4.5 stars

My love for Tracey goes back to On the Island, and I have read every one of her books since then. I know her writing will be spot on, good and relatable. I always breeze right through and want more at the end. And honestly, The Trail of Lost Hearts was all of these things. When I got to the acknowledgements I was expecting another chapter, so I’m bummed about that. But honestly, the ending was perfectly fine. I just wanted more!

I would recommend any of Tracey Garvis Graves books, especially this one that releases on March 26!

***Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy in return for an honest review***

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published March 6, 2024.

This is my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was immediately engaged because the main character Wren was geocaching in Eugene, Oregon. As a native Oregonian I love that this book took me to many of my favorite spots: Crater Lake, Tumalo Falls in Bend, Lost Lake near Mt. Hood and of course Portland.

But besides the geographic references I loved that both Wren and Marshall were dealing with grief in their own way. It’s not your typical rom-com due to the issues they were both facing (no spoilers here!) but they were able to help each other heal.

I love the cover and I discovered a new favorite narrator: Kate Handford.

There is a really funny line about “crrinkles and sprinkles”.

“I’m happier when my birds are here in the nest.”

The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves is a new book coming out next month. Tracey Garvis Graves is a new author for me. I found her writing and storytelling wonderful. The characters she wrote were multifaceted and interesting. I loved hearing the main character’s voices as the story moved on.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was a wonderful story of loss and and found. Both Wren and Marshall have suffered a loss when they first met on a hike for a geocache. Wren was in an unsafe situation and Marshall saved her. They decided to hike together to find the other geocaches. Marshall and Wren found a rhythm to hiking and each other. Wren was able to start her healing journey, but Marshall seemed to be stuck. Marshall and Wren’s story continued after the hiking was complete and their tentative relationship grew slowly as they started to find their new life.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was a good read. Wren’s philosophy of “If you pay attention the universe will send you exactly what you need.” made the book interesting to me. I found the plotline did have some unexpected twists, which added to the interest level. Despite the tragedy around both of them, the book is hopeful and uplifting. The Trail of Lost Hearts is a book I would recommend.

4.5 stars!

I am a huge fan of Tracey Garvis Graves, and was ecstatic to receive an early copy of The Trail of Lost Hearts. As expected, this book was hard to put down. I flew through the short chapters and was swept up in the budding romance between Wren and Marshall. There were a lot of surprising twists throughout, that kept me engaged. I rooted for Wren as she dealt with unexpected and difficult events. I didn't think I would enjoy a story so focused on geo-caching, and I learned a ton about the activity! What a great read!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wren Waters is attempting to rebuild her life after a devastating loss and a heartbreaking betrayal. Her quest of self re-discovery leads to a new hobby; geocaching - the outdoor activity of using GPS to look for hidden objects - and a solo trip where she meets Marshall Hendricks.

Marshall, a fellow geocaching fan, is a handsome psychologist searching for an escape after suffering his own loss. Wren is not looking for company, but when Marshall saves her from a dangerous situation, she agrees to work together in the interest of safety.

In close proximity, Wren and Marshall’s attraction intensifies, as does their emotional connection through their shared grief and heartbreak. However, while Wren is able to open up Marshall, he is reluctant to share anything too personal.

Wren can envision a future with Marshall, but she has sworn that she will never again accept just scraps from a potential partner. Marshall's reluctance to share all of himself makes Wren leave Oregon believing she is unlikely to ever see him again.

Wren and Marshall's journey to a happy ending was not an easy one, but it was a worthy one. All of the angst had a purpose; character growth and a healthy new start to a relationship.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was a beautifully written story about grief, self-discovery, and love after loss.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I enjoyed her previous books so I was psyched to get approved!

Wren is on a soul searching trip in the PNW to go geocaching after her fiance dies and she discovers he had a whole other family she had no idea about. She meets Marshall, a handsome psychologist/knight in shining armor who rescues her from a scary situation. He is also grieving the recent death of his brother.

The description on this one was short and a little vague but I'm glad it was because I like to go in a bit blind! I thought the trip was going to be the entire book but the ending of the trip when Wren goes back to Ohio is where the story really ramps up. It's hard to get into much detail without spoiling things but I really enjoyed this one. Sometimes things were over explained and Marshall's character and how well spoken he was seemed a little unrealistic, but it didn't take away from the story IMO. I learned a bit about geocaching and it made me want to go for a hike!

I had such a hard time putting this book down. The story drew me in and didn’t let me go.

This book has a very unique premise (no spoilers), and I would definitely say that it feels more like a woman’s fiction, than a romance. Do not get me wrong, there is a strong romantic element to this story, but most of the focus is on the growth from the grief that Wren (FMC) is working through.

Both Wren and Marshall have a lot of baggage coming into this relationship, and I love how the author had these characters work through their pain through therapy, and not a ‘quick and easy fix’. Their relationship progressed in a way that felt real and meaningful.

This is a solid 3, or maybe a little higher. I enjoyed it and it was a super-quick and easy read. It read a little like a Lifetime or Hallmark movie, and I don't mean to belittle it by describing it that way. There is a definite place for stories like this one. The characters were really decent people, mature people dealing with some difficult stuff, and I was rooting for them to find their happy ending. And I have to give props to a romance that includes geocaching--thumbs way up for that.

withholding review for this SMP press book. thank you, but not until the boycott is over. I will review it then.

A chance but fortuitous meeting between Wren and Marshall sets the stage for a relationship that is filled with past devastations for both of them. Can Wren ever trust a man again, and can Marshall let go of the grief he holds inside? Their journeys to healing and trusting made this a very heart wrenching yet heartwarming tale. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time can eventually be the right place at the right time. I enjoyed this book so much that I woke up in the middle of the night to find out what would happen next. The characters were very likeable, and the story flowed perfectly for me. Tracey Garvis Graves has not disappointed me yet, she is a go-to author for me. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

'I don't mind a sky that looks perpetually bruised, because it complements my mood. Mentally, I am not ready for the clouds to part. Like the sun, my happiness will return someday.'

Oh, my heart! I went into The Trail of Lost Hearts completely blind and wasn't sure what to expect. But whatever it was, Tracey Garvis Graves exceeded it. Lost Hearts is a story of loss, grief, nature and love. It shows how the heart may be fragile, but it will repair itself once we allow it to and do the work.

Wren has recently experienced a huge loss and finds solace in the outdoors with geocaching. This hobby brings her to Oregon where she unexpectedly meets up with another geocacher and they team up for the remainder of the trip. Marshall has also experienced a loss and this seems to be his connection to the grief he is still dealing with. What starts out as two strangers deciding to geocache together turns into so much more.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is Wren's story about her past which led her to a present that is anything but easy. While this story is completely her POV and her journey, we get pieces of Marshall throughout that make you fall in love with this man that was dealt a crappy hand in life as well. But we get to see how they each deal with grief, the help they receive with family, friends and therapy and through conversations with one another through emails, texts and later, phone calls.

I fell in love with the friendship Wren and Marshall formed in person, but mostly when the emails started months later. When Marshall started opening up and giving pieces of himself to Wren, I knew I was going to root for him and whatever he was going to give to Wren. I was proud of Wren for holding tight to who she was and to not give up any of her "checked boxes".

This story surprised me and immediately drew me in from the first page. I wasn't sure if geocaching was going to hold my attention, but it was an important part to Wren and Marshall's healing and it was perfect for their journey. I liked that Garvis Graves gave us a little twist to their journey and how they each handled it. This was more than a romance. This was an emotional story of finding oneself in the midst of grief and anger. Such a good balance of womens fiction combined with romance.

Sometimes nature and a good friend are all you need.....and sometimes when you least expect it, friendship turns into more. A really beautifully done story with a couple of twists I didn't expect.

3.5 stars (rounded up)

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Characters: 3
Connection to the book/Enjoyment: 2
Setting: 2
Plot/Overall Story: 3
Writing: 3

Every point= 0.25 stars, max per category 4 points

This is my second book by this author and there were definitely similar themes and vibes between this one and the other I read. I thought this book was good but I didn’t connect to it and the characters like I did her other book. There are emotional themes and some good character growth, which I’m a sucker for. It made me curious to try some other books, but the overall story just fell a little flat for me. I like the fast paced, emotional, growth focused writing style. It’s easy to read and devour.


Content Notes:
Moderate: Vomit, Death, Car accident, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Medical content, Infidelity, Grief, Sexual assault, and Sexual content (three brief open door scenes)

Rating: 4.5 Stars

After her world began to unravel, Wren started listening to the universe. First, it introduced her to geocaching, and then it brought Marshall into her life. They were both reeling from the loss of someone , but together they found a way to heal and the way back to themselves.

I was thinking about the most disappointing part of this book for me. It was the ending, and I believe it's because I was loving this story so much, I couldn't bear for it to be over. Marshall and Wren's journeys were something special. Painful at times, but also inspiring, and I adored every second.

This was a beautiful story of grief, healing, and self discovery. Marshall and Wren were hurting in very different ways, but both carried around a lot of pain and quite a bit of guilt, too. It took a long time for Marshall to reveal the full story of his brother's death, and his guilt was tied to the way he died. It was tragic and terrible and so, so sad, while Wren's situation was quite complicated. Her fiancé being killed in car accident was awful, but it got worse after he died. Wren was left mourning the loss of the man she thought would be her husband while also beginning to doubt her judgement and herself.

Though I rooted for both of them, it was Wren's personal journey I found so compelling. She had to face some serious situations following Rob's death, and it forced her to really dig deep and re-examine many things things she thought were true. And just when she made so much progress, the other shoe dropped, and Wren had to dig even deeper as she continued moving forward with her life. I was very proud of all the progress she made and those lines she drew in the sand.

I have to admit, I kind of loved that it was geocaching that helped Marshall and Wren get back out into the world. It's an interesting hobby and it took them to some beautiful places out in Oregon. Though I am a person who would don an "Indoorsy" shirt with no shame, I am always awed by the beauty of nature.

As for the romance, I adored these two together. They had great chemistry, and things were just easy between them which was a big change for both. Though their relationship had an expiration date, a deep friendship formed. It was one that physical distance could not sever, and I was giddy with the way it all played out.

Overall, this was a thoughtful and lovely exploration of love, grief, and self. Both characters made so much progress with themselves while providing support to each other as they hiked and healed.

After the death of her fiance, Wren Waters decides it is time to get out bed and go explore the world. She flys solo to Oregon to go geocaching. Two men try to take advantage of Wren at one of her sites when a hiker, Marshall Hendricks rescues her. Marshall suggests to pair up
for the rest of the journey so that Wren could feel safe. Wren is hesistant but finally decides to take Marshall up on his offer. The rest of the story touches on their journey in the outdoors and their baggage from the past. I enjoyed this book. I liked the nature aspect of the book, the comedy, and the developing relationships. Parts of the book were a little far-fetched for me but it was light reading that was overall enjoyable. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced cooy of this book.

This was okay. I wish the story centered more around the friendship and healing between the two main characters. The ending was a bit lackluster. I wished for more. Overall an average read.

Book Releases March 26, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC. And to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

This book was a very quick read that started off strong. Wren Waters is grieving the death of her fiancé and heads to Colorado to do some geocaching. She runs into Marshall on the trail and he later intervenes when she’s been cornered by two men with ill intentions. Marshall and Wren agree to partner up and the first half of the book is a really lovely roadtrip/self discovery story.

Then Wren goes home and we get perhaps the worst plot twist ever. Yep… <spoiler> Wren’s pregnant by her deceased baby daddy who also had a secret family </spoiler> After that the story went downhill fast, no pun intended. Wren somehow became less likeable and her actions throughout the second half of the book are incredibly frustrating and incongruent with the character we meet in the first half.

I also really struggled with the timeline of this book really. When we first meet Wren, it seems like it’s been quite a while since her loss but we later find out it’s been no more than ten weeks. The flashbacks to what happened to her fiancé also didn’t seem to work out in time and space. These inconsistencies were enough to seriously take me out of the story.

My feelings are so mixed on this one it’s hard to summarize but there it is. This also squarely falls in the women’s fiction genre even though it has romantic elements.

Content flags: description of death by gun; description of death by car accident; navigating pregnancy and birth; attempted assault

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is a story about two people who come together while geocaching. I had heard that word, but did not know exactly what it was so I found that part of the story fascinating. Wren and Marshall are both dealing with grief. As their relationship grows from the initial meeting to friendship and more we see them start to deal with their grief. There are many twists and turns to their relationship in this heartwarming story. Wren and Marshall are great characters who truly seem like they belong together. Their journey to their happy ever after makes for wonderful reading.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was an unexpected delight. Full of nature, healing, and a few unexpected twists, it held my interest, kept me reading, and was not as predictable as many books in this genre tend to be.

Overall I enjoyed Wren as a character. I liked how her journey of grief was her own and she didn't need other people to validate it, she just knew what she needed to do for herself. Wren and Marshall were sent to each other at just the right time, and I love how they helped each other start to heal without actually trying to do so.

Although the pace may be a bit slow, the story is kept moving by surprising reveals and some unexpected twists. I'm not sure how I felt about the big plot twist in the middle, definitely not one of my favorite tropes, but it certainly kept the story from becoming predictable. It also kept me invested and I wanted to keep reading to find out how it would all work out.

I also really enjoyed Wren and Marshall's geocaching adventures. I loved getting to go along with them out in nature and being immersed in the great outdoors of Oregon. Wren's emotional connections and moments with nature really resonated with me as well.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who likes less conventional stories of romance, wants to glimpse areas of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, enjoys or is curious about geocaching, and likes a few twist and turns in their stories to keep it interesting. This is not your typical cut-and-dry romantic dramedy, and that is a great thing!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is about a woman in her midthirties rebuilding her life after tragedy. When we meet Wren she has suffered the sudden loss of her fiance. She recently discovered geocaching as a way to explore and reconnect with nature and herself. Wren decides to take a trip to Oregon to regroup and gain perspective.

Soon into her vacation Wren meets fellow geocacher, Marshall, and they decide to team up. He is very kind and empathetic, but also struggling with his own trauma. I adored the descriptions of the places they visited. It makes you want to get out into nature. I enjoyed the relationship that blossomed between Wren and Marshall. I listened to the audiobook, which was well-narrated and so relatable.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ebook and audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.