Great book! I enjoyed reading it and I will recommend it to others. It was an easy read. I’m looking forward to see what else the author has written as this is my first by this author. Great story and storytelling

Great book! I enjoyed reading it and I will recommend it to others. It was an easy read. I’m looking forward to see what else the author has written.

I loved this book. I would recommend it. I’m so sorry I missed the deadline.

Everything the Heart Wants was a great read. I don't think I have ever read a book with a main character that was so me in this way. We are first introduced to our main character, Halley, when she is telling us a bit of her history. How she has never wanted kids, never, how she would bring that up on the first date with guys she dated to make sure that that was okay with them before things get serious. Because if they really want kids it wouldn't work out. Better to find that out before you fall in love and start planning a future and realize you both want different things. Because kids? They are a big deal. There is not an easy way to compromise with kids. If you are not on the same page then one person must put aside their wants for the other. Which could be not so good in the long run depending on the situation/relationship/people involved. And that is me. I am so Halley in this way. I have never wanted to have kids. I brought it up right away with anyone I dated because it is a big deal. It really is a deal breaker for some people. And I got lucky to find my husband who is totally on board with it just being us. We love our life as it is. I love my friend's kids, I am super happy for them that they have the family that they want and it is great. I just don't want that for myself. So I got Halley. Everything she said about how she met her husband and how her life worked out up until this point I was just like yes! Exactly! Yes! It was pretty awesome because like I said I have never encountered a character like that in one of my books. It was refreshing to read. Something different.

Only what happens when one person in the relationship changes their mind? What happens when you are still super in love, but one person now wants a baby? When one person goes back on that life of no kids that was agreed upon? Man, this was a rough one. And it was a bit...intense for me to read. Nerve-wracking and really shook me up. I will be honest it made me a little paranoid that maybe my husband would change his mind and then what would I do? Because I am still firmly in the no kids boat. As I was reading I was afraid to go on, but couldn't put it down at the same time. I didn't want to see what would happen because as I said kids are a big deal. How can two people make that work when they want different things? It...it really made me think about what I would do in that situation. It would be hard. It is really a difficult situation.

Throughout all of this, through Halley trying to figure out what to do now that the plans have changed, you also have a few side stories. Mainly Halley's sister who is having a few bumps in her marriage as well (I love how the author had this play out. What was going on and who was involved and all of it) and Halley's friend who has always been really surface level with guy because she let the love of her life go when she was younger and now regrets that. Really I think I could have read a whole book about both of these characters and what happens with them. The sister would be another tough read, but one I gladly would. And Marian's could be a wonderful second chance romance if everything worked out the way she wanted. But it was nice seeing the strong friendships and people who were there for Halley when she was having troubles of her own. When she was trying to figure out what to do in her own marriage now that it is not what she always thought it would be.

I really enjoyed this story and it was surprisingly uplifting at the end. I really wasn't expecting to come out of it feeling so good about everything. I was sure while reading that it would be a downer, but instead I was left feeling so hopeful and positive. It was a really great read. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I basically skimmed through half of this book. Who tells someone on their first date that she does not ever want to have a baby. It just got really monotonous when she was saying it over and over again.

My opinion of this book may be colored by the fact that I was expecting a different genre. I thought this was a romance when in reality, it’s more Chick Lit. That isn’t in itself a bad thing, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. In Everything the Heart Wants Halley Brennan and her husband Adam, have a plan for their lives. College sweethearts who seem like the perfect match for each other. Soul mates. They live the life they have planned, working for their respective careers in their chosen, childless state. Until Adam’s nephew is born and he suddenly has second thoughts about not being a father. And then the real struggles and challenges to their relationship begin. This is a story of love and dreams and what to do when those dreams diverge. Although the writing was solid, I found the story to be a bit long and Halley a bit whiny and selfish. It was hard NOT to root for Adam, the perfect guy. I finished and felt a bit deflated but it’s a good choice for fans of Chick Lit, Savannah Page or people who may have encountered this situation and want to feel empowered by identifying with a literary character. B-

How should I review a book that I didn't enjoy but which was well-written? I didn't enjoy this book because my beliefs on the nature and purpose of marriage are at odds with the main character's. I believe that a "child-free" marriage is a tragedy, not a goal and so I had a hard time relating to or even liking Halley and the resolution of her problem didn't make me feel good.

Everything the Heart Wants is everything I look for in a novel. The characters are well-developed and real. The story line is full of conflict, with healthy doses of both happiness and heartbreak, and the ending promises the hopefulness of new beginnings. I will be recommending it to my book discussion group!

Thanks Netgalley. This book was a little bit confusing at times but loved the ending. and also liked the characters. 3.5 stars

This novel held my interest like none other in my recent past. You see, I am a mother of two grown women who I love, but I am not a woman who loves children. I may never have grandchildren because one of my daughters has chosen not to have children and one is happily single. Do I worry about the next generation without children from my family? Not really. Occasionally I think it's sad, but that's about it.

This novel delves into a relationship where one spouse wants children and the other does not. It helps you see the pros and cons and helps the reader understand the reasoning behind the decisions made by the couple. It is, by no means, depressing or sad. The story is up and down like most novels and I appreciated the author's honesty. I read this book fairly quickly because I was truly interested in what the couple decided to do.

I think this is a great book for women. We have so many choices now that it shows that we don't all have to choose the one we have taken for thousands of years. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this enlightening perspective. This book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Everything the Heart Wants is well written with a great plot and well developed characters. I highly recommend this book.

Everything the Heart Wants was such a good read. The characters were very well rounded, easy to like and relate to. The dilemma facing Halley and Adam, a very tough one. I can't imagine how I'd react faced with something similar. The author did a great job writing both points of view ~ Halley and Adam's ~ without making one right and one wrong.

The "supporting cast" was filled with equally likable characters that I enjoyed as well. Everyone was dealing with something, as is pretty normal in life, and they all handled things in interesting ways. My heart went out to everyone in this story, but especially Halley and Adam.

This is one of those books that some people won't care for because there's no HEA, but just like in life, not everyone gets their HEA. I thought the subject matter was dealt with well and the ending was pretty much the only ending there could have been. I will be looking forward to reading more of Ms. Page's work in the future.

Thanks go to Netgalley, the author and publishers for allowing me an early copy.

Tough choices. Page has captured an emotional and difficult issue in a sensitive and compassionate way. Don't judge Halley, who decided early on that she did not want children, until you've walked in her shoes. I appreciated how well rounded this novel is and how sympathetic both Halley and Adam are. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I suspect this will have hot reviews but remember we are all entitled to be true to ourselves. A very good read.

The story goes… Halley was always sure, from the very beginning, that she never wanted to be a mother. In fact, she made this clear on the first date with Adam itself. But when her husband after 11 years of bliss, suddenly asks her to reconsider about having a baby, they are at cross ends. To rethink the situation, they take a trial separation.. Both reflect and deliberate on the path they have to follow….

Who would compromise and who should compromise??

The main character, Savannah is beautifully supported by her sister, Charlotte, sister-in-law Nina, and her best friend Marian. Each character is brave, each character shows a core of inner strength, and each choose to live their life on their own terms. Each of them have their personal battles to fight, and they come out stronger than before.

Not every story is a fairy tale, and not every story has a happily ever after. But some do. And many have their own versions of happily ever after, their own brands of love, their own truths…

Happiness means something different for everyone. It’s putting yourself out there and risking heartache, if only for a second chance. It’s that comet shooting across the sky, reminding you to burn bright….
These two quotes from the book are just one of the few that captured my heart. The book, the story, the words spoke to the inner me, melted my heart, and strengthened my beliefs. It is a book that every woman in this world should read.

The author, Savannah Page has written this book from the inner strength of her conviction. Her words speak about the courage of her beliefs and with the tenacity of her truth. Every word is seeped in authenticity and genuiness in oneself. The story speaks about being true to oneself and letting go, even when it is the most difficult thing to do, in this world.

Savannah Page has defined love in such a beautiful way that I couldn’t help but quote her…

What honest and unconditional love is. Sometimes love is taking a step back; sometimes it’s moving forward. Sometimes it’s letting go; sometimes it’s holding on. Sometimes it’s taking it back . . . chasing it. But it isn’t anywhere in between. It’s in the action. It is in the decision you make now…

The decision every woman must make is to live her life to the fullest whatever makes her happy whatever fulfils her inner woman. This point is brought to the forefront by another quote by Savannah, for her main character Halley —Like a comet, I’ve got to rocket to the edge of the solar system and back, fearless, shining in the sky and burning bright on the journey that is this messy and complicated, and nuanced, big beautiful life.

Its so true, life is difficult, but living a lie makes it all the more difficult. The author Savannah Page, sums this simple fact up in this book that one can live a life filled with everything the heart wants, even if that happiness is different from others…

“It isn’t what never changes, but what has.”
A well written story of love, letting go and moving forward with life- for you.
I was certainly not expecting how this novel ended, but admire Halley in standing true to her convictions and letting go of the person she loved most.
Throw in a wonderful family that has their own life changing events to work through and you have one amazing book!

I haven't had a book move me in a while the way this book did. It's not a sad book - although in some aspects it was - but in all retrospect, it's a story about identity, being totally true to yourself, and just being downright brave.

I'll try to point out a few things about the book without giving too much away. First of all, Halley is such a strong and resilient character, even in her moments of weakness. Be prepared to feel a roller coaster of emotions tumble through you as you go on this emotional journey with Halley. You might even get upset and take a break for a few hours or days, as you try to wrap your head around some things, and understand some decisions made. It was difficult to accept the decisions she was making were real and final, even though deep down I knew she was right. I thought she was being selfish (perhaps a part of me still thinks so), and that frustrated me to no end.

Everything The Heart Wants is a 'real-talk' book about being true to yourself in every sense of the word. Will you be willing to sacrifice love so you can stand by what you want out of life? Or do you sacrifice what you stand for in order to have -- and keep -- love? What do you do when you can't have what/who you love and also stand by your heart's true desire?

These are obviously tough questions that we women face at one point in our lives, maybe not in the exact circumstance as Halley and Adam, but in other situations as well. How far would you go (in spite of what you stand to lose) to stay true to yourself? They were tough questions I struggled to answer along with Halley, and although my answers at the end were different from Halley's, I respected her decision very much, and I know it took a lot of brevity and courage to take that leap. To the women who are brave enough to stand for what they truly want and take those tough leaps, they're true heroes and I applaud them for their courage.

Savannah Page is a great writer, and I'd no doubt read other books by her. I feel privileged to have read this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was truly outstanding. A beautiful love story about a couple who truly tried to make things work. It was a realistic representation of life and relationships. One of the best books I have read this year.

This book really kept my interest. I liked it. I was a bit conflicted at the characters, but understand the reasoning.
I'm seriously hoping that this author is continuing to write books, because I will definitely read them.

Halley Brennan was married to the man of her dreams. They had everything they could ask for. But after eleven years of wedded bliss, Halley and her husband Adam struggle to keep their marriage together when questions of having (or not having) a baby arise. With the help of her sister Charlotte, friend Marian, and even her sister-in-law Nina (who are all going through struggles of their own), Halley discovers what she really wants in life and how that relates to her husband’s needs as well.

With Halley’s gut-wrenching decisions, this emotional book had me wanting more….and more! Everything the Heart Wants explores REAL conflicts that REAL couples go through. Not all stories have happy endings, but some do! The reality of this story made it one to relate to and remember. By the end of the book, I found myself emotionally involved. The story was well developed and the characters were likable, making it easy to become lost in their world of heartbreak, love, and friendship.

I really enjoyed this book especially the fact that the ending was not a predictable chick lit type of ending.The characters and situations were very believable and likable. I did find the writing to be somewhat redundant in the descriptions of Halley and Adam's marriage and Halley's deal breaker and how she felt during her separation. I also felt that the author overused the made up word "omigod." throughout the story. Despite these minor details, it was an enjoyable book.