The Road to Tender Hearts
The perfect funny and sad autumn read for fans of The Wedding People and The Correspondent
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Pub Date 21 May 2026 | Archive Date 11 Jun 2026
Headline | Mountain Leopard Press
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Description
'A moving, unforgettable story' Alison Espach, author of The Wedding People
'I loved every page of this wild, weird, big-hearted book' Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures
'A feel-good, feel-sad, warm, dark, and funny road-trip' Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich
Discover the book everyone's talking about - an unforgettable road-trip novel about second chances, found family, and a cat called Pancakes, who can predict when someone is going to die...
'The funniest novelist of her generation' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A rare and special novel' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
At sixty-three years old, million-dollar lottery winner PJ Halliday would be the luckiest man in Pondville, Massachusetts, if it weren't for the tragedies of his life: the sudden death of his eldest daughter and the way his marriage fell apart after that. Since then, PJ spends both his money and his time at the bar, and he probably doesn't have much time left - he's had three heart attacks already.
But when PJ reads the obituary of his old romantic rival, he realizes his high school sweetheart, Michelle Cobb, is finally single again. Filled with a new enthusiasm for life, PJ decides he's going to drive across the country to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona to win Michelle back.
Before PJ can hit the road, tragedy strikes Pondville, leaving PJ the sudden guardian of his estranged brother's grandchildren. Anyone else would be deterred from the planned trip, but PJ figures the orphaned kids might benefit from getting out of town. PJ also thinks he can ask Sophie, his adult daughter who's adrift in her twenties, to come along to babysit. And there's one more surprise addition to the roster: Pancakes, a former nursing home therapy cat with a knack of predicting death, who recently turned up outside PJ's home.
This could be the second chance PJ has long hoped for - a fresh shot at love and parenting - but does he have the strength to do both those things again? It's very possible his heart can't take it.
Perfect for fans of The Wedding People, The Correspondent and Fredrik Backman.
Featured on Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon ⭐ People Magazine Top Books of 2025 ⭐ New York Times Best American Road Trip Novels ⭐ An NPR and Lit Hub Best Book of the Year
BUCKLE IN FOR THE ROAD TRIP OF A LIFETIME
'Will live on in your heart' Rufi Thorpe, author of Margo's Got Money Troubles
'Laughed out loud and also sobbed uncontrollably' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absurdly over-the-top in plot, yet warms like a heated seat' The New York Times
'Marrying the quirk of Margo's Got Money Troubles with the bittersweet tone of Little Miss Sunshine' Grazia
'An ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! . . . Brilliant and heartwarming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Miraculous' John Irving
'Some stories find a way to dig down deep into your heart, burrow there, and then stay for good. I think this will be one of those for me' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'There is really no way to put my love for this book into words' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781035447046 |
| PRICE | £10.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Available to Buy
Buy on Amazon Buy on Bookshop.org Buy on WaterstonesAverage rating from 27 members
Featured Reviews
A dark comedy: a road trip, a cat that can predict death, a murder-suicide and two orphaned Irish twins.
I really enjoyed this adventurous novel that reminded me a little of the film National Lapoon Vacation. The protagonist, PJ Halliday, another winner, is a wonderful character, despite his alcholism and unreliability he has a good heart.
Well written with a great plot, I highly recommend 'The Road to Tender Hearts'!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Reviewer 1290184
I absolutely loved this story. So charming, hopeful and heartwarming, the characters popped with life. There are tough topics raised and yet there is love, resilience and humour which keeps the pace flowing nicely. The dialogue was sparky, realistic and I don’t have a bad word to say. PJ has to be the best character but Pancakes the cat was right up there too. I almost wish I could find out what these guys are up to now.
Highly recommend this fab book.
Reviewer 1491639
a 63 year old millionaire after having won the lottery. well, im sure many of us would think this a dream. but this book shows you how money doesn't buy happiness and money doesn't mean you dont have troubles. and also that wherever you are, you are. and for PJ hes had more than enough unhappy.and he might just be feeling like a bit of grump. and lifes not over throwing things his way yet. because as much as he might think he wants to stay in his own slump with possibly his booze for company. turns out that life once again has other plans for him. and its in the form of guardianship of his brothers grandchildren. but this all happen to come at the time he was ready, got his energy back. and that was to find a lady. a lady he once loved whos now single. a road trip feels like its just the ticket for all for them. a road trip to find his high school sweetheart no less. and he picks his own waifs and strays up along the way. or should we say his daughter and a cat.
and so off they go. and we get to go with them.
this is one of those books that feels rather special. and i dont think you ever feel properly able to say why. but each individual will know it, feel it. its one of those books.
its special and chaotic. its messy and heartwarming. and there are also those moments that feels so hard and yet the book manages to hand it to you with a cuddle. and you care about these people even if not always liking their choices. and then you find yourself sitting through the whole thing needing to know how this all turns out and more than that if they will all be ok. and i just love books like this. they both settle in your heart and settle your heart.
i think the way the way they handle their traumas or life events. it wasn't always pretty, it wast always "right" and thats what made it feel so real. so connecting.
a brilliant read just what i needed for this weekend.