3.25 stars

This Violent Heart speaks deeply to the lived experience of feeling trapped within the confines of your upbringing and what wounds result from said confinement.

I applaud author Heather Levy as she explores the complexity of small town adolescence and the struggle to find identity in a place that is rigid in its morality. I thought the alternating timelines and the use of journal entries was mostly effective throughout, though I feel like the pacing was off in certain places. The ending felt too rushed, while portions of the middle stretched too long.

While I did see an integral part of the ending coming a mile away, I thought the way that the plot unraveled was still interesting. The connection between Devon and Keaton was interesting to read, but it felt underdeveloped, which made their ending feel off. But I like that the author sought to add light at the end of the tunnel of what would otherwise be a heavy book.

Overall, I had a positive reading experience and felt that the scenes from the past resonated the most.

Wow! This book was amazing! This had me feeling all different types of ways! And I’m so happy with how it ended! 🥰

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that romance aspect that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening. The characters felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed the overall story going on. Heather Levy wrote this perfectly and was glad I got to go on this journey.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 rounded up. This was alright. I think the whole twin thing put me off a bit, without revealing too much about it. I didn’t enjoy that. I did like Keaton’s character as well as Devon’s though and it was a nice read, with an appropriate ending.
This was my first book by this author and after reading up about her I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

This book was interesting, it took me a minute to get into it, but after a few chapters this book had me wrapped. Devon was such an amazing character, I couldn’t have pictured this book going any other way. If this book is definitely one that will keep you up at night reading. This book had me wondering at every page and twist and turn.

In “This Violent Heart,” readers are taken on a haunting journey through the complexities of growing up, identity confusion, and unresolved trauma. The story centers around Devon Mayes, a therapist who returns to her conservative hometown after years away. Her return is prompted by a new tragedy that forces her to confront the painful memories surrounding her best friend Summer’s death, which occurred when they were teenagers.

The narrative unfolds as Devon and Keaton work together to piece together the mystery of what truly happened during that fateful summer. Their journey compels them to confront their own truths and the hidden aspects of their pasts. However, they soon realize that someone is determined to keep those secrets buried at any cost.

Heather Levy’s novel is a gripping blend of mystery and emotional depth that invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with love, loss, and the quest for truth.

I loved this book and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed both the mystery and relationship plots and especially appreciated the dual timeline.

This Violent Heart by new to me author Heather Levy, published by Lake Union Publishing,
is a suspenseful thriller, drama laden and action packed. It took me a minute to get into the story that goes deep. A fantastic read, 4.5 stars.

This book is an emotional and atmospheric whirlwind, blending deep-seated grief, unresolved secrets, and a love story simmering just beneath the surface. It masterfully pulls together love, loss, and suspense, leaving you haunted by its emotional twists long after the final reveal.I absolutely loved reading it.

4* An addictive read, but had it not been told in flashback, I think it'd give bi-rep a bad name, sadly.

This is my first read by this author, and whilst it drew me in, the blurb is misleading. I didn't get what I expected, but it was a decent if painful and slightly 'suspend disbelief' read.

The surviving leads in this book are 31, and the tale flashes between 2025 and 2012. Devon's realisation of her bisexuality is well done in how she's made to feel because of her upbringing, the church, the locals, the small-mindedness of people, and her mother's stance and shame. This 2025 small-town America sounds a lot like modern-day India/similarly traditional countries in how fingers are pointed, which is shocking and sad, and which I grew up with. It's hard being different.

I don't want to spoiler it, but I can't help feel that 17yo Devon got away with having her cake and eating it - pretty much literally and metaphorically - because of all of the above and her age. Had this happened at 31, sadly, I think bi-rep likely would've gotten a bad rap. Or even rep.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Montlake for my reading pleasure.

I enjoyed this book, the central storyline was very intriguing and I liked both the split points of view between Devon and Summer’s journal and the flashbacks to the summer where the traumatic event happened. I found Devon likeable on the whole, but couldn’t help feeling so frustrated with some of the decisions she made throughout. The writing was easy to follow and the pacing was good so that the story didn’t feel like it was being rushed or that it was dragging by. It’s not the type of book I’d usually pick up, but I’m glad I read it as it was an enjoyable read.

I’m not going to lie, one of the main reasons why I wanted to read this book is because of the shared first name 😅 but ultimately I really enjoyed the story!

This was a good book! it had a bit too much romance for my taste, but other than that it was good. It went over the main characters past and current issues that she had to get over and this was all before she became a practicing therapist. I think the writing was good and the pacing and the back and forth in timelines was good

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Heather Levy has done it again! THIS VIOLENT HEART will keep you turning the pages as you follow Devon Mayes through her past as a teenager and her present as an adult after a recent tragedy sends her back to her hometown in Oklahoma to mend unhealed wounds before she can become a practicing therapist. Thank you to the author and the publisher for this Advanced Reader Copy.

Levy’s pacing, strong characterizations and the setting pull you into the story as Devon sets out to discover the truth behind her best friend Summer’s death at the beginning of their Senior year of high school, which was ruled a suicide. Feelings for Summer’s twin brother, Keaton, are once again explored as Devon navigates her way through the mystery having accepted her sexuality after she moved to the city after high school. Levy’s writing of small towns in this country’s Bible belt are very relatable and express an understanding of how difficult growing up in these towns can be for those who identify as LGBTQ.

I didn’t see the jaw-dropping twist coming, so if you enjoy steamy romantic thrillers with unexpected endings, THIS VIOLENT HEART is another one you must add to your reading list.

I am looking forward to her next book!

✨ This Violent Heart by Heather Levy is a mix of mystery and a drizzle of smut, something I’ve never really read, but after reading this one, I discovered that that was exactly what I was missing in my life.

When I was cooking, cleaning and trying to sleep, my mind kept going back to the story. Who did it, was it her, was it him, I did figure it out before the last few chapters, but it didn’t keep me from anticipating finding out who had killed her.

We read about the present time, and about when Devon was at high school with her two best friends, Summer & Keaton, and I really liked reading about the present & past, I enjoyed getting to know them better.

This Violent Heart comes out in February 2025, and you need to put it on your wishlist if you love smut, and mystery books !

I thought this was a well written book. Some of the romance portions were a little unnecessary, but other than that it was good.