Rating 4.5.

"We can’t live for what might or might not happen tomorrow – we have to make the most of today. Alright?”

Seven-year-old Jake's heart is failing and he doesn't want to leave his dad, Simon, alone. So he decides to find Simon someone to love before he goes.
Beth is determined to forget the past. But even when she leaves New York to start afresh in a Lake District village, she can't shake the secrets that haunt her.
Single dad Simon still holds a candle for the woman who left him years ago. And when every day is a struggle to earn a living while caring for his beloved son, he has no time for finding someone new.

But Jake is determined his plan will succeed and what unfolds will change them all forever.

I find it hard to read stories where children are in pain but Jake’s energy and enthusiasm to live each moment in a state of maximum joy is adorable.

Beth’s return to the village is off to a rocky start when she nearly runs over Jake's bike and has his furious father to deal with. It doesn't help that the only available house on rent has Simon and Jake for neighbours.

This is not Beth's or Simon's or Jake's story but of all three, holding onto memories which have destroyed their belief in love. Together, they find a little happiness. But the pain is ignored for only a moment. As it turns out, their collective pain is too much to bear.

There is a tenderness in how Jake is the salve to the soul. His efforts to walk his father across the bridge of hope win your heart. His passion for life provokes Beth to take back what rightfully belongs to her and bring closure to her past.

This brave, poignant story of overcoming life's consequences is so achingly beautiful you'll want to wrap yourself in its bundle of warmth.

This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton.

It has been a while since I read any books by this author, but I hadn't forgotten how emotional her books can be and this was no exception.
Told in dual narrative between Beth, who is running from a broken marriage and loss of confidence and Simon a single dad who is trying to care for his sick child Jake, whilst holding down a job, made reading this all the more emotional. Hearing from both main characters as well as interspersed letters from Jake to his friend Emily, pulled on the heart strings and reading how Jake impacted on both of their lives was joyful.
Jake is such a larger than life character and I loved his enthusiasm for all things, despite his illness. I couldn't help but feel for Simon and his struggles and I wanted to give Beth a big hug.
I enjoy books with intergenerational friendships and I love even more how children can show adults how to live life to the fullest.
This is a great uplifting book and one I would definitely recommend.

A beautiful heartwarming novel, very well written and a real pleasure to read. Made me cry in places but that made it all seem so true. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

This was a beautiful book that was both heart warming and heartbreaking, and let me tell you, I cried buckets while reading it. But even though it made me cry, I was so invested that I was sad when I finished it. To me, that’s a sign of a very good book. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

Unbreak Your Heart is a touching love story which draws you in immediately with the lovely descriptive writing. The storyline, the characters and the setting blend perfectly together in this endearing and gentle romance which does not shy away from addressing a serious medical issue. I became completely absorbed in the lives of the characters and devoured this engrossing novel in the space of a day.

The characters are authentic, have depth and back history and they all come across as warm and caring. Jake is a wonderful little character who loves his father dearly. He is determined to make sure that his father is happy and hatches a plot to find his father a girlfriend. He is a kind, smart and wonderfully spirited young boy who is incredibly brave considering he has a serious heart condition which has hampered his life. His father, Simon, shows great strength and determination and as a struggling single parent always puts his son first. Beth is running away from a painful marriage break up, and her character is portrayed as warm and compassionate and she is always on hand to help out with Jack. The relationship dynamics between the characters are beautifully explored. I loved the bond Simon had with Jack and also his best friend Barney and I enjoyed the slow-burn romance, which built up beautifully after a very frosty start.

I adored the Lake District setting, particularly as this is a place very close to my heart. The imagery is excellent and even if I had not know where the novel is set I would have guessed. The descriptions of the scenery are vivid and beautiful, set against the backdrop rolling hills and fells, waterfalls and lakes, ancient farms and not forgetting the mention of the native Herdwick sheep.

A wonderful and heartwarming read which will take you through a range of different emotions and the ending in particular tugged at my heart strings. It’s a realistic and down to earth story and although slightly predictable at times there were some twists I was not expecting. The Lake District setting and characters are delightful. All in all Unbreak Your Heart a thoroughly enjoyable, engaging and uplifting read.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC for review.

What can I say, well I can say this book was beautiful, that you will need to bring tissues and your heart along for the ride and that you will still feel this days later. I admit upon request I just thought this was your average nice , light and happy read, boy was I wrong ! This is a truly heartwarming,heartbreaking , joyful and uplifting read, it won’t leave your heart on one piece. The writing is beautiful, the setting, story are perfect, but it’s the characters, they are perfect, but without being perfect, Katie doesn’t gloss over harsh realities, but makes this story and characters still feel comforting and warm. Jake, I just loved Jake so much, if he doesn’t melt your heart are you human ? Simply put, a wonderful and addictively emotional read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Rating edit: 3.5 stars.

Unbreak Your Heart:

'Don’t let one mistake define your life.’

It's about Beth, a nurse who is running away from her painful past; Simon, a single dad whose revolves around his 8 year old; and Jake, the brave, smart and chirpy 7 year old who is sick and looking for a companion for his lonely father, just in case...

It's a nice story, so poignant at times. It's well written and engaging, full of hope.

The characters are interesting. Jake is my favourite! Even the secondary characters play very interesting and important roles and relationships and its complexity have been handled well: I liked Simon and his father's complex relationship; how Beth connects with Jake; Simon and Barney friendship...

Just a few things: in the first half, Simon's seemed underdeveloped. The book gets better in the second half. Also, sometimes, just sometimes, it seems too repetitive.

Overall, a nice, engaging and touching read.

A touching love story that draws you in and will make you weep . Beth left her New York hospital career and life to escape her past for a job in the Lake District . Jake has heart failure and is determined his Dad will find love before he leaves him. Simon is still secretly hoping Jakes mum will sweep back into their lives and really isn't ready for a 7 year old to play matchmaker! This is a truly joyous book that at times leaves you weeping with sadness or roaring with laughter. An uplifting read that doesn't gloss over the hardships in life

Unbreak Your Heart by Katie Marsh is a book full of love, and not necessarily just in the way you would assume. The book is warm, cosy, and comforting, despite the very serious medical condition HLHS being the focus. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I want to mention that issues of surgery and life limiting conditions are central to the story. So if somebody has been dealing with anything similar, they might find some of the story triggers distressing memories.
Our central characters are Jake, aged 7, a wonderful, brave, kind little boy, and Simon, his equally wonderful, brave and kind Dad. Beth is a newcomer to the village, clearly trying to forget and escape her recent past.
As I mentioned above, there is a health issue at the heart of Unbreak Your Heart. Anyone who is a carer of someone they love, will completely understand and empathise with the strength of emotion, and intensity in which Simon defends and protects Jake. His “gatekeeper”.
There was something small that kept niggling me in the book. When Simon’s Dad, or Beth, were talking to Jake, they referred to Simon as “Simon” as opposed to “your Dad”. I know it’s very trivial, but it just didn’t ring true for me, and niggled me each time it happened.
Having said that, this was such a lovely read for me, I absolutely flew through the book.
If you are looking for a feel good book, with more substance than you usually find in this genre, you will probably enjoy this lovely 5* book from Katie Marsh.

Returning to the UK after fleeing America following a marriage break up and an incident at the hospital where she worked Beth literally bumps into Jake and Simon while trying to find somewhere to live. After a frosty start they start to become friends and we learn more about them all
Jake is a young boy, who was born with a heart condition, Simon is his single dad, who has been battling the last 9 years and many hospital visits alone and is beginning to feel the struggle.
An emotional rollercoaster of a story, which brings us other characters as the relationships between these 3 and their friends and relatives unfolds.
There were a few predictable twists, however I totally fell for these 3 characters and felt for all they were going through.
I would highly recommend this story and ad a new to me author am looking forward to finding more books from Katie
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title

What a wonderful book! Loved all the characters but particularly Jake, who I definitely became emotionally attached to! Such a fighter with the most wonderful spirit - you so want everything to go well for him! And the setting for the story is amazing - the lakes are a fantastic place and this captured the essence of them.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone and will definitely be looking out for other books by this author - really enjoyed her writing.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

Oh Jake!! I absolutely adore him! He is a fantastic character and has made this book a superb and special read for me. I also adore Simon and Beth. Both characters have their own troubles and are extremely likeable.

This is a novel with a gorgeous setting. It is filled with emotion, heartache, sadness, loss and love. The author has created a beautifully written novel with gorgeous characters.

This is my first read by this author, it definitely won’t be the last. I have been hooked, captivated unable and unwilling to put this one down. But most definitely converted as a huge fan of this author.

This book has touched a part of my heart and I’ve not been able to stop thinking of this one even after that very last page. This is a novel which has made tears stream down my face and I’ve wanted to cwtch all of the characters at different points.

This is a book which deserves all the stars. Five stars doesn’t show how gorgeous a read this is. I most definitely recommend this one.

A cute romantic novel that was perfect for a light ‘snack’ of a read.

The novel centres around Jake who, at 7 years old, has HLHS which means only half of his heart is working and it is failing. His dad, Simon, has raised him alone after Jake’s mother, Tamsin, suddenly left, apparently unable to cope with the pressure and her depression.

Beth has run away from New York after a disaster at work and her husband having an affair with her boss. She moves to the Lake District and starts a job as a school nurse and moves in next to Jake and Simon.

Okay, the story was predictable, but that’s what made it enjoyable. I just found it an easy to read novel that was a pleasant aside from the stress of full-time jobs and studies.

When I requested this book, I thought I would be getting a light and fluffy ‘chick lit’ read, which suited me down to the ground. I did not, however, bargain on getting so drawn into the story and caring so much about the characters, that I think is testament to Katie Marsh’s writing.
The story centres around single dad Simon who has reluctantly moved back to his dad’s farm with his seven-year-old son Jake, who has a serious heart condition. We are also introduced to Beth who has moved into the cottage next door trying to forget her broken marriage and a mistake that saw her put a hold on her career in New York. These three main character meet following a road accident, where Beth discovers that they are actually neighbours, very close ones indeed. Their initial meeting could not really be called auspicious, but Simon’s son, Jake, has other ideas. You see he has been trying to find a new partner for his father as he is worried that he will be lonely if he dies and desperately wants him to find love again.
I found the relationship and the characters so wonderfully written that I could not wait to find out what happened to them. It is a contemporary romance that does not shy away from issues of serious illness, post-natal depression and the challenges of being a single father, but I found it to be a really enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC.

My goodness this beautiful book just about broke me.
Jake may have been born with half a heart but he has more love to give than a person with a whole one.
Beth, literally crashes into Simon and Jake's lives on her arrival to the Lakes after returning home from the states. Beth is scarred from her time and events over there. Simon is in turmoil wading through single fatherhood and shouldering the burden of Jake's condition. And Jake... Well Jake is just magical. Such an intuitive selfless and brave little boy.
A must read with tissues aplenty.

This book is about a little boy called Jake who has a heart condition. I must admit, at the end I thought my heart had stopped! This book has you hooked throughout and you can’t wait to see what happens. I loved the ending and fell in love with both Simon and Beth.

Loved this book. Haven't read this author before this one but I will certainly keep an eye on other books now.
The plot was a good one and the characters were believable and likeable
Reccomended.

Although I normally read mysteries and thrillers there are times when I want a change and this book met the brief perfectly.
A cozy heartwarming gentle story with extremely likeable characters, it was a pleasure to read. it was engaging and beautifully written with emotions sensitively covered.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very heartwarming book about living each day as if it is your last. Unbreak Your Heart will tug on your heartstrings and leave you thinking about it long after you have finished.

I loved the characters and wish I could give Jake a massive hug! The ending might be slightly predictable but I enjoy reading this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for a review.

Loved this book from start to finish. Heartwarming, great characters and definitely tugged at the heart strings. Enjoyed every page and in some ways l didn’t want it to end.