The Trail of Lost Hearts is the only book I've read where for the first third of the story I couldn't wait for it to end, but by the last third I hated there was an end. It's not the genre that caused the turnaround-The Trail of Lost Hearts is a "girl meets boy" novel you've read before-it's the way Tracey Garvis Graves develops the plot and characters that get under your skin and won't let go. What starts out as a typical romance morphs into a heartbreaking tale of loss, betrayal, and redemption. Wren and Marshall have each suffered unimaginable losses-to make her point Miss Graves throws everything at them including the kitchen sink. You wonder how any one person, let alone two, could go on after such devastation. But Wren and Marshall's willingness to open their hearts-albeit slowly-(the snails pace of their coupling is what turned me off in the beginning), and not let their pasts define them is what makes The Trail of Lost Hearts so endearing, joyful, and hopeful. The Pacific Northwest scenery is the perfect backdrop-you'll breathe in the pine trees and marvel at the crystal clear waters. Mostly you will cheer that two lost souls found each other on this beautiful trail.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was exactly what I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. I loved that both Wren and Marshall were emotionally mature and respectful characters. They both had plenty to work through, but I loved watching this unfold. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile!

This is a good romance. The problem is I don’t enjoy reading the genre. So why did I read this? I like the author’s writing so I always have the urge to read her latest book. I always finish them. They are good; just not what I enjoy reading. I’ll have to resist the urge next time😂

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and. St Martin's Press.

Wren lost her fiance in a tragic accident and is on a geocaching journey alone to find. herself, heal, and move on. While there, an another hiker named Marshall rescues Wren. The two of them partner up to find more geocaches. Will they partner up for something more?

I was super excited to read another Tracey Graves Graves book, and it did not disappoint! I loved. Wren and Marshall. They each are doing their own healing. I wish the part after the trip ends was a lot longer, and we got to see more of how the two of them were figuring out things. Still, this book was so good, and I loved how Wren and Marshall bonded over geocaching. It took the pressure off of whatever they were supposed to be.

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
The Trail of Lost Hearts
by Tracey Garvis Graves

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Tracey Garvis Graves (One of my favorite authors!) for this ARC! I absolutely and 100% loved this book I may have squealed a little when I received the email inviting me to read this ♥️
Loved the two main characters, Wren and Marshall. They each had their own life altering (in the description) blows that they had to work through. It's a story about love, loss, hope, family, resilience and perseverance.
Loved that most of the story took place in the PNW! I miss the PNW so it's always a treat when I can find a book that's based in the PNW. This book does not disappoint! Highly recommend!
It's not the best review but it's mine 😊

I've read several books by Tracey and have always loved her writing style. I enjoyed this book and the turns it took. That being said it did fall a little flat in some ways and I'm not sure why that is. Both characters were well thought out/written but i guess their love story didn't connect at the beginning but did build towards the end. Overall I did enjoy it and did cry when Marshall wrote Wren letters.

My ARC reader red flag is that I’ll desperately want an ARC from a favorite author, be unbelievably excited to get the ARC, and not read it until well after the publication date.

Then the book is fantastic and I hate myself for waiting so long…

I’ve done this to myself for the last four Tracey Garvis Graves books.

When TGG released the cover of The Trail of Lost Hearts six weeks ago, I had great hopes the book would show up on NetGalley soon so I started logging in first thing every morning to see if it was there. Then two days ago I got an email from a marketing coordinator at St. Martin’s Publishing Group WITH A LINK TO THE ARC. To say I was thriled is an understatement.

So I said to myself, “E-Reader Addict, DO NOT do what you usually do when you’re uber-excited to have a TGG ARC in your hands!” And I didn’t! I downloaded the book and started reading while drinking my morning cup of tea, continued until lunch and ate while reading, and finished just as dinner was being put on the table. I couldn’t put it down.

And let me tell you, it’s been a good long while since I read a book in a single day.

There’s nothing I love more than a love story where the relationship develops organically, overcomes realistic challenges, and ends with a happily ever after. Wren and Marshall’s is beautiful.

After a heartbreaking loss and a shocking discovery, Wren Waters leaves her home in Ohio to take a week-long solo geo-caching trip in Oregon. Within minutes on the trail she comes across friendly Marshall, yet throws out major “leave me alone” vibes. But after Marshall comes to Wren’s aid during a terrifying situation, she accepts his offer of teaming up for the remainder of her adventure.

At the end of their week together, neither is wanting the burgeoning relationship to end. Except Marshall has his own demons to fight.

“...maybe the universe wasn’t trying to send me a psychologist. Maybe the universe sent a psychologist who appreciates the company of another person while he’s working through his own grief and pain. Two birds, one stone. I’m paying attention.”

Because Wren is no longer willing to settle for less than she deserves, she heads home on her own, holding onto her belief that the universe will send you what you truly need. However once she’s home, she faces doubt and challenges she didn’t know she could endure.

One of the things I love most about TGG books is that her characters seem like real people - like ones I’d actually know in real life, facing real-life situations. And there are so many things I love about this story. At the top of the list: mature characters who have actual issues to work through. I loved Wren’s growth from overwhelming doubt to removing herself from a potential relationship that clearly wasn’t starting out on the right path. And I love stories where the couple knows they belong together, but also know they need to do some work to heal themselves first. I love watching the hero and heroine grow, but mostly I love their love story.

I could keep gushing on and on about The Trail of Lost Hearts, but I’ll stop here. Let me twll you with this: if you like love stories about mature people facing realistic challenges, read this book!!!

On The Island will always be my favorite TGG book, and I’ve loved everything else she’s written, but The Trail of Lost Hearts just might be my second favorite (maybe tied with Heart-Shaped Hacked - it’s a close call!). I’m so glad I didn’t wait this time, but also a little mad at myself for plowing through this one in practically one sitting. And now I’m faced with the dreaded situation of having to wait extra-long for TGG’s next book (it's now August 2023 and this publishes in March 2024). I sure wish she’d publish books more often, but it’s hard to complain when everything she writes is so incredibly good.

* thank you to NetGalley, and a HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

So many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book early!

I was so excited to read a new Tracy Garvis Graves book; I opened this story immediately and finished it the same day! The characters were incredibly endearing and emotionally mature. It was a joy to read about two characters who were intent on growing to be better people after the hardships they endured. The outdoorsy settings and geocaching plotlines were fun, making me want to travel to Crater Lake or some of the other places mentioned for beautiful views and hiking. Such a feel-good story that made for a relaxing Saturday read. This is a great novel for fans of Happiness for Beginners!

So beautifully written and has all of the emotions I’ve come to love from her writing.

Wren and Marshall are the main characters. They both love geocaching and have decided to take a break from their lives after dealing with major life events. They both go on a geocaching tour, alone, but find each other. Just a beautiful story.

I read this book in one sitting! Tracey Garvis Graves brings us an incredible story of the journey of two people navigating unimaginable grief.

Wren and Marshall meet on hiking trails in the PNW. It is here, among the beautiful backdrop, that both start unpacking a lot of emotional baggage.

It’s no secret that Tracey Garvis Graves is an impeccable writer. There is no lack of quality writing when going into any of her stories, and TToLH is no exception. Even the overall plot was not the driving force of how much I loved this story, even though the plot is just as interesting. It was the characters. Wren and Marshall are flawlessly written characters.

Tracey has given us two wonderfully mature characters who DECIDE what they want out of life and then they do it. They put in the work. They face the hardships. They make the difficult decisions. They heal. They grow. And it was so beautifully written. I think if anyone follows my reviews, they would know that my enjoyment in a book is often heavily character-driven. TToLH gives us those characters and the quality writing and interesting plot!

The Trail of Lost Hearts is definitely a top pick of my 2023 year (although this book doesn’t release until early next year) Be sure to add it to your TBR and pre-order it! You won’t be sorry!

The Trail of Lost Hearts is amazing! It’s a story that reels you in and leaves you gasping as one surprise twist after another shakes the story up!

“So it’s what, Eat, Pray, Love but with dirt and GPS and skinned knees?”

Marshall and Wren are thrown together and decide to pool resources on a geocaching trip in the PNW. They are each trying to work through some things that life has flung in their paths.

“It’s just the two of us, outrunning ghosts, delaying what’s to come as we try to eke out the smallest measure of enjoyment when everything else has gone to hell. It isn’t meant to be permanent, but we can wring out every last drop if we feel like it.”

EVERYTHING I could say about this book is a SPOILER! Just know it is a “must read”. Get one-clicking!!
-5 Stars!-

Thanks for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this fantastic book!

The Trail of Lost Hearts is a heartwarming story about two strangers, Wren and Marshall, who have taken a time-out from life and are soul-searching to find themselves while geocaching in the beautiful Pacific Northwest trails of Oregon.

In addition to finding themselves, they found each other when Marshall saved Wren from a terrifying encounter with two men on the trail. Despite Wren’s initial apprehension toward Marshall, they found comfort in each other’s company and their platonic friendship turned into more.

Geocaching in the wilderness served as an excellent backdrop for the story's exploration of love after loss, capturing the thrill of adventure and the sense of wonder that comes from discovering something unexpected. Tracey Garvis Graves (TGG) expertly paints such a vivid picture of the PNW Oregon trails that I was able to imagine I was along for the ride.

I always appreciate the author's ability to tackle sensitive themes with care and empathy while creating relatable and intriguing characters. I really enjoyed Wren’s sense of humor and independence, and Marshall's kindness and security.

I’ve already started re-reading this book, at a more leisurely pace this time. I was so excited to read TGG’s 10th book that I missed some of the details (Easter Egg?).

I’m hoping to learn more about Graham someday!! 🙂

After the death of her fiancé, Wren Waters is left reeling from the life she has lost, and the life she didn't know he had. To try to find herself again, she set off to Oregon to geocache through the state in the beauty of nature. During her first cache, she nearly meets her demise when Marshall appears in a clearing and saves her life.

Staying at the same hotel, Marshall offers to accompany Wren on the rest of her trip, since they both were planning on caching in the same areas anyway. From the outside, Marshall looks like your average PNW guy, but as they embark on their journey together, Wren comes to realize that she's not the only one struggling with the gut wrenching loss of someone they love. What started as two strangers teaming up for a week-long adventure could potentially lead to more in common than they ever could've thought.

The Trail of Lost Hearts was a quick, but powerful read. I fell asleep reading two nights in a row, not because it was boring, but because I was so invested in the story, I didn't want to put it down! Like the last two books I've read by Tracey Garvis Graves, this one really makes you feel. While we may have our own struggles, there is something relatable in each of her books and I can't wait for the next. It's just a shame that it'll be down the line, as this one doesn't debut until March 2024.

A massive thank you for Tracey Garvis Graves and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to get an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. It is truly much appreciated! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Read at your own risk!

I’m honored that I was selected to receive an early copy for review. It was fun to go on an adventure with Wren and Marshall and discover geocaching and experience the scenic views through their eyes.

In THE TRAIL OF LOST HEARTS, Tracey Garvis Graves continues to write with a tenderness that has become a trademark of her storytelling. I love how I would laugh and have tears in my eyes at the same time. She makes it very easy to root for Wren and Marshall in hopes that they will get their happily ever after, but it’s also understandable if it doesn’t work out between them. What I love most about Wren and Marshall is how they are thoughtful in the ways they communicate and take care with each other.

What I connected with the most was how she portrays the ways tragedy can change us and direct us. An uncertainty can overcome our lives and it affects how we think and even causes us to lose trust in ourselves. This is illustrated in ways that aren’t overwhelmingly sad. Instead, it’s expressed compassionately within this beautiful, romantic, and sexy story.

In her Acknowledgements, TGG shares that she wrote the book that she needed to write because it was the book she needed to read, and I thank her for it. It was the book that I needed too. It’s a story filled with humor and romance that can make even a shattered heart flutter. Readers will undoubtedly love this book for the gift that it is.