This was such a good story. It felt like a thriller in some parts, but also a deep exploration of characters. I loved the insights into marriage, mother-child love, mental illness. And, as a hiker, I loved all the details on the Appalachian Trail. The author clearly did her research. Beautiful book.

I wanted to like this book so much, but unfortunately this was just an okay book to me. I got bored a lot and just couldn’t stay connected to the story.

I really feel like this is my perfect kind of mystery. If you loved The God of the Woods, you'll probably feel the same. This follows Valerie Gillis, a woman who goes missing while hiking the Apalachin Trail. More importantly, it's about the people trying to find her, including Lt. Beverly the Maine State Game warden, who has a great track record of finding missing hikers, and Lena, an elderly women living in a retirement community, states away. We also hear from Valerie's trail brother, Santo, and a few others. This book did a great job of making me care for Valerie and her family, while also being on the edge of my seat. The Lena plot, which seems useless at first glance, is particularly compelling. Once you find out her significance, you'll have no choice but to give these five stars. What connects Lena, Beverly and Valerie is motherhood, and daughterhood. Beverly's mother is experiencing health troubles in the background of her story, Lena is estranged from her own daughter, and Valerie passes her time writing letters to her mother. Valerie's letters may throw some off, as the prose can get pretty flowery for a woman who is on the brink of starving to death. Still, this was compulsively readable and full of characters that bring relatability and understanding. I think this has a pretty broad appeal, especially for those who want a change of pace from the usual twisty and fast paced mystery narrative.

Set on the Appalachian Trail, this novel is told from the perspectives of three different women. The first is Valerie Gillis, lost in Maine while trekking northbound on the 14-state hiking trail. Valerie, a nurse traumatized by her Covid-era experiences, is a slow hiker, who until Maine had a trail buddy accompanying her. She goes missing while solo. Lt. Bev (Beverly Miller) is the veteran game warden in charge of the massive search for Valerie. And farthest removed from the trail is retired scientist Lena Kucharsky, a wheelchair-bound resident of a retirement home in Connecticut. Valerie's situation comes into focus through journal entries addressed as letters to her mother, alternating with chapters narrated from Lt. Bev's first-person perspective, while Lena's chapters are told via third-person. What they have in common: They're all women, all three "lost in the woods," one literally and two metaphorically. If you like a well-written, language-rich, character-driven wilderness suspense novel, this is the book to snag.

[Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

4.25 - an excellent and well edited literary mystery.

I enjoyed this book immensely.

Thank you Simon Books & Netgalley for the gifted egalley.

I loved loved loved. Deeply moved by all the stories in this book. I read some passages multiple times, as they were so gorgeous. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Set against the backdrop of Maine’s Appalachian Trail, the story follows Valerie Gillis, an experienced hiker who mysteriously disappears just 200 miles from her final destination. Gaige masterfully balances suspense with introspection using strong character development and storytelling.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Heartwood by Amity Gaige.

Is it weird that I classify this as a "sweet" read. Not in a sappy Nick Sparks kind of way, but its just so deeply heart filled.

When a woman in her early 40's goes missing in the Appalachians, it's all hands on deck. The game warden is fully devoted finding her, and volunteers have gathered to search and rescue. But there are things about this woman that seem suspicious, reasons that could have caused her disappearance. It may not be as cut and dry as a woman veering off the trail.

This was great to listen to, awesome narration, it adds so much vibrancy to the story. I loved the different voices, including the missing woman, telling the story from their perspective. It didn't take long before I felt like I was on the mountain with them, and just as invested as bringing the missing woman home.

This is my absolute favorite book of the year. Valerie Gillis, a 42 year old nurse is hiking the Appalachian trail when she goes missing. Her husband, her support person reports that she has not shown up at the appointed time and meeting place. Immediately , a search and rescue mission is launched. Bev Miller, an experienced warden the highest ranking female is in charge of the mission. Captivating backstories unfold, including a wheelchair bound senior in another state who is captivated by the search. Valerie's journal entries to her mother are interspersed throughout. This is an enthralling, immersive read!

Heartwood is a compelling and heartfelt story about family, loss, and healing. Amity Gaige writes with honesty and emotional depth, making the characters feel real and relatable. It’s a moving read that explores how people navigate difficult moments and find strength in unexpected ways.

This book was riveting. I'm so fascinated by those that hike the Appalachian Trail. Told from three points of view. Valerie Gillis is hiking the trail with her husband supporting her by following along and supplying her when she becomes lost. Beverly is a Maine Game Warden tasked with running the team trying to find her. Lena is an elderly woman in a retirement home that is following the search and trying to help through social media. Each perspective is unique and fascinating and I feel like I learned so much, but also it made my soul so happy. It's a beautiful story through it all. Five stars!

This was such an interesting and enjoyable read. The writing was really well done. The ending felt a bit underwhelming and felt like it was missing something. Overall, a quick and easy read.

Reading the story from three women's perspectives, we learn the context of how Valerie got lost on the Appalachian Trail, the search team headed up by Beverly, and Lena, a wheelchair bound retiree following the case online. The stories interweave in an intriguing way, and each character is memorable and unique.

I really enjoyed the different perspectives and varying styles of exposition that worked together to tell the story. Using journal entries, online chats, and interviews, the narrative is told in a creative and compelling way.

This is a must read for readers who enjoyed The God of the Woods.

HEARTWOOD follows the search for Valerie, a hiker on the Appalachian trail who becomes lost. The story is told through multiple perspectives, including Valerie’s diary from her time in the woods. The result is a can’t-turn-the-page-fast-enough novel to find out what will happen.

The reason I love Amity Gaige’s writing so much is that her books have the pace and surprises of a mystery but also so much emotional depth and gorgeous prose (I was literally quoting lines in my, Abigail, and Shelby’s group text) which means that by the end of her books, you care just as much about the characters interior journeys as the external plot. HEARTWOOD in particular does a great job of exploring motherhood and the many ways we become “lost” in life. This book is also the first really great example I’ve seen of how to speak to the lingering impact of Covid, which was done so beautifully and with a light, intentional touch.

Heartwood, Amity Gaige delivers a haunting and lyrical exploration of survival, motherhood, and the human spirit, set against the unforgiving backdrop of Maine's Appalachian Trail. This literary thriller intertwines multiple narratives to unravel the mysterious disappearance of 42-year-old nurse Valerie Gillis, who vanishes just 200 miles shy of completing her solo thru-hike.

Valerie, emotionally and physically drained from her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, embarks on the trail seeking solace and healing. Her journey takes a perilous turn when she becomes lost in the dense wilderness. Through poignant journal entries addressed to her mother, Valerie's internal struggles and reflections on her past unfold, offering a window into her psyche as she battles the elements and her own demons.

Parallel to Valerie's ordeal, Lieutenant Beverly Miller, a dedicated Maine State Game Warden, leads the exhaustive search efforts. Bev's narrative provides a compelling look into the challenges faced by women in authority, as she navigates the complexities of the rescue mission while dealing with personal family issues. Her character adds depth to the story, highlighting themes of resilience and duty.

Adding an unexpected layer to the narrative is Lena Kucharski, a 76-year-old birdwatcher residing in a Connecticut retirement community. Lena becomes an armchair detective, drawn into Valerie's case through online forums and her own investigative instincts. Her involvement introduces elements of conspiracy and the public's fascination with missing persons cases, enriching the novel's thematic tapestry.

I enjoyed the intricate character development and evocative prose here. I felt the interplay between the characters' stories created a rich, multifaceted exploration of human connection and endurance.

Heartwood stands as a testament to Amity Gaige's storytelling prowess, blending suspense with profound emotional insight. It's a compelling read that resonates with themes of loss, hope, and the enduring bonds between mothers and daughters.

I was very underwhelmed by this book. As a Mainer I was not impressed with how Maine was described and did not find it authentic. It’s also based on the real life story of a missing hiker that was lost on the Appalachian trail and her body was later recovered in Maine so I was not comfortable with it being turned into a fiction book for profit.

This book was just ok for me. I liked it in the beginning and then I kind of lost interest. This book didn’t really make me feel much of anything. Good or bad.
The best parts to me were from Bev and the search efforts of trying to locate and rescue Valerie. I liked Valerie’s journal entries to her mother at times too.
For me, there were just too many chapter POV changes. It wasn’t always bad but sometimes it really messed up the flow and suspense of the book for me.

Obviously other people enjoyed this and i didn’t think it was terrible. I just expected more of a fast paced mystery, I guess.

Thoroughly engaging story of hiker, Valerie, who is lost on the Appalachian Trail. Warden Bev leads the search and adds so much depth to all of the characters. Lena, a nursing home resident is included with her vast knowledge of nature and foraging.
Highly recommend!!

This one kept me engaged and interested throughout its pages. I wanted to know what happened, but also cared about the ancillary characters and their stories/trajectories. Would absolutely recommend.