#HeartStrings was a cute and enjoyable read. Here, we meet Lo who is a med student in Ireland and attempting to being a really good maid of honor for her best friend's wedding. Aidan is an semi-successful singer who left his small town in Ireland to pursue his dream and leaving Lo behind. However, these two must be cordial and friendly during the wedding weekend. This brings up old memories and a realization that there was a lot that was left unsaid and unexplored. We have good chemistry, fun friendships, some awkward adventures and steamy sexy times with a sprinkle of drama. I really enjoyed Aidan and how he did not hold back in expressing his intentions each time to Lo. On the other hand, Lo was borderline insufferable many times. I mean, she was driven and organized but her deep-seated insecurities and family issues made her internal monologue so eye-rolling. It was exhausting. Thankfully, the book was short and did not make this and the pining drag for too long. The side characters were truly supportive and kind. This was a nice cozy weekend quick read. I recommend it for the loving romance and the side relationships with other characters. Happy reading!

Thank you to #NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam's Sons for the ARC!

Absolutely adored another addition to the A Love in Galway series 🪕🍀 Lo’s struggles with her overbearing mother and feeling like she needs to be the referee between her divorced mom and dad is all too realistic. Aidan is her dreamy Irish ex who’s now an up and coming artist. They reunite at Lark and Callum’s (from book 1) wedding and many hilarious ventures bring them back together 🤎

Such a fun and cozy romance read!

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first book in this series, Morbidly Yours, is one of my personal favorites so it is probably no surprise that this was one of my most anticipated releases of this year! I loveee a second chance romance (especially with a Dual POV). I was SO thrilled to have the opportunity to read this one early!

I enjoyed getting to get more of a glimpse into Lark and Callum’s happily ever after in this book as we read about their wedding shenanigans. This book, like the first, had plenty of humor and heart with a hefty dose of quirkiness! While Lark and Callum still have my heart, Cielo and Aidan charmed me in their own way! As a Cancer survivor, Cielo is really resilient. I liked that this book explored what it is like for Cancer survivors to worry that it might come back and how it can affect the relationships in their lives. I think she will be relatable to many people with her hyper-independence, not wanting to burden others with her problems, and having walls up to protect herself from hurt. It was nice to see her learn to allow herself to lean more on others.

Aidan was sweet and so committed to trying to win Lo back and proving himself to her. After learning from the mistakes of their past, he became a great example of “if he wanted to, he would”. I loved seeing how well he shows up for her once she’s back in his life! Plus, the yearning?? The groveling?? Yes, please.😍 I liked how the book explored how people grapple with how much they are willing to compromise their values and shift priorities in the name of money and fame/success. He seemed to have a good set of values and a deep commitment to his friends and family despite all of his success. He was just a good guy all around! He’s definitely a softer, sweeter, more sensitive MMC, but he still has hot guy tattoos for a bit of edge haha. 😉

“Sometimes…The right person is standing directly in front of you. It might not be how or when or who you expect, but when it’s right, you feel it.”

These two certainly were a case of when you meet your person, you just know. It was clear they never stopped loving each other. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder and this seems to have held true for them. I like that they seem to bring out the best in each other and that she is his muse! 🥰

My only complaints for this book were that: I didn’t connect as well with these main characters quite as much as I had connected with Callum and Lark in Morbidly Yours. Lo, in particular, I found to be pretty frustrating at times due to her not setting boundaries or communicating well. I was a little frustrated by a certain character’s overstep toward the end (trying to stay vague to avoid spoiling things for others) because I felt like it took away from what could’ve been a moment of growth for Cielo. I also personally didn’t love how the spice scenes were written in this book. The way they talked to each other in these scenes just didn’t really work for me. This is a super subjective complaint though. What doesn’t work for me may very well work for others! (THAT SAID, I will say that I appreciated how these scenes helped Lo explore her relationship with control and learning to let go a little bit and trust more.) My main complaint with this book was that I felt like there was more telling than showing. I would’ve appreciated a dual timeline or flashbacks to their past in memories or something, but I had trouble feeling super invested in their relationship because we mostly just get their present and not much insight into their past relationship. Generally, for me, second chance romance tends to work best when we get more of a juxtaposition between the past and present which helps you feel more connected to them as a couple and more invested in their relationship. In this one, I was missing most of the background and context of their past relationship and wanted to see more of how good they were together before things didn’t work out so I would’ve rooted for them more when they re-entered each other’s lives.🤷‍♀️

Despite these complaints, I still enjoyed it overall. I’m definitely looking forward to Saoirse’s book next! I already am loving the little glimpse we got into the dynamics of the MCS! 😍

Heart Strings is a sweet, light romance set in Ireland. The Irish setting is a major highlight, and the main female character is strong and relatable, which I really appreciated. I also liked how the story didn’t just end at the wedding—things kept evolving after that, giving the plot more depth than I expected.


However, while the characters had good chemistry, the story didn’t blow me away. It was enjoyable, but not unforgettable, and I’m not sure I’d want to revisit it. If you’re looking for a quick, feel-good romance with a nice setting, this could be a fun read, but it’s not a book that left a lasting impact.

Thank you netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC!

This book is amazing it is even better than her first book. The banter was amazing, and the romantic side of the book was wonderful.

A sweet little love story - a great sequel to the first!
I love a second-chance romance where one of them immediately decides they want to get the other one back.
The only characters I couldn't stand were her parents and Lark's mom. All of them seemed to behave like children without having to suffer any consequences.

Overall the book was a lot of fun - and a quick and easy read. Would absolutely recommend.

Quick Summary: A Galway romance

My Review: Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks is associated with A Love in Galway series. It is installment #2 and is scheduled for release in August 2025.

About the Book: "She doesn’t do second chances. But he’s not done writing their song."

In My Own Words: A young and determined cancer survivor is reunited with the man who broke her heart. Both are still in their feelings. Can they get past their issues and make beautiful music together again?

My Final Say: This story was so touching. It was also very realistic. I really liked it.

The emotional fragility and fear exhibited by the parents, the isolation and protection methods used by Lo, the longing and regret felt by A, the leaning in regarding the supportive network of key family/found family/friends, and the demonstrated actions taken in terms of second chance choices all made for good reading. Added to that, the love and passion between Lo and A remained, even after everything that happened and after all the time they lost.

I loved the dynamics that occurred with each relationship. The various approaches in dealing with what was before them added texture to the story. Everything seemed to be filtered through colorful variations of emotion. In the waiting, my heart cried right alongside the characters.

Other: Readers who value realistic fiction, romances with heart, second chance love stories, and stories with reconciliation and healing as themes will enjoy this novel.

Potential readers are advised to read any author's notes related to this book. Cancer may be a trigger for some.

Special Note: This would be excellent as an audiobook. I think it would bring the story to life even more. It is emotionally rich and raw, while also being ripe with sweet heat. To hear the characters voices narrated would make their journey unbelievably solid. I very much look forward to the listening experience.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.

4 ⭐️

"Let me in. Let me love you like you deserve."

I picked this book fully from the cover and title, and then was a little apprehensive after reading the summary and how this is a second chance romance. I don't usually love second chance romance due to them being often filled with miscommunication and resentful feelings.

This book does second chance so well though! It helps that Lo and Aiden are both very likeable and relatable characters. I loved this story. It was fast paced, funny, miscommunications resolved in a timely manner, big conversations had. It really showed the communication dynamics that can happen in real life.

I see some reviews of people being annoyed with Lo. I love Lo, and maybe that is because I relate to her a little too much... Hyper-independent, doesn't want to burden anyone, pushes people away, ...seems familiar to me. LOL Anyway, those traits are what make her a badass too. Overdone skills/strengths have their pros and cons for sure.

Also the spicy scenes were HOT. I love seeing Lo be in charge and Aiden just eating it up.

I loved Cal and Lark's story, and I'm grateful NetGalley approved me for the ARC of this follow-up with 'Lo!
Like Morbidly Yours, this book's pacing was steady, and the setting and characterization were nicely done. I was able to appreciate things and still let my imagination fill things out, which is a nice balance that some authors can really muck up.
I have to say, I didn't fall into this story and eat it up as quickly as Morbidly Yours. I think this is because I couldn't form a connection with any particular character as quickly. Like Lark, 'Lo has a backstory that I can't relate to, and it takes up (understandably) much of her story. It's not uninteresting, just not relatable to me personally. I can see it resonating deeply with people with similar health and family experiences. While I related easily to Cal, Aiden is a gem but not relatable to me at all. Both MCs have characteristics I can appreciate, but overall the disconnect just had me reading this more casually than I'd anticipated.
Something that kept coming back to me as kind of off-putting is how Aiden's sister went through similar health problems as 'Lo, but this was backstory we got caught up on. It's a little too much of a coincidence that brings them closer, but if that's the story we're running with, I would've liked to see it play out more than be catch-up info. It would've helped develop their emotional connection.

My nitpicking aside, this was a sweet and well-written book! I'll recommend it to friends and people at my library!

🩺American medical student
☘️Irish singer-songwriter
🩺second chance romance
☘️forced proximity at a castle wedding
🩺headstrong leukemia survivor FMC
☘️utterly infatuated MMC

Cielo “Lo” is a fierce, unforgiving American medical student living in Galway. She’s so happy for her cousin Lark’s upcoming nuptials and honored to be her maid of honor. Only problem is, the best man is her ex, Aidan. It’s been two years since they’ve spoken and it’s all she can do to get through Lark’s wedding.

“Aidan’s smile is infectious. Then again, so is tuberculosis.”

Aidan has poured his relationship with Lo into all of his music over the last couple of years. He’s down bad for Lo and he desperate to convince her to give them a second chance.

“I want her to understand how I feel and sometimes it’s easier to play than to speak.”

This was a sweet follow-up to Morbidly Yours. I loved seeing the characters in their lives a couple of years after that story left off. Cielo’s snark against Aidan is top-notch. She absolutely loathes him after he broke her heart. The way they came back together seemed really natural. However, Lo’s stubbornness can be a hinderance to her, not just with Aidan.

4.25⭐️ // 3🌶️

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the eARC of Heart Strings in exchange for my honest review. Morbidly Yours is one of my all time favorite books, so this was such a treat.

Heart Strings releases August 12, 2025!

Loved Aiden and Lo’s story, and especially loved the bonus of seeing Lark and Callum again. And the ending left me with all the feels. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I absolutely adored this book! I wasn't sure Ivy could top the charm and thoughtfulness of Morbidly Yours, but she has brought us equal measure with Heart Strings.

The characters have flaws and they recognize those flaws, they are human and made mistakes but want to work on it. Aidan is the epitome of "if he could, he would". I also loved that it is Cielo who is the dom in the bedroom, showing their trust in a way we don't see as often in books.

If you love an Irish accent, a hard working FMC who stands up for herself but allows vulnerability when the time is right, and more glimpses into the characters we loved from Morbidly Yours, this is a book for you!

3.5 ✨ and I rounded up! I LOVED Morbidly Yours and had big expectations for Heart Strings. Since we met these characters in book one, I was expecting an easy flow into book two and found it hard to get into at first.

I really felt like the enemies to lovers wasn’t played out as well as it could’ve been, and the second chance lovers could’ve been spaced out a bit better(it felt like it drug out and then rushed into it) just something felt off about it.

I did love the “found family” aspect of the group dynamic, as well as how Aidan’s family takes Lo in as part of their own!

The last half of the book however took off for me. And the ending was chefs kiss!!

Thank you to Ivy Fairbanks, Penguin Group Putnam, and Netgalley for the eARC!

Heart Strings - Ivy Fairbanks

Book 2 of A Love of Galway Novel

I adored Morbidly Yours and was so very excited to read it's follow up.

Heart Strings is a second chance romance about Cielo and Aidan. When Aidan's musical career takes off, Cielo breaks off their relationship. After 2 years apart, they reunite for Lark and Callum's wedding. Can Cielo work through her fears and let Aidan back into her heart?

I loved this book! It did as it's name suggests, it pulled on my Heart Strings! Cielo is a fierce, strong, independent woman who doesn't want to disappoint or burden anyone. I identified with and understood her so much! The end of this book brought me to tears. I can't wait for the next one!

Omg I loved it.
This book was amazing. I went in expecting to be as good as the one before and somehow is better. I love how Ivy writes her characters and how relatable and easy to like they are. I loved Cielo characters since Lark book and her boom didn’t disappoint. If fun, is emotional and so damn cute. Aidan for his side , wow, this kid!! Talk about working to get your girl back . I adore how he show up for Cielo each time and really does try to show her how much he loves her.
This book is definitely worth every second .

I really enjoyed Morbidly Yours and was so glad to dive back into Galway with this book. I appreciated the call backs to the first book in the series as well as getting to read about Callum and Lark’s wedding, but I do wish we would have gotten a bit more background information on Lo and Aidan’s relationship. Overall though it was a good book. I did enjoy the story line as well as the characters. I look forward to seeing what Ivy Fairbanks writes in the future!

I've been wanting this book ever since reading Morbidly Yours and I absolutely loved it!! It was so fun being back in this world

I adored Morbidly Yours and was so, so excited to get this ARC. Heart Strings is a delightful follow-up to the previous book. I adored Aidan and his emotional, romantic personality. I wanted a little bit more from Lo in terms of roundness of character, but I still very much enjoyed her. Fairbanks's writing style is witty, cozy, and sexy and I can't wait to read the third book!

I loved this! It was so fun and cute and spicy. I loved seeing Lark and Callum again, and getting to know Lo and Aidan. I loved the second chance romance aspect and how they came back together.

I loved this!!! I immediately requested after finishing Morbidly Yours, and I fell in love. I love that we got to see Cal and Lark's wedding. I can't help but love a man who is as down bad as Aidan is for Lo, and loved watching her allow herself to let him in again despite her fears. I do wish we got more backstory on their relationship between Morbidly Yours and Heart Strings, but overall, I loved seeing them fall back in love with each other. I loved the forshadowing for Saoirse and hope we get to see her happily ever after next!