"Random Hearts" by Warren Adler takes readers on a journey of heartbreak, betrayal, and self-discovery in the aftermath of a devastating plane crash. Vivien Simpson, a content stay-at-home mom, and Edward Davis, an ambitious aide, find their lives intertwined when they discover that their spouses were entangled in a passionate love affair.

The premise of the novel sets the stage for a compelling exploration of grief, betrayal, and the quest for truth. The characters, grappling with the shocking revelation about their deceased spouses, embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind the infidelity. The use of two mysterious identical keys as a guiding element adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

While the plot is undeniably intriguing, the execution leaves something to be desired. The pacing can be uneven, and at times the narrative feels weighed down by its own complexity. The emotional impact of the characters' experiences is evident, but there are moments where the storytelling lacks the depth needed to fully engage readers in the complexity of the characters' emotions.

The exploration of self-discovery and the mysterious nature of love is a central theme in the novel. However, some readers may find certain aspects of the characters' journeys predictable or lacking in nuance. The enduring romance between Vivien and Edward unfolds against a backdrop of grief and betrayal, but the depth of their connection might not resonate equally with all readers.

"Random Hearts" is noted as the enduring romance novel that inspired a Hollywood film starring Harrison Ford. While the premise is undoubtedly intriguing and the themes explored are resonant, the execution may not fully live up to the potential of the story. The novel receives a three-star rating for its captivating premise and emotional resonance, but it falls short in delivering a consistently compelling narrative that engages readers throughout.

How well do you really know your spouse? That is the question for Edward Davis and Vivien Simpson who happen to meet when they are at the same time and place and learn that their spouses were victims of a plane crash, and they just so happen to be cheating on them with each other also. With no one else to turn to knowing that anyone else would truly understand what they are going through with so many unanswered questions they turn to each other. They want answers, they want someone to blame, along with answering their own insecurities that this brings up. Almost from the start this book in my opinion is a real page turner as you follow along to see if they will find the answers they are looking for and what it does to these two people. This book originally came out in the 1980's and a movie was made based on it. This was recently rereleased, and I am not sure why the average reviews as i thought this was definitely a five-star gut twisting read.

I really enjoyed the movie but the book was overly depressing. I wasn't a big fan of just constant sadness and torture.

Character Driven…
Betrayal, scandal, heartache and forgiveness combine in this character driven tale of broken lives and people searching for the truth. A slow burn of emotions, at times suspenseful. The book that inspired the Hollywood movie.

It was an ok read but very dated. The main characters were not very easy to like and seemed a little cold.

Didn’t grab me unfortunately although the cover was eye catching and the description sounded interesting. I guess some books just don’t work out for you.

Great story which really made me think about the secrets people keep and how these can come to light. The writing style was a bit over the top for my taste but that is perhaps something which others will prefer.

This was the second book that I have read from this author. I definitely enjoy his writing style and I love the level of character development and background that he puts into them. I found the story to really lack any complexity in the story itself. It really seemed like the apartment hunt took up a disproportionate amount of time, however it did make sense when visited at the end. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley. This author will definitely be missed and I loved the opportunity to enjoy his work.

Random Hearts started off well but then my interest waned. The writing seemed old fashioned in style and not to my taste. Gave up. Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for the opportunity to try this book.

Warren Adler is always an exciting read and Random Hearts is no exception.

Interesting storyline: two grieving individuals find out their assumedly loving, devoted - and suddenly deceased - spouses were having a passionate love affair. Shattered, they hunt for the truth, seeking the answer hidden behind two identical keys left behind. This thriller is emotional and very human. The characters are realistically created, the story suspenseful and gripping. Now I want to see the movie staring Harrison Ford.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for an advance copy in exchange for my review. This one is well worth reading.

A bit flowery in writing, but overall a decent book.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.