Morbidly Yours was my favorite romcom the year it was released. I absolutely knew I needed more Ivy Fairbanks storytelling as soon as I could get my hands on it. Heart Strings picks up a few years later, still in Galway, in the preparation for a wedding where the maid of honor and best man haven’t really spoken since an awful breakup. What I love about Ivy’s writing is that her stories aren’t all sunshine and roses, just like life isn’t. Big, scary, difficult situations happen, but how and with who we handle them can make a world of difference. And ultimately, you have to make sure you’re happy with the life you’re living, no matter what others may try to tell you. I laughed. And I cried. And Heart Strings was some wonderful catharsis, and an excuse to play Irish trad music in the background. A firm five star read for me. Give it a try if you’re interested in:

-Second Chance Romance
-Latinx FMC
-Rockstar Romance (although Aiden might disagree with you)
-Hookers (absolutely not what you think it is)
-Light Bondage
-Inappropriate operation of a hearse

Absolutely looking forward to Saoirse’s book, but if her intended male lead is who I think was suggested in this one, I’m not sure how Ivy’s going to manage to redeem him in my eyes after that introduction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ivy Fairbanks, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Plot:
Cielo moved to Galway for medical school, where she met Aidan. He was an aspiring musician at the time and they were head over heels in love. As her schooling got busier and his career took off, they decided it be best to part ways and "not do the whole long distance thing."
Now Aidan is back in Galway for a wedding that Cielo is also a part of. Looking to reconnect, can Aidan use this wedding to his advantage?

My Thoughts:
The 1st Love in Galway book was adorable and this one was just as great. I love when a character knows what they want, are able to admit their shortcomings, and act like adults. Aidan was perfect at all those things. He realized he messed up and he wanted his lady back.
Both characters had their own plots and I liked that each person tried to handle any issues on their own. They both work on themselves and grow as people before the wedding forced them to see each other again.
Cielo is a great character that I can resonate with. Likes to be in control and is a perfectionist while Aidan is capable of going with the flow and challenging some of Cielo's ideals. They complimented each other really well.

Here's to hoping for a Love in Galway book 3. Maybe there was a hint of a spin-off couple? At least, I sure hope there was.

Fairbanks does it again. She has crafted an interesting story with characters that I immediately cared about. I loved this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was very cute! I enjoyed it a lot and found it to be very funny, heartfelt, and also spicy. This is everything a modern romcom should be. The representation felt very respectful and I can tell that the author takes that seriously. There were also many moments while reading where I laughed out loud. This was so fun and enjoyable!

i'm sad to say I didn't enjoy this book like I did with morbidly yours. i wish their love story was presented better and introducted in the first book. I frankly did not connect much with either character and the constant lust factor really took me out of it. i'm looking forward to whatever ivy puts out next but this was a miss for me. thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

i'm sad to say I didn't enjoy this book like I did with morbidly yours. i wish their love story was presented better and introducted in the first book. I frankly did not connect much with either character and the constant lust factor really took me out of it. i'm looking forward to whatever ivy puts out next but this was a miss for me. thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!

I absolutely adored Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks! The growth of Cielo and Aidan over the years they’ve been apart is so beautifully crafted. Both characters really come into their own during their time apart, and you can see how the events of their lives shape who they are when they finally reconnect. What really struck me was the intentionality they both have in being open and honest with one another, allowing for a deep emotional connection to bloom that feels real and earned. Cielo’s journey, in particular, is so empowering—she learns that it’s okay to lean on others during tough times, and that support isn’t a weakness, but a strength. Her emotional growth was a big highlight of the book for me!

The writing is fantastic, too. Ivy Fairbanks has a perfect balance of humor, heartfelt moments, and great dialogue that makes the book so enjoyable to read. The way she weaves in scene-setting without bogging things down, while still keeping the story flowing, is impressive. The second-chance romance feels so genuine, and I loved how Cielo is a strong, independent FMC, while Aidan is in touch with his feelings in a way that’s not overly dramatic. If you love a swoon-worthy romance with characters who grow and evolve both individually and together, this book is a must-read!

Really cute, sweet and heartwarming read. I haven't had a chance to read the first book in this series (Morbidly Yours), but it had been on my TBR list. I was still able to follow the story with no issue. The characters from the first book are included and a big part of this plot, and I can't wait to read their story as well.
This is the first book that I've had the pleasure of reading by Ivy, and I'm looking forward to exploring her other work, Her writing is easy to read and easy to follow. I read this book in one day because I started reading and just got totally sucked into the story. The pacing was really good. There was one part of the story that had me absolutely screaming with laughter because it went from spicy to dark humor so quickly. The male main character Aidan reminds me of Ed Sheerin and he is a YEARNER. Big fan of that. The female main character Cielo "Lo" is a force to be reckoned with and she comes off as a tough as nails ice queen because she doesn't want to have to need anyone. The second chance romance is a trope that I'm a fan of and Ivy absolutely delivered in an original way.

A really emotionally evoking book tackling tough subjects but staying relevant and easy to resonate with! I really loved the main characters and their relationship!

I’m in the minority for this book, but I just wasn’t a huge fan. I love romance, but I struggled through this book. I found myself wishing the main characters wouldn’t get a HEA.

This book had me swooning, sighing, and smiling like a fool from start to finish. Set against the charming backdrop of Galway, Heart Strings delivers a perfect blend of slow-burn romance, musical chemistry, and emotional depth. Ivy Fairbanks nails banter, longing, and all the little moments that make romance unforgettable. If you love Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez, Heart Strings will hit all the right notes.

A solid sequel to "Morbidly Yours".

The storyline and character development in "Heart Strings" proves that the author's first book was no anomaly.

What will the reader encounter?

A full figured woman who owns her sexuality yet grapples with her parental relationships. Her childhood illness proved to be the impetus for her career but also struck the debilitating blow to her parents' marriage. The author explores this realistically.
As for our hero, he too has professional struggles. Unlike the heroine, he has a supportive family (the reader will enjoy his mother and sister's unique hobbies) but initially lacked confidence for his dream.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons in exchange for an honest review.

#HeartStrings #NetGalley

4.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
((ARC))

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I am SO LUCKY that I got an ARC!!!

Ceilo (Lo) and Aidan met when Lo came to Ireland to visit her cousin Lark, and the 2 became inseparable. It was hot and passionate. But when Aidan, who’s a musician, got the chance of a lifetime to record in London, he took the opportunity and left Lo with a broken heart.
But his heart was broken too and every song he writes is about her.
2 years later, they’re forced back together as Maid of Honor and Best Man in Callum and Larks (Morbidly Yours) wedding.

This was SO GOOD. I love a second chance romance. I loved the lgbt rep, Lo’s Hispanic heritage and acknowledge of her struggles working as a doctor in a male dominated field. I also loved Aidan’s vulnerability and willingness to be **ahem** told what to do 😉
But my favorite part was how much Callum and Lark was in this! Often in series the characters who made you fall in love with the books aren’t around much, but we got a lot of them 🖤 ☘️

shoutout to netgalley for the arc!

i was frothing at the mouth when reading morbidly yours, so finally getting read cielo’s HEA was SO FUN AND SPECIAL. this book is full of HOT scenes (rope play, fem dom, hearse, etc) and i can easily say that was so beyond unexpected but also so FUN to see. i can easily say that i too did a little cross in the air reading some of these scenes 😂

cielo and aiden’s are really a good example of right person wrong time, and i think the second chance romance played out as well as it could have. they really love each other, and it’s so sweet to see how they grow and support each other.

ALSO shoutie outie to seeing callum and lark!!!!! i LOVED their prominence in the plot and getting a peek into their HEA as well 😭😭😭 i love them so much.

i cannot wait for book 3. 😈😈

Thanks to Putnam books for the ARC of this book! I read Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks last year and was excited to read the next book in the series. It was fun to check in on Callum and Lark while reading Cielo and Aidan's story. Though it was fun to reconnect with characters, I do still think this one could be read as a standalone book, too! Both main characters in this book had a lot of depth and reading along as they found their way back to each other was enjoyable. If you like second chance romance, this one is definitely for you. If you enjoy authors like Abby Jimenez (romance with some depth and heartache mixed in) this one is also for you! It was a five star read for me and I can't wait to read more from Ivy Fairbanks! See below for a brief synopsis!

Cielo aka "Lo" moved to Galway for medical school from Texas after her cousin Lark made the move previously. She wanted to have some indepencende from her family and make choices on her own . She ended up fall and for Aidan, a native Irish singer, who was on the cusp of making it big as a musician. Despite their clear and strong connection, her fear of a long distance relationship pushed them apart when Aidan got a record deal and had to relocate to London. Despite that, they never really moved on. When they get thrown together for the wedding of Lark and Callum, their love burns brighter than ever. As they navigate circumstances in their lives that are beyond their control, they realize that maybe their love is worth the trouble after all.

Ivy Fairbanks has done it again! Bringing us back to Galway as a follow up to a much loved Morbidly Yours, Heart Strings delivers across the board. Added to my list of all-time favorite Second-Chance-Romances, I loved Lo and Aiden’s story. A journey of accepting the love and help of others, Heart Strings is packed with heart and emotion. Not to mention the comedic relieve and laughs - I now have a new appreciation for ventriloquism and hearses (IYKYK). Any Ivy Fairbanks read goes on my TBR as soon as it’s announced!

ARC via NetGalley

Goodreads review

“Morbidly Yours” was one of my favourite books of 2024, so imagine my excitement when I received an early copy of this sequel! This one handles a sensitive spot for me (cancer), but it’s handled so beautifully and carefully that I didnt mind (trust Ivy Fairbanks to handle delicate subjects with care!).

The chemistry is there, the setting is gorgeous, and I loved that despite being a second chance story, we spend our time in the present — I like second chances but find overuse of flashbacks to the “before” to be exhausting. I loved the characters— everyone needs an Aidan in their life.

I cannot WAIT for book 3!

3.5⭐️




Cielo y Aidan eran novios, eran felices y pensaban que siempre estarían juntos, hasta que él saltó a la fama y rompieron. Han pasado dos años sin verse ni hablar, pero serán dama de honor y padrino en la boda de Lark y Cal (protagonistas del libro anterior) y tendrán que pasar tiempo juntos. ¿Lograrán hablar y solucionar lo que salió mal, o ya es demasiado tarde?

~

Hubo algo que no me gustó y de lo que siempre me quejo: al terminar la relación, Aidan regresó a sus tendencias de mujeriego, mientras que Cielo no salió con nadie ni mucho menos durmió con otro.





Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars

I adored Morbidly Yours, so the second Heart Strings was announced, I was giddy for updates.

Heart Strings is the second-chance romance between Lark's cousin Cielo "Lo" and the barrister who saved the day in Morbidly Yours, Aidan. Set 2 years post-breakup, Lo and Aidan are thrown together during the wedding festivities of the MY couple.

In this installment, Ivy Fairbanks continues to shine in her ability to tell a story. The pacing is wonderful, never feeling too-drawn out or uneven. The characters were likeable and had depth, making their actions and thoughts believable and reasonable.

While I did enjoy Heart Strings, it had the issue a lot of second-chance romances deal with. We didn't get to see them falling in love. The book begins with them having already fallen in love and breaking up, but it's obvious the feelings are still there from the start. We do get to experience them reconnecting, but it would've been nice to have more from the initial getting-together. Maybe if their relationship was explored in the previous book, this would've worked better.

I am looking forward to the next installment. I loved the teases we got of what may happen next.

*I received this eArc via Netgalley & Putnam.

This book is a second chance romance that delves into themes of love, personal growth and the complexities of inner struggles. The story follows Cielo, a resilient Texan and cancer survivor, who reconnects with her former love, Aidan, a tattooed, guitar-playing lawyer turned successful musician and they’re reunited as maid of honor and best man at her cousin’s wedding. Their reunion forces them to confront past mistakes and explore the possibility of rekindling their relationship.

I believe that this is the second installment in this series? But I read it as a standalone and after finishing it, I will be picking up Ivy’s other works. Ivy created a story that is both heartwarming and relatable, addressing heavy topics with sensitivity and authenticity. The portrayal of mental health challenges offers a respectful and realistic depiction that resonates deeply for me personally.

The chemistry between the characters is INSANE, with tension that leaps off the pages. I love me a spicy book and the romantic scenes in this one are chefs kiss. They had me giggling and kicking my feet.

This book is a testament to the power of second chances and the importance of confronting one’s past to build a better future.