The Road to Tender Hearts

by Annie Hartnett

A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death—from the beloved author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals

At sixty-three years old, million-dollar lottery winner PJ Halliday would be the luckiest man in Pondville, Massachusetts, if it weren’t for the tragedies of his life: the sudden death of his eldest daughter and the way his marriage fell apart after that. Since then, PJ spends both his money and his time at the bar, and he probably doesn’t have much time left—he’s had three heart attacks already.

But when PJ reads an obituary of his old romantic rival, he realizes his high school sweetheart, Michelle Cobb, is finally single again. Filled with a new enthusiasm for life, PJ decides he’s going to drive across the country to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona to win Michelle back.

Before PJ can hit the road, tragedy strikes Pondville, leaving PJ the sudden guardian of his estranged brother’s grandchildren. Anyone else would be deterred from the planned trip, but PJ figures the orphaned kids might benefit from getting out of town. PJ also figures he can ask Sophie, his adult daughter, adrift in her 20s, to come along to babysit. And there’s one more surprise addition to the roster: Pancakes, a former nursing home therapy cat with a knack of predicting death, who recently turned up outside PJ’s home.

This could be the second chance PJ has long hoped for—a second shot at love and parenting—but does he have the strength to do both those things again? It’s very possible his heart can’t take it.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Book Club, Contemporary, Humor, Romance, Literary Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Jack Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot stress this enough: if you are in a reading slump READ 👏🏼 THIS 👏🏼 BOOK 👏🏼

A lottery winner who has squandered his winnings on booze is suddenly saddled with two orphaned children as their next of kin. Together with his own adult daughter and Pancakes the cat, the unlikely group take a road trip across America. Absurd predicaments, chaos, and hilarity ensue, in a book that is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.

Fans of Fredrik Backman, rejoice!! You’ll adore this writing style. Thank me later :)

[Farda Hus · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This feels like a '90s holiday feel-good movie, with cheesy scenes and funny moments throughout.

The story follows 60-year-old "man-child" PJ Halliday as he embarks on a road trip with his 'children' and a certain orange tabby cat. I loved his chaotic mind—there were so many moments where I gritted my teeth at his antics. He was both frustrating and endearing, and despite his flaws, I could see why his ex wife still held him dear.

My favorite characters was Sophie, the most 'normal' one from this bunch haha and I related to her so much, especially when she voiced a fear that hit me right in the gut :

"I am afraid this is all i will ever have, and that I will feel sad and empty forever"

This was a bit cheesy for my taste, but i will still give it 4 stars, because i enjoyed it and this made me awake till 1 AM (always a sign of a good read) Plus, it taught me a fun fact I never knew: when an alpaca gives birth, it’s called an unpacking! Who knew?

Note : Thank you Ballantine Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[JanB · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

63 year old PJ is an unemployed alcoholic who won $1.5 million in the lottery some years ago. The tragedy of his older daughter’s death still has him reeling, he is semi-estranged from his youngest daughter, Sophie, and his ex-wife still helps him manage his life. He’s a man-baby, but still gets my sympathy for his grief.

He plans a road trip to visit his high school crush, the “one who got away”, who he has learned is newly widowed. But before he leaves, he’s contacted by social services and is asked to be guardian of his late estranged brother’s grandchildren, Luna and Ollie, who were recently orphaned.

The kids, Luna and Otto, and his daughter Sophie join him on the road trip. Also joining them is Pancakes, the cat who has the ability to predict death.

So yeah, it’s a bonkers premise. It’s quirky and heartwarming, yet serious things happen throughout the story. There are misadventures along the way, some of them dark & poignant, but in this author’s hand it’s blended with enough humor & heart to keep the tone light.

In the beginning I didn’t think this book would work for me due to some questionable actions taken by the deeply flawed characters. I got a little judgy.

But the more I read the more I fell in love with the characters. They tugged at my heartstrings as they dealt with the trauma life has thrown at them. Often in unhealthy ways. There are a lot of ups and downs along the way, which is completely realistic.

The reader must hang in there and trust the author to take this absurd premise and make it work. And she does! Plus, I appreciated that the children were not precocious or annoying. Instead they were precious and innocent and obviously hurting from all that life has thrown their way.

In a nutshell, this is a quirky road trip novel about found family, grief, and the tough circumstances the characters find themselves in, written with warmth and humor. I think many of us can find something to relate to within these pages. All with an ending that completely gutted me.

I loved the author’s book, Rabbit Cake, but dnf’d Unlikely Animals. After reading this book I think I need to revisit the dnf. I suspect I didn’t give it enough time

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Road to Tender Hearts is about a cross-country road trip in a borrowed red Volvo with a 63 YO lottery winner named PJ Halliday, his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and an orange tabby cat—who has his own story to tell...

ARE YOU CURIOUS YET...?

If you've read one or both of Hartnett's previous books, you know how darkly funny and quirky her writing can be. This one is all that. I giggled and belly-laughed, felt happy and sad, disgusted and repulsed, and at one point, I was utterly appalled. But I always kept reading—my goodness, some of the things these characters had to say.

This segues to the characters—what a motley crew they were, and somehow all related. PJ was my favorite; he stole my heart, then broke it repeatedly. He waded deep in poor decisions; he knew this, yet was immensely likable, wanted to change, and had proven lucky. Who knows what the future holds for all these flawed characters?

The Road to Tender Hearts focuses on themes of family and belonging, loss and grief, second chances and forgiveness. The power of connection is vital to this story, so if you're still curious, check it out. It's one I keep thinking about, and I think it might appeal to you, too!

4.5⭐

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Annie Hartnett for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The DRC was paired with the Audible audiobook narrated by Mark Bramhall, whose voicing and recounting fit this story perfectly—another reason to connect!

[Andrea | andrea.c.lowry.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! Maybe just skip reading my review because there’s no way I can write a review that will do justice to this brilliant and heartwarming story, and instead pre-order your copy now!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

Annie Hartnett is a writer who has a true grift with the way she can weave humor, emotion, heartache, hope, love and even everyday life into a story that you will find yourself physically attached to. Therefore, from the very first page, I was attached to every single character and even now as I’ve already finished the book, I’m not ready to let them go. Seriously! Best book hangover!

I want to sit here and write forever about each character and how real they were while tugging on my heart strings. What really brings the story to life through the characters, are minor subplots and micro-conflicts that service the plot all while the evolution of each character occurs with sweetness and sorrow.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Laugh out loud moments
The coolest cat ever…maybe ties with the cat in Ove
Grief
Found family that is family
Family wounds
Road trip
Regrets
Second Chances
Real, messy and layered characters

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

I absolutely love audiobooks and was so glad I got to experience this book with Mark Bramhall's narration. Truly exquisite!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Fast, so get ready to binge!

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

I was raving about this book on social media and to anyone who would listen to me as soon as I started it. I’m hoping everyone out there grabs a copy and has this story steal your heart too!

Thank you, Ballantine Books for the gift to copy and exchange for my honest opinions.

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

the setup…
It’s the spring of 2014 in Pondville, Massachusetts and Paul (PJ) Halliday was reading the obituaries and saw that his old friend and rival Gene Bartlett had died. Gene married Michelle Cobb, “the one that got away,” and PJ is inspired to drive across the country to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona and marry her. Never mind that at 63-years old, PJ hasn’t driven for eight years, is an alcoholic and has had three heart attacks. As he’s figuring out the trip, he’s contacted by social services who wants him to take in his late brother’s grandchildren, 10-year old Luna and 9-year old Ollie, who he never knew existed (they live in the same town) as he hadn’t spoke to his brother in over 40 years. And, a stray named Pancakes, a nursing home therapy cat, turned up near PJ’s home.

the heart of the story…
There’s every reason to write off PJ but it’s impossible. He won $1.5 million in the state lottery years ago and spent most of it charitably. PJ’s relationship with his ex-wife and her boyfriend is extraordinary (they breakfast together everyday) but not so with his 25-year old daughter Sophie who is reluctantly dragged into this road trip. Everything about this adventure screams disaster but somehow this motley crew just deals with every challenge and manages to find solace and healing along the way.

the narration…
Mark Bramhall does all the heavy lifting and is the primary voice of PJ as well as the others. I wasn’t sure at the onset but it didn’t take long for me to adore his storytelling.

the bottom line…
There’s a sweetness to this story while tragedy, despair and sadness surround the travelers. There’s hilarity, poignancy, dark moments and unpredictability but always a sense of hope lurking in the background. And Pancakes? He understands language and has a gift for knowing who will die next. I was hoping for something special…this is that story.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

laughed out loud and also sobbed uncontrollably. i adored this!

[Milly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 This is tough.

I was not expecting everything this book gave. It was funnier than I thought it’d be and even more heartwarming. But it was also darker than I expected and tough to read at times. I’m having a hard time rating it because of this.

The Road to Tender Hearts simultaneously is the most tender and sweet book I’ve read all year as well as the most heartless and whiny.

I feel I would’ve enjoyed the book more had I known going into it I would’ve been bombarded with a disgusting display of pedophilia and maybe, (I say “maybe” loosely), I could’ve prepared myself. But not only that, there was also a character who would later dare to tell the victim that the man “needed help.” I mean sure if by help you mean a loaded gun then yes. It’s one thing to say someone needs mental help, it’s another to tell the child victim that the criminal “just needed help.” She can justify in her own head if she must but not to the child. I won’t go into it but I feel strongly against this and that’s my stance ok. We need more people on the victim’s side and less on the criminal’s side. Now before I leave this point alone Hartnett says nothing in this book that makes it seem she supports the fictional criminal in this book. She just doesn’t handle the topic as well as she could’ve. Blame it on the characters if you want (the mother for letting the criminal eat dinner with them after witnessing it, the mother for also not telling the victim’s father what happened to his daughter. Even if he isn’t a good father I still feel he might’ve had the right to know what happened to his own daughter. The adults always thinking it could’ve been worse instead of not once properly trying to help the child. The assuming that a real brother wouldn’t understand the severity just because he was a boy? No a brother would understand something cruel to their sibling), but the whole issue was written very poorly. I’d be interested in hearing y’all’s thoughts on this, if I’m blowing this out of proportion or whatnot…

Moving on, that issue in the beginning was over and I could finally enjoy the book. I can’t fault it less than three stars when the rest of the story was amazing to me for these reasons;

1. Nicely and uniquely written, although I did struggle with f bomb after f bomb after f bomb, (it gets to the point where it just sounds childish instead of like a dialogue tool). Please in the future, dear editors, put a cap on how many f bombs one can use in a paragraph. The story is paced well and the writing is constantly engaging, never once loosing my attention. Maybe sometimes a little off-putting but at least never boring.

2. The main reason this book really shined for me was the characters. I absolutely hate when a book wastes the potential of a child character, treating them as one dimensional plot tools or jokes. This book does nothing of the sort, the children have just as much personality and feelings as they have importance in the plot of the tale. Hartnett captured some of the uniqueness siblings duos have and I loved it.
PJ Halliday, the main man, he’s as equally lovable as he is flawed in this tale. You can’t help but agree with the other characters of this tale when they say they love him but also when they say they hate him. If Hartnett proved anything with this book it’s that she can write a balanced character.
Sophia might be less memorable but she’s still a well written character. Hartnett makes it a point to show that to Sophia and to everyone around her she seems like a one dimensional character but deep down she’s not. She’s more than just her grief and or how she presents.
Another shining character in my eyes, or I should say characters, are the animals. Of course we have our star Pancakes the cat whom I will never forget as the “agent of death” but also all the other animals (mostly birds) brought to life through the little glimpses of their thoughts and feelings

3. I like roadtrips lol

-Cursing: 5/5
-Sex: 2/5 (Innuendos. Mentioned a lot but no detailed scenes, essentially fade to black.)
-⚠️TW: (Please read with caution, this is not a full list of triggers.) Pedophilia. Abuse. Death of a child. Death of parents. Suicide. Suiciadal thoughts throughout entire book. Alcoholism. Cheating.

This book would make a great book club book as long as it’s adults only.

👇🏽
This might be my longest review ever so there’s a possibility that I’ll read this back later, feel extremely insecure and overwhelmed by my own opinions that I cut this in half.‼️Please help me decide of I should or shouldn’t.‼️

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published April 29, 2025.

4 stars.

PJ Halliday is sixty-three and lives in Pineville, Massachusetts. He won 1.5 million dollars on a scratch off a few years ago. He goes to his ex-wife and her boyfriend’s (his best friend) every day for breakfast. He lost his eldest daughter when she was in high school and barely speaks to his youngest…or she barely speaks to him for lots of good reasons, not the least of which is his problem with alcohol.

Then he reads the obituary of an old high school friend and finds that his death means his old flame, Michelle Cobb, is back on the market. He decides to drive cross-country to her home in Arizona to pledge his love. However, before he can leave, he receives an inheritance of sorts from his only brother, from whom he has been long estranged: two young children, Luna and Ollie, his brother’s grandchildren. He is also adopted by a cat named Pancakes.

So, naturally, PJ, his daughter, the kids and Pancake end up hitting the road, seeking both Michelle and Luna’s potential father (she believes) a soap opera star. It’s all a long story. I enjoyed every minute of it.

This was quite cute, not laugh at loud funny, but amusing. It’s filled with well-drawn, endearing characters, especially Pancakes, but also Ivy and Fred, PJ’s ex-wife and best friend who are incredibly well-rounded despite being absent for most of the book, Hartnett is just that good. I would definitely look for more from her. This isn’t my normal sort of read, probably (I tend toward the more dark and depressing) and maybe it’s just what I needed in my life. Worth looking out for. One for which to look out. Now that just sounds dumb.

[Kelsey S · Rating 5 out of 5]

▹TL;DR Review: This is delightful! It’s a darkly comedic, warmhearted road trip story about grief, second chances, found family, and how people heal. Plus, there’s an ominous cat.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
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○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: PJ Halliday is a 63-year-old lottery winner haunted by the loss of his eldest daughter, the estrangement of his youngest daughter, his failed marriage, health problems, and regrets. When he discovers his high school sweetheart is newly widowed, he decides to drive to Arizona’s Tender Hearts Retirement Community to try to win her back. But before he departs, he becomes guardian to his estranged brother’s two children who are also haunted by the sudden murder-suicide of their parents and a crazy grandpa who hung himself in the garage. Also in tow is Pancakes, a former therapy cat who inexplicably can predict death, and—very reluctantly—his youngest daughter who knows how unreliable PJ can be as a caretaker.
– Location: rural Massachusetts (and several spots on the journey to Arizona)
– POV: Multiple third-person
– Spice: Not a traditional romance, but minor sexual comments are made and there is one fade-to-black/closed door scene
– Tropes: road trip, found family/blending families, second chance at life, grief, healing, quirky magical realism (but it’s a somewhat minor role), dysfunctional family dynamics
– Content warning: alcoholism, heart condition, domestic abuse, poisoning, murder-suicide, suicide, murder, death (many, many deaths), estranged parents, cancer, paternity test, abandonment, drowning, loneliness, untreated mental illness
– Representation: older protagonist war vet, orphaned children, cat as a supporting character

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↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Point of Disgust by LOW

╰┈➤ ❝Once, I was lost; to the point of disgust; I had in my sight, lack of vision, lack of light❞

─────────────────────────

★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ Little Miss Sunshine meets Adventures in Babysitting meets About Schmidt
➼ Gritty stories with heavy subject matter that use humor to diffuse how shit life and death can be
➼ Books that deal with trauma and/or recovery, like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, The Bright Years, and Broken Country
➼ Movies that might also have a touch of magical realism, but it’s not a fantasy, like Stranger Than Fiction, I ♥ Huckabees, or Adaptation

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Light/Fluffy——————✧—————Heavy/Emotional

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

Wow. I was blown away by this book in such an unexpected way. The cover (which as a graphic design major I drooled over) led me to believe it would be mostly warm feelies with some bumps along the way, but this ended up being much darker than I expected. But it also uses humor as levity in really heavy moments, which I appreciated.

PJ is flawed, y’all. Like, he’s not winning father of the year, but he’s a good person who is struggling with family matters and the upcoming 15-year anniversary of the death of his eldest daughter. He’s a bit selfish sometimes, but he’s also a fervent giver—especially to the youth in his community—by way of sharing his lottery winnings. But he’s also not a silent giver. He’ll let you know about it.

Luna and Ollie. They go THROUGH it man. These kids were born into dysfunction and don’t know how to exist in a loving, trusting environment. Enter PJ and his daughter, Sophie, and lucky for them all, they are able to put the FUN in dysfunction. Or at least the “adventure” in dysfunction (but that turn of phrase doesn’t work as well).

And then we have Sophie. Misunderstood. Gothic. Wandering and maybe a little lost, but she’s not ready to ask for directions. I related to her on many levels and her character was crucial to balance PJ’s laissez-faire attitude, Luna’s chaos, and Ollie’s innocence.

Would I Recommend?: 150% yes. Just know that this is a story that weaves MANY deaths into the plot, so it’s not light-hearted, but it’s really very beautiful.

Trying to convince you to read with some of my favorite quotes:

╰┈➤ PJ shook his head. ❝I was in the war.❞ ❝World War One or Two?❞ ❝How old do you think I am?❞ ❝Ninety,❞ Luna said. ❝A hundred,❞ Ollie said.

╰┈➤ ❝It was terrible to have any kind of alcoholic as a father, a happy drunk or a mean one. It’s always confusing and scary. It’s always someone who chooses booze over taking care of you.❞ ♥♥

╰┈➤ ❝I might be sad, but I am a good daughter to both you and Mom. And you’ve made it impossible for me to have a normal life. I feel like I’m buried under a collapsed building, and I’ll never climb out from under the rubble.❞

╰┈➤ ❝He was haunted. He needed to talk about it, or he needed to drink to erase the pain of it with booze. Or both. He needed both.❞

╰┈➤ ❝Kids aren’t resilient. That’s something adults like to say to make themselves feel better. To pretend that kids don’t feel as deeply as adults do. But kids are everything that happens to them. They’re sponges. Everything bad, everything good. Every hurtful thing you say. Every loving one.❞

[John Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was over the top and intense to say the least. I can't even begin to cover all the themes covered in Ms Hartnett's third novel, certainly her most intense and wide ranging novel to date. In the end I loved it, but some of the story and themes were uncomfortable, yet at the same time very funny. If one can laugh at death, suicide, murder, child sexual assault (only briefly mentioned from the past), with a cat who is attracted to and maybe bringing death to many.

Anyway a rollicking ride to say the least. I loved her first two books and came to love this one as well, it certainly drags you into the adventure. What a writer. 4+ stars for me.

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brb, let me finish crying alligator tears before I start this review!!

I just want to give PJ a big hug.

[NZLisaM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t overstate how much I adored The Road to Tender Hearts – it was an extraordinary reading experience from beginning to end!

Fourteen years ago, tragedy struck P.J. Halliday’s family, setting him on a destructive path of addiction. Now sixty-three, P.J. considers himself a “fun drunk”, but to his ex-wife Ivy, and her partner Fred he is a full-blown alcoholic, reliant on them for even the most basic support. And to his twenty-six-year-old daughter Sophie he is a burden and a disappointment, one whom her mother is indulging.

But everything shifts when P.J. receives a phone call that changes the course of his life. One which sees him embarking on a cross-country road trip from his small town of Pondville, Massachusetts all the way to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona. By his side are a reluctant Sophie, two recently orphaned children – Luna (10) and Ollie (9) – and Pancakes, a stray ginger cat with an unusual gift.

What unfolds is a wild, poignant, and deeply moving journey of highs, lows, healing, and second chances.

The Road to Tender Hearts was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I’ve never come across writing quite like it – the black comedy matter-of-fact style could’ve backfired but it 100% worked. I was wholly invested in the characters from the start, feeling their pain, frustrations, and hopes as keenly as if they were my own. While there were moments of sharp wit and laugh-out-loud humour, the story was far heavier than its title or cover suggested. Sensitive themes were handled head-on, and though the author softened them with humour. I’ve included trigger warnings in spoiler tags at the end of this review for readers who might need them.

The sense of place was another strength. Pondville, as well as every stop along the journey, was painted in such vivid detail that I felt as though I were traveling alongside P.J. and his unlikely companions. Each quirky, unforgettable character they encountered contributed wisdom, advice, heartbreak, or humour to the plot. Even the smallest moments and seemingly minor details proved significant later, weaving together with impressive continuity. I especially loved the inclusion of unexpected perspectives – we even heard from the animals – and it was these touches that added richness and depth to the story.

The Road to Tender Hearts was a rare and special novel, one that has left a lasting imprint on me. It’s already secured the number two spot on my end-of-year favourites list – and it will take something truly extraordinary to unseat it. Annie Hartnett has crafted something unforgettable here. I’m in awe of her talent and more excited than ever to jump into Unlikely Animals and Rabbit Cake very soon.

Trigger Warnings:Child abuse – physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, neglect. Domestic violence, alcoholism, suicide, arson, murder, attempted murder, Schizophrenia and mental illness, multiple tragic deaths, drink driving, loss of a child by a tragic accident, sexual harassment, absent fathers, possible encounter with a serial killer

[Jeanie ~ MyFairytaleLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and loving both Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals, I was thrilled to see the author has a new book coming out. The Road to Tender Hearts has all of the signature elements I love from Annie Hartnett. The characters are well developed as are their sometimes unconventional relationships and families. There is a touch of magical realism and I loved the humor throughout the story. I’m looking at you, Pancakes!

If you haven’t read this author, start with any of her books as you simply can’t go wrong. I will be getting a hardcover for my bookshelves as soon as I can and I will review the audiobook once I get a copy. Many thanks to @randomhouse @netgalley @annie_hartnett for an ARC of this unique gem.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof, I did not like this book. It was just, weird? This cross-country road trip story was full of heavy themes and one tragedy after another, but it tried to present them in a light-hearted, funny way, which did not work for me. Situations that should have been moving and emotional fell flat.

The main character, PJ Halliday, a "sixty-three year old, million-dollar lottery winner," was so annoying. His irresponsible behavior, plus how others babied him for years, was infuriating. I hated the ending too — unnecessary, and reiterated what a child PJ was. Sorry! Bummer, because I adore the cover.

[boxer_dogs_dance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me in some ways of the Guncle, but this cast of characters have more problems.

This book specializes in ridiculous situations and tragic back stories.

I don't want to spoil the ending, but the title is fitting in a couple of ways.

No one in the book gets exactly what they hoped for but they build an unexpected community.

I've seen other reviews call it cheesy and yes it can be sentimental. It's not a perfect book but it kept me turning pages and I was satisfied at the end.

[Kristen Cook - A Book Ninja · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is exactly the type of books that I love. A cast of quirky characters that band together for a common cause. I almost feel like the summary is misleading.

This story is anything but lighthearted. There needs to be a disclaimer with all the possible trigger warnings.

PJ was often irresponsible and downright childish. His obsession with his high school girl friend was a drag. Pancakes was a fun addition except for the constant deaths. The lighthearted moments did not outweigh the deep and utterly depressing topics in this book.

Not all books are for all people. I see at this point, I am in the minority with this book. I was hoping for a Man Called Ove, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Collected Regrets of Clover, or Miss Benson's Beetle type book. But I did not find The Road to Tender Hearts was anything like those books.

This was a hard no for me.

Possible trigger warnings: suicide, childhood loss, cancer, sudden death, murder, poisoning, and child sexual abuse. Sadly, I am sure I am forgetting some.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

P.J. Halliday is a 63 yr old, unemployed, alcoholic (a nice alcoholic, not a mean one), who has been floundering since his eldest daughter died 15 years ago. His ex wife still looks out for him; his surviving daughter is tired of his misbehaviour. After coming upon an obituary of the husband of his first true love, he decides he needs to go and claim her after all these years. He embarks on a road trip. Accompanying him are Luna and Ollie, 2 young children he has just “inherited” and his daughter Sophie. Also along for the ride is Pancakes, the cat. I am not a cat person, but even I became attached to this cat.

Of course the road trip is full of adventures and misadventures- lots of bickering, lots of inappropriate swearing, lots of deaths but also lots of bonding. The author has created a touching portrayal of a man who has given up finding his purpose again. It is a book about family and found family. It is about being there for those who need you.

I did have a few issues with it. I hate that PJ is referred to as “old”. For goodness sake, he is only 63 years old- that’s not old in my books. The other issue I had was the kids- Luna and Ollie had gone through some recent horrible trauma before coming into PJ’s life. For two kids who have had to deal with so much, they were pretty unaffected for the most part. They had never met PJ before, but there seemed to be no adjustment period.

Overall, it was an easy book to fall into. Nothing that will stay with me, but enjoyable while I was listening.

Performed by Mark Bramhall who really captured PJ’s voice.

Published: 2025

[Marialyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

PJ Halliday is a winner of a million dollars in the lottery. One would think this is the dream of a lifetime but PJ has had a number of tragedies in his sixty-three years. The loss of his daughter, a divorce, and a drinking problem have combined to make PJ an unhappy man.

When his estranged brother's family dies, he assumes the responsibility for his great niece and nephew. With the children in tow as well as his daughter, Sophie, a young woman who can't find herself, they set off to Arizona to find his supposed long lost love at the Tender Heart Retirement Home. Also along for the escapade is Pancakes, a cat who seems to perceive death.

It's a motley crew and with PJ, a man who has seemed to never grow up, it's a trip that has its highs and lows. Blowing through his lottery winnings with drinking and a stupid spirit of generosity, PJ starts to realize what he is. He is lovable, stumbling, and never facing up to what life has given him. Will this cross country trip wake him up to what the important things in life are and yes, it's not drinking!

It's a heart warming story with a bit of a convoluted ending. All in all it was enjoyable, quirky, and one perhaps we can relate to.

[Lisa (NY) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Hartnett has created a novel infused with warmth and spiked with humor and sorrow. It’s a combination she pulls off beautifully. PJ Halliday is a flawed hero whose rocky road to redemption I rooted for. The title says it all. And not surprisingly, an animal—this time a tabby cat—plays a pivotal role. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read! It’s like a warm hug, a good laugh, and a breath of fresh air all wrapped up in one. I immediately recommended it to my book-loving friends, knowing they will all love it. And guess what? It was even better on audio! So, don’t miss out on this one, treat yourself to a good read!

***Big thank you to PRH Audio for my gifted copy of this book, all opinions are my own.***

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some authors like Fredrick Backman, have a gift for weaving pain and loss with warmth and humor. Annie Hartnett is one of those authors. I loved all of the characters and was invested in their outcomes. A few bits moved a little slow, but in general, this was a delightful read!

[Dona's Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished Reading (DNF)

Pre-Read notes

I love stories about odd couples and big changes, so this one is a good fit in that sense. So far, I'm enjoying the writing and I find the story evocative.

Final Review

All cats have an ancient knowledge; it’s dogs that are born with a blissfully clean slate.p15

Review summary and recommendations

One of the most insidious ableist tropes used heavily in fiction is the schizophrenic murderer whose voices order them to kill. These depictions display a gross misunderstanding of schizophrenia, a lack of exposure to mental illness in actual humans, and a shifting of the ethical burden for caring for mental illness from the person's systems, like government and *family*, back onto the mentally ill person themselves. This is a mindset I not only don't agree with, but actually find kind of abhorrent. So I'm not going to finish this book, despite the author's repeated breaking of the fourth wall to assure me that it's all going to come together in the end.

I don't recommend ableist books to anyone.

Reading Notes

Four things I loved:

1. But this isn’t a story about cats, or even about dogs. It’s a story about horrible things that happen to people, and how on earth anyone can stomach raising children in a world where doom and disaster lurk around every corner. So, no, it’s not a story about a cat. It’s just a story that starts with a cat, and it goes from there. p15 Nice bit of meta and she's already got me in my feels– expectations raised!

2. The story here is remarkable and I love it, its so weird! Wonderfully weird!The family structure is like nothing I've ever seen– a couple and her diaabled ex-husband cohabitating, *and* the husbands are life-long best friends. I've never read anything like this and it makes me happy.

3. This book is quite a bit darker than I expected, but I'm all in!

4. This book repally leans in to life's tragic absurdity and it's working really well for the story in unexpected places, like tone and pace.

Two quibbles:

1. I keep thinking I'm picking up on political dog whistles and I do not find it pleasant. Normally it doesnt bother me much, but I don't know how to react emotionally to dog whistles. I'm not even always sure how to interpret them. I find them an unpleasant fiction element.

2. Well... that was just a brick wall of ableism that I face-planted on, starting on p38. Such a common problem in fiction.

Notes

1. content warnings: car accident, human death, animal death, ableism, death of a child, poison, dog attack (off page)

2. DNF @ p38 for ableism.

Rating: DNF @ p38
Recommend? no
Finished: Apr 25, '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley

Thank you to the author Annie Hartnet, publishers Ballentine Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS. All views are mine.
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[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a fierce love for everything Annie Hartnett writes. This love blossomed from the first moment I read her debut novel, Rabbit Cake, and intensified to a near obsession with Unlikely Animals and the perfection of when it arrived in my life. That’s why I was overjoyed—and just a tiny bit nervous—when I was approved for an ARC of her third novel, due to be published in April—The Road to Tender Hearts. I just knew that I was going to love it.

But what if I didn’t? After all, Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals had set the bar incredibly high.

Well, friends, I just finished the last page of The Road to Tender Hearts, and I can say, without hesitation, that I had absolutely no reason to worry. The Road to Tender Hearts is yet another beautiful work of art, one that is currently settling itself into my heart next to Hartnett’s other two novels. Her whimsical style of writing is on full display in The Road to Tender Hearts, and the characters she has crafted are beautifully flawed.

The story follows the journey of PJ Halliday as he unexpectedly finds himself the guardian of two orphaned children. As they set out on a cross-country journey, along with PJ’s youngest (and sole surviving) daughter and newly acquired cat, Pancakes, they come to know—and love—all the messiest parts of one another. Hartnett somehow managed to make PJ lovable and kind-hearted while he made very irresponsible, foolhardy decisions regarding the care of the children, his relationships with his loved ones, and his sobriety.

I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with PJ as the book progressed, which, in turn, brought me closer to understanding PJ’s daughter’s anger and resentment of her father. The children, Luna and Ollie, were perfect representations of children who had experienced profound trauma while still maintaining their naivety regarding the workings of the world. As for Pancakes, well, I always love a good animal character, and Pancakes is no exception. Hartnett managed to provide him with his own distinct personality and use him as a vessel for the tiny hint of magical realism that gave this book one of many touches of whimsy amidst deeply emotional themes.

And that, ultimately, is what I love most about Hartnett’s works. In all three of her books, she has taken serious subjects such as death and helped readers find the magic and humor in everyday life, even when things might feel bleak. The Road to Tender Hearts is quirky, sweet, tragic, and poignant, all in one beautiful little package, and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with it as I have.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of The Road to Tender Hearts in exchange for my honest review!

[Kari Ann Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Hartnett is a master at taking quirky, tragically flawed characters dealing with heavy topics and blending it with humor and everyday magic to create a warm, feel-good story. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 (Pub 04.29) continues this trend and I loved it. I loved the characters. I loved the story. I loved the whole reading experience.


MORE:
Antics and adventure
Road trip
Laugh out loud funny
Brought me close to tears
Depth of emotions
Second chances (Love/parenting/past)
Precocious, but not annoying children
Pancakes the Cat with amazing inner dialogue
Found family
Humor and heft
Blended family dynamics
Rediscovering selves and each other


If you haven't read Annie Hartnett's earlier books, 𝘜𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴 and 𝘙𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘬𝘦, pick those up to fill in the time between now and this release.


"𝘒𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘰. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘥, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦."

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is really no way to put my love for this book into words. I will say that Annie Hartnett has a uncanny way of writing deeply sad books – only you don’t even notice they’re sad because they’re all wrapped up in quirkiness and joy and keen observations of the human heart. Just spectacular.

[Bkwmlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up Annie Hartnett’s newest novel The Road to Tender Hearts and read the premise, it sounded a little silly to me and I wasn’t sure if I would like it. But then I remembered that I had read Harnett’s previous novel Unlikely Animals and had really enjoyed that one, so I should probably give this one a go (plus, with the world we’re living in, maybe “silly” is what we need right now). In any case, I’m glad I decided to go with this weird, quirky, humorous, heartwarming read, as it provided a nice departure from the mostly “heavy” stuff that I had been reading as of late.

On the surface, the premise sounds pretty simple: sixty-three-year-old PJ Halliday reads in the paper that the husband of his high school crush Michelle Cobb has died, so he decides to embark on a cross-country road trip to the retirement community where she lives to try and win her back. But where the complication kicks in is that, before PJ gets a chance to leave for his trip, he is unexpectedly entrusted with the care of two children whom he never knew existed: the recently orphaned grandchildren of an estranged half-brother with whom he had lost touch years ago. PJ decides to take the children with him on the trip and also asks (more like begs) his 20-something daughter Sophie to go with him, which she agrees to do because, well, there needs to be an “adult” on this trip after all (this will make more sense if you’ve read the book). Oh and then there is Pancakes, an escaped but not-exactly-stray orange tabby cat with the “special power” to predict death – when the cat suddenly shows up outside of PJ’s home, he decides to take his new little friend on the trip as well. So the road trip ends up consisting of an eccentric, recovering alcoholic with a fragile heart (he’s had 3 heart attacks already), a pair of ten-year-old recently orphaned siblings who are not actually twins, an adult daughter who has been adrift since the death of her sister, and a (talking?) cat that is a “harbinger of death”. On such a “unique” road trip unlike any other, what could possibly go wrong? Well, you will need to read the book to find out!

As I mentioned earlier, this was a weird and silly story, but it was also delightful and fun. I personally really liked it, but looking at the reviews, the reaction to this one seems to be a mixed bag. Admittedly, like many others, I did find this story grounded more in reality than Hartnett’s previous book (except for the “talking” cat of course) and if we look at the story from this perspective, there were quite a few things that probably shouldn’t have worked plot-wise – but in my opinion, that’s not actually the best way to read this story. For me, this story wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously. I mean, sure, there are some “hard” issues that are explored in the story, but these are dealt with in ways that don’t lean too much into the “seriousness” of the issues but also don’t make light of them either. I feel that Hartnett did a great job injecting just the right amount of humor into the story so that in the end, it was a lighthearted enough read, but also emotionally nuanced and moving. Hartnett sums up the tone of the book perfectly when she writes in her Author’s Note (Acknowledgments): “This was my challenge to myself: to put everything bad I could think of in there and make it my funniest book yet. Humor is how I have always coped with anxiety and fear and terror and discomfort, so I wanted to make it all terrible but also very funny. Things are so horrendously bad, let’s laugh about it!”

Indeed, this is a book with lots of humor but also lots of heart. Highly recommended!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining novel which features likable, quirky characters and an engaging journey. It has tragedy, healing, adorable kids, a great cat, many laugh out loud moments, and a satisfying conclusion. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Mr. Mark Bramhalll, does an outstanding job voicing the characters.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book at the perfect time. Coming off a very busy month of May, I felt my body exhale as I was reading it. The things that would come out of these characters mouths had me dropping my head in laughter. I’d forgotten how good it felt to laugh like that. Thank you Annie, for this truly delightful story. It is heavy at times, language was a little crass, but my oh my what a sweet road trip it was. Please don’t miss the acknowledgements at the end. It’s so very good!

[Jess Massey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25