widow who 2 years after her husband's death is still struggling with the crushing grief and guilt. It is such an emotional book but ultimately it is incredibly uplifting and focuses on grief, self care, being kind to yourself, the importance of friendship and of course, love. I don't want to spoil any of the storyline so no details here! But it is a beautiful book that swept me away. I also had zero idea what would happen and loved all the twists and turns and mysteries within the story. It is just perfect.
The story is obviously amazing but it is the characters that make this book extra special. Natalie our lead female is such a realistic protagonist and I just wanted to give her the biggest hug. She had my heart from the beginning and I loved the journey Lia Louis took her on and her growth in the book.
There are so many amazing side characters but the two main male characters were also incredibly special in their own way and brought so much to the book. I adore Tom and his humour and how he was always there for Nat and just SO sweet and caring. Can I please have a Tom in my life?!
The other guy Joe was a little more mysterious and I really loved how he and Natalie connected through their grief and built a sweet supportive relationship from that.
Lia Louis is an incredible author. She had me hooked on every single word. I rarely give romance books 5 stars if there isn't smut involved (this is a clean book), but her writing and storytelling is just so captivating that there is no way I could rate it any less than perfect.
I really recommend this book and hope you all love it as much as I did!
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars. This was really good but perhaps I was not in the best head space to really connect with it. I loved Tom and Natalie was okay but I thought perhaps it was a little long in the middle. The mystery aspect of it was the best part.