One of my favorite authors, Ms. Graves used her own way of telling a story, incorporating popular themes- geocaching- to set up a fairly predictable romance. 3 *

This was a beautifully written story about grief and healing. The character development was so sweet and tender. I loved the main characters and their journey to heal.

Where do I even start?! I have enjoyed EVERY Tracey Garvis Graves books I have read…however, this might be my absolute favorite. I devoured it. I felt such a connection to Wren and Marshall and loved the gambit of emotions this book threw at me. This will forever hold a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to buy the hard copy when it comes out.

I feel so lucky to have been an early reader of this charming novel! Tracey Garvis Graves always has a way of writing characters that pull you in and have you rooting for them while feeling real, relatable and imperfect. I thought the PNW setting was lovely and described in a way that you could really envision yourself hiking with Wren and Marshall, and I also felt that the geocaching angle felt fresh and new to me. I also really loved that while there was romance, the emphasis was really on how the characters were developing and working through their individual traumas too. I really loved this sweet story and highly recommend!

I like this author and the first half of the book was interesting (even if it focused on a subject I have zero interest in), but I did find the second half felt a bit rushed and should've been fleshed out. I also wasn't thrilled with the twist and I had a hard time suspending disbelief.

Wren and Marshall are both trying to find their footing in a life without their loved ones. And when they meet during a chance encounter while geocaching, I knew I would love this story. They were both in search of something (see what I did there?)….

Loved the twist this story took and the power of love.

I love that TGG writes love stories with happy endings!

There was something about this story that I really liked, but it's hard to pick just one thing that stood out above the rest. The characters were both hurting from emotional upsets when they met while geocaching separately in the same area. He was friendly and she was in "Go away" mode until a situation shortly after where he came to her rescue. She still didn't trust him, but at least was willing to walk with him, working together to discover hidden objects.

Of course they got along better as time went on, but it was in a believable way. I liked both characters and was cheering them on. The hurts they had both experienced needed work to get through, but when you are willing to do the work, the results usually are good.

Nice story; I will read more by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are voluntarily given.

Every book she writes is a masterpiece. I go in without reading the blurb and I am always in awe of what I read. I will always recommend her books.

Tracey Garvis Graves' books just keep getting better. She is quickly becoming a favorite author. Her stories are so real and honest. I loved The Trail of Lost Hearts. It is the story of Wren and Marshall, two people whose hearts are broken with grief and all that comes along with life. They are both on a quest to find some peace and happiness when they meet in an unexpected way. The characters are well developed and I loved following as they journeyed to find healing, happiness, and love. Well done Tracey! This one definitely tugs at the heartstrings. Thanks to NetGalley for and ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. I enjoyed the unique look into geocaching and the characters. There were a few things I didn't love but that was more of a me problem.

A truly wonderful and touching novel telling of two people dealing with grief and finding the help they needed in each other. Marshall is grieving the younger brother he lost in a tragic manner. Wren’s fiance was killed in a car crash and she learned of his deception-one that is deep and terrible. Wren and Marshall meet while geocaching, choose to partner up, and something special develops between them. But their journeys to wellness are not over as they forge ahead to come to terms with their losses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is an excellent book. It combines adventure, romance, suspense, and tugs at the heartstrings. The characters are flawed and relatable. The end is predictable, but so what. The protagonist's voice is conversational; Graves is a great writer.

The Trail of Lost Hearts is a wonderful read. This is one of grief, trust and moving on. I could not put this down. I was drawn in for the start with Wren as she takes her trip to find herself again and move on past all the hurt she has faced grieving for her former fiance. Marshall is lovely as he battles his own lost. I love how Marshall and Wren come together with the same purpose and finding the strength to break down their walls and see each other. There are so many heart warming moments thrown in with a few heavy as both navigate what they lost and moving on. Your heart will be all over the place as Marshall and Wren step back and get to know each other once their trip is over. A few surprises along the way for Wren as you see her strength grow. I love Marshall and Wren together. Such a beautiful read you need to read.

This is a romance novel but it covers grief in a beautiful and profound way. There's also a lot of fun geocaching in it. As someone who's done geocaching before, I thought that adventure part was really fun. I liked both of the characters and I loved the slow burn of how they found their way to each other.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Trail of Lost Hearts by T. G. Graves, published by St. Martin's Group is a beautiful slow burn.
Two people who are trough a lot, carry the scars to prove it.
Wren Waters, a 34 year old freelancer and Marshall a psychologist meet on a journey when both are on different places in their lives. They travel together for some time and become close. But sometimes love isn't enough.
This book had me in tears more than one time. A tearjerking, ugly cry story. It had me in knots, teared me apart and in the end it put me bak together. A fantastic read, one of my very few favs in 23.

Amazing heartwarming and touching story line and characters. I had to finish it one single sitting. Though, I finished it couple days back it still brings a smile to my face every time I think of the sassy dialogues. Thank you Tracey Garvis Graves for another fantastic read.

Love Tracey Garvis Graves’ works. Her latest, Trail of Lost Hearts did not disappoint. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity.

One of the best romances I've ever read - I adored every line of it. This is not your ordinary love story. The surprises just keep coming.

Wren Waters had the shock of her life when Rob, her fiancee, dies suddenly, followed almost immediately by another shock that upends everything she had ever believed about Rob and their relationship. She needs to get away from the people who know what happened, away from being expected to talk about it. She has always enjoyed hiking, and this time she adds geo-caching. It's a bit like treasure hunting without keeping the treasure. The goal is to find the hidden objects.

Unfortunately, she runs into men on the trail who see a lone woman as an opportunity, and she is only saved when another geocacher shows up. Marshall is a psychologist who has also lost someone important to him. The two of them team up to continue the hunt - it is safer for both of them. Neither of them are looking for another relationship as both are grieving. They spend an enjoyable week together before going their separate ways.

Then Wren has yet another shock and her life is upended again. This is an excellent book, with an unusual love story. I was smiling at the end of it, and highly recommend it.

I received an e-ARC from the author and St. Martin's Press via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

My Thoughts

Wren Waters meets Marshall Hendricks for the first time when they are both geocaching in a place called the Wild Iris Ridge Loop in Eugene, Oregon.

First time they pass on the trail neither one speaks but they exchange smiles of greeting.

The pairs next encounter is a little more intense and starts their “partnership” after Wren decides that she and Marshall traveling together is a smart option for them both.

Her motivation for doing so came about because Wren wanted very badly to get her life back on track after it derailed spectacularly weeks prior.

Marshall however does not share his motivation with her, or the reader, until later on as their trip unfolds.

By her vacation weeks end Wren is at the point where an old saying applies “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”

What transpires in the pages of this book is truly a story of beautiful beginnings often overshadowed by painful endings both Marshall and Wren have suffered.

What I liked most of all is how both characters work through their individual needs, sometimes together and sometimes alone.

What I loved was their final outcome after the pair “wrecked me” at one point.

[EArc from Netgalley]

I was totally sympathetic to 34-year-old Wren Waters when her boyfriend not only died in a car crash but turned out to be a married man with young children. When Wren meets a fellow geocacher trekking to find hidden items outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, it seems as if her broken heart is about to be mended.

I loved the setting and the way the two people meet, but I was also surprised by the twist in the plot in the middle of the novel.

An unusual plot for a rom com, there are moments of good humor as well as unexpected turn of events that keeps the reader going. I was disappointed, however, that I did not continue to be sympathetic to Wren, finding her inconsistent in her moral and social views. She became a person of double standards, in my view. Perhaps that was the intention of the author.

An overall enjoyable romantic novel with a catchy title.