I loved Dear Emmie Blue and Eight Perfect Hours and now I can add The Key to My Heart as another Lia Louse favorite. This book has heartbreak, hope, love, quirky friends, and a little bit of mystery. The story follows Natalie after a devastating loss as she navigates her way through life and love. The musical aspect of the story was delightful. This book is an absolute treat to read!

I started this book over a year ago (because christmas spirit 🫶🏼) and then promptly was upset by the MC’s friends treating her like crap because she hasn’t “moved on” in the two years since her husband passed away tragically

and then christmas was over and I never finished so here we are!!! new season, new perspective!! and I’m glad I stuck this one out 🤍

natalie is grieving during the holidays, and no one can understand her - until she’s unexpectedly matched with two male friends who start to get her more than anyone since russ died 🥹🥹 and what a story it was!

there were moments of all emotions from rage to sadness to heart swooning - and I think the author did this effectively - but I wanted more!! I felt like the characters were very surface level, and I wanted to feel the grief a bit more like ashley poston’s books (will I stop bringing up ashley poston every day? not likely)

however, I did absolutely love the magical vibes of this story!!! and while I wouldn’t consider it a “holiday” story, the setting was perfect for this time of year!

rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: willamette valley pinot noir

Some lists have The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis labeled as a romance. There is a romance in the book, but this book is much more about grief and healing as a young widow finds her way to live with the unbearable loss of her young husband. The main takeaway is that grief is an individual journey. It does not and cannot conform to the expectations of family or friends. The journey is hopefully a path to healing.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/11/the-key-to-my-heart.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

A feel good story about finding a way to live, and love, again after devastating loss. A sweet, pick-me-up tale.

Natalie isn’t really worried about her life since her husband Russ died. She just goes on existing. She has the folks she visits at the coffee shop, and she finds some solace in playing the piano at the train station. Everyone else seems to want her to have more, but it’s not their life, is it?

Eventually the time comes where she finds herself somehow moving on. A practically required night out with her friends introduces her to Tom, who keeps turning up even though she had never noticed him before, and then a recommended music therapy group has her spending time with Joe, who she does recognize as being around before, but always as part of the background in her predictable life.

This charming and unique story earned 4 out of 5 stars. As a young widow, Natalie wasn’t the usual young-ish woman searching for love at the bars with her friends. Her friends were having babies and living their full, developing adult lives, and she wasn’t sure where that left her. She didn’t want a new love; she wanted what she already had with her husband, but she now had to move on without him. Her reluctance to accept the life she truly had to deal with now was just part of her appeal.

The details of the ending were somewhat unexpected in a pleasant way. This is a great and heartwarming book with likable characters who each had their own flaws. The story could be enthusiastically enjoyed by those who enjoy family dramas, starting over, and interesting ideas of where love may be found.

"The Key to My Heart" by Lia Louis is a heartfelt and enchanting romance that weaves together love, destiny, and the power of connection. Louis' storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of unexpected encounters and the magic of second chances. The book's relatable characters and tender plot create an immersive reading experience that resonates with romance enthusiasts. Louis skillfully captures the emotions and vulnerabilities of her characters, adding depth to the narrative and making it a captivating read for fans of the genre. "The Key to My Heart" is a touching reminder that love has the ability to unlock the doors of the heart, leaving readers with a warm and hopeful feeling as they embark on a journey filled with both longing and joy.

Usually I love books like this but this one fell flat for me. I enjoyed the author's previous book "8 Perfect Hours" more than this one. Was this supposed to be a romance or a romance thriller, pick a genre and stick to one.

Not for me but I can see why other readers would like this,

Thanks to NetGalley, Lia Louis and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available!

Thank you so much to Atria and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

I am so mad at myself for not picking this up sooner. Dear Emmie Blue is one of my all time favorite books and I just knew that I would love this one as well. And I definitely did.

This is an emotional, raw story about our heroine grieving the loss of her husband. It's been 2 years since his sudden death, and she feels like everyone is waiting and forcing her to move on and be the "old her". But she feels irrevocably changed by the loss.

Throughout the book you follow Nat as she heals, grows, changes, and moves on. It was a beautiful story about love - self love, platonic love, familial love, and romantic.

This definitely leans more contemporary than romance, but ends in the sweetest HEA. The hero falls first and is completely swept away by the heroine, just waiting for her to be ready.

If you want a story that will make you laugh, cry (the ending of this one brought the tears), and fall in love, pick this up. This author's books are stunning stories of hope and love and I can't wait to read whatever she releases next.

Thank you Atria Books ​and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Initially hesitant to pick up this book; however, it turned out to be a rather sad and heart-wrenching read, which I struggled to connect with, perhaps due to personal timing. The story follows Natalie Fincher, a young widow still grappling with grief two and a half years after losing her husband. The discovery of meaningful sheet music in a public piano raises questions about its origin and purpose, adding an element of mystery. Despite its potential for heartwarming moments, I found the book overall to be too emotionally heavy for my current state of mind.

This is a first time read for me by this author and it won't be my last. The story was full of heart, with realistic characters which were so easy to relate to, and I immediately fell in love with them. Natalie's life is perfect, she couldn't ask for anything more. Except her life shatters after her husband suddenly dies, and she is completely lost and finds it hard to move on. The only thing that seems to give her a little peace is when she plays the public piano in the train station. Then someone anonymously starts leaving sheet music for her husband's favorite songs. Who is leaving the music and could've known her husband so well? The plot was intriguing and kept me turning the pages, anxious to find out what happens next.
Such a heartwarming and beautiful story! It was well-written and kept me engaged from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

"The Key to My Heart" by Lia Louis is a heartwarming novel that delves into themes of hope and healing after loss. Natalie Fincher, a young widow, embarks on a journey of self-discovery when mysterious messages of love begin to appear, reigniting her sense of hope and excitement. Through Natalie's exploration of these messages, Lia Louis explores the transformative power of music and the resilience of the human spirit. While the book offers moments of warmth and inspiration, it falls slightly short of fully immersing the reader, resulting in a 3-star rating.

The story follows Natalie, a vibrant and charming woman whose life is shattered when her husband passes away unexpectedly. Left feeling empty and lost, Natalie struggles to find meaning and joy in her existence. However, a glimmer of hope enters her life when someone starts leaving sheet music for her late husband's favorite songs at a train station's public piano. Intrigued by this mysterious gesture, Natalie embarks on a journey of self-discovery and newfound love.

Lia Louis captures the emotional turmoil of grief and the slow process of healing with sensitivity and depth. Natalie's transformation, as she unravels the mystery behind the sheet music, is portrayed with authenticity and grace. The author adeptly explores themes of hope, self-love, and the cathartic power of music, infusing the story with moments of emotional resonance.

Louis' writing style is accessible and engaging, carrying a whimsical touch that adds charm to the narrative. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, allowing the reader to follow Natalie's journey with a sense of anticipation. The inclusion of the sheet music and its connection to Natalie's husband's favorite songs serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of music to evoke emotions and forge connections.

This book was just sadly not for me! I was hoping for something different but it turned out to be something I was not expecting, which is okay and I'm sure someone else would love it!

Wow--this book hit all the feels! I was new to Lia Louis' work, but now, I won't be missing any of her new books. I loved reading this book and the journey it took me through. Definitely pick this book up today!

A story of dealing with loss and coping with grief, this contemporary book took popular romance tropes and not only gave them new life, but completely revamped them so that they didn't feel overused or old. The flaws of the characters, as well as the less-than-typical-romcom subject matter was refreshing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for this ARC!

Over two years after her husband died, Natalie is still feeling lost. But when someone starts to leave sheet music for her at the train station piano she often plays at, she can’t help but feel it’s somehow a sign from her husband. She starts to come to life again as she investigates who could be behind these little gifts of music.

I’ve been a big fan of Lia’s writing ever since Dear Emmie Blue, and this book solidified that love. This book hit me in the emotions right away. The way she writes about Natalie’s grief, it feels so real and really hits you in all the feels. Because of that, Natalie’s healing journey is also so heartwarming. While this is a very slow burn, it worked and the element of mystery kept me fully engaged. If you are looking for a beautiful read that leaves you feeling hopeful, look no further.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I absolutely adore Lia Louis, her characters and her writing in general. She builds the most beautiful stories with the most heart warming characters. The Key To My Heart is a book that discusses grief and how we navigate it, how to rebuild your life, and how to continue living and loving.

While this is my least favourite of Louis’ books so far, it was still beautiful. The first half was a bit slow, learning about the characters and their grief, but the second half the story really unfolded and destoryed my heart and put it all back together.

This is my third Lia Louis, and if it's one thing you can count on her for, it's all the feels. This story focused on Natalie, a grieving widow. One of the things she loves to do is play a public piano at a train station. Then, someone starts leaving music on her piano - music that has a connection to her dead husband. She's not sure who it is or what it means. Meanwhile, Natalie is also navigating life and relationships after, including friendships and love. This read was one that had heart and also a real portrayal how grief and figuring out a new normal really looks like. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this December 2022 release.

Lia Louis wrote this novel with equal parts grief and hope and it is wonderful. Natalie Fincher is still mourning the loss of her husband, 2 and a 1/2 years after his death. Barely meeting the minimum socially accepted amount of time out of her house with her friends, she simply has lost a love for everything. The only peace she gets is when she is playing the public piano at the local train station. When someone anonymously starts leaving sheet music for her, Natalie is determined to find out who her fellow music lover is.

The Key to My Heart is a beautiful work that allows the reader to feel all of the emotions of Natalie as she learns to navigate through her own sense of the "new normal". A romantic novel that slowly unfolds and keeps the audience's attention from start to finish. Lia Louis is easily becoming an automatic purchase author for me!

Definitely a sad book, or at least one about grief and overcoming it.

Natalie goes from full grief and near isolation, to two guys that are friends but maybe more, to a happy ending for herself.

Natalie holds an impressive grudge. Against Edie, against Joe. Seems to be resolved in the end but don’t necessarily get all the details.

No sex or even kissing.

Favorite lines:
“Things might feel hard and uncertain right this second, but it will be okay.” - if you’re reading this right now, let it sit with you for a second

“Life is too short to stay in any situation that doesn’t light you up from the inside out.” - but how long does the situation take? How do you know? As a single in nyc, it’s a struggle.

Natalie has it all—a handsome new husband, a fixer-upper cottage of her dreams, and the opportunity to tour with the musical she’s spent years writing. But when her husband suddenly dies, all her hopes and dreams instantly disappear.

Two and a half years later, Natalie is still lost. She works, sleeps, and sees friends just often enough to allay their worries, but her life is empty. And she can only bring herself to play music at a London train station’s public piano where she can be anonymous. She’s lost motivation, faith in love, in happiness…in everything.

But when someone begins to mysteriously leave the sheet music for her husband’s favorite songs at the station’s piano, Natalie begins to feel a sense of hope and excitement for the first time. As she investigates just who could be doing this, Natalie finds herself on an unexpected journey toward newfound love for herself, for life, and maybe, for a special someone.

I adored Eight Perfect Hours, and had to get my hands on the next book from Lia Louis. She has such a way with words in the romance genre. This was a beautiful read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.