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.

So happy to receive an ARC of the author’s new book having enjoyed her previous works and this did not disappoint.
Another winner! I so enjoyed reading this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books.
The highlight of the book was of course the characters - they all captured my heart especially the animal companion Pancakes. PJ is a delightfully flawed man with a heart of gold. I loved his spirit of adventure and searching for a family and happier times.
The road trip PJ embarked on with his daughter and his niece and nephew was epic. Lots of laugh out loud moments to temper the tragic aspects of all their lives. How they came together was most memorable and beautiful. The reader sees the small parts of America and the people who live there - a great travelogue.
The sensitivity with which this author writes again astounds me.
I would love to see this on film!
Highly recommended for readers who love an emotional roller coaster ride with a brilliant resolution.

PJ Halliday is a million dollar lottery winner who spends his time and money at the local bar. He learns through an obituary that his rival has died and his first love is now free. Before he can set off on his cross country trip to win back his true love, tragedy strikes the small town and PJ becomes the guardian of his brother’s grandchildren. This does not deter PJ’s plans and so he, the children, his estranged daughter and a death predicting cat named Pancakes set off on a mishap filled adventure.

This is not a quirky, comedy filled story. It delves into the triggering subjects of alcoholism, abuse, murder, suicide, death and grief. The characters deal with the effects of these tragedies as they make their way on a cross country road trip. The main character, PJ, is an irresponsible man child who has lived too long with others taking care of him, being seemingly unaware or uncaring of the burdens he places on those around him him. The children and the “talking” orange tabby were the most endearing parts of the story.

I found this to be quite readable, and did want to know how everything was resolved, but have an overall mediocre review of the book.

I thank Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The absurdity and the heaviness were a mismatch for me in this case. It strangely reminded me of Little Miss Sunshine, so if that movie is your cup of tea, The Road to Tender Hearts may be a hit for you. I had a hard time with the completely untethered to reality social worker component, even in a kinship placement, as well as the main character’s abrupt and somehow easy turn to sobriety.

PJ Halliday is 63 year old tender-hearted, lonely alcoholic who won the lottery years ago, but has already drank through his winnings. His only living daughter is angry with him, and his ex-wife is marring his best friend. PJ is tired of being all alone even though everyone is constantly taking care of him and decides to road trip across America to find his long lost love from high school, (who he hasn’t seen since the night they met). Just when you think it cannot get more complicated a tragedy occurs and PJ inherits two children and a cat. He doesn’t let that hiccup stop his master plan at happiness, he just brings them along!

You Better Buckle Up For This Roadtrip!
From Massachusetts to Texas to Arizona, with death constantly at their heels, this found family will fall apart and fall together while pulling all of your heart-strings along the way!

The way Hartnett perfectly blends humor and death is simply exceptional! You will fall head over heels for these characters and all the tragedies they endure. Even when they start to get on your nerves just a little, something tragic happens to lure you right back and make you have to know how this all ends!

The allure of these characters was unending! It was dark, so warm-hearted all at the same time, I loved every moment of it! I definitely need more PJ and Pancakes! 🥰

This was my first novel of Annie Hartnett and I loved this one so much more than I thought I would going into it, I cannot wait to dive into her back list now!

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review, it was an honor.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Ballentine for the ebook of The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett. I loved this adventure story about found family, family drama and learning how to overcome some of the most difficult of obstacles.
The story was set in Pondville, MA where PJ Halliday lives alone as a divorcee. His ex-wife Ivy and his best friend Fred also live together as a couple just a few of doors down from PJ. They have decided to go to Alaska on a cruise and have not asked PJ to join them, which leaves him very upset. After hearing that his high school sweetheart has just lost her husband he decides to take a trip to Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona to seek her out.
In the meantime, he has learned that his brother's son's children have been orphaned due to their parents getting into a drunk driving accident. He is approached by a social worker to see if he is interested in caring for them and decides to give it a go with the help of his youngest daughter Sophia. His eldest daughter Katy was found drowned in her prom dress several years ago, which causes PJ to tailspin into alcoholism, hence his divorce to Ivy.
Oh, did I forget to mention that they meet up with a cat called Pancakes who can predict death? He was from a nursing home where he was there as a comfort animal. Unfortunately, Pancakes escapes from the care center but fortunately he finds PJ. and is taken along on a family journey.
There are elements of comedy to this novel as well as sadness. But the author does such a great job mixing up the two to give some relief. Each of the characters were vividly depicted and I actually felt like I was along with them for the journey. Annie Hartnett did such a great job with the ending. I highly recommend this read to those who are looking for a warmhearted, cross country adventure story.

A perfect book and one that is hard for me to discuss.... funny, comforting, and playful without sacrificing depth and complexity, especially when it comes to the lives of children. quick and smooth pacing with some very serious themes (check TWs).... reminds me of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS and MATILDA. a book I will learn to write from, for sure

This is such a sweet story about 2 kids who need a family and the broken family who need them right back. Add in a cat named Pancakes who comforts people who he knows are about to die and you have a heartwarming well done story that I’ll be recommending to everyone.
**thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review**

PJ Halliday lived in Massachusetts down the street from his ex-wife and best friend. They were traveling to Alaska when PJ was notified that his brother’s grandchildren were without parents, and he was named as guardian. Luna believed her real father was a Hollywood star and was set on seeing him and confronting him at a celebration in Texas. PJ also was made aware of the death of a friend of his who married his high school crush. He enlisted his daughter Sophie to ride along with him, Luna, and Ollie and Pancakes the cat first to Texas and then to Arizona. PJ has a lot of problems, the biggest is his drinking. As they travel across the country, they encounter some very interesting people while getting to know one another. The characters are endearing, PJ, Sophie, Ollie, and Luna, just want to find someone to care about them and make their lives better. Great story!

warmhearted, unique, well written, with interesting, realistic (if not always nice) characters, and some very well-written themes. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

The Road to Tender Hearts is an incredibly sweet, funny, and bittersweet story about family. The characters are highly dynamic and round, and the prose is ingenious. This book filled something inside me like I had been waiting my whole life to read it. I am at a loss for words, finally finishing it after reveling in its pages. This book is unexpected and irreverent, with an unconventional yet loving family at the center of it, and I cannot recommend it enough! I'm in a post-book daze after reading this remarkable piece of literature.