Though I didn’t read the first book of the series (Morbidly Yours…it has been on my never ending TBR) this was true to its word on being a standalone!

First and foremost I liked the characters A LOT. Not only were the two MCs relatable, but the background characters added to the story and stood out as well.

The relationship between Aiden and his family was really heartwarming and a good comparison to Lo and the strain she has with hers. I want more Marie and her ventriloquist doll. Aiden’s entire family just had me cracking up, honestly. And then you go over to Lo and her helicopter mom and nearly absentee dad. 😥

I think that Ivy brings perfect representation across multiple categories. Curvy, POC FMC who is going through not only the heart ache of her past relationship. But though Lo is strong, she learns to lean on the others around her. Which I really, really relate to. This book was a mix of heartwarming, found family and steamy romance.

The chemistry between Lo and Aiden was also streamy, believable and I like how we didn’t dwell on the breakup too long, but also didn’t resolve it so quickly it seemed unbelievable. But who doesn’t love a groveling man 👀…especially one that does it through song (or albums…)

I am for sure picking up the first one, Lark was so funny to me and Callum was interesting to where I really wanna see how those two came to be. Also the setting for this story, a wedding in Ireland? Uh…..YES PLEASE!

A second chance romance that really pulled at my heart strings. A story of "will they, won't they?" I had to keep putting the book down, the angst between the two was so strong. I loved being able to see the finale of the couple from the first book while these two were falling back in love.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

3.5 stars rounded up
I didn't love this as much as Morbidly Yours, hence the slightly lower rating. However, I would still recommend it. Could it be a standalone? I guess, but you'd be missing out on a great first book in the series, so pick up Morbidly Yours. I liked both Lo and Aiden and how they worked their way back to each other. Lo needs some serious therapy after all the trauma in her life and I'm glad the part near the end - where she doesn't communicate what's going on in her life - wasn't dragged out. I loved Aiden's family; how they contrasted with Lo's was well written, but good lord, I wanted to reach into my Kindle and absolutely throttle Lo's mother. What a horrible woman! Lo and Aiden definitely had physical chemistry but I wished we had seen more emotional ties between them. There was definitely something missing for me.

I was hoping there would be a third book in this series and that it would feature Saoirse. According to the author's note, it looks like that's the case. Yay! I love that character.

I absolutely loved their story! It was even better than Morbidly Yours and I can't wait for Saoirse's story!

Absolutely love this. Aiden and Cielo’s relationship is one everyone should aspire to have. The fact that they both wanted the other to chase their dreams without feeling like they potentially could be holding their partner back. The way they fought to get back to each other through everything? Loved

I really enjoyed this book due to being a true believer for second chance in love. I enjoyed the characters' personality and tones. I look forward buying this book when it comes out.

Heart Strings completely swept me off my feet. I went in expecting a sweet romance—and while it definitely delivered on that front, it also offered so much more: raw emotion, layered characters, and a deeply moving exploration of grief, healing, and connection.

The writing is tender and evocative without ever feeling overdone. I found myself pausing just to reread certain lines because they captured something so real—whether it was a moment of aching loneliness or the thrill of new affection. The chemistry between the main characters was palpable, but what I loved most was how the story allowed space for vulnerability and emotional growth, not just romantic tension.

This is a book that tugs at your heart in all the right ways. It’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and full of quiet beauty. If you're looking for a romance that doesn’t just make you swoon, but also makes you feel, this one’s for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded)
Big thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC of Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks! 🎉📚

First — can we just talk about the COVER? CHEF’S KISS. 🎨😍 The artwork and aesthetics are pure eye candy. Instant shelf appeal, 10/10.

Now, the story... Did Heart Strings hit me like Morbidly Yours? Not quite 😕 But was it still a fun read? Totally!

I was so invested in Callum and Lark in book one — their character arcs were basically perfection 💯. But Cielo (“Lo”) and Aidan just didn’t quite click for me. Their connection didn’t spark the same way 🔥✨.

The whole gang comes together because Callum and Lark are getting married, which is why Aidan and Cielo find themselves in the same city again — and that reunion brought ALL the emotions 🥹💍

That said, the plot worked and Ivy Fairbanks definitely has my loyalty—I’m here for whatever she writes next! 🙌

If you want a love story where you really feel the characters, this might not be your jam 💔. But if swoony second chances, Irish vibes, and emotional moments are your thing, this one’s worth the read ☘️💚.

And omg, the pink cowgirl boots cameo? I smiled so big I almost cried 😂💖

Heart Strings is one of the most emotional second chance romances I’ve ever read. Cielo and Aidan touched my heart with all that they went through to learn to forgive, trust, and love each other again. There was is also a lot of levity as they find their way back to each other, and I don’t think I’ll ever think of sheep and a hearse the same way again! This is also a very steamy romance, as the couple reconnects on every level. I loved reading to Galway, getting caught with the characters from Morbidly Yours, and I look forward to the next book!

This is the second book in the A Love in Galway series. While it could be read as a standalone, I assure you, you will want to read Lark and Callum's story, they are to die for! (pun intended) Lo is fiercely independent, sometimes to a fault. Aidan has his work cut out to show her that sometimes asking for a little help is ok and not a weakness.

This second-chance romance delivers sweetness, steam, and a touch of emotion, featuring a curvy med student and a rock star with history. The banter is fun, the spice hits just right, and the writing is tighter than the author’s debut. That said, the angst felt a bit too light for the trope, and I struggled to connect with the FMC—her choices made it hard to stay fully invested. Enjoyable, but not unforgettable.

I wanted to love this one. “Morbidly Yours” was one of my favorite reads last year, so I had high hopes for Ivy Fairbanks’ follow up. Unfortunately, “Heart Strings” missed the emotional marks I usually crave in a second chance romance. The setup was promising (wedding shenanigans + Irish castle + exes forced together? Yes, please), but… I just didn’t feel it. Neither of the main characters stood out enough for me to get truly invested, and I wasn’t exactly swooning over either of them.

That said, Ivy brought the spice in this one. It’s much steamier than her first book, and she absolutely nailed the tension and execution. Also? A rare treat: a BDSM scene where the hero is the one tied up and the heroine is in control. That power dynamic isn’t something you see every day, and it was a bold, refreshing shift. And listen, I might not have been obsessed with the characters, but there is an Irish man who whimpers, so it’s not a total loss.

Will I still read whatever Ivy writes next? Absolutely. I’m just hoping her next book brings the emotional connection to match the heat.

Such a sweet book!

This book was funny, sweet, and heartwarming. I love a good second chance romance, and this one was it! Although I felt like it could have had a little more depth to be perfect, the story was great! I Just wanted a touch more from it. But you could tell the two never fell out of love, and I loved seeing their relationship reach new levels! They go each go through some hard things, and the way that they are there for each other is everything.

I really wanted to like Heart Strings. I hoped the story would pull me in, but unfortunately, it just didn’t. The pacing felt slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Maybe reading the first book in the series would’ve helped me connect more with the characters, but as it stands, nothing about them truly grabbed my attention or made me excited to keep turning the pages. It wasn’t a terrible read—just not one that left a lasting impression.

An Irish Singer Songwriter & a Mexican-American Med Student attempt to coexist as best man and maid of honor for their best friends’ wedding. But challenges surface as old feelings arise.

Ivy Fairbanks writes in a way that reminds me how much I love romance. Her books are transformative in that I feel like I’m actually in Ireland with the characters. And this crew is so lovable you can’t help but fall for them too.

As someone who tends to cringe over musician romances, Aidan O’Toole has captured my heart with the heartstrings of his. And my sweet Cielo… I connected deeply with this fiercely independent, curvy Texan. Her ability to hold a grudge while hold others at arms length as a form of self preservation made her so relatable for me.

Yet together these two were destined with a magnetic pull, an invisible string. Heart Strings captures the magic of contemporary romances and makes me want to dive back in.

Catch me eagerly anticipating book three!! Thank you eternally to Ivy Fairbanks, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Miss Fairbanks, you have a reader for life

I loved morbidly yours, so I was so excited to receive an early copy of this one! and boy did it deliver! While I didn't like it as much as the first, I still loved it. Lo was relatable and, while her decisions were sometimes annoying, I understood her. I loved how this book navigated such deep emotions, while also being light and fun. Ivy Fairbanks I will devour anything you write!!

This is the second book in the Love in Galway series, and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting with the first book since it’s a cute read and provides helpful background. I loved watching Cal and Lark get married, while the story kept its focus on Aidan and Lo. The plot moved smoothly, and I especially love a second chance romance that isn’t bogged down by unnecessary drama in the third act. There are plenty of fun shehangians, and that hearse scene was hot! I caught a preview of the next book featuring Saoirse and Gabe, and I’m very excited for it. A sweet second chance romance.

Thank you to NetGallery and to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for my copy.

Cielo Valdez has never met a grudge she couldn’t hold. She’s never given anyone who has hurt her a second chance. Her ex, Aidan O’Toole, is determined to prove to her that sometimes forgiveness is merited. Aidan left Lo when he got the chance of a lifetime - to move to London and record an album. When they reconnect at Lo’s cousin Lark’s wedding at an Irish castle, Aidan is more successful than he ever could’ve dreamed. But all his songs are about Lo, the love he can’t forget.

This was such a fun, swoony second chance romance! I really loved Ivy Fairbanks’ debut, Morbidly Yours, which is book one in this series. I couldn’t want to snag this one and it didn’t disappoint! I’d suggest starting with book one to really fully appreciate this universe and these characters, since Lark and Callum’s wedding is a big part of this story.

If you love these tropes, you should definitely add this to your tbr!
Forced proximity
Rockstar
Second chance
She’s his muse
Irish castle wedding
Fierce and determined Leukemia survivor

I was so happy to get an ARC of next installment of the Love in Galway series! This book is a second chance romance between Aiden and Cielo. I don’t love this troupe, but parts of it worked for this story. I enjoyed the first half a lot more than the second. Overall it’s a 3.5/5. I am excited to read Saoirse book as it gave a hint to her enemy to lovers story! Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley!

Heat Index: 7/10

—second chance with a taste of celebrity (literally)

—local man just wants to get tied up

—cancer survivor heroine (in remission)

The Basics:

Cielo (Lo) Valdez lives with the knowledge that the love songs written by recent singer-songwriting star Aidan O'Toole are about her. Normally, she can put it aside and focus on life as a med student, but as their friends are about to get married, Lo and Aidan are in each other's lives again—in a big way. And though she wants to hold herself at arm's length, a weekend at an Irish castle may make that easier said than done...

The Review:

This book left me feeling very pleasant. The writing is good, I was rooting for Lo and Aidan to get back together again, it has so many things I love—Ireland (Galway especially), celebrity romance antics, a somewhat prickly heroine who's allowed to be so, a hero who likes getting bossed around, second chances...

And I would recommend this to a lot of people, to be clear. It's fun, it's got a bit of whimsy and a lot of heart. Everyone is quite likable! I know this will be making favorites lists for a lot of people—I just kind of wanted more... drama? Between Aidan and Lo, that is.

It's not that there isn't drama. I feel like Lo's history as a cancer survivor, who still has to keep up with check-ins and the specter of recurrence (as well as her parents' trauma and how that affects her) is handled really well. This is a sensitive book, and perhaps in its sensitivity toward everything else, it lightened up in other areas to avoid "too much" angst?

But I don't know. For me, when I read the premise of "he's been pining for the past couple of years and writing love songs while the pain sits between them" I just want... more. And perhaps the issue is that Lo is interesting, and Aidan is nice. Which does fit the current market in terms of contemporary romance especially. I just want... more... than nice.

The Sex:

There are several fairly lengthy sex scenes in this one, and they were really, really good. Lo and Aidan are lightly kinky—he likes to be dominated a little, gentle bondage included. Loved how Fairbanks handled this. It felt like a more "real, everyday" approach to kink you don't often see in romance at the moment. And in a way, I think the sex scenes conveyed the tension in their relationship in a way the rest of the novel didn't, exactly?

The Conclusion:

This is a good book, to be clear. I don't know if it was a "perfect for Caro" book, but it is good, and I would absolutely recommend it to someone who wants something a little on the gentle side, with real life tests for our leads. That in itself was nice to see.

Thanks to G. P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.