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emloc13's review against another edition
4.0
4 ⭐️
Gemma is a 32 year old illustrator, who is still coming to terms with the death of her husband from cancer. She volunteers at her local hospital where she meets Casey, the only child to Mum, Angelica. Casey has only just met her dad, Dan, who offered her somewhere to stay in Bristol for a month, whilst she received specialist treatment for her brain tumour
When Gemma bumps into Dan at the hospital they instantly connect, but she’s appalled to find out that Dan chose to stay out of his daughters life for 12 years, leaving Angelica to bring Casey up alone. But she soon finds herself falling for him..
The story is set over the course of the month Casey is in Bristol receiving treatment, her family all together living under the same roof for the first time in her life. Navigating building a completely new relationship with her Dad and emotions and unanswered questions resurfacing for Angelica, having to now lean on Dan for somewhere to stay, after abandoning her with a newborn 12 years ago.
I don’t actively opt for romance novels as they are often predictable. Although this book follows the same girl meets boy storyline, the other themes within the book made it stand out for me. I loved the addition of a dog as one of the core characters too!
I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and their backgrounds. At times I hated Dan, but once you find out about his past and his childhood, you can’t help but fall in love with him, just like Gemma does!
This wouldn’t be a book I’d usually opt for, I was kindly sent it, after winning an Instagram giveaway, however, it exceeded my expectations. If you’re after a heart warming romance, that’s also heart wrenching in places then this is the one for you ♥️
Gemma is a 32 year old illustrator, who is still coming to terms with the death of her husband from cancer. She volunteers at her local hospital where she meets Casey, the only child to Mum, Angelica. Casey has only just met her dad, Dan, who offered her somewhere to stay in Bristol for a month, whilst she received specialist treatment for her brain tumour
When Gemma bumps into Dan at the hospital they instantly connect, but she’s appalled to find out that Dan chose to stay out of his daughters life for 12 years, leaving Angelica to bring Casey up alone. But she soon finds herself falling for him..
The story is set over the course of the month Casey is in Bristol receiving treatment, her family all together living under the same roof for the first time in her life. Navigating building a completely new relationship with her Dad and emotions and unanswered questions resurfacing for Angelica, having to now lean on Dan for somewhere to stay, after abandoning her with a newborn 12 years ago.
I don’t actively opt for romance novels as they are often predictable. Although this book follows the same girl meets boy storyline, the other themes within the book made it stand out for me. I loved the addition of a dog as one of the core characters too!
I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and their backgrounds. At times I hated Dan, but once you find out about his past and his childhood, you can’t help but fall in love with him, just like Gemma does!
This wouldn’t be a book I’d usually opt for, I was kindly sent it, after winning an Instagram giveaway, however, it exceeded my expectations. If you’re after a heart warming romance, that’s also heart wrenching in places then this is the one for you ♥️
murphy_overbooked's review
4.0
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
If you like family drama. You’ll like this book! I found myself constantly changing which character I was rooting for and who I empathized with. Even then, while at times it was predictable it was an emotional read. A lot of health struggle themes in this book so proceed with caution if that is a trigger for you.
If you like family drama. You’ll like this book! I found myself constantly changing which character I was rooting for and who I empathized with. Even then, while at times it was predictable it was an emotional read. A lot of health struggle themes in this book so proceed with caution if that is a trigger for you.
molly_ashton_'s review against another edition
4.0
After loving How To Save A Life, I was so pleased to see that Eva Carter was releasing a second book. Although the blurb sounded good, I perhaps wasn’t as desperate to read it as I was her first book but thought I’d give it a go regardless.
I’m so pleased I did, Carter is a wonderful story teller and I really loved the underlying life mottos that ran through the course of the book. I thought the characters were both likeable and relatable and I really enjoyed seeing their progression throughout the book. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 as I found a couple of bits a bit cheesy and it took away from the story slightly but overall a really good enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
I’m so pleased I did, Carter is a wonderful story teller and I really loved the underlying life mottos that ran through the course of the book. I thought the characters were both likeable and relatable and I really enjoyed seeing their progression throughout the book. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 as I found a couple of bits a bit cheesy and it took away from the story slightly but overall a really good enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
readingwithmeredith's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really sweet romance story without being as focused on the romance. Feels like a story for fans of Nicholas Sparks but not as heavy as some of those. I appreciated how this book wasn’t afraid to talk about some heavier topics like loss, sick children, absent fathers, infertility/trying to get pregnant, grief, depression, etc. but did so in a way that didn’t feel so heavy. I loved how the author included chapters from the male character’s daughter too. It was a nice addition for a romance book. It did feel a little slow at times for me but overall I enjoyed it and was cleaner of a romance book but not completely closed door, some suggestive content and milder scenes but not nearly as descriptive as most books. The physical side of the relationship didn’t feel like the main focus on this story which I really appreciated, this almost felt like a mix of women’s fiction and romance due to the other characters mixed in.
Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book!
Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Death, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
sharada_mohan's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!
It was as if these “Owners of Lonely Hearts” emerged from the book and gave me the warmest, sweetest hugs, melting my own poor heart!
I read How To Save A Life by this author and loved it. I was thrilled at opportunity to read her newest – thanks NetGalley and Pan Macmillan!
Bringing together three very different individuals, each of them at a unique juncture of their lives and most importantly lonely in their own way, the book gives us an intricately crafted character driven story about finding love and how a family needn’t be just connected by blood.
Character introduction –
Gemma is a freelance artist. While still grieving her husband’s loss, she is about to go on a life-changing journey. Kind and caring, she always knows to say the right things at the right time.
12 year old Casey is currently being treated for a benign tumor at the hospital where Gemma volunteers with her therapy dog Bear. Raised by her mom, she is a bubbly pre-teen who craves normalcy and to belong to a family.
Dan is a handsome charmer. Although an introvert, he is “Dan the Man” and has a great social life. Except, deep at heart he is wary of letting anyone get close to him and is now terrified to meet his daughter after 12 years , while she undergoes treatment in his beloved city of Bristol.
Review –
If a book can give you “all the feels” then this was certainly one such. The narrative moves back and forth between our protagonists Gemma, Dan and Casey and I enjoyed the seamless transitions with their distinct voices.
When fate intertwines their paths, a friendship is kindled and a delicate bond is formed. There is a loving tenderness to each of these characters and it was a pleasure getting to know them. Imperfect and flawed, they were simply being human.
I loved how Gemma approaches Casey. Despite her cautiousness about her being a patient, Casey worms her way into Gemma’s life. And oh! bear was such an endearing character in his own right. Even me not being a dog-person came to adore him.
The best part here is how the author explores the novelty of a father – daughter relationship. I empathized with Dan who has never been in his daughter’s life until now and struggles to impress her. Having come from a troubled past, he is scared of failure and commitment.
I enjoyed the slow burn budding romance between Dan and Gemma. There was just so much depth to their relationship as they battled with grief, loss and guilt. I was amazed at their maturity in the end and appreciated how things played out with them.
Casey, Gemma and Dan soon discover their sense of belonging and their lives are interconnected in an indispensable and intangible manner.
As I cried, laughed, marveled and cheered for these three, they were not just characters, but also my friends for life.
Highly recommend this heart-warming and poignant read!
It was as if these “Owners of Lonely Hearts” emerged from the book and gave me the warmest, sweetest hugs, melting my own poor heart!
I read How To Save A Life by this author and loved it. I was thrilled at opportunity to read her newest – thanks NetGalley and Pan Macmillan!
Bringing together three very different individuals, each of them at a unique juncture of their lives and most importantly lonely in their own way, the book gives us an intricately crafted character driven story about finding love and how a family needn’t be just connected by blood.
Character introduction –
Gemma is a freelance artist. While still grieving her husband’s loss, she is about to go on a life-changing journey. Kind and caring, she always knows to say the right things at the right time.
12 year old Casey is currently being treated for a benign tumor at the hospital where Gemma volunteers with her therapy dog Bear. Raised by her mom, she is a bubbly pre-teen who craves normalcy and to belong to a family.
Dan is a handsome charmer. Although an introvert, he is “Dan the Man” and has a great social life. Except, deep at heart he is wary of letting anyone get close to him and is now terrified to meet his daughter after 12 years , while she undergoes treatment in his beloved city of Bristol.
Review –
If a book can give you “all the feels” then this was certainly one such. The narrative moves back and forth between our protagonists Gemma, Dan and Casey and I enjoyed the seamless transitions with their distinct voices.
When fate intertwines their paths, a friendship is kindled and a delicate bond is formed. There is a loving tenderness to each of these characters and it was a pleasure getting to know them. Imperfect and flawed, they were simply being human.
I loved how Gemma approaches Casey. Despite her cautiousness about her being a patient, Casey worms her way into Gemma’s life. And oh! bear was such an endearing character in his own right. Even me not being a dog-person came to adore him.
The best part here is how the author explores the novelty of a father – daughter relationship. I empathized with Dan who has never been in his daughter’s life until now and struggles to impress her. Having come from a troubled past, he is scared of failure and commitment.
I enjoyed the slow burn budding romance between Dan and Gemma. There was just so much depth to their relationship as they battled with grief, loss and guilt. I was amazed at their maturity in the end and appreciated how things played out with them.
Casey, Gemma and Dan soon discover their sense of belonging and their lives are interconnected in an indispensable and intangible manner.
As I cried, laughed, marveled and cheered for these three, they were not just characters, but also my friends for life.
Highly recommend this heart-warming and poignant read!
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