While I was expecting this to be emotional, it turned out mostly the kind of book that saps at optimism too much to make it an enjoyable read. I read for escape, and while I want a book to tug at my heartstrings, this one kept going too far, doing too much, and just seemed like it wanted to add on yet another layer again and again to make it a tear-jerker... Wasn't my cup of tea, unfortunately

Definitely have the tissues at the ready for this story.
This one is quite the emotional rollercoaster as we follow our main characters journeys. This story does touch on some difficult topics but is written in a very sensitive way, which has you really feeling for the characters.
It’s well written and the characters well developed, set in beautiful scenes.

You know those books that sneak up on you, grab your heartstrings, and give them a good, emotional tug? Unbreak Your Heart by Katie Marsh is one of those reads! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this gem from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and boy, am I grateful for the opportunity.

The story centres around Jake, a brave, adorable seven-year-old boy with a failing heart who's more worried about his dad, Simon, than himself. Jake’s mission? To find his dad a new love before the inevitable happens. Because really, if you’re going to be seven years old and face a critical heart condition, you might as well play matchmaker, right?

Enter Beth, who’s trying to escape her past (cue the dramatic suitcase roll to the Lake District). She’s determined to start over, yet somehow, past trauma clings to her like gum on a shoe. It’s not long before she gets tangled up with Simon and Jake, and suddenly, all their lives are turned upside down in the most heartwarming, heart-wrenching way possible.

Katie Marsh does a brilliant job of blending gut-punch moments with humour and heart. Seriously, one minute, you’re laughing at Jake’s adorable schemes, and the next, you’re sobbing.

The character dynamics are beautifully drawn—Simon, the loving but exhausted single dad; Beth, who’s trying to piece her life back together as a school nurse; and even Jas, Beth’s supportive best friend who’s ready to help her jump back into life with both feet. And let’s not forget the wildcard in this emotional rollercoaster: Tamsin, Jake’s estranged mother, who returns after being MIA due to post-natal depression.

Unbreak Your Heart is more than just a love story; it’s a testament to resilience, second chances, and the healing power of community. Sure, the plot might hit some predictable beats, but that doesn’t make the journey any less touching. Marsh’s writing is full of warmth, vivid detail, and a whole lot of heart—pun absolutely intended. ❤️

Final Verdict? This is contemporary fiction at its finest, a perfect blend of bittersweet moments and life-affirming hope. Grab your tissues, and a cosy blanket, and settle in for a story that’s equal parts tearjerker and uplifting feel-good read.

In “Unbreak Your Heart,” Katie Marsh masterfully weaves a poignant narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and the tender bonds of family through the eyes of a seven-year-old boy grappling with an unbearable reality. Jake, faced with his own mortality, embarks on an emotional mission to secure his father Simon's happiness before he must leave him behind. This poignant premise sets the stage for a heartwarming yet heartbreaking journey that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved deeply.

The story takes us to the picturesque Lake District, where we meet Beth, a woman seeking solace from the ghosts of her past. She is a nurse who has made a mistake and has been punished for it and been used as a scapegoat for the hospital’s failures. She needs a fresh start.

(I actually went to Lake District myself, for the first time this past August. It was lovely to read a book set in a place I had been because I so rarely travel! Though I hope that will change in time!)

Marsh paints a vivid picture of this quaint village, making it feel like an idyllic yet nostalgic backdrop to the characters' intertwined lives. Beth’s determination to escape her history adds layers to her character, and as she attempts to redefine herself, the reader is drawn into her struggle for redemption and the hope of new beginnings.

Simon is a beautifully portrayed character, embodying the challenges of single parenthood while grappling with his unresolved feelings for a woman who left him shattered. His devotion to Jake is palpable, and the paternal love he exhibits is one of the novel’s strengths, exemplifying the sacrifices made for familial bonds. Jake’s heartwarming innocence juxtaposed with the weight of his decision to find love for his father creates an emotional tapestry that is both hopeful and heart-wrenching.

As Simon and Beth’s paths inevitably cross, the narrative delves into the complexity of relationships shaped by past traumas and the possibility of new love emerging from the depths of all the world’s unknowns and uncertainties. The characters are layered, and Marsh deftly navigates their internal struggles with empathy and grace. The chemistry between Simon and Beth is tender, and the slow unraveling of their shared story adds a beautiful richness to the plot.

This book is not merely a romance; it is an exploration of what it means to love someone wholeheartedly, even in the face of impending loss. Marsh captures the innocence of childhood while reminding us of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of human connection. The writing is evocative yet accessible, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships and what it means to truly support one another through life’s trials.

In conclusion, this book is a reminder that, even in our darkest hours, hope can be found, and that the bonds we create can transcend even the most trying circumstances. This is a must-read for fans of emotional fiction and heartfelt narratives.

I received this book from Netgalley UK for review consideration. All opinions are my own and completely honest.

Oh wow this is the first book I've read by Katie Marsh and I could not put it down!
What a complete and utter tear jerker of a read but equally so sweet.
Little Jake with his heart problems wanting so badly for his dad Simon to get a girlfriend and then the lovely Beth.
The relationship between the characters and he sensitivity taken to write this book is just beautiful.
A really lovely read and I'll be sure to be reading more from Katie.

This was a beautiful read with loveable characters and a very cosy vibe to it. It was so easy to fall in love with everybody and feel that attachment, making this an emotional rollercoaster even more.

Such a cosy read, loveable characters that I have thought about since putting the book down.
Definitely worth a read!

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for approving me for an ARC of this book.

😭Oh my heart! This story is a real tearjerker and had me welling up, weeping and sobbing on numerous occasions. If you are looking for a book that packs a punch then this is it!

🧒🏻Jake may have a failing heart but he uses it to its full potential. This boy is wise beyond his years and his thirst for life was infectious, he was the true star of the story. In the moments when his naivety crept in I felt my heart’s strings being tugged.

😆 This wasn’t all about the uncertainty of Jake’s future in fact I often found myself laughing out loud. My favourite scene was when Jake attempted to give Simon a haircut, I found the tears flowing for a completely different reason!

💖 There is so much love in this story from relationships to parenting and friendships, and every avenue is explored most beautifully. The gentle conversations between numerous characters and subtle moments had my heart fluttering.

🧑🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏻Simon and Beth are lost, souls. They are both facing difficulties in their lives and struggling to find a way through the uncertain future. Bath’s backstory was very interesting and I loved getting to know her and what she was running from. Whilst the romance between these two is inevitable there were quite a few surprises along the way.

This is a book that I don’t see people talking about enough and I am kicking myself for taking so long to get to it. I am now going to add Katie Marsh to my list of authors to read and shall be checking out her other books.

A proper tearjerker that will have you crying long after you read the last word. A lovely book but not one if you're feeling emotional.

It was so easy to fall in love with this story, and especially with Jake, a very brave boy with a heart condition. It is a simple tale of a very poorly boy trying to find his Dad a girlfriend just in case he dies, but there is so much more to this book. The characters are beautifully crafted, the descriptions of the surroundings of their little cottage are magical and a lot of research has obviously gone into the medical side of Jake's illness to make the story very authentic and (excuse the pun) heart wrenching.

Another fabulous book by Katie Marsh, and a keeper to add to my collection of tearjerker books.

Get the tissues ready for this one!
It will totally break your heart, fix it again & then leave you with a warm sense of hope

Fantastic. I truly enjoyed this book. There were one or two story plots that I guessed beforehand, but I was so hoping that that would happen that I don't mind at all! I felt drawn in by how the story was told; especially how we got to see things as the story was presented from both Simon and Beth's perspectives. I loved so much about this story; but one of my favourite parts was the fact that so many of the characters had such a big and positive change in how they expressed their emotions, and got comfortable talking about their feelings and what they need. Effective communication is beneficial for all parties involved, and I'm not sure why, but that really resonated with me.

This heartwarming story is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Anna McPartlin.

After an emotional and devastating separation, Beth decides to start afresh in the Lake District, putting 4,000 miles between her and her ex.

Upon moving into a quaint cottage in the Lakes, she discovers her next door neighbours are Simon and his adorable son, Jake who suffers from a heart condition.

Devoted dad Simon puts all his energy into making sure Jake is okay, and consequently has no time for romance. But mischievous Jake has other plans, and Simon and Beth quickly find their lives becoming intertwined…

A joyful and uplifting read from the talented Katie Marsh.

A good story identifying and working with a heart disease of children that I knew nothing about.
Characters were individual and identifiable each with a strong and different personality.
Well written and a pleasure to read

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A brilliant read.

Beth returns from New York and decides to settle in the Lake District following the break up of her marriage to start over again. She moves into a cottage next to Simon and his son Jake who has a serious heart condition HLHS - hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Jake is such as wonderful boy and doesn’t let his heart condition interfere with how he lives his live but Simon is very protective which is understandable. Jake is trying to get his dad Simon a new partner and asks every woman they meet if they are single. The story is told from both Simon’s and Beth’s view. It is a story of love, forgiveness and grabbing second chances when you can.

I found the story a very compelling one to read. The relationships between the characters were very real and I truly cared about them all. The twists and turns of the story, in the contrasting settings of the Lake District and New York, kept me absorbed right up until the end.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

A very uplifting romantic book. With Beth and Simon and Simon little boy. Really enjoyed.

U might want tissues at the ready or a towel in my case I cried cos it was brilliant

Unbreak Your Heart is an emotional rollercoaster of a book that knows how to tug at your heartstrings. Jake is desperately trying to find a new love for his single dad Simon. Jake knows he is dying and doesn’t want to leave his dad alone.
Beth has just arrived in the Lake District from New York and looking for a new job. She is also struggling and needs a fresh start away from the life she left behind.
I enjoyed this book but did find it quite predictable. If you like a book that has interesting characters and emotional intelligence, you’ll love it.