I enjoyed Annie Hartnett's first two novels--her quirky characters and plotlines are original and interesting to me. THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS has similarities in tone and character to RABBIT CAKE and UNLIKELY ANIMALS, and I enjoyed it for the most part. The themes are dark, which in general didn't bother me except for some of the seemingly random deaths that happen without connection to the plot or main characters. In spite of the fact that almost all the characters are facing immense grief, the novel presents the complexity in that experience, and my reading experience was better for it.

I absolutely loved Hartnett’s previous novel, Unlikely Animals. This novel felt promising in that it had a similar quirky cast of characters, but it just didn’t work for me. I struggle to read really heavy topics (especially suicide) when they are written in a lighthearted way that feels flippant and dismissive. I know this doesn’t bother every reader, and it’s really just my own hang up. I wanted to love PJ, but I found him more annoying than endearing. Overall, this story felt too bleak and depressing, and at odds with the lighthearted writing style. I appreciate what the author was trying to do, it just wasn’t to my personal taste. I do love the colorful, eye catching cover! I’m still a Hartnett fan and I plan to read whatever she writes next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Road to Tender Hearts" and all opinions expressed are my own. I found this slow to get into but it picked up, especially having that cat in the story lol. This was a heartbreaking, funny, quirky, messy book, dealing with a lot of heavy topics. Either you are going to love it or hate it and I'm in the middle.

I can hardly believe I have never read Annie Hartnett's writing until now! Her most recent novel, “The Road to Tender Hearts,” is a profoundly emotional and refreshingly original tale that captivated me from the very first page. The characters are extremely unique and irresistibly charming, each one bringing their quirks and depths to the story. As I turned the pages, I felt as if I was embarking on an unforgettable journey alongside them, experiencing their joys and struggles intimately.

A mere five stars feel insufficient to express how much this book moved me! I wholeheartedly believe that this enchanting ensemble of characters will resonate with readers of all backgrounds, making “The Road to Tender Hearts” an outstanding pick for book clubs, as it surely sparks thoughtful discussion. I’m now eagerly looking forward to diving into Annie Hartnett’s earlier works and can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future!

This novel is an absolute delight. I couldn’t put it down. It will simultaneously break and repair your heart. I adored it and would recommend to anyone and everyone.

The protagonist, PJ is a lovable mess who can’t seem to get it together. It’s not until he is named guardian for two young kids orphaned from a tragic incident that he has to pull it together and move forward. However, there are many roadblocks that make this a heartwarming and tragic story.

What a delight. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It's got some dark themes, that's for sure—alcoholism, depression, child sexual abuse, divorce. But it's also sweet, sad and tender. Every character was likeable or relatable in some way—and I loved how Pancakes the cat was both a plot element and a character with thoughts and motive, The pace was quick, something always happening. I started off thinking -- "oh, here is another "A Man Called Ove"" (not a bad thing), but finished thinking it was a Baby Boomer "Margo's Got Money Troubles." (also not a bad thing). There were a few surprise twists (one I saw coming, the other not). This is a good book that may also make a great movie or mini-series. This is one to read.

I received an ARC of this upcoming novel (due out in April, 2025) through NetGalley.

This is an action-packed adventure starring a 63-year-old man (PJ), a Massachusetts guy who is a real piece of work. He's a past winner of $1.5 million in the lottery, an alcoholic, estranged from his wife, the best friend of the man who is going to marry his ex-wife and a tragic figure who has never recovered from the death of one of his daughters when she was 18-years-old. Tender Hearts is a retirement community in Arizona and the home of PJ's high school sweetheart. The road to Tender Hearts is the wild trip via automobile that PJ opts to try when he finds out that his high school sweetheart is a new widow.

PJ is accompanied on the trip by some other zany characters: his other daughter (who is estranged from him) and two Irish twin children that PJ is suddenly legally responsible for. And a cat named Pancakes. One of the "twins" believes that her true father is a TV star on a soap opera, so the route from Massachusetts to Arizona needs to include a stop in Texas to confront the soap opera star.

It's a wild ride, quite entertaining. The characters are well-developed, blessed (?) with both positive and negative traits.

This author is new to me and I will be reading her two previous novels, Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals, in the upcoming months.

I get bored reading reviews that rehash the whole storyline, so I’ll trust you read the synopsis for yourself, and just say that I could not have loved this book more! Every single imperfect character, no matter how minor was such a delight and had something to contribute. My personal favorite? The inner dialogue of Pancakes, the cat.

The story was heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious and tragic. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with more deaths, and yet this was not a tragedy in any way. It was full of hope and adventure. Rediscovering selves and each other. A beautiful toast to the human experience of both life and death. I will absolutely be adding the author’s other novels to my list immediately.

I was surprised by the heavy topics explored in The Road to Tender Hearts, including alcoholism, the death of a child, abuse, and more. The frequent deaths scattered throughout the novel also caught me off guard and eventually started to feel repetitive. I went into this book expecting a heartwarming story, but it turned out to be far more tragic than I expected.

PJ Halliday, the main character, left me conflicted. HIs drinking problem was touched on multiple times, and he certainly should not have been entrusted with two orphaned children.That said, I appreciated his eventual growth as he became more responsible by the end, and I could see how PJ, Luna, and Ollie could become a family. His grief over the loss of his eldest daughter felt raw, and I liked how the story centered on both his healing and of Sophie, his younger daughter.

PJ, Sophie, Luna, Ollie, and Pancakes the cat's the road trip misadventures—like visiting Niagara Falls, exploring a wax museum, Luna surprising Sophie with a $2,000 purse, and the variety of quirky hotels—provided moments of levity that I enjoyed. These lighter moments aligned with what I was hoping for from this book, but they were often overshadowed by PJ’s poor decisions and the string of deaths left in Pancakes’ trail.

I was hoping for a story similar to A Man Called Ove, but the balance between joy and hardship felt off. The graphic deaths of Luna and Ollie's parents and the abuse the children endured were particularly jarring. Additionally, the reveal that Ivy had brain cancer near the end felt wholly unnecessary and was pretty reminiscent of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. While I could see what the author was aiming for, the relentless hardships faced by all four main characters made the story feel bleak rather than hopeful. This book didn't work for me, unfortunately.

I really enjoyed The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. It’s such a unique mix of humor, heartache, and hope. ❤️ PJ Halliday, a lottery winner with a messy past, decides to chase down his high school sweetheart, but life throws him a curveball—a road trip with his estranged brother’s grandkids, his drifting daughter, and a cat that predicts death (yes, really). 🐈‍⬛

The story is both touching and funny, with characters that feel real and relatable. PJ’s journey isn’t just about romance; it’s about finding purpose and connection when you least expect it. 🚗 There were a few slow parts, but overall, it left me smiling and thinking about second chances. 😊 Definitely a memorable read! 4/5 stars. 🌟

The premise of this book is exactly the type of books that I love. A cast of quirky characters that band together for a common cause. I almost feel like the summary is misleading.

This story is anything but lighthearted. There needs to be a disclaimer with all the possible trigger warnings.

PJ was often irresponsible and downright childish. His obsession with his high school girl friend was a drag. Pancakes was a fun addition except for the constant deaths. The lighthearted moments did not outweigh the deep and utterly depressing topics in this book.

Not all books are for all people. I see at this point, I am in the minority with this book. I was hoping for a Man Called Ove, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Collected Regrets of Clover, or Miss Benson's Beetle type book. But I did not find The Road to Tender Hearts was anything like those books.

This was a hard no for me.

Possible trigger warnings: suicide, childhood loss, cancer, sudden death, murder, poisoning, and child sexual abuse. Sadly, I am sure I am forgetting some.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great book! I really enjoyed The Road to Tender Hearts.

Even as a dog person, I loved Pancake (the cat).

Author Annie Hartnett brings together a carload of unique characters and sends them cross country.

Very endearing. Highly recommended. The most favorite books that I've read in a quite a while!

I feel that much more explanation will take away from the plot. Don't miss this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Road to Tender Hearts in exchange for an honest review. 384 pages, publication date is April 29, 2025.

Annie Hartnett does it again! "Rabbit Cake" is one of my favorite debut novels, and her sophomore novel, "Unlikely Animals" is a great book as well. "The Road to Tender Hearts" is a really sweet and VERY quirky novel from start to finish. Hartnett's writing style reminds me of Kevin Wilson. So, if you're a fan of his novels, then you will definitely enjoy Hartnett's novels. Not only is Hartnett's prose incredibly strong, but her characters are also incredibly strong as well. Her characters are multi-dimensional. They are funny, aggravating, sentimental, and extremely complex. I love family road trips, so I knew I would eat this story up. Even though this novel is light-hearted and fun, it is also extremely heavy. This book deals with murder-suicide, alcoholism, severe trauma, anxiety, and depression. The main story surrounds grief. Hartnett does a great job balancing humor and heart. The surprise twist made my jaw drop. Give this book a try. Also, the cover art is stunning.

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House for the digital ARC.

This book was not for me, unfortunately. I appreciate the writer's technical skill which is obviously there and the ability to weave an entertaining story. However, I found the beginning way too depressing and the protagonist not very likable in a way that didn't encourage me to read on. I think it's very interesting to have this flawed, older white man be given this opportunity at redemption but the way in which the children were orphaned was so awful I just did not want to read on. Also, the relationship between the protagonist, his ex-wife and her fiancé was super weird to me in a way I did not like. Two stars because I can acknowledge this writer is talented, but this book is definitely not for me -- I didn't finish it.

Prepare to have your heartstrings pulled. Annie Hartnett can do absolutely no wrong.

She has a special way of weaving laughter, trauma, grief, and joy into a gorgeous story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. And a cat named Pancakes?? I’m in. This is such a great adventure that I cannot recommend enough. I love this author!

I was delighted to see that Annie Hartnett had a new book out after loving Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals! She is a master of crafting funny, feel-good stories stories that center characters with baggage, trauma, and grief. The one sentence blurb on this is that a newly-sober lottery winner embarks on a boondoggle road trip with his estranged daughter and two newly-orphaned children (who’s parents’ deaths are front and center at the book’s opening). Doesn’t scream feel-good or funny, but it is Hartnett’s hands. Her characters are good people at heart and it’s clear that Hartnett loves them, which I have discovered is important to me. The best parts of this book, like any good road trip story, are the stops along the way. Oh and Pancakes (the cat). Loved this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Really enjoyed this unique story. Though each character is incredibly flawed, they each work their way into your heart and you root for them even as you cringe at their destructive choices. This was a special book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!!

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that explores the power of second chances and the unexpected paths to healing. Hartnett’s characters are wonderfully flawed, yet their journeys toward understanding and redemption are deeply moving. With rich prose and a keen sense of empathy, she brings to life a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. A tender, uplifting read that reminds us of the transformative power of kindness and connection.

Annie Hartnett has done it again!

This book already had me laughing out loud before the end of the first chapter, so I knew I was in for a treat.

I just love this author’s writing so much and loved getting lost in this world. This story has all her signature ingredients—it’s funny, witty, quirky, delightful, whimsical, and heartfelt. It’s got lovable characters, an adventure-filled cross-country road trip, and a cat named Pancakes who can predict death—what more could you ask for?!

Like her previous novels, this story also deals with some darker themes like grief, alcoholism and a few others (which I won’t mention here so as not to spoil anything). Despite this though, the book never felt heavy. In fact, I didn’t want the story to end.

Would highly recommend to anyone who loved Rabbit Cake and/or Unlikely Animals, or to anyone who has yet to read an Annie Hartnett novel. You’re missing out!

Can’t wait to add a copy of this to my shelves!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for this ARC!

Oh what a lovely book! PJ captured my heart from the start!m, as did Ollie and Luna. My heart broke for those two kids and my heart broke for PJ. I loved this one to pieces and I highly recommend it!