I have some mixed feelings about this book, but mostly good ones.

Wren has just suffered two life changing events, almost simultaneously. As a result, she decides to take a geocaching trip to Oregon. Geocaching is when you sear for hidden objects using a GPS on hikes. While on her trip, she runs into Marshall. A psychologist who, similarly, is on a geocaching trip to try to recover from a life altering event. As they spend time together, they realize that maybe what they needed wasn’t a solo trip, but a trip with someone who can help them heal.

I loved the first half of this book. I really enjoyed Wren and Marshall exploring Oregon. I liked their banter and I enjoyed the description of the Pacific Northwest. The book flew by as I followed their journey and learned their stories.

When Wren heads back to Ohio at the 60% mark, I liked it a little bit less. There were some surprising plot points I don’t want to spoil that I didn’t love. I think the author did a good job writing them and I didn’t mind how they played out, it’s just not my favorite type of plot if that makes sense.

The first half of this book sort of reminded me of Happiness for Beginners. It tackles a lot of serious subject matter in a very honest yet palatable way. I never felt like this book got too heavy, nor did I feel like it was trying to make light of trauma.

This book is a solid 3.5 stars for me, but I feel good about rounding it up to 4 stars. I think if you enjoy books like Happiness for Beginners and Eat Pray Love, you will enjoy this one. It has a nice balance between romance, comedy, and drama. The pacing is quick and I had fun reading it. I just worry it might end up being a bit forgettable when I look back on the books I read this year.

The Trail of Broken Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves is an emotional read that touches on the broken parts of people and if they’re able to become whole again.

Wren Waters is dealt a devastating blow that causes immense grief. Within hours it’s followed up by another life altering blow. Of course, she’s a hot mess as she wallows in her anger, misery, and sadness. Wren takes a well-needed solo trip to do some geocaching and time to mentally reset.

Enter Marshall, a fellow geocacher, who comes to her rescue when she’s put in a dangerous situation. He seems like a good guy but so did her ex, so why should she trust any man. He is also dealing with his own issues but he’s holding back and so is she.

The story focuses on the heart, the power of healing and most importantly on trusting yourself to fall in love again. Vulnerability isn’t easy and this story beautifully shares how two shattered hearts can heal and love again. This book will give you all the feels.

After the last couple of books I read (which tired my brain), I due to read an easy book. That means a book where I don’t have to take notes every 5 minutes and googling words/phrases I need help understanding. And I was expecting The Trail of Lost Hearts to be a book similar to what I just finished. So, imagine my surprise when it was the complete opposite. Now, I am not saying that this book is an easy read (it deals with loss and grief), but it didn’t give me a headache reading it. Plus, I like the author, having read her previous books.

The Trail of Lost Hearts’ storyline follows Wren’s recovery after her fiancee’s death. I found the storyline to be well-written. It was also fascinating that Wren and Marshall’s hobby, geocaching, was featured. Geocaching is something that I need to become more familiar with, and the author opened a whole new world for me.

Wren’s story was heartbreaking. She was dealt two considerable blows in one night, and I didn’t blame her for crawling into bed and staying there. I liked seeing Wren’s healing as she got deeper into her geocaching journey. What she experienced on the trail helped her accept what happened, and her experiences toughened her for the next twist in her storyline.

I liked Marshall, but I wish the author had revealed his backstory to Wren sooner. What he went through significantly damaged him. Marshall’s healing was as well documented as Wren’s, but you could see it in his emails, texts, and phone calls with Wren. By the end of the book, Marshall seemed to be at peace.

I know this book was billed as a romance, but it was more about healing than romance. I enjoyed seeing both Wren and Marshall heal from their individual trauma. Wren’s journey to healing was incredible. She went from being angry, bitter, and grief-stricken to one who was at peace with what happened. While Marshall’s experience wasn’t as in-depth as Wren’s, I got the same sense of peace from him.

The romance angle of The Trail of Lost Hearts was sweet. I liked that both Wren and Marshall had to fight to keep their relationship going. Their relationship was one of the more true-to-life ones that I have read. They are also some of my favorite fictional couples.

The end of The Trail of Lost Hearts was bittersweet. I liked that Wren got closure (I can’t say with who or why because it is a huge spoiler). I also liked that Marshall made the right choice. And the epilogue was fantastic!!!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Travey Garvis Graves for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Trail of Lost Hearts. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

Wren Waters believes the universe will send you what you need. When Wren discovers geocaching, she plans a trip to Oregon to regain control of her life. She meets Marshall, but isn't interested in making friends on this trip. But the two decide to partner up, and the trip becomes more than Wren had expected.

A very sweet and heartwarming story that dealt with grief and healing. The characters felt real to me and the story kept me interested.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Trail of Lost Hearts, by Tracey Garvis Graves, is a compelling, moving, thoughtful story that will grip your heart and leave you changed. This is such a powerful story and it absolutely captured my attention from page one to the very end.

Wren Waters is recovering from heartbreak and betrayal. She decides that a change of scenery and time in the great outdoors is just what she needs to alter her perspective and reinvigorate her wounded spirit. While on the trail in Oregon, she encounters a fellow geocache hiker who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Marshall is a man who has also suffered his share of tragedy and is struggling to clear his head and release his guilt. When the two tentatively decide to adventure together, a fragile friendship forms that slowly builds into something more. But after all that Wren has been through, she now knows what she’s willing to accept in a relationship, and what she’s not, and Marshall is only capable of revealing so much.

This story showcases how life sometimes deals you one hardship after another, and as you’re fighting to come up for breath, another wave crashes down upon you. That’s just the way life is sometimes, as I can attest. Wren’s outlook and insight is mature and realistic, but also inspiring. I loved Wren and Marshall’s story and the journey they both took to get to where they landed.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is an immensely cathartic and poignant tale with impactful, introspective quotes, and a satisfying, feel-good conclusion. This is an easy five star read for me and just what I needed at this time. Tracey Garvis Graves writes books that are emotionally impactful, relatable to the human experience, and their impression is long-lasting.

“How nice it would be if women could go about their lives with the confidence a man has when it comes to safety.” THIS

“‘You know, it takes a special woman to help heal a heart she didn’t break,’ Jillian says…Her words fill me with warmth, and I turn to her and say, ‘It takes an equally special man who’s willing to help raise a child he didn’t make.’” ❣️❣️❣️

The Trail Of Lost Hearts is a story of love, loss, and healing. Wren Waters is just dealt a blow that would crush even the toughest of women and she finds herself lost and struggling to trust. And rightfully so. But then Marshall Hendricks, himself struggling with his own tragedies and hurt, saves Wren from a potentially violent situation on a trail and a bond forms.

The rest of the story is their navigation of, quite literally, trail walks and also their own hearts. This is my first Tracey Garcia Graves book and it will not be my last! This book played like a movie in my mind and I was rooting for the MC’s throughout. I feel like I will be thinking of these two damaged yet hopeful souls for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Trail of Lost Hearts

Wow I loved Tracys last book, Heard it in a Love Song, so I was more than excited when I was approved to read The Trail of Lost Hearts. It fully lived up to what I was expecting from the author and the story.

There was so much passion and emotion in this book. The story behind both characters and the things they went through is heartbreaking but the theme of hope within the book was great.

The grief and sense of loss that both characters go through is hard to read at times but Tracy I think just understands the subject and really in my personal opinion from my own personal experiences with loss I think she writes with such empathy and compassion.

I thought it would be really hard for me to read emotional books like this that deal with grief but when it is done well like The Trail of Lost Hearts I think it provides me with more strength and understanding of how to move forward.

I also really loved how the story progresses and ends. I think that Wren is such an emotional strong character and I loved seeing her grow.

The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves is a story of two broken hearts who find the unexpected chance to love again. Thirty-four-year old Wren Waters believes the universe will send you what you need, you only need to pay attention. Her world is shattered when the death of her fiancé reveals secrets she wasn’t expecting. Falling into a deep depression, the only thing that seems to get her out of bed is geocaching, the outdoor activity using GPS to find hidden objects. Wren decides to take a weeklong trip to Oregon for a solo geocaching search. While on the first leg of her trip, she meets Marshall Hendricks, a psychologist on his own much needed trip. After a close call, Marshall suggests teaming up for the rest of the cache searches. Wren is hesitant at first, but decides to trust the universe one more time. As the road trip begins platonic enough, it soon blooms into something deeper and the more she spends time with Marshall, the more she wants to know about him.
The Trail of Lost Hearts is my first book by Tracey Garvis Graves and it definitely won’t be my last. The story starts with a woman in a dark place, trying to take each day at a time, when a trip to clear her head changes her time. My heart broke for Wren who thought her life was on track when the sudden death of her fiancé made her question everything she thought she knew. My heart also broke for Marshall, who is also hurting from his own tragedy. Both characters felt real as they deal with grief, guilt and questioning decisions they cannot take back. I loved that their relationship truly starts platonically so much so that when the romance develops it was a pleasant surprise. Overall, I was hooked from the opening chapter and could not put it down. There were twists and turns to this story that is a wild ride of heartbreak, emotional breakthroughs and an ending that I thought wasn’t in the cards. I highly recommend The Trail of Lost Hearts.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook.

After her life with her fiancé falls apart, thirty-four-year-old Wren Waters embarks on a solo geocaching quest in Oregon. However, after a traumatic experience on the trail, she teams up with fellow geocacher and psychologist Marshall Hendricks. The two work together to find the caches and find themselves as they both work to heal from the grief in their lives.

The first half of this book reminded me a bit of Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center {which I also enjoyed!}, with a “hiking and healing” outdoorsy vibe. While I personally have no interest in geocaching, the book didn’t solely focus on that aspect of the story so I was interested in the characters, their past traumas, and their relationship. I liked the twist part way through, and how the second half of the book is post-geocaching and focused on the return to real life. Overall, the story is an emotional journey and heartfelt read I’d definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Tracey Garvis Graves for my gifted e-ARC!

This is very much a book that once you pick up, you simply cannot put down. There is so much emotion, grief, personal growth, the works - this is so much more than a romance. Neither of these main characters are perfect, but they are both incredibly likable, relatable characters in different ways. I enjoyed seeing how they navigated their difficulties together, and tried to figure out where to go next in their relationship. There are definitely several heartbreaking moments, that felt very very real and raw. I also think the moody atmosphere also added to the overall tone of the book. As a geocacher myself, I enjoyed this thread in the story and it was a fun way to do a road-trip type of trope. I felt myself rooting for Wren and Marshall throughout and really had a good time reading this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

If you're looking for a book that gives you positive vibes, despite the heartache and loss, stays pretty much drama free throughout the story then look no further. Tracey Garvis Graves gives you a story about two outdoorsy people who aren't ready to step into a new relationship after their previous ones ended. But she also gives you all the reasons why they should be together anyway. I experienced Wren as strong female character who grew while working through her trauma and while we don't get to spend as much time with Marshall there's definitely also a lot of growth. Ultimately, they made sense. As mentioned there's lots of emotions, some pack quite a punch but the story stays away from all the drama that could have been included and I really appreciated it.

This book captured my attention from page 1! I looked forward to each chance to pick it up. Wren Waters and Marshall Hendricks are two thirty-something broken people. Each has lost a love that has left deep scars in its wake. This book is their journey back to health.

Wren was engaged to Ben when he was tragically killed in a car accident. Marshall lost a kid brother that he was deeply attached to in a random shooting at a gas station convenience store. Both of them were closed into themselves, cut off from their family and closest friends. Neither felt as though they had the kind of trusted person with whom they could share the pain they felt.

That’s when Wren decided to dip into her bucket list and fly to a place she had always wanted to visit and go geocaching—hiking in the wilderness, using a geo tracker to find a hidden “treasure cache.” At her first stop, Wren is accosted by two thugs looking for trouble. Marshall, whom Wren had met along the trail, arrives to her rescue in the nick of time.

Thus begins a deep and lasting companionship. A companionship that began simply to provide safety in numbers developed into a friendship and then into something much deeper. Still there was so much of their inner pain that neither was willing to share. Marshall guarded the memory of the events surrounding his brother’s death. Wren refused to share Ben’s awful hidden secret that came to the surface upon his death.

Then just when the reader begins to believe that the threads of this relationship have finally become unwoven, new and bigger problems emerge that threaten to tear the budding romance apart.

This is the story of two individuals finding the courage to move forward with their lives when everything inside them wants to give up and succumb to the pain. The characters are well drawn and easy to identify with. Their pains are unique, but the dilemmas they face as they move forward from the killing shots that life throws at us are universal.

I loved this book and am glad that I had the chance to read it. I highly recommend this book!

The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves is an exploration of grief, healing, and finding solace in nature. It’s a look at how you put yourself back together when your loss isn’t recognized, when you’re grieving something that wasn’t really there. Can you give yourself to another when you’re in the midst of chaos, or will you both suffer.

After life deals Wren a one-two knockout punch she’s “in dire need of experiences that will put [her] rage and sadness behind [her]”. She heads to Oregon to hike and geocache where she meets Marshall, a fellow traveler seeking his own renewal. As Wren and Marshall travel together, Wren opens up while Marshall becomes more closed off.

This is a beautiful story that is ultimately uplifting, but know yourself as a reader going in…where you are personally. I’m a lover of nature, feel most at home surrounded by my tree friends, so thought I’d love this story. I did, but it was a more difficult read for me right now as I strongly identified with Wren’s grief. That made it a much more melancholy read for me than it would have otherwise been. This speaks very much how accessible and vulnerable Graves has written Wren’s character.

I think it’s an excellent book for lovers of Katherine Center’s Happiness for Beginners, and readers who want romance with wanderlust, and a little Eat, Pray, Love.

I received an early copy from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, via Netgalley.

This book is SPECIAL! I adore how author Tracey Garvis Graves writes- her descriptions are magnificent, her dialog feels so real, and each book she writes is so unique. Wren's story is both heart-breaking and heart-warming- I got tears in my eyes during the difficult parts and smiled with joy so much as she healed. I appreciated that our male main character, Marshall, was also going through his own difficult journey, and loved seeing Wren and Marshall help each other heal. I hated for the book to end to be honest- I would absolutely love more time with these characters. I just cannot recommend this enough- it's fantastic!

This is my fourth Tracey Garvis Graves novel and, while I'm not sure anything she writes will be able to top The Girl He Used to Know (one of my all-time faves!), this is a VERY close second. Her novels always leave me feeling hopeful and like I've just received a big hug (or want to go find one!) and fill my heart with a reminder of the importance of unconditional love.

Without getting too spoiler-y, I'll share that this novel includes some of my favorite themes/topics of self-exploration, grief, adapting to change, forgiveness, friendship, found/created family, and travel. In addition, I learned enough about geocaching from the two main characters (and subsequent online searching) that I've now convinced my husband that we should try it during our next outdoor adventure! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to read an early copy of this novel (thank you to St. Martin's Press) and what a delight - highly recommend!

Thank you St Martin's Press for the advance copy.

I love Tracey Garvis Graves. On The Island and The Girl He Used To Know are some of my all time favorites. However, The Trail of Lost Hearts is not working for me. It's a bit too dramatic. I feel as if I am reading a movie I can watch on Lifetime and honestly, that is not my cup of tea. Therefore, as much as it pains me, I am choosing to not finish this book.

I truly hope her next novel will be absolutely amazing as I have every intention to read it.

Another winning story from TGG! I very much enjoyed how Wren discovered geocaching and how she used it to help get herself out of the house and the goals she set to find purpose in her life again. She was dealt two very heavy blows in one fell swoop and that would be enough to knock anyone off their feet for quite a while.

After running into Marshall on a trail in which it’s obvious they’re both searching for the same geocaching location, he ends up coming to her rescue in a big way. Thus starts the beginning to a tenuous association, geocaching together, which becomes friendship, and finally more. It took a lot for Wren to move forward given what she had already been through.

I really felt for Marshall’s character as well. He’s a psychologist but that doesn’t mean he has his life perfectly mapped out, and his own experience with tragedy has put him directly in Wren’s path. I loved how these two helped each other to heal and experience a lot of emotional growth. They ended up being perfect for each other.

I really enjoyed the slow burn romance between Wren and Marshall, how it evolved over the course of the story and how it just happened organically. Those are my favorite kinds. This was a very enjoyable read, and though it had some heavy moments, it was also uplifting and I finished feeling very happy for Wren and Marshall.

Such a heart wrenching and emotional book but with the hope that everything always works out in the end.

Wren has suffered a blow in life that has knocked her down. She decides that escaping her hometown to go geocaching through the Oregon trails will help her through her loss. Marshall has also suffered a blow and has taken a sudden leave of absence from his psychiatry office. She ends up crossing paths with Marshal under an unfortunate event but Wren is a big believer that the world will send exactly what you need. Is Marshall exactly what she needs and vice versa?

Raw & heart breaking is what comes to my mind after reading the book. There’s a level of maturity with the characters that I so appreciated so much. The hardships that both have endured felt very realistic. You can’t help to hope the best for them individually and their growing relationship. I enjoyed them both! I enjoyed watching them grow and come to terms with their loss. I’ve never been to Oregon but the descriptions made it sound absolutely beautiful!

Highly recommend for those that love a mix of romance with characters who are grieving and looking to move forward and a bit of open door spice.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is Tracey Garvis Graves' latest novel and it is my favorite book that she has written. It's a story of love and grief and what I most enjoyed was that Marshall and Wren are both adults who understand that life is hard and there are adult choices to be made. I found myself reading a chapter saying I need to get to my work and then I would dive into another chapter. I would love to see another book about the continuation of this relationship as these two adults live real life.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of The Trail of Lost Hearts in exchange for an honest review. This book is available now.

I've been a fan of Tracey Garvis Graves since I read On the Island over 10 years ago. I love her novels for their character building, messages, and slow burn romances. Well, The Trail of Lost Hearts didn't disappoint! Wren and Marshall are two broken people whom the universe unites at a pivotal moment in both their lives. In a matter of a few pages, I was immersed in their story, and I couldn't put it down. As individuals and as a couple, I was rooting for these lovable and relatable characters to find peace and happiness. Wren and Marshall more than deserved the second chance at love that the universe handed them.

In addition to addressing grief, trust, and healing, The Trail of Lost Hearts is a moving story of triumph after hardship. There is no doubt that this will be one of my top 10 books of the year!