I am thoroughly enjoying Annie Harnett's works, having read all her books published to date. Her upcoming release, scheduled for April 29th, is truly captivating. This poignant narrative expertly weaves together elements of sadness, hope, humor, and adventure, culminating in a road trip embarked upon by PJ. PJ, a man in his sixties, is uniquely situated, being best friends with his ex-wife and her husband, Fred, while also navigating a complicated relationship with his estranged daughter, Sophie. Furthermore, PJ has recently discovered two previously unknown relatives, and his cat possesses an uncanny ability to sense death. Following a tragic murder-suicide involving his niece, PJ undertakes a road trip to Arizona with his newly formed family to reunite with a recently widowed ex-girlfriend. Concurrently, his ex-wife embarks on a journey to Alaska, while Fred, PJ's best friend and neighbor, plans to propose to Ivy, PJ's ex-wife. The intricate web of characters, each bearing their own scars, serves as a powerful backdrop for a narrative centered on healing and redemption. Through their collective experiences, Annie Harnett masterfully illustrates the human capacity for resilience and the transformative power of interpersonal connections. I found this book deeply moving, as it reaffirms the possibility of happiness and genuine relationships, regardless of past adversity. Annie Harnett's writing is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for hope and renewal. #Netgalley #TheTenderRoadToHearts

This may be the feel good book of the year.

If you loved Frederick Fife definitely check this one out.
It’s a long winding story filled with quirky kids and adults, a roadtrip, a cat named Pancake and some twists and turns.
The story and characters are absorbing and while slight caricatures I loved them all. Especially pancakes. God do I need a cat now?!
4+

“The Road to Tender Hearts” is the story of alcoholic lottery winner PJ and the road trip he takes with his new cat named Pancakes, his youngest daughter, and his great niece and great nephew who he has just assumed guardianship of.

They’re a motley crew who haven’t got much in common except that their lives so far have involved a fair amount of tragedy and heartache. But maybe that’ll all change when they reach the end of their journey?

Although at times I was really stressed out by some of the choices that PJ made, ultimately I fell for each of the characters and was rooting so hard for them each to find a happy ending, whatever that looked like.

I’d highly recommend this book for fans of “Remarkably Bright Creatures”, “Lessons in Chemistry”, Amy Poeppel, or readers who just like a ‘found family’ vibe in general (even though the characters in this book are related, it still gives off that vibe). It’s one of those books that you’ll finish feeling like you just received a warm hug.

The Road to Tender Hearts is a delightful novel that truly has everything I love in a story—family drama, lovable yet flawed characters, themes of found family, and even some lighthearted moments.

PJ Halliday, a former Massachusetts Lottery winner, unexpectedly finds himself taking care of two spirited orphans just as he’s about to head out on a cross-country journey to reconnect with his former almost-girlfriend, Michelle Cobb.

To give you some context... After losing his oldest daughter in a tragic accident fifteen years ago and going through a divorce from the love of his life, PJ turned to drinking and has struggled to maintain sobriety since. Despite their separation, he and Ivy still hold a deep love for each other, so much so that PJ enjoys breakfast at Ivy and her fiancé Fred's house every morning. When Fred announces they’ll be getting married right after their long vacation in Alaska and asks PJ to be his best man, life takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, PJ becomes the guardian of two young children just as Ivy and Fred are off to Alaska. He turns to his youngest daughter, Sophie, who is dealing with her own challenges and is weary of finding her dad passed out on the streets. Together, Sophie, PJ, the two kids, and a cat embark on their journey, learning valuable life lessons along the way.

This was definitely a FIVE STAR read for me! I can’t wait to dive into more works by this author. A big thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

When 63 year old PJ Halliday sees an obituary for an old high school friend turned romantic rival, he realizes his high school crush is finally single again. He decides to take a cross country road trip to win her over. Only one problem, PJ has also suddenly found himself the legal guardian of his estranged brother's two grandchildren. As PJ, his daughter, and the two children (and a cat named Pancake who may or may not be a harbinger of death) embark on their journey, the begin to help each other unpack the tragedies they've all been through.

The plot of this one was a little fantastical, but I loved it. The book is built upon the backs of some truly awful tragedies, but it still manages to have some really great comedic moments. I absolutely loved the addition of Pancake the cat, who at times felt like the only responsible adult in the book. All of the characters were really well thought out and fully developed, no matter how small their role was. Overall this was a really cute read that pulled on your heartstrings in just the right way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the arc!

This book won’t be for everyone. But for those who enjoy dark comedy, a dash of magical realism, and a lot of quirkiness—all leading to an incredibly sweet ending—this will be pretty much perfect. It’s the dark comedy that I think will hinder some. This is not a light a book. Usually I’d just direct people to check out the content warnings on StoryGraph, but I do think it’s necessary to underscore here that the book deals with a murder-suicide, death of a child, grief, child abuse, and domestic abuse. When trying to describe the book to my husband yesterday, I made the realization that A LOT of people die in this book. So be warned: There is humor to be found here, but it is dark.

The story revolves around the incredibly flawed PJ Halliday. He’s a former lottery winner, though you’d never guess it by looking at him or walking through his home. He’s divorced, but still has breakfast daily with his ex-wife and her boyfriend. He’s an alcoholic, still grieving the death of his eldest daughter 15 years prior. His surviving daughter doesn’t talk to him. When we begin the book, he’s made an impulsive decision to drive across the country to propose to “the one who got away.” (Her husband just died.) But then, PJ unexpectedly finds himself the guardian of two young children—one of whom is convinced that her real father is a famous soap opera star. One thing leads to another and PJ, his surviving daughter, a cat (who can sense when someone is about to die), and the two kids are off on a cross-country trip to confront the soap opera actor, propose, and see the country.

PJ is going to aggravate you. You will downright hate him at times. He makes dumb decisions and is incredibly selfish. But that just means that he can have a really lovely redemptive arc. I would never want to be on this road trip, but goodness I loved reading about it.

I know what to expect from the author, so I loved! Some of the trauma was a little much for me but handled with such care and added humor. Characters were chef's kiss. Bravo!

Annie Hartnett is queen of the dark comedy with her signature brand of quirk, and The Road to Tender Hearts is no exception. This one opens like a Shakespearean tragedy, (namely, R+J), with a cat named pancakes that can predict death added in. PJ Halliday won the lottery, but that is really his only win. His ex wife is happily remarried, one of his kids has died, he's had 3 heart attacks, and is now in surprise custody of his grand niece/nephew that he didn't know existed after the Shakespearean tragedy strikes. He decides a roadtrip to find his HS sweetheart is just what all of them need.

I didn't read the synopsis, but it should have been clear from the title/cover to me that this was a roadtrip book. I really don't like those, and think I audibly groaned. I don't love the tropes: the ragtag band of misfits, the reluctant hero, the obvious metaphors for discovery and transformation, and all that is here, BUT it's Hartnett, so I ended up getting a lot out of this.

The parts that irritated me were just because of personal taste. Readers that enjoy a true heartwarming story should run for this when it publishes April 29th and read Unlikely Animals while you wait. This one ended quite beautifully and cemented it as a win. I'm grateful to Hartnett for helping me and readers everywhere see the magic in the darkest of times.

Once again, Hartnett has created a novel infused with warmth and spiked with humor and sorrow. It’s a combination she pulls off beautifully. PJ Halliday is a flawed hero whose rocky road to redemption I rooted for. The title says it all. And not surprisingly, an animal—this time a tabby cat—plays a pivotal role. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I was a big fan of Unlikely Animals, so I was really excited to read Annie Hartnett’s new book, The Road to Tender Hearts. This novel boasts a road trip, a found-family (cat included), and lots of character development. It’s quirky, heart-warming, and, at times, frustrating but lovable (much like its main characters).

PJ Halliday, retired postman and lottery winner with a drinking problem, and his daughter Sophie, who is recently out of work and struggling to find her way, are both endearing and infuriating at times. Ollie and Luna Meeklin, recently orphaned and in the care of PJ, feel like real, complex children who have been through more than their share of trauma and need lots of love. Unfortunately, PJ and his daughter are in need of some therapy themselves, so perhaps they’re not the best guardians for the Meeklin children. But, PJ and Sophie are all they have.

While I enjoyed each character, it sometimes felt overwhelming to force all of them together in this book. I don’t particularly care for the trope of adults overcoming their own trauma by having to suddenly care for children that have their own problems. Children, while they provide so much purpose and love in life, are not a way to magically fix your own problems. The events of the Meeklin children’s lives were a bit too much for me, and I felt like their story was used at times only to further the development of the adult characters. But to be fair, Sophie does point out to her father that children are not as resilient as everyone likes to claim, and that they hurt just as much as adults. “But kids are everything that happens to them. They’re sponges. Everything bad, everything good. Every hurtful thing you say. Every loving one.” Ultimately, I was glad Sophie, who survived her own trauma, was present to speak for the Meeklin children. Without her, the book would not work.

One thing I really enjoy about Hartnett’s writing is the touch of magical-realism she uses to shape the events of her novels. One of my favorite parts of Animals was the narration from the residents of the town graveyard. In Tender Hearts, the character of Pancakes the cat provides that same quality with her occasional commentary (that none of the other characters can hear, of course) and her uncanny ability to predict death. Oh, and there’s a baseball hat that occasionally talks to PJ. These devices are what sets Harnett’s writing apart for me. Overall, I would recommend this book to others, but with a caution about the excessive amounts of trauma that all the main characters have to face.

No one writes quite like Annie Hartnett. She hits right in my sweet spot of handling really heavy topics with a light hand and a lot of humor. I have adored her first two books but this one is easily my favorite. Our main character PJ is 63 years old and about to take off on a road trip from the Massachusetts town he has only ever left once (to serve in Vietnam) to win over his high school sweetheart - the one that got away - at the Arizona retirement community where she has just lost her husband. His plans are delayed when he is tasked with becoming the guardian for Luna and Ollie, the grand-niece and grand-nephew he didn’t know existed after the tragic deaths of their parents. He decides to take the kids on the road trip, along with his adult daughter, Sophie, hoping to see some of the America he has never seen along the way. Oh, and they’re also accompanied by Pancakes, a cat that can predict death. (I deeply loved all these wonderfully quirky characters but Pancakes just may be my favorite.) If I were to describe all the content warnings present in this book (murder-suicide, loss of a child, suicide attempt, child abuse, alcoholism, so much death) and tell you that this book is tender-hearted and funny yet never handles those topics disrespectfully you wouldn’t believe it but all of that is true. This is a story about how the worst thing you can imagine can happen to you and you can somehow manage to not only just keep on going but even to make something truly beautiful out the rest of your life. Hartnett is truly a gifted author - I haven’t encountered anyone quite like her. I will read anything she writes and I absolutely loved this book. Five stars.

This was such a great story. I love pancakes such a great cat. PJ was someone I was rooting for throughout this book. I felt for Sophie, Luna, and Ollie such great characters. The scenes were so well written I could see myself right there with them on the road trip!

I would recommend this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing for- Ballantine for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.

There are some authors for whom you feel a little strange clicking on the adjectives appropriate to describe the book. Serious and sad, yes. Humorous and lighthearted, also yes. Annie Hartnett is definitely one of those authors who takes serious issues in life (in this case, being orphaned, alcoholism, losing a daughter right before high school graduation) and puts them in a context that has the capacity to provoke smiles, amusement at strange characters (I'm looking at you, Pancakes the cat), and occasional laugh-out-loud moments. The Road to Tender Hearts is the story of a road trip involving an alcoholic and lottery-winning man in his 60s, his daughter, and two children who have been placed in his care (oh, and the cat). The absurdity of the trip's goals is a bit over-the-top, as are some of the events and people they encounter along the way, but it's definitely a book that kept me turning the pages, and I did come to really feel for the characters, in spite of their obvious flaws. Did I like this as much as Unlikely Animals? No, I'm afraid not. But it was a good read that I'll definitely recommend to folks in our store.

This book will be in my favorites of 2025. The characters are not always likeable but there is something about every single one of them and how they contribute to the story arc that is pure magic. (Many) parts of the story are a little far-fetched but suspend disbelief and it’s so lovely. I love all of Annie Hartnett’s books and this one might be the top of the list! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my thoughts.

I had no idea how much I would love this book. There is some heavy, dark stuff, especially in the beginning, but also, engaging characters you can't help getting invested in, like PJ, a 63-year old man who gets the opportunity to take in two misplaced kids who desperately need someone to care about them, and a spontaneous road trip to take care of unfinished business; a reunion with a first love, the search for a biological father, a funeral, and an orange cat who can predict death and shares its point of view throughout the story. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley or the ARC.

#TheRoadtoTenderHearts

I absolutely loved The Road to Tender Hearts! Annie Hartnett has this amazing way of blending humor, heart, and just the right amount of weirdness into a story that completely pulled me in. The characters—especially PJ and the two kids—were quirky but so lovable, and I found myself genuinely rooting for them. I laughed, I teared up, and I didn’t want their journey to end. It’s one of those books that feels both tender and a little wild in the best way. If you loved Rabbit Cake or Unlikely Animals, this one absolutely delivers.

I really enjoyed this road trip novel. There's a lot of sadness that is balanced out with a lot of humor and sarcasm. It's a fun family road trip that is also very heartwarming. Highly recommend.

I've become such a big fan of Annie Hartnett's writing, and The Road to Tender Hearts is no exception. This is an epic road trip book with a wonderful cast of characters. Hartnett's characters are all so flawed but loveable, and she has a real knack for writing about really difficult situations with humor and charm and making the reader want to go along for the ride. This book has untimely deaths, alcoholism, abuse, lost loves, abandonment, and yet the story is utterly delightful, hopeful, and totally entertaining. I will read anything Annie Hartnett writes when I need a smile!

5 stars because this was such a joy to read! PJ Halliday lives in a small town in Massachusetts. He is neighbors with his ex-wife, best friends with her fiance, lottery winner, and alcoholic. He is a hot mess of a character. PJ suddenly finds himself the guardian of two young siblings, Luna and Ollie, who have just been orphaned.
Along with a stray cat, named Pancakes, and PJs daughter Sophie, they embark on a quest. Anyone who loves quirky, loveable characters, books about road trips, and books about found family will love this heartwarming book as much as I do. I am so grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this ARC with me

PJ Halliday is a lottery winner, but he doesn’t always feel so lucky - his oldest daughter died, his marriage fell apart, he’s got a serious drinking problem, and he’s already had 3 heart attacks. But now his high school sweetheart is suddenly single again so he decides to pack up and head to Arizona to win her heart. That is, until his estranged brother’s grandchildren show up on his doorstep with no one to take care of them. Now he’s got passengers to take along with him.

I hadn’t read any Annie Hartnett before but had always heard great things about her quirky books. And I can see why she’s so beloved. The story had humor and heart, it covered tough topics while never wallowing in grief. And it had just enough zaniness to keep the pages moving wondering what would happen next.

I found pieces of the story repetitive, especially in the middle, but even so I enjoyed going on a ride with all of these characters, learning more about them, finding out how they’d all come together, and seeing this group of misfits form their own family. Plus, a cat named Pancakes who can predict death? What more could you want.