Natalie is grieving the loss of her husband Russ. A pianist and composer, she feels trapped in her life, but one day a sheet of music is left on the piano she plays in the London train station and her life begins to look up. She makes it her mission to discover who is leaving her the music and rediscovers herself along the way. The cast of characters are so delightful, and I especially enjoyed Natalie’s friendship with Shauna. Natalie’s banter with Tom is sweet and he is such a breath of fresh air. Although the book touched on grief, it was done in such a lighthearted way. The ending left a smile on my face and I can’t wait the author’s next one.

Thank you to Lia Louis, NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.

This is my first Lia Louis novel, and I really enjoyed reading this one! I loved the music elements in the plot, the exploration of grief after losing her husband two years prior, and the strength that she pulls from while trying to move on/solve the mystery of the sheet music that keeps popping up!

I also adored the cast of characters throughout this story. They were all so entertaining and fun! Plus, the reveal at the end was fantastic! I can’t wait to pick up another Lia Louis book soon!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

Lia is just AMAZING! she is so talented and weave stories and characters in a way that few authors can. She has this emotional aspect about her books that I always love. The key to my heart was wonderful! The mystery behind who’s leaving the music had best resolution.

I have already reviewed this book. I am not sure why it is coming up twice. 'Please see the other review that I wrote

This is such a heartwarming story about Natalie who is grieving after the loss of her husband Russ. It is full of loving characters that help Natalie through her journey. I especially liked that she was so close with her sister Jodie, that she had Shauna as a mother figure, and found laughter and peace in her relationship with Tom. I enjoyed watching Natalie grow as she figured out how to move in a new direction. I also liked the pop culture icons mentioned in the story. They really added a lightheartedness to a serious subject matter. The ending was so touching and romantic! Tom truly was the best person to help Natalie move forward with her life.

The beginning of the story was a little rough for me with the conversations between her friends at the bar. I found it kind of crude. Other than that, I enjoyed the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Natalie, a pianist and composer, feels trapped by her life. Her husband passed away 3 years ago and the indecision and guilt about how to move forward has kept her stagnant, much to the consternation of her friends and family. While acknowledging that she should be moving forward, she consistently rebuffs attempts by her friends to help her get there.

When music that represents special times in her life starts appearing at a piano she plays in a train depot, She starts making it her mission to discover who is leaving her this music. This mission helps her to make steps to rediscover herself, which things and which people are important to her, as well as making new friendships. The reader follows Natalie as she begins to overcome her grief and begin to move forward while exploring all the complexities of what that can be.

The story takes an honest look at grief, the psychological changes that come from watching a loved one die unexpectedly, and the complexities of what it takes to move forward in one's life. It was a sweet book from beginning to end with mystery and romance, fun friendships that were supportive and not, and how to be honest with oneself.

#netgalley
#arc
#thekeytomyheart

I really enjoyed the heartfelt emotions in this book. I would say the cover could be mis-leading for the heavier topics, but overall I think the author did a good job at combining a tragic situation with light-hearted moments. The music was a beatiful addition to the book and the mysteriousness of it brought another great element.

This was such a sweet, hopeful book, full of wonderful relationships. I loved the mystery of trying to figure out who left the sheet music and I did not see the ending playing out as it did. And I think the ending, at the art show, is one of my fav moments of the entire book. Just so so sweet. Thank you Lia Louis for continuing to put out great books.

Lia Louis is definitely becoming an auto buy author for me! The fact that her MC is 32 makes me so happy. We don’t get enough of romance with women out of their 20s!

Overall 3.5/5 stars.

The Key to My Heart follows Natalie Fincher a few years after her husband and love of her life dies. Her friends are all encouraging her to "move on" or "get over it" but Natalie is clearly depressed and struggling to live her life. She is a pianist and begins to play music at a local train station. Then a mystery person begins to leave her music that was meaningful to her and her late-husband.

The rest of the book follows Natalie as she grows and does learn how to move on in some ways while still acknowledging the hurt in her past.

Guys, in case it doesn't sound like it, this is actually a love story. But I leaned towards 3.5 stars over 4 because Natalie's character was written so well that the book was actually very depressing for such a long time before it began to turn around. Depressing isn't usually what I'm going for in a love story.

It's very well written and if you've liked any of Lia Louis's previous books (Dear Emmie Blue or Eight Perfect Hours) it's worth checking out.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for giving me an advance digital copy for review.

The queen of kismet. I always love how Lia Louis ties her characters and stories together. The side characters are always quirky, fun and loveable. Just a hug of a book!

Natalie Fincher was all set in life, recently married, a new fixer upper cottage and the chance to tour with the musical she finally finished writing after years, until her husband dies suddenly. Her life changes in the blink of an eye and two years later, she is still dealing with her grief. Her friends don't understand, and are constantly trying to get her out on the town and meeting a new man. She still loves music, but can only play anonymously in a London train station. Then, someone starts leaving her sheet music on the piano. Music that brings back wonderful feelings and memories. As she tries to find out who is leaving it for her, she begins to open up to others and finds friendship and maybe even love.

This is such a wonderful story. I love the way Lia Louis writes about Natalie, her feelings and her life while dealing with her grief, it was tangible. I understand how she felt as well as the various situations with well meaning friends. No one can predict how long it will take to deal with grief, and you don't "got over it". I cried several times while listening to this book, as it brought back so many memories of those feelings and dark times, but I also smiled and laughed as Natalie began to open up to possibilities of what her new life could be. As she allowed new people in, and friendships developed, I cheered her on. I really connected to Natalie, not only because I have also lost my husband, but because she wanted to live, but was afraid of what that life would look like. She moved forward with trepidation, but still moved with baby steps. She was real and I related to her on many levels. I liked both the men that she met and although there was some romance that slowly develops, I also liked their friendships. Tom was such a great guy, and he seemed to be able to intuit what she was feeling and how to make her smile. A wonderful story about new beginnings, grief, friendship, moving forward and finding yourself with a bit of a mystery added. I highly recommend, The Key to My Heart.

Thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for my gifted copy of The Key to my Heart, by Lia Louis! This sweet book is out now, and is perfect for the romance and music lover who also loves a good grand gesture.

I thought that this book was so sweet, and really explored grief in a beautiful, touching, and respectful way. Though I haven’t experienced grief in the way that our main character, Natalie, has, it is obvious that Louis has put a great deal of effort into an accurate portrayal.

The best part of this book though, was listening to Louis in conversation with @thechicklitbookclub. She is incredible, and having that little bit of insight was so valuable. It made me want to go back and reread her books.

“The Key to My Heart” by Lia Louis follows Natalie Fincher. It’s been two years since her husband’s death and she’s still lost. One thing Natalie has resumed is playing the piano- but only in the train station where she feels no one notices. Until one day Natalie begins finding sheet music, not just any music, music she and her husband loved. Music she played in the hospital hoping it would make him well again. As she tries to discover who is leaving the mystery music, Natalie begins to slowly open herself up to the world again- maybe being okay, is okay.

This book is sentimental and heartwarming from beginning to end. Natalie is a character that you root for because her experience is so raw and real. No one expects for their world to fall apart just when it seems like it’s all starting to fall together. Her relationship with Tom is everything, especially their simple banter about ordinary things.

Overall, this book was a solid 4 star read for me. I loved watching Natalie’s world change for the better, and her struggle with allowing things to get better will tug at your heart.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! This book is available now!

"Exciting, isn't it? A bit of drama, a bit of a mystery." Yes! I loved the mystery of who was leaving music and the low key love triangle. It's sweet and feel good but also captured what felt like a very authentic portrayal of grief. The unexpectedly intimate look at the aftereffects of loss felt surprisingly at home in this lighter genre. I loved that the book managed to feel cozy and heartwarming while also being real and emotional.

I was more emotionally attached to the author's previous work, Dear Emmie Blue, but found the mystery in this one engaging and the characters, sweet. It was a joy to pick up and read. Lia Louis has become an auto-buy author and I know to expect a tender and entertaining story.

4.5 stars

Lia Louis has a knack for writing beautiful love stories. They touch my heart and often get me to cry and smile at the same time. I think what it comes down to is I feel invested in the characters and appreciate how there is a solid foundation for meaningful relationships.

Natalie Fincher's husband died a few years ago and despite her friends encouraging her to get back into the dating game, she isn't feeling the motivation. There's a piano at a train station in London and Natalie will occasionally sit down and play. One day, Natalie spots sheet music at the piano and it happens to be for one of her husband's favorite songs. She finds sheet music again with another song that her husband loved and well, one time can be explained as a coincidence. But two times? It's brought some much needed hope and excitement back in her life and Natalie is determined to solve this little mystery.

It's a great premise with the sheet music randomly appearing and I like how the storyline was carried out. Grief is a subject that isn't new territory in fiction but there still was value in watching Natalie attempt to move forward. While I enjoyed the book from start to finish there is a particular scene that I found absolutely brilliant. I know Hollywood isn't into making rom coms anymore, but this book would be an excellent choice to put on the big screen.

I originally picked this up because I had read Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis and loved it! Everyone is always looking for a One Day in December type book and I find that Louis’ novels are in the same vein.
When we meet our main character, Natalie, she’s 2 years a widow, still grieving and annoyed with her friends and families who she believes are not so patiently waiting for her to “get over” the loss of her husband. But a few things Natalie finds joy in- visiting the train station, playing the community piano and connecting with the manager of the local coffee shop.

I loved Natalie and her process of moving forward from her husband’s death. I found the cast of characters extremely sweet. 50% through the book I couldn’t decide on who was going to be the “one” for Natalie to fall in love with- which is excellent and I am kind of done with predictable romances. This one is for you if so!!

Thank you Atria books for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Lia Louis is such a gifted women's fiction/romance writer. Similar to her previous novels, this one is incredibly charming and romantic. It follows a woman's journey in finding her purpose in life again after losing her husband unexpectedly. It touches on friendship (both old and new), grief, therapy and of course finding new love. It was a complete page turner for me and I am looking forward to more from her!

Don’t be tricked by the snow on the cover, this is not a holiday romance. 😆 In fact, I don’t even think it snows in the book.

Instead, this is a romance, bordering on “women’s fiction” with a big focus on grief, healing, and strong bonds with others: romantic, platonic and familial. This is my first book by this author, but I will definitely be reading more of her work. In The Key to My Heart we read about Natalie, who lost her husband almost 3 years ago and is lost in her grief. The book is about her slowly coming out of her shell thanks to an unexpected surprise left for her by someone at the train station piano where she plays from time to time and her quest to find who that someone is.

👍
+ What an absolutely fantastic book boyfriend! I fell in love with him from the first scene we meet him. He’s so sweet, considerate, romantic, patient, giving, the list goes on... I read this with a group of people and we all fell in love with him, and he was the favorite book boyfriend of the year for many of us!
+ The main character, Natalie carries a lot of grief with her, it impacts her life in every area. In a way, she wears her grief as armor, keeping people and feelings at a distance. Her not being ready to let any of her grief go was handled so beautifully, then various events has her slowly come out of that armor, and that was beautiful too.
+ Despite how much space Natalie’s grief takes, the book doesn’t feel heavy, it is still easy to read, it’s cute and it’ll put a smile on your face.
+ The romance is a slooow burn and doesn’t take up that much of the book, but with where the main character is in her life, everything in how the romance develops makes sense. I also love the friendship they build while they’re not romantic, especially how he helps her get out of her shell, she helps him not be afraid anymore. I think the fact that they build their friendship first also strengthens the payoff of the romance. Plus they have amazing banter! And the big gesture at the end! 😍
+ There are also many other people around Natalie, sometimes they blunder, but they’re all unique and great characters, who are trying to care for Natalie in their own way. I especially loved Shauna from the coffeeshop!

Overall rating: 4.5⭐, rounded up

Thank you so much to Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of this book.

Lia Louis has become an auto buy author for me over the past couple of years. I have loved all of her books, and this one was no exception. The Key to My Heart is another slow burn romance that will stick with me for quite a while.

Natalie lost her husband unexpectedly 2 years ago, and her friends think it's time to move on. She is working in her sisters shop, living in her and her dead husband's fixer upper without really knowing how to do the fixing up, had a falling out with her best friend, and just seems to be at a stand still in life. Then, she starts finding sheet music in a piano she plays at the train station. Who is leaving it there and why? Natalie is on a mission to figure it out, and in doing so, starts putting her life back in order bit by bit...and opening her heart up in the process.

One thing I love about this author is that her books are so much more than just one singular plot. Sure, Natalie wants to figure out the mystery of the music, but she is also navigating through her grief, friendships (old and new), her house, whether or not she is ready to start dating again, what she wants her life to look like...it's all woven together in the story. I felt so much for Natalie as I was reading. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her, and sometimes, I wanted to hug her.

Highly recommend this one. 4.5 stars.