thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

this book seems to be to much back and forth for my liking.. I get way to confused when we jump back in time than back into the future.. that’s one thing I’ve never liked about reading a book or even watching a tv show.. the back in time part.. It bores me.. maybe the military aspect of this book just wasn’t for me? I don’t know..

3,5 ⭐️ || SPOIERS IN THIS REVIEW

Such a interested read. As i’m not American, I never really had contact with the ways the USA military works and its history, so I was shocked - to say at least - which such cruel ruling as the DTDA was very much real and endured for so long and not that long ago. As we readers are in the present, seeing all the steps the LGBTQ+ community have done within this century is both comforting and bittersweet sad.

As we accompanied Reagan and Sidney for such a long time, it was lovely to see a early 2010’s world, without any of the technologies that could made their lifes easy, and a sad irony to see the way they talked about the COVID-19 weeks before the whole world chanced. But, nonetheless, it was a good journey on their sides.

I say this as I was so interested in the main characters, I would have loved to see the “in between”encounters they had during the fifteen years the book take place. See how they got into and delt with new relationships, how was Sidney getting the career she wanted, how Reagan felt when the DTDA was revoked… so many little side stories and developments I would not mind reading about - instead of the just tell aspect we end up getting. Like, what happened to Aliyah? She was such a nice caracter and friend to Sidney. Was kinda heartbroken that she just desapeares in the story, really wanted to know if she was a thing with Jesse and how her friendship with the protagonists unfolds.

The only thing that quite didn’t match my personal liking was the way the plot in the third part evolved into Sidney being the only thing blocking from the romantic relationship to happen, it left an aftertaste that she was the only one that sacrificed something to make it happen, since Reagan continued in the military for at least eleven more years after the book ended. Even if Sidney realized her life plan was not actually the dream life for her, still could it be something else that did not worked with Reagan life style.

The third part girlfriend that Sidney had and the whole attack where Reagan was working in Poland really felt was an Hollywood rom-com hook then anything else, but it’s okay because we are talking about a romance book, just noting this here as it was a feeling I got from when reading those parts.

An addendum for anyone who might interest: there are a lot of steamy scenes in this book, and definitely it’s not a “fade to black” type of book. It’s very detailed and does happens quite often on the second half of the book, especially.

There was, although, just two scenes where it was mentioned that one of them started a more sexual thing when the other was still asleep - as like a caracter was awaken with the other kissing and doing more steamy stuff to their body - that really made me uncomfortable. It was mentioned that neither of Reagan or Sidney felt violated in anyway about that (they both do that to each other in two different occasions as told in the book) but it might be an trigger to someone reading this. So, therefore, noting it here.

My rating is 3,5 stars, although Goodreads won’t let half stars sadly, just because I felt uncomfortable in the scenes described in the last paragraph and I didn’t quite agree with the way Sidney was put was the one preventing the romance to work and Reagan not changing anything in her life to make it work. But, aside from that, it is a good romance book, I enjoying reading it very much. My favorite part was the Italy one for sure! Loved how their romance was build in the beginning there.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC!

The story of Raegan and Sydney spans over 15 years with an epilogue 11 years later.
The story follows the two as they navigate the time of DADT and Raegan’s commitment to her life in the military and goal to become a brigadier general. It is a heart wrenching story of life choices and protecting one’s heart even though the heart wants what it is being denied.
The author writes the story with such detail of feeling and a dive into each character’s thinking that enables the reader to really understand the reasons for their decisions and the resulting emotional torment time after time.
The Heart Wants is a solid read that isn’t all sunshine and roses, but that wouldn’t do the story justice anyway. Instead, it is realistic and has depth of meaning. I loved the follow up of the epilogue 11 years later 💜

I received an arc from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books. I leave this review voluntarily.

As a queer person who grew up on military bases, as soon as I saw this book I knew I needed to read it. I will admit - I was a bit disappointed when I began, it felt very surface level with the initial introductions and the mapping of Reagan and Sydney's relationship, but this was quickly proved to be a case of not trusting your first judgement of something (the book equivalent of giving a TV show more than the pilot). What followed through the rest of the book was a gut-wrenching queer relationship spanning years and the unfairness of DADT (and the fear it placed service people under). I will admit that I am not a fan of second-chance romances as far as my preferred tropes, but this is one of my few exceptions as I did enjoy this.

I think in terms of pacing there was definitely a bit of lag on occasion, with the book feeling just a bit too long by the end, and I prefer when authors use longer sentences with subclauses rather than the more blunt stops and starts, but this is a personal preference. I do also agree with other reviews with regards to the POV switching, this would have been more enjoyable if it was clearly defined by chapter changes.

This book is both a sweet romance and a heart wrenching tale (until the end).
The main story extends over 15 years from when Reagan and Sydney first meet in Italy. They meet up at various places around the world.
This book is very well written to convey the emotions of the characters. Especially useful in the Don't Ask Don't Tell regime.
There is breast cancer in this story - and as luck would have it when I was reading the bit about tests to see if it returned I too was having tests to see if it had returned. This made me a bit reluctant to read on, but I also really wanted to as I was enjoying it. So I did.
In some ways the characters are really infuriating - but they are also completely relatable and they entice you into the story.

There is of course an epilogue - which hopped 11 years into the future. This means that the actual whole story extended over 26 years. That is some storytelling.
The book is quite long - it needs to be as the length allowed the space for the depth of the characters to be explored.

Wow, this book was just so good! I'm a veteran so a military romance is right up my alley. I was especially intrigued because it's a saphhic romance with two women, one who is in the military during the time of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. This romance spans more than a decade and is forbidden, but begins with a meet cute between Sydney and Reagan, and their journey is both heartbreaking and beautiful. They work hard at figuring out ways to be together and know they are destined for each other. I really liked the military aspect of this book, and I felt it was written well. There is a great plot with a lot of character growth and a dual POV that gives you great insight to the characters, Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Krystina Rivers, and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. It captivated me so that I read it in one sitting. An epic love story that spans fifteen years of longing, sacrifice, and resilience. Serendipity follows Reagan and Sydney through multiple encounters in as many countries. The nuanced portrayal of their love, challenged by duty and distance, makes their present day encounter more poignant and satisfying. A portrayal of the power of true love against all odds.
Thank you BSB and NetGalley for this ARC.

Reagan and Sydney have known each other for over 15 years, romancing each other then parting again due to jobs and Reagan's military career.

Now they've found themselves living in the same city, and romance looks like it might be possible this time.

Not bad! I honestly would have preferred less flashbacks, more of them figuring out their issues now. The resolution also didn't fully work for me, as it was less about making a decision and more heat of the moment.

(Admittedly I have a bias against novels that have characters get together and break up multiple times. Even when 'true wuv' wins I'm left going, 'Who's to say they won't break up again?')

Decently written, didn't blow me away.

What starts as a simple meet cute in an Italian coffee shop turns into a heart wrenching decade spanning forbidden romance.

From the moment Reagan Jennings first spots Sydney Adams in an Italian coffee shop she’s immediately drawn to her. She knows what the attraction means but she knows she can’t act on it, at least not while she’s in the Army and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is still in effect. It doesn’t matter how many times she tells herself they can just be friends, as she and Sydney continue to bump into each other over the years their chemistry continues to be electric leaving readers to wonder can they make it work this time?

Many stories about DADT focus on the characters’ fear of being caught but for Reagen this was a secondary concern to her integrity which brought a fresh take to this type of story. Most of the novel takes place after the repeal of DADT which I wasn’t expecting. This means that it’s other things, like Sydney’s distrust of the military that keep the MCs apart.

I really enjoyed that this is more than just a second chance romance. The way Sydney and Reagen keep running into each other and the serendipity of it really makes it feel like fate. I did find it a bit hard to believe that they were so willfully ignorant about just letting things happen as if they wouldn’t end it heartbreak. Additionally, I would have liked to see more of Reagen’s family in the novel. Only her brother Jasper showed up despite this idea that they are a competitive family and Reagan feels the need to out do them. Even Jasper was there just to help provide an address.

Overall, this was a fresh take on a familiar trope where you could feel the chemistry drawing the characters together.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this interesting book

it was the time of DADT.... dont ask dont tell.... so no person in the armed forces could be of the LGTB community or if they were they would have to be very closet.. if caught they would be court martialled

reagan had dreams and it involved a career in the armed forces so meeting sydney in italy could have waylaid those plans

sydney also had dreams of beinga lawyer for a successful firm and to be a self sufficient as she could be without relying on anyone else...but she also didnt bank on meeting reagan in italy

wow this book opens up what it was like back in the nineties and it wasnt easy for the LGTB community but as the title of this books says the heart wants what the heart wants and time heals all... this book is based over multiple years and chance encounters

this book grabs you in ways that you hope that the two main characters can work out how to be together ...what a story...

This was a good book, I’d give it 3.75 stars. I really enjoyed the military aspect and the back and forth between Sydney and Reagan🤍there were lots of turns and it kept me invested!! I wasn’t ready for the end. I wish the POV would have been one or the other each chapter, it switches mid page sometimes and it can get confusing. Has a happy ending which I enjoyed!🤍

This was a really enjoyable read even if a bit frustrating at times since it was a lot of back and forth for 15 years until Reagan and Sydney got their shit together and finally could start a life together. However, the story was gripping from start to finish and such a chemistry between this awesome couple.

The Heart Wants a great read that is well written and paced perfectly for the story line. Following the 15 year love story of Regan and Sydney the author does a brilliant job of introducing the characters and promptly engaging the reader in their decade plus courtship.

Krystina Rivers prose is excellent and does a wonderful job of showcasing the nuisances of the characters and their relationship at their every meeting point. The growth and character development keeps the pages turning and has you rooting for each of the main characters. Definitely would love a follow up novel on a few side characters but was very pleased with how the story developed.

Overall this is an excellent book and highly recommend as weekend read.