I received an electronic ARC from Gnome Road Publishing through NetGalley.
Readers meet Hazel and Mabel and see how close they are as friends. Then Mabel moves away and the friends find different ways to stay in touch. As happens, time passes and they both find other friends. Then one day, Mabel gets to come back and visit. They try to go on as if no time has passed but learn the lesson all need to learn - friendships evolve and change but that doesn't mean they won't continue. The illustrations capture the emotions and love. A sweet story to read when changes happen in a family's life.

This book was a wonderful story about helping friends process the changes in life. I see this as a great way to introduce youth to changing friendships, friends moving, and visits back home after a move. Since these life situations happen frequently, I look forward to recommending and incorporating this story into read alongs.

This was such a sweet story about not just moving away from friends, but growing into different people. I really love that they added that! The illustrations were adorable, and the message was great! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for letting me read!

Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart is a a tender tale of friendship and love across the miles that is beautifully written and deeply touching. It celebrates the enduring bond of friendship—even when distance keeps loved ones apart. Melissa Stoller captures the emotional landscape of separation with reality of the changes that come yet combines it warmth, and gentle reassurance.

Hazel and Mabel are delightful, lovable characters. It is a comforting story, making this an ideal read for children navigating long-distance relationships, whether due to moves, travel, or life changes.

The illustrations are equally stunning—soft, expressive, and rich with emotion. They perfectly complement the text and add depth to the story’s themes of connection, longing, and hope.

Absolutely beautiful illustrations. This sweet story about best friends who are separated by distance after one of them moves is heartwarming. Their journey of growing apart but still finding the things that connect them and make their friendship special is wonderful.

This story was perfect timing, as my daughter's friend just moved away. what a lovely story, and told beautifully. It is paired with illustrations that are well done and appealing. highly recommend to all readers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4xlzvjMXuUo1Lyvh?si=ewdzfkUnSVKyDmAvHMHIPQ

Thank you so much to Gnome Road Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Hazel amd Mabel are best friends but then one day one Mabel moves away, they never stopped being best friends though as they wrote to each other all the time. They missed each other dearly but made new friends, but when then one day get reunited at first they struggled having been apart so long.

This was absolutely precious it taught the reader that no matter how far away, you can still stay best friends. It also showed that people do grow and change and not all former hobbies or interests stay the same, that the games you used to play might look different next time you’re together.

I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful illustrations throughout the story of these wonderful friends, I enjoyed seeing them being so close and then struggling to find a hobbie they both still enjoyed doing, but then figuring out something even better to do.

A very lovely story, a perfect book to read and it’s great if a friend of your child’s is moving away, it will help them learn that you can still stay best friends and that they will be back for a visit one day. It’s also just a really beautiful story of the strength of friendship, such a sweet read.

Hazel and Mable: Two Hearts Apart was a sweet story about two best friends, separated by a move, who find a new way to connect with each other after growing older and being apart. This one hit home as my little ones just experienced a very similar situation. I have to say that the illustrations were absolutely adorable! Mable and Hazel share everything together, know each others secrets and love spending every moment together. Things change when Hazel and her family move away. Now the friends have made new friends, have now likes and dislikes and are not the same as they were before. This story shows how the two navigate those differences when Hazel comes to visit and how they learn to accept the new parts of each other and finding new ways to connect with each other. This book is great for showing children a realistic view of friendships and how, even though you are far apart, you can still share a special bond with someone without seeing them every single day.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gnome Road Publishing, Melissa Stoller and Anita Bagdi for this e-ARC for review!

Thank you for the ARC. This was a cute story about friendship. It shows how, over time, people and their likes change but friendships can be ever lasting regardless. The illustrations were also very well done.