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The Heartbreak Chronicles #4
In a Heartbeat
From Ali Novak, New York Times bestselling author of My Life with the Walter Boys, comes the final book in The Heartbreak Chronicles series, perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Kasie West!
When so much is uncertain, how can love be the next step?
Even though her lymphoma is in remission, Cara Samuel feels anything but normal. After years of preparing for the worst, she has no idea what kind of life she wants, now that she's (probably? maybe?) going to live.So she hopes completing a "bucket list" she abandoned a few years ago will help her find herself again. She's already crossed one thing off the meeting her favorite band, the Heartbreakers. Well, it's only because her sister Stella's dating the lead singer, but it's a start.
It's not long before Cara's taken a polar plunge, started planning the tattoo she'll get, and also... is playing fake girlfriend to JJ Morris, the Heartbreaker's drummer. Okay, that definitely wasn't on her list, but weirdly enough, the band's brashest, most obnoxious member has turned out to be a surprisingly great listener and a sweet friend. And when he needs to get some distance from his tricky ex, Cara's happy to help out.
Trouble is, JJ's might be catching feelings, and while she'll never admit it, Cara is too. By now she knows better than to count on the future, and the last thing she wants is for him to get hurt. Can't they keep pretending there's nothing between them?
When so much is uncertain, how can love be the next step?
Even though her lymphoma is in remission, Cara Samuel feels anything but normal. After years of preparing for the worst, she has no idea what kind of life she wants, now that she's (probably? maybe?) going to live.So she hopes completing a "bucket list" she abandoned a few years ago will help her find herself again. She's already crossed one thing off the meeting her favorite band, the Heartbreakers. Well, it's only because her sister Stella's dating the lead singer, but it's a start.
It's not long before Cara's taken a polar plunge, started planning the tattoo she'll get, and also... is playing fake girlfriend to JJ Morris, the Heartbreaker's drummer. Okay, that definitely wasn't on her list, but weirdly enough, the band's brashest, most obnoxious member has turned out to be a surprisingly great listener and a sweet friend. And when he needs to get some distance from his tricky ex, Cara's happy to help out.
Trouble is, JJ's might be catching feelings, and while she'll never admit it, Cara is too. By now she knows better than to count on the future, and the last thing she wants is for him to get hurt. Can't they keep pretending there's nothing between them?
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
Ali Novak
16 books3,322 followersAli Novak is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s creative writing program. She started writing her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was only fifteen. Her work has received more than 150 million reads online.
When she isn’t writing, Ali enjoys Netflix marathons, traveling with her husband Jared, and reading any type of fantasy novel she can get her hands on. You can follow her on Wattpad, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat @fallzswimmer.
Please note that I don't answer messages on Goodreads. Please feel free to contact me on Twitter or Instagram.
When she isn’t writing, Ali enjoys Netflix marathons, traveling with her husband Jared, and reading any type of fantasy novel she can get her hands on. You can follow her on Wattpad, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat @fallzswimmer.
Please note that I don't answer messages on Goodreads. Please feel free to contact me on Twitter or Instagram.
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March 16, 2026pre-release
I’ve been waiting for Cara and JJ’s story for SEVEN years now. I’m SOOOO excited for this
I’ve been waiting for Cara and JJ’s story for SEVEN years now. I’m SOOOO excited for this
August 16, 2026
Thank you Tantor Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC
Audiobook Review: In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this one! In a Heartbeat is book 4 in The Heartbreak Chronicles, and I have loved this series, but this one is definitely my favorite! ❤️
Cara and JJ’s story was such a great way to wrap up the series. I loved watching Cara find herself and start figuring out what she wants for her future, and her relationship with JJ was so much fun. Their fake-dating situation, the banter, and all the feelings that slowly started sneaking in made this such an enjoyable read.
And the audiobook was fantastic! I loved the narration and thought the narrators did such a great job bringing the characters and story to life. It made an already great story even better.
Ali Novak has once again given us a sweet, emotional, and fun romance, and I’m sad to see this series end. Definitely my favorite book in the series! 💕
Audiobook Review: In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this one! In a Heartbeat is book 4 in The Heartbreak Chronicles, and I have loved this series, but this one is definitely my favorite! ❤️
Cara and JJ’s story was such a great way to wrap up the series. I loved watching Cara find herself and start figuring out what she wants for her future, and her relationship with JJ was so much fun. Their fake-dating situation, the banter, and all the feelings that slowly started sneaking in made this such an enjoyable read.
And the audiobook was fantastic! I loved the narration and thought the narrators did such a great job bringing the characters and story to life. It made an already great story even better.
Ali Novak has once again given us a sweet, emotional, and fun romance, and I’m sad to see this series end. Definitely my favorite book in the series! 💕
August 29, 2026
Finally, JJ gets a romance! The pairing was unexpected but so perfect. I loved seeing the softer side of JJ and seeing the realness of Cara dealing with her feelings about cancer. Great messaging about how others treat you and deal with your diagnosis and recovery. Overall this was a great way to wrap this series up.
July 29, 2026
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: August 25, 2026
I recently read the first three books in this series and was so happy to see there would be a fourth centered on JJ to finish out The Heartbreakers. This follows JJ and Cara and is the most mature book of the series so far (content and MCs). This is definitely older YA, with steamy make outs and sex off the page. I’m always a sucker for the fake dating trope, and loved getting to see this side of JJ. It was also nice to revisit Oliver and Stella, who played an important role in this one. They have both grown up so much since the first book and that was fun to watch along the way.
I recently read the first three books in this series and was so happy to see there would be a fourth centered on JJ to finish out The Heartbreakers. This follows JJ and Cara and is the most mature book of the series so far (content and MCs). This is definitely older YA, with steamy make outs and sex off the page. I’m always a sucker for the fake dating trope, and loved getting to see this side of JJ. It was also nice to revisit Oliver and Stella, who played an important role in this one. They have both grown up so much since the first book and that was fun to watch along the way.
August 2, 2026
📚-5 🌶️-2 🤬-3
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Judging a book by its cover worked out really, really well for me this time. I had no idea what this book was about, who the author was, or even that it was the fourth book in a series. Once it hit my Kindle, though, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
This is everything I want in a young adult novel. The writing felt mature without losing that YA charm, the characters were believable, and the emotions felt genuine. It had so much more depth than I was expecting. It completely sucked me in, and I devoured it in a single day. I was thoroughly invested in both JJ and Cara.
Cara is such a layered character. At first, I just appreciated her for who she was. It wasn’t until about a third of the way through the book that I realized just how stuck she’d become. The bucket list was such a fun way to push her outside of her comfort zone. Even though it was old, it gave her just enough motivation to start making changes. Watching her come alive was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. She was witty, kind, and adventurous, and seeing those parts of her grow felt really beautiful.
JJ is impossible not to love. I was rooting for him from the very beginning. He’s funny, doesn’t take life too seriously, and somehow manages to find fun in almost any situation. Even as a famous musician and heartthrob, he still felt incredibly down-to-earth. I also loved that he recognized how fortunate he was, while at the same time struggling with the idea that he wasn’t allowed to feel disappointed because of everything he had. That made him feel even more real.
Together, Cara and JJ were pure magic. I smiled and laughed through so many of their bucket list adventures. You could tell that JJ made Cara feel brave. Around him, she felt safe enough to relax, take chances, and start moving forward in a way that felt right for her. Their relationship developed so naturally, and I loved every minute of it.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was heartfelt, funny, and emotional in all the right ways. I also loved that it was a completely age-appropriate YA novel. It’s one I would happily recommend to teenagers.
While it is wildly out of character for me to read a series out of order, I’m not even a little mad that this was my first book by Ali Novak. I’ll be starting the series from the beginning tomorrow, and I’ve already added several of her other books to my TBR.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Spicy Chapter: None
This is a closed door romance. There are conversations about sex as well as jokes of sexual nature. There are only a few and are mild in context.
Language 🤬🤬🤬
F Word Count 8
Occasional F-words and/or mild sexual references. Typical F-word count: 1–10
———————————————————————
My Rating Scales
1/5 Spice
Very clean romance with little to no sexual content. Expect mostly kissing, emotional tension, and sweet romantic moments.
2/5 Spice
Some sexual content and chemistry, but nothing overly explicit. Expect fade-to-black scenes or lightly detailed intimate moments rather than graphic descriptions.
3/5 Spice
Open-door romance with moderate detail, but the scenes aren’t excessive or overly graphic. Expect a few moderately descriptive scenes that support the story rather than dominate it.
4/5 Spice
Definitely a spicy read with multiple open-door scenes and explicit detail. (🌶️) The intimate scenes are longer, more descriptive, and play a larger role in the overall story. (🫑)You’ll also find frequent sexual tension and references, including attraction, arousal, fantasies, dreams, and suggestive thoughts throughout the book.
5/5 Spice
Heavy spice with frequent, highly explicit scenes and graphic detail throughout the book. Expect lengthy intimate scenes, strong sexual content, and a story where the spice is a major focus of the reading experience. For me, these books fall into the “smut” category rather than simply being “spicy.”
0/5 Language
No profanity or crude language. F-word count: 0
1/5 Language
Occasional mild profanity. No F-words or explicit sexual language. F-word count: 0
2/5 Language
Frequent mild to moderate profanity, but still no F-words. F-word count: 0
3/5 Language
Mild swearing with occasional F-words but no explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 1–29
4/5 Language
Heavy profanity with frequent F-words and may also include minimal use of explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 30+
5/5 Language
Very heavy profanity with constant strong language, frequent F-words, and extensive explicit sexual language throughout the book. Typical F-word count: 50+
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Judging a book by its cover worked out really, really well for me this time. I had no idea what this book was about, who the author was, or even that it was the fourth book in a series. Once it hit my Kindle, though, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
This is everything I want in a young adult novel. The writing felt mature without losing that YA charm, the characters were believable, and the emotions felt genuine. It had so much more depth than I was expecting. It completely sucked me in, and I devoured it in a single day. I was thoroughly invested in both JJ and Cara.
Cara is such a layered character. At first, I just appreciated her for who she was. It wasn’t until about a third of the way through the book that I realized just how stuck she’d become. The bucket list was such a fun way to push her outside of her comfort zone. Even though it was old, it gave her just enough motivation to start making changes. Watching her come alive was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. She was witty, kind, and adventurous, and seeing those parts of her grow felt really beautiful.
JJ is impossible not to love. I was rooting for him from the very beginning. He’s funny, doesn’t take life too seriously, and somehow manages to find fun in almost any situation. Even as a famous musician and heartthrob, he still felt incredibly down-to-earth. I also loved that he recognized how fortunate he was, while at the same time struggling with the idea that he wasn’t allowed to feel disappointed because of everything he had. That made him feel even more real.
Together, Cara and JJ were pure magic. I smiled and laughed through so many of their bucket list adventures. You could tell that JJ made Cara feel brave. Around him, she felt safe enough to relax, take chances, and start moving forward in a way that felt right for her. Their relationship developed so naturally, and I loved every minute of it.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was heartfelt, funny, and emotional in all the right ways. I also loved that it was a completely age-appropriate YA novel. It’s one I would happily recommend to teenagers.
While it is wildly out of character for me to read a series out of order, I’m not even a little mad that this was my first book by Ali Novak. I’ll be starting the series from the beginning tomorrow, and I’ve already added several of her other books to my TBR.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Spicy Chapter: None
This is a closed door romance. There are conversations about sex as well as jokes of sexual nature. There are only a few and are mild in context.
Language 🤬🤬🤬
F Word Count 8
Occasional F-words and/or mild sexual references. Typical F-word count: 1–10
———————————————————————
My Rating Scales
1/5 Spice
Very clean romance with little to no sexual content. Expect mostly kissing, emotional tension, and sweet romantic moments.
2/5 Spice
Some sexual content and chemistry, but nothing overly explicit. Expect fade-to-black scenes or lightly detailed intimate moments rather than graphic descriptions.
3/5 Spice
Open-door romance with moderate detail, but the scenes aren’t excessive or overly graphic. Expect a few moderately descriptive scenes that support the story rather than dominate it.
4/5 Spice
Definitely a spicy read with multiple open-door scenes and explicit detail. (🌶️) The intimate scenes are longer, more descriptive, and play a larger role in the overall story. (🫑)You’ll also find frequent sexual tension and references, including attraction, arousal, fantasies, dreams, and suggestive thoughts throughout the book.
5/5 Spice
Heavy spice with frequent, highly explicit scenes and graphic detail throughout the book. Expect lengthy intimate scenes, strong sexual content, and a story where the spice is a major focus of the reading experience. For me, these books fall into the “smut” category rather than simply being “spicy.”
0/5 Language
No profanity or crude language. F-word count: 0
1/5 Language
Occasional mild profanity. No F-words or explicit sexual language. F-word count: 0
2/5 Language
Frequent mild to moderate profanity, but still no F-words. F-word count: 0
3/5 Language
Mild swearing with occasional F-words but no explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 1–29
4/5 Language
Heavy profanity with frequent F-words and may also include minimal use of explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 30+
5/5 Language
Very heavy profanity with constant strong language, frequent F-words, and extensive explicit sexual language throughout the book. Typical F-word count: 50+
August 23, 2026
The Heartbreak Chronicles comes to an emotional and heartfelt conclusion with Cara Samuel’s story—a coming-of-age romance filled with friendship, self-discovery, fake dating, and the courage to embrace an uncertain future.
After years of living with the fear of the worst, Cara is finally in remission from lymphoma. But instead of feeling free, she finds herself struggling with a completely different question: what do you do when you suddenly have a future you never expected to have?
Determined to figure herself out, Cara returns to a bucket list she abandoned years ago. Along the way, she finds herself meeting her favorite band, taking a polar plunge, planning a tattoo, and unexpectedly becoming the fake girlfriend of JJ Morris, the Heartbreakers’ drummer.
JJ initially seems like the last person Cara should fall for. He’s brash, obnoxious, and definitely not the kind of person she imagined herself getting close to. But beneath that confident exterior is someone caring, attentive, and surprisingly good at listening. Their friendship gradually develops into something deeper, making their growing feelings feel both sweet and complicated.
What makes this story particularly touching is Cara’s fear of allowing herself to love someone when she isn’t sure what the future holds. She doesn’t want JJ to get hurt, and her instinct to protect him creates an emotional barrier between them. Watching her learn that uncertainty doesn’t mean she has to stop herself from living, loving, and making memories is what gives the romance its emotional heart.
The combination of fake dating, first love, friendship, music, and self-discovery makes this a lovely conclusion to the series. Fans of Jenny Han and Kasie West will likely enjoy the youthful romance and heartfelt coming-of-age themes.
A tender, emotional, and hopeful finale about learning to stop waiting for certainty and start living in the moment. Cara’s journey is a beautiful reminder that the future may be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth dreaming about. 💕🎶
After years of living with the fear of the worst, Cara is finally in remission from lymphoma. But instead of feeling free, she finds herself struggling with a completely different question: what do you do when you suddenly have a future you never expected to have?
Determined to figure herself out, Cara returns to a bucket list she abandoned years ago. Along the way, she finds herself meeting her favorite band, taking a polar plunge, planning a tattoo, and unexpectedly becoming the fake girlfriend of JJ Morris, the Heartbreakers’ drummer.
JJ initially seems like the last person Cara should fall for. He’s brash, obnoxious, and definitely not the kind of person she imagined herself getting close to. But beneath that confident exterior is someone caring, attentive, and surprisingly good at listening. Their friendship gradually develops into something deeper, making their growing feelings feel both sweet and complicated.
What makes this story particularly touching is Cara’s fear of allowing herself to love someone when she isn’t sure what the future holds. She doesn’t want JJ to get hurt, and her instinct to protect him creates an emotional barrier between them. Watching her learn that uncertainty doesn’t mean she has to stop herself from living, loving, and making memories is what gives the romance its emotional heart.
The combination of fake dating, first love, friendship, music, and self-discovery makes this a lovely conclusion to the series. Fans of Jenny Han and Kasie West will likely enjoy the youthful romance and heartfelt coming-of-age themes.
A tender, emotional, and hopeful finale about learning to stop waiting for certainty and start living in the moment. Cara’s journey is a beautiful reminder that the future may be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth dreaming about. 💕🎶
August 23, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for an early access to this book.
I really wanted to read this book because I loved Cara in the first book in this series. Her character is created very good - I feel like a lot of people can find something to relate to her.
This story is simple but yet very heartwarming and emotional. I loved seeing the growth of characters.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook - I was thinking about spending time with that book almost all the time.
The only disadvantage I could see in this book is that I couldn’t tell for which age was this book - there was a little (closed door) spice and some swearing but also the characters were a little childish and the message at the end was like in a Disney movies (kinda too obvious)
I really wanted to read this book because I loved Cara in the first book in this series. Her character is created very good - I feel like a lot of people can find something to relate to her.
This story is simple but yet very heartwarming and emotional. I loved seeing the growth of characters.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook - I was thinking about spending time with that book almost all the time.
The only disadvantage I could see in this book is that I couldn’t tell for which age was this book - there was a little (closed door) spice and some swearing but also the characters were a little childish and the message at the end was like in a Disney movies (kinda too obvious)
August 26, 2026
(Hoopla) Final book of the series did not disappoint! I honestly never cared much for JJ in the other books, but I really liked him here. We got more insight into his childish ways. I also appreciated the way Cara and her cancer were written. First person from her POV. Mild profanity. No real steam (closed bedroom). Sweet romance for the last member of the Heartbreakers boy band! Not my favorite of the series, but very entertaining and heartwarming. 💕 Enjoy!
September 1, 2026
should have been turned into a show before my life with the walter boys
September 20, 2026
Loved this whole series!! ❤️❤️ So happy JJ and Cara got their story.
October 1, 2026
Easy quick read. The final book in a series from childhood !
August 29, 2026
4,5⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, I guess I have to go back and read the other three books in The Heartbreak Chronicles now, because I loved this book, the fourth in the series, SO much. Why did I wait this long?! 😭
In a Heartbeat follows Cara, who has had cancer and is finally in remission, but is struggling with the idea of actually having a future again. She has spent so long being afraid that the cancer might come back and take everything from her that, even though she is technically healthy, she doesn't really know how to live. Then there’s JJ: famous boy-band drummer, professional flirt, resident troublemaker, and probably the last person you’d expect to help her change all that. 😂 When the two of them become friends and JJ gets involved in Cara’s bucket list in exchange for a period of fake dating to help him get rid of an annoying ex, things obviously start getting… complicated. And so, so beautiful. ❤️
I LOVED these two SO MUCH.
JJ… oh, JJ. 😂❤️ This boy completely stole my heart.
His default setting is basically flirt, make a joke, do something ridiculous, flirt again. He is constantly acting like the charming, devilish rogue in some kind of fairytale where he is obviously going to ride in on a white horse and turn out to be the prince charming underneath it all. And honestly? He has the imagination and the confidence to fully commit to the role. 😂 I had SO much fun reading this character!
But what I loved most is that behind all the flirting, the jokes, the muscles, the tattoos, the piercings, and the whole super-famous boy-band drummer persona, JJ has the biggest, softest heart.
He is genuinely generous and thoughtful, and some of the little things he does completely melted me. Like every time he pulls one of his ridiculous "criminal mastermind" stunts 😂 only to have already thought about making up for it. I mean… COME ON. 😂 How are we supposed not to love him?!
And the way he supports Cara was probably one of my favorite things about him. He is always in her corner. Always cheering her on, believing in her, giving her that little boost of confidence when she needs it. He is the kind of friend who makes you feel like you can actually do the thing you're terrified of doing because he already believes you can.
And he isn't just like that with Cara. He is such a loving brother, so proud of his siblings and always there for his family. He is one of those characters who makes you think, oh, he's actually just a really, really good person.
So basically… a golden boy disguised as a ridiculously hot, tattooed, pierced, muscular bad-boy drummer/rock star. 😂🥁❤️ A DREAM!
Cara was a completely different kind of character, and I loved her for that too. She is kind. She is thoughtful. She cares about everyone around her and feels guilty about the pain and worry her illness has caused the people she loves. But she is also scared. Really scared. Because when you've already had cancer, it's hard to trust the future when you know how quickly everything can change.
And I really appreciated the way that part of her story was handled. Her fear and uncertainty are such an important part of her character, and I thought Ali Novak approached them with so much care and understanding.
Because on paper, Cara and JJ couldn't be more different. They come from completely different worlds, have very different personalities, and yet their dynamic works SO well.
And I LOVED watching Cara discover herself through that bucket list.
Yes, the list is absolutely insane 😂—holding a baby alligator, swimming in a freezing lake in winter, eating 29 scoops of ice cream in 30 minutes, kissing a stranger in the rain… I mean, WHY NOT?! 😂—but what makes it special is that Cara ends up getting so much more from it than a bunch of crazy experiences to check off: she starts figuring out who she actually is when fear isn't running the show. What she likes. What she wants. What makes her happy. Which version of herself she wants to be—and which version she wants other people to see.
And I think that's what made this story hit me more than I expected. ❤️
There is obviously romance here, and I loved the romance, but at its heart this is also a story about learning how to live after you've spent so long just trying to survive.
It's emotional, but it's also SO much fun. There are ridiculous moments, lots of flirting and banter, friendship, family, bucket-list chaos, and a hero who made me smile every time he appeared on the page.
Basically, I had a great time with this one. 🥹❤️
Tropes:
✨ Fake dating
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Slow burn
✨ Rockstar/boy-band romance
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Bucket list
✨ Found family
✨ Golden retriever energy in a tattooed bad-boy package 😂
CW: cancer, chemotherapy/cancer treatment, remission and fear of recurrence, panic attacks and anxiety. This is definitely something to keep in mind if these topics are triggering for you. There are some difficult moments, but I thought Ali Novak treated the subject with so much care, sensitivity, and understanding. It never felt like the cancer storyline was there just to create drama; it is an important part of Cara's experience and of understanding why she struggles so much.
And I have to mention the audiobook because Shannon McManus was fantastic. I loved listening to this story and thought she brought so much warmth and personality to the characters. 🎧❤️
Now excuse me while I go find the other three books in this series because apparently I have a whole family of characters to meet. 😂❤️
Thank you so much to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and listen to the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
In a Heartbeat releases tomorrow, August 25, 2026! 💕
In a Heartbeat follows Cara, who has had cancer and is finally in remission, but is struggling with the idea of actually having a future again. She has spent so long being afraid that the cancer might come back and take everything from her that, even though she is technically healthy, she doesn't really know how to live. Then there’s JJ: famous boy-band drummer, professional flirt, resident troublemaker, and probably the last person you’d expect to help her change all that. 😂 When the two of them become friends and JJ gets involved in Cara’s bucket list in exchange for a period of fake dating to help him get rid of an annoying ex, things obviously start getting… complicated. And so, so beautiful. ❤️
I LOVED these two SO MUCH.
JJ… oh, JJ. 😂❤️ This boy completely stole my heart.
His default setting is basically flirt, make a joke, do something ridiculous, flirt again. He is constantly acting like the charming, devilish rogue in some kind of fairytale where he is obviously going to ride in on a white horse and turn out to be the prince charming underneath it all. And honestly? He has the imagination and the confidence to fully commit to the role. 😂 I had SO much fun reading this character!
But what I loved most is that behind all the flirting, the jokes, the muscles, the tattoos, the piercings, and the whole super-famous boy-band drummer persona, JJ has the biggest, softest heart.
He is genuinely generous and thoughtful, and some of the little things he does completely melted me. Like every time he pulls one of his ridiculous "criminal mastermind" stunts 😂 only to have already thought about making up for it. I mean… COME ON. 😂 How are we supposed not to love him?!
And the way he supports Cara was probably one of my favorite things about him. He is always in her corner. Always cheering her on, believing in her, giving her that little boost of confidence when she needs it. He is the kind of friend who makes you feel like you can actually do the thing you're terrified of doing because he already believes you can.
And he isn't just like that with Cara. He is such a loving brother, so proud of his siblings and always there for his family. He is one of those characters who makes you think, oh, he's actually just a really, really good person.
So basically… a golden boy disguised as a ridiculously hot, tattooed, pierced, muscular bad-boy drummer/rock star. 😂🥁❤️ A DREAM!
Cara was a completely different kind of character, and I loved her for that too. She is kind. She is thoughtful. She cares about everyone around her and feels guilty about the pain and worry her illness has caused the people she loves. But she is also scared. Really scared. Because when you've already had cancer, it's hard to trust the future when you know how quickly everything can change.
And I really appreciated the way that part of her story was handled. Her fear and uncertainty are such an important part of her character, and I thought Ali Novak approached them with so much care and understanding.
Because on paper, Cara and JJ couldn't be more different. They come from completely different worlds, have very different personalities, and yet their dynamic works SO well.
And I LOVED watching Cara discover herself through that bucket list.
Yes, the list is absolutely insane 😂—holding a baby alligator, swimming in a freezing lake in winter, eating 29 scoops of ice cream in 30 minutes, kissing a stranger in the rain… I mean, WHY NOT?! 😂—but what makes it special is that Cara ends up getting so much more from it than a bunch of crazy experiences to check off: she starts figuring out who she actually is when fear isn't running the show. What she likes. What she wants. What makes her happy. Which version of herself she wants to be—and which version she wants other people to see.
And I think that's what made this story hit me more than I expected. ❤️
There is obviously romance here, and I loved the romance, but at its heart this is also a story about learning how to live after you've spent so long just trying to survive.
It's emotional, but it's also SO much fun. There are ridiculous moments, lots of flirting and banter, friendship, family, bucket-list chaos, and a hero who made me smile every time he appeared on the page.
Basically, I had a great time with this one. 🥹❤️
Tropes:
✨ Fake dating
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Slow burn
✨ Rockstar/boy-band romance
✨ Opposites attract
✨ Bucket list
✨ Found family
✨ Golden retriever energy in a tattooed bad-boy package 😂
CW: cancer, chemotherapy/cancer treatment, remission and fear of recurrence, panic attacks and anxiety. This is definitely something to keep in mind if these topics are triggering for you. There are some difficult moments, but I thought Ali Novak treated the subject with so much care, sensitivity, and understanding. It never felt like the cancer storyline was there just to create drama; it is an important part of Cara's experience and of understanding why she struggles so much.
And I have to mention the audiobook because Shannon McManus was fantastic. I loved listening to this story and thought she brought so much warmth and personality to the characters. 🎧❤️
Now excuse me while I go find the other three books in this series because apparently I have a whole family of characters to meet. 😂❤️
Thank you so much to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and listen to the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
In a Heartbeat releases tomorrow, August 25, 2026! 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 ★
I read this series almost a decade ago when it was being updated on Wattpad and stopped right at JJ and Cara's story as that's when it was starting to be published. I've been waiting for this forever (and you know I went running to read this as soon as I got it) and JJ is hands down my favorite member from the band which made the anticipation all the more painful. I'm so thrilled to be able to read this and also sad that the series is finally over (years later I'm still not ready for this)
Themes and tropes to expect:
- fake dating
- drummer MMC x fangirl FMC
- life in remission (FMC has a history of NHL)
- finishing a bucket list
As seen in the other books, Cara, the FMC, is a triplet (her sister is dating the lead singer of the band, Oliver). Through her sister she's able to meet the Heartbreakers (her favorite band) and first encounters JJ. I really enjoyed the start to her story as it introduces off the bat multiple predicaments she faces such as her ongoing crush on her sister's boyfriend, fear of cancer recurrence, and trying to navigate adulthood after having missed out on her childhood. This leads her to embarking on an adventure to complete a bucket list she had wrote when she was younger in hopes of making up for those experiences by doing everything she wished to achieve. While embarking on this mission, JJ, the MMC, helps her with some of these tasks which naturally brings them together.
"The truth was I had no clue who I was anymore or what I wanted to do with whatever life I had left. Somewhere along the way, I'd lost the insight my younger self had. What did I have to do to get back to her?"
I found this story to be very thoughtful in how it handled topics of navigating fractured relationships and rediscovery of self-identity. I found JJ and Cara's relationship coming secondary to the plot as a large focus played on Cara learning to live her life to the fullest by overcoming her fears that hinder experiences such as engaging in relationships. The reader is able to see how she comes to this realization through completion of her bucket list, the help of her friends, and budding relationship with JJ. This was a fun read as Cara was 15 when she first wrote all the things she wanted to do, and as expected from her sheltered upbringing, the things she wishes to do are the most unexpected like doing a polar plunge, getting her license, and even going to Florida so she can hold a baby alligator. The pacing was quick and easy to follow, and it was all the more wholesome as I loved seeing more of Stella, Drew, and the Heartbreak boys (but Stella really did make me real annoyed at times...)
I did wish it was longer overall, the romance between JJ and Cara didn't shine as strongly as the relationships in the other stories for me but I still loved JJ and Cara all the same. The fake dating as well was a smaller part of the story relative to everything else? It was a nice bridging point for the two to push their friendship into something more romantic but I think it didn't carry the way it could have since everyone around them knew it wasn't a real relationship? It was super sweet that everyone was shipping them together and the Fourth of July moments were perfect in encapsulating that. I feel there also could have been a bit more that could have been expanded in the events leading up to Cara's realization that there was no harm in living life to the fullest as all events in life are unpredictable. The final portion of the story was a bit abrupt in that realization for me, I loved how she made that realization but I wish there was more than the abrupt few pages for that moment.
"All most people saw when they looked at him was the loud, brazen boy who liked to make people laugh, sometime sin a very crass way. But the more time I spent with JJ, the more I realized how little that described him. He was also caring and supportive and clever, and he knew how to push me outside my comfort zone in a way that wasn't scary."
All the same I felt bad for JJ and the hardships in his life (looking at you Layla), there was depth to his character and I would have loved to see his perspective on things because the way he helped Cara was absolutely adorable. He's portrayed as a playboy drummer throughout however the things he does to ensure Cara is able to complete her bucket list and be comfortable in engaging in experiences that she's missing out on shows how thoughtful he is. The same comes with how Cara navigates her relationship with Stella and her parents. It was such a realistic take on how she tries to gain her independence again in developing her identity as separate from her illness and this was explored so beautifully!
Overall I loved the ending, I think it was ideal for JJ and Cara and the avenues they went through navigating their relationship and how it ties so perfectly to the start of the book. This series is so dear to me and I'm so happy to be able to have the opportunity to read it!
Thank you so much to Ali Novak and Sourcebooks for the eARC!
I read this series almost a decade ago when it was being updated on Wattpad and stopped right at JJ and Cara's story as that's when it was starting to be published. I've been waiting for this forever (and you know I went running to read this as soon as I got it) and JJ is hands down my favorite member from the band which made the anticipation all the more painful. I'm so thrilled to be able to read this and also sad that the series is finally over (years later I'm still not ready for this)
Themes and tropes to expect:
- fake dating
- drummer MMC x fangirl FMC
- life in remission (FMC has a history of NHL)
- finishing a bucket list
As seen in the other books, Cara, the FMC, is a triplet (her sister is dating the lead singer of the band, Oliver). Through her sister she's able to meet the Heartbreakers (her favorite band) and first encounters JJ. I really enjoyed the start to her story as it introduces off the bat multiple predicaments she faces such as her ongoing crush on her sister's boyfriend, fear of cancer recurrence, and trying to navigate adulthood after having missed out on her childhood. This leads her to embarking on an adventure to complete a bucket list she had wrote when she was younger in hopes of making up for those experiences by doing everything she wished to achieve. While embarking on this mission, JJ, the MMC, helps her with some of these tasks which naturally brings them together.
"The truth was I had no clue who I was anymore or what I wanted to do with whatever life I had left. Somewhere along the way, I'd lost the insight my younger self had. What did I have to do to get back to her?"
I found this story to be very thoughtful in how it handled topics of navigating fractured relationships and rediscovery of self-identity. I found JJ and Cara's relationship coming secondary to the plot as a large focus played on Cara learning to live her life to the fullest by overcoming her fears that hinder experiences such as engaging in relationships. The reader is able to see how she comes to this realization through completion of her bucket list, the help of her friends, and budding relationship with JJ. This was a fun read as Cara was 15 when she first wrote all the things she wanted to do, and as expected from her sheltered upbringing, the things she wishes to do are the most unexpected like doing a polar plunge, getting her license, and even going to Florida so she can hold a baby alligator. The pacing was quick and easy to follow, and it was all the more wholesome as I loved seeing more of Stella, Drew, and the Heartbreak boys (but Stella really did make me real annoyed at times...)
I did wish it was longer overall, the romance between JJ and Cara didn't shine as strongly as the relationships in the other stories for me but I still loved JJ and Cara all the same. The fake dating as well was a smaller part of the story relative to everything else? It was a nice bridging point for the two to push their friendship into something more romantic but I think it didn't carry the way it could have since everyone around them knew it wasn't a real relationship? It was super sweet that everyone was shipping them together and the Fourth of July moments were perfect in encapsulating that. I feel there also could have been a bit more that could have been expanded in the events leading up to Cara's realization that there was no harm in living life to the fullest as all events in life are unpredictable. The final portion of the story was a bit abrupt in that realization for me, I loved how she made that realization but I wish there was more than the abrupt few pages for that moment.
"All most people saw when they looked at him was the loud, brazen boy who liked to make people laugh, sometime sin a very crass way. But the more time I spent with JJ, the more I realized how little that described him. He was also caring and supportive and clever, and he knew how to push me outside my comfort zone in a way that wasn't scary."
All the same I felt bad for JJ and the hardships in his life (looking at you Layla), there was depth to his character and I would have loved to see his perspective on things because the way he helped Cara was absolutely adorable. He's portrayed as a playboy drummer throughout however the things he does to ensure Cara is able to complete her bucket list and be comfortable in engaging in experiences that she's missing out on shows how thoughtful he is. The same comes with how Cara navigates her relationship with Stella and her parents. It was such a realistic take on how she tries to gain her independence again in developing her identity as separate from her illness and this was explored so beautifully!
Overall I loved the ending, I think it was ideal for JJ and Cara and the avenues they went through navigating their relationship and how it ties so perfectly to the start of the book. This series is so dear to me and I'm so happy to be able to have the opportunity to read it!
Thank you so much to Ali Novak and Sourcebooks for the eARC!
August 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and RB Audio for the arc.
As someone who was also the sick kid in high school (anorexia for me), and who also missed out on some key teenage experiences like prom, due to outpatient hospital visits and being sick... I thought I would really love this YA romance novel; about a girl who makes up for the fact that she missed out on some key teenage experiences by completing her bucket list.
💖
Although I did find some quotes and moments very relatable, instead of finding the experience healing, I found the way people judged her and a constant reminder that she'd missed out on things instead of just changing her timeline very triggering.
And instead of finding this rom com uplifting like I'd expected it to be, I found it depressing.
I have to admit that the love interest is great and I really liked the bucket list items, but even though there were plot twists that surprised me and very fun bucket list items, I'd spent the first 50% of the book wanting to dnf.
I was bored a little too often. And I didn't find the reading experiencing uplifting. I also found the language of word use to be very cringey at times. Words like nopity, nope, nope and oh my freaking banana and things like drinks and phrases like that I found very cringeworthy and even a little childish. I'm definitely not a prude and have read my fair share of adult romance and I love me a good YA novel.
But for ya, I found this book to be more horny than I would have expected for a YA novel. I also found the jokes and the banter corny and lame more often than not instead of funny.
But that being said, I found the last 13% of the book and the message it was trying to bring across definitely, definitely worth reading. I think. I have to admit that some of the things that I found made me feel uncomfortable about this book was also what I found inspiring. I think it reminded me that I too have been holding on to some fear that has prevented me from living my best life. I too started college a little later than planned because of illness, and then afterward, after I fully recovered, during a competition I injured my neck during the butterfly swim... which left me with longterm neck pain for two years. And this experience left me being afraid of recovery, of moving forward because doing physical therapy was kind of terrifying because of how much pain I was in... and I even ended up taking a third gap year after having already completed my first year of college.
So I think this book was very confronting for me too. But I also found the quote about not living your life in fear to be very uplifting and inspiring. So I think I had a personally Sensitive experience reading this book that also reflected my rating, although I would still have found the word used corny and some of the plots dragging.
And I didn't like that we didn't didn't get to see their reaction to Kara's scan results and that there was no five year in the future epilogue in which you know, she'd been in remission for five years and I thought the feud with her sister took way too long to fix.
And this book didn't really feel like it would read as a standalone, because I didn't read the first three books in the series. So I was constantly confused wishing they told us how Oliver and Stella had met. A lot of things that I'm assuming have been mentioned in the other books, like how Oliver and Stella met, how old JJ and Oliver were, How Macy and Drew met, and some more key elements in story building weren't mentioned which made the book feel a little bit like we missed adding key world building elements.
I didn't like that we didn't get to find out whether Willow goes into remission. The book felt unfinished at the end with these few things I've mentioned.
And I felt like Stella and Cara spent too much of the book avoiding each other. They could have made up sooner. There was no twin relationship whatsoever and I think I would have really liked Stella's character in the first book in Stella's book, which I might still read, but in this book Stella didn't really seem as a likable character, even though I do understand her reasoning.
As someone who was also the sick kid in high school (anorexia for me), and who also missed out on some key teenage experiences like prom, due to outpatient hospital visits and being sick... I thought I would really love this YA romance novel; about a girl who makes up for the fact that she missed out on some key teenage experiences by completing her bucket list.
💖
Although I did find some quotes and moments very relatable, instead of finding the experience healing, I found the way people judged her and a constant reminder that she'd missed out on things instead of just changing her timeline very triggering.
And instead of finding this rom com uplifting like I'd expected it to be, I found it depressing.
I have to admit that the love interest is great and I really liked the bucket list items, but even though there were plot twists that surprised me and very fun bucket list items, I'd spent the first 50% of the book wanting to dnf.
I was bored a little too often. And I didn't find the reading experiencing uplifting. I also found the language of word use to be very cringey at times. Words like nopity, nope, nope and oh my freaking banana and things like drinks and phrases like that I found very cringeworthy and even a little childish. I'm definitely not a prude and have read my fair share of adult romance and I love me a good YA novel.
But for ya, I found this book to be more horny than I would have expected for a YA novel. I also found the jokes and the banter corny and lame more often than not instead of funny.
But that being said, I found the last 13% of the book and the message it was trying to bring across definitely, definitely worth reading. I think. I have to admit that some of the things that I found made me feel uncomfortable about this book was also what I found inspiring. I think it reminded me that I too have been holding on to some fear that has prevented me from living my best life. I too started college a little later than planned because of illness, and then afterward, after I fully recovered, during a competition I injured my neck during the butterfly swim... which left me with longterm neck pain for two years. And this experience left me being afraid of recovery, of moving forward because doing physical therapy was kind of terrifying because of how much pain I was in... and I even ended up taking a third gap year after having already completed my first year of college.
So I think this book was very confronting for me too. But I also found the quote about not living your life in fear to be very uplifting and inspiring. So I think I had a personally Sensitive experience reading this book that also reflected my rating, although I would still have found the word used corny and some of the plots dragging.
And I didn't like that we didn't didn't get to see their reaction to Kara's scan results and that there was no five year in the future epilogue in which you know, she'd been in remission for five years and I thought the feud with her sister took way too long to fix.
And this book didn't really feel like it would read as a standalone, because I didn't read the first three books in the series. So I was constantly confused wishing they told us how Oliver and Stella had met. A lot of things that I'm assuming have been mentioned in the other books, like how Oliver and Stella met, how old JJ and Oliver were, How Macy and Drew met, and some more key elements in story building weren't mentioned which made the book feel a little bit like we missed adding key world building elements.
I didn't like that we didn't get to find out whether Willow goes into remission. The book felt unfinished at the end with these few things I've mentioned.
And I felt like Stella and Cara spent too much of the book avoiding each other. They could have made up sooner. There was no twin relationship whatsoever and I think I would have really liked Stella's character in the first book in Stella's book, which I might still read, but in this book Stella didn't really seem as a likable character, even though I do understand her reasoning.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire, who provided me with this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
In my early twenties, when Jennifer Weiner, Sophie Kinsella, and Marian Keyes were making "chick lit" popular, I was working as a bookseller and couldn't get enough. Then, as the shelves grew crowded with everyone dipping a toe into the genre, I drifted away from it. I still loved a good rom-com curled up on the couch on a Saturday night, but my reading tastes shifted elsewhere.
A couple of years ago, I found my way back to what's now called contemporary romance, and I'm loving it. These books make a fabulous palate cleanser between the darker, heavier reads I often gravitate toward.
This was my first Ali Novak book, and I loved her writing. The pacing was fantastic and kept me turning pages, I enjoyed getting to know the different characters, and there was just enough weight to the story that it never felt too fluffy.
Since this was my first Novak book, it was also my first Heartbreak Chronicles book. This one is book four in the series, which had me wondering whether you need to read them in order. The answer is no. Each Heartbreak Chronicles book stands on its own, though they share overlapping characters. Each installment focuses on a different member of the fictional band The Heartbreakers and his relationship, so while you'll pick up a deeper understanding of some secondary characters and their partners, you don't need the earlier books to enjoy this one. That said, I'm absolutely going back to read books one through three, because I think I just became a Heartbreakers fangirl.
This book follows Cara, a longtime Heartbreakers fan who's in remission from lymphoma but feels stuck, too scared to make real plans for her life in case the cancer comes back. Cara is a triplet, and her sister Stella is dating Oliver, the Heartbreakers' lead singer, on whom Cara has had a long-standing crush.
Stella and Cara have real tension in their relationship. Stella wants Cara to move forward, go to university, and live fully. Cara feels like Stella is trying to control her life and can't let go of her caregiver role.
Stella and their third triplet, Drew, push Cara to leave the house and come to a frat party the Heartbreakers are attending, and that's where Cara's life starts to shift. She strikes up a genuine friendship with the band's drummer, J.J., which turns into a staged relationship to help him out of a sticky situation. J.J. also becomes her bucket list buddy. Cara wrote the list at fifteen, shortly after her cancer diagnosis, and he's the first person she shares it with, because she trusts him not to pile on the pressure to finish it. Instead, he cheers her on through texts and calls while he's on tour, and helps her check a few items off in person. ;)
Did this book lean on some classic contemporary romance tropes? Absolutely. It's book four in the series, so we all knew roughly where it was headed. But was the ride getting there so much fun? Also absolutely.
I'll definitely be reaching for another Ali Novak book the next time I need a reading palate cleanser.
4 stars
In my early twenties, when Jennifer Weiner, Sophie Kinsella, and Marian Keyes were making "chick lit" popular, I was working as a bookseller and couldn't get enough. Then, as the shelves grew crowded with everyone dipping a toe into the genre, I drifted away from it. I still loved a good rom-com curled up on the couch on a Saturday night, but my reading tastes shifted elsewhere.
A couple of years ago, I found my way back to what's now called contemporary romance, and I'm loving it. These books make a fabulous palate cleanser between the darker, heavier reads I often gravitate toward.
This was my first Ali Novak book, and I loved her writing. The pacing was fantastic and kept me turning pages, I enjoyed getting to know the different characters, and there was just enough weight to the story that it never felt too fluffy.
Since this was my first Novak book, it was also my first Heartbreak Chronicles book. This one is book four in the series, which had me wondering whether you need to read them in order. The answer is no. Each Heartbreak Chronicles book stands on its own, though they share overlapping characters. Each installment focuses on a different member of the fictional band The Heartbreakers and his relationship, so while you'll pick up a deeper understanding of some secondary characters and their partners, you don't need the earlier books to enjoy this one. That said, I'm absolutely going back to read books one through three, because I think I just became a Heartbreakers fangirl.
This book follows Cara, a longtime Heartbreakers fan who's in remission from lymphoma but feels stuck, too scared to make real plans for her life in case the cancer comes back. Cara is a triplet, and her sister Stella is dating Oliver, the Heartbreakers' lead singer, on whom Cara has had a long-standing crush.
Stella and Cara have real tension in their relationship. Stella wants Cara to move forward, go to university, and live fully. Cara feels like Stella is trying to control her life and can't let go of her caregiver role.
Stella and their third triplet, Drew, push Cara to leave the house and come to a frat party the Heartbreakers are attending, and that's where Cara's life starts to shift. She strikes up a genuine friendship with the band's drummer, J.J., which turns into a staged relationship to help him out of a sticky situation. J.J. also becomes her bucket list buddy. Cara wrote the list at fifteen, shortly after her cancer diagnosis, and he's the first person she shares it with, because she trusts him not to pile on the pressure to finish it. Instead, he cheers her on through texts and calls while he's on tour, and helps her check a few items off in person. ;)
Did this book lean on some classic contemporary romance tropes? Absolutely. It's book four in the series, so we all knew roughly where it was headed. But was the ride getting there so much fun? Also absolutely.
I'll definitely be reaching for another Ali Novak book the next time I need a reading palate cleanser.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a Heartbeat is a terrific new adult romance from Ali Novak. It’s #4 in the Heartbreak Chronicles series and wraps up the romances of the Heartbreakers’ band members.
Cara is one of the siblings of Stella, who is dating the band’s lead singer (her story is in the first book - The Heartbreakers). Cara has survived childhood cancer and while her treatment is finished, she’s adrift, not knowing what her life will look like now – or how long it will last. Her family have given her leeway to lie on the couch and watch tv, but they are worried for her. When Cara finds a bucket list she created when her cancer treatment started, she decides to give everything a go.
JJ Morris is the drummer in the Heartbreakers and he’s around a lot in a flirty, easy going way – and he jumps in to help Cara with her bucket list. They have some delightful adventures – ridiculous selfies, crashing a wedding, skinny dipping, patting alligators and all the while, Cara is finding herself. It’s a slow burn, with the band away on tour a lot and JJ coming and going from Cara’s life. While the romance is delightful, this book really belongs to Cara. She’s missed out on so many late teen experiences and her best friendships are from the hospital. We see the toll of cancer treatment, not just on her, but on her family. The triplets are homeschooled during her treatment, so they miss out on a lot socially, and Cara isn’t able to go to college after high school. Their mother gives up her job, and ultimately her career, because of Cara’s health challenges. These complexities are so thoughtfully shown to the reader without being hammered home or underlined.
Both Cara and JJ are young – twentyish – and I loved how this is a happy-for-now, focused on how they support each other, and how they get on so well as they are falling in love. It’s fade to black, and suitable for teen readers who are happy with some angst. I thoroughly recommend this new adult/young adult romance!
Review coming soon to SpoonerReads
Thank you Ali Novak and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Cara is one of the siblings of Stella, who is dating the band’s lead singer (her story is in the first book - The Heartbreakers). Cara has survived childhood cancer and while her treatment is finished, she’s adrift, not knowing what her life will look like now – or how long it will last. Her family have given her leeway to lie on the couch and watch tv, but they are worried for her. When Cara finds a bucket list she created when her cancer treatment started, she decides to give everything a go.
JJ Morris is the drummer in the Heartbreakers and he’s around a lot in a flirty, easy going way – and he jumps in to help Cara with her bucket list. They have some delightful adventures – ridiculous selfies, crashing a wedding, skinny dipping, patting alligators and all the while, Cara is finding herself. It’s a slow burn, with the band away on tour a lot and JJ coming and going from Cara’s life. While the romance is delightful, this book really belongs to Cara. She’s missed out on so many late teen experiences and her best friendships are from the hospital. We see the toll of cancer treatment, not just on her, but on her family. The triplets are homeschooled during her treatment, so they miss out on a lot socially, and Cara isn’t able to go to college after high school. Their mother gives up her job, and ultimately her career, because of Cara’s health challenges. These complexities are so thoughtfully shown to the reader without being hammered home or underlined.
Both Cara and JJ are young – twentyish – and I loved how this is a happy-for-now, focused on how they support each other, and how they get on so well as they are falling in love. It’s fade to black, and suitable for teen readers who are happy with some angst. I thoroughly recommend this new adult/young adult romance!
Review coming soon to SpoonerReads
Thank you Ali Novak and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Cara had cancer as a teenager and is still scared to relapse. She kinda has her life on pause because of it. But, then she decides she wants to finish the bucket list she made back then, determined to live again. Cara can already cross meeting her favorite band, the Heartbreakers of the list because her twin sister is basically dating the lead singer. And JJ, the drummer, is asking her to be his fake girlfriend. He helps her with finishing the list. But can they keep a distance?
It's the first book of this author I'm reading and I was a little scared to see this is part of a series. But I can confirm that you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one! I never felt like I missed something.
We have the trope fake dating here. Novak did a really good job in picking this trope because it suits the story really well. It makes the romance in this YA contemporary more alive and it adds a little tense to the story as well, even though that's not the biggest focus. The biggest focus is completing the bucket list. I was really curious to see how this would've developed because I read a lot of YA books with those bucket lists. It's a fun list Cara made and it's pleasant to tick all the boxes with her as a reader.
I'm a sucker for stories with bands as being a fangirl myself. It was nice the relationships in this book weren't that focused on some characters being famous, it made them look like real humans. I absolutely loved the conversations Cara has with JJ. JJ is not only the love interest, but he has a bigger roll. I'm not going to spoil it, but it was really well done.
Cara is scared after all the treatments she had when she was a teenager and has the tendency to push everyone away, even her twinsiter Stella. I understand where Stella's behavior comes from, but I didn't really like her that much in this story.
Overall, I really liked reading this YA story with two of my favorite tropes in it!
Cara had cancer as a teenager and is still scared to relapse. She kinda has her life on pause because of it. But, then she decides she wants to finish the bucket list she made back then, determined to live again. Cara can already cross meeting her favorite band, the Heartbreakers of the list because her twin sister is basically dating the lead singer. And JJ, the drummer, is asking her to be his fake girlfriend. He helps her with finishing the list. But can they keep a distance?
It's the first book of this author I'm reading and I was a little scared to see this is part of a series. But I can confirm that you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one! I never felt like I missed something.
We have the trope fake dating here. Novak did a really good job in picking this trope because it suits the story really well. It makes the romance in this YA contemporary more alive and it adds a little tense to the story as well, even though that's not the biggest focus. The biggest focus is completing the bucket list. I was really curious to see how this would've developed because I read a lot of YA books with those bucket lists. It's a fun list Cara made and it's pleasant to tick all the boxes with her as a reader.
I'm a sucker for stories with bands as being a fangirl myself. It was nice the relationships in this book weren't that focused on some characters being famous, it made them look like real humans. I absolutely loved the conversations Cara has with JJ. JJ is not only the love interest, but he has a bigger roll. I'm not going to spoil it, but it was really well done.
Cara is scared after all the treatments she had when she was a teenager and has the tendency to push everyone away, even her twinsiter Stella. I understand where Stella's behavior comes from, but I didn't really like her that much in this story.
Overall, I really liked reading this YA story with two of my favorite tropes in it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and the author Ali Novak for this eARC!
I've been reading this series for a few years now, and earlier this year in a fit of intense boredom I re-read the first book in the series, which at the time was my favorite of the three books released then. I was let down and had remembered liking the book much more, so going into reading this book I didn't have the highest of expectations. However this book went far beyond my expectations!
In a Heartbeat is simply a heartwarming rom-com, if you're looking for a serious book this isn't the one you want but Cara's cancer does play a large role in the plot so if you don't want to read about someone else's experiences with cancer I wouldn't reccommend this book to you. Unlike some books Ali Novak also always delivers with the comedy just as much as she does with the romance, there were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud in this book.
Cara and JJ are such a cute and fun couple and they have the most adorable friends-to-lovers storyline. Their chemistry is great and they'll have you staying up all night to finish the book just like me! What makes these books so fun is the idea of dating your favorite celebrity, this was probably my favorite in the series in this regard as Cara is actually a huge fan of the band prior to meeting any of them unlike the other leads.
The writing is easy to read and very accessible but also not overly simple. The pacing is perfect in my opinion and you move through the story easily, the pace picking up as their relationship builds. Although this is very much a slow burn, it didn't feel like it because of how fast paced the book is.
If you like short and sweet rom-coms then I think you'll love this one! As I mentioned before there is a lot of conversation surrounding cancer so if you are uncomfortable with that I would suggest you steer clear of this. book, however if that doesn't bother you then this is a perfect short and easy read!
I've been reading this series for a few years now, and earlier this year in a fit of intense boredom I re-read the first book in the series, which at the time was my favorite of the three books released then. I was let down and had remembered liking the book much more, so going into reading this book I didn't have the highest of expectations. However this book went far beyond my expectations!
In a Heartbeat is simply a heartwarming rom-com, if you're looking for a serious book this isn't the one you want but Cara's cancer does play a large role in the plot so if you don't want to read about someone else's experiences with cancer I wouldn't reccommend this book to you. Unlike some books Ali Novak also always delivers with the comedy just as much as she does with the romance, there were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud in this book.
Cara and JJ are such a cute and fun couple and they have the most adorable friends-to-lovers storyline. Their chemistry is great and they'll have you staying up all night to finish the book just like me! What makes these books so fun is the idea of dating your favorite celebrity, this was probably my favorite in the series in this regard as Cara is actually a huge fan of the band prior to meeting any of them unlike the other leads.
The writing is easy to read and very accessible but also not overly simple. The pacing is perfect in my opinion and you move through the story easily, the pace picking up as their relationship builds. Although this is very much a slow burn, it didn't feel like it because of how fast paced the book is.
If you like short and sweet rom-coms then I think you'll love this one! As I mentioned before there is a lot of conversation surrounding cancer so if you are uncomfortable with that I would suggest you steer clear of this. book, however if that doesn't bother you then this is a perfect short and easy read!
June 8, 2026
Okay first of all, I had to go back and read the first three books because my dumbass somehow started this one without properly knowing who everybody was 😭 BUT NOW I GET IT.
Cara might actually be my favorite protagonist in this entire series. She’s hilarious, sarcastic, and after spending so much of her life fighting cancer, she’s trying to figure out who she is outside of being sick. When she finds a bucket list she made years ago, she decides to start actually living, and honestly? I was sat.
And then there’s JJ!!! OH MY GOD, JJ!!!!
This man is chaos incarnate. Every other sentence out of his mouth is either a terrible joke, a pervy joke, or him being unexpectedly sweet. One minute he’s acting like a 12-year-old boy, the next he’s buying Cara a tiny glass alligator in Venice because it reminded him of her and I’m SOBBING.
Their dynamic was EVERYTHING. The texting. The fake dating. The Everglades trip. The frat party. The wedding crash. The “hey princess” texts. I ate every single crumb.
What I loved most is that beneath all the humor, this is really a story about learning how to live when you’re terrified of losing everything again. Cara spends so much of the book scared of the future, and watching her slowly choose happiness anyway absolutely broke me.
Also, can we talk about how much Ali Novak’s writing has improved? The characters feel deeper, the relationships feel stronger, and the emotional moments hit so much harder.
By the end of this book I was a complete wreck. JJ and Cara own a piece of my heart now and I fear I may never recover.
Anyway, if anyone needs me, I’ll be thinking about a certain loud, chaotic boy who calls his girl “princess” and teaches her how to live again. (I’m in tears)
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘖𝘜𝘙𝘊𝘌𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘒𝘚 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
Cara might actually be my favorite protagonist in this entire series. She’s hilarious, sarcastic, and after spending so much of her life fighting cancer, she’s trying to figure out who she is outside of being sick. When she finds a bucket list she made years ago, she decides to start actually living, and honestly? I was sat.
And then there’s JJ!!! OH MY GOD, JJ!!!!
This man is chaos incarnate. Every other sentence out of his mouth is either a terrible joke, a pervy joke, or him being unexpectedly sweet. One minute he’s acting like a 12-year-old boy, the next he’s buying Cara a tiny glass alligator in Venice because it reminded him of her and I’m SOBBING.
Their dynamic was EVERYTHING. The texting. The fake dating. The Everglades trip. The frat party. The wedding crash. The “hey princess” texts. I ate every single crumb.
What I loved most is that beneath all the humor, this is really a story about learning how to live when you’re terrified of losing everything again. Cara spends so much of the book scared of the future, and watching her slowly choose happiness anyway absolutely broke me.
Also, can we talk about how much Ali Novak’s writing has improved? The characters feel deeper, the relationships feel stronger, and the emotional moments hit so much harder.
By the end of this book I was a complete wreck. JJ and Cara own a piece of my heart now and I fear I may never recover.
Anyway, if anyone needs me, I’ll be thinking about a certain loud, chaotic boy who calls his girl “princess” and teaches her how to live again. (I’m in tears)
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘖𝘜𝘙𝘊𝘌𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘒𝘚 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
August 26, 2026
Ali Novak always delivers the most heartfelt romance. A childhood cancer survivor terrified of living because she could lose everything in a heartbeat is a sad foundation to build such a happy romance, but Novak somehow manages it.
Cara Samuel spent years preparing for the worst, and changing that mindset is harder than she's willing to admit. So when she gets a push to follow through on her bucket list from one of the members of her all-time-favorite band, the Heartbreakers, it feels like a chance to find herself again. Meeting the band was on her list, but her sister dating the lead singer took care of that. What Cara wasn't expecting was to find out that the brash drummer, JJ, would also turn out to be a kind, sweet friend.
I loved the way that the bucket list is what's getting Cara to do things, yet the focus isn't on the doing, it's on the people and interactions that result from them. Yes, Cara is going way out of her comfort zone for some of them, but it pays off in getting closer to her friends and family and creating wonderful memories. It's also forcing her to look at things from a different perspective, and that opens her up to the possibilities and to believing that there is life after surviving cancer.
And don't even get me started on JJ because he is perfect in his sweetness and understanding. Novak is great at writing male leads who are just flawed enough to be believable so that you can't help but fall in love with them.
I enjoyed the narration by Shannon McManus, although there were moments when it wasn't entirely clear who was speaking. It's a minor detail that doesn't take away from the story itself, but it's my preference to have very strong distinctions between characters in audiobooks.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the wonderful romance listen!
Cara Samuel spent years preparing for the worst, and changing that mindset is harder than she's willing to admit. So when she gets a push to follow through on her bucket list from one of the members of her all-time-favorite band, the Heartbreakers, it feels like a chance to find herself again. Meeting the band was on her list, but her sister dating the lead singer took care of that. What Cara wasn't expecting was to find out that the brash drummer, JJ, would also turn out to be a kind, sweet friend.
I loved the way that the bucket list is what's getting Cara to do things, yet the focus isn't on the doing, it's on the people and interactions that result from them. Yes, Cara is going way out of her comfort zone for some of them, but it pays off in getting closer to her friends and family and creating wonderful memories. It's also forcing her to look at things from a different perspective, and that opens her up to the possibilities and to believing that there is life after surviving cancer.
And don't even get me started on JJ because he is perfect in his sweetness and understanding. Novak is great at writing male leads who are just flawed enough to be believable so that you can't help but fall in love with them.
I enjoyed the narration by Shannon McManus, although there were moments when it wasn't entirely clear who was speaking. It's a minor detail that doesn't take away from the story itself, but it's my preference to have very strong distinctions between characters in audiobooks.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the wonderful romance listen!
August 25, 2026
5 Stars 🌟🪩
This was such a nice switch up from my usual reads and in the most pleasant way possible! All of the characters were so great and it was nice truly being able to understand and relate to the feelings that they were going through whether that be as siblings/ family or relationship wise. This was a perfect blend of touches of boyband fanfiction and sprinkles of The Fault in Our Stars. Both bringing me back to my middle school and teenage years so I really appreciated it. There was never a time that the story came off as cheesy either even though it did have the boyband element and potentially being "seen" by your favorite boyband members. The closed door spice/romance was perfect too again a nice palette cleanser for my typical reads. The story was written so well and I really had no complaints or critiques. The whole time in my head I was trying to picture what the IRL version of JJ would look like so that definitely kept me super interested as well. I would say if you are looking for a great "starter" romance for teens or someone looking for a closed door romance with no spice this is the one for you. There are only a few times that the characters use profanity as well so not an issue if that is something you are trying to be aware of. As the story went on I kept getting a pit in my stomach thinking the worst was going to happen with some of the characters as their were potential "hints" but I was very pleasantly surprised, *spoiler alert* it was a happy ending and I much appreciated it. I really really enjoyed this, I will definitely be checking out more of Ali's books. I did get this as an ALC so THANK YOU! The narration was great and I truly had no complaints there either! Cute cute read! Now to go find more boyband romance 😂😎
This was such a nice switch up from my usual reads and in the most pleasant way possible! All of the characters were so great and it was nice truly being able to understand and relate to the feelings that they were going through whether that be as siblings/ family or relationship wise. This was a perfect blend of touches of boyband fanfiction and sprinkles of The Fault in Our Stars. Both bringing me back to my middle school and teenage years so I really appreciated it. There was never a time that the story came off as cheesy either even though it did have the boyband element and potentially being "seen" by your favorite boyband members. The closed door spice/romance was perfect too again a nice palette cleanser for my typical reads. The story was written so well and I really had no complaints or critiques. The whole time in my head I was trying to picture what the IRL version of JJ would look like so that definitely kept me super interested as well. I would say if you are looking for a great "starter" romance for teens or someone looking for a closed door romance with no spice this is the one for you. There are only a few times that the characters use profanity as well so not an issue if that is something you are trying to be aware of. As the story went on I kept getting a pit in my stomach thinking the worst was going to happen with some of the characters as their were potential "hints" but I was very pleasantly surprised, *spoiler alert* it was a happy ending and I much appreciated it. I really really enjoyed this, I will definitely be checking out more of Ali's books. I did get this as an ALC so THANK YOU! The narration was great and I truly had no complaints there either! Cute cute read! Now to go find more boyband romance 😂😎
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I first read the series when it was on Wattpad, I loved it then but I love it so much more now. I never got to read Xander and JJ’s books on their but I love all four of the Heartbreakers with my whole heart.
This story was written so beautifully with such a difficult topic at the centre of the story. Cara was a teenager when she was first diagnosed with cancer and ever since she has feared that she would relapse.
She has put everything in life on hold including her love life because she is afraid to hurt herself and the people around her. That’s why she believes that pushing away the people around her will allow them not to be hurt if something does happen to her.
JJ proposes the idea of Cara being his fake girlfriend for a while in order to get his ex aka his sisters best friend off of his case. But like all fake relationships the more time they spend talking and texting with one another the more they both fall for one another.
One of my favourite parts of the book was the little would you rather moments that were scattered throughout the book. I love how both JJ and Cara used these moments to learn more about one another. We also get a glimpse of Cara’s fingerling of the Heartbreakers throughout her hospital stays when she seems to know JJ more than most people should, but it didn’t scare him away.
I cannot believe that this is the end of a series that I have loved for years and I’m so excited to see what else Ali Novak is going to work on now that the series is over. The book definitely had me emotional towards the end saying goodbye to one of my favourite series.
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was written so beautifully with such a difficult topic at the centre of the story. Cara was a teenager when she was first diagnosed with cancer and ever since she has feared that she would relapse.
She has put everything in life on hold including her love life because she is afraid to hurt herself and the people around her. That’s why she believes that pushing away the people around her will allow them not to be hurt if something does happen to her.
JJ proposes the idea of Cara being his fake girlfriend for a while in order to get his ex aka his sisters best friend off of his case. But like all fake relationships the more time they spend talking and texting with one another the more they both fall for one another.
One of my favourite parts of the book was the little would you rather moments that were scattered throughout the book. I love how both JJ and Cara used these moments to learn more about one another. We also get a glimpse of Cara’s fingerling of the Heartbreakers throughout her hospital stays when she seems to know JJ more than most people should, but it didn’t scare him away.
I cannot believe that this is the end of a series that I have loved for years and I’m so excited to see what else Ali Novak is going to work on now that the series is over. The book definitely had me emotional towards the end saying goodbye to one of my favourite series.
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn’t familiar with The Heartbreak Chronicles, a YA series, until after I read In a Heartbeat, but now I need to go back and read the first three books in the series. Originally a Wattpad fanfic, In a Heartbeat is the perfect YA romance. The narrator’s voice, the characters, and the plot are authentic to a 20 year old’s experience. The feelings of new love and struggle for identity after the trauma of fighting a life-threatening illness were written with sensitivity and care. I loved both main characters - Cara, whose lymphoma is in remission but can’t seem to move forward, and JJ, who is the sweet, goofy friend Cara needs more than she knew.
The author perfectly captures the grief and healing process that follows a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and then remission. Cara is not back to her pre-cancer self, and that is so realistic to anyone who has gone through a serious illness or injury. She decides to work on her teenage bucket list, and Heartbreaker drummer JJ is on board to help her out. He needs a fake girlfriend to discourage his ex-girlfriend, and so they plan to “date” for a short time. His golden retriever personality was the perfect complement to her serious (sometimes grumpy) personality, and of course fake dating and proximity helps their feelings grow and turn into something real.
I loved everything about this book. The authenticity of the characters’ experiences and the narrator’s voice, the fear that has Cara in a chokehold then slowly turns into hope. I loved the complexity of Cara’s relationship with her sister and her friends, and how much they wanted to see her move on with her life. The pacing was perfect and it was so wonderful to see both Cara and JJ’s happiness as the book concludes. In a Heartbeat is so compelling because it doesn’t feel like a story about children or adults - Novak truly captures the adolescent experience with all of its highs and lows.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The author perfectly captures the grief and healing process that follows a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and then remission. Cara is not back to her pre-cancer self, and that is so realistic to anyone who has gone through a serious illness or injury. She decides to work on her teenage bucket list, and Heartbreaker drummer JJ is on board to help her out. He needs a fake girlfriend to discourage his ex-girlfriend, and so they plan to “date” for a short time. His golden retriever personality was the perfect complement to her serious (sometimes grumpy) personality, and of course fake dating and proximity helps their feelings grow and turn into something real.
I loved everything about this book. The authenticity of the characters’ experiences and the narrator’s voice, the fear that has Cara in a chokehold then slowly turns into hope. I loved the complexity of Cara’s relationship with her sister and her friends, and how much they wanted to see her move on with her life. The pacing was perfect and it was so wonderful to see both Cara and JJ’s happiness as the book concludes. In a Heartbeat is so compelling because it doesn’t feel like a story about children or adults - Novak truly captures the adolescent experience with all of its highs and lows.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak is a sweet, heartfelt YA romance that delivers exactly what fans of the genre are looking for: charming characters, swoon-worthy moments, and an emotional core that lingers long after the final page.
At the center of the story is Cara, a teenage girl navigating life in remission from lymphoma with the kind of quiet resilience that makes her immediately likable. Her love for pop band The Heartbreakers, a devotion that practically wallpapers her bedroom, feels completely authentic, and Novak does a wonderful job capturing the intensity of that kind of fandom. When Cara's world unexpectedly collides with the band through a family connection, the stage is set for a story full of warmth, humor, and genuine emotional depth.
The relationship that develops between Cara and band member JJ is the beating heart of the novel (pun intended). Cara is a protagonist worth rooting for, and JJ brings a charm that makes it easy to understand why readers will fall for him right alongside her. In full honesty, the story does take a little time to find its footing. The opening chapters build slowly, and it may take readers a bit to feel fully invested. But those who stick with it will find that patience rewarded. Once the story hits its stride, it's genuinely hard to put dow
Note: I haven't read any of the other books from this series, and I had no problem following the story line.
At the center of the story is Cara, a teenage girl navigating life in remission from lymphoma with the kind of quiet resilience that makes her immediately likable. Her love for pop band The Heartbreakers, a devotion that practically wallpapers her bedroom, feels completely authentic, and Novak does a wonderful job capturing the intensity of that kind of fandom. When Cara's world unexpectedly collides with the band through a family connection, the stage is set for a story full of warmth, humor, and genuine emotional depth.
The relationship that develops between Cara and band member JJ is the beating heart of the novel (pun intended). Cara is a protagonist worth rooting for, and JJ brings a charm that makes it easy to understand why readers will fall for him right alongside her. In full honesty, the story does take a little time to find its footing. The opening chapters build slowly, and it may take readers a bit to feel fully invested. But those who stick with it will find that patience rewarded. Once the story hits its stride, it's genuinely hard to put dow
Note: I haven't read any of the other books from this series, and I had no problem following the story line.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 Stars)
In a Heartbeat was a hard-hitting listen for me.I went into this thinking it would be a cute romance and a coming-of-age story, but I found myself becoming more invested in the narrative as I listened.
There are some difficult subjects addressed throughout the book; cancer is brought up, and because of the age she mentions having it, it could have been leukemia, which I think is what stayed with me the most.
I had a childhood best friend who passed away from leukemia, so following a story about a main character who has been through this made me emotional and deeply invested.
I liked how the story made me think about life, the choices we make, and how quickly things can change. It also explores how being seriously ill and threatened by death can completely consume you.
Some of the situations were difficult because I could sense the fear that consumes her, even though she tries to be okay.I think that was part of what made the story stick with me.
Listening to this as an audiobook worked well for me.
The narrator made it easy to follow the plot, and I found myself wanting to keep listening to see what would happen next.
She has a lovely voice, her pacing was great, and she really brought life to the character.
I'm glad I listened to this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 Stars)
In a Heartbeat was a hard-hitting listen for me.I went into this thinking it would be a cute romance and a coming-of-age story, but I found myself becoming more invested in the narrative as I listened.
There are some difficult subjects addressed throughout the book; cancer is brought up, and because of the age she mentions having it, it could have been leukemia, which I think is what stayed with me the most.
I had a childhood best friend who passed away from leukemia, so following a story about a main character who has been through this made me emotional and deeply invested.
I liked how the story made me think about life, the choices we make, and how quickly things can change. It also explores how being seriously ill and threatened by death can completely consume you.
Some of the situations were difficult because I could sense the fear that consumes her, even though she tries to be okay.I think that was part of what made the story stick with me.
Listening to this as an audiobook worked well for me.
The narrator made it easy to follow the plot, and I found myself wanting to keep listening to see what would happen next.
She has a lovely voice, her pacing was great, and she really brought life to the character.
I'm glad I listened to this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Picking up a book about someone who is freshly a cancer survivor in remission might not have been my best decision when my own dad is actively undergoing cancer treatment. Then, ofc course, who am I if not a bag of questionable decisions? But this book was such a pleasant, warm hug, and it reminded me why I used to love reading young adult literature so much, or why young adult literature in general is such a purveyor of hope.
Even in the first leg of the book, when I had only met Cara and JJ hadn't even been introduced yet, I was already completely obsessed. The writing flows so freely. It reminded me of the kind of writing John Green did in his YA novels, where he was able to hold this dichotomy of dealing with a very heavy topic while, at the same time, telling a breezy story about kids coming of age, finding their way in the world, and discovering themselves in these incredibly formative years.
It’s also incredibly real. The tumultuous sibling dynamics. I think the reason it was so enthralling from the very beginning, and why it never once lost my attention, was because of how poignantly it captures what happens when someone gets sick so young, so early in their life. It shows how illness can shift the entire trajectory of your life in ways that are deeply visceral and often impossible to anticipate.
It didn't disappoint on the banter (only bordering on cheesy), bucket-listing, and lovely side characters.
Even in the first leg of the book, when I had only met Cara and JJ hadn't even been introduced yet, I was already completely obsessed. The writing flows so freely. It reminded me of the kind of writing John Green did in his YA novels, where he was able to hold this dichotomy of dealing with a very heavy topic while, at the same time, telling a breezy story about kids coming of age, finding their way in the world, and discovering themselves in these incredibly formative years.
It’s also incredibly real. The tumultuous sibling dynamics. I think the reason it was so enthralling from the very beginning, and why it never once lost my attention, was because of how poignantly it captures what happens when someone gets sick so young, so early in their life. It shows how illness can shift the entire trajectory of your life in ways that are deeply visceral and often impossible to anticipate.
It didn't disappoint on the banter (only bordering on cheesy), bucket-listing, and lovely side characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Reading In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak felt nostalgic in the best way because I’ve been following this series since its early days on Wattpad. There’s something special about getting to watch a story grow over time, and this book really reminded me why these characters stuck with so many readers in the first place. Getting reacquainted with Cara and JJ felt like reuniting with old friends.
What I appreciate about this series is how emotionally grounded it feels, even with all the drama and big feelings. The relationships are messy, the characters make frustrating decisions sometimes, and people don’t always communicate well, but that’s part of what makes it work. It feels like young love in an honest way.
This installment especially leans into the emotional side of the story. There’s a lot underneath the romance about grief, change, and trying to figure out who you are when life suddenly shifts around you. The characters are older now, and you can feel that in the writing. There’s still tension and heartbreak, but there’s also more reflection and maturity woven into it. This is a perfect last book to wrap up this series because it feels like the Heartbreakers are growing up alongside the original readers.
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Reading In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak felt nostalgic in the best way because I’ve been following this series since its early days on Wattpad. There’s something special about getting to watch a story grow over time, and this book really reminded me why these characters stuck with so many readers in the first place. Getting reacquainted with Cara and JJ felt like reuniting with old friends.
What I appreciate about this series is how emotionally grounded it feels, even with all the drama and big feelings. The relationships are messy, the characters make frustrating decisions sometimes, and people don’t always communicate well, but that’s part of what makes it work. It feels like young love in an honest way.
This installment especially leans into the emotional side of the story. There’s a lot underneath the romance about grief, change, and trying to figure out who you are when life suddenly shifts around you. The characters are older now, and you can feel that in the writing. There’s still tension and heartbreak, but there’s also more reflection and maturity woven into it. This is a perfect last book to wrap up this series because it feels like the Heartbreakers are growing up alongside the original readers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a sweet and heartfelt YA romance with so much more emotional depth than I expected. While the fake dating was what initially drew me in, Cara's journey of learning how to live after surviving cancer was what really stayed with me.
Cara was easy to root for. I appreciated that her remission wasn't treated as an automatic happy ending. Instead, the story explored the uncertainty that comes after, and how difficult it can be to plan for a future you never thought you'd have. Her bucket list added a fun element while also giving her the chance to rediscover herself.
JJ completely won me over. Beneath his loud, carefree exterior was someone incredibly patient, supportive, and kind. I loved watching their friendship naturally grow into something more, and their fake dating had plenty of cute moments that kept me smiling.
The only reason this wasn't a full five stars is that I wanted a little more time with the romance toward the end. Some emotional moments wrapped up a bit quicker than I expected, and I would have happily spent longer with Cara and JJ together.
Overall, this was a charming, emotional read that balances humor, romance, and heavier topics really well. If you enjoy fake dating, rockstar romances, and stories about finding yourself after life takes an unexpected turn, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.
Cara was easy to root for. I appreciated that her remission wasn't treated as an automatic happy ending. Instead, the story explored the uncertainty that comes after, and how difficult it can be to plan for a future you never thought you'd have. Her bucket list added a fun element while also giving her the chance to rediscover herself.
JJ completely won me over. Beneath his loud, carefree exterior was someone incredibly patient, supportive, and kind. I loved watching their friendship naturally grow into something more, and their fake dating had plenty of cute moments that kept me smiling.
The only reason this wasn't a full five stars is that I wanted a little more time with the romance toward the end. Some emotional moments wrapped up a bit quicker than I expected, and I would have happily spent longer with Cara and JJ together.
Overall, this was a charming, emotional read that balances humor, romance, and heavier topics really well. If you enjoy fake dating, rockstar romances, and stories about finding yourself after life takes an unexpected turn, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak
It was sweet to see the Heartbreak Chronicles come full circle. The series began with Stella trying to get an autographed CD for her sick sister Cara from her favorite band, The Heartbreakers, as a birthday gift. Now, years later, Cara is in remission and finally gets a story of her own. I also enjoyed finally getting drummer boy JJ Morris’s story!
Although Cara is in remission, she isn’t fully living her life. She’s practically paralyzed by fear of the future and the never-ending “what if it comes back?” scenarios. I appreciated watching her slowly realize that maybe the people who love her are right and that she can’t let fear of what might happen keep her from actually living.
I enjoyed watching Cara and JJ become friends and seeing how their relationship developed along the way. They’re both carrying their own struggles, and I appreciated how they helped one another grow and begin to move forward.
Overall, this was a cute, heartfelt YA romance and a fitting way to bring the Heartbreak Chronicles to a close.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing the eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Language: Moderate
Spice: Mild (kissing, fade-to-black intimacy)
Content Warnings: cancer and fear of recurrence, anxiety, car accident, grief, death of a sibling, mentions of drug use and overdose
In a Heartbeat by Ali Novak
It was sweet to see the Heartbreak Chronicles come full circle. The series began with Stella trying to get an autographed CD for her sick sister Cara from her favorite band, The Heartbreakers, as a birthday gift. Now, years later, Cara is in remission and finally gets a story of her own. I also enjoyed finally getting drummer boy JJ Morris’s story!
Although Cara is in remission, she isn’t fully living her life. She’s practically paralyzed by fear of the future and the never-ending “what if it comes back?” scenarios. I appreciated watching her slowly realize that maybe the people who love her are right and that she can’t let fear of what might happen keep her from actually living.
I enjoyed watching Cara and JJ become friends and seeing how their relationship developed along the way. They’re both carrying their own struggles, and I appreciated how they helped one another grow and begin to move forward.
Overall, this was a cute, heartfelt YA romance and a fitting way to bring the Heartbreak Chronicles to a close.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing the eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Language: Moderate
Spice: Mild (kissing, fade-to-black intimacy)
Content Warnings: cancer and fear of recurrence, anxiety, car accident, grief, death of a sibling, mentions of drug use and overdose
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