I love Racheal Johns’ books and this read kept my love for Rachel’s stories alive. What more could you ask for but a love story set in the most amazing of places (New Orleans) and encompassing all the vibes as if you were right there with the characters experiencing what they were experiencing. Another book to love on my shelf. Thank you for the chance to read this!

This was a great read. We follow Felicity, 4 years after her marriage breakdown, as she escapes her life by taking a three month job in New Oreleans. NO was it's own character. 
I loved reading about the city and felt like I was there when reading How to Mend a Broken Heart.

Flicks daughter Zoe, after her own heartbreak, goes to New Orleans to be with her mum, both hoping to heal their broken hearts in this wonderful new city.

While these characters are introduced in The Art of Keeping Secrets, you don't need to read that to enjoy this one. It has however, now been added to my TBR.

Moving forward after her marriage fell apart four years ago has been very difficult for Felicity (Flick) Bell. Whilst her ex husband has found someone else to share his life with and her children are settled and living their own lives, it’s now time for Flick to do what will make her happy. Flick enjoys her job as a taxidermist, so when she receives an offer to work in New Orleans for a few months she jumps at the chance as this could be her time to make a fresh start finally.

Zoe is left devastated and so upset after her husband betrayed her so much so that she quits her job, packs a suitcase and before she knows it she is on a plane to New Orleans to join her mother. Both Flick and Zoe have been hurt by their husbands, so neither of them are looking for love, but could that all change when they meet Theo a jazz bar owner and Jack a local ghost hunter.

How To Mend A Broken Heart by Aussie author Rachel Johns was a truly delightful book to read. The scenery of New Orleans was so well written that it made the reader feel like they were right there in the jazz bar sipping a delicious cocktail. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've never visited New Orleans - and not able to travel now - but through her book, Rachael brought New Orleans to me - her vivid and detailed descriptions made me really feel like I was there.
Fans of Rachael Johns will have met Felicity (Flick) in "The Art of Keeping Secrets". Now, Flick's ex has moved on, her adult children have their own lives, and so she takes the opportunity to relocate to NO as a taxidermist. She's not there for long before she's joined by her daughter Zoe, whose husband has cheated on her.
Both Zoe and Flick explore the excitement of new relationships, and Zoe (an aspiring artist) befriends Aurelia, an elderly recluse with a dark secret from the past.
In true Rachael Johns style this is an un-put-downable read. Thank you to netgalley for my ARC.

How to Mend a Broken Heart by author Rachael Johns was fantastic. Flick's character was a stand out and her character generated many emotives that were impacting. The changes in the story for Zoe's character only improved her demeanour, but felt her part in the narrative lacked in the finale. Nevertheless, it was a great story, great setting, and full of enough characters that kept the pages turning.
Review copy received from Harlequn MIRA via Netgalley

Firstly, thank you to Rachael Johns, Harlequin Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of How to Mend a Broken Heart. This one is out at the moment and I highly recommend picking up a copy!! Rachael Johns is one of my all time favourite Australian authors so when the chance to read her new novel came up I couldn’t have been more excited.

“Felicity Bell has struggled to move on after her marriage broke down. Her ex has found love again, her children have their own lives, and it’s beginning to feel like her only comfort comes from her dog and her job as a taxidermist. So when Flick gets an offer to work in New Orleans for a few months, she’s drawn to the chance to make a fresh start.

Zoe is ready to start a family with her husband, but when he betrays her, she’s left shattered and desperate for a change of scenery. Joining her mother on the other side of the world to drown her sorrows seems the perfect solution.

Although both mother and daughter are wary of risking their hearts to love again, Theo, a jazz bar owner, and Jack, a local ghost hunter, offer fun, friendship and distraction. But all is not as it seems in New Orleans…”

This was nothing like I expected this book to be! When I think of Rachael Johns’ books I normally think of rural Australian romance so when I read the words New Orleans, taxidermy and ghosts I was a little thrown but who knew this was everything I needed in a book!?

How to Mend a Broken Heart is, like I said, about New Orleans, taxidermy, mystery and ghosts, however it’s so much more than that. It is also about heartbreak, blended families, love, loss, jazz and has themes surrounding transgender, change and acceptance - sounds like a wild time right? This book completely took me by surprise and I loved every minute of it. I caught myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it and so consumed by it when I was. It was such a fun read with it also being a little bit steamy and a little bit mysterious! The French Quarter in New Orleans is now SO high on my travel list!!

Rachael Johns is a firm favourite of mine and immediately on the must read list.

How To Mend A Broken Heart is a stand alone novel that features characters we met in The Art of Keeping Secrets. You don't need to read The Art of Keeping Secrets first, everything you need to know is in How to Mend a Broken Heart; having said that I would recommend reading it first because when you decide you need to read it anyway it won't all be backwards ;)

The settings were evocatively written, vividly drawn and left me yearning for a trip to New Orleans, a destination I have long loved because of my affair with the vampires that reside there.

Johns tackles some really tricky issues with insight and heart and I would recommend this book to anyone.

Rachael Johns has done it again with this brilliant novel. When Flick sees a chance to travel to New Orleans for Work, she jumps at the chance to get away from her ex-husband and try to heal. She is just starting to find her groove and some new company when her daughter turns up at her doorstep needing to heal her own broken heart. A brilliant story of love, family, friendships, finding yourself and a splash of the supernatural made this a great read!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

My first Rachael Johns book and I quite enjoyed it. Found Flick and Zoe to be interesting characters and loved the ghost story. Would recommend.

Another great womens fiction - easy read but very heartwarming store. Rachael Johns never fails to deliver a great read!

Enjoyable book. Having been to New Orleans recently I loved the travel side of the story. A must read for those who want to visit. Took a while to get into the story but really enjoyed it. Honest, entertaining reading that flowed very easily. I will read this author again.

This novel did not appeal to me. I thought I may enjoy it because it is set in New Orleans, and I have spent a little bit of time there, but although the descriptions of the area were accurate and created the atmosphere of the city, I just could not get into the story. I thought the characters were quite shallow and not terribly believable. I did not enjoy the supernatural aspect of the novel. I have not read a lot of Rachael John’s, but I recently read and reviewed her novel Flying the Nest, which I felt was quite a bit better than this one. Thank you to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel.

I really loved this women's fiction book by Rachael Johns, written in her trademark easy-t0-read, conversational style. The setting in New Orleans for most of the book was fabulous! Having been there myself back in 2005, I feel she captured the fun, unconventional vibe of the city, the music and art and of course the unpredictable weather. The relationships in the book, especially between Flick (mother) and Zoe (daughter) were well woven together, and the various heartbreaks and backstory kept me turning pages quickly. Highly recommended read!

There is so much about this book that I loved that I really don't know where to start.

I loved Flick's new story.
I loved Zoe's new story.
I loved New Orleans.
I loved it all.

As a huge fan of The Art of Keeping Secrets, I was so excited when I heard Rachael was writing a follow up book to explore Flick's new story and I was not disappointed. In fact, I think I almost love this book even more than the first - it's a really tight competition between the two, I have to say.

How to Mend a Broken Heart picks up the story of Felicity Bell 4 years after the end of her story in The Art of Keeping Secrets and introduces us more fully to her daughter, Zoe, who was more of a minor character in the first book.

This book is both heartbreaking at times and uplifting at others as it takes us through the stages of grief and pain, and shows from two different perspectives and two different stages of time, what the light at the end of the tunnel can finally look like.

At first, I questioned the setting of the book in New Orleans and wondered how on earth the author came up with such a random place to set the story in when the city had no relevance to the first book, but I am so glad she did. I was blown away by the descriptions and character Rachael has given this place. I have never been to New Orleans, never even considered going there - it certainly wasn't on my wishlist. But, now, I cannot wait to go there - I feel like I absolutely HAVE to go and visit New Orleans.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. I enjoyed it so much that I have now gone and purchased the Audiobook version as well. I'm about to go on a road trip and fully intend listening to both The Art of Keeping Secrets AND How to Mend a Broken Heart all over again.

Am I glad I read it - absolutely
Was it a waste of my time - not at all
Would I sit down and read it all over again - absolutely
Would I read more by this author based on this book - have read most of her books already and look forward to starting a new one soon

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3873586404

What about the book itself?

I am a big fan of Rachael Johns. Even when I wasn't really reading, I would still read her books and thoroughly enjoy them. This book is not really a sequel to The Art of Keeping Secrets but it is linked to that book. Where the former was a book about a group of friends, who tell each other everything, travelling together to New York and finding out that actually they do keep lots of really big secrets from each other.

The central characters of How to Mend a Broken Heart are taxidermist Felicity Bell and her daughter Zoe. Felicity, known as Flick, has been divorced for four years. Her loved up friends are trying to convince her to start dating again but she isn't ready. She has tried to stay friends with her ex, supporting her through gender transition, but when she finds out that Sofia is seeing someone new, it is the straw that breaks the camels back.

She answers a cry for help from a taxidermist in New Orleans who needs sometone to look after his shop in the French Quarter. Flick is not normally impulsive, but this is just the chance she needs. It will give her a couple of months away and the space that she needs. And when she meets the delicious barowner next door, she realises that maybe, just maybe, it is time for her to move on from her ex.

What she doesn't expect is that her daughter Zoe will end up joining her after her marriage to her childhood sweetheart breaks down. Zoe is devastated, quits her job in an art gallery, flees to New Orleans and starts out by trying to drink herself into oblivion. And she is a little oblivious to the fact that she is cramping her mother's style.

When Zoe does get back on her feet it is thanks in no small part to her developing relationship with Aurelia Harranibar, an eccentric artist that Zoe literally knocks off her feet. In the end, Miss H, who is clearly inspired by Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, provides Zoe with the opportunities that she needs both to develop personally and in her art.



For me, the addition of the Miss H eleveated this book. She is one of these eccentric characters who everyone knows and yet noone really knows why she is the way she is. There are stories, of course, but whether they are the truth or not is a different story.



It took me a little while to warm to Zoe, and I felt like both Zoe and Flick went full throttle and for Flick, in particular, it seemed somewhat out of character.


As you can see, this book triggered a lot of memories for me, and I suspect that if I hadn't already been to New Orleans, I would have been adding NO to my list of places to visit. Rachael Johns clearly loves the city, and it shows.

‘She’s spent her whole life being bitter about her past, never allowing herself to open up to the possibility of a future. I know you’re scared of getting hurt again, but do you really want to end up like that?’

Rachael’s latest offering, How to Mend a Broken Heart is a heartfelt stand-alone novel which follows recently divorced taxidermist Felicity Bell (Flick), a character who readers will be familiar with from a previous novel, The Art of Keeping Secrets. This is a poignant mother-daughter story of self-discovery and finding love and friendship in the most unlikely of places, which just happens to be New Orleans!

Readers will sincerely empathise with Flick who is still coming to terms with life after her husband transitioned into a woman named Sofia four years ago. They may still be friends but Flick is finding it hard to move on. An opportunity to escape to the other side of the world and fill in for a fellow taxidermist (an interesting insight into that profession) is exactly what she needed. I was not, however, a fan of Zoe (Flick’s daughter) especially when she turned up unannounced. Her behaviour was just so selfish and although she had some redeeming qualities towards the end, I still struggled with her role. The character of Miss H truly takes the story to another level and adds real depth and contrast to this convincing tale. Also, New Orleans is a character within itself in this read. Rachael has done a super job of vividly capturing the life and soul of this iconic location - the good, the bad and the ugly! It provided some wonderful armchair travel.

‘Ever since you broke up with Sofia, you’ve kinda checked out of life. Neve and Emma keep trying to get you to see other people, but even after all these years you’re intent on staying in your own little bubble, feeling all depressed and sorry for yourself. Well, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to waste my life pining for what was clearly never meant to be.’

All up Rachael has delivered another realistic and relatable tale with everything from spooky old mansions with ghosts, to cultural culinary delights, to life lessons and the opportunities to start anew all in the iconic New Orleans.

‘Life is full of maybes,’ Theo said softly as he stroked her hair off her face. ‘But sometimes things work out just the way they’re supposed to.’










This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

“Sometimes what you think is going to be the most painful time of your life, simply turns out to be the storm before the rainbow.”

Readers familiar with The Art of Keeping Secrets will recognise How To Mend a Broken Heart’s main protagonist, Felicity Bell. It’s been four years since her divorce after Felicity found she couldn’t reconcile the changes in their relationship wrought by her husband’s gender transition. Though the two have remained friends, and Flick is supportive of Sofia, she struggles with the continual reminders of the life she has lost. When an unexpected opportunity arises for taxidermist Felicity to take three month position at Bourbon Street Taxidermy Art, a small store in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans, she seizes the chance, hoping to spend some time focusing on herself.

How To Mend A Broken Heart explores the themes of heartbreak, self discovery and moving on as Felicity learns to let go of the past and explore new possibilities. I thought Johns portrayal of the complicated relationship Flick has with her ex to be sensitive and honest. Johns portrayal of Flick’s struggle to trust in love again is sincere and poignant as the protagonist’s romantic relationship blooms with Theo, the handsome owner of the bar that neighbours the taxidermy store.

Felicity is just beginning to find her feet in New Orleans when her daughter unexpectedly appears on her doorstep. Zoe’s husband of four years has left her after confessing to an affair and, and she is devastated by her childhood sweetheart’s betrayal. Zoe too is now confronted with the challenge of recovering from heartbreak and forging a new life for herself. It’s easy to sympathise with Zoe whose faith in love, and herself, is shattered. She makes a mistake or two in her effort to forget the anguish, taking advantage of the French Quarter’s nightlife, but at least one turns out to be quite serendipitous.

Johns introduces the elderly Aurelia Harranibar, a cantankerous, reclusive local artist whose own life has been marred by her inability to move on from the loss of her sweetheart. Modelled on the Charles Dickens character Miss Havisham, Miss H lives alone in a decaying mansion in the New Orleans Garden District. When she is accidentally injured during a visit to the taxidermy store, Zoe, an aspiring artist herself, volunteers to assist Miss H at home and forges a sweet relationship with the eccentric old woman. Miss H becomes a key figure in the story, not only serving as an example of what failing to accept the demise of a relationship and move on could look like, but her past also introduces a thread of mystery as Zoe tries to determine what really happened to the artist’s lover.

It’s New Orleans, arguably America’s most haunted locale, so there is no surprise that Johns includes a tiny hint of the supernatural in the story. Zoe believes Miss H’s house is haunted by more than the artist’s sadness. I enjoyed accompanying the characters on a ghost tour of the city, and learning of the tragedy of ‘The Casket Girls’. Felicity’s unusual occupation also plays well into the mystique of the city, which the author describes vividly, and with obvious affection for all of its atmosphere and eccentricities, despite its darker side.

How To Mend a Broken Heart is a heartfelt and entertaining novel set in a vibrant location, sure to have wide appeal.

This book is what I would call a side sequel. It's a sequel but it's also a standalone. I really enjoyed this aspect of it, as Rachael has given just enough information to cover the first book, without ruining the first book if you haven't had a chance to read it, (like me).

Set mainly in the French Quarter, New Orleans. We are immensely wrapped up in the warmth of soulful Jazz, vibrant night-life, soaking everything up around us through Flicks eyes. I think this was a great place to set the novel, personally I felt in the first chapter Flick needed her spirit to be lifted, she needed to feel a spark. And New Orleans has that spark she needed
And how can you forget to mention the landmarks, especially the haunted buildings. I like that Rachael included this side to New Orleans to it, adding a bit of eeriness to the book, setting aside from that bright, noisy New Orleans that most people come and love.

Being a sort of sequel book, Rachael builds up the characters quite well. I found them likeable, and realistic. However I was slightly confused in the first chapter, working out who was who and who wasn't who, this was quickly explained, which was a relief. My two favourite characters would be Theo and Mrs H - Aurelia. I like Theo, as he seems like a genuine person, I imagined him singing and playing the piano wonderfully. Aurelia, she is just a gem, she is that out there, no time for time wasters, straight to the point type of person. Funnily enough I found her slightly obnoxious but hilarious at the same time.

I really love reading this novel. It makes me want to travel to New Orleans, sit down, order a hurricane, eat Gumbo, explore the haunted buildings hoping to see a ghost or two, stay up late, watch the night life, and maybe join in a second line. Rachael did a marvellous job capturing the community of New Orleans, the friendships and relationships in the book.

Thank you to Netgalley, and Harlequin Australia for the gifting of this ARC. Extra thankyou to Rachael Johns.

In short, I loved it. I loved every minute of it. It is a very immersing, fun, easy and not so very light read. It will make you laugh, cry again and again.

How to Mend a Broken Heart is exactly about that. It is about broken hearts, fractured lives and ways forward. What would you do if the love of your life cheated on you? What would you do if your husband of many years is not the person you'd thought he is. What would you do if your world is crumbling, twisting and changing?

Escape to New Orleans, that's what. Muggy nights and bright sunny mornings, jazz, cocktails and alligator burgers, handsome strangers and voodoo dolls. What more could a broken heart, hurt soul want?

A new beginning, of course. In this book, there are mother and daughter who come to New Orleans for new beginning, for space to breathe.

The writing is like a conversation with your girlfriends: emotive and personal. Reader is taken into the circle of close friends very quickly. We get to share the most intimate secrets of the characters, We get to feel for them.

The ending is a big red bow on the neatly wrapped package, but that's what you really want for all the characters. You want a happy ending. Enjoy the read

You know you are in for a treat when you have a new Rachael Johns novel to read, the loveable characters in How to Mend a Broken Heart had me hooked.

Thank you Rachel, after reading your novel I’ve added the French Quarter in New Orleans to my travel wish list, you have absolutely nailed this as the most unique and fascinating destination to be at in your story.

If you love family drama, ghostly goings on, a city of bohemian charm, delicious food, jazz clubs, art galleries and magical architecture you will love reading this book!

Felicity (Flick) Bell a sought after taxidermy artist is feeling her life is lacking something and she feels obsolete. Her twenty-two year marriage to Seb (who is now Sofia) is over although Sofia is still a big part of her day to day life. Their two children are grown up and leading their own lives.

Sofia (the ex-husband) has just announced she’s started seeing someone (Mike) and Felicity feels hurt and shocked and needs to escape, she decides on the spur of a moment to accept an offer to work in New Orleans for three months. Living across the other side of the world far from Sofia and her new love interest Mike felt exactly what the doctor ordered!

Meanwhile Zoe, her daughter wants to start trying for a baby with her husband Beau but her dreams are shattered to pieces when her husband betrays her.

Devastated and on impulse Zoe quits her job, packs her suitcase and surprises her mother by arriving in New Orleans to be with her.

Felicity and Zoe have a run in with an unfriendly and reclusive artist Aurelia Harranibar which leads to an interesting thread.

A story with relationships that squeeze at your heart. Beautifully written, fascinating and enchanting, I loved it!

Publication Date 5th May 2021

Note: The character of Felicity is also in a previous book The Art of Keeping Secrets which I haven't yet read but will be adding to my list of books to read.