I particularly enjoyed this book's setting in the PNW as the main characters geocached in Oregon. A fairly quick read for me, completing it in a week.

TW/Spoiler alert:



In the opening chapters, the main character encounters a couple of shady characters while hiking alone looking for a geocache and they attempt to abduct her on the trail, temporarily holding her captive until a fellow hiker is able to intervene and allow her to escape.

Due to this dark beginning scene I wasn't sure if I would enjoy reading the book, and although it never became a lighthearted story, the main characters were interesting and well developed and I found the storyline of their developing relationship as well as personal growth an interesting and well-written read. I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a book of loss and love and friendship. Tracey Garvis Graves can turn a phrase like few others, and The Trail of Lost Hearts is a captivating read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

It took me a little over 24h to finish this book. So, in that regard it was a great read because it kept me reading.
The characters were well-developed. The story held itself together as it progressed. I had never heard about geocaching until I started reading this and now, I'm interested on knowing more about it. Teaching me something new is always a plus. The author built the "will they, won't they?" very well. The tension and dialogue kept me engrossed in it. The pace had some issues at times, especially when the protagonists started their "friendship." Although it is a bit of an insta-love sort of story, it does NOT come across as highly improbable and unrealistic. I think centering the romance around and interesting hobby helped to counteract the "hard to believe" parts. Also, the twist is one of the most hated tropes out there, but I'm one of the readers that absolutely LOVES it! So, that added to why I really liked the book after all.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This very much was like eat, pray love, but millennial edition? I think we start off a very uncomfy with what deems almost of a sexual assault and just the notion of it happening is probably triggering to a lot of people they don’t know that’s happening. I know I skipped through like a Bajillion pages afterwards just to make sure everyone was OK.

I think the PNW and geocaching aspect were really cool. Very down with the Reese Witherspooon wilderness trek.

I don’t like the miscommunication though. I’ve never lost a spouse, but I feel like life is fleeting and for you to not tell people immediately things, you’d have to. I found it odd she just averted the whole “baby in belly” thing?

Audio was great though. Very emotional. Idk if I would have cried (I would have let’s be honest) without the audio but definitely balled like a baby with it!

If Tracey Garvis Graves doesn't stop ripping my heart out and shoving it back in my chest, I swear I don't know what I will do. I absolutely LOVED this book and I identified with Wren in so many ways I wasn't expecting. As a single mom, even more so. This was so beautifully written, so emotional, and just so wonderful!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Loss

The Trail of Lost Hearts is a captivating and heartwarming novel by Tracey Garvis Graves. The story follows Wren and Marshall as they embark on a unique journey of love and healing.

Graves's evocative writing style creates a cozy and atmospheric setting, perfect for a fall read. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their chemistry is undeniable. Wren's vulnerability and Marshall's quiet strength make for a compelling pairing.

The geocaching element adds an interesting twist to the story, making it a unique and engaging read. The author's ability to blend romance, mystery, and personal growth creates a truly satisfying narrative.

The audiobook narration for The Trail of Lost Hearts is exceptional. Eric Meyers and Kate Handford bring the characters to life with their captivating performances. Their voices perfectly complement the story, enhancing the listening experience and making it a truly immersive journey.

Overall, The Trail of Lost Hearts is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. It's a heartwarming and uplifting story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

5 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #thetrailoflosthearts #traceygarvisgraves

This was my first book by Graves, and I enjoyed it. It isn’t my typical go-to genre but I can see why she is such a popular Author. I thought this was a great story of self-discovery as well as good slow burn romance. The story was full of heartbreak but also hope and it was a nice change of pace from my typical reading.

In an attempt to grieve and recover from two back-to-back life-shattering blows, 34 year old Wren embarks on a solo week-long geocaching journey. At the start of her trek she runs into Marshall, a man dealing with his own personal grief, who ends up literally saving Wren from a dangerous situation. Instead of continuing on their journey’s solo, the two decide to team up and geocache together. Of course, what starts out as a platonic friendship, turns into something much more over the week long road trip,
and Wren can’t help but hope that the universe has finally delivered something good and right to her life.

Things I really loved about this book: the setting of geocaching in Oregon, the fact that Wren and Marshall were a bit older (in their 30s), the genuineness of their grief and flaws.

But there’s a twist that occurs closer to the end of the book (that I really didn’t see coming) and it’s one of my least favourite tropes in books and I had a really hard time accepting it and not being overly annoyed with how it all played out.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book though (and much more than her last one which was a bit of a flop for me). I’m a huge fan of Tracey Garvis Graves and can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

This story brings two people who are at tough stages of there life together through geocatching. It is a great story. You want to feel bad for both of them but you also want them to pull ahead in life. I really enjoyed this story. It had everything needed to keep me interested.

I fell in love with the writing of author Tracey Garvis after reading The Girl He Used to Know, and was so excited to read this.

I paired the book with the audiobook, and loved to do a fully immersive style of read. Narrated by Eric Meyers and Kate Handford, I thought they did a great performance!

*many thanks to St Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review.

I have absolutely loved Graves previous books and was so excited to read this!!

Oh my goodness this book was really sweet!! I felt so sad for Wren and Marshall with all the heartache they've been through. Wren decides to go to Oregon for some hiking adventures. While on the trail, she meets Marshall and they continue on together. I loved the nature aspects in this one!! Loved Wren and Marshall's healing journey together!!

4/5 stars!!!

Can't wait for her next book!!

Tracey Garvis Graves' The Trail of Lost Hearts is a poignant exploration of grief and healing. Wren, struggling with loss, finds solace in a solo geocaching trip. As she navigates the Oregon wilderness, she connects with Marshall, a fellow hiker dealing with his own pain. Together, they find comfort and support in each other's company. This heartwarming story celebrates the healing power of nature and human connection.

I loved The Girl He Used to Know so I was excited when the opportunity arrived to read Tracey Garvis Graves’s newest book. This one tackles themes of grief and finding new and unexpected love. Marshall and Wren meet on an Oregon trail (not that one) while geocaching. Marshall becomes a literal hero, saving Wren from some sketchy dudes…commence love story. I love these characters and I love them together, but I am not sure if I would be so trusting of Marshall immediately. My cynicism would make me think, “Is he in kahoots with the bad guys?” But he wasn’t, so good for Wren. This love story is messy but realistic, which I appreciated. Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves romance novels and self-discovery.

graves does it again. her first book had me from the beginning and this one was no exception I couldn't put it down. she makes you feel like you are right there with her characters experiencing everything with them. I can't get enough!

The Trail of Lost Hearts is the recent release from Tracey Garvis Graves and if you've not read a book by her yet, you are missing out. I know that when I pick up a book from Garvis Graves I am going to get a good story and well-developed characters and sure enough, this book gave me both.

This story kicks off with our main character Wren going on a hike and Garvis Graves pulled me in with the questions I had about her and what she was doing on her own as well as the situation she was finding herself in. When Wren discovered geocaching, it quickly became the thing that motivated her to get out of bed after taking some pretty big hits and now as a way to take back control of her life she decided to take a solo trip to Oregon but finding herself in a dangerous situation on a trail, she wonders what she's going to do.

Enter Marshall Hendricks, a psychologist searching for distraction as he struggles with a life-altering blow of his own. Though Wren initially rebuffs Marshall’s attempt at hiker small talk, she’s beyond grateful when he rescues her from a horrifying encounter farther down the trail. In the interest of safety, Marshall suggests partnering up to look for additional caches. Wren’s no longer quite so trusting of the universe―or men in general―but her inner circle might argue that a smart, charismatic psychologist isn’t the worst thing the universe could place in her path.

As Wren and Marshall slowly become more than just friends to each other, they learn how to trust again and I loved how Garvis Graves built this relationship. It felt real and at times, complicated and hard but I could also feel how much these characters wanted to figure it out. It is an emotional read but in all the good ways.

If you're looking for a new contemporary, adult romance consider picking this one up. This author is an auto-buy author for me because I can always count on her books to give me a great story with real characters and if you haven't read her backlist yet, you should go and grab them too.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved Wren, and Marshall, and their growth throughout the novel. I laughed, cried, and cheered along with Wren as she learned truths and made changes in her life. I would love to have more of Wren and Marshall’s story at least mentioned in another novel. They felt like my family by the time I finished the novel.

This book!!! All the feels! Oh my gosh I love it so much! My firsr book from this author and it will not be the last. I was so invested in Wren from page one. The heartbreak amd trauma and just wanting to get away from it all. I loved pacing and the little bit of space. I loved that it all took a little bit of time. I loved the surprises and twists. It all felt like a such a realistic storyline. Marshall was so perfect and you couldn't help but fall in love with him - this is exactly what I needed to read now!

I miss the old style of Tracey Garvis Graves's writing, "The Girl He Used to Know, On the Island" The mysticism, the aha moment, the unrealizable moment all that kind of stuff, The trail of Lost Hearst was a good book but I feel like the magic was missing.

Wren Waters is determined to GPS or geo catching (finding hidden objects with GPS) but in this situations, she encounters many things, as a single woman traveling alone, things can get a little ugly or scary and some of those moments Wren goes to them until she meets Marshall someone who will change her life but also save it.

it is a novel full of ups and downs but nothing very dramatic or explosive, it is the love story of Wren and Marshall they weren't looking for something but I guess something finds them.

Waiting for the next book by Tracey for sure.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of The Trail of Lost Hearts in exchange for my honest review.