What do you think?
Rate this book
Heartbeats
Rebecca Elder's Heartbeats is a heartfelt, emotionally immersive debut that skillfully blends contemporary romance with profound themes of grief, fate, and healing. This story delivers both romantic chemistry and emotional catharsis, leaving a lasting impression long after the last page.
At 27, Emmy is a freelance photographer in Chicago, a hopeless romantic at heart—yet haunted by the grief of losing her father as a teenager. No matter how much she longs for the kind of love her parents once shared, she can’t shake the feeling that she doesn’t deserve it.
Fresh off a bad breakup, Emmy is ready to swear off men indefinitely—until a chance encounter at a hockey game leads to a whirlwind, rom-com-worthy moment with a charismatic stranger, Julian. Their connection is instant, electric… and then, just as quickly, lost.
Fate isn’t finished with them yet. When Emmy and Julian unexpectedly cross paths again, what starts as a second chance soon turns into something deeper than either of them expected. Julian offers Emmy a love so real, so undeniable, that it begins to challenge everything she’s told herself about what she deserves. But as their bond grows, so does the weight of her past trauma threatening to unravel them.
And just when Emmy finally allows herself to believe in love again, an unfathomable truth comes to light—one that could break them apart forever… if they let it.
A story of love, loss, grief, and the undeniable beauty of human connection.
At 27, Emmy is a freelance photographer in Chicago, a hopeless romantic at heart—yet haunted by the grief of losing her father as a teenager. No matter how much she longs for the kind of love her parents once shared, she can’t shake the feeling that she doesn’t deserve it.
Fresh off a bad breakup, Emmy is ready to swear off men indefinitely—until a chance encounter at a hockey game leads to a whirlwind, rom-com-worthy moment with a charismatic stranger, Julian. Their connection is instant, electric… and then, just as quickly, lost.
Fate isn’t finished with them yet. When Emmy and Julian unexpectedly cross paths again, what starts as a second chance soon turns into something deeper than either of them expected. Julian offers Emmy a love so real, so undeniable, that it begins to challenge everything she’s told herself about what she deserves. But as their bond grows, so does the weight of her past trauma threatening to unravel them.
And just when Emmy finally allows herself to believe in love again, an unfathomable truth comes to light—one that could break them apart forever… if they let it.
A story of love, loss, grief, and the undeniable beauty of human connection.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2025
10 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 23, 2025
This book made me want to get into sports because if that's how I can meet my own IRL Julian then sign me up coach 😩 May this love find me.
For real, though, Heartbeats felt like it was written for all the women who have ever believed they were not worthy of love. An amazing story of overcoming grief and heartache to accepting new love and embracing love for oneself.
Girls, you are beautiful, you are loved, and are worthy of kindness. I felt this message in the writing like it was being screamed at me.
Rebecca does such an amazing job writing these characters and scenes. It was truly immersive and I felt really connected to the characters in a way I don't usually get with other romance novels. Entire book was 😔🤌
For real, though, Heartbeats felt like it was written for all the women who have ever believed they were not worthy of love. An amazing story of overcoming grief and heartache to accepting new love and embracing love for oneself.
Girls, you are beautiful, you are loved, and are worthy of kindness. I felt this message in the writing like it was being screamed at me.
Rebecca does such an amazing job writing these characters and scenes. It was truly immersive and I felt really connected to the characters in a way I don't usually get with other romance novels. Entire book was 😔🤌
July 24, 2025
10/10 Would Cry in Public Again
This book wrecked me in the best possible way. It is packed with heart, humor, and raw emotion—I laughed, I cried, I hugged the book when I finished. Emmy is the kind of messy, real, lovable main character you root for instantly, and the slow-burn romance had me swooning. The writing is gorgeous without trying too hard, and the emotional payoff? Absolutely unforgettable. If you're into love stories that go deep, this one’s a must-read.
This book wrecked me in the best possible way. It is packed with heart, humor, and raw emotion—I laughed, I cried, I hugged the book when I finished. Emmy is the kind of messy, real, lovable main character you root for instantly, and the slow-burn romance had me swooning. The writing is gorgeous without trying too hard, and the emotional payoff? Absolutely unforgettable. If you're into love stories that go deep, this one’s a must-read.
July 11, 2025
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK 😭😭😭😭 The way Julian loves Emmy loudly, the way he is patient my gosh swoooon! Such great writing about handling grief and guilt
June 28, 2025
Julian and Emmy's story had me grinning from ear to ear and I may have even shed a couple tears at the end.
Their first interaction had me swooning and itching for their next interaction. Their banter was *chefs kiss* and Julian is the literal sweetest. This was a feel good romance with some thought provoking situations and it felt personal to me as it's a reminder that grief is not linear. There are no rules with grief and there is no time limit. Everyone's journey is their own. It hit on some of the complexities of how guilt and trauma can play a huge role in the way one might grieve a loss but how forgiveness and healing are also a part of the process.
Their first interaction had me swooning and itching for their next interaction. Their banter was *chefs kiss* and Julian is the literal sweetest. This was a feel good romance with some thought provoking situations and it felt personal to me as it's a reminder that grief is not linear. There are no rules with grief and there is no time limit. Everyone's journey is their own. It hit on some of the complexities of how guilt and trauma can play a huge role in the way one might grieve a loss but how forgiveness and healing are also a part of the process.
August 24, 2025
I was so excited to read this and I am so proud of Rebecca!
Emmy and Julian are so cute. I had parts of this book leaving me giggling and kicking my feet, while other parts had me ready to throw hands at fictional characters. I love that not only is this a romance novel that we get to follow Emmy and Julian falling in love, we also get to heal with Emmy, cry with her and relate to her. I loved the interweiving of greif Emmy had for losing her father and how it made her look at relationships. I think this is the most honest romance novel I have read! I definitely recommend this book, especially if you love a slow burn and banter between the characters. (I had to dock a star since I know the author and the inspo for Julian, so the spicy scenes felt like I was interrupting something haha!)
Emmy and Julian are so cute. I had parts of this book leaving me giggling and kicking my feet, while other parts had me ready to throw hands at fictional characters. I love that not only is this a romance novel that we get to follow Emmy and Julian falling in love, we also get to heal with Emmy, cry with her and relate to her. I loved the interweiving of greif Emmy had for losing her father and how it made her look at relationships. I think this is the most honest romance novel I have read! I definitely recommend this book, especially if you love a slow burn and banter between the characters. (I had to dock a star since I know the author and the inspo for Julian, so the spicy scenes felt like I was interrupting something haha!)
July 16, 2025
ARC Review! I really loved this book—it’s heartfelt and sentimental in all the right ways. While it veered into cheesy territory at times, it remained sweet and genuine throughout. Fate brings Julian and Emmy together through tragedy, and watching their love story unfold is beautiful. Julian is the ultimate golden retriever hero—loyal, patient, and completely devoted. He’s there for Emmy no matter what and willing to wait for her, which made their connection all the more touching. At its core, this is a story of love, loss, and healing through grief, and Rebecca Elder did a beautiful job handling such sensitive topics.
August 13, 2025
This book kept me engaged and wanting more the whole time I was reading. I was rooting for the love story and also wanting more the whole time. It’s such a beautiful story and I can’t recommend it enough! There’s also an extra little twist/background story going on throughout that just makes it even more appealing and engaging. Pick up this book today you won’t regret it!
July 23, 2025
I loved loved this book! Rebecca’s writing is so descriptive and the story was very engaging. I didn’t want to put it down. Such a heartfelt story about love and grief. I highly recommend this read!
August 4, 2025
I love the detail that Rebecca uses in her writing. I feel like I am in the story! It flows so well and doesn’t read like a debut novel at all! Excited for more
July 14, 2025
𝗔𝗿𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 🖤 | 🖤 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝟳/𝟭𝟵
I finished this book at 12:20am because I needed to see it through. I am emotionally unwell😭.
This book made me cry, laugh, and cry some more ❤️. I couldn’t put down and loved every second of my emotional rollercoaster. I came across the Authors post looking for arc readers of a story about a woman who lost her father unexpectedly and immediately I said I am in because my dad passed away 14 years ago due to a heart attack in his sleep. I was not ready for how immediate my emotional connection was going to be to this book (as I sit here trying not to cry thinking about it), and feel a piece of my grief was healed in seeing the beautiful romance that blossomed out of fate for the FMC.
The FMC - Emmy - is facing life ten years after the unexpected death of her father. As a reader, you are brought into her mindset as she navigates family affairs, life events, and romance - all weaved with dealing in grief. As someone who unexpectedly last their father, I saw so many real scenarios play out in this book that have parallels in my real life. Especially with her relationship with her mom and not knowing the right words to say. I felt so seen, that I was crying within the first 50 pages. Thankfully, Emmy’s closest friends were a riot of chaos and true ride or die for her even though it was emotionally difficult to show vulnerability. Every conversation was full of personality and it felt like I was having a mimosa brunch with my own besties!
Now, the romance - wowza. There is a tasteful amount of spice and fated love was the soothing reward in this story. The MMC (name withheld for spoiler purposes 😉) pulled out all the stops and proved to be a worthy book boyfriend to swoon over. He is a dream come true and his emotional intelligence was outstanding. Their romance is sweet, yearning, comfortable, connecting, and gentle, and just what was needed to heal Emmy’s heart as it’s drenched in grief. I cannot express how moving this book was for me and it will be on my shelf as a comfort read. I highly recommend this story to romance readers looking for a modern day romance that navigates life and romance while dealing with grief.
If you made it this far, here are some of my fav quotes:
“ I watch my family celebrate this new revelation, my thoughts drifting back to my father as they tend to do—he would’ve been so happy to learn he would be a grandfather. I know he would’ve been the greatest one. “
“But grief has a way of showing up uninvited, slipping into the cracks no matter how tightly you seal them. “
“You look like you just uncovered the meaning of life in that croissant,” I tease, watching him like he’s the most entertaining thing in the room.”
“ There’s no bitterness in his voice, just a weary kind of clarity. The kind that comes from years of learning to stop waiting for someone to become who you needed them to be. ”
“ You really didn’t have to do this,” I say, my voice dipping low, caught between awe and self-consciousness. I glance around at the candlelit table, the cozy setting, the thoughtfulness woven into every detail. I don’t know what I did to deserve this, to deserve him. “I know I didn’t,” he says, his voice steady, sure. “I wanted to, Emmy.” And the way he says it—like it’s the simplest truth in the world—makes my chest ache in the most beautiful way. “
“He doesn’t offer platitudes, doesn’t try to explain away the pain. He just stays, his presence unwavering. For the first time in years, the guilt feels a little less heavy—because I’m not holding it alone anymore.”
“ My mom gazes down at her first grandchild with a look that is equal parts pride and bittersweet longing. The joy is undeniable, but so is the absence hanging in the air—my dad should have been here for this. “
“Noel sniffs dramatically and wipes her eye with a muddy finger. “You’re such a brave little toaster,” she says, pulling a smile out of all of us, laughter cracking the heaviness like sunlight through clouds. ”
I finished this book at 12:20am because I needed to see it through. I am emotionally unwell😭.
This book made me cry, laugh, and cry some more ❤️. I couldn’t put down and loved every second of my emotional rollercoaster. I came across the Authors post looking for arc readers of a story about a woman who lost her father unexpectedly and immediately I said I am in because my dad passed away 14 years ago due to a heart attack in his sleep. I was not ready for how immediate my emotional connection was going to be to this book (as I sit here trying not to cry thinking about it), and feel a piece of my grief was healed in seeing the beautiful romance that blossomed out of fate for the FMC.
The FMC - Emmy - is facing life ten years after the unexpected death of her father. As a reader, you are brought into her mindset as she navigates family affairs, life events, and romance - all weaved with dealing in grief. As someone who unexpectedly last their father, I saw so many real scenarios play out in this book that have parallels in my real life. Especially with her relationship with her mom and not knowing the right words to say. I felt so seen, that I was crying within the first 50 pages. Thankfully, Emmy’s closest friends were a riot of chaos and true ride or die for her even though it was emotionally difficult to show vulnerability. Every conversation was full of personality and it felt like I was having a mimosa brunch with my own besties!
Now, the romance - wowza. There is a tasteful amount of spice and fated love was the soothing reward in this story. The MMC (name withheld for spoiler purposes 😉) pulled out all the stops and proved to be a worthy book boyfriend to swoon over. He is a dream come true and his emotional intelligence was outstanding. Their romance is sweet, yearning, comfortable, connecting, and gentle, and just what was needed to heal Emmy’s heart as it’s drenched in grief. I cannot express how moving this book was for me and it will be on my shelf as a comfort read. I highly recommend this story to romance readers looking for a modern day romance that navigates life and romance while dealing with grief.
If you made it this far, here are some of my fav quotes:
“ I watch my family celebrate this new revelation, my thoughts drifting back to my father as they tend to do—he would’ve been so happy to learn he would be a grandfather. I know he would’ve been the greatest one. “
“But grief has a way of showing up uninvited, slipping into the cracks no matter how tightly you seal them. “
“You look like you just uncovered the meaning of life in that croissant,” I tease, watching him like he’s the most entertaining thing in the room.”
“ There’s no bitterness in his voice, just a weary kind of clarity. The kind that comes from years of learning to stop waiting for someone to become who you needed them to be. ”
“ You really didn’t have to do this,” I say, my voice dipping low, caught between awe and self-consciousness. I glance around at the candlelit table, the cozy setting, the thoughtfulness woven into every detail. I don’t know what I did to deserve this, to deserve him. “I know I didn’t,” he says, his voice steady, sure. “I wanted to, Emmy.” And the way he says it—like it’s the simplest truth in the world—makes my chest ache in the most beautiful way. “
“He doesn’t offer platitudes, doesn’t try to explain away the pain. He just stays, his presence unwavering. For the first time in years, the guilt feels a little less heavy—because I’m not holding it alone anymore.”
“ My mom gazes down at her first grandchild with a look that is equal parts pride and bittersweet longing. The joy is undeniable, but so is the absence hanging in the air—my dad should have been here for this. “
“Noel sniffs dramatically and wipes her eye with a muddy finger. “You’re such a brave little toaster,” she says, pulling a smile out of all of us, laughter cracking the heaviness like sunlight through clouds. ”
Read
August 19, 2025dnf
at chapter seven, and so far a whole lot of nothing has happened. hero hasn't even been introduced yet.
at chapter seven, and so far a whole lot of nothing has happened. hero hasn't even been introduced yet.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews