DNF: 42%

Like so many before me, I thought the premise was interesting and unique but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

I have no issue with someone's superstitions being strong enough for them to chase answers around the world. It makes sense. But it didn't work in this case because we didn't get to know Shea at all before diving right in with her. We hardly know why she's so superstitious or why those beliefs are important to her before she's turning her life upside down over them.

The pacing feels simultaneously slow and fast. A lot is happening but nothing's moving forward. The characters are flat and hard to connect with. The plot twists are easy to see coming, nothing about the love triangle hooked me, and I can't justify spending more time reading this story.

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I loved the premise of "The Heirloom," but ultimately, did not finish this book. Some of the highlights included the beautiful family lore created by Jessie Rosen and the lush travel descriptions. As someone who is not very superstitious, I had a harder time connecting with Shea's need to track down the story of her heirloom ring to ensure it has good karma.

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘
✷ Travel fiction with an emotional undercurrent
✷ Family mysteries and buried secrets
✷ Stories about mothers, daughters, and legacy
✷ Light reads with scenic settings
✷ Grief explored through personal journeys

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
This book was such an unexpected delight. A globetrotting mystery-meets-self-discovery story that swept me from the coast of Italy to the streets of Portugal, and then back to Boston and NYC — The Heirloom was a scenic, page-turning ride that kept me entertained throughout.

While I didn’t feel particularly connected to the characters on a deep emotional level, I was definitely invested in the journey. Watching Shea follow the trail of a mysterious heirloom — one she inherited without much explanation — made for a fun and layered read. The pacing was solid, the twists kept me curious, and I appreciated how the historical thread wove into Shea’s present.

What stood out most to me was how the search for this heirloom felt like a larger metaphor for the grief, confusion, and emotional inheritance Shea was still working through after her mother’s death and complicated marriage. It’s not just about what we find — it’s about what we carry.

A great pick if you love fiction that blends light mystery, emotional reflection, and rich travel writing. This one makes you want to hop a flight and call your mom.

This one had a very interesting concept. I didn't love that she was engaged but thinking it wasn't the right fit for her & went off to meet someone else but it was an interesting premise. Would be a great book for others but not a huge fan of it for me but it was ok.

This one had a really interesting premise, and I liked the mix of mystery and family history. There were moments that pulled me in, but overall it felt a little slow and didn’t fully deliver the emotional punch I was hoping for. Not a bad read, just not super memorable for me.

I unfortunately had to DNF at about 50%. Though the premise started out well and it was an interesting read, the plot took a turn to where I couldn’t connect with the believability anymore. I personally am not very superstitious so it was hard for me to connect with the main character on her journey

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Heirloom by Jessie Rosen in exchange for my honest review and opinion. The cover alone made me so excited to read this. I found it to be an interesting read about a family heirloom engagement ring. At times it was a bit slow but I stuck with it and was thrilled with the ending.

I didn't love this ... There were good vibes in the writing and the settings but something about the plots just didn't sit perfectly with me. A fun story of self discovery but nothing amazing.

The Heirloom is about a woman who goes on an unexpected travel adventure as a result of an Italian family superstition around an heirloom ring goes so much deeper into women's feelings about getting married in general. I love how Rosen wove in Shea's parents' relationship, and the choices her own mother made, into Shea's present-day story. Shea, on a journey as she searches to understand the possible karma that an object might hold. When John proposed to Shea, he presented her with an heirloom ring. Unfortunately, she had made it clear to him that heirloom rings were one of her greatest fears because Nonna believed they may hold bad karma if the previous owner was not in a happy relationship. The previous owner’s daughter can not help her but suggests a trip to Italy, where her aunt may know more. From Italy to Portugal and back to New York, Shea discovers that the ring had three previous owners, and she discovers each of their stories. She is accompanied by her sister Annie and Graham, a young reporter who hopes to write a story of the search. As they travel together, Shea begins to question her relationship with John and becomes closer to Graham. John’s patience is wearing thin, and Shea can not understand why he would give her an heirloom when she had previously expressed her feelings about the superstition. Rosen examines the issue with humor, wit, and wisdom. Shea channels the ever-so-relatable struggle to push forward in one’s thoughts to satisfy their needs and desires, even when others may disagree. The journey is fun, thoughtful, and exciting from cover to cover, and makes this unique storyline a treat to read.

The story itself was told well, but this was a premise that was a little hard for me to get behind. I get a superstition about an heirloom ring— stuff does hold energy and I think it’s a common enough occurrence to believe that. But to go around the world basically to hunt down its previous owners to see how their marriages ended up before you could say yes? Definitely leads to some self-reflecting I think.

Which yes is what the book was about but I felt so bad for John. Like should he have known better than to get her an heirloom ring when that was one of her rules? Yes. But on the same token, maybe it was an adventure they could have gone on together— like say yes to the man and maybe to the ring and “hey I want to find out its history before I wear it”. But instead she goes off on her own, leaves the more guy wondering what’s happening, has some tension with a new guy — who I did like but I just was already feeling bad for John— goes from country to country tracking down the history of this ring… girl was having a crisis.

I think John was very forgiving because I would have had some major trust issues after that. And I get where she was coming from with her parents’ history and all— that stuff does traumatize you. But I just couldn’t be on the main character’s side for this one.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

I went into this knowing it wasn't really my thing, so when I neglected to get fully on board, I didn't blame the author. The plot is different from a lot of other current releases, and I support a swing like that.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was another that I don't think was for me. I appreciated the character development and the MC's growth. The familial trauma and therapy used for working through issues was very nice to see. However, I cannot get on board with basing your entire life, marriage, decision making about a HUGE decision, on a SUPERSTITION. The FMC was ridiculous and I was constantly flabbergasted about her approach and attitude about the entire thing. Literally made bad decisions ON PURPOSE and just thought everything would be okay???? Idk I don't follow the process so I didn't really vibe with this one or the plot. I enjoyed the travel aspects and the writing was wonderful in showing the readers Italy. But that was probably the highest point of the book for me.

The premise of this one was fun but ultimately I was disappointed by the way the story played out. I didn't believe the superstition the way the FMC did, and that made it feel farfetched to me. This one also should come with a bit of an infidelity warning, I didn't know where the romance was going and personally was not a fan of the way the FMC handled events.

It was a well written novel and I'm sure many will enjoy but it was not for me personally.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one wasn't for me personally, but it's mostly because I own a vintage engagement ring and I didn't want to be talked out of believing that it has good vibes.

I love a good adventure through Italy, and this one did not disappoint! With stops in Boston and New York as well, the story weaves together a journey that is heartwarming and uplifting. It is filled with charm and adventure. An overall great read!

This story was an interesting story from an author I don’t know or haven’t read before! Will look at finding other things by this author. I am grateful for the early access, thank you to those that allowed it!

I loved the premise and setting of this book, but the whole storyline just fell flat for me. I appreciate the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I had the hardest time picking this book up. The story did not grip me.
I would consider reading more from this author but this particular plot was not engaging enough for me.

Nonetheless, thank you NetGalley & the publisher for this copy.

This author is not for me. I was not drawn into the story and was disappointed by the plot. Sorry to say!

I went into this one blind and found a wonderful surprise!

Shea's Nonna had endless rules for a happy, healthy life: avoid owls, never put a hat on a bed, and never, ever accept a marriage proposal that comes with an heirloom ring. Happily ever after is hard enough without bad karma in the mix.

But then her boyfriend goes against one of those rules and proposes with an heirloom ring.

This was a fun, unexpected read for me--thanks so much for the gifted copy!