Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett completely stole my heart. I picked it up because it was featured on Anne Bogel’s (Modern Mrs. Darcy) Summer Reading List, and I am so glad I did. This book is dark in all the right ways raw, real and heartbreaking. But also unexpectedly funny and full of heart.

PJ, with all his childishness and emotional messiness, felt frustratingly familiar, especially for someone like me who grew up with an alcoholic parent. Hartnett does an incredible job capturing the complexity of broken relationships, family pain, and reluctant healing. Every single character was well-drawn and lovable in their own quirky way, but I have to say that the cat stole the show. BEST. CHARACTER. EVER.

The road trip storyline was the perfect backdrop for this emotional journey, and I just adored every moment of it. I’ve already been recommending this book to friends, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Road to Tender Hearts is poignant, hilarious, messy, and unforgettable. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it.

So delightful and I appreciated how Hartnett used humor to work through the characters grief. The writing is so snappy and I just had a wonderful time with every chapter.

Unlikely Animals is one of my favorite books, so I was thrilled to read Annie Hartnett's new book. It did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it! It was quirky and heartwarming but also a little grim at times. I was immediately attached to everyone in this found family, and I didn't want the road trip to end!
I have already ordered my own copy because I know I will read this one again. I cannot wait to recommend it to readers! I feel like it is well written and has just the right blend of heart, humor, and hope.

Take an unforgettable journey to the Tender Hearts retirement community in this amazing book! The characters are so unique and yet relatable in their vulnerabilities. The only disappointment in this book was that it had to end!

Annie Hartnett books always pull me deeply into their worlds, and this book was no exception. I have been telling all my book loving friends that this one is a must read. The character development is superb and the storyline is extremely well-conceived and written flawlessly. The pace is just right for the story development. I cannot praise this book enough!

I can, without a doubt, highly recommend this fabulous book. It will leave you with a warm heart and a smile on your face.

I am very grateful to Random House Ballantine for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this book through Netgalley. All of the opinions throughout this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! The author did an incredible job of crafting a story about sad, heavy things in a way that stole your heart with a fun cast of characters. Though the characters weren't always likable at times (looking at you, PJ) they were real and flawed and human. The road trip part of the story was entertaining and had laugh out loud moments. But my favorite character (and favorite thing about the book in general was Pancakes the cat!

I put off doing this review because I didn't know how to put into words how much I loved this book and Annie Hartnett. I enjoy her books so much, The characters are wholesome, the situations, while outlandish, can be relatable. She deals with hard topics with humor, not unlike myself. I will continue to read her books. Auto buy Author for me.

Although I applaud the author on diving into subjects usually avoided by families, I didn't enjoy this book. It reminded me of a different version road trip from Little Miss Sunshine. The writing was good, but the plot was just unbelievable. I guess since I usually read serious books, I just wasn't meant for this one. Didn't get attached to any of the characters except the cat, Pancakes.

I do think this would make an entertaining movie if the pearl clutchers could get past telling young children the truth about life events.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.

The book is about a man who deals with a lot of struggles: alcoholism, losing a child, divorce. He doesn’t necessarily deal with everything, the most easy way and sometimes ropes people into his shenanigans, but you can tell he has a good heart along the way.
He is left with two children after they go through a tragedy And is encouraged by one of them to travel across the country to meet their biological father, which starts a journey with him two children, a stray cat, and his daughter. This book is so funny in spite of all the tragedy and horrific things that happen to each one of these characters but I found myself laughing out loud, smiling and also heartbroken for him and the children and his daughter. This was truly an excellent book and I would recommend this book to everyone I know..

Hijinks ensue with lottery winner PJ take his orphaned great neice and nephew on a road trip to meet his expected love of his life. This was weird in the best way, heartwarming, and lovely.

63 year old PJ is an unemployed alcoholic who won $1.5 million in the lottery some years ago. The tragedy of his older daughter’s death still has him reeling, he is semi-estranged from his youngest daughter, Sophie, and his ex-wife still helps him manage his life. He’s a man-baby.

He plans a road trip to visit the “one who got away”, who he has learned is newly widowed. But before he leaves, he’s contacted by social services and is asked to be guardian of his late estranged brother’s grandchildren, Luna and Ollie, who were recently orphaned.

The kids, Luna and Otto, and his daughter Sophie join him on the road trip. Also joining them is Pancakes the cat who has an unusual gift to predict death.

So yeah, it’s a bonkers premise. It’s quirky and heartwarming, yet serious things happen throughout the story. Every character is dealing with a trauma. There are misadventures along the way, some of them dark & poignant, but in this authors hand it’s blended with enough humor & heart to keep the tone light.

In the beginning I didn’t think this book would work for me due to some questionable actions taken by the deeply flawed characters. I got a little judgy.

But the more I read the more I fell in love with the characters. The author treats them with realism, empathy & compassion. The path to redemption has its ups and downs which is completely realistic.

The reader must hang in there and trust the author to take this absurd premise and work her magic with the characters. And she does! Plus, I appreciated that the children were not precocious or annoying.

In a nutshell, this is a quirky road trip novel about found family, grief, and all the crazy tough things life can throw at you, written with warmth and humor. And with an ending that completely gutted me.

I loved the authors book, Rabbit Cake, but dnf’d Unlikely Animals. After reading this book I think I need to revisit the dnf. I suspect I didn’t give it enough time year old PJ is an unemployed alcoholic who won $1.5 million in the lottery some years ago. The tragedy of his older daughter’s death still has him reeling, he is semi-estranged from his youngest daughter, Sophie, and his ex-wife still helps him manage his life. He’s a man-baby.

He plans a road trip to visit the “one who got away”, who he has learned is newly widowed. But before he leaves, he’s contacted by social services and is asked to be guardian of his late estranged brother’s grandchildren, Luna and Ollie, who were recently orphaned.

The kids, Luna and Otto, and his daughter Sophie join him on the road trip. Also joining them is Pancakes the cat who has an unusual gift to predict death.

So yeah, it’s a bonkers premise. It’s quirky and heartwarming, yet serious things happen throughout the story. Every character is dealing with a trauma. There are misadventures along the way, some of them dark & poignant, but in this authors hand it’s blended with enough humor & heart to keep the tone light.

In the beginning I didn’t think this book would work for me due to some questionable actions taken by the deeply flawed characters. I got a little judgy.

But the more I read the more I fell in love with the characters. The author treats them with realism, empathy & compassion. The path to redemption has its ups and downs which is completely realistic.

The reader must hang in there and trust the author to take this absurd premise and work her magic with the characters. And she does! Plus, I appreciated that the children were not precocious or annoying.

In a nutshell, this is a quirky road trip novel about found family, grief, and all the crazy tough things life can throw at you, written with warmth and humor. And with an ending that completely gutted me.

What begins as a misguided romantic quest becomes a journey of grief, healing, and unexpected family. PJ Halliday is a washed-up lottery winner in Pondville, Massachusetts. When he reads the obituary of an old rival, he learns his high school sweetheart, Michelle Cobb, is newly single and living in Arizona. PJ decides to drive cross-country to win her back. But before he can leave, tragedy strikes again: PJ becomes the unexpected guardian of his estranged brother’s grandchildren—Luna and Ollie—after a murder-suicide. He ropes in his reluctant adult daughter, Sophie, to help, and they all pile into a car for a chaotic road trip. Along for the ride is Pancakes, a former therapy cat with an uncanny ability to predict death. I mean, sounds like a normal family roadtrip!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC!

The Road to Tender Hearts is a warmhearted, dark comedy which involves multiple generations of a family making a cross-country road trip. Annie Hartnett’s novel is reminiscent of the movie Little Miss Sunshine.
63-year-old PJ Halliday won a million dollars in the lottery, but then experienced tragedy when his oldest daughter died suddenly. His marriage fell apart, and now PJ spends his days at the local bar, drinking his winnings. When his estranged brother passes away, PJ is named the legal guardian for his brother’s grandchildren. PJ decides to make a road trip from their town of Pondville, Massachusetts to Arizona. He plans to visit his newly widowed high school sweetheart, Michelle Cobb, at the Tender Hearts Retirement Community. PJ convinces his surviving daughter, Sophie, to come along to babysit her young cousins, Luna and Ollie. The last passenger in their vehicle is a cat, Pancakes, who recently turned up outside PJ’s home. Pancakes was a therapy cat at the nursing home who predicted deaths; this is significant because PJ has already had three heart attacks.
The Road to Tender Hearts is simultaneously funny while dealing with heavy subjects like alcoholism, parental death, child death, domestic violence, and PTSD. Luna and Ollie were such sweet children who brought out the goodness in PJ. Pancakes the cat was a surprising main character. While the travelers had some madcap adventures, their emotions and dialogue were authentic. Ultimately the story is filled with hope and encourages readers that it’s never too late to make positive life changes. The Road to Tender Hearts is an enjoyable weekend read for all adult readers.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

" The Road to Tender Hearts" is about a cross-country road trip in a borrowed red Volvo with a 63 YO lottery winner named PJ Halliday, his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and an orange tabby cat—who has his own story to tell...

ARE YOU CURIOUS YET...?

If you've read one or both of Hartnett's previous books, you know how darkly funny and quirky her writing can be. This one is all that. I giggled and belly-laughed, felt happy and sad, disgusted and repulsed, and at one point, I was utterly appalled. But I always kept reading—my goodness, some of the things these characters had to say.

This segues to the characters—what a motley crew they were, and somehow all related. PJ was my favorite; he stole my heart, then broke it repeatedly. He waded deep in poor decisions; he knew this, yet was immensely likable, wanted to change, and had proven lucky. Who knows what the future holds for all these flawed characters?

"The Road to Tender Hearts" focuses on themes of family and belonging, loss and grief, second chances and forgiveness. The power of connection is vital to this story, so if you're still curious, check it out. It's one I keep thinking about, and I think it might appeal to you, too!

4.5⭐

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Annie Hartnett for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The DRC was paired with the Audible audiobook narrated by Mark Bramhall, whose voicing and recounting fit this story perfectly—another reason to connect!

I love Annie Harnett’s mind, and this book is full of her signature quirky, quiet beauty. It was, however, a little bit too heavy for me on the pain and suffering front, with severely flawed characters who just can’t help themselves. The ending was beautiful but the journey was hard for me to push through. If you love the musical Kimberly Akimbo, you will love this book.

a "left of the dial" found family saga with a group of unforgettable characters, places, and experiences. complete with Annie hartnett's classic style, this is easily one of the best books of 2025.

Annie Hartnett's latest novel is full of quirky and interesting characters. PJ Halliday, at age sixty-three, has been lucky enough to be a million-dollar lottery winner. But he has also seen some tragedies: the tragic death of his oldest daughter and his marriage.
Now, when his brother's grandchildren are dropped off with him after the tragic (and somewhat bizarre) deaths of their parents, PJ sees that he has a second chance at being the parent he always wanted to be.
He knows he's living on borrowed time: he's already had a few heart attacks, and the fact that he's an alcoholic isn't making things any better.
So, PJ, the two children, and his youngest daughter set off on a road trip. They're off to find PJ's high school crush, who is newly widowed, in Arizona.
The characters are unique, the story has humor, and yet there is more to this book than just a fun way to pass time. I found myself laughing at various parts, and still felt sad for PJ, a great guy with a lot of problems. As soon as I finished this one, I wanted to talk to someone about it and had to hold myself back from sharing bits and pieces that I am hoping my friends will discover during their reading of this one.
Annie Hartnett's storytelling is unique and full of adventure, humor, and wit. They are some of the best books I have read. Don’t miss this one, it’s a 5-star book.

A story of love, grief and family. I loved the added insights from Pancakes. Seeing the mistakes people make but also seeing their humanity is a gift that Hartnett has in her writing.

I loved The Road to Tender Hearts so much. It was the perfect blend of dark, traumatic, quirky, and heartwarming. I so enjoy Hartnett's humor and she creates the best characters. I will read anything she writes. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy. 4.5 stars.

What a charming book- not saccharine sweet, thank goodness - but heartfelt and quirky. PJ Halliday inherits a great-niece and great-nephew when their parents die tragically. At the same time, he decides to drive cross country to reconnect with his first love, who is recently widowed. The problem? He's had his license revoked and must rely on his (nearly estranged) daughter to take the wheel. This book is full of quirky characters and unreal situations, which could have overwhelmed the story, but mostly it worked out just fine. Thank-you to NetGalley, Ms. Hartnett, and Ballantine Books for the ARC of this title

The Road to Tender Hearts is an absolute gem—heartbreaking, funny, and full of life in all its messy beauty. Annie Hartnett has a gift for writing characters that feel real and raw, and this novel is filled with them. The emotional journey is so rich and layered; I laughed, I teared up, and I found myself thinking about the story long after I turned the last page. Hartnett balances grief, hope, and healing with such tenderness and honesty. This book touched my heart in all the right ways. A new favorite—I can’t recommend it enough.