This book wasn't for me. DNF at 25%

Friends from their youth, Reef and Luna reconnect in order to get the media off of Luna's back. They have to work through past hurt, in this story that flashes back to multiple points during their childhood.

I just couldn't get into this. I was super excited because I love Hawaii and second chance romances, but this one was not my vibe. I really struggled to connect with how "in love" they were and how he "broke her heart" WHEN THEY WERE 12. The flashbacks to the kid selves also didn't feel like they were kids narrating them, which felt awkward to me. It doesn't feel authentic to me, and I don't like reading about childhood romances. But this could be really good for someone who loves young love!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review...

I enjoyed this second chance. And the Hawaii setting was prefect. So you also got Hawaiian culture as part of the story. And what's not to love about a hero that's also a secret romance novelist.

I’ve really enjoyed this series, and this book was one of the best! The characters were great together and I loved their playful banter. I also love a sweet romance, and this definitely hit the mark.
The setting is amazing and there were many intriguing details about the locations and culture.

A sweet, uplifting romance set against the vibrant backdrop of Hawaii. This story beautifully weaves love, healing, and second chances. Heartfelt and breezy, it’s the perfect escape read with island charm and emotional depth.

DNF at 13%

Unfortunately, I just could not become engaged with this story, it felt like it was just the same thing happening over and over without actually happening. Additionally, I have not read other books in this series and therefore did not understand the relationships between characters.

This was such a cute and spicy story! I loved the setting and the dream plot line. The writing was great and an easy read.

🌺 Review: 3.5/5 Stars 🌟

The Heartbeats of Aloha is a beautiful second-chance romance that swept me away with its honesty and tropical charm. Brooke crafts a love story that’s equal parts tender, heart-wrenching, and full of hope.

Reef and Luna’s journey isn’t just about rekindled love, it’s about healing, facing the ghosts of your past, and daring to dream again. The Hawaii setting is vibrant and immersive, and the PR-stunt-turned-real-romance trope was executed perfectly. I loved how Reef found solace in writing under a pen name, and how Luna’s strength shined through even as she battled mental health and anxiety.

What I loved most was how Reef poured his heart into the romance novels he wrote under a pen name, the books that just so happened to be Luna’s favorites. That detail was honestly beautiful and such a great emotional anchor to the story. But I also found myself wishing he had told her the truth way earlier. It felt like a missed opportunity for deeper connection between them, and I was waiting the whole book for that reveal.

This story doesn’t shy away from tough topics—but it handles them with so much care and sensitivity. You feel for these characters. Their pain, their joy, their longing, it all feels so authentic.

———

If you’re a fan of:
✨ Childhood sweethearts
🎸 Musician romance
💘 Fake dating
🌊 Hawaii vibes
🩵 Emotional healing and second chances
…then this one is a must-read.

This book reminded me that sometimes, the quietest love stories are the ones that hit the hardest.

———

Some of my favorite lines 😍

How can someone smell like home when you just met them?

“Yeah. It’s easy to live in ‘thankfulness’ with you. Life becomes fuller. Everything gets brighter and clearer. Like it’s blooming in color.”

Times had hit hard here, and like many families on the island, Luna and her parents lived in a multi-generational home. This was the way many people could retire or their children could afford to live here. With the steep prices on the island, this type of living situation was becoming more and more common.

4.5 stars! This was such a sweet, emotional, and slow burn romance that completely stole my heart. It follows Luna, a famous ukulele player, and her childhood friend Reef as they reconnect in Hawaii and fall for each other in the gentlest, most tender way. I adored how soft and layered both characters were: Luna struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and past trauma from leukemia, while Reef quietly battles insecurities about masculinity and worth. Their dynamic is beautiful and supportive, with Reef stepping in as Luna's fake boyfriend to shield her from a pushy agent and toxic ex. What made it even more touching is the secret that Reef is actually Luna’s favorite author, writing under a female pen name she’s admired for years. The buildup is slow, the romance is clean with minimal spice, and every page feels like a warm hug. Even though it reads a little like young adult, I loved every second. If you enjoy heartfelt love stories with emotional depth, this is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book!

This is my first book by this author and I found it to be a sweet, gentle, emotional second chances romance, set in beautiful Hawaii. I really related to the author's themes of seeing ourselves as beautiful people, and carefully addressing 'invisible' illnesses. Recommend to anyone wanting a mind escape with a feel good romance. Thanks to the Author and NetGalley for the ARC.

In The Heartbeats of Aloha, Brooke Gilbert delivers a tender, emotionally resonant story of love, healing, and the enduring bond between childhood friends. Set against the vivid and soulful backdrop of Hawaii, the novel explores the transformative journey of two lifelong companions as their friendship deepens into something far more profound.

What sets this story apart is not only the heartfelt romance but the thoughtful integration of mental health themes. Gilbert approaches the subject with care and authenticity, weaving it seamlessly into the characters’ arcs. The message to speak openly about emotional struggles is clear and powerful, adding depth to the narrative and grounding it in real-world relevance.

The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, built on shared history and quiet understanding. Gilbert’s writing captures their connection with sincerity and warmth, allowing readers to fully invest in their story. As the characters navigate personal challenges and rediscover one another, the emotional payoff feels both earned and deeply satisfying.

The Heartbeats of Aloha is a beautifully written novel that balances love and introspection, offering a heartfelt reminder of the power of connection—both with others and within ourselves.

This book wasn't for me.. it wasn't horrible, but it felt a little unfinished.. it felt like the romance was rushed and not fully thought through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the e-arc!

This book was not for me. It was too sweet/sappy.

I like the setting and the vibes from the book. I liked the concept of the book, the execution was just not working for me.

I could not get over the fact that the two main characters were pining for each other so much after they were separated from each other at 12. They didn't interact until the events of the book. SINCE THEY WERE 12! I think I could have accepted if they were 15 when they were separated, but not 12. They were literally small children and it was just too hard to take seriously. It was also continusly brought up through the book so it wasn't something I could just gloss over.

That huge hurdle just impeded my ability to connect with the characters and sometimes, just made me angry.

The two main characters felt more like archetypes than real or relatable characters. They almost felt too perfect and I don't know of either or them had actual growth.

There are some readers that I think would love this type of story. It just wasn't me.

This was a DNF for me unfortunately. While the writing style was for sure amazing it just didn’t grab my attention entirely. I think I may just have not been in the mood for this, or just wasn’t for me. I do see how a lot of people could love this though!

I really enjoyed this book—it brought back so many memories of my childhood living on O‘ahu. Reef and Luna (such beautiful names!) were childhood sweethearts until the age of 12, when life pulled them apart. Years later, they get a chance to reunite, and the chemistry between them is genuinely sweet and touching.

The story also explores deeper themes like anxiety and health struggles, adding emotional depth to the romance. I especially loved the reveal that Reef was secretly a romance writer—it was such a charming twist and made his journey with Luna even more meaningful. It truly felt like he was living out his second chance at love.

If I had one critique, it would be that I wished the Hawaiian words were translated at the bottom of the page for readers who may not be familiar with the language. It would enhance the emotional weight and cultural richness of those moments.

Overall, it was a lovely and heartfelt story—one I thoroughly enjoyed. I am giving it 3.5 stars!

Thank you to Brooke Gilbert, One More Spoonful, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This new-to-me author surprised me with a fantastic sweet romance featuring own voices, second chances, stunning landscapes, a cute fake-dating trope, a wonderful therapy dog and a spotlight on invisible illnesses.

I loved the author’s reminders about not seeing ourselves or others as broken people, but wholly beautiful people, and giving those with invisible illnesses the opportunity to show us their unique strengths rather than dismissing or pigeonholing them at first glance. I won’t forget her advice about shifting the narrative. Perspective is everything.

This is the book that I didn’t think I needed, but it had a HUGE impact. I immediately sourced book one in this series and signed up for the author’s newsletter. Brooke Gilbert brings something new to the romance genre, and we could all benefit from what she shares - the heartbeats of aloha.

This book was a hug between the pages!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

what an emotional journey this author took me in. this book was deeper and more tender than my usual romance and that is only a good thing. i love romances and when they hit an extra special or knew point i love them all the more.
i had that heart healing and heart breaking moments to content with throughout and felt so much care for the characters. to be able to write like this is something to behold, and im in awe of the skill of being able to do so.
i particularly loved how these pairs love was love and it wasn't afraid to be soft and tender. it wasn't afraid to cry or move you. they didn't need to be powerful or deceitful. they didn't need to be dominant or lesser than. it was equal, it was all in, it was vulnerable. it was just unafraid love. so much of what we see nowadays has to have some trope or dynamic to it. and ive felt a bit afraid sometimes that we are losing the people in it. the truth in it. the love in it. and its book like this that remind me of what these books do for and to us all and how special they are when done right. this was done right in all the best possible ways. i adored it. start to finish it kept me seating, its kept me captivated and i finished in one sitting.
loved it.
i felt the care and support from within the pages. i felt the brightness and the souls meeting. and i wanted every part of it. but if not i was just happy to be part of it by reading it.

Cuando Luna reaparece en su vida, Reef se ve obligado a enfrentar los sentimientos que nunca dejó atrás, mientras guarda el secreto de que es el autor anónimo que ha respondido a las cartas más personales de Luna durante años. Al mismo tiempo, Luna enfrenta la presión de un sello discográfico que quiere explotarla emocional y comercialmente, reavivando una relación con su manipulador ex para ganar visibilidad. Atrapada entre sus miedos, su ansiedad y las exigencias de su carrera, Luna debe encontrar su voz para tomar el control de su vida.

Entre cartas, letras de canciones y recuerdos de la infancia, Reef y Luna inician un viaje de sanación, aceptación y redescubrimiento. Esta novela no solo explora el amor romántico sino también el amor propio, con una representación sensible de temas como la salud mental, la ansiedad, los ataques de pánico y la importancia de sentirse visto y comprendido.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.