Unbreak Your Heart by Katie Marsh. This book is about a little boy called Jake who has a medical condition which means his heart is failing. Jake is scared he is going to die and leave his dad Simon alone. Beth moves in next door to Simon and Jake having run away from her problems after her divorce in New York. We see what journey this book takes these three characters on. This is definitely a heart wrenching book and it’s so much more than a book about a sick child. However for me it’s just ok, it seems to be missing something or maybe it’s because the whole book is somewhat predictable. In parts it did seem to just drag, the narrative seemed long and sometimes unnecessary and I almost thought just get on with it. Without a doubt there were parts that brought you close to tears and these parts were obviously connected to the health and survival of Jake and Katie Marsh writes these parts sensitively, with heart, warmth and with feeling but it’s the other parts that perhaps let this story down. And then this makes me think that perhaps why I couldn’t fully connect with this story is that there’s a lot going on apart from Jakes health and survival, it’s about Jakes mental health knowing he has this condition that affects his heart, it’s a love story, it’s a story about relationships and about reunions. All of these things are a lot to take in and focus on as a reader and a lot to keep up with. There were moments of suspense when you kind of knew what would happen but the way it was written at that point you weren’t sure if the author would definitely take it in the direction you assumed but these moments were few and far between. I didn’t hate this book, I’m glad I’ve read it, however I’m equally glad that I hadn’t purchased this book, because it was just simply a ok and nice book. I probably if I’m honest wouldn’t recommend this book to friends and family and this book wouldn’t make me seek out other books by this author.

An enjoyable story, following the lives of 8 year old Jake, his single Dad Simon, and Beth, who comes crashing into their lives, quite literally, fresh from her few years working in New York as a nurse.
It’s well enough written, though I did find myself becoming exasperated by Simon and Beth. They are both unremittingly down on themselves, with no discernible self-esteem or self worth. Their constant angst goes on too long, and becomes wearing after a while, and I found myself wanting to give them both a shake.
The characterisation is excellent in describing Jake and the detail of his particular life threatening heart condition is informative. The characterisation of other central players is less convincing, Simon, Beth and Tamsin, when she turns up, are more two dimensional, maybe because they are all so angst-ridden?
A good read, if predictable, with some moving moments, and also some amusing ones, particularly around Jake’s efforts to find his Dad a life partner.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

Set in the Lake District, this evocative and heartwarming tale, was a real page turner. Simply written and with real heart, I smiled and wept in equal measure. Determined and loveable Jake was the real star of the story, and the moral of the story really is that love wins.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. I will recommend this book as a lovely summer staycation story.

A beautiful book that is rare in the fact that it explores the bond between father and son. Jake is a little boy born with a heart condition and hos dad Simon has dedicated his life to him as a single parent. Simon his wary of letting anyone into their lives until Beth comes crashing in to it. She has her own demons to escape but soon realises the treasures she has moved in next door to. A heart rendering book that had me in tears more than once.

Such a lovely, well written story, this book had me gripped throughout, with characters that grow on you, this is the perfect read.

Trigger warning - childhood with a serious heart condition

Beth had it all in NYC - the job, the apartment, the husband - so why has she given it all up to sleep on her friend’s couch in the Lakes? She also already offended the locals by causing a car accident involving a boy and his bike. Simon is a single father to Jake, a 7 year old with a serious and limiting heart condition. Beth gets to know the family when she moves in to the cottage next door. She learns about Jake’s condition and worries; she finds out about Jake’s mum, the woman Simon is waiting for after she left the joke when Jake was a baby.
Beth also learns more about herself....

This book was devoured in a day. I really felt drawn in by the characters and it made me gasp and cry more than once.

Thank you NetGalley and Katie. A really lovely book.

Such a beautiful book, well written with rounded and believable characters, Beth, Jake, Simon, Jas, Tamsin, Barney all leapt of the page as they were so three dimensional with flaws and good bits! The story takes place over a year as Beth struggles to find her confidence as a nurse, Simon struggles with being a single parent to seriously unwell Jake and Jake just wants his dad to be happy and above all, not alone. They are joined by Beth’s best friend Jas, Simon’s ex partner (and Jake’s mum) Tamsin as well as other friends and family.
A gorgeous story of love, hope and friendships mixed with the heartbreak of having a child with a life limiting heart condition, post natal depression and heartbreak. I loved it!

Beth has been living in New York. When her marriage breaks down she moves back to Lake District where she grew up to start an new job as a school nurse. She meets a seven year old boy with a serious heart condition and his single father.
Her life is about to change forever.
I really enjoyed this book and the interesting characters. A feel good story to lift your spirits.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder And Stoughton for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow a story of trust and love.. I loved it. Jake was a great character and he just wanted his father happy. Post natel depression is a horide horide thing. Simon and Barney's friendship was lovely. What they did for each other over the honeymoon etc was great. Beth so did the right thing going back to America to clera her name. A FAB READ

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. This was a great book, it had a lovely story, believable characters and it made me laugh and cry in equal measure, I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Set over a year, this takes us through an emotional journey as Beth becomes involved in the lives of Jake and his dad, Simon. At times funny, other times sad, it celebrates the strong bond of a father and son.

An emotional read.
Beth and Simon don't get off to the best of starts, but when she moves in next door and his son Jake makes friends with Beth, Simon follows suit. Everything seems to be going well, but what will happen when Simon's ex turns up after years away?

I received an advance copy of, Unbreak Your Heart, by Katie Marsh. I really liked this book. Jake has heart issues, and he wants to find a woman for his dad. The characters and the plot are really good.

Hi this is the first book ive read by Katie marsh but it wont be the last. I loved the slow build of the relationship with Simon and Beth and the interaction with Jake, loved the happy ending

I received an ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher in return for an honest reveiw.

This is such a fabulous, dramtic and gut wrenching story.

Simon and Jake lived together afte the Mum walked out. Jake suffers from a serious heart problem and is going to die. Jake decides to find someone for his father to love.

Beth's backstory was equally tragic and dramatic with a horrible, unpleasant ex husband who has treated her really badly. I loved the scene where she confronted him at the end!

There was almost too much angst and pain. However the stroy was ultimately a beautifully warm, emotional and rewarding. read. 4.5 stars.

An absolutely beautiful story of love, heartbreak, loss and above all, hope. I loved every minute of this book and would highly recommend it.

The book introduces the reader to Seven-year-old Jake. Unlike most children his age, Jake’s life is not all it should be because his heart is failing.

Simon, has brought up Jake since the mum left and he is very much alone, concentrating only on his son and what life might throw at them next. Jake however has a mission, he doesn't want to leave his dad alone should the worst happen. So Jake makes a decision to find Simon someone to love before he goes.

A wonderfully written book that really does have you on the brink of tears, it’s everything you need and more for an escape from reality.

Jeepers. What an emotional read. I cried. Perhaps not the best book to read for me given the situation now and when you read about a young boy with such a health problem, I was gone before even reading much of the book to be honest.

What a wonderful way of raising awareness of this illness and the power of unconditional love though!

Came out of my comfort zone to read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it, very well written with good characters even though I found it to be a heartbreaking read and emotional in parts.

I can thoroughly recommend this book if it is your type of read and thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

4.5 stars

Unbreak Your Heart is cozy story that manages to be both heart-warming and heartbreaking that sees its characters overcoming hardships realistically.

Due to the content - a child having a serious medical condition - I expected some serious angst moments and tear-jerking scenes and let me say this book thoroughly cleaned up my tear ducts! I'm normally the type of person that procrastinates feeling uncomfortable emotions and I'll put the book away for a bit when these situations come up, so there is something to say about this book as it compelled me to turn pages upon pages while bawling my eyes out.

Jake was a highlight for me in this story. He was so adorable and mischievous, I understand perfectly how so many characters were happy to do anything for this little boy. I’m not versed in his medical condition but the book managed to give me the impression that the author researched it well by not only explaining the condition but also showing us the impact it has on Jakes life and that of those around him. My heart was breaking for this little boy grappling with his own diagnosis and having his own understanding of how it changed the life’s of the people around him.

The relationship between Beth and Simon was built very beautifully, slow and steady, fitting with the circumstances. Both of them grew, with each other but also on their own, them challenging their own fears was done out of their own strength and unlike so many other stories they didn't solely credited their romantic partner for this development, which I really enjoyed. Their conflict towards the end felt out of place though, it was not as grounded as the rest of their relationship and was more drama for dramas sake, it was emotionally solved within a handful pages and then drawn out unnecessarily afterwards.