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.

Thank you to netgalley and montlake for this gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.

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. Reid is his gf who tries to help process his emotions with his new heart and to navigate through his second chance at life.

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.

💭I still thought it was a nice story. Please just make sure you check triggers before you read.

This book was a tearjerker. Within the first couple of chapters I was crying like a baby. You will go on a journey of happiness, grief, hope and love. Grayson and Reid are best friends, who became more for one night. After that one night, she fell harder for him and he kept her in the friend zone. When he collapses after playing basketball, she thinks he is faking due to what she told him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. He has been keeping a secret from her and they might not get a second chance.

Nadia and Rafe are happily married, raising two precocious daughters. When he leaves to run in an annual race, she never imagines her worst nightmare coming true. While running, Rafe saves a woman from being hit by a car; unfortunately he doesn’t make it. Now Nadia has to decide whether to donate his organs and how to go on with her life.

As the story progresses, all of their lives diverge in an unexpected way. Reid loves Grayson, but doesn’t know if she can believe he truly loves her. Nadia has to learn how to be the only caregiver for her daughters. Grayson has to learn how to live with another person’s heart keeping him alive and the ache in his chest.

This is a beautifully written story about love, loss and learning how to move on after loss. I couldn’t put this book down. I hope we get more, especially about Nadia and her future. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Heartbreak Hill by Heidi McLaughlin is a wonderful romance about love, loss, and second chances.
I really enjoyed every bit of Grayson and Reid. Their relationship was very realistic. They are very relatable.
McLaughlin's writing effortlessly blends heartwarming moments with humor, creating a story that is as touching as it is entertaining.

Thank You NetGalley and Montlake for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Heidi...Heidi...Heidi! I cannot tell you how often I cursed you reading this book. The tears freely feel more often than not. It is a subject matter that has always intrigued me, and I love stories that explore this phenomenon. I understand Grayson's reluctance to be in a relationship, and I can easily understand Reid's reluctance to accept this explanation. I did have a hard time with their chemistry, but I'm glad the story went in a different direction than I expected. The ending and the tears that followed cemented the 5 stars since I was leaning forward 5 star (chemistry being the culprit).

"Dance with me in heaven, Daddy"

During the chapters that showed the loss of a father and a husband, it was truly heartbreaking to see that side of grief, and how things are forever altered afterwards, including familial bonds, falling into depression, and expressing grief through other avenues, such as anger. Especially when it is so sudden and unexpected, and you don't even have time to say goodbye. It also highlights the importance of the decision of organ donation, and how being selfless can save more lives, even after someone has passed. I just knew what would be happening when these chapters first started, but I wasn't expecting how sad I would feel without being emotionally connected to the characters, since they had just been introduced.

On the other hand, with Grayson and Reid, it shows the alternative side, of someone who's heart has failed and desperately needs a heart transplant. With these chapters, it shows more about what happens to the organs after they are donated, the lives that they could save, and how the person lives afterwards, including the guilt that they may feel for receiving an organ from someone who had passed, and knowing that they need to make changes in order to live a better, healthier life.

And when the two sides converge, it's a whole new level of emotional.

Do I recommend this book? Absolutely, but be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions all the way through and have tissues ready.

There were moments in this book of utter heartbreak (as to be expected by the title!) and a storyline filled with difficult emotions.

For me, it felt like two stories that had been squeezed into one book, with neither receiving the attention it deserves. Both HEAs felt extremely rushed, and months at a time were glossed over. I also struggled with everything being 3rd person; it took me about 50% of the book to become immersed in the story.

However, the link between the two stories, and the subsequent revelations, were very gripping, and I think with just a few tweaks it would have been an amazing book.

I was able to read an ARC courtesy of Montlake, NetGalley, and the Author.

This novel is a very good but tear jerker! Heidi tap dances on all your feelings in this book. The characters are so relatable, likeable, and you ultimately feel for each one of them as if they were your own family.

Grayson was born with a heart defect and ultimately has a complication arise that needs immediate attention. As one person faces a complete tragedy Grayson is given the gift of a second chance. Despite feeling as if he doesn’t deserve it Grayson tried to avoid falling in love at all costs.

Reid Sullivan, a female who Grayson instantly begins to fall for enters the picture and readers are taken on one of the sweetest journeys to finding love and what makes you happy. This novel is encompasses love, lost and second chances so beautifully!

Reading this book was quite a journey for me. It delved into the profound and often painful experience of losing someone, which resonated deeply with my own life. The author did an exceptional job of portraying the raw emotions associated with grief—every page felt like a mirror reflecting my own struggles and feelings.

However, what struck me the most was the theme of redemption and the possibility of second chances. It was both uplifting and bittersweet, reminding me that life, despite its heart-wrenching moments, can offer us new beginnings. The characters’ resilience and ability to navigate their pain toward a brighter future left me feeling hopeful.

While it was a difficult read at times, I found it to be incredibly rewarding. It encouraged me to reflect on my own experiences with loss and the importance of embracing the second chances that life offers us. I would recommend it to anyone who’s been through a similar journey; it’s a poignant reminder that even in our darkest times, there’s always a glimmer of hope.

this was such an interesting book, I’ve never read a book with this storyline before and I was excited for a good cry. I loved the Nadia and Rafe storyline but I could warm to Grayson I did like Reid though but i just felt Grayson wasn’t all that good of a person to Reid even if they were bestfriends. I also didn’t enjoy that they got engaged so quickly but i do understand that with something so life threatening you will think about the future more. I also felt it dragged a bit but i think that’s because it was in 3rd person but it wasn’t a bad book at all just wasn’t personally for me.

As a mum of 3 with a partner I adore this book was a difficult read and it really opened my eyes to the power of grief.

This book follows Grayson and Reid who have loved each other so deeply but Grayson keeps pushing Reid away and keeps her firmly in the friend zone as he has some secrets..until he collapses at a basketball game and is given a second chance at life, what will he change?
At the same time, we have Nadia, Rafe and their two daughters. Rafe is running the commonwealth race and he loving family are at the finish line, when Tragedy strikes. Leaving a heartbroken widow and two girls missing their daddy. Will the love ever be replaced?

This book wow, the grief representation on this book is everything. I cried so many times. I was really able to put myself in the shoes of Nadia and I just loved how this book was written. Highly recommend.

Heartbreak Hill by Heidi McLaughlin. Heartbreak Hill was an amazing story about both sides of organ donation. The feelings and the stresses families go through.

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Heidi McLaughlin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really interesting book diving into the two sides of organ donation.

Nadia and Rafe have an amazing relationship and life - house in the burbs, two beautiful daughters and great friends. Unfortunately, tragedy takes Rafe away from his family and Nadia is left brokenhearted and with the decision on if she should donate his organs.

Grayson is enjoying life while keeping his love for his best friend (Reid) hidden due to a heart defect he hasn’t told her about. One day, he collapses and during surgery they realize his heart is in really bad shape. He is put in a coma to give his body a break until a donor can be found.

The story is 3 POV told in third person which isn’t my favorite - Reid, Grayson and Nadia as they survive after the loss/surgery and how their life progressed.

I don’t know if this was just a me thing but I bawled an insane amount for the first 50% of the book. As a mom and wife, I couldn’t help but put myself in Nadia’s position and it was heartbreaking.

I was really afraid it was going to go a certain way and was happy it didn’t (sorry- vague to avoid spoiling). The first half was really emotional for me and then the last half just seemed to wrap up quicker and cleaner than I wanted.

Grief, loss, and second chances. And romance, with spice. This one didn't evoke the emotional reaction I expected given the plot but it's. very good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

this second chance story will have you go through a world wind of emotions while reading it. I love a good Heidi McLaughlin book but this wasn't my cup of tea. still would reccomend for others to give it a shot, might be more up their alley.