This is the first book that I have read by this author and oh my heart! Grayson is a potentially fatal heart condition; Nadia loses her husband in a horrible accident. In the aftermath she makes the heart wrenching decision to donate their organs. Grayson is lucky enough to get his heart and have a second lease on life. This is one that will stick with me for a little while.

Heidi has done it again - delivered another touching story that leaves readers emotionally charged days after finishing.

Heartbreak Hill is exactly that - heartbreaking beautiful. This story touches on so much - grief, second chances, donor/transplant recipient, love and family.

This story depicts the lives of multiple people - Reid, Grayson, Rafe and Nadia and their respective families. Each of them go through tumultuous emotions, questioning themselves and their decisions and trying to move forward with their new "normal".

This was not an easy read as it does delve into grief and some very strong emotions. But it absolutely worth the tears I cried, the emotions that it conjured up. But it also made me appreciate what I have in life, what I lost and the second chances I have been granted.

Heartbreak Hill is proof that we can survive the darkest of rains to enjoy the rainbows that shine afterwards. We cannot appreciate the light when we haven't live in the dark.

Oh, my heart!

I don’t know when Heidi McLaughlin decided to step away from light, fluffy, run-of-the-mill formulaic contemporary romance to write these deep, heartbreaking love stories, but I am HERE FOR IT.

I absolutely LOVED Before I’m Gone - when I tell you I sobbed reading it, I mean running nose, smeared mascara, can’t hardly read through the tears crying. So I went into this one with a little trepidation. But fully prepared. And while this one didn’t make me cry as hard or as much, this one definitely took my heart on a roller coaster ride.

Heartbreak Hill is about a man in his mid-30s who knows he has a potentially fatal heart condition and therefore keeps the woman he loves in the dark and at arm's length. Then a medical crisis forces Grayson’s secret into the light and he has to decide if he’s going to make the most of the second chance at life he’s been given or squander the beautiful gift he received.

Several states away, at the same time Grayson is being kept alive by machines, Nadia loses her beloved husband and father of her three children in a terrible accident. In the aftermath, she makes the heart wrenching decision to donate his organs.

Heartbreak Hill is almost more of Nadia’s story of grief and heartache and navigating a life after her huge loss than it is of Grayson and his journey of healing and learning to live life to the fullest. As such, I feel like the given synopsis is a bit of a bait and switch. But I’m not really mad about it. I loved how the two stories intertwined and came to a heartwarming conclusion. This story was heartbreaking and beautiful and did make me cry. Just not quite as much as Before I’m Gone. Thank goodness.

I’ve been a fan of Heidi McLaughlin since her very first book, Forever My Girl. But these past two books have put her in a whole new category for me. Her previous books were entertaining, but satisfying in the way eating a full-size Snickers bar for lunch is…they filled my need for something to read, but weren’t particularly meaningful or substantial. Before I’m Gone and Heartbreak Hill are a four-course meal type of book. They hit all my senses, fill me up, and stay with me far after I’ve finished reading them. And there just don’t seem to be enough of those types in my life. After reading/listening to over 1800 books the past ten years and feeling like there are no new stories to be told and every romance book follows the same general path, Heartbreak Hill gives my cynicism a bump and reminds me there ARE still beautiful, breathtaking books out there for me to consume (and to consume ME). I hope Ms. McLaughlin’s next book is one of them.

* thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved this story. After reading the description, I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I was wrong. This book is about grief, the enduring power of love, and most importantly it celebrates girl dads. I’ve read a couple books by Heidi McLaughlin and this is my favorite.

This book was a beautiful story of not only romance but of love in many forms. Heidi McLaughlin has captured the complexities of love, loss, tragedy and hope through the voices of multiple characters. I read Heartbreak Hill with interest and connection to the all of the families involved. Thanks so much #NetGalley #Montlake #HeidiMcLaughlin

Heartbreak hill is a difficult yet amazing read, I couldn’t put it down! This book follows Grayson and Reid through the journey of a heart transplant, at the same time as following Nadia whose husband died in a tragic accident which led him to donating his heart.

I love how this book progressed through the relationships with different characters and the bond that was created between Grayson and Rafes children.

I have loved everything I have read by Heidi McLaughin and this definitely didn’t disappoint!

Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

This one had potential but fell short for me...

I had some difficulty getting into this one as it is told in third person POV focusing on various characters. Then I could tell a major event that was coming and it was starting to crush me. Unfortunately, it really seemed to fall flat after the first few chapters. It was a unique storyline and was neat to see how two stories connected but there wasn't much else and it seemed to drag on for the most part.

Thanks so much Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. this was my first book from this author the story called my attention like the cover. One of the things I enjoyed was that each character had their own problems and still were resilient and they were trying to be more and make better and that is very important, emotional grown and character building

Thank you NetGalley, Heidi McLaughlin and Montlake for this e-ARC, '

Themes of love, sorrow, and second chances are all explored in this intensely emotional romance. Four characters and their families—Reid, Grayson, Rafe, and Nadia—are described in the story. They all struggle with intense emotions, self-doubt, and trying of starting a new lifestyle. The book explores the emotional complexities of organ donation, showing how the grief of one family can lead to the save of another. The story of Grayson and Reid's love is entwined with the suffering and recovery of everyone affected by the transplant, especially the family of the heart donor. I will absolutely be reading more from this author..

This was definitely a slow burn romance story. In the beginning I liked it a lot and was really into it and then once it got to the middle, I felt the story started to drag a bit. I really liked Grayson, who was one of the MC’s. He had a secret that he kept from almost everyone in his life until the day he collapsed during a basketball game. On the other side of the story, we have Nadia whose husband had a tragic thing that happened to him. Nadia and her children try to go on through life with the loss of their loved one and that part of the story was sad but also at times was heartwarming.

This seemed a bit drawn out at times, but still enjoyable. A sweet story with great characters. Little in the way of spice, but still good.

Wow what a book, my first book I’ve read by Heidi McLaughlin and I’m so blessed to have found her, I will absolutely be reading more from her.
Have tissues at hand for this book but honestly don’t let that deter you as it’s truly such a beautiful story.
It follows Grayson, he was born with a life threatening heart defect, he’s madly in love with Reid but he keeps her at arms length because of his health. Reid loves Grayson, has learnt to accept they will only have their friendship.
Grayson collapses at a basketball game, Reid learns of his secret as his life hands dangerously in the balance.
Meanwhile Rafe is involved is a tragic accident, his wife Nadia makes a life changing decision that will alter the course of Grayson future.
The story follows both Grayson, his second chance at life and Nadia and her little girls as they navigate their loss.
I sobbed, literally gut reaching sobs at parts, having also experienced sudden loss it resonated with me deeply. Honestly such a beautifully written story.
Thank you NetGalley, Heidi McLaughlin and Montlake for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨💫 (3.75/5)

What starts out as a fun morning turns tragic. A loss of life. And a family devastated. Another family praying for a miracle. Grief and healing on all sides. A family lost is a family found.

I’m not going to lie, this is a tough read. Deals with so many conflicting emotions and life altering decisions. If you keep reading, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I found the cellular memory references intriguing. This definitely sheds light on organ donation from the grief stricken wife’s heartfelt and unfavorable decision to the grateful recipients new lease on life. The author did a good job of showing how mentally draining this is if you are not aware of your loved ones wishes. I loved the characters and their growth, especially the resilience of the children. Have the hard talk you pray you’ll never need.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This is a deeply emotional romance that explores themes of love, loss, and second chances. The story centers around Grayson, who has been secretly in love with his best friend Reid but keeps her at a distance due to a life-threatening heart condition. Reid grows tired of waiting for Grayson to reciprocate her feelings, but their world is turned upside down when Grayson collapses on the basketball court. His survival depends on a heart transplant, a miracle that comes at the cost of another family’s grief.

The novel delves into the emotional complexities of organ donation, examining how one family’s loss becomes another’s salvation. Grayson and Reid’s love story is interwoven with the pain and healing experienced by others affected by the transplant, including the heart donor’s family. McLaughlin captures the raw emotions of grief, longing, and hope, with well-developed characters who face their own uphill battle of heartbreak.

The narrative brings readers through a visceral journey—from frustration with Grayson’s initial actions to deep empathy for Reid, and intense moments of emotional release. Nadia, a character experiencing profound loss, adds another layer of realism and depth. The novel’s title, Heartbreak Hill, reflects not only a physical race but also the emotional challenges each character must overcome to move forward in life. The story is intense, heartfelt, and may bring readers to tears, particularly through the symbolism of cardinals, which offer moments of beauty and hope amid the heartache.

"Heartbreak Hill," a story by Heidi McLaughlin, explores themes of hope, life, death, grief, and new beginnings. The narrative also incorporates unexpected and intriguing twists related to high-risk medical procedures.

The story shows the lives of four people - Reid, Grayson, Rafe, and Nadia - and their families. Each of them deals with strong feelings, self-doubt, and the effort to find a new way of living.

Reading it wasn't simple, as it explores grief and strong feelings. Nevertheless, it was completely worthwhile the tears I cried and the emotions it evoked. It also helped me value what I have in life, what I've lost, and the opportunities I've had for a fresh start.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for sending me this ARC!

heartbreak hill by Heidi McLaughlin

Another tear jerking read from the author!

Grayson has a heart defect. He still is able to find love, but then he colapses while playing basketball and things really change drastically for him.

Nadia has to make difficult decisions after the sudden tragic death of her husband Rafe.
I loved her children!


The book is told in different perspectives and there are many parts of life in the story, grief, death, hope, second chances, love, healing.........and others.

The book really made me think quite a bit and it was very emotional, reading Nadia's parts of the story.

I liked the parts when Grayson spent time with the girls quite a bit.

I read quickly, cried a bit and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I would recommend it to people who enjoy emotional reads, with loss and grief yet healing as well, and love.

so another winner from the author

highly recommended
4****

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley

I enjoyed this. It was a heartbreaking yet inspiring read. The character growth was very good throughout the book and it made me super emotional. Reading the authors message at the back this book was taken from a 'what if' thought and turned into this. It really is something I have asked myself in the past with transplant and organ donations etc.

I think for me, the thing I struggled with the most was the way it was written mainly the fact is was written in 3rd person. I just find connecting with the storyline and characters is hard. It was a very hard read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Heidi and the publishers for allowing me this ARC.

Let me say right off that your heart is not ready for this book. In all seriousness it will never be ready. With that said, you really just need to do a deep dive right on into this heartbreaking but oh so full of hope and love book.

I started writing my review for Heartbreak Hill when I got to Chapter 19 because of the feelings it was evoking in me. This is one of the most emotionally devastating books I have ever read. If you think your heartstrings have been pulled as tight as possible then you need to read this book to feel those strings break.

This book is perfectly written. The pacing, tone, character development, just brilliantly done.

As you can tell I'm not going to talk about the storyline because you can get that from the blurb. I don't want anything to ruin any aspect of this book as you read it because it is just that special. I hope you all feel for this story the way that I did.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

Grayson loves Reid and it is because of that love that he does not pursue anything more than friendship and the reason that he is keeping a secret from her that could change everything. When that decision is taken from his hands, he must not only deal with the emotional aftermath his actions would have on him but on her as well.

Nadia is happily married to Rafe and loves the family they have created but sometimes gets distracted by the little things rather than what is important. His sudden death changes her whole world and the way she looks at thing as she is faced with a decision that even though it is selfless is one, she should not have had to make at this time in her life.

This is heartbreaking story about love, loss, and healing as two couples are entwined through tragedy find hope for the future even if it is not as they expected. The emotions are heartfelt and will give you a greater appreciation for how special the people in your life truly are.