I really wanted to love The Trail of Lost Hearts, especially because I truly enjoyed The Girl He Used to Know. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t land for me.

I didn’t feel any real attachment to either of the main characters—their personalities felt flat, and their emotional shifts were too intense and abrupt. The pacing of the romance moved from slow-burn to steamy (not a fan of open door romance) to deeply in love way too quickly, and it didn’t feel believable for either character. I found myself struggling to suspend disbelief, as some plot elements were so implausible that it was hard to stay invested, let alone root for their relationship.

It’s disappointing, because I know Tracey Garvis Graves can write deeply moving stories with complex, relatable characters—but this one missed the mark for me. DNF.

This book was sad, but also hopeful. I loved the MMC and the setting was beautiful as well. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I enjoyed the creativity and pace of this book. Author did a great job pulling me in and holding my attention.

[it was okay]

I wasn’t a huge fan of the first half of the book (except the shocker of the end of the main character’s relationship) - the geocaching trip was a bit on the boring side for me. Thankfully the narration of the audiobook was really well done and kept me interested. The story was good but felt like the characters lacked a bit of depth. Overall, I did like it but it wasn’t a memorable one for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this audiobook and ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was fast-paced, very romance heavy, and also surprisingly funny. Don't get me wrong, it's a very emotional book, but there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments too. The second half was a lot more FMC focused, with the twist. But I was very pleased with the HEA.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves in exchange for my honest review and opinion. OMG this book is amazing and will literally leave you thinking about it days, weeks, months after you finish. My only tip for you is to have a very big box of tissues near by as when you finish it you will be crying like a baby. Such a good book!

I liked this one but the second half of the book had a distinctly different feel than the first half, which was a little jarring. It really felt like I was reading two different books with the same characters. I liked the first half more, but was still engaged for the whole of it.

Getting my disclaimer out of the way - straight romance isn't typically what I'm drawn to. I'm more of a rom-com lady. But if you're a straight up romance author, the way to hook me is to involve hiking, especially with a plot of a single woman trying to find herself while hiking ala Cheryl Strayed. So now you know the secret...

Honestly, I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would. It was beautifully written and incredibly heartfelt. Both MCs are trying to push through all-consuming grief while struggling to remain afloat. Both have the thought to take to the Oregon woods (where else are you going to overcome your trauma????). Little did either know, the way to heal their shattered hearts would be to help each other piece them back together one tiny piece at a time.

My complaint about this book is that the romance felt like it came out of nowhere and didn't really quite fit. I almost wish that it would have kept the focus on healing through their friendship and less on the romance aspect. That is where the story really shined.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

I normally like this author but this trail was nothing but one disastrous decision after another.

It started out really strong with Wren, after suffering a heartbreak, decides to get out of her head and go geocaching in Oregon. She's going alone so she can take some time for herself. Along the trail she meets Marshall, who's trying to get over the loss of his brother. They team up to go geocaching together. But honestly, what happens after that is so wildly unbelievable, and the decisions these characters make are so ridiculous, that this novel plummeted into WTF territory.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book because I read a previous book by this author and really enjoyed it.

Wren recently went through a heartbreak, so she sets out to hike and geocache to get a little perspective on her life. While out there, she meets Marshall, When Wren runs into some trouble, she and Marshall decide to partner up and spend the trip together. As they each start to share pieces of their past, a relationship develops.

I really enjoyed this book. The hiking and geocaching was interesting to me to read about, and I was invested in the relationship between the two characters. The author did a great job of incorporating the past of the characters and the effect it had on them and their expectations for relationships.

If you've read anything by this author already or like soft, sweet romances that feel realistic, this is a good one for you.

Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves follows a journey of healing, loss, and finding love in unexpected places. Graves does a beautiful job of exploring deep emotional wounds while also showcasing the power of second chances. The characters feel incredibly real, with their own flaws and vulnerabilities, which makes their growth and the relationships they build feel authentic.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

It started off strong but Wren started to go on my nerves after a while. She's a hypochrite... I LOVED "On the Island" by this author, but this, not so much.

I'm a huge Tracy Garvis Graves fan and I was so excited to receive this NetGalley earc. All opinions are my own.
Wren has decided to take a solo trip after a double whammy of a devastating sudden loss and a huge betrayal. Hiking and geocaching has become her escape, something just for her. As she takes off on a solo journey she meets Marshall, a sweet and handsome psychologist and fellow geocacher who comes to her rescue when her safety is threatened and they decide to pair up. Marshall is more closed off as to why he embarked on this journey of healing.
There is something special about two mature people honestly navigating their grief and communicating in a real adult way, not without complications or heartbreak but just raw. No miscommunication trope here although they both have very different ways and timelines for communication and processing. I love how this author portrays strong female characters in all of her books and Wren is no different - determined to stand on her own two feet and never settle for less than she deserves.
Another hit for me. This is a meaningful romance and journey of healing and self discovery. It's not a fast moving book but I didn't want to put it down. 5 and a Few tears

The Trail of Lost Hearts was a moving story that really got me in a couple chapters. Wren and Marshall are both dealing with grief and lost. They meet geocaching and this brings them together as they heal their wounds. They find each other in this process. and as they help each other, they start to fall in love. I'm always a fan of romance and this book was a well written book. I will be suggesting this to friends and family. Thank you Tracey Gravis Graves, Netgalley and St Martins Press for letting me read this ARC.

Really liked this book. The pace kept me interested and I am glad the heroine took time to 'discover' herself again. Some parts were a bit predictable but overall a quick enjoyable read.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

"The Trail of Lost Hearts" is quiet Romance and Women's Fiction with simple writing, meaningful topics, and mature main characters!

Wren Waters once believed that if you pay attention, the universe will send you exactly what you need.

Now she's not so sure...

Wren meets Marshall Hendricks unexpectedly on a trail while solo geocaching in Oregon. Not initially welcoming to Marshall's friendly small talk, Wren changes her tune when he comes to her aid down the trail. Afterward, Marshall suggests partnering together while continuing to search for hidden cache safely. Based on Wren's close call, she reluctantly agrees and their road trip begins...

Could the universe be at work here? Is Wren paying attention?

"The Trail of Lost Hearts" is the first novel I've read by this author and it's a refreshing romance story with two mature thirty-something main characters who are likable, vulnerable, and flawed. Both experienced recent setbacks with Wren needing alone time and Marshall craving a distraction. Important topics of grief, trust, and mental health are addressed realistically.

This was an immersion read and I preferred the digital version over the audio, narrated by Eric Meyers and Kate Handford. The voicing was fine overall but felt stilted and uncomfortable at times and didn't translate similarly in the digital version.

If you're in the mood for a quiet, refreshing romance, "The Trail of Lost Hearts" could be the one! 3.75⭐

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Tracey Garvis Graves for a DRC and an ALC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thanks so much to SMP and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this one!

This book is a heartwarming story of love and loss, following Wren and Marshall as they go on a unique journey of love and healing. This is a perfect fall read with the wonderful writing of vulnerability and strength.

This is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

I’ve read a couple of Tracey Garvis Graves’ books and enjoyed them a lot. I felt The Trail of Lost Hearts was okay. The character development was there, multiple plot points that were successfully wrapped up, and a happy ending. For me, although there were many traumatizing events and several heartfelt ones, I felt like the overall story was somewhat dull. I didn’t have the urge to keep picking up this book to read. When I was about 45% in, I was very confused what more could be in the remaining 55%. So although the book had great writing and would be something I consider an overall success, it was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Trail of Lost Hearts.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was a great fiction read that brings relatable characters that feel realistic. I loved the romance elements that this book had and the emotional rollercoaster that this story brings you through!