5⭐️ 3🌶️

<b><i>“And when your dreams dissolve, and the wishes scatter, it’s hard to find joy in anything else. How can you ever obtain completion again when you’re missing the biggest piece?”</b></i>

I thought I knew Jennifer Hartmann heartache and darkness. I was WRONG. This book shook me to my core. It was full of unexpected twists, cold truths, tender moments, and electric spice and could not have been more perfectly written. When Melody’s husband dies, she tracks down his heart recipient and from there, the story unfolds tragically, chaotically, beautifully.

<b><i>“You’re the sun, Melody March. The sun only knows how to shine.”</b></i>

I expected to come into this book with Melody’s husband gone and buried but it wouldn’t be Jennifer if she didn’t take every opportunity to wreck us further. We get a brief glimpse into Melody’s relationship with her husband, Charlie, before it’s all ripped away. It’s light, easy, and passionate—just enough for you to fall for their sweet love before tragedy strikes and you’re left reeling…but the story has just begun.

<b><i>“She’s glittering nightfall, pale moonlight, silver stars in midnight skies. She’s that beacon of light when darkness threatens and consumes. No, she’s not the sun… Melody is the moon.”</b></i>

If Charlie is all things sunshine and rainbows and sweet confections, Parker is his ultimate opposite. Dark, brooding, and emotionally closed off from the world and yet Parker sucked me (and Melody) in with his morbid humor, sharp wit, and unexpected draw to only the second woman in his life he’s ever let inside. I absolutely loved watching Melody break down every wall Parker had expertly crafted between him and the world, startling him and challenging every belief he once held tight.

<b><i>“I’m Charlie’s sun, and I’m Parker’s moon. I can be both. I’m an eclipse.”</b></i>

Watching Melody navigate her grief, guilt, hope, acceptance, and healing was incredible. The delicate dance between hanging onto her love for and memories of Charlie while allowing herself the space to move forward with Parker and allow herself new moments of joy and love was so masterfully written and just felt so…real. It was a slow burn but also a quick spark and it’s now forever entangled in my heart.

<b><i>“I’m startled at first, taking in the names at the top of each crinkled page. Familiar names. Robert, Jane, Nancy, Kevin, Stacy… Amelia. My eyes widen, a breath lodging in the back of my throat. I glance to my left. Ms. Katherine greets me with a knowing smile. ‘My starting points are your starting points.’”</b></i>

Finally, the side characters in this book were just so complex, raw, and real. I loved learning about the support group companions and Melody’s lifeline, as well as Melody’s family and best friend. They all brought such unique aspects to the book and tied so beautifully into Melody and Parker’s story.

Updates following reread in Dec 2024: Still. Absolutely. Incredible. A must read. Parker, Melody, and the rest of these beautiful characters pulled me in once again, captivating me from start to finish, and I’m so glad this is being picked up by Bloom because EVERYONE needs to read this story.

Ah, this book was so good. It was so emotional but in the best possible way. It’s a book that deals with some very emotionally heavy topics, and it does so in such a real and raw way. I was so emotional and teary eyed while reading this one. It was just so good. I loved all the characters and felt that they were really well written. The side characters added a lot to the story without being overwhelming, which I enjoyed. This one does have the grumpy sunshine trope, and it is done really well. I loved how realistic this book felt. This book also has so many great lines that I wish I was the type to save them, because they are ones that I would definitely go back to and relive the story. This book is one that will stick with you long after reading, it is just that good.

If you’re looking for an emotional story about grief, healing, and love, then check this one out.

UPDATE: I received an ARC from NETGALLEY / BLOOM BOOKS in exchange for my honest review.

I read this a couple of years ago and even to this day, I still think about this book. The original review I wrote still holds true. I ugly cried AGAIN reading this. Jennifer has a true talent of writing heart and gut-wrenching stories that leave you staring into the invisible camera by the end with tears streaming down your face.

When you need emotional, Jennifers books are the way to go. Thank you Bloom for the ARC and for letting me relive this story once again with Melody and Parker.

Original Review:

When I got my kindle a year ago, this was one of the first books I borrowed on KU.

Did I read it then? Noooooope.
Do I reallywish I had? Heck YES.

This book was by far the most emotional book I've ever read. I related so heavily to some of the heavier topics in this story. Speaking of, please check the trigger warnings. This book is not a light nor an easy read in any capacity. It deals heavily with mental health and su!c!de, as well as loss.

"You're the sun, Melody March. The sun only knows how to shine."

Melody and Parkers story cannot be contained to just one single word. It was messy, but beautiful. I can't count how many times tears streamed down my cheeks or the couple nights I stayed up way too late because I simply couldn't get enough. I needed to know more, to know their stories and how they intertwined and formed to be one story, one love and by far the most memorable and emotional I've ever read.

"All broken things can be fixed. The hard part is deciding that they're worth fixing."

The way I sobbed through parts of the story, living alongside these characters as though I was there with them was intense. Think ugly crying but like, anytime I picked this book up.

"No, they're not. Scars mean you survived something terrible. There's nothing ugly about that."

So many times, I laid in bed and had to take a second to collect myself because there were lines like the one above that forced me to sit and heal a small part of the broken in my own self. Certain moments called to me as if they were written solely for me. Any book that has this much emotional pull is so worth the read. I only wish I had read it sooner.

"We hold the key to our own happiness, and what we put on the other side of that door is entirely up to us. Our beginning doesn't have to be our end."

Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book. This is my first Jennifer Hartmann book, and it won't be the last. The beginning of this book really drew me in, and the topic is very heavy. I would absolutely recommend this book, but I did not connect with the main characters. I found myself liking some of the side characters more, which made it a little hard to get through. The ending was a HEA, which I love. I would definitely recommend reading trigger warnings before starting.

Melody perd son mari dans des circonstances tragiques et apprend qu'il était donneur d'organes... Elle accède par hasard au mail de celui qui a reçu le cœur de son défunt mari... Et quand celui-ci lui répond cela va peut-être bouleverser sa vie...

Ce livre aborde des sujets sensibles comme le suicide, le deuil... lisez bien les trigger warnings avant de le lire!

Ohlalala, ce livre est un coup de cœur! J'adore vraiment l'écriture de Jennifer Hartmann! Cette histoire est pleine de justesse et d'émotions! Dès les premières pages on est pris aux tripes par cette histoire et on sait que l'on ne va pas en ressortir indemne! Et puis ce plot twist que l'on ne voit pas venir! Clairement, je pensais avoir deviner l'intrigue et j'ai été surprise de la tournure des événements! Vraiment, à chaque fois, Jennifer Hartmann arrive à me surprendre!

En bref, encore une pépite signée Jennifer Hartmann!

Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann is the kind of story that burrows deep into your soul, breaking it into pieces only to carefully put it back together again. This novel is a masterful blend of tragedy, healing, and hope, with an emotional depth that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

The Plot:
Melody March is reeling from the devastating loss of her husband, the love of her life, on their five-year wedding anniversary. Grief consumes her until she finds herself drawn to two sources of solace: the man who received her husband’s donated heart and a support group where she meets Parker—a dark, brooding, emotionally unavailable man who seems to be her polar opposite.

But their connection is undeniable, a spark born of shared pain and the search for meaning amidst their brokenness. As their relationship deepens, secrets and revelations emerge, testing their fragile bond and challenging their understanding of love, grief, and healing.

What I Loved:
✨ The emotional complexity: Jennifer Hartmann doesn’t shy away from the messy, raw reality of grief and loss. She writes with a poignancy that makes every heartbreak and every moment of hope feel deeply personal.
✨ Melody and Parker’s journey: Their slow-burn romance is fraught with tension, vulnerability, and unexpected beauty. Watching two broken souls find each other and navigate their pain is both devastating and heartwarming.
✨ Themes of healing and second chances: The story beautifully explores the transformative power of love—not just romantic love, but love as a way to heal, forgive, and rediscover oneself.
✨ The writing: Hartmann’s prose is lyrical and evocative, perfectly capturing the ache of loss and the fragile hope of new beginnings.

Final Thoughts:
Wrong Heart is a stunning standalone romance that delivers an emotional punch. It’s for readers who aren’t afraid to have their hearts shattered, knowing the journey will be worth it. Melody and Parker’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding light in the darkest of places.

An amazing 6 star heartfelt story that made me feel so much. I had never heard of this author before but the blurb had me sold.

Melody is going through the unimaginable and can’t seem to find the will to go on. Through a support group she finds Parker. He’s grumpy, doesn’t share much, only the occasional mean word. Melody makes him feel things he doesn’t want to feel. Together they will work through their past.

I was hooked from the blurb itself because I never heard of this author. This story was so unique and addicting that I basically binge read it. A page turner at its best. It pulled on my heartstrings and I might have shed a few tears along the way. These characters had heart. They were perfectly created. Beautifully written with a seamless plot. Read the triggers before going in, because for some it might be a though subject. Bottomline this is a must read.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.

Check TWs before reading - this book has some heavy themes that are explored.

This book was an emotional journey from the start. Melody experiences an incredible loss and navigates the grief that follows as her husband is killed. She reaches out to the recipient of her husband's heart to attempt to gain some closure. At the same time, she is navigating feelings of despair and suicidal thoughts so she joins a support group and meets some people there, including closed-off Parker.

The journey Melody and Parker take is beautiful together and my poor heart was breaking and rebuilding for both of them at times.

A wonderful, emotional, heart rending read.

This book was absolutely beautiful in all of the best ways!

This book being told from both Melody and Parker’s view was an amazing touch. I loved being able to know what was going through both of their minds throughout.

This book made me feel all the feelings and I definitely should have had tissues with me for it!

Watching our two main characters grow and heal throughout the story absolutely made me fall in love with every second of it.

This book was absolutely amazing from front to back. The emotional roller coaster right out of the gate hooked me in, and it really was another roller coaster ride when she met Parker at the suicide prevention meetings. He was tortured and abused and left in awful conditions as a child after his father died at a work accident and he was forced to live with his mother, he was never shown love and he didn’t know how to show it himself all he knew was anger towards women because the one woman who was supposed to be there unconditionally never showed up in the right way. So many other turning points, so many feelings in this book! I highly recommend reading this book and any other book this author has written! She is a great writer!

Jennifer Hartmann blew me away, once again! Not gonna lie, at first I was a little skeptical on whether I would end up crying and feel everything I wanted from this one, but from about 70% and on, it was absolutely perfect and yes, I did cry!

The Wrong Heart has some really difficult topics and starts off with Melody tragically losing her husband on their anniversary. In her grief, she tries contacting the recipient of her husband's heart and they form a sort of pen pal relationship. After a low point, she meets Parker, aka Zephyr the recipient, at a suicide prevention group. Parker is very grumpy and doesn't talk or participate, but for some reason, he is drawn to Melody. As they get to know each other, they form a very hot and cold relationship as they both work through their pasts and try to find a future.

Parker is one of the grumpiest heroes I have read about, but with good reason. He really needed the sunshine that Melody brought and my heart just hurt for him so dang much. Once we really got to know him, I was in love. I loved how much he loved Melody and his relationship with Walden and Owen were so precious.

And my dear Melody, she was so strong and resilient. Despite having her low moments, I loved that she realized she still had so much to give the world and how she was so patient with Parker. There was still a lot of back and forth with these two, and some twists and turns with the plot, but given their backgrounds I think they were bound to have those ups and downs and I think it fit their journey.

And that ending! So bittersweet but I think it was done really well. It broke me but in the perfect way. I know some have said that it doesn't have a HEA, but in my opinion, it completely did. So don't be scared off by any reviews that say there's no HEA! Overall, another Jennifer Hartmann story that I would highly recommend everyone pick up!

5 💫

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. What a blessing this book was to my heart.

The life we lead doesn’t have to be the life we start out with. We get to cultivate our future.

Wow. What a beautiful, tragic, magical love story.

Utterly captivating.

This story covers a multitude of topics: true love, loss, suicide, organ donation, starting points, community, love after loss and all the emotion that entails, and the full circle moments of life.

A book that makes you FEEL is worth its weight in gold. This book had me feeling all the feels, crying the happiest of tears and the desperation of the loneliest nights. It had me contemplating my own life and how melody must have felt in those moments of love, loss and back again.

Beautifully written! Will be recommending. ♥️

I just added The Wrong Heart to my top ten books of the year. The Wrong Heart is a standalone, written single POV in Melody and Parker’s point of you. Here is my suggestion have water and an entire box of tissues, you know, the one with aloe. You will need it.

Two words: Painfully Beautiful. The book captivated me from page one from the painful email written so eloquently (not only did I cry, but it shook my soul) to the end, and everywhere between, I cried for pain, grief, love, and happiness.


Melody is such a sweetheart with a fresh breath of air. She is brilliant, Strong, plus a girl after my own heart with those cupcakes and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. She lost her light and is worried she lost it forever.

Parker is so angry with the world. He is grumpy with no filter and stays away from people. He barely existed. I had to ask myself what happened to him. As Parker’s backstory unfolds, we found out what made him this way. I love and am genuinely touched by Parker’s character growth. Five stars on that alone.

Melody and Parker’s love story is flawed, painful, beautiful, and fell into the depths of my soul. Parker is intrigued from day one when he met Melody, and it pissed him off. Melody saw Parker, no one besides his sister had seen him. Melody is relentless and peels back his layers.


“You’re the guiding light in a dark sky,” Parker murmurs, his breath tickling the top of my head. “You shine strong when the rest of the world is asleep… when no one is even looking.”


I knew going in the author would crack my heart wide open and slowly put it back together, and she did just that. She sets the bar high with every book and has yet to disappoint me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow! What an emotional and incredible book!

Looking for closure, Melody contacts the recipient of her late husband’s heart through email, and they start talking about life. Melody is also attending a support group where she meets Parker. They have a strong connection but Parker has secrets that could destroy Melody.

This was such a bittersweet book filled with so much emotion and had me in tears. Like all of Jennifer Hartmann’s books, this one will leave you thinking about it for days after you’re done reading it. Such a heartbreakingly beautiful love story. Loved this book!


📘: The Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann
🗓️: December 30, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Hartmann, and Sourcebook BloomBooks for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book absolutely wrecked me, in the best way. I was barely 4% in and already bawling my eyes out. From the moment Melody and Parker met, I was hooked. Their connection, their pain, and their journey felt so raw and real, I couldn’t put the book down.

The idea of ‘cellular memory’ has always fascinated me, so when I saw what this book was about, I was instantly intrigued. The thought of a piece of someone you love living on in someone else is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and Jennifer Hartmann dives into it with so much depth and emotion.

<b> “I’m not sure what it is, but there’s been a draw from the very start. A tether. His frosty disposition and crass words weren’t enough to deviate me from the crackle in the air every time he’d glance my way with his penetrative green eyes” </b>

This story hits hard with some of my favorite tropes - grief and healing, opposites attract, and the broody, emotionally unavailable hero paired with the sunshine heroine who’s trying to rebuild herself after the death of her husband. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Hartmann threw in twists that completely blindsided me; and yes, left me crying again.

<b> “We hold the key to our own happiness, and what we put on the other side of that door is entirely up to us.
Our beginning doesn’t have to be our end” </b>

If you’re ready for a book that will have you crying, cheering, and feeling everything in between, The Wrong Heart is it. Highly recommend.


Big thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and to the author Jennifer Hartmann for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

IDK if it’s because I’m an emotional person in general or because I’m currently recovering from breast cancer, but I feel like Hartmann put her soul into this book. My aunt lost her husband the day before their anniversary and tbh I saw a lot of her in this main character.

The book basically goes through the process of coping and healing after someone loses a spouse after a tragedy. I can only imagine….

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

I have loved everything I have ready by this author, and this one did not disappoint. Check the trigger warnings, this one does include mentions of suicide.

Melody, struck by the tragedy of losing her husband, can’t see how she can possibly go on.

Parker, being forced to live after an extremely traumatic childhood, has decided people aren’t worth his time.

When they meet in a Lifeline’s support group, Melody has found a way to communicate anonymously with the recipient of her husband’s heart and Parker is annoyed with the sunshine in her smile. Naturally, this becomes the start of a great love story.

Or maybe not.

Melody poses as Magnolia online, and the recipient of her husband’s heart is Zephyr. As they communicate, she finds herself drawn to him. But she has also become drawn to Parker as she tries to bring a little sunshine into his drab life. She knows she can never meet Zephyr, but after a particularly frustrating interaction with Parker she convinces him to allow a video call. That’s when everything goes sideways and Zephyr stops responding to her messages. That’s also when she pushes harder in her chase for Parker.

If you’ve read PenPal by J.T., then this one will give you similar vibes. Melody is hurting after the loss of her husband and wonders if connecting with the man who has his heart will heal the break in her own. Only, everything isn’t as it seems. This one is tied up with a nice little HEA bow though.

If it’s a Jennifer Hartmann book, you can expect there to be some angst, tension, and tears. It amazes me how she makes you feel all the emotions you do while reading this. I always know that when I read her books to have plenty of tissue from all the tears and this book is no different

Jennifer Hartman’s The Wrong Heart is a deeply emotional contemporary romance that explores grief, love, and the transformative power of second chances. Hartman’s storytelling prowess is undeniable, as she crafts a narrative that breaks the reader’s heart and slowly pieces it back together.

The story begins with devastation—a gut-wrenching loss that sets the tone for the entire novel. The female main character (FMC) loses her husband on their five-year wedding anniversary, a moment so painfully vivid that it’s impossible not to feel the crushing weight of her grief. But Hartman doesn’t stop there. In a masterstroke of emotional storytelling, she introduces a profound twist: her husband’s heart is donated, leaving behind both a symbolic and literal piece of him in the world. This premise is one of the most unique aspects of the book, drawing readers into a complex web of emotional turmoil, hope, and healing.

One of Hartman’s most masterful techniques is how she makes readers deeply attached to the FMC’s husband, only to tear him away in the very beginning. This deliberate emotional devastation is classic Jennifer Hartman—she knows exactly how to pull readers into the FMC’s world of grief, forcing us to feel every moment of it. It’s this raw emotionality that makes Hartman’s books unforgettable. She’s one of the few contemporary romance authors who can consistently make me cry, and this book was no exception.

The introduction of Parker, a dark, brooding, emotionally closed-off man, serves as a striking contrast to the FMC’s own emotional openness. The push and pull between them is palpable, filled with tension and vulnerability. Their bond isn’t rushed, nor is it simple—it’s complicated by grief, secrets, and emotional baggage that feel authentic to their experiences. As the FMC works to reclaim her sense of self, Parker’s presence becomes both a challenge and a balm to her pain. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s their emotional connection that drives the story forward.

One of the strongest aspects of The Wrong Heart is how it forces readers to confront the fragility of life. Hartman’s portrayal of grief is raw and unflinching, never shying away from the darkest moments. It’s a stark reminder of how suddenly a life can be upended. But amid the darkness, Hartman also offers a thread of hope. Through the FMC’s journey, we’re reminded that grief doesn’t vanish—it becomes part of who we are—and it’s still possible to find love and joy in its wake.

This book’s emotional impact is profound. Hartman’s writing has a way of making me feel things I didn’t know I could feel. Her words linger long after the final page, leaving me grateful for the love and stability in my own life while also holding space for those who’ve experienced profound loss. Her stories aren’t just about romance; they’re about humanity, survival, and the resilience of the heart.

Overall, Jennifer Hartman’s The Wrong Heart is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful journey that captures the depths of grief and the power of love’s renewal. The unique premise, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters make it a standout contemporary romance. It’s a story that will break you, heal you, and remind you of the strength it takes to keep going. Hartman’s ability to evoke such powerful emotions is why she’s one of my all-time favorite contemporary romance authors. Her stories don’t just tell you about love—they make you feel it in every raw, aching, beautiful way possible. Without a doubt, this is a 5-star read that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Jennifer Hartmann knows how to destroy her readers in the best way. I really enjoyed reading this and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!