Every Beat of Her Heart

by KC Richardson

Piper James was given a new lease on life when she received a heart transplant. She lives in the apartment above her art supply store, Rainbow Arts, with her cat. She has all she wants, except a woman she can love for the rest of her life. Her biggest problem? The rest of her life is on borrowed time and love isn’t an option.

Gillian Phillips moves into a new neighborhood for a new start after losing her wife in an accident two years ago. After taking advice to be more social, she decides on a pottery class at Rainbow Arts. There’s something about her instructor, Piper, that seems so comfortable and familiar to Gillian, but she can’t quite put her finger on it.

When a tragic coincidence leads to an unexpected connection, revealing secrets neither wants to face, they realize that love never really dies.

240 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2023

Reviews

[Rosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that foreshadows much drama. From the beginning it is clear that the two protagonists, having a personal relationship, would have to deal with a rather complex fact. Because if you put yourself in the place of either of the two, the situation is not easy, I don't dare to say what my reaction would be.

Main plot fact aside, the story is initially solid and interesting, with tact and common sense for the most part. But I think the ending has dragged on too long and has done so in an excessively sweetened way.

But as I said, the approach is complex and perhaps difficult to develop. I am not going to evaluate it negatively in any way.


Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review

[Elske · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing. I liked the premise of the story, that’s why I bought the book. It was not a bad romance, but it could have been so much better. Not only did the writing feel flat and sometimes stilted, but though I couldn’t connect with the characters and the emotions they must have been feeling. Though in the end there was some real emotion, before that the story felt very superficial. Maybe because we were told about the emotions the characters felt and the simplicity of those emotions. It was a bit too cliche for my taste. And how is that Gillian, one of the characters seems to forget so easily about her own parents after they threw her out of their house when she was 18? There wasn’t any abuse before that, so Gillian must have been devastated as she must have loved them too.
There also were too many repetitions of facts and emotion in the book, which I found irritating. I read the book, so why tell me again?

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Piper was at death door but gets a second chance at life when she receives a heart transplant. She going to live her life to fullest because she knows life only comes once. Gillian is still mourning decides it’s time to get out of her comfort zone after moving and bump into Piper who does potter classes and convince Gillian to attend one. Gillian feels something towards Piper as they both grow closer Piper doesn’t want her to know about her health because she fears it will put Gillian off but when she learns the date of the transplant she realizes her heart could be Gillian wife. This was good read dealing with grief living you life to fullest because you never know if it’ll be your last. I enjoy that Piper and Gillian have support and Piper cat is adorable.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every Beat of Her Heart is the first book I’ve read by KC Richardson and I found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. Admittedly, this book has its problems; the writing style is clunky and the dialogue cringy at times. However it does a lot of things right, and still kept me engaged enough to stick around to see how it would (predictably yet pleasantly) end.

The best thing about this book is the emotions the story evokes. If you are in the mood for an emotional read this book does not disappoint (I was ugly crying halfway through the first chapter). *Minor spoiler * Also the scenes where Piper lets Gillian and her in-laws listen to Kate’s heart beating in her chest…yeah big fat ugly tears at how beautiful that was.

Unfortunately the dialogue between the two mc’s was a bit of a sore spot for me and I didn’t feel much chemistry between them until their first kiss, at which point the book really hit its stride. The spicy scenes were steamy and well-placed and even though the book is relatively short, nothing about this love story felt rushed. 3.25 stars

I received an ARC from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 Stars) This is a story that has been done before. But just because you can guess early where it is heading doesn’t mean the journey is predictable. Piper James is having heart failure when she gets the welcome news that a donor heart has been matched. Two years later she is running an art supply store with her and teaching art classes. Enter Gillian Phillips, a curator at the Smithsonian. She’s trying to get out in the world after losing her wife and decides to sign up for a ceramics class.

The plotting is straightforward with both women wanting to take things slowly. They both are very close to parents and family and in Gillian’s case that is extra sweet. The angst moment is expected although I was disappointed with Gillian’s length of time and lack of action in moving forward. This book hit my heart strings. And the stethoscope scene is emotionally memorable. I do like Piper’s sense of gratitude for her transplant and for the person and family it came from. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the blurb about
„Every Beat Of Her Heart“, I knew I had to read the book.
One of my all-time favorite films is
“Return to Me”.
This story reminded me of that before I even started reading.
It was actually more than expected!
Piper is such a gem and I was so happy for her and her whole family (who are all wonderful) that she got a second chance with a new heart! All of the characters in this book are likable...well, with one small exception.
You'll know who I mean as soon as you read it. Life is full of surprises and that's exactly what brings the two MCs together.
Gillian lost her wife in a tragic motorcycle accident exactly two years ago on Thanksgiving.
Since then she has been trying to get her life back under control and find herself.
She leaves their shared house and meets Piper, who owns the supply store Rainbow Art, in the new neighborhood.
It all begins there and everything feels so strangely familiar with this beautiful and totally sweet woman.
The attraction is there from the start.
Piper and Gillian fit together so well as they finally give each other more than just friendship and they are also hot for each other...

The story is written sensitively and really got under my skin several times.
Moved to tears, I had to have a break every now and then.
It has everything a heartbreaking love story needs, with the right amount of drama.
There is also a wonderful happy ending!
Thanks to the Author KC Richardson and Bold Stroke Books for the ARC!

[Celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ꜱᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ. ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴀʀᴛɪꜱᴛꜱ. ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ. ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ. ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ.
📚 ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️‍🌈⁠
⁠
𝚂𝚄𝙼𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚈;⁠
This was a simple story, straight to the point--- Romance with a little angst, which is fine but I saw that 3rd act coming from a mile away and it was annoying to endure. The connection between the character is easy to compliment as genuine mainly because we had a slight prologue of who Piper was before the surgery. There was depth to the characters given their different but also similar backgrounds. All in all, I did enjoy the simplicity but them not talking for a month, now that was too extra.


𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧;⁠
I love this plot, mainly the surgery part. So I would have loved this book more was it medical. I still can't comprehend why Piper chose to keep silent and also lie about her stuff but I also realised quickly that the author probably wanted that as the angst moment of the book. My brain had different ideas, like for example; something cranky happens to Piper's new heart, not bad something but scary something. Complications do occur in these open surgery transplantations. Anyways, I still loved the heart moments.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦;⁠
Piper: I liked Piper most. Though I think in another Universe, I would love Kelly most. She was a sweet person towards Piper. I loved her Piper cared for her cat. Respectfully.

Gillian: Part of me understands why she was mad at Piper's omission and lie, but also not. I didn't connect much with her but I loved her she let herself feel emotions, grief, anger, sadness and also happiness. Can't be easy.

Parents; Just amazing. Especially Kate's parents for loving Gillian. PSS: Samantha is the sweetest niece, revealing secrets and all.


𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.⁠

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost meets Grey's Anatomy? Sign me up!

Piper gets a second chance on life and lives life to the fullest with her arts and her cat Agnes. Gillian moves into a new neighbourhood for a new starts and bumps into Piper. As Piper explains she gives pottery classes Gillian takes a leap of faith and decides to step outside of her comfort zone and do something new.

The pacing of this book is spot on. It was so spot on that I felt like there were 3 MC's in this book, Piper, Gillian and Kate. I love how she is mentioned with hope for a good future despite the mourning and sadness her absence brings.
The 'ghost' scenes in pottery class were so much fun. It made me want to look up pottery classes in my neighbourhood.

Lovely sibling and chosen family scenes.

I tried not to cry during this book. I figured chances were big it'd happen but still I thought I would manage. So get your tissues out when starting this book.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillian Phillips, two years after the death of her wife Kate, moves to a new neighborhood to try to start over There she meets potter Piper James, whom she feels a mysterious connection.

(Piper and her cat Agnes are adorable.)

The novel makes it very clear that Piper had received Kate's heart. Piper also has, mysteriously, picked up some of Kate's habits, which understandably weirds Gillian out.

Anyway... good, solid read. While it has the traditional 'temporary break up for drama' about 2/3 through, the characters fight made sense. I was satisfied with how it went, and really liked it.

[Shimere Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I was not ready for how much this book would tug at my heart and open the floodgates of tears. What a truly beautiful story that shows love goes beyond death. The author really brings and shows the depth of emotions each character has in this story. Piper and Gillian were absolutely made for each other. What I really loved was the sounding board of friends and family that each had. They all rallied around both women and really helped them through insecurities, fears and provided some much needed encouragement and really fun moments. The author gave us the ups the downs the pretty and ugly. This was so well written there were no slow spots at all. What a great piece of writing.

[Grace Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited about the concept of this book because I felt it was so interesting but i’ll be honest it fell really flat for me. Especially by the end of the book the writing was really repetitive, i’d felt like id read the same conversation over and over regarding Piper having Kates heart. For two people not ready to date as well the relationship between Piper and Gillian felt like it moved so fast I was expecting a little more of a slow burn. They were both likeable characters in their own way I just think that the writing let them down a little in how it presented them. I didnt hate the book by any means I think I was just hoping for more.

[Sloan Stryker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two years after having a heart transplant Piper is doing well and has opened an arts store. One day Gillian ends up standing outside looking in and the two begin spending time together.
Piper soon learns that Gillian lost her wife and hasn’t dated since. She also learns her wife was an organ donor and the date is shocking to Piper. But how does she tell Gillian what she suspects but how does she not. This part is going to get a bit complicated.
This is a fast predictable read but enjoyable.

Thank you #Netgalley #Boldstrokesbooks #everybeatofherheart for this ARC

[Alice M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story about two women meeting and the love story that ensues. How they meet and gradually come to realise how they each feel. Piper has had a heart transplant but does not want to tell Gillian right away in case it puts her off. However keeping it a secret makes it harder as time goes on for her to reveal the truth. Other information arises that makes it harder still. In the end Gillian feels betrayed and has to reconsider their relationship. The situation is fraught but hopefully love will win through.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

[⭐️⭐️] [🌶️🌶️]

This book was an ARC from Bold Strokes Books courtesy of NetGalley~

This book was… not my cup of tea. The writing style was clunky, the plot was tepid at best, and the main character Piper felt insufferable.

I grew increasingly frustrated with the character’s choices, especially when half the time I was confused on whose POV we were reading from.

Overall, I wanted to DNF about 45% of the way through, but just kept hoping something would turn it around for me.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Richardson and I enjoyed the premise of the story. It pulled at all the heartstrings and even made my cry, which means it was a good book.

Piper James needed a heart transplant to live after getting an infection and when she gets one, she's given a new lease on life. She runs an art store and teaches pottery and everything is good except she doesn't have a woman in her life. Piper is scared to fall in love because it wouldn't be fair to the woman.

Gillian Phillips lost her wife two years ago and is trying to start over in a new place as the old one held too many memories. She runs into Piper outside her store and decides to take her class, but there is something about Piper that she can't turn away from even though she doesn't think she's ready to date and she still talks to her wife every day and has a great group of friends minus one.

I enjoyed the premise, but I felt like it moved too fast and Gillian went from not being ready to jumping into an exclusive relationship with Piper. The conflict was settled a little too quickly for my liking with Pipers secret and Gillian's friend.

I loved Piper's family and Gillian's in laws who were featured a lot in the story. I loved Kelly and Piper's niece Samantha.

Overall, not a bad book, but not my favorite. It won't deter me from checking out Richardson's other works.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillian and Piper meet by chance one evening but little do they know that there’s a deeper connection than just their attraction. KC Richardson delivers a very well written emotional rollercoaster. It’s almost like there are 3MCs in this one. This is the sapphic version of Return to Me so you better have some tissues close by.
ARC received via NetGalley

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book by KC is an automatic read for me. I loved how she wrote this one. It definitely pulled a few strings in my heart. I loved both main characters and I recommend. 4 stars

Thank You Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

[Plot Twist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, predictable romance with some angst. Piper gets a second chance at life after receiving a heart transplant. Gillian moves to the neighborhood as she copes with the grief of losing her wife.

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC.