The Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann is one of those books that pulls you in with its intense emotional premise, but leaves you feeling a little torn once you’re done. The story centers on two characters, both dealing with heavy pasts and complicated feelings, which leads to a love story that’s both heartbreaking and messy. And, to be honest, it’s hard to fully get behind it, even though it’s clear Jennifer Hartmann really poured her heart into it.

The premise is definitely intriguing: a woman who’s been through a lot and a guy who's dealing with the fallout of his own bad decisions. The push and pull between them, the sense that they’re both “wrong” for each other in different ways but can’t stay away, creates a lot of tension and drama. You’re rooting for them, but also questioning whether they’re making the right choices.

The writing is solid—Hartmann has a way of making you feel the weight of the characters' emotions. The grief, the guilt, the longing—it’s all palpable. But sometimes it feels like it’s a bit too much, like the book tries to force the intensity rather than letting it build naturally. There were moments where I felt like the characters were a bit too over-the-top.

At the end of the day, this is a solid read if you're into emotionally charged stories with flawed characters, but it might not hit the mark for everyone. It has its moments, but it didn’t completely win me over. I’d say 3 stars—good, but not amazing. Worth reading if you're in the mood for a bit of drama and heartache. Thank you to Netgalley and Bloom Books for providing me with this arc.

This book was beautifully written. It definitely deals with some hard and difficult moments.

What I loved most was how Melody was able to slowly get into Parker’s heart and mind. She was able to change him for the better and show him that his scars proved he survived.

In Parker’s own way, he helped bring Melody out of the darkness. She was finally able to move past what happened to her husband and see that it was ok to be happy again, so she could let the guilt go.

While the epilogue was sad, I’m glad that it seems it was many years down the road. And that Parker and Melody had a wonderful and beautiful life together.

Honestly, if Jennifer Hartmann writes it I’ll read it! This one was heartbreaking, I went in blind and the first chapter shattered me. Yet it’s a beautiful heartfelt story, that’s wonderfully written. I loved it.

Melody's husband Charlie died in an accident and her heart shattered to pieces, unable to forget the grief she didn't have any anchor until she nearly killed herself but she wasn't ready so she called to save herself . Parker is bruised, cuts so deep that they linger everywhere and remind him of his ugly scars. Melody and Parker meet each other in a loving life association, somewhere broken goes to mend , Melody want to heal , she want to be ready for that , Parker to gurded , he built the walls to high for too long they can't br breaked even at the end but Two broken can mend each other. I promise you that like how Melody embrace Parker and how Parker healed Melody

This book is from two poves Parker and Melody .Author did an awsome job to put each part of the book in the right place , I couldn't find any better setting than this . Everything is put together and each emotion expressed in best way . The author put laughter and tears with each other smoothly and and it's heightened the sheer different feeling you would have through a book and it's spectacular . You don't confuse anything and everything explains and the plot is soo on track can't find fault in it

I get affected with different emotions during this . The start got me really awkward cause it was truly a hard start specially for emotional people and it might got you crying or disappointing but after the first few chapters the story actually take shape .there's a bitter truth in every sweet moment . And there is a dark yet smiling moment when you want to laugh at their interaction or behavior and you remember why and it's justified and there's no fault in it . There is a theme death and mention of suicide. Please note that this mentality is tough but it's a truth and needed to be respected

I rate the book 5. Sure there are much better stories out there waiting for us . These mafias with astonishingly charming behavior. Those abused villain who after growing up have red flags attractive enough to swoon but this one hold something else . That those traits from dark Romance can make you growly and introvert. But the real truth about them isn't charming . In real world it's different and it doesn't make you a possessive guy with I'm a bad guy attitude, it make you silent. And sometimes sunshine doesn't mean cause you have sunny disposition you are one . We can lost our light but try to move forward. It's hard and can't achieve easily , you can even have a starting points everyday and think you got better but one day someone, something put the final nail .it's hurt but it's there . So I think this book deserves the 5 for emotion as well . I truly hope whoever reading this have a smiling day and know it matters

Jennifer Hartmann just knows how to tug at my heartstrings better than any other author I've read. I adore her stories and the emotion they evoke, and The Wrong Heart was no different. I knew from the first line that this book was going to ruin me, but it also took its sweet, patient time putting me back together. This story is so, so important because it showcases real feelings about depression and suicide, the people who go through it, the people who are impacted by those lives, the ripples left behind. And it encourages hope in the darkest situations. I've had some issues in the past with books that try to do this and just feel emotionally manipulative, but JH did it with grace and dignity.

So, let me talk about the characterization. The alternating POVs between Melody and Parker felt so solid and definitive. I wouldn't have even needed to see the name by the chapter to know who it was because they were so distinct and well-fleshed out. And I enjoyed reading both of their perspectives. Melody had a cadence to her voice that felt dreamy by nature, even when she was at her lowest, and I felt especially connected to her for that. And Parker, even when he was sh*tting on the world, was funny as hell. He felt real. He felt like my best friend.

The writing of TWH overall was evocative and detailed in a way that had me so immersed in the story that I had to blink a few times anytime I came back to the real world, usually to help clear away tears. From beginning to end, this story had me in a chokehold, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Beautifully done.

Simply if Jennifer Hartmann writes it I’ll be reading it, heart-wrenching, angst filled romances — I loved this one truly.

Jennifer Hartmann never fails at making me crave more and more. Her writing is so addicting and her stories are always told in such an amazing way.

This one was a little disappointing. For the majority of the read, it felt a bit too predictable and slow. When things unfolded, it felt forced and not as if it genuinely fit with the storyline.

EARC Netgalley

THE WRONG HEART is one of my favorite books by Jennifer Hartmann. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for an emotional read. It's angsty, emotional, and features a tortured hero and a vulnerable, grieving heroine. The book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster so have tissues near by! Please check TWs prior to reading because the book does revolve around suicide and suicidal thoughts.

Thank you so much, Bloom Books, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! 4.5⭐️

It’s no secret that Jennifer Hartmann is one of my favourite authors of all time. Her books always pack an emotional punch. This one is possibly my favourite from her so far. It was far darker than I expected when I read the blurb, and I highly suggest readers with triggers take a look at the **trigger warnings** before picking it up.

This book was heartbreaking at times but beautifully done. I cried quite a few tears while reading. When we’re introduced to the hero, Parker, he is cynical, bitter and judgemental. While the heroine, Melody, is broken and lost but carries an optimism that Parker finds himself drawn to even while he finds her infuriating. Both characters are healing from trauma and following their journey was a rollercoaster of emotions.

Hartmann has a talent for writing tragic stories and damaged characters that doesn’t feel like exploiting painful narratives for shock value. Instead, they feel like a healing journey for both the characters and the reader. You go through all the pain with her characters, but at the end you’re left hopeful and amazed at the resilience of the human spirit.

If Jennifer Hartmann writes it, I’m reading it.

*Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own*

If you want to have your heart ripped out, and then ripped out some more over and over again.. then this book is for you. As a person who is still grieving a loss, I felt it all with this book. It was insanely raw, emotional and beautiful, especially when there's two broken people learning to let someone in, and learning to love. Parker has a lot to unpack with being given an extremely crap hand at such a young age, but it was so powerful to finally see him come into the man that you knew he could be with a little patience, understanding and most importantly love. But it wasn't an easy journey for him to get there and it most certainly wasn't an easy journey for Melody with the loss of her husband. I highly highly highly recommend this one!

Jennifer Hartman wrote a gripping and heartbreaking contemporary romance about loss and love. This story will rip you apart before it gently puts you back together. Be prepared to read the whole book in one sitting, with tissues next to you.

Man did this book rip out my heart and piece it back together! Jennifer Hartmann has a way of weaving a story together that makes question exactly how you're feeling at the end of it! Highly recommend this book!

This book handles topics like depression, childhood trauma/abuse and grief. Be aware of this before going in to reading this.

That being said this book was fenomenale. I gobbled this up, couldn’t put it down. Jennifer is really the queen of writing emotional books. She grips you and keep you coming back for more.

I don’t want to say to much because I feel like I could easily spoil it so I won’t. Just know it’s fantastic and you need to read it. But check content warnings!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

If you didn’t know already, any Jennifer Hartmann book will take you in an emotional roller coaster and this book did not disappoint. Melody and Parker meet in a support group and travel through their own journeys through issues of child abuse, grief of loosing a loved one, and suicide. Their stories will have your heart breaking in the first chapter, put back together, then broken and put back together again. Please make sure to check trigger warnings before reading.

The Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann is one of those books that hits you right in the feels. It’s emotional, raw, and just a little bit messy in the best way. The story revolves around Ivy and Noah, two characters who are dealing with their own baggage and trying to figure out how to heal, both on their own and together.

What I really loved about this book is how real the characters felt. Ivy’s vulnerability and strength are easy to connect with, and Noah’s internal struggles add so much depth to the story. Their relationship isn’t perfect (thank goodness), but it’s genuine, and you really root for them as they navigate their complicated pasts.

The pacing is pretty solid throughout, giving enough time to really dive into the characters’ emotional journeys. The writing is beautiful—sometimes poetic, sometimes gut-wrenching, and it really does a great job of showing how tough it can be to move past trauma. Sure, there are a few moments where it might feel a little heavy, and if you’re not in the mood for some serious emotional intensity, it might be a lot to take in. But honestly, I think it balances out with some hopeful moments that make it all worthwhile.

In the end, The Wrong Heart is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story about love, pain, and learning to heal. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but there’s a sense of growth and redemption that leaves you feeling good by the end. If you’re into books that explore deep emotions and messy relationships, this one’s definitely worth checking out. Highly recommend for fans of intense, character-driven stories!

This book was absolutely beautiful and so well written. This is my new favorite Hartmann book! I absolutely LOVED the characters, and could not get enough of them. The chemistry was so good, the spice was phenomenal, and the plot was gripping. Be sure to check your triggers, because this book does get heavy, as all Hartmann books do. I think it is 1,000% worth the read! All the stars!!!

Wow! I cried so much reading this. It's beautiful and still so sad. Love this book! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

2024 added a few more authors on my list of preferences and S.L. Prater is one of them.

I did not know what to expect from The Haunted Heart but I am so happy with what I received.

This steamy dark romance took me captive from the beginning and released me with the final page. It was an intense roller coaster ride of emotions.

I like the goth atmosphere and the characters. The relationship between the two main characters goes back and forth from delightful to incredibly toxic. They have a lot of trauma from their past but they still manage to confront their gosts.