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Hold on to Your Heart
Is 38 too old for a life without a proper job, kids, a house?
This is the question facing professional photographer, Olivia Clarke, days before moving to Canada with her boyfriend, Graham. To ease her worries she heads to her favourite bookshop, but there she is shocked to find her first love, Eamonn Murphy, reading from his novel, Wild Waves – a story of lost love.
Theirs.
His book opens with a pact they made 15 years ago in Ireland, which he broke, along with her heart. Or so she believes. Eamonn, however, thinks Olivia was the one who walked away.
With only 10 days before she leaves for Canada, Olivia faces another impossible read Eamonn’s book and find out what happened. Or move on with Graham before more hearts get broken. Will Eamonn’s fear of losing people be his downfall again? Or can he figure out what happened before it’s too late?
This is the question facing professional photographer, Olivia Clarke, days before moving to Canada with her boyfriend, Graham. To ease her worries she heads to her favourite bookshop, but there she is shocked to find her first love, Eamonn Murphy, reading from his novel, Wild Waves – a story of lost love.
Theirs.
His book opens with a pact they made 15 years ago in Ireland, which he broke, along with her heart. Or so she believes. Eamonn, however, thinks Olivia was the one who walked away.
With only 10 days before she leaves for Canada, Olivia faces another impossible read Eamonn’s book and find out what happened. Or move on with Graham before more hearts get broken. Will Eamonn’s fear of losing people be his downfall again? Or can he figure out what happened before it’s too late?
- GenresFiction
331 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2025
5 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Malika Nekhla
1 book5 followersMalika is a Belgian-Algerian author with a deep love of the sea. Unfortunately, she lives nowhere near the coast so she uses her writing as a coping mechanism. Other than her obsession with the ocean, she can't stop talking about musical theatre, astrology, Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield.
Malika has lived in Dublin and London, and always has a bag at the ready in case they rethink Brexit.
Malika has lived in Dublin and London, and always has a bag at the ready in case they rethink Brexit.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 13, 2025
We meet Olivia, who visits her favourite local bookshop and finds herself walking right into the middle of a book launch event just as the live reading is happening. Then she hears the voice of said reader and sees who’s book is being launched - her the-one-that-got-away! And what he’s reading sounds so familiar, she might as well have lived it herself…and she did! In a fluster, Olivia forgets to pay for the book and rushes out of the shop to try and process what’s happening.
What follows is a parallel of Olivia and Eamonn’s past and how they reached the present moment. With the classic miscommunication of dating, and outside influences, we live through the beautiful moments of two people meeting and building a beautiful connection.
For fans of One Day, this book is a great summer read and will keep you invested in finding out if they’ll ever end up together!
Thanks so much to Malika for letting me read an ARC of this lovely new story!
Quotes
““But love is simple, when you think of it. It requires very little effort. Those who say you have to work at it are wrong. Love, in all its forms, is there. Always. No matter what. It’s there when you forget about it. It’s there when you pretend it’s not. It’s there when you’re angry, or hurt, or don’t believe in its existence. The only thing love requires of us is that we accept it. That we see ourselves for who we are, and accept the things that make us us.”
“And if there’s anything I’d like you to take away from this, it’s to follow your heart and live a life that’s true to you.” - a quote right at the end of the acknowledgements from Malika herself!
What follows is a parallel of Olivia and Eamonn’s past and how they reached the present moment. With the classic miscommunication of dating, and outside influences, we live through the beautiful moments of two people meeting and building a beautiful connection.
For fans of One Day, this book is a great summer read and will keep you invested in finding out if they’ll ever end up together!
Thanks so much to Malika for letting me read an ARC of this lovely new story!
Quotes
““But love is simple, when you think of it. It requires very little effort. Those who say you have to work at it are wrong. Love, in all its forms, is there. Always. No matter what. It’s there when you forget about it. It’s there when you pretend it’s not. It’s there when you’re angry, or hurt, or don’t believe in its existence. The only thing love requires of us is that we accept it. That we see ourselves for who we are, and accept the things that make us us.”
“And if there’s anything I’d like you to take away from this, it’s to follow your heart and live a life that’s true to you.” - a quote right at the end of the acknowledgements from Malika herself!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2025
Hold on to your heart, by Malika Nekhla - arc review
4.25 ⭐
I loved this book! A book inside another book.
Hold on to your heart is a story of encounters and disagreements between Olivia, a photographer who had a summer romance in her youth with Eamonn, a writer.
Due to a lack of courage and truth, the two, who were young at the time, lose touch.
They meet again later, with lives already made, remade and unmade. When Olivia walks into a bookshop and comes across Eamonn presenting his new book... the book with their story. Thrown into the past, Olivia is taken by surprise by a story she thought was buried somewhere between Ireland and England and which had broken her heart.
Eamonn never thought it would be so easy to meet Olivia again, but there she was, in the back of a bookshop in London. Had she read the book? Was she there to break his heart once again?
So many “ifs” throughout this story and the book written by Eamonn.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes strong emotions, who is looking forward to the end... but you'll need a cup of tea to steady your nerves.
Thank you to the Netgalley platform and the author, Malika, who generously sent me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
📷Friends to Lovers
📝Timeline
📷Dual POV
📝Missed Opportunities
📷Will They Won’t They
📝Miscommunication and Assumptions
FQ :
“You’re afraid to really love someone, because it hurts too much – because you’re already thinking of losing them again.”
“No matter if I close my yeas or keep them wide open, it’s you I see. You’re everywhere and still completely out of my reach…”
“…you have to be willing to grieve if you want to be able to experience that soul-shaking kind of love…”
4.25 ⭐
I loved this book! A book inside another book.
Hold on to your heart is a story of encounters and disagreements between Olivia, a photographer who had a summer romance in her youth with Eamonn, a writer.
Due to a lack of courage and truth, the two, who were young at the time, lose touch.
They meet again later, with lives already made, remade and unmade. When Olivia walks into a bookshop and comes across Eamonn presenting his new book... the book with their story. Thrown into the past, Olivia is taken by surprise by a story she thought was buried somewhere between Ireland and England and which had broken her heart.
Eamonn never thought it would be so easy to meet Olivia again, but there she was, in the back of a bookshop in London. Had she read the book? Was she there to break his heart once again?
So many “ifs” throughout this story and the book written by Eamonn.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes strong emotions, who is looking forward to the end... but you'll need a cup of tea to steady your nerves.
Thank you to the Netgalley platform and the author, Malika, who generously sent me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:
📷Friends to Lovers
📝Timeline
📷Dual POV
📝Missed Opportunities
📷Will They Won’t They
📝Miscommunication and Assumptions
FQ :
“You’re afraid to really love someone, because it hurts too much – because you’re already thinking of losing them again.”
“No matter if I close my yeas or keep them wide open, it’s you I see. You’re everywhere and still completely out of my reach…”
“…you have to be willing to grieve if you want to be able to experience that soul-shaking kind of love…”
November 18, 2025
I bought this book a while ago but was put off reading it because it was described as one for ‘fans of Lily King’s Writers and Lovers’ and I hated that book (Sorry, Lily!)
I loved Hold on to Your Heart. At first, I wasn’t sure if a story within a story would work for me but it absolutely did. We meet the main characters straight away, and learn about Olivia, her current boyfriend Graham and her ex/first love Eamonn and their situations.
Olivia and Graham are about to move to Canada and Eamonn has just published his first book, *Wild Waves.* On his book tour, Olivia is shocked to find him in her favourite bookshop. Keen to know what he really thought of their past relationship, she buys a copy of the book (sort of).
But the history between Olivia and Eamonn isn’t all that it seems and we learn what really happened over the years through the reading of his book.
Grab yourself a hot drink, some snacks, and settle into this beautiful debut novel about first love, friendships, and righting wrongs. Perfect if you love the works of David Nicholls and Amanda Prowse.
I loved Hold on to Your Heart. At first, I wasn’t sure if a story within a story would work for me but it absolutely did. We meet the main characters straight away, and learn about Olivia, her current boyfriend Graham and her ex/first love Eamonn and their situations.
Olivia and Graham are about to move to Canada and Eamonn has just published his first book, *Wild Waves.* On his book tour, Olivia is shocked to find him in her favourite bookshop. Keen to know what he really thought of their past relationship, she buys a copy of the book (sort of).
But the history between Olivia and Eamonn isn’t all that it seems and we learn what really happened over the years through the reading of his book.
Grab yourself a hot drink, some snacks, and settle into this beautiful debut novel about first love, friendships, and righting wrongs. Perfect if you love the works of David Nicholls and Amanda Prowse.
June 1, 2025
A story within a story, you follow Olivia and Eamonn on a love journey like no other. Through present and fictional history written by Eamonn you watch a love story unfold in the beautiful Ireland and London back drop.
A sucker for second chance romance and a lover of One Day by David Nicholls this book really appealed to me. What would you do if he broke your heart and then wrote a book about it?
The book from start to finish had me fully in the will they won’t they scenario you want so much to see there love unfold however you also have life in general that takes over always feeling an obstacle is forever in the way of true love. Why don’t we just say it? Why don’t we chase the love of our life’s? What’s stopping us? Is it ever too late?
This was very smartly written by Malika I love the flashbacks of the younger Olivia and Eamonn’s come from his book. I loved the other characters had depth to them and really fit in well the whole way through. I was hopeful all the way through this book and I was so happy with the ending because it hadn’t been what I expected.
Absolutely loved loved loved this and would 100% recommend to anyone that loves a romance.
second chance lovers
growth and forgiveness
power of love
May 13, 2025
Book Review Hold on to Your Heart by Malika Nekhala
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (more like 1.5)
I was at a loss for what to read next and was generously offered an eARC of Malika’s novel, Hold on to Your Heart, by Malika herself. As someone who mainly reads fantasy or books relevant to my work space, the genre was not my usual wheelhouse but a welcomed departure. Although this is Malika’s debut novel, it gives the impression of a seasoned writer.
Hold on to Your Heart is a novel within a novel, which gives it a cinematic atmosphere as we straddle two different timelines. We follow Olivia and Eamonn in present day and their fictional youthful counterparts, Ava and Connor.
I really enjoyed this bittersweet novel. It was like walking through someone’s life and experiencing their could have been love story. It was excellently written and well paced. The dialogue felt natural and the characters were well developed. Early on I knew how I thought it should end and by the time I was at the ending I was left with a mix of emotions regarding the outcome.
Spice: there were two scenes of note but the spice in this novel was very tame (if I compare it to some of the other spice in popular reads at the moment 🥵 If it was a film it would be M/PG13 easily). Nothing explicit, tastefully done.
If you like dual points of view, young love, lost love, yearning, books that could be movies, strong FMCs, bittersweet, warm vibes, or close friendships, this book could be right for you and I would recommend getting your hands on a copy when it releases 28 May 2025.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (more like 1.5)
I was at a loss for what to read next and was generously offered an eARC of Malika’s novel, Hold on to Your Heart, by Malika herself. As someone who mainly reads fantasy or books relevant to my work space, the genre was not my usual wheelhouse but a welcomed departure. Although this is Malika’s debut novel, it gives the impression of a seasoned writer.
Hold on to Your Heart is a novel within a novel, which gives it a cinematic atmosphere as we straddle two different timelines. We follow Olivia and Eamonn in present day and their fictional youthful counterparts, Ava and Connor.
I really enjoyed this bittersweet novel. It was like walking through someone’s life and experiencing their could have been love story. It was excellently written and well paced. The dialogue felt natural and the characters were well developed. Early on I knew how I thought it should end and by the time I was at the ending I was left with a mix of emotions regarding the outcome.
Spice: there were two scenes of note but the spice in this novel was very tame (if I compare it to some of the other spice in popular reads at the moment 🥵 If it was a film it would be M/PG13 easily). Nothing explicit, tastefully done.
If you like dual points of view, young love, lost love, yearning, books that could be movies, strong FMCs, bittersweet, warm vibes, or close friendships, this book could be right for you and I would recommend getting your hands on a copy when it releases 28 May 2025.
May 6, 2025
This story follows Olivia as she prepares to move to Canada with her boyfriend but has a run in with someone from her past. Eamonn was her love from long ago that never worked out, but now he has written a book that tells their story, will it hold the answers Olivia needs.
The writing format took me a minute to get used to as I figured out who was who between the present day and novel excerpts but once I got my head around the POVs I liked the structure and different perspectives.
I loved the setting jumping between Ireland and the UK and the dialogue was so well written that I could hear the Irish accent which just made me love the characters more.
It was refreshing to have older characters close to my age and relevant pop culture references dotted through provided some nostalgia for the romance novels and movies of the 2000s.
Overall I loved the characters in this story and the unique way we learn the story through present day interaction and past events through the lens of Eamonns novel.
A lovely debut novel, releasing 28 May, perfect for lovers of One Day or looking for a touching, low spice romance that explores second chances at love and friendship.
The writing format took me a minute to get used to as I figured out who was who between the present day and novel excerpts but once I got my head around the POVs I liked the structure and different perspectives.
I loved the setting jumping between Ireland and the UK and the dialogue was so well written that I could hear the Irish accent which just made me love the characters more.
It was refreshing to have older characters close to my age and relevant pop culture references dotted through provided some nostalgia for the romance novels and movies of the 2000s.
Overall I loved the characters in this story and the unique way we learn the story through present day interaction and past events through the lens of Eamonns novel.
A lovely debut novel, releasing 28 May, perfect for lovers of One Day or looking for a touching, low spice romance that explores second chances at love and friendship.
May 22, 2025
4.5!!!!
WHAT ON EARTH😭😭 This was stunning!!!!! I am so so proud of Malika for writing this beautiful story about “what if’s”, second chances, and the journey for finding who and what you love!!! If you’re a fan of “One Day” and “Normal People”, this gave me the same vibes!!!!
Olivia and Eamonn take you on a RIDE!!! As friends that meet in Ireland one summer, to lovers, to strangers, to friends again (maybe), to WHO KNOWS WHAT NEXT, this book had me hooked!!!
The Irish coast setting, the book within a book plotline, and the messy mistakes of people in love….INCREDIBLE!!!
Another thing that sealed the deal for me…. the characters are 35+!!!!! It was so refreshing to read about adults and their trials and tribulations for a change!!!
My heart just ached for these characters as they figure themselves out and what they want! GOSH!!! Even the side characters had me craving more of their story!!
Such a phenomenal debut!!! EEEE!!!
This book is perfect for you if you love stories with…
📖Ireland & London settings
📖Friends to Lovers
📖Will They, Won’t They
📖A book within a book
📖Time Jumps
WHAT ON EARTH😭😭 This was stunning!!!!! I am so so proud of Malika for writing this beautiful story about “what if’s”, second chances, and the journey for finding who and what you love!!! If you’re a fan of “One Day” and “Normal People”, this gave me the same vibes!!!!
Olivia and Eamonn take you on a RIDE!!! As friends that meet in Ireland one summer, to lovers, to strangers, to friends again (maybe), to WHO KNOWS WHAT NEXT, this book had me hooked!!!
The Irish coast setting, the book within a book plotline, and the messy mistakes of people in love….INCREDIBLE!!!
Another thing that sealed the deal for me…. the characters are 35+!!!!! It was so refreshing to read about adults and their trials and tribulations for a change!!!
My heart just ached for these characters as they figure themselves out and what they want! GOSH!!! Even the side characters had me craving more of their story!!
Such a phenomenal debut!!! EEEE!!!
This book is perfect for you if you love stories with…
📖Ireland & London settings
📖Friends to Lovers
📖Will They, Won’t They
📖A book within a book
📖Time Jumps
May 16, 2025
Thank you to Malika Nekhla for having me as part of your ARC team and sending me a copy of your book.
Hold On To Your Heart is a debut novel that feels like a warm hug. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
The story follows Olivia and Eamonn and their misfortunate love story. There is a dual time line, one in the present and one narrated through a book that Eamonn wrote about them. So it’s a book in a book where the past is explained through fictional characters! Excellent! I sometimes had to think a bit to figure out who is who as they obviously have different names but that might also be to do with my tired mum brain.
The book immediately gripped me and I was hooked from chapter one. The writing is delightful and engaging, the dialogue witty and fun. This story had messy characters which I really enjoyed.
Reading this also reminded me of my own time living in Ireland and I just really loved the setting. It felt genuine and realistic.
I highly recommend pre-ordering and reading this novel. An outstanding debut that really does not feel like it’s a first book. I can’t wait to read more in future!
4.5 stars
Hold On To Your Heart is a debut novel that feels like a warm hug. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
The story follows Olivia and Eamonn and their misfortunate love story. There is a dual time line, one in the present and one narrated through a book that Eamonn wrote about them. So it’s a book in a book where the past is explained through fictional characters! Excellent! I sometimes had to think a bit to figure out who is who as they obviously have different names but that might also be to do with my tired mum brain.
The book immediately gripped me and I was hooked from chapter one. The writing is delightful and engaging, the dialogue witty and fun. This story had messy characters which I really enjoyed.
Reading this also reminded me of my own time living in Ireland and I just really loved the setting. It felt genuine and realistic.
I highly recommend pre-ordering and reading this novel. An outstanding debut that really does not feel like it’s a first book. I can’t wait to read more in future!
4.5 stars
May 22, 2025
If you’re a fan of the book ‘One Day’ then you definitely should be picking this one up and adding it to your tbr shelves. This was an easy, enjoyable read, a book within a book set across dual timelines. You do need to concentrate in order to remember who is who across the present day chapters and their fictional counterparts in the past retold through Eamonn’s book. Usually I struggle with miscommunication tropes but this did not bother me in the slightest, it was well written, realistic and I easily immersed myself within the story, visualising the characters, setting and the events as they unfolded. I really liked that the characters were older and how the book highlights that it’s okay not to have life go according to plan! The story had me guessing throughout with the whole “will they, won’t they” and I was actually quite pleasantly surprised with the ending!
October 24, 2025
A book inside a book...feels like an ambitious debut, right? It is...but Malika delivered it so beautifully. Many things to really love in this emotional book... another nostalgic read going back 15 years and moving forward. The characters are very well developed and there are injections of humour throughout that made me laugh out loud in places.
I enjoyed following and being infuriated and heartbroken at missed opportunities and love lost...I also really enjoyed the sea swimming (I am one of those people who can't not be in the sea either!) Now I'm getting older,I really enjoy relationships with older characters so very much appreciated that!
I really love stories like one day and films like sliding doors, so if these are your thing,I'd definitely definitely recommend this one!
I enjoyed following and being infuriated and heartbroken at missed opportunities and love lost...I also really enjoyed the sea swimming (I am one of those people who can't not be in the sea either!) Now I'm getting older,I really enjoy relationships with older characters so very much appreciated that!
I really love stories like one day and films like sliding doors, so if these are your thing,I'd definitely definitely recommend this one!
July 4, 2025
What a rollercoaster ride! This book is actually two stories in one, with the narratives very cleverly weaving around each other. The tone is lovely with lots of fun music references and vibrant descriptions, but also quite poetic in depictions of the sea and longing. I fell for the characters. The author created a great world and I was very happy to be in it.
July 2, 2025
This book BROKE MY HEART in the best sort of way. This book ended in a way I didn’t expect and honestly it was so refreshing (even if it did rip my heart out of my chest).
June 7, 2025
Wat een boek! Niet alleen voor romantische zielen, maar voor iedereen die houdt van een verhaal dat blijft nazinderen. Ik werd er van de eerste minuut in meegezogen. De persoonlijkheid van de auteur voel je in elk personage, alsof ze allemaal een stukje Malika zijn. Ik kon het niet wegleggen, maar wou ook niet dat het eindigde. Ik heb het al een paar dagen uit en ik mis Eamonn en Olivia. Het boek schreeuwt niet. Het fluistert. En daarom raakte het mij. Bedankt voor dit pareltje!
June 4, 2025
I really enjoyed the book. I found the characters very interesting. I hope you will write more books in the future :)
August 24, 2025
I found this book purely by accident, an Instagram advert that listed the tropes of this book being second chance romance (my favourite), older millennial, dual timeline and dual point of view, I was instantly interested. I quickly bought it and I am so glad I did. Hold On To Your Heart is a wonderful book within a book that had me on the edge of my seat but yet so warmly comforted at the same time right until the very last page.
At a pivotal moment in her life, Olivia finds herself in the presence of Eamonn, her first love who broke her heart. He has written a book which happens to be their story and she is all of a sudden thrust back into the headspace she thought was well behind her. A beautiful story of missed opportunities, right person but wrong timing and the way that your first love can stay with you forever in a way nobody else ever will.
This story brought me back to a significant time in my own life that felt was very similar to that of the characters in this book which was incredibly heartwarming. The book within a book concept was a wonderful way to tell this story and this method of storytelling enabled a perfect pacing that kept me wanting more but didn’t create any frustrations whilst reading. The characters were lovely in many ways, they were realistic, flawed but understandable and easy to empathise with. Although their story mostly happened when they were teenagers, it still felt like a grown up story whilst reading. It wasn’t silly or overdramatic, it was honest, innocent and pure.
A refreshing and beautiful read that I would highly recommend to anyone. I absolutely loved this.
At a pivotal moment in her life, Olivia finds herself in the presence of Eamonn, her first love who broke her heart. He has written a book which happens to be their story and she is all of a sudden thrust back into the headspace she thought was well behind her. A beautiful story of missed opportunities, right person but wrong timing and the way that your first love can stay with you forever in a way nobody else ever will.
This story brought me back to a significant time in my own life that felt was very similar to that of the characters in this book which was incredibly heartwarming. The book within a book concept was a wonderful way to tell this story and this method of storytelling enabled a perfect pacing that kept me wanting more but didn’t create any frustrations whilst reading. The characters were lovely in many ways, they were realistic, flawed but understandable and easy to empathise with. Although their story mostly happened when they were teenagers, it still felt like a grown up story whilst reading. It wasn’t silly or overdramatic, it was honest, innocent and pure.
A refreshing and beautiful read that I would highly recommend to anyone. I absolutely loved this.
November 7, 2025
He broke her heart. And now he’s written a book about it.
I was fully invested from the beginning. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. It was addictive. A bittersweet love story that has you thinking will they, won’t they, the whole time.
Here’s what I loved about it:
💛Friends to Lovers
💛Dual points of view
💛Second chance lovers
💛Set in Ireland and London
💛A book within a book
Books like this always feel so real. I’m a bit of an old romantic and I’m a sucker for a love story. It reminded me of One Day which is one of my favourite books and the film When Harry Met Sally. Sometimes you meet someone and you just click, you naturally connect and it’s like fate. I adored Olivia and Eamonn. I loved reading about them when they were younger. This book captures falling in love in a nutshell, with all the messiest that comes with it. It’s honest, raw, emotional, it takes you on a little rollercoaster, you’re secretly hoping the whole time they just get back together. The chemistry just drips off the pages. It was a beautiful story.
I was fully invested from the beginning. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. It was addictive. A bittersweet love story that has you thinking will they, won’t they, the whole time.
Here’s what I loved about it:
💛Friends to Lovers
💛Dual points of view
💛Second chance lovers
💛Set in Ireland and London
💛A book within a book
Books like this always feel so real. I’m a bit of an old romantic and I’m a sucker for a love story. It reminded me of One Day which is one of my favourite books and the film When Harry Met Sally. Sometimes you meet someone and you just click, you naturally connect and it’s like fate. I adored Olivia and Eamonn. I loved reading about them when they were younger. This book captures falling in love in a nutshell, with all the messiest that comes with it. It’s honest, raw, emotional, it takes you on a little rollercoaster, you’re secretly hoping the whole time they just get back together. The chemistry just drips off the pages. It was a beautiful story.
July 10, 2025
4.5⭐
Ummmm?? What a stunning debut novel???
This novel reads like a love letter to all millennials. With characters that are well into their thirties, these are characters that we can relate to so much in terms of life experiences, feeling lost or stuck in your current situation, societal and familial expectations, and friendships, both old and new. These characters all felt so raw and real - I truly felt like I was along for the ride with the rest of my friends whilst reading along. I don't know how Malika did it, but these experiences throughout the novel really hit you right in your soul.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MAJOR TROPE FEATURED IN THIS NOVEL. Those that know me well know that I DESPISE the miscommunication trope. It is the bane of my existence, and any time I've read a novel with it worked into the story, I end up annoyed more than anything else. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE ACTUALLY WORKED SO WELL IN THIS NOVEL 🎉🎉🎉 I think it's due to the fact that throughout the novel, we are offered glimpses into the past (via Eamonn's own novel) to see how Olivia and Eamonn ended up the way that they did. At the end of each of Eamonn's novel's chapters, I was left thinking "And then what happened????" I was gripped from the beginning and I just HAD to know what came next!! Which leads me to my next point: the will they/won't they!!! UGH it was so good!! You are kept on your toes until the last page of the book, wondering if they will end up together in the end, reconcile and part ways as friends, or remain cold and distant.
All in all, this was superb and I will continue to recommend it until the end of time 🙂↕️
HUGE thank you to Lindsey from @books.with.bagel for recommending this novel!! 💛
🌊 Literary Fiction
🌊 Characters in their late 30s
🌊 Book Within a Book
🌊 Will They/Won't They
Ummmm?? What a stunning debut novel???
This novel reads like a love letter to all millennials. With characters that are well into their thirties, these are characters that we can relate to so much in terms of life experiences, feeling lost or stuck in your current situation, societal and familial expectations, and friendships, both old and new. These characters all felt so raw and real - I truly felt like I was along for the ride with the rest of my friends whilst reading along. I don't know how Malika did it, but these experiences throughout the novel really hit you right in your soul.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MAJOR TROPE FEATURED IN THIS NOVEL. Those that know me well know that I DESPISE the miscommunication trope. It is the bane of my existence, and any time I've read a novel with it worked into the story, I end up annoyed more than anything else. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE ACTUALLY WORKED SO WELL IN THIS NOVEL 🎉🎉🎉 I think it's due to the fact that throughout the novel, we are offered glimpses into the past (via Eamonn's own novel) to see how Olivia and Eamonn ended up the way that they did. At the end of each of Eamonn's novel's chapters, I was left thinking "And then what happened????" I was gripped from the beginning and I just HAD to know what came next!! Which leads me to my next point: the will they/won't they!!! UGH it was so good!! You are kept on your toes until the last page of the book, wondering if they will end up together in the end, reconcile and part ways as friends, or remain cold and distant.
All in all, this was superb and I will continue to recommend it until the end of time 🙂↕️
HUGE thank you to Lindsey from @books.with.bagel for recommending this novel!! 💛
🌊 Literary Fiction
🌊 Characters in their late 30s
🌊 Book Within a Book
🌊 Will They/Won't They
June 2, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. This was a lovely debut novel, and a unique premise with a book within a book - it was a creative way of providing an alternate timeline.
I got very sucked into the "book" story, to the point that I had to remind myself which "real life" characters they aligned with. The beginning had more of the present day timeline, and I would've liked a bit more present day in the last third of the book. It's a tough balance to keep the reader engaged in both parallel stories and overall I think the author did it well.
The book touched a lot on the "ifs" that we all experience in our life - what if this or that had gone differently, how would things have turned out? I thought I knew how the book would play out, but found myself happily surprised by the last quarter of the book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - and congratulations to the author on their debut novel!
I got very sucked into the "book" story, to the point that I had to remind myself which "real life" characters they aligned with. The beginning had more of the present day timeline, and I would've liked a bit more present day in the last third of the book. It's a tough balance to keep the reader engaged in both parallel stories and overall I think the author did it well.
The book touched a lot on the "ifs" that we all experience in our life - what if this or that had gone differently, how would things have turned out? I thought I knew how the book would play out, but found myself happily surprised by the last quarter of the book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - and congratulations to the author on their debut novel!
October 6, 2025
Ik vond het zo’n goed boek! De 2 pov’s hielden echt de spanning erin! Het concept van een boek in een boek kende ik eigenlijk nog niet maar vond ik ook echt zalig. Ik wou het steeds super graag verder lezen en tegelijk ook niet omdat het verhaal dan gedaan zou zijn! Ik kon me helemaal inleven in de personages, ze zijn zo “echt” geschreven ook. Geen perfecte personages maar echt mensen, met hun kwaaltjes en fouten. Ik vind het een zalig debuutroman!!
August 30, 2025
What a refreshing book!
A love story with twists and turns that keeps the suspense there until the end.
The book is original, contains a strong story and is well written. I can only recommend it 💛💙
A love story with twists and turns that keeps the suspense there until the end.
The book is original, contains a strong story and is well written. I can only recommend it 💛💙
October 16, 2025
As the title says: hold on to your heart! I loved this book and read it in one sitting. Highly recommended!!! an extra shoutout ❤️ for the writer and the recognizable references!
October 19, 2025
Absolutely loved reading this one!
April 30, 2025
I may be biased.
December 29, 2025
I want to preface this by saying that One Day is one of my favorite books of all time. This book has very obvious shades of it/David Nicholl’s writing as a whole, as that was a huge plus in me wanting to read it!
What would you do if the person who broke your heart over a decade ago suddenly shows back up in your life…and wrote a book about you? The premise is so interesting, and it’s written beautifully.
It was so smart and such a different way of doing flashbacks of Olivia and Eamonn’s younger selves as the characters of Ava and Conor from Eamonn’s book. I really, really enjoyed that.
I do think it was a tiny bit too long, but overall, it was a super solid read!
What would you do if the person who broke your heart over a decade ago suddenly shows back up in your life…and wrote a book about you? The premise is so interesting, and it’s written beautifully.
It was so smart and such a different way of doing flashbacks of Olivia and Eamonn’s younger selves as the characters of Ava and Conor from Eamonn’s book. I really, really enjoyed that.
I do think it was a tiny bit too long, but overall, it was a super solid read!
October 19, 2025
A story of missed chances and quiet longing. Set against the contrasting backdrops of bustling London and the windswept Irish coast, Hold on top your heart is a tender, moving tale of missed love and the enduring pull of what might have been. The novel follows Olivia and Eamonn—two relatable characters whose connection is absolutely believable.
There's no melodrama in this story, no grand declarations or over-the-top twists. Instead, the author opts for emotional honesty, capturing the kind of everyday heartache that feels true. The writing is fluid, making it easy to lose yourself in the story. I for one loved reading this novel and i'm looking forward to malika's next one!
There's no melodrama in this story, no grand declarations or over-the-top twists. Instead, the author opts for emotional honesty, capturing the kind of everyday heartache that feels true. The writing is fluid, making it easy to lose yourself in the story. I for one loved reading this novel and i'm looking forward to malika's next one!
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