Thank you to NetGallery and G.P. Putnam publishing group for the opportunity to read this eARC in advance for an honest review.

3.25⭐️s
This was an easy romance read and it was enjoyable! This isn’t a five star for me but I did enjoy reading it. My reasons are that I’m a known slow burn lover and this burned a bit fast for me. However I did feel the love between the two mcs. It was believable seeing them together but I do think the book for slow or little for plot wise, As in I found needing to find motivation to continue reading it, not because it was bad I just wasn’t gripped. Though I did find the book more enjoyable after 50%, it got quicker and easier to push through. I do think that I would’ve have liked to have seen more from Lo being able to put boundaries in place with her mom. I think in general I didn’t find the family relationships completely believable as in like it didn’t feel real to me and I would have liked to see more. But in general it was pretty good and I’d recommend it for someone who likes a good honest romance book!

Thank you again to the publishers and NetGallery!

Let me start off by saying I LOVED Morbidly, Yours so much! I was so excited to see she was releasing another book in the same series. It went into it expecting it be another top read. Unfortunately, it was just really slow and hard to get into. I loved both of the characters separately. I just felt like they didn’t really have any chemistry. I also was annoyed about the reason why they broke up in the first place. That being said I was living for the Callum and Lark moments. Overall it just fell a little flat for me.

Thank you Putnam and netgalley for an arc!! I was so excited to get Ivy Fairbank’s sophomore book, because I LOVED Morbidly Yours. Heart Strings picks up about two years after the end of book 1. While they are “interconnected standalones”, I wouldn’t recommend reading Heart Strings without having read Morbidly Yours because the characters from that book are very prevalent throughout this one. Book 1 heavily hinted that there was something going on between Cielo and Aiden. In the first half of Heart Strings, we get to see these two reconnect as they’re forced together as maid of honor and best man for a wedding. Cielo is a med-student and cancer survivor, and Aiden is an upcoming singer. The back half of the book is driven more by events going on in their separate worlds. I’ve seen a few other arc reviews say that they felt the back half of the book is slower. The first half is more rom-com-y, so it’s definitely a switch up, but I think it depends on what you like in a book because I loved the more serious back half. The only thing I wished were different about this book is that we got a deeper look into what happened between Cielo and Aiden during the first book. I feel like it was left kinda vague and miscommunicate-y? However, it did leave room for such good character growth, on both of the main characters parts! This book is definitely more spicy than the first one, and Ivy writes it so well. She also dropped some hints about how might be the main couple in a third book, and I really hope we get to see those two’s story! Overall this book was 4/5 stars for me and I would highly recommend!

This book was just okay. Second chance romance set in Ireland with a sexy musician MMC and a stem girly as our FMC. Ceilo is a cancer survivor who is learning to open her heart again. Aiden wants to be the one to show her how to live life again.

It had a lot of promise but ultimately fell flat for me. The original reason they broke up didn’t feel fully discussed and their current tension just wasn’t there for me. I had a hard time believing that they really fit together this time around. The Irish castle vibes were stellar though! If you’re a big second chance romance lover this might be for you!

This is an entertaining companion novel/follow up to the author’s first book in the series. I had not read the first book and so it took me a while to get through because I had to find a copy of the first in order to understand the plot, but ultimately enjoyed the story and seeing how two side characters stepped into their own love story.

A cute second-chance follow-up to Fairbanks’ Morbidly Yours, Heart Strings follows the rekindling love between medical student Cielo and singer songwriter Aidan, friends of Lark and Callum from MY. Though the second in the series, this book is easily read as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is a great time for those who love a second chance romance! Cielo is a studying doctor, fierce friend, cancer survivor, and all around brilliant.

Aidan is a literal rockstar who wants to win back the love of his life. When he finally sees Cielo after years apart, he recognizes it as his chance.

As Maid of Honor and Best Man, the two have no choice but to spend a wedding weekend together. And you know what is romantic? Weddings. What starts as just a weekend together ends up being the start of their new love story.

While working through long distance, strained family dynamics, and a new spin on an old love, these two decide that their hearts really do sing to the same tune.

I got to the 50% mark fairly easily, but then it took me a while to finish it, so I would give it a 3.5, rounded up!

Firstly, from the book description, I thought Cielo was going to be a bitch, excuse my language. However, thankfully, I had misunderstood her severely. While I was reading, I realized that she has just been through so much and has a lot of expectations on her, both from the people around her, like her mother, as well as herself. She is an ambitious woman and I related so hard to her sometimes when it comes to expectations and even just overall, obviously minus the romance part 🤭. Her character, her demeanor, the way she handles the problems in her life was so inspiring.

Aidan was such a sweet guy. Honestly, giving goals! He wrote songs about their relationships which I think is so cute. The way he took care of his family was sweet and the way he wanted to just write songs.

The relationship dynamic was nice. I did feel a little bit of insta-love and insta-lust elements, but I didn't mind it too much. I wish there was more angst.

Overall, I definitely would recommend this book. It is book 2 in the series, but idk if it's standalone or not. I felt like I could understand everything, so maybe consider reading book 1 first for more info about some of the other characters.

Second chance is literally such a good trope and you couldn't ever tell me that it wouldn't hit!

Thank you to Ivy Fairbanks, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and Netgalley for this arc! 💕

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I loved that we got to see Lark and Callum again 😍 and Cielo is a strong woman because let me tell you, if I had a guy wanting to get back with me and he was a musician? I would've said yes immediately. Immortalize me through songs, baby! But seriously, Aidan is the perfect cinnamon roll boyfriend with the right amount of spicy, and we love to see that.

thank you so much for the approval- i cannot wait to dive in, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year! i will be sure to leave a review on GR/retailers to come! 💞

OH MY GOODDDD, i absolutely loved this book!! I'm not usually a big fan of second chance romance, but this was executed so beautifully, and I had such a wonderful time reading this. Major Hozier vibes. Love.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam for an eARC of Heart Strings for a fair and honest review!

Rating: ★ 4 stars
Pub Date: Aug 12 2025

“Kissing her again after two years apart feels more vivid than I remembered, like a digital remaster of an old demo.”

A note I made while reading was that Heart Strings is like all the best parts of a Hallmark holiday romance without feeling too cheesy. Aidan and Lo’s chemistry was everything. Something I think a lot of contemporary romances struggle with is the intimacy between the love interests, but there was no shortage of sweet moments and adoration here. When Aidan was only looking at Lo when Callum and Lark exchanged vows, I knew I was done for.

Fairbanks just writes male love interests so well! They have actual personalities while still holding true to their passions, which again a lot of romance stories tend to overlook in favor of spice. Not to say this is missing any of that! I mean, the HEARSE SCENE?! I audibly gasped.

If I had to make a critique, I’d say the plot is a bit slow. I feel like a lot could have been cut; for example, things kind of dragged after the wedding, and that was around halfway through the book. I also think some plot points like Lo’s relationship with her parents had a rushed resolution, and Aidan getting that tattoo for Lo after only a six month fling did feel a touch creepy (but maybe I’m nitpicking, I did genuinely enjoy all their lovey-dovey quirks).

Dare I say I liked this more than Mordibly Yours. I think Fairbanks really nailed the perfect balance of plot, character growth, and intimate moments that don’t feel flat or generic. I highly highly recommend this and I look forward to the next book in the Love in Galway series!

I read Morbidy Yours last year and loved it so Heart Srings was a must for me. This is solicitor Aiden and Lark’s cousin Lo’s second chance love story. HS takes place 2 years after Morbidly Yours and the first half of the book takes place at Lark and Callum’s wedding, which I LOVED. The second half of the book is Aiden and Lo navigating what it means to be together as a touring musician and resident, respectively. I thought Lo has some great character development and I liked how Aiden grew as well - deciding how much he was willing to give up for his career as a famous musician.
This is a must read if you enjoyed Morbidly Yours!

Ivy has a way of writing books that make me delusional in believing that maybe my happily ever after is waiting for me in Ireland. She also has a way of writing characters and love stories that break your heart and mend them back together. Real rating of 4.5.

Lo and Aiden's story is of second chance lovers who must come back into each other's lives for Lark and Callum's (MCs from book 1) wedding. Lo has a lot of pent up anger and disappointment towards Aiden and how they left things years ago as he left Ireland to pursue his musical career while Lo pursued her medical career. I had expected there to be a bit more pining and for their reunion where they began their second chance romance to be a little further in the story and not so immediate, especially for all the feelings that were involved on Lo's end as she caved pretty quickly. There also seemed to be a bit more lust than love for quite a bit of the story since Lo decides that a physical relationship is all that she can manage at the time.

I thought that Ivy handled Lo's story regarding her cancer story and overbearing mother and mostly absent father well. Lo's a super independent leading lady and I related all to well to her desire to handle things on her own and feel like she had to be in constant control. I enjoyed Aiden as an MMC as he built his music career upon his love and pining for Lo after they split and I thought it was really cool how he handled his music career and gained the confidence to remain true to himself despite what the industry wanted from him. I felt that Aiden and Lo worked really well together and they had a lot of chemistry. The end where Lo finally allows Aiden in during an extremely vulnerable time after pushing everyone away was heartbreaking yet beautiful and I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up.

I really enjoyed this book and once again loved all the characters, so I can't wait to see who will be the next to get a book about their story!

If Ivy Fairbanks writes it, I will read it. I don’t know how she has me giggling and kicking my feet while reading about removing a leech but here we are.

I loved Morbidly Yours more than anything else I read last year, and I was so excited to get this arc. Morbidly Yours still holds the title of my favorite, but I wasn’t even a little disappointed with Heart Strings. It feels really rare for me to find a romance book I not only love, but that has a captivating story AND good writing. I’m worried this is going to put me into a reading slump while trying to find another book that measures up

Heart Strings by Ivy Fairbanks is a fun romance about second chances. Cielo “Lo” Valdez originally from Texas, now a medical student in Galway fell in love with Aidan O'Toole a rising musician. When he leaves for London to record an album they break up. Two years later they are involved in the same friends' wedding and sparks begin to fly. Both are facing issues and problems. The characters are appealing and the settings are well done. There is a lot of angst and drama and hot steamy sex. This would make a great beach read.

4.5 stars
Another heartwrenchingly beautiful book from Ivy Fairbanks! I loved Cielo and Aidan soso much. This book sees these exes reunited as maid of honor and best man at their friends’ wedding and it brings back all the feelings. The chemsitry between these two was everything. Time and distance only made the heart grow fonder for these two despite their best intentions. I loved seeing Lo and Aiden reconnect and grow to fit both their dreams. I think my only detraction was there a bit more tell than show and I think if we’d gotten a bit more of their past relationship as scenes it would’ve helped connect even more to the characters. But otherwise, definitely enjoyed this and can’t for more in the series!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for this advance copy! I sincerely appreciate it.

Heart Strings follows Cielo "Lo" Valdez and Aidan O'Toole. who we briefly learn about in the first book in the series, Morbidly Yours. Lo is an ultra independent med student, working constantly to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Aidan is a rising star musician, trying to make a name for himself. They briefly dated for 6 months and the relationship crashed and burned when Aidan announced he was moving to London to pursue his career. There's lots of resentment toward Aidan on Lo's part, lots of yearning on Aidan's, and lots of unresolved tension between the two of them. They are forced back together as maid of honor and best man in Cal and Lark's (from the first book) wedding, which leads to butting heads a little and forced proximity.

I appreciated Lo's independent personality and desire to work hard for what she wants. She is working in the intense world of medicine, while trying to prove herself to her family. She overcame cancer and wants to prove to her mother that she is capable of doing it all. Aidan was very sweet and likeable, and I found myself wondering if he was inspired by Hozier. Every reference to his music and image made me think this lol. I didn't connect with him quite as much as I did with Lo.

Their relationship was fun throughout the book, but I found myself wanting more. I really felt the connection between Lark and Callum in book 1 and I was hoping to find something like that here, but I didn't. I did appreciate seeing them working through and overcoming communication issues, that felt pretty realistic. I think they got together maybe a little too early on, but the pacing worked out well enough in the end!

I loved the setting and side characters once again! I think Ivy Fairbanks is good at making you care about side characters and feel things with them. I was frustrated with Lo at her mom for her unrealistic expectations, loved the friendship with Saoirse, appreciated Lark's meddling! Aidan's family was very sweet as well, I loved the details of his mom knitting personalized sweaters and his sister's creepy ventriloquist puppets.

Overall, I enjoyed the book! It was a fun and quick read, and was great to get back to Galway with these characters. :) It wasn't perfect, but it's cute!

This second chance romance had me swooning! Full of angst and tension, this story was hard to put down! With a wedding as the backdrop, our two main characters never stood a chance at denying the magnetic pull between them. Would absolutely recommend!

Glad to have gotten an early copy of this!

I liked being back in this world and looking forward to the next one!

Enjoyed Cielo and Aiden but felt their story was a bit rushed. It took me a little bit to get into their story and then I just felt like their journey back happened quickly.

I enjoyed getting glimpses of Callum and Lark and am still looking forward to forward to Saorise’s book but this one didn’t quite hit the same for me.