"When my husband died, he left my broken heart behind.
He left another heart behind, too—his."

Jennifer Hartman’s The Wrong Heart is an angst-filled contemporary romance that delves deep into the raw and unflinching realities of grief, loss, and healing. The story follows Melody, a widow whose world is shattered after the death of her husband. In her desperate quest for connection, she reaches out to the recipient of her husband’s heart—someone equally broken. What unfolds is a story that is as devastating as it is hopeful, exploring the jagged edges of pain and the possibility of finding solace in the most unexpected places.

This book is currently my favorite Jennifer Hartman book of the three I’ve read, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Hartman doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, including loss, self-harm, and suicide, so it won’t be for everyone. My stomach was in knots the entire time I read it. Hartman’s writing in this book is masterful—she creates experiences for her characters that are so vivid and emotional, I truly felt their pain, anguish, and even moments of fleeting happiness.

Despite its deeply emotional and grief-driven tone, the book is peppered with small moments of banter and lightness that bring some much-needed levity. The metaphors and recurring themes that Hartman weaves throughout the story are seamlessly tied together, adding layers of depth and beauty to an already powerful narrative. And yes, this book had me in tears—more than once. But that epilogue? Absolutely worth every tear.

If you’re a fan of Hartman’s ability to blend darkness with light, then The Wrong Heart is a must-read. It’s not for everyone, but if you are willing to embrace its heavy themes, it’s an unforgettable journey of loss and love that lingers long after the last page.

Exactly the type of heart wrenching romance you expect from Jennifer Hartmann. There’s lots of grief, struggling to find the purpose for living, and making connections through dark periods of life.

You can’t help but fall in love with both characters, and root for them to find their own happy ending together.

An emotional ride, and a great read!

4.25✨

Let me start by saying the hero wasn’t my usual type. I tend to gravitate toward golden retriever energy—soft, sweet, and just downright loveable. But somehow, this broody and complicated hero wormed his way into my heart. I have to give the author credit for doing such a great job of making us understand why he is the way he is.

The romance? So good! You can practically feel the tension simmering on every page. And when it finally bubbles over? Chef’s kiss. The banter between the main characters was top-tier, and their journey from guarded walls to vulnerability felt so real and rewarding.

This book hit hard in all the right ways, and I can’t wait to pick up more from this author. If you’re into emotional, heart wrenching romances, I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and BloomBooks for letting me enjoy this eARC. As always, all thoughts are my own.

Wow! My first JH novel and this was emotionally charged, angsty, tension filled, beautiful, and just perfection. There is nothing better than two broken individuals coming together through healing with delicious chemistry that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I cannot recommend this enough!

Once again Jennifer Hartmann writes another amazing book. The contemporary romance will break your heart and put it back together. I did not wanna put this down once I started.

Reading Melody & Parkers story was so beautiful and so raw and real. Some of the topics in the book can be triggering so please check all triggers before reading.

The story revolves around grief and the pain and despair that comes with it, no matter the reason. It shows how it can swallow you whole, and like moving sand can bury you alive.
But it also shows hope. It shows in a completly raw way how it can make you come alive with small things and gestures. How you can change and start to appreciate those moments that are worth living for. How precious it is to be seen.
In this book the author summarizes all those moments and feelings. The grief, the angst, pain and at the same time so much hope. The hope to stay in the past and at the same time the hope of something new.
The author has a way of making you really feel. And oh boy I felt so much in this book. I could relate through her words to these characters and felt my heart break a little but also felt them heal and being fix afterwords.
Yes, it revolves around some heavy subjects, but it is an amazing story.
I loved both characters. Melody by being just a little bit of what we all need: the good, the optimism, a little ray of sunshine even through her grief. And Parker, with all his fellings of unworthiness, social awkwardness and grumpiness but with such an good heart underneath. He definitely had the Right Heart.
They complemented each other and through their relationship we could see that not all our previous thoughts and preconceptions have to go as planed to find our happy place. They were all they never thought they wanted or needed, but ended up being all they really deserved.
It was an emotional ride that I only regret not having experienced sooner.

My first read of 2025 was not a strong start unfortunately.

I was very, very close to DNF'ing this book in the beginning but something told me to wait a little bit and give it a chance. Was it worth it? For a chunk of the story, yes. More towards the end? Not really, no. It kinda felt like eating a sandwich where you only really care about the interior, if that makes sense.

The characters at first were unbearable to read. I mean, I've read my fair share of depressed characters but holy Mac n' cheese balls, I couldn't stand those two. There was no thread to make me empathic for them in almost any moment of the story. I genuinely believe my main problem with the book was with the characters and now insufferable they were; I just couldn't stand reading some chapters at times.

And the end was...oh man, it just felt out of place. The last chapter felt more like an epilogue than the epilogue itself. It was a good epilogue, just not for this book I think.

I think I'm done sharing my not so good thoughts on this one. I will say the plot twist was good, I didn't expect that. So I guess not all bad stuff to be shared here.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on January 6th, 2025)

Some of Jennifer Harmann's work I've liked, and others I have not. This one was heartfelt and emotional, and I did enjoy and recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars

Queen Jennifer Hartmann does it again! What a soul-stirring, angst-ridden journey through grief, love, and the tangled mess of healing,

The Wrong Heart is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Jennifer Hartmann delivers a contemporary romance that grabs your heart, squeezes it tight, and doesn’t let go.

So because this is Jennifer Hartmann, you need to be prepared for the tragedy and loss that kicks off the story.

When her husband dies suddenly, leaving her in the throes of grief, Melody Wright makes a desperate and unconventional move, she reaches out to the recipient of his donated heart. What begins as an anonymous exchange of letters blossoms into something deeper, more complicated, and undeniably beautiful.
Their connection is raw, painful, and filled with an undercurrent of something more, a thread of hope, a second chance at life, and love.

Melody is the heart of this story….pun intended. Her grief is realistic, her journey through loss and self-discovery both heartbreaking and inspiring. She’s not a perfect FMC, but that’s precisely what makes her so compelling. Her vulnerability, resilience, and moments of quiet strength make her an unforgettable character.

Grayson, the man with her husband’s heart, is enigmatic, guarded, and just as broken as Melody. His struggle with his new lease on life, the guilt of surviving, and his growing feelings for Melody are intricately woven into his character arc, making him as complex as he is endearing.

Besties, this is NOT just a romance; it’s a meditation on grief and the different ways it manifests. Hartmann handles the heavy themes of loss, self-harm, and suicide with sensitivity and grace, providing a raw and authentic portrayal of the healing process.

The romance between Melody and Grayson is slow-burning, filled with tension, and steeped in emotional complexity. It’s a story about finding love in the most unexpected places and learning to let go of the past while embracing the future. It is disturbing as it is truly beautiful.

Jennifer Hartmann’s writing is both lyrical and gut-wrenching. Her ability to convey deep emotions through simple, yet evocative language is one of her greatest strengths. All her books manage to have me in a crying fit…

The dialogue is sharp, realistic, and filled with subtext, while the internal monologues provide a window into the characters’ tortured souls.
Hartmann’s pacing is deliberate, allowing us to fully immerse in Melody and Grayson’s world. Every scene is carefully crafted to evoke maximum emotional impact, making this a book that lingers long after you’ve finished reading.

This isn’t a light read. It’s the kind of book that demands tissues and a strong heart. Hartmann’s exploration of grief is so visceral, you’ll feel every ounce of Melody’s pain. But amidst the sorrow, there are moments of hope, joy, and redemption that make the emotional journey worthwhile.

The Wrong Heart is an emotional powerhouse of a novel that expertly balances heartbreak and hope. It’s a story about the complexities of love, the weight of loss, and the courage it takes to open your heart again.

Jennifer Hartmann has crafted a story that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable, making The Wrong Heart a standout in contemporary romance.

If you’re ready for a book that will wreck you in the best possible way, this is it. Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall in love with Melody and Grayson’s journey.

I have to start by saying Jennifer has a way of somehow looking like rainbows but writing books that are full of storm clouds. If you want something that will tear you into pieces and stomp on your soul, then gently mold you back together, check out literally any of her books. This one was no exception. It is a story about lost and broken people finding each other and themselves.

The Wrong Heart follows Melody, whose husband was killed on their 5 year wedding anniversary, as she tries to live in a world without him. She is drowning in grief but gets the opportunity to anonymously reach out to the man who received her husband’s heart, Parker.

Around the same time, she begins attending a support group which Parker also attends, although they don’t realize they know each other. Melody is inexplicably drawn to Parker, though he is the complete opposite of her husband. He is surly, anti-social, and is detached from everyone his foster sister. While she is the sunshine to his dark clouds, these two connect and somehow, they find a way to bring life back into the other. But as they get closer, secrets rise to the surface and threaten everything they’ve built.

Without fail, Jennifer has me on my knees. These two were so broken and hurting, yet somehow found the way to make each other want to live. They are truly the definition of you came, you called. This book is all about finding a purpose and your little things - your “why” for getting through each day. This book is definitely heavy though, and filled with trigger warnings. It deals with grief and suicide, and the way it is handled within the support group and through their different experiences is so moving.

This book was angsty. It was emotional. It was Jennifer doing what she does best. And the epilogue was downright RUDE in the way it had me tearing up again. If you are a fan of JH or wanting a book that will break you into a million pieces, definitely check this one out!

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book!

I read through this book so quickly! It was very emotional and covered so many topics! Another great read by Jennifer Hartmann

Jennifer Hartmann delivers another emotional masterpiece with The Wrong Heart. This poignant, angsty romance follows Melody and Parker, two deeply scarred souls navigating grief, healing, and unexpected love. Melody’s connection to the man who received her late husband’s heart, combined with her attendance at a suicide prevention group, sets the stage for a story filled with raw emotion.

Parker, brooding and closed-off, reluctantly opens up as Melody persistently unravels his defenses. Their love story is achingly flawed and beautifully written, with moments that will leave readers in tears.

Heartbreaking, hopeful, and profoundly moving—bring tissues

This book did draw me in straight away with the devasting first chapter. The book follows the story of Melody, who husband has died and donated his heart. She is desperate to get in contact with the recipient and start emailing them, finding solace in the dialogue. At the same time, she joins a suicide prevention group and meets Parker, whom she is drawn too. Parker is the complete opposite of her husband, but she finds that she will do anything to make him smile. What follows is their turbulent relationship, with each person struggling to accept any happiness that comes their way.
This was a rollercoaster of a ride for the motions, so there is a warning that this book does have several serious emotional aspects to it—death and suicide/suicide attempts.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

And she does it again.

Jennifer Hartmann is the queen of ripping your heart out only to slowly try and put it back together.

Her stories are not for everyone but I beg you to try reading her stories and not fall in love with her writing.

ARC Review✨

I can’t. I’m destroyed with love. Ruined.

I have now read three books by @author.jenniferhartmann and they have all been five star bangers. Obviously, I’m going to read the rest of her backlist this year. Maybe this month.

This has a whole lot of things that may be triggering to people, so please do look for the content warnings. I will say suicide and child abuse are core topics. Read with care.

Melody March has had an idyllic young marriage right up until her husband is killed in a pedestrian hit and run. His heart is donated and Melody tries to live without her happily ever after. It’s hard. Of course, it’s hard.

Things become so heavy, she tries to end it. She ends up in a suicide support group where she meets Parker, the absolute grumpiest grump who ever grumped.

But her sunshine smile calls to him even though he really REALLY doesn’t want it to.

I don’t want to give too much away because every thread is important and needed for a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Just know that there is amazing chemistry, delightful humor, heart-wrenching conversations and my favorite books of all boyfriend of the year. 😉

I received an eARC from #netgalley and @read_bloom. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #romancebooks #contemporaryromance #thewrongheart #jenniferhartmann #spicyromance #fivestars #fivestarbooks #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
wow. what an incredible book to begin the year with. i haven’t felt this way about a romance book in such a long time. i was completely sucked into the story and felt like i was living through it. i fell in love with Melody and Parker’s characters. Melody loses her husband in a tragic car accident as he’s going to save her purse from a thief. He is an organ donor and his heart is used to save another life. Melody begs the doctor to give her the recipients email to contact them. The book begins with her finally reaching out to this email months after Charlie passed away. You then see Melody visit this support group for grieving individuals which is where she meets Parker. Parker is completely closed off, empty and bordering ignorant. He doesn’t participate with the conversations and doesn’t make eye contact with anyone. Melody being her sweet sunshine self tried to talk to him to no avail. Their ‘relationship’ slowly builds and he ends up fixing a leaky pipe in her house. Melody continues to talk to the recipient of her late husband’s heart who has the user ‘Zephyr79’.
SPOILER WARNING‼️⚠️‼️⚠️
They befriend a girl called Amelia in the support group who struggles with an emotionally abusive mother and self harm. Later on in the story she does commit suicide and it is heartbreaking how Melody and Parker find out through finding her hamster Nutmeg at Melody’s door with a note. The note broke my heart. - ‘We’re storytellers you and me,
my story has come to an end, but yours is just beginning.
i know you’ll take good care of Nutmeg.
She doesn’t like her booties, but she loves the sun
- Amelia
Melody’s nickname was the sun.
Amelia quotes//

‘i’m glad you got your happy ending’

When Parker calls Amelia her name and not Emo Chick 😭

She always says her starting point is her hamster Nutmeg - they always say their starting point at the beginning of each session. Which is what keeps them going.

‘a smile beams to life ‘you remembered.’ ‘it’s nice when your words stick with people. it feels good to be heard. to be seen.’

//

Melody eventually sleeps with Parker after mixed signals and he rushes off and leaves her in the rain outside her house. She doesn’t know what to do so messaged Zephyr asking to video chat. He is apprehensive so she suggested him leaving his camera off and she will just put hers on. This is the moment he realizes she is ‘Magnolia’ (her user) and also Melody. We come to realise Parker lied about being the recipient of her husband’s heart. Parker’s sister Bree was the doctor who worked on Charlie that night. Melody was hysterical and begged Bree for the details of the heart recipient. Bree couldn’t break code and give out anonymous details so gave the email of her brother; she knew he was struggling with his own demons and could use someone to talk to and figured they could both help eachother.
Melody finds this out and needs space. Next minute she gets a call from Leah her best friend and she says Parker is hanging off of a bridge. We later find out he is trying to coax a suicidal guy down - who we find out is the guy who killed Charlie. He was in financial need so his brother convinced him to be his driver as he robbed Melody of her purse, later accidently driving into Charlie. The guy we find out is called Milo falls from the bridge after turning towards Parker and her told Parker he can’t swim. Parker jumps in after him and Melody is wrecked with the feeling that she is reliving her parters death over again. She faints and wakes up in hospital where Bree has some news. They had to do a blood test on her and they found out she is around 8 weeks pregnant. After Parker wakes up and Melody is cleared to see him, they go home but Parker feels like a complete failure as the Guy from the bridge passed away. Melody then tells Parker she is pregnant once they’re home and that she loves him and forgives him. They have a baby girl named August Amelia - August being Melody’s favourite month and Amelia after their late friend from the support group. I love this meaningful name and how they say she is their little story teller as an ode to Amelia. Amelia’s hamster Nutmeg is August’s pet. The epilogue had me so sad but i loved the extra ending with Melody taking over Ms Katherine’s support group and having her own bakery etc. It was lovely to just feel that closure and not be left with questions. I felt like the story was truly finished.


We also learn about Ms Katherine and the significance of the journal she always clutches throughout their sessions. It was a gift from one of her students when she was a primary teacher. A little boy who she cared for who later committed suicide. She holds it every time and Melody asks what is in it and it is a book of her Starting points / which are the groups starting points. Melody reluctantly looks at Parker’s page expecting it to be empty as at that time they were hot and cold and his page was a drawing of Melody😭 She was his starting point…

5/5 stars. Jennifer Hartmann writes deep, emotional, angsty romances like no other! This one is not quite my fave from her (I fear Still Beating cannot be beat) but ranks high up there! Go in blind and enjoy the ride!

Jennifer Hartmann will always have you clutching your heart and gasping for air because you sobbed so much, you’re not sure if you’re ever gonna be okay. Dramatic, much? Yes, I know. But this book is emotional and heartfelt and Hartmann’s writing is truly a punch to the gut because how else can one pull those deep-felt emotions from my soul?! Another beautiful, tragic, and deep romance from the queen of angst!

The Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann, was such an emotional rollercoaster - I loved this book and couldn't put it down after the first few pages. The themes of loss, grief, recovery and healing, and ultimately hope were very thoughtfully crafted and this is certainly a story I won't forget in a hurry. The writing is deeply evocative, with moments that feel raw and visceral, tugging at the reader’s emotions. The heavy themes of grief and self-discovery are balanced with tender moments of love and hope. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Another book, another heartbreak.

When I picked the wrong heart, I did not notice it's the same author as of [book:Catch the Sun|204125964] and being a doc and have already read blurb I was like ," oh come on." Heart is basically muscle, you can not look for a connection through that but I'm emotional wreck. Even now it wouldn't make any sense to me but this brilliant heartbreaking story made me feel much more than just sense.

Melody is infuriating and so is Parker but I loved them even with their flaws and idiocy and whatever they did throughout the book. There are definitely points where I just went ,"are you dumb?" But seriously I just can't breathe. This book was unexpectedly beautiful. And once I realised that the author is same I knew that I wasn't mistaken and it indeed was a brilliant book. I was mesmerized by catch the sun but I'm not sure now which one I liked more.

It left me bereft, I understand why epilogue did not work for many but I do understand author's reasons for the epilogue and I feel that even though it was not really necessary, it was good for me to get a disconnect from the characters. Otherwise I would have brooded about them for few weeks.


Like a friend of mine said, all my thoughts were centred around the book and characters and I wanted to shift my reality into this world. The more I think about it, the more I feel closer to characters and I thought that this really was as close to the emotions I could get without being destroyed myself.

If I don't get HEA, I will probably never recover from this.

If you are into well written, sad tragic romances this book is worth all your time and more.