This took me a minute to get into! But I love Lia Louis’ writing and what she does with her characters. Don’t let the cover fool you however, this isn’t a holiday romcom! It’s much more.

Lia Louis knows how to make your heart happy! I have read her past two novels and loved both of them! I was so excited to see her newest novel, The Key to My Heart, in my inbox to read!
Natalie has lost her husband Russ and is struggling to move on. She feels stagnant in her life but she doesn't know how to move on now that Russ is gone. She has a wonderful support system but even they can't seem to help her. Until the day, she sits at the community piano inside the train station and finds someone has left her sheet music. Not just any sheet music, songs that relate to her and Russ. Every day she finds new music. As she begins to try and solve the mystery, Natalie's life seems to take a turn in the most spectacular way.
I highly encourage everyone who enjoys a rom-com to try Lia Louis. Her books are a fun and easy read. I will always be on the lookout for future work by Lia Louis. I find myself wanting to be friends with the characters in each of her books. (And I wouldn't mind finding a Tom for myself either!) Special thanks to NetGalley, Lia Louis, and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 5 stars for me.

This was unfortunately not at all what I was expecting. I tried to tough it out, but the story was slow and uneventful.

Two years ago, Natalie tragically lost her husband and ever since the only place she can bring herself to play music is at a public piano in a train station. But someone is leaving behind sheet music for Natalie and each piece has a special meaning to her. Could it possibly be her late husband reaching out?

This is my third Lia Louis read. I always love that she fills her pages with so much heart. Her books are always about more than just a love story. They are about family, friendship, loss and hope. It's a lovely combination that hits you right in the heart.

This one was a tad slow at times but I still enjoyed it immensely. Unraveling the mystery sheet music kept me invested even when the pace slowed . The supporting characters also bring a bit of humor to Natalie's life.

Side Note: In my head, Natalie's cottage is Kate Winslet's from The Holiday.

I absolutely loved this author's previous books, but KEY TO MY HEART was so slowly paced that I just couldn't continue.

Yes, this book is largely about grief and it does that so well. But 50% into the book and it's just not getting anywhere.

I'm all about the Bechtel Test, but KEY TO MY HEART is endless conversations about grief. It's just too much. The reader knows from the first chapter how much Natalie is grieving, we don't need her to rehash the sane grief with every side character in the book.

Sadly, KEY TO MY HEART just wasn't for me.

Natalie took me on a journey of finding herself again after an incredible loss. Grief is not the same for each person and this story is how Natalie deals with the loss of her husband, the love of her life. Through the process, she struggles with letting down the people that knew her before the loss as she works to figure out what path her life is on now. Trying to find a new direction when the dreams and plans you had are shattered isn’t easy for anyone. I love how music is her anchor that becomes a way for her to rebuild her outlook on life and realize that moving on and embracing new dreams. Along the way, she finds new friends that are also dealing with loss which helps her navigate the crazy twists and turns of life. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Natalie Fincher has spent the last two and a half years in a daze. And for perfectly good reason--she unexpectedly lost her husband, leaving her in a pool of grief. She remains behind in their fixer-upper cottage, her career in shambles, and her sister and friends constantly encouraging her to "get out there." Her one bit of joy comes with occasionally playing piano music at a London tube station and getting coffee nearby after. But when someone begins to leave sheet music at the station--music that seems so connected to her late husband--Natalie cannot help but feel hopeful for the first time in ages. Is this music a message from Russ?

I loved this book so much I finished it with only one eye thanks to an unfortunate incident with my dog and a garage door-frame. I am becoming quite the fan of Lia Louis and her lovely books. This was a sadder and quieter tale than I expected. It's a book about grief and getting over (or perhaps through) a loss. Still, it is also a romance with fun banter and hope. Louis writes romantic and friendly chatter so well.

In HEART we actually have two romantic prospects for Natalie--Joe, a man she meets at a grief music support class, and Tom, who is the son of Shauna, who runs the coffee shop where Natalie hangs out. Honestly, it stressed me out a little wondering who might win her heart--if at all--because I had a clear favorite.

Natalie is not a perfect heroine and that's quite nice and refreshing. She's learning to get out in the world again and she misses her husband. She's frustrated with her friends sometimes for pushing too hard, yet recognizes that maybe she may need that push. HEART handles grief very honestly and realistically. I enjoyed Natalie's kind, fashionable sister, and the wonderful strong character of Shauna, who is a tough cookie, even if she couldn't always acknowledge it. She has her own well-deserved subplot.

Overall, this is a sometimes serious but quite enjoyable read. While it touches on sad subject matter, it's often very funny. Louis writes with a such a great voice that she truly brings these characters to life.

This book was different than I thought it would be. It was not as light and fluffy and I expected. I really enjoyed the friendships and relationships. The complexity of rebuilding after the life you planned is lost was a deeper theme than I anticipated but I was rooting for her. Not a rom-com, but definitely romantic. Closed door.

Overall, I would recommend this book. It was sweet and I enjoyed the characters.

The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis feels like a warm hug - all of her books do, honestly. It’s sweet, hopeful, sad, filled with loneliness and longing, and charming. Natalie loses her husband suddenly just a short time after their marriage. Two and a half years later she is still trying to find her way - the life they built was so picture perfect that she’s having a hard time moving forward or imagining a new one without him. When she starts finding sheet music for songs based on moments of their life she starts to wonder if he is somehow communicating with her. It invigorates her to search for the answers and as she does she finds what she wasn’t necessarily looking for.

I’ll read anything Lia Louis writes - she has a way of creating cozy universes with characters that endear you to them instantly. This was no exception!

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC - The Key to My Heart is out now!

4 1/2 stars

I have fallen in love with this author's words. I love each book she writes and The Key to My Heart was simply wonderful. The main character, Natalie had everything she wanted until her husband died leaving her adrift in a world that she couldn't navigate on her own. Looking for a way to move forward isn't as easy for Natalie as her friends seem to think it should be.

Little things happen that both help her move on and yet hold her back at the same time. She has a chance a new love - - but is it the right fit? She finds new friendships along the way and rediscovers a piece of herself. It's a beautiful and heartfelt story that pulled me in and didn't let go until the last page.

This book confirms my belief that Lia Louis is an author whose books I will always find time for. They are truly special.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I am a huge fan of Lia Louis, so I was very excited about this book. Compared to her other books, this one took a little bit longer dor me to really.get invested, and I am not sure if it was just me or if it was the book. Nevertheless, it picked it, and I became engrossed in what would happen to Natalie, the main character who is a widow. Absolutely loved the ending! Thanks for NetGalley for an advanced readers' copy!

I am a huge Lia Louis fan so I couldn't wait to read her latest book The Key to My Heart. The book centers around Natalie, a woman who is struggling after life dealt her a blow. Natalie lost her husband a couple of years ago as the book opens. She's still living in the cottage that they bought together and were going to fix up together. It hasn't been fixed up yet and Natalie is miserable there. It was really Russ' dream house, not Natalie's. Natalie wanted to live there because it made Russ so happy, but Russ is not here anymore. She can't bring herself to sell the cottage because of the guilt she feels every time she thinks she's ready to do it. Russ loved it.

Natalie Is also struggling socially. Her friends are always trying to get her to go out with them, but she feels out of place. She thinks her friends think that she should be over Russ' death by now, but she's not. It's been a tough time and Natalie isn't sure when she'll feel like her normal self. She's a gifted musician, but hasn't played or written music since the accident. She was supposed to write a musical with her best friend, Edie, but something happened between them after Russ passed. Natalie played the piano at the hospital while Russ was alive and battling and she finds peace now playing a piano at the train station. Someone starts leaving music in the bench and it's important music to Natalie and Russ. Their song and some of their favorites. Who could be doing this? Did Russ plan this before he died? Natalie loves finding the new music and plays it at the train station when she does.

Natalie goes to the coffee shop at the train station once or twice a week after she plays the piano. She and the owner, Shauna, have become very close. Shauna is a good listener and has helped Natalie tremendously. She feels comfortable talking to her because Shauna didn't know her before Russ' accident and doesn't compare her to her old self. This is so comforting for Natalie. The coffee shop is a refuge for Natalie. She knows the regulars, like notebook guy. He's always there by himself writing in a notebook. Natalie bumps into a photographer, Tom, at the station and they hit it off and become friends. Tom has scars from a past relationship and is struggling a bit himself.

Joe, the notebook guy, is struggling with a terrible accident in his own life. He leaves a pamphlet for a music therapy group at the coffee shop. Natalie sees it and decides to give it a go. She and Joe have a lot in common. Will Natalie be able to find her old self after music therapy? Will she and Joe find happiness and be able to move on with their lives? Will Tom and Natalie help each other to heal and move on? Will Natalie be able to date again? Will she find someone that gives her butterflies again?

You will fall in love with the characters in The Key to My Heart. I got emotionally invested right away and found myself crying with them at times, laughing, and rooting for the outcomes I wished for them. This is a wonderful book that will make your heart soar for what could be in the lives of the characters as well as your own life. Lia Louis has written a book that says so much to so many. This book will keep you reading well into the night and your heart will be full at the end. Do yourself a favor and read The Key to My Heart! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for a fair review.

A sweet romance by Lia Louis!

Natalie’s husband Russ passed away 2 years ago and somehow she finds everyone in her life moving on but her. While music used to be her whole life, now she can only play piano in front of strangers at a train station… but when someone starts leaving her husbands favourite songs at the piano she starts to feel something she hasn’t felt in a long time… hope!

Trigger warnings for the loss of a love one as this one gets you right in the heart! Natalie is grieving and trying to find her way back to herself after such an unimaginable loss. What’s wonderful about the story is seeing how she tries so hard to move on but also that she fully acknowledges her struggle. She talks about the guilt she feels about moving on while also feeling like everyone around her is constantly asking her why she hasn’t yet! It’s a real challenging place to be.

There is a wonderful light hearted romance in the story but I would say you are more invested in Natalie pushing forward with her life versus the romances!! She’s a funny, strong character to follow!

While I didn’t love it as much as Lia Louis’s previous book, Dear Emmie Blue, this one was a wonderful read.

Wow. How gut wrenching to read a novel like this, and as the reader put yourself in the situation.. I cried. A LOT. Alas, the story must go on, and after a few chapters, I myself also felt hope, hope for Natalie, hope for happiness once again. But always with a sense of guilt and heartbreak, not knowing if she could feel happiness, or know love again. THE KEY TO MY HEART is a perfect read for the holiday season. You will feel extra grateful for your loved ones this holiday season. READ IT TODAY!

Thank you so much @AtriaBooks & @NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 06 December 2022)

SYNOPSIS | Two years have passed since the unexpected death of her husband & Natalie feels like everyone expects her to have moved on, but she is struggling to find her purpose. She has professionally given up her main passion in life (music) but she continues to play at a community piano when she starts to find very specific sheets of music of her husbands favourite songs which seem to have been left specifically for her.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the discussion around grief being a marathon & not a sprint
- music therapy is a focal point of this story
- that there is a HEA

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I didn't find myself looking forward to picking this book up
- the pacing felt pretty slow throughout & that made the story feel like it was dragging at times
- since the focus of the story is in the "after" I didn't feel like I really got to see Natalie's personality from the "before"
- I could have done without the love triangle

Two years after her husband's death, Natalie is still struggling. She feels stuck--in the village cottage that was her husband's dream home listening to amorous foxes most nights. Her friends are getting frustrated with her inability to move on. Her one solace is playing the piano in a train station. It's a way to escape into the music that she once hoped to make her career but now has pretty much abandoned. After playing the piano, she enjoys a chat with Shauna, who manages the coffee shop in the train station.

Gradually, she meets new people though. Tom, a guy at a bar that her friends insist she talk to, turns up at the train station too. And Joe, a fellow patron of the station coffee shop, shares an unexpected bond with Natalie.

This book could be depressing, but instead it's enthralling and quite often funny. Natalie's good friends, Priya especially, and her sister, Jodie are perfect foils for her deadpan humor. Lia Louis writes unexpected, unique romances. #TheKeytoMyHeart #NetGalley

DNF at 36%. Sadly I was not invested in the storyline or main character. Still open to reading other books by this author.

This was a cute read, but I didn’t feel much of a connection to it. I could easily stop reading and come back later. This book was a little heavy and I think I was hoping for something with a few more lighthearted scenes. I really liked Natalie and Shauna’s relationship.

More Like 3 and ½ Stars ✨!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy of The Key to My Heart.

I enjoyed this one.
I've enjoyed all of Lia Louis's books .
She writes characters I can't help but become attached to and care about.
This book deals with loss/ grief but wasn't too heavy. There was a great balance of seriousness and humor.
The romance in this book was great as well.

Why This Book Wasn't 5 Stars-

I wasn't immediately sucked into the story. It took me a bit. When comparing The Key to My Heart to this author's back list this one is at the bottom for me.
It was still good but it didn't blow me away.

Overall- Recommend. I look forward to picking up whatever this author decides to publish next.

Lia Louis didn’t disappoint. I’ve been waiting desperately for her next novel and it was just as sweet as I’d expect from her. She gives me hallmark vibe but with a strong storyline. This book sucked me into it and left me with a book hangover. I just loved these characters and highly recommend to any hallmark lover.