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Heart Failure #1
Zu Herzen genommen
Kann die Liebe gebrochene Herzen heilen? Zwei Frauen finden den Mut, sich einander zu öffnen.
Jess' Leben ist in jeder Hinsicht perfekt – sie ist eine erfolgreiche Kardiologin, frischgebackene Mutter einer süßen Tochter und Besitzerin einer luxuriösen Wohnung. Als sie plötzlich mit akutem Herzversagen zusammenbricht, gerät ihre heile Welt ins Wanken.
Jess zieht zurück ins Haus ihrer Mutter, um sich zu erholen. Doch dort wohnt bereits Lena, eine Künstlerin, die tapfer ums wirtschaftliche Überleben kämpft und weiß, was es bedeutet, ein gebrochenes Herz zu haben.
Lenas fröhliches Auftreten stört Jess anfangs sehr, doch langsam freunden sich die beiden Frauen an. Gemeinsames Tai-Chi und abendliche Spaziergänge mit dem Baby bringen sie einander näher. Eine sinnliche Massage lässt sie schließlich alle Grenzen überschreiten. Aber kommt das nicht alles viel zu früh? Sind ihre gerade erst geheilten Herzen schon bereit für eine gemeinsame Zukunft?
Der neue, lesbische Liebesroman für alle Fans von Chris Zetts Aus dem Takt geraten.
Jess' Leben ist in jeder Hinsicht perfekt – sie ist eine erfolgreiche Kardiologin, frischgebackene Mutter einer süßen Tochter und Besitzerin einer luxuriösen Wohnung. Als sie plötzlich mit akutem Herzversagen zusammenbricht, gerät ihre heile Welt ins Wanken.
Jess zieht zurück ins Haus ihrer Mutter, um sich zu erholen. Doch dort wohnt bereits Lena, eine Künstlerin, die tapfer ums wirtschaftliche Überleben kämpft und weiß, was es bedeutet, ein gebrochenes Herz zu haben.
Lenas fröhliches Auftreten stört Jess anfangs sehr, doch langsam freunden sich die beiden Frauen an. Gemeinsames Tai-Chi und abendliche Spaziergänge mit dem Baby bringen sie einander näher. Eine sinnliche Massage lässt sie schließlich alle Grenzen überschreiten. Aber kommt das nicht alles viel zu früh? Sind ihre gerade erst geheilten Herzen schon bereit für eine gemeinsame Zukunft?
Der neue, lesbische Liebesroman für alle Fans von Chris Zetts Aus dem Takt geraten.
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Published April 4, 2022
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About the author
Chris Zett
12 books178 followersChris Zett lives near Berlin, Germany, with her wife. TV inspired her to study medicine, but she found out soon enough that real life in a hospital consists more of working long hours than performing heroic rescues. The part about finding a workplace romance turned out to be true, though.
She uses any opportunity to escape the routine by reading, writing, or traveling. Her favorite destinations include penguin colonies in Patagonia and stone circles in Scotland.
She is a graduate of the GCLS Writing Academy 2017.
She uses any opportunity to escape the routine by reading, writing, or traveling. Her favorite destinations include penguin colonies in Patagonia and stone circles in Scotland.
She is a graduate of the GCLS Writing Academy 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
January 23, 2020
3.50 Stars. I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I was a big fan of Zett’s first book, Irregular Heartbeat. I love medical romances and a good ice queen. I was looking for something in a similar vein with this new book especially with the title and the cover, but that’s not what this book was about. It was also missing a bit of a spark that the first book had not to mention one of the mains was really hard to like. I’m still glad I read it but I would recommend Irregular Heartbeat over this book.
Am I the only one that actually likes medical scenes in a medical romance book? Besides the beginning of the book, and one or two pages later on, the whole book takes place outside of the hospital. I actually feel like I’m mislabeling this book tagging it as a medical romance. I noticed the book’s blurb mentions enemies to lovers, again another romantic trope I love, but again I don’t think that fits either. Having one character who is just a complete jerk and another character who is just trying to avoid said jerk character, for her own mental health, doesn’t mean they are enemies. It means one of your characters is a jerk. Thank goodness this was a slow burn romance or I never would have believed in them as a potential couple.
The book did get better as the romance progressed. It was a nice long time for the characters to become friends than something more. The outings, dates, the flirting, it was all done well. The chemistry was not off the charts, but it was there. The one character that was hard to like did become more likable, even though she will never be a favorite of mine.
One of my issues is that while there are plenty of scenes I really enjoyed, I thought other parts dragged a bit especially near the end. The last 15-20% I kept saying “enough already wrap it up.” Normally the endings of books are one of my favorite parts so that was a bothersome issue for me that affected my rating.
As most people already know or might have guessed, this is a light sequel to Irregular Heartbeat. I say light because this story does stand on its own. I would recommend reading Irregular Heartbeat first since it’s a really good book that you should enjoy if you like medical romances, but the order doesn’t really matter. It was nice to see “Rock Chick” and some of the other characters I enjoyed from Irregular in this book.
This book was very readable, had some good dialogue and is definitely a decent read, it just wasn’t at the same level of Irregular Heartbeat. Second books seem to be the hardest, especially after you have a pretty big hit on your hands with your first book. While this was a step down, Zett’s writing style appeals to me. The problem here was I just wasn’t as big on the subject matter as in her first book. But it won’t stop me from looking forward to reading anything she puts out next.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Am I the only one that actually likes medical scenes in a medical romance book? Besides the beginning of the book, and one or two pages later on, the whole book takes place outside of the hospital. I actually feel like I’m mislabeling this book tagging it as a medical romance. I noticed the book’s blurb mentions enemies to lovers, again another romantic trope I love, but again I don’t think that fits either. Having one character who is just a complete jerk and another character who is just trying to avoid said jerk character, for her own mental health, doesn’t mean they are enemies. It means one of your characters is a jerk. Thank goodness this was a slow burn romance or I never would have believed in them as a potential couple.
The book did get better as the romance progressed. It was a nice long time for the characters to become friends than something more. The outings, dates, the flirting, it was all done well. The chemistry was not off the charts, but it was there. The one character that was hard to like did become more likable, even though she will never be a favorite of mine.
One of my issues is that while there are plenty of scenes I really enjoyed, I thought other parts dragged a bit especially near the end. The last 15-20% I kept saying “enough already wrap it up.” Normally the endings of books are one of my favorite parts so that was a bothersome issue for me that affected my rating.
As most people already know or might have guessed, this is a light sequel to Irregular Heartbeat. I say light because this story does stand on its own. I would recommend reading Irregular Heartbeat first since it’s a really good book that you should enjoy if you like medical romances, but the order doesn’t really matter. It was nice to see “Rock Chick” and some of the other characters I enjoyed from Irregular in this book.
This book was very readable, had some good dialogue and is definitely a decent read, it just wasn’t at the same level of Irregular Heartbeat. Second books seem to be the hardest, especially after you have a pretty big hit on your hands with your first book. While this was a step down, Zett’s writing style appeals to me. The problem here was I just wasn’t as big on the subject matter as in her first book. But it won’t stop me from looking forward to reading anything she puts out next.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
December 24, 2019
The first chapter was repetition from a scene in Zett’s first novel "Irregular Heartbeat”, but this time told from Jess’s POV, the women giving birth to her daughter Ella. It isn’t a series, so you don’t need to read the other one first, but it’s nice to meet Diane and Emily again.
37-year-old Jess is a successful cardiologist, who has planned and organized her life precisely, including having a baby. But after she has given birth to Ella, nothing goes as planned. She collapses from acute heart failure and she’s doomed to do nothing but accept help from her mother. And there is this annoying woman Lena, who’s rented the garden house from Jess’s mom Maggie. She’s suspicious that this woman wants to abuse her mom’s kindness.
Since Lena was a teenager, she was struggling with money problems, caused by her ungrateful and abusive mother. Now she has found a beautiful place to stay and in Maggie a wonderful friend. She struggles to manage her three different jobs to pay off the debts. There is barely time for friendship, least of all for a romantic relationship.
In the beginning, Jess was an annoying bitch to Lena, and I was wondering how the two of them anytime soon will be able to be more than enemies. But the author has written a great storyline and we are able to observe how the two women are slowly getting closer, first just as friends. I very much liked the dialogues, even when they were clashing. It’s a bumpy road for both of them when they have to accept, that the other spoke some true words and they had to agree, they both made mistakes. They are bonding over Ella, the little sunshine in Jess’s life.
I liked both characters, even Jess was annoying in the beginning, and Maggie is a very supportive and helpful mother and friend as the most important secondary character.
It is a realistic and entertaining romance and I liked it as much as the first one from Chris Zett.
My rating 4.25 stars
Thanks to the Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review
37-year-old Jess is a successful cardiologist, who has planned and organized her life precisely, including having a baby. But after she has given birth to Ella, nothing goes as planned. She collapses from acute heart failure and she’s doomed to do nothing but accept help from her mother. And there is this annoying woman Lena, who’s rented the garden house from Jess’s mom Maggie. She’s suspicious that this woman wants to abuse her mom’s kindness.
Since Lena was a teenager, she was struggling with money problems, caused by her ungrateful and abusive mother. Now she has found a beautiful place to stay and in Maggie a wonderful friend. She struggles to manage her three different jobs to pay off the debts. There is barely time for friendship, least of all for a romantic relationship.
In the beginning, Jess was an annoying bitch to Lena, and I was wondering how the two of them anytime soon will be able to be more than enemies. But the author has written a great storyline and we are able to observe how the two women are slowly getting closer, first just as friends. I very much liked the dialogues, even when they were clashing. It’s a bumpy road for both of them when they have to accept, that the other spoke some true words and they had to agree, they both made mistakes. They are bonding over Ella, the little sunshine in Jess’s life.
I liked both characters, even Jess was annoying in the beginning, and Maggie is a very supportive and helpful mother and friend as the most important secondary character.
It is a realistic and entertaining romance and I liked it as much as the first one from Chris Zett.
My rating 4.25 stars
Thanks to the Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review
December 25, 2019
Baby makes three.
Jess is a cardiologist who has decided to have a baby because she is getting older and it is within her life plan. Unfortunately, developing a rare form of post pregnancy heart failure wasn't a part of that plan. Either was moving in with her mother for physical and emotional support. Lena is a fiercely independent woman who is living with Jess's mom. Sparks fly, but not the good kind.
This is set in the same world as Zett's earlier book, 'Irregular Heartbeat.' I did read that book. The only thing I remembered was that the previous main character was a formerly semi-famous musician. And if I hadn't remembered it, Zett made it clear to new readers by having Jess refer to her as 'Dr. Rock Chick' numerous times. Another reviewer mentioned that the birth scene is re-created from a different POV in this book. I wish that I had remembered it as I probably would have considered it to be a really creative way to kick start things.
Lena was super likable. Over time, we learn about her background and why she closes herself off to attachments with people. She has had a rough go of it but continues to do what it takes to stay afloat. Regardless of her less than desirable situation, she is kind and everyone seems to love her. She deserved way better than Dr. Jess Riley.
I wish that I could have liked Jess. I really wanted to feel like she could redeem herself after treating Lena so despicably. It just didn't happen for me. No amount of googly baby talk to her daughter could make me endeared to her like it happened for Lena. Jess was too entitled, judgmental, and assuming. And she was kind of that way up until the very end, even.
There were some cute scenes. Like when Jess goes to the cafe to do some snooping around about Lena. When Jess accompanies Lena to pick fruit.
Both Jess and Lena were against pursuing relationships. And it is always entertaining to watch two people fall for each other and try to deny what is happening. Does friends with benefits ever really work out as planned?
The baby was in the picture but kind of in the background. She was very well behaved.
The best part of this book was a little bit of conflict that happened when Jess tried to fix things and it completely backfired. I loved a line of dialogue where Lena firmly tells Jess to not ever do a certain something again.
Overall, this was entertaining and had spots of cuteness. But mostly angst.
I would recommend this to people who like to read about really snotty characters, newborns, doctors, heart issues, awesome moms, estranged family, financial struggles, learning to let people in, fruit picking, art, tai-chi, massages, and way overboard assumptions.
I received an ARC from YLVA publishing for an honest review.
Jess is a cardiologist who has decided to have a baby because she is getting older and it is within her life plan. Unfortunately, developing a rare form of post pregnancy heart failure wasn't a part of that plan. Either was moving in with her mother for physical and emotional support. Lena is a fiercely independent woman who is living with Jess's mom. Sparks fly, but not the good kind.
This is set in the same world as Zett's earlier book, 'Irregular Heartbeat.' I did read that book. The only thing I remembered was that the previous main character was a formerly semi-famous musician. And if I hadn't remembered it, Zett made it clear to new readers by having Jess refer to her as 'Dr. Rock Chick' numerous times. Another reviewer mentioned that the birth scene is re-created from a different POV in this book. I wish that I had remembered it as I probably would have considered it to be a really creative way to kick start things.
Lena was super likable. Over time, we learn about her background and why she closes herself off to attachments with people. She has had a rough go of it but continues to do what it takes to stay afloat. Regardless of her less than desirable situation, she is kind and everyone seems to love her. She deserved way better than Dr. Jess Riley.
I wish that I could have liked Jess. I really wanted to feel like she could redeem herself after treating Lena so despicably. It just didn't happen for me. No amount of googly baby talk to her daughter could make me endeared to her like it happened for Lena. Jess was too entitled, judgmental, and assuming. And she was kind of that way up until the very end, even.
There were some cute scenes. Like when Jess goes to the cafe to do some snooping around about Lena. When Jess accompanies Lena to pick fruit.
Both Jess and Lena were against pursuing relationships. And it is always entertaining to watch two people fall for each other and try to deny what is happening. Does friends with benefits ever really work out as planned?
The baby was in the picture but kind of in the background. She was very well behaved.
The best part of this book was a little bit of conflict that happened when Jess tried to fix things and it completely backfired. I loved a line of dialogue where Lena firmly tells Jess to not ever do a certain something again.
Overall, this was entertaining and had spots of cuteness. But mostly angst.
I would recommend this to people who like to read about really snotty characters, newborns, doctors, heart issues, awesome moms, estranged family, financial struggles, learning to let people in, fruit picking, art, tai-chi, massages, and way overboard assumptions.
I received an ARC from YLVA publishing for an honest review.
January 3, 2020
Jess Riley’s career as a cardiologist has always been her first and only priority. At 37, she’s about to become a single mother, having decided not to wait for the perfect woman to have a family. She’s a planner, always following her plans to the letter since they usually work, but she’s misjudged how complicated and exhausting it would be to take care of her newborn daughter and keep her career on its tracks. When heart failure due to the pregnancy forces her to take a break and move in with her mother Maggie, her world collapses. Lena Walker is Maggie’s tenant and friend. She juggles three jobs to pay off debts she can thank her unfit mother for. Despite all she’s been through, Lena is sweet and patient, never letting anger and bitterness take over. And she’ll need patience with Jess…
Authors often say the second book is the hardest. Sure, when you’ve already been published, you know you can do it, but with this knowledge come expectations. And that can be really tough to deal with. So I’m often kinder on with second books.
Heart Failure did need a little kindness at first. Jess was so hard and rude I wasn’t sure I wanted to care about her. However, having read and enjoyed Chris Zett’s first novel, Irregular Heartbeat, a lot, I had to give this one a real chance. It got much better after a while, and I liked seeing the real Jess underneath the self-centred ice queen she let herself be when life got admittedly rough. She didn’t change completely and still had lessons to learn about becoming a nicer and kinder human being, and I couldn’t help thinking Lena deserved better.
Even though Heart Failure can be read as a standalone, it’s set in the same universe as Irregular Heartbeat and one of the main characters from that first novel appears quite often in this one. Not knowing about her background beforehand won’t stop you from understanding anything, but as I love reading books in order, I’d recommend reading the first one before this.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Authors often say the second book is the hardest. Sure, when you’ve already been published, you know you can do it, but with this knowledge come expectations. And that can be really tough to deal with. So I’m often kinder on with second books.
Heart Failure did need a little kindness at first. Jess was so hard and rude I wasn’t sure I wanted to care about her. However, having read and enjoyed Chris Zett’s first novel, Irregular Heartbeat, a lot, I had to give this one a real chance. It got much better after a while, and I liked seeing the real Jess underneath the self-centred ice queen she let herself be when life got admittedly rough. She didn’t change completely and still had lessons to learn about becoming a nicer and kinder human being, and I couldn’t help thinking Lena deserved better.
Even though Heart Failure can be read as a standalone, it’s set in the same universe as Irregular Heartbeat and one of the main characters from that first novel appears quite often in this one. Not knowing about her background beforehand won’t stop you from understanding anything, but as I love reading books in order, I’d recommend reading the first one before this.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 5, 2022
Family and priorities.
Another solid romance by Chris Zett but this one takes place outside the hospital.
I love the characters. Jess isn't a new character, having made a brief appearance in the earlier book, Irregular Heartbeat. In that book, we only scratched the surface with her and what we know is that she's an attending physician working at the same hospital. She has a rather brash personality and she had just had her baby delivered. This book deepens our understanding of Jess and we find out she's work-motivated, a go-getter and an incredible planner. But she's also at a stage where she's finding out that things don't always go according to plan especially when a baby is involved and when Jess herself has a heart failure diagosis and she has to reassess some priorities. Jess moves in temporarily with her mother and her curiousity about her mother's tenant, Lena, which initially stemmed from suspicion turns into interest and attraction after a bit. Lena is the complete opposite of Jess in background, status and personality but she's just as likeable as Jess, if not more.
Zett creates a chemistry between them that is romantic and passionate and at the same time, family-oriented. At this point, I'd admit that I don't deal well with romance novels that involve children and it's a 50/50 chance that I'd enjoy one. But I enjoyed this because Zett simply knows how to write a story.
Not sure if there's a reason for changing narrator from Abby Craden, who read Irregular Heartbeat, to Lori Prince. I had to get used to the change in voice for Jess and other characters. But still, I must say Prince did a good job.
Another solid romance by Chris Zett but this one takes place outside the hospital.
I love the characters. Jess isn't a new character, having made a brief appearance in the earlier book, Irregular Heartbeat. In that book, we only scratched the surface with her and what we know is that she's an attending physician working at the same hospital. She has a rather brash personality and she had just had her baby delivered. This book deepens our understanding of Jess and we find out she's work-motivated, a go-getter and an incredible planner. But she's also at a stage where she's finding out that things don't always go according to plan especially when a baby is involved and when Jess herself has a heart failure diagosis and she has to reassess some priorities. Jess moves in temporarily with her mother and her curiousity about her mother's tenant, Lena, which initially stemmed from suspicion turns into interest and attraction after a bit. Lena is the complete opposite of Jess in background, status and personality but she's just as likeable as Jess, if not more.
Zett creates a chemistry between them that is romantic and passionate and at the same time, family-oriented. At this point, I'd admit that I don't deal well with romance novels that involve children and it's a 50/50 chance that I'd enjoy one. But I enjoyed this because Zett simply knows how to write a story.
Not sure if there's a reason for changing narrator from Abby Craden, who read Irregular Heartbeat, to Lori Prince. I had to get used to the change in voice for Jess and other characters. But still, I must say Prince did a good job.
March 21, 2020
Even though one of the lead characters is a cardiologist, this isn’t really set in a hospital but I would still consider it a medical romance. Dr Jessica Riley is well-thought of as a cardiologist by the age of 37 but it came at a cost to her personal life. Realising it may be too late to have a child by the time she’s in a committed relationship, she has gone through the process of artificial insemination. After giving birth to her daughter, Ella, and trying to get into a routine, Jess collapses with heart failure. Needing support for herself and her daughter, she returns to her mother’s house hoping to have a semblance of independence in the garden cottage. To her shock, her mother has let it to a jam-making waitress called Lena Walker.
Jess’ disappointment in her own weakness gnaws at her and her interaction with others is less than civil. In fact, Lena finds her to be quite rude and entitled. This is the epitome of a story where opposites attract. Lena and Jess are poles apart in attitude, upbringing, finances, outlook on life and esteem. Their differences make for interesting dynamics between them, especially considering their beginnings.
I enjoyed the way their relationship developed from the antagonistic beginnings to gaining an understanding of each other. Both characters felt realistic, including the aspects of themselves that they held back. Because of this and the dialogue, I got much more out of this novel than I got out of Irregular Heartbeat. In fact, I preferred Diana as character in this too but that might be because it was more of a cameo role.
It’s a good read with no unnecessary drama that leaves me wondering if I skipped pages or just didn’t have enough empathy. My kind of book.
Book received from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
Jess’ disappointment in her own weakness gnaws at her and her interaction with others is less than civil. In fact, Lena finds her to be quite rude and entitled. This is the epitome of a story where opposites attract. Lena and Jess are poles apart in attitude, upbringing, finances, outlook on life and esteem. Their differences make for interesting dynamics between them, especially considering their beginnings.
I enjoyed the way their relationship developed from the antagonistic beginnings to gaining an understanding of each other. Both characters felt realistic, including the aspects of themselves that they held back. Because of this and the dialogue, I got much more out of this novel than I got out of Irregular Heartbeat. In fact, I preferred Diana as character in this too but that might be because it was more of a cameo role.
It’s a good read with no unnecessary drama that leaves me wondering if I skipped pages or just didn’t have enough empathy. My kind of book.
Book received from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
January 20, 2020
Don't read the blurb!
The plot. Am I the only one that got spoiled a little because of that blurb? That is a lot of information about what happens in the book. Here's what you need to know: grumpy Dr. Mom recovering from Heart Failure (ha) meets a down on her luck struggling artist with a heart the size of Texas.
The characters. Of the two mains, Lena was my favorite. I liked the relationship between her and Maggie and how much stronger she became when eventually standing up to her own mom. I had a really hard time liking Jess though. Not just because she was written to be a jerk but because it felt like her character got dumbed down to fit the narrative.
The writing. The overall pacing and flow of the story was good. The only thing I really had a problem with, and this ties into what I mentioned earlier about Jess, is that it didn't make sense to me why this obviously smart woman would make some ridiculous assumptions about Lena and what she does for a living.
The special. I really liked the beginning of the book. Seeing an event from book 1 play out from a completely different angle was a really interesting choice and a great way to kick things off.
The negative. Somehow I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Lena and Jess. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was. Lingering looks? Subtle touches? I'm not sure but it felt like something was missing.
The verdict. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. I did love the dedication for obvious reasons however. ♥ ♥ ♥
The plot. Am I the only one that got spoiled a little because of that blurb? That is a lot of information about what happens in the book. Here's what you need to know: grumpy Dr. Mom recovering from Heart Failure (ha) meets a down on her luck struggling artist with a heart the size of Texas.
The characters. Of the two mains, Lena was my favorite. I liked the relationship between her and Maggie and how much stronger she became when eventually standing up to her own mom. I had a really hard time liking Jess though. Not just because she was written to be a jerk but because it felt like her character got dumbed down to fit the narrative.
The writing. The overall pacing and flow of the story was good. The only thing I really had a problem with, and this ties into what I mentioned earlier about Jess, is that it didn't make sense to me why this obviously smart woman would make some ridiculous assumptions about Lena and what she does for a living.
The special. I really liked the beginning of the book. Seeing an event from book 1 play out from a completely different angle was a really interesting choice and a great way to kick things off.
The negative. Somehow I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Lena and Jess. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was. Lingering looks? Subtle touches? I'm not sure but it felt like something was missing.
The verdict. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. I did love the dedication for obvious reasons however. ♥ ♥ ♥
January 6, 2020
Dr. Jess Riley is a successful cardiologist who has just given birth to a baby daughter. She is single but determined to balance a demanding professional career with motherhood. However, when she is diagnosed with acute heart failure, she is forced to take time off and go back home to live with her mother. But Jess’s mother already has a tenant, struggling artist Lena Walker, and Jess isn’t happy about it. Jess is distrustful of Lena but slowly both women start to leave their differences aside to form a tentative friendship with benefits. Will they have a happily ever after?
‘Heart failure’ is part of the universe of Ms. Zett’s debut ‘Irregular Heartbeat’ and it starts by retelling a scene from the end of that book but, this time told from Jess’s point of view. Despite the repetition, this is a standalone novel though I recommend reading ‘Irregular Heartbeat’ because, in my opinion, it is the best of the two. Despite the title and the cover (but not the blurb), this is not a medical romance per se. It’s true that one of the protagonists is a doctor and there are a couple of scenes set in a hospital environment but don’t expect much in the medical drama department. If you need to put a label on this story, it could be a lesbian enemies-to-lovers romance book.
It’s hard not to compare this book with its predecessor as they share the same universe and some of the characters of ‘Irregular Heartbeat‘, especially Diana, have a very important role in this novel. Compared to the previous book, the leading couple didn’t appeal to me that much. Jess is a hard-to-love character, at the beginning she seems self-centered and cold, but eventually, the readers witness her transformation into a more agreeable woman. While I understand that motherhood and a serious illness change people so her transformation is justified, it took me a long time to warm to her. Lena, on the other hand, is a lovable and patient woman who had a difficult childhood. I felt she was too good to be true and definitely, too good for Jess. So, for me, the chemistry between them was just there but not enough to reach hot levels.
As I had the expectation of a medical romance, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t much hospital action. Again, I couldn’t help to compare to the previous book, though this is not the author’s fault. I just couldn’t empathise with the characters’ conflict and I wasn’t invested enough in their relationship. Having said that, I like Ms. Zett’s writing style and will definitely read her next book.
Overall, an ok enemies to lovers romance book, 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
‘Heart failure’ is part of the universe of Ms. Zett’s debut ‘Irregular Heartbeat’ and it starts by retelling a scene from the end of that book but, this time told from Jess’s point of view. Despite the repetition, this is a standalone novel though I recommend reading ‘Irregular Heartbeat’ because, in my opinion, it is the best of the two. Despite the title and the cover (but not the blurb), this is not a medical romance per se. It’s true that one of the protagonists is a doctor and there are a couple of scenes set in a hospital environment but don’t expect much in the medical drama department. If you need to put a label on this story, it could be a lesbian enemies-to-lovers romance book.
It’s hard not to compare this book with its predecessor as they share the same universe and some of the characters of ‘Irregular Heartbeat‘, especially Diana, have a very important role in this novel. Compared to the previous book, the leading couple didn’t appeal to me that much. Jess is a hard-to-love character, at the beginning she seems self-centered and cold, but eventually, the readers witness her transformation into a more agreeable woman. While I understand that motherhood and a serious illness change people so her transformation is justified, it took me a long time to warm to her. Lena, on the other hand, is a lovable and patient woman who had a difficult childhood. I felt she was too good to be true and definitely, too good for Jess. So, for me, the chemistry between them was just there but not enough to reach hot levels.
As I had the expectation of a medical romance, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t much hospital action. Again, I couldn’t help to compare to the previous book, though this is not the author’s fault. I just couldn’t empathise with the characters’ conflict and I wasn’t invested enough in their relationship. Having said that, I like Ms. Zett’s writing style and will definitely read her next book.
Overall, an ok enemies to lovers romance book, 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
December 27, 2019
Chris Zett has written another beautiful and heartwarming tale with her latest novel
Heart Failure
.
The story begins with Dr. Jess Riley giving birth to her daughter Ella. Not long after this blessed event, Jess suffers a rare and possibly dangerous form of heart failure, and is forced to move in with her mother as she tries to recover. There she meets her mother’s tenant, Lena Walker, and all kinds of sparks fly between them.
There is a lot of angst in this story since both characters must deal with heartache from their pasts as well as fear of their present and future. Ms. Zett did an excellent job of creating these characters with their flaws and quirks. It was fun watching the two characters grow individually as people and grow together as a couple. Ms. Zett seems to have a knack for creating memorable characters that she then allows to grow and mature in her books. I noted the same skill in my review of her debut novel Irregular Heartbeat .
Heart Failure is a standalone novel, but the story is written in the same world as her first novel. You do not need to read the first book before this one. However, if you love a good, angsty medical romance, then you should try both of these books.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
The story begins with Dr. Jess Riley giving birth to her daughter Ella. Not long after this blessed event, Jess suffers a rare and possibly dangerous form of heart failure, and is forced to move in with her mother as she tries to recover. There she meets her mother’s tenant, Lena Walker, and all kinds of sparks fly between them.
There is a lot of angst in this story since both characters must deal with heartache from their pasts as well as fear of their present and future. Ms. Zett did an excellent job of creating these characters with their flaws and quirks. It was fun watching the two characters grow individually as people and grow together as a couple. Ms. Zett seems to have a knack for creating memorable characters that she then allows to grow and mature in her books. I noted the same skill in my review of her debut novel Irregular Heartbeat .
Heart Failure is a standalone novel, but the story is written in the same world as her first novel. You do not need to read the first book before this one. However, if you love a good, angsty medical romance, then you should try both of these books.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
December 26, 2019
Jess has the emotional maturity of a 12 year old (she's 37 BTW). For the first 1/3 of the book we the reader have to navigate past the loathing, snarling, hatred, and general assholery that is Jess. Now I know it's semi standard to have an enemy-->lovers trope start off antagonistic, but usually there is an overwhelming amount of chemistry that drives the plot past it. That was NOT the case here. It's just Jess being a grade-A jerkface.
Then the next 1/3 of the book we coast along a push/pull meander that actually had me putting the book down several times due to lack of concentration. It actually took me 5 days to get through this. Unlike the first book in this 'Verse Irregular Heartbeat where I thoroughly enjoyed it's pacing even *with* the fact that it had an ice queen. Not my favorite character there either. But in that one it worked.
Then .... Sigh .... yea the 78-80% mandatory BS that we have to wade through on every book out there. You'd think that formula gets tiring. Evidently not, as it's almost mandatory now in everything we read nowadays.
There *are* some moments in here that inspire the good feels, they're really just so spread out and few that it just makes me shrug and go, 'Meh.'
I'm betting a coffee of choice that the next book will have Jess's work friend Kayla as the next MC in this verse. Guess I'll have to wait and see. This book has made me a little gun shy though. I liked the first book well enough, but no way can I stomach another one like this. I guess I'll have to hold out once it comes out and see what others review it.
Then the next 1/3 of the book we coast along a push/pull meander that actually had me putting the book down several times due to lack of concentration. It actually took me 5 days to get through this. Unlike the first book in this 'Verse Irregular Heartbeat where I thoroughly enjoyed it's pacing even *with* the fact that it had an ice queen. Not my favorite character there either. But in that one it worked.
Then .... Sigh .... yea the 78-80% mandatory BS that we have to wade through on every book out there. You'd think that formula gets tiring. Evidently not, as it's almost mandatory now in everything we read nowadays.
There *are* some moments in here that inspire the good feels, they're really just so spread out and few that it just makes me shrug and go, 'Meh.'
I'm betting a coffee of choice that the next book will have Jess's work friend Kayla as the next MC in this verse. Guess I'll have to wait and see. This book has made me a little gun shy though. I liked the first book well enough, but no way can I stomach another one like this. I guess I'll have to hold out once it comes out and see what others review it.
November 15, 2022
Ratings: 3+ ⭐️
Second book which I’ve listened to on an audiobook instead of reading, and one which I listened to while doing my walks over the weekend. Did I enjoy it; i.e. audiobook? I still can’t really say wholeheartedly that I enjoy audiobook….
Anyhow, back to the book - Heart Failure was an ok and decent listen. Perhaps it got a bit draggy at some point or maybe it was just me trying too hard to concentrate on listening and not enjoying it as much as if I were to read it. If you are expecting a medical drama, then this book is not that. It just featured a medical doctor, cardiologist Jess Riley who is often on her feet working away, who had a baby all on her own with no partner, and who collapsed one fine day due to a heart failure which could potentially be deadly if help didn’t arrive quick enough. Jess learned to slow down as she recuperates where she stayed with her mom who had a guest, Lena Walker, staying in the guest house. The 2 clash initially with Jess getting suspicious of Lena’s motive of staying with her mother, at loggerheads most time before things smooth over between the 2.
Available in Scribd
Second book which I’ve listened to on an audiobook instead of reading, and one which I listened to while doing my walks over the weekend. Did I enjoy it; i.e. audiobook? I still can’t really say wholeheartedly that I enjoy audiobook….
Anyhow, back to the book - Heart Failure was an ok and decent listen. Perhaps it got a bit draggy at some point or maybe it was just me trying too hard to concentrate on listening and not enjoying it as much as if I were to read it. If you are expecting a medical drama, then this book is not that. It just featured a medical doctor, cardiologist Jess Riley who is often on her feet working away, who had a baby all on her own with no partner, and who collapsed one fine day due to a heart failure which could potentially be deadly if help didn’t arrive quick enough. Jess learned to slow down as she recuperates where she stayed with her mom who had a guest, Lena Walker, staying in the guest house. The 2 clash initially with Jess getting suspicious of Lena’s motive of staying with her mother, at loggerheads most time before things smooth over between the 2.
Available in Scribd
August 29, 2021
Why did it take me so long to listen to this one?! Cardiologist in heart failure (more than that really). Loved it. Great chemistry even with an ice queen. I think as long as I’m privy to the ice queen’s thoughts I’m ok with it-usually it bothers me. But Jess was flawed in many ways. And reasonable. Anyway, loved this one.
March 30, 2025
This book had a slow pace that made it difficult to stay invested. While the story had its moments, I ultimately found the payoff lacking. Jess came across as incredibly selfish, and honestly, Lena deserved much better.
November 15, 2025
Really enjoyed this one - can be stand alone but better to read after book 1. Loved the flawed MCs and excellent back characters. An author I'll now automatically buy. Excellent holiday read.
April 21, 2021
3.5 stars.
We meet up with Senior Attending of Cardiology, Dr. Jess Riley, a nine-month pregnant, soon to be single mom. She planned this pregnancy, just like she planned every other part of her life and so she scheduled a C-Section to take place in 10 days. She is in pain and makes her way to the hospital private garden area. She literally runs into ER Doctor Diana Petrell and former rock star, from Zett's previous book Irregular Heartbeat. Worried, Diana follows Jess and helps to deliver Jess's baby on the park bench. This was not part of Jess's plan. Nor was suffering acute heart failure. She agrees to go and recover at her Mother's house figuring her mom can help take care of baby Ella and she can stay in the apartment above her Mother's garage. What she didn't plan for was that her mother already had a tenant, Lena living in the apartment. Jess planned everything in her life, practically down to the minute - from her career to when she would have a baby. What she didn't plan on was having to move back home to her mother's to recover and help taking care of Ella. Much less falling in love.
This is a definitely opposites attract romance. Lena is the 2020s version of a hippie (or new age'er?), especially when compared to Jess. I lost count on the number of jobs Lena had, just trying to make ends meet. For me, Lena was very likable, while Jess was not, at least not at first. Jess is very goal oriented and believes only her way is best. Dare I say, self centered? Jess is unlikable for a good portion of the book because her journey to change was slow. However, any faster and it wouldn't have been believable.
We meet up with Senior Attending of Cardiology, Dr. Jess Riley, a nine-month pregnant, soon to be single mom. She planned this pregnancy, just like she planned every other part of her life and so she scheduled a C-Section to take place in 10 days. She is in pain and makes her way to the hospital private garden area. She literally runs into ER Doctor Diana Petrell and former rock star, from Zett's previous book Irregular Heartbeat. Worried, Diana follows Jess and helps to deliver Jess's baby on the park bench. This was not part of Jess's plan. Nor was suffering acute heart failure. She agrees to go and recover at her Mother's house figuring her mom can help take care of baby Ella and she can stay in the apartment above her Mother's garage. What she didn't plan for was that her mother already had a tenant, Lena living in the apartment. Jess planned everything in her life, practically down to the minute - from her career to when she would have a baby. What she didn't plan on was having to move back home to her mother's to recover and help taking care of Ella. Much less falling in love.
This is a definitely opposites attract romance. Lena is the 2020s version of a hippie (or new age'er?), especially when compared to Jess. I lost count on the number of jobs Lena had, just trying to make ends meet. For me, Lena was very likable, while Jess was not, at least not at first. Jess is very goal oriented and believes only her way is best. Dare I say, self centered? Jess is unlikable for a good portion of the book because her journey to change was slow. However, any faster and it wouldn't have been believable.
January 11, 2023
For me is a huge difference between being an ice-queen and a rude person.
This book is not part of a series, but it includes characters from another Zett’s book Irregular Heartbeat Even though isn’t necessary to read that one to understand this one.
Here we get to meet, Dr. Jess Riley, she’s a successful cardiologist who due to a very poor lifestyle and a pregnancy her body spoke volumes and she gets sick, due to this she must move with her mom while she recovers; her mom, Maggie has a tenant in the little house in the back of the main house, Lena. Lena struggles but she’s on the positive side of life.
I thought I was going to enjoy this book way better, but it wasn’t the case. I’d like to add that in some way is better to read Irregular Heartbeat because you start to understand where Jess is coming from.
The pace was not the best one for me, I think that the length of some things were too much and other could had more.
This book is not part of a series, but it includes characters from another Zett’s book Irregular Heartbeat Even though isn’t necessary to read that one to understand this one.
Here we get to meet, Dr. Jess Riley, she’s a successful cardiologist who due to a very poor lifestyle and a pregnancy her body spoke volumes and she gets sick, due to this she must move with her mom while she recovers; her mom, Maggie has a tenant in the little house in the back of the main house, Lena. Lena struggles but she’s on the positive side of life.
I thought I was going to enjoy this book way better, but it wasn’t the case. I’d like to add that in some way is better to read Irregular Heartbeat because you start to understand where Jess is coming from.
The pace was not the best one for me, I think that the length of some things were too much and other could had more.
January 27, 2020
I love medical romances, and this one was really good. But I found something missing here. Sparks, or drama, or I don't know what.
June 23, 2022
This isn't marked as a series, but it's a strong follow-on from Irregular Heartbeat and Diana from that story figures prominently enough in this one that I recommend reading that one first. But it isn't necessary.
This started rough for me. Jess is, frankly, an entitled jerk and her dealings with Lena for the first, I dunno, third? were bitter and mean. And completely unjustified. And being engaged with Lena almost hurt because she had all my sympathy and I wanted her to stand up for herself better. Yeah, she was asked by Jess's mother to give Jess some slack and she respects and admires Jess's mother. But she gives Jess way too much slack and I hated seeing her passive and feared that'd be a big part of her character.
Fortunately, once Lena snaps and things come to a head, the story improves quite a bit. Jess still has a ways to go to overcome her harsher instincts, but it was gratifying to see her honestly working on it. And I liked seeing Lena gain confidence as she's supported by both Jess's mother and Jess herself.
The rest of the story progresses very well, I think. And I include the bit where friction is brought by Jess's overreach and their mutual relationship insecurities. Yeah, Lena's insecurity makes the least amount of sense (in addition to being a classic negative motivation*) because she's already forming a strong relationship with Jess's mother so the whole "it's all pain so keep things shallow" schtick doesn't actually work. But since she was already falling in love with Jess I didn't sweat that bit too much.
This ends with a solid four stars. The beginning trauma and minor motivational friction kept it back a bit, but overall it was very satisfying. I particularly liked Jess's awakening to modifying her career trajectory to create better balance for the people she loves. It was an unexpected gift that this became an explicit choice and seeing Jess navigate it on-page was appreciated.
A note about Steamy: There are a handful of explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They were mostly well-integrated with the story, though I found Jess's body-consciousness a bit pat. Post-partem insecurity is a thing, sure, but it felt tacked on, here.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
This started rough for me. Jess is, frankly, an entitled jerk and her dealings with Lena for the first, I dunno, third? were bitter and mean. And completely unjustified. And being engaged with Lena almost hurt because she had all my sympathy and I wanted her to stand up for herself better. Yeah, she was asked by Jess's mother to give Jess some slack and she respects and admires Jess's mother. But she gives Jess way too much slack and I hated seeing her passive and feared that'd be a big part of her character.
Fortunately, once Lena snaps and things come to a head, the story improves quite a bit. Jess still has a ways to go to overcome her harsher instincts, but it was gratifying to see her honestly working on it. And I liked seeing Lena gain confidence as she's supported by both Jess's mother and Jess herself.
The rest of the story progresses very well, I think. And I include the bit where friction is brought by Jess's overreach and their mutual relationship insecurities. Yeah, Lena's insecurity makes the least amount of sense (in addition to being a classic negative motivation*) because she's already forming a strong relationship with Jess's mother so the whole "it's all pain so keep things shallow" schtick doesn't actually work. But since she was already falling in love with Jess I didn't sweat that bit too much.
This ends with a solid four stars. The beginning trauma and minor motivational friction kept it back a bit, but overall it was very satisfying. I particularly liked Jess's awakening to modifying her career trajectory to create better balance for the people she loves. It was an unexpected gift that this became an explicit choice and seeing Jess navigate it on-page was appreciated.
A note about Steamy: There are a handful of explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They were mostly well-integrated with the story, though I found Jess's body-consciousness a bit pat. Post-partem insecurity is a thing, sure, but it felt tacked on, here.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
May 28, 2021
I liked Heart Failure better than Irregular Heartbeat, but maybe that's because I wasn't in the mood when I read the first book in the series since everyone seems to love that one better? In any case, this was a deal on Audible and I'm glad I purchased it!
April 29, 2020
Audio Book. 3.75 stars.
I read Irregular heartbeat when it came out and I remember enjoying it. For Heart Failure, I did not get a chance to read it so the Audiobook was the first time. I thought the narrator (Lori Prince) did a good job, but I did find myself wondering how Craden would have done with this book. I was annoyed by how Jess sounded. It could be because Jess wasn't really a nice person. It's funny how her mom seems so sweet and she could birth a rude and egomaniac child. I found myself really liking Lena. I thought the voice of Lena was spot on. Overall I thought this was good. I think I might have liked it better if I read it first. Oh the audio book was 10hr and 40 mins.
I read Irregular heartbeat when it came out and I remember enjoying it. For Heart Failure, I did not get a chance to read it so the Audiobook was the first time. I thought the narrator (Lori Prince) did a good job, but I did find myself wondering how Craden would have done with this book. I was annoyed by how Jess sounded. It could be because Jess wasn't really a nice person. It's funny how her mom seems so sweet and she could birth a rude and egomaniac child. I found myself really liking Lena. I thought the voice of Lena was spot on. Overall I thought this was good. I think I might have liked it better if I read it first. Oh the audio book was 10hr and 40 mins.
January 19, 2020
ARC received via Ylva in exchange for an honest review.
I’d read Zett’s Irregular Heartbeat, and saw this was a sequel of sorts, so wanted to try it. I liked this more than the first one. This features Jess, a cardiologist who has decided to have a baby on her own and Lena, a sort of Jill of all trades, who works multiple jobs and lives in a cottage on Jess’ mother’s property.
Jess has a heart issue after the birth of her daughter and moves back in with her mother while she heals. This throws her into proximity with Lena, whom she is suspicious of. Not gonna lie, Jess is hard to take for the first third of the book. She has her head so far up her butt it’s surprising she could walk around. But as she warms to Lena (who is sweet as pie) her defences come down and she’s also has sweet scenes with her daughter.
The romance is a friend to lovers type slow burn. Lena also has issues from her past and those affect how she relates to Jess. There’s the usual ‘drama’ type thing at the 80% mark, but what impressed me was that the two leads actually discussed it like reasonable adults and were able to resolve it. I also liked that the solution was a compromise for both of them, not just one giving in to what the other wanted.
Fans of book one should enjoy this sequel. Emily has a cameo of sorts, but Diana features a bit. This is a sweet enough romance, and an improvement on book one. I look forward to more from this author. 4 stars.
I’d read Zett’s Irregular Heartbeat, and saw this was a sequel of sorts, so wanted to try it. I liked this more than the first one. This features Jess, a cardiologist who has decided to have a baby on her own and Lena, a sort of Jill of all trades, who works multiple jobs and lives in a cottage on Jess’ mother’s property.
Jess has a heart issue after the birth of her daughter and moves back in with her mother while she heals. This throws her into proximity with Lena, whom she is suspicious of. Not gonna lie, Jess is hard to take for the first third of the book. She has her head so far up her butt it’s surprising she could walk around. But as she warms to Lena (who is sweet as pie) her defences come down and she’s also has sweet scenes with her daughter.
The romance is a friend to lovers type slow burn. Lena also has issues from her past and those affect how she relates to Jess. There’s the usual ‘drama’ type thing at the 80% mark, but what impressed me was that the two leads actually discussed it like reasonable adults and were able to resolve it. I also liked that the solution was a compromise for both of them, not just one giving in to what the other wanted.
Fans of book one should enjoy this sequel. Emily has a cameo of sorts, but Diana features a bit. This is a sweet enough romance, and an improvement on book one. I look forward to more from this author. 4 stars.
March 9, 2021
It's been a while since I finished this. I don't remember any details, but I do remember enjoying the book.
February 3, 2020
I really enjoyed Irregular Heartbeat and was so excited when this one came out. I enjoyed Heart Failure, but I didn’t enjoy it the way I did the first. To be honest, in the beginning, I disliked Jess so much she had to make a comeback, and it was an uphill battle. It did get better as the book went. I started to feel for Jess, but I still thought Lena was just way too nice for her.
I spent the first bit of the book hoping Lena did, in fact, stay away from Jess, and the middle being skeptical but giving Jess some leeway. By the end, I got it and decided it was okay. Typically I enjoy rooting for the characters to get together from the start, and for me, this wasn’t the case. It took longer than I am used to in a romance. When I think of an enemies to lovers book, I think of two people actively trying to make one another’s life hell. For me, this isn’t that either. I did think Lena was too nice and almost too easy to forgive and move on. Especially about a misunderstanding by Jess in the book. Lena handled it much better than I would have. It was in line with her personality though.
As the relationship progressed and they began to share more common interest I did finally allow myself to believe they could make it. A few parts were slow, but the overall story was good. By the end, I was happy and enjoyed reading it. 3.75 rounded up for me.
I spent the first bit of the book hoping Lena did, in fact, stay away from Jess, and the middle being skeptical but giving Jess some leeway. By the end, I got it and decided it was okay. Typically I enjoy rooting for the characters to get together from the start, and for me, this wasn’t the case. It took longer than I am used to in a romance. When I think of an enemies to lovers book, I think of two people actively trying to make one another’s life hell. For me, this isn’t that either. I did think Lena was too nice and almost too easy to forgive and move on. Especially about a misunderstanding by Jess in the book. Lena handled it much better than I would have. It was in line with her personality though.
As the relationship progressed and they began to share more common interest I did finally allow myself to believe they could make it. A few parts were slow, but the overall story was good. By the end, I was happy and enjoyed reading it. 3.75 rounded up for me.
October 6, 2024
Ah, I really did think I would have a better time with this one, and I'm sad that I didn't. I liked the first book by this author, and I was confident that I would like her second even more, but alas. There was a LOT about this that I enjoyed, and happily, the book handled a few topics and themes that I'm usually not a fan of, and carried it off super well. But then it was just... death by a thousand cuts. So many tiny little things that I really didn't like, and it added up in the end. It made me feel so PICKY, but I am who I am. Honestly, this barely escaped being a 2.5, but there were some things I genuinely enjoyed.
Jess is a workaholic heart surgeon approaching her 40s. She's no longer willing to wait for a gf/wife to start a family, and so she takes steps to become a single mother. However, after she has her baby, she has a pretty serious health scare with her heart that means she'll have to slow down a lot, make some changes. She ends up moving back in with her mother, Maggie. Lena, meanwhile, has been renting Maggie's garden house for almost a year, working a bunch of odd jobs, paying off her debts, making ends meet. When Jess moves back in, they get off on the wrong foot, but eventually begin a slow burn friendship that turns to more. To start with the things that I unexpectedly like: the entire baby aspect. I seldom enjoy reading about pregnancy and childbirth and babies, and sometimes the way certain books talk about motherhood can really turn me off. But I didn't mind the pregnancy stuff, as it didn't last long, and Jess being a very new single mother in this romance is what made it work for me. The parts of it that worked, anyway. I loved seeing her immediately fall in love with her daughter, see how different she was with her, how sweet she was around her. And the way it played into the romance was unexpectedly really lovely as well. The way this is set up, Lena meets Jess' baby pretty soon after she's born, and while she doesn't spend as much time around her at first, she comes to love her wholeheartedly. And idk, something about the fact that Lena is in her child's life almost from day one, it just made the romance with Jess even sweeter? Every moment they spent taking care of her together, or going on walks and outings together, it just made me so HAPPY. I always love it, in single parent romance, when the love interest binds with the kid, and this felt like this, except even better, somehow.
Really, this had a lot of elements that should have made it really work for me. I loved the found family aspect, but that comes later. This starts off as an enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Expect it's not really enemies to lovers; Jess is just really bitter and mean and combative, and Lena is a normal human being. And it's not grumpy/sunshine so much as it's asshole/chill. The character development comes, but it was almost too late. Jess is judgemental and cruel in ways that are just annoying. It never crosses a line, and even when they're in their enemies phase, you can still see glimpses of the decent person beneath it all. But it felt overdone and obnoxious, especially in the first 30 percent or so. And then were a lot of little things that just irritated me:
Listened to the audiobook as read by Lori Prince, who delivered a good performance as always. I'll probably try another book from this author again? Like, there were some things about this I really liked and appreciated. But my expectations for future books are adjusted.
Jess is a workaholic heart surgeon approaching her 40s. She's no longer willing to wait for a gf/wife to start a family, and so she takes steps to become a single mother. However, after she has her baby, she has a pretty serious health scare with her heart that means she'll have to slow down a lot, make some changes. She ends up moving back in with her mother, Maggie. Lena, meanwhile, has been renting Maggie's garden house for almost a year, working a bunch of odd jobs, paying off her debts, making ends meet. When Jess moves back in, they get off on the wrong foot, but eventually begin a slow burn friendship that turns to more. To start with the things that I unexpectedly like: the entire baby aspect. I seldom enjoy reading about pregnancy and childbirth and babies, and sometimes the way certain books talk about motherhood can really turn me off. But I didn't mind the pregnancy stuff, as it didn't last long, and Jess being a very new single mother in this romance is what made it work for me. The parts of it that worked, anyway. I loved seeing her immediately fall in love with her daughter, see how different she was with her, how sweet she was around her. And the way it played into the romance was unexpectedly really lovely as well. The way this is set up, Lena meets Jess' baby pretty soon after she's born, and while she doesn't spend as much time around her at first, she comes to love her wholeheartedly. And idk, something about the fact that Lena is in her child's life almost from day one, it just made the romance with Jess even sweeter? Every moment they spent taking care of her together, or going on walks and outings together, it just made me so HAPPY. I always love it, in single parent romance, when the love interest binds with the kid, and this felt like this, except even better, somehow.
Really, this had a lot of elements that should have made it really work for me. I loved the found family aspect, but that comes later. This starts off as an enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Expect it's not really enemies to lovers; Jess is just really bitter and mean and combative, and Lena is a normal human being. And it's not grumpy/sunshine so much as it's asshole/chill. The character development comes, but it was almost too late. Jess is judgemental and cruel in ways that are just annoying. It never crosses a line, and even when they're in their enemies phase, you can still see glimpses of the decent person beneath it all. But it felt overdone and obnoxious, especially in the first 30 percent or so. And then were a lot of little things that just irritated me:
Listened to the audiobook as read by Lori Prince, who delivered a good performance as always. I'll probably try another book from this author again? Like, there were some things about this I really liked and appreciated. But my expectations for future books are adjusted.
December 5, 2024
I ended up liking this one quite a bit. Jess was a bit too much in the beginning but she became more believable for me later on. I liked Lena almost completely but her interactions with her mom - after 10 years of the same - weren't believable either. But I loved Maggie. She was perfect.
By the time the book was wrapping up, I was mostly satisfied. It was a nice romance but there were a few things that bugged me. There seemed like there was too much going on. Too many things that could have grown to be bigger plot devices or story arcs but were just dropped in to enhance what was already there but didn't get the coverage they probably deserved. Like Jess's body image issues. There were some bits of information that we got over and over and some repeated words and phrases that stood out but those are things that bother me and not a lot of other people...
This was my first Zett book and I enjoyed it enough to try more. Because Hoopla and my public library are awesome!
By the time the book was wrapping up, I was mostly satisfied. It was a nice romance but there were a few things that bugged me. There seemed like there was too much going on. Too many things that could have grown to be bigger plot devices or story arcs but were just dropped in to enhance what was already there but didn't get the coverage they probably deserved. Like Jess's body image issues. There were some bits of information that we got over and over and some repeated words and phrases that stood out but those are things that bother me and not a lot of other people...
This was my first Zett book and I enjoyed it enough to try more. Because Hoopla and my public library are awesome!
January 2, 2020
This is the second book that I’ve read by Chris Zett and if all goes well, it won’t be the last.
Lena Walker had and is still paying for a childhood that no child deserves. She was lucky in meeting up with Maggie Riley at the farmers market where she sold her homemade jellies and jams. This was but one of her jobs and when Maggie overheard Lena asking around for a place to rent, she offered Lena her garden house. It was the first time Lena felt like she had a home of her own. Over time Maggie became Lena’s friend and shared her love of plants with the young woman.
Dr. Jess Riley worked as a cardiologist, something she had always dreamed of. While her mother taught students all about botany, it was her father's job as a top cardiologist that made her want to follow in his footsteps. Problem was Jess missed out when it came to dealing with others, she came across rude and pompous because that was exactly what she was. Even though she reached to top when it came to her career there was still a part that dreamed of becoming a mother. And Jess didn’t see the point of waiting for a woman who would share her life with her.
After having the baby daughter she wanted she found herself in a position she never envisioned for herself. Independence was what she wanted but when she had a heart attack and had to take time off she found herself turning to her mother for he support she desperately needed. It was at this time she learned of Lena and her living arrangements she had with her mother Maggie. Now how will these two women, who are so different ever get along.
Ms Zett’s has written a nicely paced read with some nice little twists and turns. Great read that I’m sure you will enjoy like I did.
ARC via Ylva Publishing
Lena Walker had and is still paying for a childhood that no child deserves. She was lucky in meeting up with Maggie Riley at the farmers market where she sold her homemade jellies and jams. This was but one of her jobs and when Maggie overheard Lena asking around for a place to rent, she offered Lena her garden house. It was the first time Lena felt like she had a home of her own. Over time Maggie became Lena’s friend and shared her love of plants with the young woman.
Dr. Jess Riley worked as a cardiologist, something she had always dreamed of. While her mother taught students all about botany, it was her father's job as a top cardiologist that made her want to follow in his footsteps. Problem was Jess missed out when it came to dealing with others, she came across rude and pompous because that was exactly what she was. Even though she reached to top when it came to her career there was still a part that dreamed of becoming a mother. And Jess didn’t see the point of waiting for a woman who would share her life with her.
After having the baby daughter she wanted she found herself in a position she never envisioned for herself. Independence was what she wanted but when she had a heart attack and had to take time off she found herself turning to her mother for he support she desperately needed. It was at this time she learned of Lena and her living arrangements she had with her mother Maggie. Now how will these two women, who are so different ever get along.
Ms Zett’s has written a nicely paced read with some nice little twists and turns. Great read that I’m sure you will enjoy like I did.
ARC via Ylva Publishing
September 13, 2024
Rich girl/poor girl, found family, grumpy sunshine, and more! Nicely written, entertaining and heartfelt.
Lena is just amazing even with all her baggage. She is warm and compassionate and kind and calm. She definitely shines bright and she brings that brightness into Jess’s life.
Jess has had her life planned out since she was in high school. She comes from a loving and privileged background. She doesn’t like change or anything messing with her plan.
They have an ugly meet after Jess has to stop working due to heart failure after having a baby. Their relationship progresses naturally and realistically. There are all these little zings leading up to, well reading or listening to find out would be recommended!
Lena is just amazing even with all her baggage. She is warm and compassionate and kind and calm. She definitely shines bright and she brings that brightness into Jess’s life.
Jess has had her life planned out since she was in high school. She comes from a loving and privileged background. She doesn’t like change or anything messing with her plan.
They have an ugly meet after Jess has to stop working due to heart failure after having a baby. Their relationship progresses naturally and realistically. There are all these little zings leading up to, well reading or listening to find out would be recommended!
March 30, 2021
Lori Prince narrations have been hit or miss with me but this one proves all the rave reviews about her. Her tone and pace were good and the characters were brought to live with her narration talent. Gone was the loud harsh tones I've heard in other narrations of hers that made me cringe. And performances like this is why I constantly listen to her narrations. Great job!!!
As for the story itself, I liked it. It was cute. Uknown self centered doctor Jess has a plan and intends to follow it to a tee even after having a baby and heart failure. Sweet selfless Lena's only plan is to make it to the end of the day with a money to help pay a debt that has no end in sight. The two clash, and clash some more, until a spark flares and something more begins to build.
It's a fun read and a good listen.
As for the story itself, I liked it. It was cute. Uknown self centered doctor Jess has a plan and intends to follow it to a tee even after having a baby and heart failure. Sweet selfless Lena's only plan is to make it to the end of the day with a money to help pay a debt that has no end in sight. The two clash, and clash some more, until a spark flares and something more begins to build.
It's a fun read and a good listen.
April 9, 2022
3.5 star rating
I felt this was better than Irregular heartbeat. Was introduced to this book when I read Glimpses and felt the little peek into the characters life was worth checking out.
The story is about a privileged and successful cardiologist who may be going through a midlife crisis and decides having a baby is a solution.
Unfortunately, life unexpected challenges shows up and she finds out slowly through the eyes of her mother's tenant other types of life struggles and other ways of dealing with challenges.
I felt this was better than Irregular heartbeat. Was introduced to this book when I read Glimpses and felt the little peek into the characters life was worth checking out.
The story is about a privileged and successful cardiologist who may be going through a midlife crisis and decides having a baby is a solution.
Unfortunately, life unexpected challenges shows up and she finds out slowly through the eyes of her mother's tenant other types of life struggles and other ways of dealing with challenges.
December 23, 2019
Dr. Jess Riley has had her life planned to the very last detail since she was a child. She has become a respected cardiologist and is expecting the birth of her daughter. The fickleness of life is to expect the unexpected though and Jess must face a life threatening heart diagnosis after the birth of her daughter. She is forced to take a medical leave of absence from work as well as move back home so that she can recover with the help of her mother. At home she meets her mother’s tenant Lena Walker who works three jobs to make ends meet. Jess does not take well to the upheaval in her life and the unexpected tenant living in the garden house.
Heart Failure is Chris Zett’s second novel. I love that she drifted her main character Diana Petrell from her first novel into Heart Failure to play a minor key role. Diana is such a strong and likeable character unlike Jess.
We get to see Jess at the very worst moments of her life and behave badly because of them which makes it hard to connect with her at the beginning of the novel. Even though it takes a long time to warm up to Jess, you will fall in love with Lena very easily. Lena is the catalyst Jess needs to become more sympathetic and engaging.
I liked Heart Failure even though I found Jess’s character to leap to absurd conclusions far too quickly. The romance was well written and is very believable. The build up is enjoyably frustrating, just the way it should be. I look forward to Chris Zett’s next novel.
3.5 ⭐️
Heart Failure is Chris Zett’s second novel. I love that she drifted her main character Diana Petrell from her first novel into Heart Failure to play a minor key role. Diana is such a strong and likeable character unlike Jess.
We get to see Jess at the very worst moments of her life and behave badly because of them which makes it hard to connect with her at the beginning of the novel. Even though it takes a long time to warm up to Jess, you will fall in love with Lena very easily. Lena is the catalyst Jess needs to become more sympathetic and engaging.
I liked Heart Failure even though I found Jess’s character to leap to absurd conclusions far too quickly. The romance was well written and is very believable. The build up is enjoyably frustrating, just the way it should be. I look forward to Chris Zett’s next novel.
3.5 ⭐️
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