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

I didn’t realize that this was book 2 in the Love in Galway series. Once I realized that, I gave Morbidly Yours a shot and unfortunately I couldn’t finish the book. Regardless, I dove into Heart Strings and gave it a fair shot. I unfortunately didn’t like this book either. The FMC was extremely unlikable and it just felt bland and boring.

First off thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I was so excited to go back to Ireland to meet Cielo and Aidan and see some familiar faces!

“I'm giving Aidan a taste of the
frustration I felt when his music was all around me, but he was too far away to touch.” One of my absolute favorite quotes from the book! What a sweet second chance romance! Loved how the characters stayed true to themselves and truly found themselves and their ways back to each other. Sometimes second chance romance tropes are hard to get right and Ivy did it!

Oh how I've been BEGGING for this one. Hot Irish singer? Currently my favorite MMC trope, I think. He writes an entire album about her? Sign me tf up. And of course a strong brilliant woman who knows what she's worth and sometimes self sabotages? Me too, queen. I loved every second of this. More please and thank you!

Thank you Netgalley for a chance to read an advanced copy of this delightful book.

I already cannot wait until the next Ivy Fairbanks book is out. I loved this story almost as much as Morbidly Yours. I love this little group of people and their stories.

While the plot line was predictable, I still very much enjoyed the ride. The characters were flawed and frustrating at times but also real and showed growth throughout the book (though I do think Lo’s growth was a little rushed at the end).

I predict our next Galway couple will be Saoirse and that other event planner 🤭

Arc Provided through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Preparing for her best friends wedding, finishing up her residency and fending off an overbearing mother is a lot on Ceilo’s plate forget adding a steamy romance. Aiden has everything he’s ever dreamed of right? His first album is a major hit, he’s on tour and he is able to buy a house for his family. Except something is missing, his ex that he has been pining over for 2 years. With their best friends getting married, they are forced to work together as best man and maid of honor to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Will they be able to keep their hearts out of the mix?


Generally second chance romance isn’t my cup of tea but I think I would read anything Ivy Fairbanks writes. I absolutely love how real her characters are. They have struggles and flaws. Their problems aren’t automatically fixed because they have sex. I truly see how she makes her characters WORK for their love and of course I love a good grovel. I would have love to seen more of them making an effort during long distance because I think that's a big struggle point in Ceilo and Aiden’s relationship. I saw a lot of myself in Ceilo and I loved that she didn’t have to compromise who she was but still worked on her flaws. The spicy scenes were also soooo good. I love a little role reversal with them.


I would recommend you read this book if you like a lot of internal conflict, strong FMC and a MMC that's a huge simp for her. Also, I definitely caught that easter egg for the next story and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on it. Ugh, sign me up.

Aidan and Cielo broke up 2 years ago when he left to follow his dream. They are reunited for Callum and Lark's wedding. Cielo is under tons of pressure being a medical student, having an overbearing mother and having the cloud of cancer hanging over her head. Aidan is struggling with his artistic integrity thanks to a lousy manager and label. The kicker, they're both still hopelessly in love with each other. She fights it initially, but Aidan is determined to at least try to get back into her life. The spark is still there and they give in pretty easily, although Cielo still has her guard up. she's fiercely independent and doesn't share what she should. luckily, a good friend helps her after a breakdown and things fall into place. After reading Morbidly Yours, it was really sweet to see Callum and Lark's wedding. I enjoyed this one as well. Very much looking forward to book 3.

There were a lot of positive things about this book that I really enjoyed, along with a few aspects that I think could have been done a little better. Let’s start with the positives!

First off, the cover is absolutely adorable—it’s actually what drew me in and made me apply for the ARC in the first place. The chemistry between Lo and Aiden was sweet, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the story. I appreciated how time and distance didn’t pull them apart but instead made their connection stronger. It was refreshing to see how they supported each other’s dreams in a meaningful way.

That said, there were a few elements that didn’t quite work for me. I was expecting the FMC to be a bit different than how she turned out—she was kind of a mess, and honestly, I don’t think she was in the right place to be in a relationship. It made it harder for me to fully connect with her journey. Also, I found it a bit odd when Aiden would start singing during phone sex. I’m all for unique character traits, but it pulled me out of the moment and felt a little odd. Not trying to yuck anyone’s yum—it just wasn’t my vibe.

Overall, this book had a lot of heart and charm, and while some moments didn’t land for me, I still appreciated the story it was trying to tell.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy Fairbanks is officially one of my favorite authors! Heart Strings felt like coming home after falling hopelessly in love with Galway in Morbidly Yours. Lo and Aidan are FIRE. Their chemistry and adoration for each other is magnetic. I laughed and cried and was rooting for them on every page in every chapter! The banter was top notch 🙌🏻 and the romance made me feel things 🥹. I absolutely cherished the fact that Callum and Lark were huge roles in this book and weren't just an afterthought. So, so, so grateful 🙏🏼

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Five stars hands down.
I'm ready to start it all over again

I thought this was a cute read and I really liked the second-chance romance aspect. I found myself connecting to the story right away and loved the setting. I think our romance book club will really like it, so we will add that to our list of purchases.

What a stellar second chance romance. Cielo and Aiden were hilarious and perfect. It was impossible to not be giddy and smiling while reading this.

I didn't realize this was a following up book, but I think it stood great all on its own! I didn't feel lost by reading this out of order. A really cute, second chance love story about exes finding their way back to one another. I loved the characters and enjoyed reading them falling back in love with one another. I will definitely be checking out the first book, too!!

I loved Morbidly Yours so was fully expecting to adore Heart Strings, but something about it didn't work for me. I couldn't get invested in the characters' relationship with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

ARC Review: Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.25/5)

Heart Strings was a truly wonderful follow-up to Morbidly Yours! Ivy Fairbanks once again delivers a heartfelt, emotionally rich story that left me completely invested in the characters' journeys.

I loved the second-chance romance at the heart of this book. Lo’s story felt authentic and deeply moving, especially as she navigated not only love but also the healing of complicated familial relationships with her parents. Fairbanks did a beautiful job illustrating how timing, forgiveness, and prioritizing the people who matter most can change everything.

This was a touching, well-paced story full of hope, growth, and genuine emotion. I highly recommend Heart Strings to anyone who loves character-driven romances with plenty of heart!

3.5⭐️ Firstly, I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book! This book follows Cielo and Aidan, who are exes who have to work together to plan their best friend's weddings. Cielo survived cancer and doesn’t believe in second chances, while Aidan is determined to show her that they can spend their best life together. I didn’t read the first book in this series,e s but I had heard so many good things, so I was excited going into this. I thought this book was fun and easy. It was super fast-paced, and the characters were great. Some scenes in the book gave me the ick, but overall it was good! I recommend it if you want a second chance, a fast-paced and easy romance read!

Thank you again to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.