Thank you NetGalley and PutnamBooks for an arc of this novel - all opinions are my own.

Heart Strings is the 2nd book in the Love in Galway series, and after absolutely LOVING book 1 (Morbidly Yours) I was SO excited to read Lo and Aiden’s story!

Each book in this series focuses on a different couple, but I would recommend reading them in order. You’ll be introduced to Lo and Aiden in Morbidly Yours, and the main characters from that one (Cal and Lark) make appearances in this one as well.

The writing in this book was easy to read. Fairbanks does a great job at keeping things moving, and I loved Aiden’s character.

I loved Lo when I met her in book 1, but I did not love reading her POV in here. I felt incredibly empathetic for her… but she was a super frustrating character, and I was a little disappointed that I didn’t love her and Aiden together as much as I thought I was going to.

Despite those complaints - I loved going back to the world Fairbanks created, and this is a series that I will absolutely continue on with. It also perfectly set up book 3, which I’m VERY excited about.

PUB DATE: August 12, 2025

RATING: 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUGGESTED SNACK PAIRING: skittles

“If anyone else's grubby paws had been all over my candy, I'd throw the whole bag away.
But Aidan remembered my fondness for Skittles, all except those disgusting purple ones—and also how neurotic I am about food contamination.”

TRIGGERS: cancer, medical content, sexual content, death (briefly mentioned), abandonment

I was so captivated by Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks that while cruising through Bermuda this week, I completely forgot to snap a beachy book pic—consider that the ultimate compliment. This second installment in the Love in Galway series did not disappoint. Aidan and Cielo's story was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way—equal parts heartwarming, heartbreaking, and oh-so-steamy.
I found myself cheering Aidan on with every swoony gesture (and muttering "don’t mess this up, man!" more than once). Ivy Fairbanks has a gift for blending emotional depth, spicy tension, and laugh-out-loud moments—especially when those irresistible Irish phrases are sprinkled in.
I especially appreciated the authentic representation in Cielo—a curvy heroine with a history of cancer. It added so much depth and relatability to her character. Plus, can we talk about the chemistry? Big, brawny Irishman + real, strong woman = pure magic.
I devoured this in just a few days and now I’m counting the minutes until book three. Ivy, don’t keep us waiting too long!
Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Ivy Fairbanks for allowing me the opportunity to read this advance copy and to provide my honest feedback.

I enjoyed it, but not as much as some other similar authors. I appreciated the depth of the characters and don't feel like I wasted my time, but it didn't really hook me.

I was ecstatic to read the latest installment of the Love in Galway series, after loving "Morbidly Yours" and I was not disappointed.

I rarely read second chance romance and though this one started out glacial--both in pace and in Cielo's feelings and demeanor towards Aiden-- I found myself actually believing that they could and should work out as a couple. Their interactions felt natural and it was nice to see the trust they had previously built slowly return. Though their wedding dalliance was the catalyst in regaining this trust, their was plenty of conversations and situations that solidified their belief in each other and made the payoff all the more worth it.

The only thing holding me back from a five star rating was the hastily resolved family drama. The texts Cielo's mother sends about Aiden near the end, are downright emotionally abusive. It's hard to believe a mother would speak like that to her adult daughter and even harder to forgive. While it was important for Cielo to learn to forgive more easily, I think she should have sought out some form of therapy instead of letting her mother even further into her life.

I would wholeheartedly recommend reading Heart Strings and look forward to the next book!

Loved this one just as much as the first. We finally get Lo and Aiden's story and a checkin with Callum and Lark. Lo and Aiden met in the previous book and a relationship bloomed. The two split after Aiden took a record deal. Now, these two are reunited for Callum and Lark's wedding. It's angsty and sweet and there is healing for Lo and Aiden. Look forward to any other books by this author.

Loving the curvy rep! The first half dragged a little but overall loved Lo and Aiden’s love story. I have my suspicions about the next peek in to Galway.

Loved this one as much as the first! Second chance isn’t my jam, but I loved this sweet story. Tender and sweet and another beautiful story by Ivy Fairbanks.

thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

this book was cute, but it was pretty average and not as great as the first one in the series

the best part of it was seeing callum and lark again, i love those two so much, ugh

while this was a second-chance romance, it still seemed very insta-lovey to me? they moved very fast and smoothed things over before the 40% mark, with the rest of the book being mostly family drama/misunderstandings/sex.

lo was a hot mess. she was constantly saying how independent and tough she is but her whole personality is being terrified of abandonment and not wanting to be a burden and isolating herself from her loved ones then blaming them for it.

overall, i liked seeing old characters and i love love, so this get a solid 3 stars.

i will definitely read anything ivy writes, her style is writing is great!

IVVYYYYYY. I love this book! I will defend Lo with my whole chest. Love love love! I can not WAIT for book three

Ok I’m staring off with Lo had no business being in a relationship… “strong independent woman who is in control of everything” girl where. Like yes I understand what she has been to, and she pushes away anyone who threatens to mess with her fragile heart. But girlfriend we need to stick with a professional relationship with our therapist not a romantic relationship with our ex rn. 😂

Aiden- who sings during phone sex??! I would have hung up so fast.

Very much insta lust/love but i wanted more pining. Work for it! Yearn more!! It just felt like they got back together so quickly and then immediately jumped back into saying I love you. The pacing just didn’t track for me but that’s my preference. 🤷🏻‍♀️

•second chance romance
•traumatic experience survivor
•he leads the charge at getting them back together

Overall, a cute and easy read!

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

I really liked the story line but did fell like some parts moved a bit too slow for me. At first I didn't understand the back and forth since I hadn't read the first book but as I got further in I was able to connect the dots very well. I would def recommend reading the first book first.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Heart Strings! As a sucker for second-chance romances and anything set in an Irish castle (who isn’t?), I had high hopes for this emotional, music-infused love story. And while it hit a few sweet notes, it didn’t quite make it to a full-blown encore for me.

The setup is undeniably swoon-worthy: Cielo “Lo” Valdez is a fierce, no-time-for-BS Texan cancer survivor, and Aidan O’Toole is a tattooed, mandolin-playing Irish lawyer-turned-musician who left Lo for a once-in-a-lifetime record deal. Now, years later, they’re maid of honor and best man at the same castle wedding—because of course they are—and sparks (and unresolved feelings) are flying all over the place.

Let’s start with the good: the Irish setting is chef’s kiss, and the wedding-weekend vibes were deliciously dramatic. I also enjoyed the musical touches—Aidan writing love songs about Lo after their breakup? It’s giving tortured artist in the best way.

But here’s where the rhythm fell off for me: Lo and Aidan’s chemistry didn’t quite leap off the page. Their banter lacked the heat and tension I crave in an exes-to-lovers story, and their emotional arc felt a bit rushed. Lo’s walls are understandably high, but the payoff for their reconciliation didn’t feel earned enough to make my heart ache in that satisfying romance-novel way.

Still, Heart Strings is charming, heartfelt, and perfect for readers who love emotionally mature characters and a dash of musical melancholy. It’s just not quite a chart-topper for me.

Would I read another book by this author? Absolutely. I’m always here for angsty vibes, emotional healing, and men with guitars making grand romantic gestures.

I absolutely loved Lo & Aiden together, the chemistry between them was crazy. The whole time i was just rooting for them to immediately get back together

Lo is so strong & such a badass, I loved her so much & the way she was with Aiden’s family was so beautiful

Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam Books for this ARC!

Heart Strings releases August 12th!

Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks is a second-chance contemporary romance following Cielo and Aidan. They dated in the past, but after Aidan's music career takes off the relationship falls apart. When their best friends decide to get married two years after they break up, Aidan (the best man) and Cielo (the maid of honor) have to be together and work together all weekend long. Will this wedding rekindle the spark they once had in the past?
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The banter between the characters was witty and fun. I love that our female main character was plus-size but her being plus-size wasn't the main focus of her storyline. The spicy scenes were creative, to say the least, but I still had a good time. My only qualm with this book was that it wrapped up too quickly. I wanted Cielo to have a longer/serious conversation with both her dad and Aidan but it just felt a little too surface-level.
I haven't read Morbidly, Yours but I will pick up the book soon and I'm hoping book three (if book three is in the works) follows Saoirse whose story might be one of my favorites.

Thank you NetGalley for this advance readers copy.

I was so excited for this book since its release. i didn’t like morbidly yours all that much but when i heard that Aidan was getting a book i was excited. There are a lot of things to like about this book like first of all second chance trope?? come on how can you go wrong with that?? and the setting? LOVE IT!! Aidan is thoughtful when it comes to his songs but when it got to the phone stuff… you lost me there. i’m not shaming anyone’s likeness but personally if someone was singing to me during an…intimate…moment, i would shut it down right there. it’s just not my thing. i didn’t like Cleo at all. it seemed like she jumped to conclusions wayyyy too early and it was always before she heard the person out. i get she’s gone through a lot which could be the cause of that but at what point is too much just too much? overall, i gave this book a 3 star.

This book was enjoyable. It has one of my fave tropes (second chance!) but I wasn’t very invested in their relationship rekindling. I feel like they both still needed to work on themselves first.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced readers copy of this book.

I really enjoyed the first in the series (Morbidly Yours) and was excited for number two. While I enjoyed this one, it just didn't hit for me quite like the first. Cielo's family struggles felt... relatable, while Aiden's rise to stardom... did not. I liked how their story wove its way into Callum and Lark's, just as I could glimpse who the next story will tangle up. I also appreciate how the author always incorporates diversity in varied ways, though... representation matters. Gold star.

📚Trope(s): Famous MMC / Overachieving FMC, Small Town
⭐️Plot: 3/5
🔥Chemistry: 3/5
🌶️Spice: 3/5

Aidan and Lo were so real! I genuinely f we’re lt like I knew them. Their story was super cute, even with some complexities mixed in. Careers, family, friends, life decisions made up this beautiful book. Add in the Irish castle setting to make it perfect!

Heart Strings is a lovely second book for the Love in Galway series. Lo and Aiden have such a beautiful relationship and the bedroom scenes were deliciously spicy. I can’t wait to read Saoirse’s story next!!!

I enjoyed this book more than I expected to! I liked the first book, but I think I enjoyed these characters a bit more. I feel like the pacing of this book is better than the first as well! There were plenty of light hearted moments to break up the heavier scenes which was great. The book does explore Lo’s experience with cancer, so just be aware if that’s a tough topic for you. Over all I liked the book and I’m looking forward to Saoirse’s story next!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221473129