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!

Get ready for goosebumps and all the feels with this one!!! It was fabulous! I could not get over how good this was. I was so taken back by the ending. It was fabulous! Excited to read more from this author.

Loved the cover art with the flowers and the contrast of color, drew my eye in and made me click in it or would have drawn my to pick it up on a shelf!
Talk about ripe my heart out and repair it in a gripping story of loss, struggle, overcoming, and finding love with an amazing ending?!!! Ekkk this book it all the feels, I instantly was sucked in and emotionally invested. The character…ahhh.. love them (I mourned over Charlie’s death so hard for a book character?!) the development and the really life struggle is greatly represented in this book and I was cheering for them to overcome and succeed. I loved that Parker found a little best friend and the development of that relationship for him. Gosh I have not one bad thing to say about this good and will be suggestions the hell out of this to everyone within ear distance. 5 star must read! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advance read in turn for my honest opinion.

I would give this 10 stars if I could. Only Jennifer Hartmann can have me emotionally twisted and tearing up by the first chapter. From the first page I knew I was going to love this story and I did. I loved every word, every emotion, every syllable. This book has made such an impact on me that I know this is going to be another book that lives rent free in my head.

I had such a visceral reaction to this book that I don't even know what to do with these emotions. I have so many words and none at the same time. I wish I could scream at everyone to read this book. Every emotion and struggle and breakthrough and breakdown was captured so perfectly that I felt it all! There was not one character i didn't like. Not even a single abbreviation I didn't like.

Reading both Melody's and Parker's journey through every twist and turn hit me straight through the heart. Jennifer wields words like poetry. So many quotes in this book resonated with me to the core. That epilogue was pure perfection and I was gutted. I feel emotionally wrung out after reading this in the best possible way.

I honestly could write a whole essay on this book but I'll leave it as this. Read this book! It was worth every tear, every heartache, every laugh. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC!

I felt a lot of different emotions while reading this book. It was incredibly beautiful and heartbreaking. Melody and Parker learn to live again through heartbreak, grief, and pain. It's simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. It served as a reminder to me that every moment is valuable and to enjoy life's small pleasures.

I was not prepared.. This book starts off with a punch to the gut. Jennifer Hartmann is such an amazing writer, she makes you feel everything. I laughed. I sobbed.

ARC review - 4,5 ⭐️

“All broken things can be fixed. The hard part is deciding that they’re worth fixing.”

“The Wrong Heart” is the first book by Jennifer Hartmann that I read. This is an emotional read that deals with heavy themes, such as loss of a loved one, child abuse and self-harm/suicide.

The story is told through Melody and Parker’s perspectives. The start is already emotional, as Melody writes to the person that received her husband’s heart.

“Grief is a mechanical bull. You can hold on as tight as you can with white-knuckled fists, clenched teeth, and tears biting at your eyes, but you’re destined to lose your grip. You’re going to get thrown. And when you hit the ground, it’s going to hurt like hell. “

People deal with grief and trauma differently, but it is important to accept help. It was hard to read about Melody’s pain and Parker’s past, but I almost managed to not cry, until the epilogue.
The writing is beautiful, there are some twists and the main characters have a beautiful development.

I received a digital copy of the book from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Netgalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.