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.

This book was pure but that doesn’t mean it was an easy ride. There were plenty of times that Unbreak Your Heart made me smile, but there were plenty of times it made me emotional too. Not only does the book deal with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and a very sick boy, it also touches on divorce, postpartum depression, and living in the breadline. It was impossible not to feel empathy toward each of the characters.

At the same time, however, Jake shows us how powerful hope is and just how resilient the human race, and children especially, can be. We see from Simon what it’s like to love with all your heart and dedicate yourself to one person and, with Beth, what it means to pick yourself up and start again. Each of the characters were extremely likeable, and not to the extent they became unbearable.

This was a nice break from the darker stuff I’ve been reading lately.

Wow what a fantastic read. A beautiful emotional story, when Beth arrives in the lake district after leaving New York she runs into Jake and his dad (literally) .They get of to a rocky start but soon became close friends mostly due to Jake who has a heart problem. The story is beautifully written with sensitivity and passion with fantastic characters who you can warm to .A story of friendship, love and healing which I really enjoyed from the first page.The first book I've read by this author but It won't be the last. A fantastic 5🌟read but you will need tissues I really recommend it

Well what can I say about this book you need tissues at the ready it had everything romance, funny bits and sad bits.

Beth moves to the Lake District to take up a job there as she has lived in New York for the last few years and had to leave because of things happening. She ends up living next door to Simon and his delightful son who has his own health issues. They form a friendship and she is there for Simon..

I could not put this book down and thought it was brilliant from the start.