I enjoyed the first 50% of this book, the second half kind of slowed down for me and it did take longer to get finished but i enjoyed the characters and the plot. it was well written.and i did enjoy it and the ending.

The first 50% of this book I was EATING it up, but in the second half it just fell so short.

I love the plus size rep(and guess what y’all she isn’t hyper fixated on her weight nor is it a topic at all) YAY. That was a big win for me. I know we all have our insecurities, but I love that it wasn’t the prime point in this book. I love that our girl is also Latina. Nail on the head.

Our MMC is super cute and he is def the sunshine to her grumpy.

I just feel like with this second chance romance we had all of this build up and then their conversations when it came to forgiveness and moving forward were so surface level. There was so much opportunity for depth and I just didn’t feel it.

Thank you #netgalley and penguin group for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putman for this ARC! All opinions are my own 🤍

While the first book was better, this one was okay. I've teetered between 3 and 4 stars, but overall, I don't think this one is very memorable. 3.25⭐️

It was a little distracting how this book jumped right into 2 years post-breakup, when we didn't see any of the initial relationship on page. I kept thinking I was missing something, which took me out of the story a bit, so I wish there was more of it in the first book.

Something just felt off for a lot of the book. The characters' actions didn't always match what we were told about them. The relationship took a very sudden turn from avoidance to infatuation again. Even with the forced proximity trope, it didn't feel very natural. And the spice was... creative. Not terrible, but definitely unique.

Lo's mom had me raging. I think she was meant to be written as a caring albeit overbearing mother, but she was selfish and didn’t care how Lo felt about anything, and Lo mostly let her act this way.

The whole time reading, I kept wishing Aidan was real so I could hear his music! It was described well and made me feel like he was a real artist that I could play while reading.

I enjoyed getting to see Cal and Lark's wedding, but I wish they had made an appearance at SOME point in the second half of the book. That's quite the honeymoon 🤨

I'm looking forward to Saoirse's love story in the next book (with the event planner!?!) 😍

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
I really enjoyed this book. I love second chance romance and the spice was 3/5. I didn’t find myself loving the characters as much as in Morbidly Yours. The story did feel kind of rushed. I found myself wanting the book to start from the beginning of the relationship, just to add a little more depth.
Over all it was a good read. I am looking forward to book 3 in the series!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Honestly I flew through the first book in this series, I felt more attachment to those characters and the plot than this one. This one wasnt bad I think it was just a little predictable and slower paced than I was in the mood for, which is to be expected to an extent with most romcoms, there is a formula they follow especially with certain tropes that make it predictable and also comforting, but I think my vibe was maybe not in it. Regardless it was a good story, I liked the MCs and it was fun to see Lark and Callum as side characters for their wedding.

🌶️ 3/5 – Spice in this was good, I liked the bondage and the second chance romance with some switchy control dynamics.

As a huge fan of Morbidly Yours - the writing, characters, and plot were fantastic - I was thrilled to get the ARC for the next book in the series, and it didn't disappoint! Aidan was top-tier MMC - I adore a sweet, sensitive guy who pines for the FMC and a FMC who is independent and strong, and this book delivered on both counts! Loved getting a peek into Callum and Lark's lives as we read the unfolding of Cielo and Aidan's story, too!

Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks was a decent read, but it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. The second-chance romance concept had a lot of potential, especially with the exes-to-lovers dynamic and the emotional weight of Lo’s past. The chemistry between Lo and Aidan was strong, and I did enjoy their banter, but I found their back-and-forth a bit frustrating at times. I get why Lo struggles to forgive him, but the constant push and pull started to wear on me.

While I liked the Irish setting and the music theme, there were parts where the pacing felt slow, and I wasn’t as invested in their reunion as I hoped I’d be. Overall, it’s a sweet, spicy romance with some emotional depth, but it didn’t quite grab me in the way I expected. If you’re a fan of second chances, you might enjoy it, but for me, it was just okay.

this was exactly what I was hoping for with Lo and Aidan. The Love in Galway novels are honestly the easiest, funnest reads.. The romance in this was everything. WE LOVE A MAN WHO PINES. we just do. Aidan was everything you wanted him to be with his groveling and talk about a man obsessed. Lo is exactly as I remembered, a baller med student and hyper-independent. I was so glad to see her relinquish some of that independence. All in all, I loved it and I honestly can't wait for the next one.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of the eARC of Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks in exchange for my honest review!

I fell in love with Lark and Callum in Morbidly Yours entirely, and was more than excited to jump in to Heart Strings. It was a good story in and of itself, but just didn’t hit the same way.

The setting was lovely, the days leading up to the wedding were so fun, the side characters were spot on. But the beginning felt rushed- it’s been 4 years since the happenings of Morbidly Yours, and in that time Lo and Aidan met, dated for 6 months, broke up, and spent 2 years apart prior to coming back together for the wedding. Add cancer in to the mix and that’s just a TON. It felt a little bit rushed to fill in the gaps so that we could get into the good stuff- putting Lo and Aidan together again.

The creek scenes, the light bondage, the tension with the parents were all spectacular. Buuuuuut- I hate a miscommunication trope. And Lo is the embodiment of all the reasons that trope goes wrong, making her hard to like. She wanted to fight instead of communicate and sabotaged herself. She was an interesting character- but not an incredibly likable one until we got about 80% in to the book. That last 20% of the book though- 10/10.

Overall- 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.

This just wasn't for me. I didn't really like either of the character's very much, and second chance romance can be pretty hit or miss for me. So, I just wasn't invested in them getting back together.

There were a lot of sweet elements to the story, the communication between them ended up being great. And there wasn't really a third act break-up which is nice.

but overall, something about this book just didn't work for me.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I'm a huge fan of Morbidly Yours, so I enjoyed the Callum and Lark update. And getting the story of their best friends Cielo and Aidan was so fun. I wish we got more of a glimpse into they're first relationship to tie me to their love, because what we did see was the sweetest. I loved the pacing, the support that Aiden showed Cielo, and the spice was spicing. It was a great follow up and I can't wait to get back to Ireland for the next book.

Gettting to revisit the characters I first came to love in Morbidly Yours was a delight! The two year time jump was perfect. Getting to know Aiden and Lo after they've already broken up, and learn about their relationship in the way we do is so well done. Lo has a lot of residual issues, particularly with her parents, that she's aware of but still actively dealing with, and I thought these were treated really well. Her resistance to believing people didn't want to abandon her was not overdone, or annoying, and really made a lot of sense. The Lark, Callum, and Saoirse spots were all delightful. Aiden is an absolute gem and I love him dearly.

Heart Strings was a sweet return to Galway and the world of Morbidly Yours, this time centering on Lo and Aidan—two characters with a lot of history, a lot of unresolved tension, and a second chance at love they never saw coming. After dating for six months years ago, their relationship ended abruptly when Aidan moved to London to chase his dream of becoming a musician. Now, they’re forced back together as maid of honor and best man for Lark and Callum’s wedding, and all those lingering feelings come bubbling to the surface.

The chemistry between them is undeniable—the spice was spicing, y’all—and their banter, tension, and slow emotional unraveling really kept the story moving. While I wasn’t always sold on the reasons for their original breakup (they felt a bit vague or underdeveloped given the emotional fallout), I did appreciate watching them work through their miscommunication and growth. There’s a real sense of two people who needed time and space apart to grow into the versions of themselves that might finally be ready for each other.

Lo, in particular, stood out for me. She’s a hyper-independent med student who’s overcome a lot—family pressure, her own health battles, and a deep need to prove she can handle everything on her own. She’s guarded, prickly, and deeply relatable. Aidan, meanwhile, is charming and earnest, and while I didn’t connect with him quite as much, I loved his sweet, persistent nature and the soft moments he brought into their dynamic. (Also, tell me he wasn’t inspired by Hozier. I dare you.)

The side characters continued to shine in this sequel. Lark, Saoirse, and Aidan’s family added depth and heart (special shout-out to the personalized sweaters and creepy puppets), and the Galway setting was just as cozy and vivid as ever. Ivy Fairbanks does a great job of creating a world that feels warm and lived-in, with side characters who feel as real as the main ones.

The writing felt stronger than in Morbidly Yours, though there were still moments where the dialogue or pacing felt a little clunky. I also found myself wishing for a bit more emotional build-up before the romantic reunion—it came a little earlier than expected, and I would’ve loved just a touch more yearning. Still, the overall payoff was satisfying, and the emotional growth both characters go through made the ending feel earned.

All in all, Heart Strings was a cute, heartfelt, and steamy second-chance romance. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a quick, enjoyable read that made me feel right at home in this world again. I’m officially hyperfixating on Ireland now, and if Saoirse doesn’t get her own book next, I might riot. 👀

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

As a baby book reviewer, will the adrenaline rush of a NetGalley approval ever wane? I sincerely doubt it. Especially when you’re approved to read an ARC that’s the second in a series you unexpectedly stumbled upon and fell head over heels for last year. Lark and Callum’s unlikely pairing in Morbidly Yours set Cielo and Aidan’s romance into motion and I’m so glad @ivyfairbanks chose to take us back to Galway. 💚 Second chance romance is rarely my top choice for tropes because I find it very hard to do realistically but WOOF, was this one as messy and as human as they come. I admired Lo’s intelligence and sass, Aidan’s patience and gentle spirit, and the way that the author approached the tough themes woven throughout the story. I also did not hate the spice but I’ll keep those details under wraps until the pub date. 😉

First of all, let’s take a moment to appreciate just how adorable this cover is. I absolutely love it! Second, this book truly pulled on my heartstrings (see what I did there? 😉).

I adore Lo. She’s the kind of FMC I’d love to meet for coffee and give a hug to, just to tell her how strong I think she is.

It was so easy to root for Lo and Aidan. Their journey toward love unfolds like a beautiful, heartbreaking melody, and it’s one I’ll definitely be coming back to time and time again.

If you haven’t already, make sure to pick up Ivy’s first book, Morbidly Yours. I love Ivy’s writing and how she brings difficult topics to light in such a beautiful way. Just like Heart Strings, that one deserves all the praise as well.

Overall, bravo Ivy! I can not wait for your next book and look forward to kicking my feet and crying uncontrollably all over again.

Heart Strings hits shelves on August 12th!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Heart Strings is the second book in an interconnected standalone series, and let me tell you, it had everything I wanted from a second-chance romance. Tears? Check. Yearning? Oh, absolutely. Laughs and wholesome moments? Plenty. It struck all the right chords (pun absolutely intended). The characters were effortlessly easy to root for while still feeling incredibly real, and the romance? So genuine, so heartfelt. My only gripe? The ending felt a smidge rushed and left me wanting just a little more. But overall? What a ride!

Cielo has been through it, family expectations, personal ambition, and the weight of, well, everything. She’s driven, determined, and honestly? I related so hard to her. Her resilience and the way she tackled life’s challenges were seriously inspiring.

And then there’s Aidan. Sweet, swoon-worthy Aidan. This man wrote songs about their relationship, actual songs and I melted. The way he cared for his family? Adorable. The way he just wanted to write music? Love that for him. Honestly, major relationship goals.

Their dynamic was delightful. Though, I would have loved a little more angst (because let’s be real, second-chance romances thrive on that slow-burn pain).

What to Expect:
Irish Singer-Songwriter
American Medical Student
Forced Proximity at a Castle Wedding
Second Chance
A Man Who Whispers
Headstrong Leukemia Survivor

If you love heartfelt romance with a touch of drama and a dash of Irish charm, this one’s for you!

Thank you to Ivy Fairbanks, the author, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I enjoyed Heart Strings even more than the first book in the series. This second-chance romance tells the story of Cielo and Aidan. Lo is a hyper-independent woman, cancer survivor, and med school student. Honestly, I thought Lo being a perfectionist who needed to be in control was really relatable. In this story, Aidan and Lo are the best man and maid of honor for Callum and Lark’s wedding and are forced to see each other again after 2 years apart. Aidan was set on earning Lo back and proving himself to her, but they both needed to work on themselves as they rekindled their relationship.

Thank you Penguin and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was such a cute read and I hope there’ll be another installment in the Love in Galway series.

This book hits all the right beats—second chances, a swoony musician, and a scenic Irish castle—but the melody feels a little too familiar. Lo is determined to keep her heart under lock and key, and Aidan is the classic "I messed up, but let me sing my way back into your life" hero. The tension is solid, the setting is dreamy, and the angst is real. But the story leans so hard into the one that got away trope that it never quite surprises.

If you love broody musicians and stubborn heroines, this will be music to your ears. If you’re hoping for something that reinvents the genre, you might find this tune a bit overplayed.

This was a cute story. I was able to get through it very quickly and I loved the ending!! Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book, I really appreciate it.