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Connor Family #1
Where the Heart Is
A desperate woman. An inheritance. A secret love.
Diane
When Diane Gates returns home after ten years, the last thing she expects is to be blindsided by the news that in order to receive her great-aunt’s inheritance, she must get married…in ten days time.
After locking away her heart so many years ago in an act of self-preservation, Diane must find a way to meet her family’s demands. Even if it means marrying her childhood best friend.
Devlin
After years of trying to rebuild his life, Devlin Connor finds himself at a crossroads when his former best friend shows up after ten years. With the stipulation Diane must wed to claim her inheritance, Devlin offers to help the only way he can…by marrying his former best friend. After all, platonic marriages happen all the time.
But as wedding bells ring, Devlin starts to realize there may be more than just bonds of friendship between him and Diane…
Can they put their past behind them? Or will the love they’ve fought against for so long finally come to light?
Tropes & other
Contemporary romance
Third-person dual POV
Friends-to-lovers
Right person, wrong time
One bed
Teach Me
Virgin FMC
Inexperienced bisexual MMC
Small town
Mental health rep
Open door scenes
Diane
When Diane Gates returns home after ten years, the last thing she expects is to be blindsided by the news that in order to receive her great-aunt’s inheritance, she must get married…in ten days time.
After locking away her heart so many years ago in an act of self-preservation, Diane must find a way to meet her family’s demands. Even if it means marrying her childhood best friend.
Devlin
After years of trying to rebuild his life, Devlin Connor finds himself at a crossroads when his former best friend shows up after ten years. With the stipulation Diane must wed to claim her inheritance, Devlin offers to help the only way he can…by marrying his former best friend. After all, platonic marriages happen all the time.
But as wedding bells ring, Devlin starts to realize there may be more than just bonds of friendship between him and Diane…
Can they put their past behind them? Or will the love they’ve fought against for so long finally come to light?
Tropes & other
Contemporary romance
Third-person dual POV
Friends-to-lovers
Right person, wrong time
One bed
Teach Me
Virgin FMC
Inexperienced bisexual MMC
Small town
Mental health rep
Open door scenes
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2024
15 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Jenni Simonis
9 books34 followersJenni Simonis, an award winning writer, has been crafting stories since she was a young girl. Whenever school supplies were bought for the year, she always snuck in a few extra thick spiral notebooks for to fill with her tales. The pile grew over the years. eventually turning into digital notebooks and then a tablet.
Before finally succumbing to her passion of writing romance novels, she spent years working in the newspaper industry in Texas. There, she won multiple awards, both individually and as part of larger team projects.
Jenni lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States with her husband, son, sister, and several pets.
Before finally succumbing to her passion of writing romance novels, she spent years working in the newspaper industry in Texas. There, she won multiple awards, both individually and as part of larger team projects.
Jenni lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States with her husband, son, sister, and several pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 4, 2024
I loved the premise of this, I am always more inclined to reads that have a MH rep in it so I immediately wanted to give this ago.
It is third person POV, so not always for everyone but I didn't mind it too much.
The part that I struggled with the most was the time hopping and summarising. You go from the MCs being young children to them being late 20s very quickly. A lot happened when they were both 18 that made a huge impact, and the author didn't spend enough time focusing on this and just kept moving along the time line with chapters summarising what the characters are up to, doing and their feelings before just jumping ahead to the next time hop. It just felt very difficult to feel the emotions from the characters, and to form any attachments to them. I wanted to be with the characters as they struggled through coping with each of their MH, but instead it felt like the focus was getting them straight back together and so I did start to loose interest once that had happened.
I went into this thinking it would have strong, emotive feels from all the MH triggers advised and with that expectation it didn't quite deliver for me. I love a read that guts you and drags you through all the emotions, only to spit you out at the end reeling from the rollercoaster ride and with the characters forged into your mind.
I do think that the overall story was really interesting to read, I just wanted less summarising and more focus on the characters emotions and mental journey.
It is third person POV, so not always for everyone but I didn't mind it too much.
The part that I struggled with the most was the time hopping and summarising. You go from the MCs being young children to them being late 20s very quickly. A lot happened when they were both 18 that made a huge impact, and the author didn't spend enough time focusing on this and just kept moving along the time line with chapters summarising what the characters are up to, doing and their feelings before just jumping ahead to the next time hop. It just felt very difficult to feel the emotions from the characters, and to form any attachments to them. I wanted to be with the characters as they struggled through coping with each of their MH, but instead it felt like the focus was getting them straight back together and so I did start to loose interest once that had happened.
I went into this thinking it would have strong, emotive feels from all the MH triggers advised and with that expectation it didn't quite deliver for me. I love a read that guts you and drags you through all the emotions, only to spit you out at the end reeling from the rollercoaster ride and with the characters forged into your mind.
I do think that the overall story was really interesting to read, I just wanted less summarising and more focus on the characters emotions and mental journey.
November 21, 2024
I want to start this review off by saying read the content warnings and know your triggers!! This book talks and deals a lot with mental health and therapy.
First I love the background and friendship of Devlin and Diane. They were childhood best friends from around kindergarten through high school. The first half of this book for me personally went by a little quickly which to me was perfect. Abound half way through the book though for me it felt like the book started to kind of drag on, it took me longer than normal for me to read this book and I can’t explain why it felt that way.
I love the fact that the characters in this book prioritize going to their therapists and working things out with their mental health issues and insecurities.
If you love best friends to lovers with some heartbreak in between this would be a great book for you!
First I love the background and friendship of Devlin and Diane. They were childhood best friends from around kindergarten through high school. The first half of this book for me personally went by a little quickly which to me was perfect. Abound half way through the book though for me it felt like the book started to kind of drag on, it took me longer than normal for me to read this book and I can’t explain why it felt that way.
I love the fact that the characters in this book prioritize going to their therapists and working things out with their mental health issues and insecurities.
If you love best friends to lovers with some heartbreak in between this would be a great book for you!
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January 3, 2025Thank you to Jenni Simonis for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is DNF for me. I like friends to lovers, I like small town, I like MH representation, but none of this was working for me this time. I felt like the characters were one dimensional, and so many people around the FMC die and she’s just sad. And the MAIN reason the two MCs aren’t with each other is miscommunication, which is my least favorite trope. The chapters felt choppy, I didn’t like the journal entries. Overall, just not the book for me!
This is DNF for me. I like friends to lovers, I like small town, I like MH representation, but none of this was working for me this time. I felt like the characters were one dimensional, and so many people around the FMC die and she’s just sad. And the MAIN reason the two MCs aren’t with each other is miscommunication, which is my least favorite trope. The chapters felt choppy, I didn’t like the journal entries. Overall, just not the book for me!
November 25, 2024
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!!! Know your trigger warnings. They are: depression, suicide, death, pregnancy issues, anxiety.
In this book, we meet Diane and Devlin, who are life-long best friends. They grow up together and are inseparable. But, when anxiety consumes one of them, tragic miscommunication takes over, and Devlin breaks Diane's heart and turns her world upside down.
After a suicide attempt, the death of her parents and the death of her parents it's been ten years, both Diane and Devlin have not only graduated high school but left their home towns and gone off to University.
Ten years have passed, and Devlin and Diane have lost track of each other and gone down their own paths. It's only after the death of her great aunt Diane returns to her hometown. In the reading of the will, Diane learns that she has 10 days to get married or she will lose everything of her aunts, the tea cups the pictures of her parents, EVERYTHING. Breaking down, she runs out of the lawyers office and literally runs into Devlin.
Her guides her to a bench and comforts her, and she ends up telling him everything. He listens and realizes that he still loves and cares for her and hopes that they could re-build their friendship if they gave it a chance, and from there, they could build a real marriage. So, he proposes a marriage of convenience.
This book was so much. I loved it. The tropes, the love story, and more than anything that it really told a story of mental health and how unexpected life can go. I love how Jenni shows that we need healthy mechanisms in place to cope with anything that life throws at us at all times and how that can really help.
This is truly a beautiful story of not only survival but also hope and resilience. It's one that is worth everyone reading. Too often, I caught myself crying at part of this story, or I would gasp and cry out, not wanting to believe what was happening. More than anything, I think Jenni Simonis shows us great character growth, and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next books.
In this book, we meet Diane and Devlin, who are life-long best friends. They grow up together and are inseparable. But, when anxiety consumes one of them, tragic miscommunication takes over, and Devlin breaks Diane's heart and turns her world upside down.
After a suicide attempt, the death of her parents and the death of her parents it's been ten years, both Diane and Devlin have not only graduated high school but left their home towns and gone off to University.
Ten years have passed, and Devlin and Diane have lost track of each other and gone down their own paths. It's only after the death of her great aunt Diane returns to her hometown. In the reading of the will, Diane learns that she has 10 days to get married or she will lose everything of her aunts, the tea cups the pictures of her parents, EVERYTHING. Breaking down, she runs out of the lawyers office and literally runs into Devlin.
Her guides her to a bench and comforts her, and she ends up telling him everything. He listens and realizes that he still loves and cares for her and hopes that they could re-build their friendship if they gave it a chance, and from there, they could build a real marriage. So, he proposes a marriage of convenience.
This book was so much. I loved it. The tropes, the love story, and more than anything that it really told a story of mental health and how unexpected life can go. I love how Jenni shows that we need healthy mechanisms in place to cope with anything that life throws at us at all times and how that can really help.
This is truly a beautiful story of not only survival but also hope and resilience. It's one that is worth everyone reading. Too often, I caught myself crying at part of this story, or I would gasp and cry out, not wanting to believe what was happening. More than anything, I think Jenni Simonis shows us great character growth, and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next books.
November 17, 2024
This story takes readers on a journey from best friends to enemies to lovers. It’s well-written and richly descriptive, drawing you into the narrative with ease. The blend of salacious moments and wholesome scenes, paired with a balance of serious themes and humor, makes for a captivating read. While the plot is somewhat predictable, as many romance novels are, it remains an engaging and enjoyable story. The exploration of mental health issues may be triggering for some, but for others, it could offer a sense of healing. For me, this was the most relatable aspect of the book. Overall, it was a great read—outside of my usual genre—but I'm glad I gave it a chance!
November 14, 2024
This book follows Diane and Devlin from childhood BFFs into adulthood. I don’t want to say too much, in fear of spoilers.
Just know before you even get 100 pages in you just might cry. (Or maybe it was just me?) 😂
I really loved the personal touch of Diane’s journal entry’s. They were raw and uncut and just encompassed everything she was feeling.
There was just so much love and history between Diane and Devlin, i was captured and couldn’t stop reading.
The open door spice scenes were 🥵🥵 and just so well written.
Overall this book was amazing and dealt with some heavy topics, so please be mindful of the tropes and trigger warnings.
I would recommend to all of my friends 💜
I cannot wait for the second book!
Just know before you even get 100 pages in you just might cry. (Or maybe it was just me?) 😂
I really loved the personal touch of Diane’s journal entry’s. They were raw and uncut and just encompassed everything she was feeling.
There was just so much love and history between Diane and Devlin, i was captured and couldn’t stop reading.
The open door spice scenes were 🥵🥵 and just so well written.
Overall this book was amazing and dealt with some heavy topics, so please be mindful of the tropes and trigger warnings.
I would recommend to all of my friends 💜
I cannot wait for the second book!
October 27, 2024
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This story was absolutely beautiful! Delvin and Diane caught my heart and didn’t let go until the end. There were smiles, there were tears and lots of other feelings in between.
After being glued to each other throughout their childhood, these best friends were separated after a tragic event. Another 10 year goes by before unfortunate circumstances reconnects them. I really enjoyed their story. They showed so much growth and vulnerability while also being relatable. The book also progressed at a great pace and the story flowed well. It is told in a 3rd person POV.
I cannot wait to see what’s next in this series.
I would like to thank Jenni Simonis for the opportunity to read and review Where The Heart Is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This story was absolutely beautiful! Delvin and Diane caught my heart and didn’t let go until the end. There were smiles, there were tears and lots of other feelings in between.
After being glued to each other throughout their childhood, these best friends were separated after a tragic event. Another 10 year goes by before unfortunate circumstances reconnects them. I really enjoyed their story. They showed so much growth and vulnerability while also being relatable. The book also progressed at a great pace and the story flowed well. It is told in a 3rd person POV.
I cannot wait to see what’s next in this series.
I would like to thank Jenni Simonis for the opportunity to read and review Where The Heart Is.
December 5, 2024
For me it was a 5 star ✨
Diane and Devlin, the two main characters, were amazing, each with their own flaws and complexities. The novel moved at a wonderfully fast pace, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The story was filled with unexpected twists, yet it was incredibly comforting and well-crafted, making it a truly outstanding read.
I’m not exaggerating when I say you'll fall in love with every single character. Each one is so relatable, and I found myself deeply invested in all of them. I honestly didn’t want the story to end—it felt like it finished too soon. The writing was beautiful, especially when a twist was coming—you wouldn’t see it coming.
Diane and Devlin, the two main characters, were amazing, each with their own flaws and complexities. The novel moved at a wonderfully fast pace, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The story was filled with unexpected twists, yet it was incredibly comforting and well-crafted, making it a truly outstanding read.
I’m not exaggerating when I say you'll fall in love with every single character. Each one is so relatable, and I found myself deeply invested in all of them. I honestly didn’t want the story to end—it felt like it finished too soon. The writing was beautiful, especially when a twist was coming—you wouldn’t see it coming.
November 21, 2024
Young love, most expect the stereotype to form around 14 or 15. Not Diane and Devlin, for as long as they can remember they were always together. As they grew closer and higher in age rumors began to spread, rumors lead to panic attacks and 2 broken hearts. 10 years later their paths crossed and finally intertwined for good. Even though Devlin has years to make up for, Diane shows him the love she never lost for him. From the backyard clubhouse could dog, to the courthouse, and finally to their home Diane and Devlin’s love story will keep you on your toes eager to hear what happens next. I absolutely seeing how Jenni really drew close on mental health advocacy. Always remember to put yourself first, even in a duo, or if it breaks a heart.
3 star read- It just dragged along. I loved the characters and the book itself, but it just dragged on after about 200 pages. It most definitely could have been shortened and been less fluffy and would have still covered the entire story.
3 star read- It just dragged along. I loved the characters and the book itself, but it just dragged on after about 200 pages. It most definitely could have been shortened and been less fluffy and would have still covered the entire story.
December 18, 2024
I was futunate to recieve an ARC copy of this book. I absolutely loved this book and will be buying a physical copy when available. And can't wait for next book in series.
Please be aware there are sensitive parts and triggers in this book. Without spoiling the story to much.
The story was great and told the story of childhood friends Devin and Diana. The story tells the hard situations with growing up dealing with anxiety and depression and tragedy, and the how therapy and communication is key to a trusting relationship and starting a family
It does have a few open door spicy scenes which are 🔥
Please be aware there are sensitive parts and triggers in this book. Without spoiling the story to much.
The story was great and told the story of childhood friends Devin and Diana. The story tells the hard situations with growing up dealing with anxiety and depression and tragedy, and the how therapy and communication is key to a trusting relationship and starting a family
It does have a few open door spicy scenes which are 🔥
November 10, 2024
This story followed Diane and Devlin from childhood to adulthood as they struggled through serious mental health issues, loss, and major health issues. I received this book as an ARC and I was excited to see a new indie author who handled some tough topics. There was an author’s note that stated these characters didn’t make decisions as you liked as they had mental struggles that affected them. This was my main struggle with the book. The characters were constantly not communicating and causing serious issues in each other’s lives. I was so frustrated but I don’t struggle with as severe of an anxiety as these characters so it was hard to relate. I also struggled with how much spice there was and how quickly it happened. This is not a slow burn. They were getting it on quite often and everywhere. Maybe it was too much. (Yes, I said that)
Frankly I felt that the story could be a little shorter. The friends to lovers in a small town, second chance thing is one of my favorites but I felt like once it happened (which was very early on) I was disengaging. I realize the author wanted us to see how a real marriage functioned between two imperfect people but I did not need as much. The dialogue also felt a bit too professional. They spoke so formally sometimes and it threw me off as it was not natural. I would speak some of the lines out loud and realized it was odd. I did love the most the family the author surrounded them with. The parents and Iris were such lovely people and a dream to have.
I’m excited for this author to continue working on the story of the next generation and how she did make conscious decisions to discuss bodily autonomy, safe sex, the value of therapy, and family planning.
Frankly I felt that the story could be a little shorter. The friends to lovers in a small town, second chance thing is one of my favorites but I felt like once it happened (which was very early on) I was disengaging. I realize the author wanted us to see how a real marriage functioned between two imperfect people but I did not need as much. The dialogue also felt a bit too professional. They spoke so formally sometimes and it threw me off as it was not natural. I would speak some of the lines out loud and realized it was odd. I did love the most the family the author surrounded them with. The parents and Iris were such lovely people and a dream to have.
I’m excited for this author to continue working on the story of the next generation and how she did make conscious decisions to discuss bodily autonomy, safe sex, the value of therapy, and family planning.
December 10, 2024
Childhood friends, literally inseparable since toddlerhood. This couple is real cute but they both suffer from mental health issues and instead of sharing them with each other their relationship implodes and they end up spending a full decade with no contact. When they are thrown back together with a hasty marriage of convenience they try to figure out if they can get their friendship back and maybe more.
I don't know what I was expecting here but it wasn't such a deep and emotional book. There is so much loss and tragedy and emotion that it was kind of overwhelming. You could tell that even though both characters have grown up a lot in their ten years apart that they still had a longggg way to go for maturity, the default 'I'm not going to talk to you for a week' as a result of issues in their relationship is frankly ridiculous for established adults who are married with a kid. That part definitely bugged me, they developed and got a little better toward the end but not really very much. The spice was fun, basically two virgins discovering each other was also an interesting dynamic for the age range but it fit the characters well. I enjoyed the story, I wasn't so sure about the marriage of convenience reasoning but later when it was explained more it felt more fitting. Not sure that I would want to read more than one book in this series, I like my heavy with some dark and this was definitely not in that range so not bad but not my taste exactly. If you like emotional journeys this is definitely for you.
I don't know what I was expecting here but it wasn't such a deep and emotional book. There is so much loss and tragedy and emotion that it was kind of overwhelming. You could tell that even though both characters have grown up a lot in their ten years apart that they still had a longggg way to go for maturity, the default 'I'm not going to talk to you for a week' as a result of issues in their relationship is frankly ridiculous for established adults who are married with a kid. That part definitely bugged me, they developed and got a little better toward the end but not really very much. The spice was fun, basically two virgins discovering each other was also an interesting dynamic for the age range but it fit the characters well. I enjoyed the story, I wasn't so sure about the marriage of convenience reasoning but later when it was explained more it felt more fitting. Not sure that I would want to read more than one book in this series, I like my heavy with some dark and this was definitely not in that range so not bad but not my taste exactly. If you like emotional journeys this is definitely for you.
November 17, 2024
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an ARC. Thank you.
I related to so much in this book. The mental health struggles, the pregnancy complications, the losses experienced by the characters. It actually took me a lot longer to get through this book because I related so intensely to so much in this. Nothing in this was super triggering, but some of it did bring me back to some past memories. I cried and stepped away and came back when I was ready.
Diane, the FMC, has been through so much heartbreak and devastation. I love that this book really pushes how much taking care of your mental health is vitally important. There is so much stigma around it when there shouldn't be. I was rooting for Diane the whole time.
Devlin, the MMC, is so lucky to have the parents he has. He struggles with anxiety and made bad choices because of that anxiety, but he is a good guy. I was rooting for him. I was also face palming at a lot of his actions though.
As much as I absolutely ADORED this book, and I would love to have a physical copy on my shelf, I will admit that it felt really, really long. It was only 377 pages and five read books hundreds of pages longer, but this just FELT so very long. That's my only caveat.
If you like sweet characters battling heavy issues while finding love and family, and also love some heavy spice... this book is for you. I loved it. I will absolutely be counting down until the next couple books in 2025.
I related to so much in this book. The mental health struggles, the pregnancy complications, the losses experienced by the characters. It actually took me a lot longer to get through this book because I related so intensely to so much in this. Nothing in this was super triggering, but some of it did bring me back to some past memories. I cried and stepped away and came back when I was ready.
Diane, the FMC, has been through so much heartbreak and devastation. I love that this book really pushes how much taking care of your mental health is vitally important. There is so much stigma around it when there shouldn't be. I was rooting for Diane the whole time.
Devlin, the MMC, is so lucky to have the parents he has. He struggles with anxiety and made bad choices because of that anxiety, but he is a good guy. I was rooting for him. I was also face palming at a lot of his actions though.
As much as I absolutely ADORED this book, and I would love to have a physical copy on my shelf, I will admit that it felt really, really long. It was only 377 pages and five read books hundreds of pages longer, but this just FELT so very long. That's my only caveat.
If you like sweet characters battling heavy issues while finding love and family, and also love some heavy spice... this book is for you. I loved it. I will absolutely be counting down until the next couple books in 2025.
November 27, 2024
I read this book as an ARC and my opinions are my own.
This isn't even a story...it's so much MORE. Most books depict a section of the characters' lives, but this one?? It follows our beloved Devlin and Diane from their young childhoods all the way into their (I think) thirties/forties.
Young childhood besties who go through everything together up until the very end of high school. Both feel the same things, but neither are in the right place to say the things they need to. A bad conversation between the two besties ends up separating them...for a decade.
This book pulled at my heartstrings! If it wasn't for Diane, then they were pulling for Devlin. Neither could catch a break it seemed. Until they reunite (of course). This book will bring you to high hopes just to smother them all whilst breaking your heart into a billion pieces. Then this book will slowly and carefully, painstakingly, knit together those heartstrings until they're stronger than ever before.
Definitely check the content/trigger warnings for this book as it has some difficult topics/subject matter. If you are inclined to read after seeing those, then buckle up buddies because this book is the rollercoaster of the century. I loved every second of it.
This isn't even a story...it's so much MORE. Most books depict a section of the characters' lives, but this one?? It follows our beloved Devlin and Diane from their young childhoods all the way into their (I think) thirties/forties.
Young childhood besties who go through everything together up until the very end of high school. Both feel the same things, but neither are in the right place to say the things they need to. A bad conversation between the two besties ends up separating them...for a decade.
This book pulled at my heartstrings! If it wasn't for Diane, then they were pulling for Devlin. Neither could catch a break it seemed. Until they reunite (of course). This book will bring you to high hopes just to smother them all whilst breaking your heart into a billion pieces. Then this book will slowly and carefully, painstakingly, knit together those heartstrings until they're stronger than ever before.
Definitely check the content/trigger warnings for this book as it has some difficult topics/subject matter. If you are inclined to read after seeing those, then buckle up buddies because this book is the rollercoaster of the century. I loved every second of it.
December 2, 2024
This is a new author to me, and this was my very first read by her and it won't be my last that's for sure. I loved reading every bit of their story. It was such an emotional rollercoaster ride, but I was here for it, it had my heartbreaking and the tears flowing. I just couldn't put it down, once I started it, I was hooked from the start. Turning page after page, wanting to know more. Its action packed with friendship, heartbreak, spice and so much more.
The way the author wrote the characters, storyline and plot was fantastic, it really pulled you into their world. And you could feel everything they went through.
Devlin and Diane, grew up together, they where best friends and done everything together, they where stuck to each other like glue. But things started to fall apart, and resulted in them being apart for many years, even know they where made for each other. Diane has so much heartbreak losing people and finally returns to her hometown where she runs in to Devlin, she needs help or she will lose everything. Will he help her? Will they finally see that they are ment to be ?
You will need to grab the book and find out. It's so worth it.. highly recommend!
I loved the added touch of the journal.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
The way the author wrote the characters, storyline and plot was fantastic, it really pulled you into their world. And you could feel everything they went through.
Devlin and Diane, grew up together, they where best friends and done everything together, they where stuck to each other like glue. But things started to fall apart, and resulted in them being apart for many years, even know they where made for each other. Diane has so much heartbreak losing people and finally returns to her hometown where she runs in to Devlin, she needs help or she will lose everything. Will he help her? Will they finally see that they are ment to be ?
You will need to grab the book and find out. It's so worth it.. highly recommend!
I loved the added touch of the journal.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
December 6, 2024
Arc Review
Where the Heart is
💜 Second Chance romance
💜 Friends to lovers
💜 Small Town
💜 Mental Health Rep
I was given the wonderful opportunity to read this amazing book. I first met Diane and Devlin when I read their story in the winter holiday anthology I also read as an arc. I instantly fell in love with these characters and couldn’t wait to get the whole story on them. Diane and Devlin were childhood friends parters in crime were together all the time up until high school ended. Then something happens where they lose contact for years. Ten years later Diane returns to her hometown to have the reading of her great aunts will where she learns that if she does not get married in 10 days she will lose everything. Distraught from this she runs out of the office and runs right into Devlin. I really enjoyed this book and the journey the characters went on and loved how the mental health and well being of the characters were talked about. I also loved the entries from Diane’s diary. If you’re looking for a book that will definitely pull at your heart strings this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series. Again thank you so much for this opportunity.
Where the Heart is
💜 Second Chance romance
💜 Friends to lovers
💜 Small Town
💜 Mental Health Rep
I was given the wonderful opportunity to read this amazing book. I first met Diane and Devlin when I read their story in the winter holiday anthology I also read as an arc. I instantly fell in love with these characters and couldn’t wait to get the whole story on them. Diane and Devlin were childhood friends parters in crime were together all the time up until high school ended. Then something happens where they lose contact for years. Ten years later Diane returns to her hometown to have the reading of her great aunts will where she learns that if she does not get married in 10 days she will lose everything. Distraught from this she runs out of the office and runs right into Devlin. I really enjoyed this book and the journey the characters went on and loved how the mental health and well being of the characters were talked about. I also loved the entries from Diane’s diary. If you’re looking for a book that will definitely pull at your heart strings this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series. Again thank you so much for this opportunity.
January 8, 2025
This book follows Diane and Devlin. Two kids that have grown up together throughout high school.
Diane was in love with Delvin in high school but he was not aware. Neither one of them is good with expressing their feelings. Even though they were best friends.
They literally did everything together. It was like they were in their own little world.
In their senior year of high school things change and they don’t speak for over a decade. After reconnecting their lives finally start.
Side note: I will say that for some reason throughout reading this book. I felt like there was something tragic going to happen. Idk if it was the way I was reading it but it was the vibe I felt throughout most of the book.
It took me a few days to read this book, but I found that I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the pace of the book. I felt like for the length of it we were able to see a lot of their lives. Literal years. With more recent books that I have read, I am glad this one kind of broke up how love stories go. There was a build up and there was a history. It was almost like you grew with the story.
Diane was in love with Delvin in high school but he was not aware. Neither one of them is good with expressing their feelings. Even though they were best friends.
They literally did everything together. It was like they were in their own little world.
In their senior year of high school things change and they don’t speak for over a decade. After reconnecting their lives finally start.
Side note: I will say that for some reason throughout reading this book. I felt like there was something tragic going to happen. Idk if it was the way I was reading it but it was the vibe I felt throughout most of the book.
It took me a few days to read this book, but I found that I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the pace of the book. I felt like for the length of it we were able to see a lot of their lives. Literal years. With more recent books that I have read, I am glad this one kind of broke up how love stories go. There was a build up and there was a history. It was almost like you grew with the story.
October 23, 2024
Devlin and Diane are best friends, but due to circumstances they lose track of eachother for nearly a decade. After the passing of Diane's great aunt, Diane finds out that in order to receive her inheritance she needs to get married before turning 28 y/o. The only problem is that she will be turning 28 in 10 days. During that same time Devlin has returned to town and they bump into eachother, after hearing about the needed marriage Devlin proposes a marriage of convenience.
I must say I really liked this book, love the tropes, the true love story and the fact that it highlights mental health and the unexpected course life can take. I love how the writer shows how important it is to have good cooping mechanisms to go through life and that therapy really can help.
The only reason that it isn't a 5 star read is because of personal preferences. I'm not a big fan of the 3rd person way of writing this type of stories. But I truly think the story is beautiful.
TW's: suicide, death, depression, pregnancy issues
*This ARC was given to me in exchange of my honest review*
I must say I really liked this book, love the tropes, the true love story and the fact that it highlights mental health and the unexpected course life can take. I love how the writer shows how important it is to have good cooping mechanisms to go through life and that therapy really can help.
The only reason that it isn't a 5 star read is because of personal preferences. I'm not a big fan of the 3rd person way of writing this type of stories. But I truly think the story is beautiful.
TW's: suicide, death, depression, pregnancy issues
*This ARC was given to me in exchange of my honest review*
November 21, 2024
Are you ready for a heartwarming love story that starts in childhood and takes you on a journey through adulthood? There are bumps along the way, mental health struggles throughout, and a dual point of view to The Connors journey back to each other.
Tropes:
❤️ Second Chance romance
❤️ Virgin FMC
❤️ Friends to lovers
❤️ Small Town
❤️ Teach me
❤️ Love story that could easily be a movie you see on Lifetime or in theaters even.
✨️ The mental health representation in this book is top tier. There is depression, anxiety, insecurities, therapy, journaling, learning coping mechanisms, and more. [Read the triggers]
❤️ Story is told from both Diane and Devlins' perspective in a third-person POV
✨️ Devlin worships Diane's body
❤️ Open door romance, but I would say it is open door in a way that somebody used to closed door romance could be comfortable with. A good starter for those curious but not super comfortable with spice yet.
✨️ I could gush and gush but don't want to spoil it!
Tropes:
❤️ Second Chance romance
❤️ Virgin FMC
❤️ Friends to lovers
❤️ Small Town
❤️ Teach me
❤️ Love story that could easily be a movie you see on Lifetime or in theaters even.
✨️ The mental health representation in this book is top tier. There is depression, anxiety, insecurities, therapy, journaling, learning coping mechanisms, and more. [Read the triggers]
❤️ Story is told from both Diane and Devlins' perspective in a third-person POV
✨️ Devlin worships Diane's body
❤️ Open door romance, but I would say it is open door in a way that somebody used to closed door romance could be comfortable with. A good starter for those curious but not super comfortable with spice yet.
✨️ I could gush and gush but don't want to spoil it!
November 28, 2024
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
First & Foremost, I encourage everyone to read the triggers warning. Your mental health matters & this book does contain subject matter that may be triggering for some.
While I did enjoy the story, the third person POV definitely was not my favorite. It somewhat pulled me out of the story but that is a ME issue not the author.
This story follows Diane & Devlin from young children to adulthood. It tells how they grew up together & then them growing back together after 10 years of separation. I enjoyed the realism about mental health issues such as anxiety & seeking help from therapist for those issues before they completely consume the characters.
While this book contains sensitivity subject matter it handles it in a very well done way, as to not be overwhelming to the reader & not the only focus of the entire story.
I am glad I got the chance to ARC read this story and hope other enjoy it upon release.
First & Foremost, I encourage everyone to read the triggers warning. Your mental health matters & this book does contain subject matter that may be triggering for some.
While I did enjoy the story, the third person POV definitely was not my favorite. It somewhat pulled me out of the story but that is a ME issue not the author.
This story follows Diane & Devlin from young children to adulthood. It tells how they grew up together & then them growing back together after 10 years of separation. I enjoyed the realism about mental health issues such as anxiety & seeking help from therapist for those issues before they completely consume the characters.
While this book contains sensitivity subject matter it handles it in a very well done way, as to not be overwhelming to the reader & not the only focus of the entire story.
I am glad I got the chance to ARC read this story and hope other enjoy it upon release.
dnf
January 26, 2025The author says up front there are mental health issues and we don’t know how someone else deals. Fair. I’ve had my own MH issues and have probably made decisions that others with the same diagnosis would probably even question. But in this book both characters have them and the first 17% of the book is just shitty thing after shitty thing happening to each of them. Does it get better or is this the book? I just can’t bring myself to stick around and find out, because I feel zero connection to her and I feel sorry for him. Plus I finally read the full list of tropes (it has a bunch) trying to figure out if this is actually a romance and there’s an accidental pregnancy on the list. And according to the blurb she has to get married fast because of the aunt. I am not at the Will yet when I quit but the aunt just died and she was never married. As an unmarried aunt I sure am not forcing my nieces into anything, especially if they’re dealing with depression? I hate it here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
The devil is in the details of communication
Where The Heart Is (Connor Family Series Book 1) by Jenni Simonis is a good book for a beginning author. The depth and detail what these characters experience as a result of mental health concerns is vast and wide. It draws the conclusion that the brain can be a tricky devil and in Devlin and Diane's case, the mental health maladies they each suffered divided them rather than allowing their deep and abiding friendship to get them through the tough times.
Overall, this writing has so much potential. Clearly researching and finding resources assisted in the creative depth and emotional turmoil both characters suffered. Best of all, mental health help is portrayed as an absolute positive and life changing strategy.
Kudos Jenni Simonis! Keep up your craft and I can't wait to see how much you grow.
Where The Heart Is (Connor Family Series Book 1) by Jenni Simonis is a good book for a beginning author. The depth and detail what these characters experience as a result of mental health concerns is vast and wide. It draws the conclusion that the brain can be a tricky devil and in Devlin and Diane's case, the mental health maladies they each suffered divided them rather than allowing their deep and abiding friendship to get them through the tough times.
Overall, this writing has so much potential. Clearly researching and finding resources assisted in the creative depth and emotional turmoil both characters suffered. Best of all, mental health help is portrayed as an absolute positive and life changing strategy.
Kudos Jenni Simonis! Keep up your craft and I can't wait to see how much you grow.
February 10, 2025
This is such a sweet gushy romance. It follows the first book with the story of Joy’s parents and this continues with Joy’s journey with her childhood best friend Finn. I like how the author gave us insight into how Joy and Finn were feeling for each other when they were 12 and the continuation through their teens, college years into adulthood.
The author did a great job in her writing about issues the characters had with anxiety and mental health. I felt this made the characters relatable. Also the addition of Joy’s worry journal writings at the beginning of each chapter is a touching way to connect with the characters and what they are feeling. I felt this story was emotional and tears were impossible to hold back. It definitely tugged at my heart. I enjoyed it immensely and would definitely recommend.
The author did a great job in her writing about issues the characters had with anxiety and mental health. I felt this made the characters relatable. Also the addition of Joy’s worry journal writings at the beginning of each chapter is a touching way to connect with the characters and what they are feeling. I felt this story was emotional and tears were impossible to hold back. It definitely tugged at my heart. I enjoyed it immensely and would definitely recommend.
December 26, 2024
This was about Devlin and Diane. They lived near each other. Had pretty much all the same classes together since kindergarten. While they were growing up in Texas they had a treehouse of sorts that they hung out in all the time. One day they had a severe hurricane and the house got destroyed. In high school nothing changed. They both had feelings for each other but never said anything. They planned to go to college together but Devlin had a panic attack and switched schools at the last minute. He told Diane that he did it but not why. They were apart for 10 years and they found their way back to each other and built their friendship back up and Devlin slowly earned her trust back. Really good book.
November 25, 2024
Where the Heart Is by Jenni Simonis is a beautiful coming of age story. It follows the trials and tribulations of Diane and Devlin and speaks to the true roller coaster that is life.
This story was truly touching, I cried reading it in the gym. I felt like the story was so real and didn’t shy away from anything uncomfortable but stripped the characters bare and showed us their souls. I was so deeply enveloped into their story, which spans many years, which I really enjoy this different aspect as many stories are just snapshots of characters lives. I would so so recommend this story.
I believe that this is being released on to Kindle Unlimited too!
This story was truly touching, I cried reading it in the gym. I felt like the story was so real and didn’t shy away from anything uncomfortable but stripped the characters bare and showed us their souls. I was so deeply enveloped into their story, which spans many years, which I really enjoy this different aspect as many stories are just snapshots of characters lives. I would so so recommend this story.
I believe that this is being released on to Kindle Unlimited too!
December 17, 2024
Devlin and Diane, grew up being best friends for as long as they can remember. Due to circumstances, they were apart for 10 years, and then finally reconnected. Because of what had happened in the past, Diane had to work through a lot of trust issues to be able to fully give her heart to Devlin again! This book beautifully handles some hard mental health issues of both of the main characters, and shows how hard, but necessary it is to work through things that are difficult!
This book has a nice amount of spice, without being too much, and the HEA is everything! I’m looking forward to the continuation of stories about some of the other characters in this book!
This book has a nice amount of spice, without being too much, and the HEA is everything! I’m looking forward to the continuation of stories about some of the other characters in this book!
January 17, 2025
Where the Heart Is by Jenni Simonis, is a beautiful story about second chances, friendship, family and love. It is told through multiple perspectives, including snippets form the FMC's journal.
The characters both go through their respective battles in life and love and both learn valuable lessons from this, especially regarding Mental Health.
This book does have a very fast timeline and there are often large leaps with minimal elaborating on parts I would have wanted to be fleshed out more. But nonetheless, a good read.
Thank you Jenni for allowing me to be part of your ARC team, I cant wait to read what happens to the rest of the Connor Family
The characters both go through their respective battles in life and love and both learn valuable lessons from this, especially regarding Mental Health.
This book does have a very fast timeline and there are often large leaps with minimal elaborating on parts I would have wanted to be fleshed out more. But nonetheless, a good read.
Thank you Jenni for allowing me to be part of your ARC team, I cant wait to read what happens to the rest of the Connor Family
November 19, 2025
Broken Book Therapist Reviews
This sweet friends to lovers second chance (there is a 10 year detour) story was a delight. There are some big mental health moments (FMC end of high school, MMC throughout) that were the biggest challenges for both of them. There are moments of distraction, but reality is, struggles with mental health is the villain of this story. This also carries some heavy weight with pregnancy themes, so if that is a trigger for you, skip the whole book. But, if not, this is a beautiful, mostly gentle, journey about forgiveness and growth and that second chance isn't always easy, but it is worth it.
This sweet friends to lovers second chance (there is a 10 year detour) story was a delight. There are some big mental health moments (FMC end of high school, MMC throughout) that were the biggest challenges for both of them. There are moments of distraction, but reality is, struggles with mental health is the villain of this story. This also carries some heavy weight with pregnancy themes, so if that is a trigger for you, skip the whole book. But, if not, this is a beautiful, mostly gentle, journey about forgiveness and growth and that second chance isn't always easy, but it is worth it.
November 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this story! It is so much different than what I normally read, but in a great way! Jenni’s writing style was beautiful and she has the ability to immerse you in her universe she’s created! It really did feel like I was watching a movie, I absolutely love when that happens, the words weren’t just words. They told a beautiful and wrenching story! I love how it was all about real world problems that some may face on their day to day— it makes the characters more relatable. Cheers to Jenni for this, seriously well done!
Always check your triggers!
Always check your triggers!
December 4, 2024
4.25/5 ⭐️
I was super lucky to receive an ARC of Where the Heart Is by from author and I wanted to say:
This book hurt me (in a good way). There is a lot of discussion regarding mental health and the different ways to overcome trauma, settled into a story about Diane and Devlin.
🔥 Mental health rep
♥️ Second chance friendship to romance
🔥 Right person, wrong time
♥️ Marriage of convenience (until it isn’t)
🔥 “teach me”
♥️ much more!
This was a great read, check it out! Make sure to check your trigger warnings/content warnings before you dive in.
I was super lucky to receive an ARC of Where the Heart Is by from author and I wanted to say:
This book hurt me (in a good way). There is a lot of discussion regarding mental health and the different ways to overcome trauma, settled into a story about Diane and Devlin.
🔥 Mental health rep
♥️ Second chance friendship to romance
🔥 Right person, wrong time
♥️ Marriage of convenience (until it isn’t)
🔥 “teach me”
♥️ much more!
This was a great read, check it out! Make sure to check your trigger warnings/content warnings before you dive in.
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