Every Beat After

by Sara B. Larson

She’s guarding a borrowed heart. He’s locked his heart away. But the connection igniting between them might become the one thing they can’t live without.

Years after a life-saving heart transplant, Liv Karlsson lives in the fragile space between gratitude and fear—thankful for every heartbeat and afraid of when they might stop. Running her family’s cozy Swedish bakery gives her purpose, but mounting financial pressures and the shadows of her past leave her wondering: Is she truly living . . . or simply existing?

Then Hunter moves in next door. Guarded, cynical, and annoyingly attractive, he’s everything Liv avoids—and he’s also unfortunately her roommate’s cousin. But when he unexpectedly steps in to help Liv save the bakery with a new marketing plan, their reluctant partnership sparks something neither one is prepared for. He pushes her. Challenges her. Sees her. Suddenly, the girl who’s spent years protecting her heart finds it racing for someone who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.

But just as Liv begins to imagine a future worth fighting for, a devastating revelation threatens to unravel everything. Now Liv must face the ultimate test: Will she find the courage to love, or will fear take it all away?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Sara B. Larson is the best-selling and critically acclaimed author of multiple YA fantasy books,
including A Promised Vengeance (coming Oct 2025), the Defy trilogy, the Dark Breaks the Dawn duology, and the
Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. Every Beat After will be her adult debut 6.2.26. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever, where she also runs a commercial preschool. When she’s not mothering, preschooling, or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction

She’s online at www.SaraBLarson.com.

Reviews

[Annie]

If you liked Return to Me, you’ll like this book.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Before anything else: please check the trigger warnings before picking this up. This is a heavy, emotional read that deals with grief, trauma, chronic illness, anxiety, and loss. It doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and that weight is felt throughout the story.

This follows Olivia, a heart transplant survivor, and Hunter, her roommate’s cousin turned neighbor, who is dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic accident. Both characters carry so much emotional baggage, and the story leans deeply into that. The romance is a slow burn filled with angst, misunderstandings, and internal struggles.

One of my favorite parts of this book wasn’t even the romance—it was the familial and platonic love surrounding Olivia. Her relationship with her mom, grandma, and best friends added so much warmth and grounding to an otherwise heavy narrative, and it made her character feel incredibly supported and real.

That said, I’ll be honest: I’m not the biggest fan of enemies-to-lovers, and the early tension between Olivia and Hunter really tested my patience. Their anger, avoidance, and tendency to lash out—especially when sensitive topics came up—was frustrating to read at times. There were moments where they felt very toxic for each other, even though it clearly stemmed from unresolved trauma.

However, the character development is where this book shines. Watching them slowly soften, communicate, and actually try was satisfying. Once they started talking, confessing, and being honest with each other, the emotional payoff felt worth it. The author handled their growth with care, and by that point, I was fully invested.

I did see the plot twist coming, but it didn’t take away from the experience. My main gripe is that I wished the ending and resolution were longer—it felt a bit rushed compared to how much time was spent building up the angst.

Overall, Every Beat After is an emotional, angsty romance that won’t be for everyone, but Sara Larsson did a great job telling this story. If you enjoy heavy themes, slow-burn romance, and character-driven narratives, this one is worth picking up—just make sure you’re in the right headspace before starting.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Sara Larsson for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of Every Beat After via NetGalley.

[Madison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What if you decided to live like you were guaranteed the best-case scenario instead of fearing the worst?”

ARC REVIEW: This book brought an insane amount of joy to my life while reading it. Watching Liv learn to embrace the life she was given and live every day as if it were her last was very inspiring. I loved seeing Hunter jealous of anyone else wanting to be in her life. We love a good jealous man. Learning about the operations of a bakery and heart transplants was also very insightful. Overall, an amazing debut for Sara B Larson, and a perfect cozy romance.


Quotes:
“Two of my biggest fears are that I will never find my person—or I will.” -Liv
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I wake up wanting to see you. I spend half my day trying to figure out how to make that happen.”-Hunter
"But it's up to you. You can choose to become angry and bitter. Or you can choose to look for reasons to still smile. A beautiful sunrise that takes your breath away. Or a hug from someone who makes you feel like your heart might burst. Even finding ways to help others who are hurting. When you do that, you'll be shocked at how happy it will make you.”

[Brooke (iambookish_brooke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Full review to come.

[Sharon the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my heart! Not just because the book is about a heart transplant, but also because of the rapid beating it caused in my own heart. There were times I was gripping the book so tight I had to pause, take a deep breath, remind myself it is a story, and then continue. From the first chapter, I was hooked- 100% invested, and it just kept going from there.

When a borrowed heart meets a broken and walled heart, sparks ignite- and not sparks of love. Anger, frustration, and fear all play into the reason the 2 aren't compatible. Until they quit trying to annoy each other and just accept that their lives are going to intersect whether they are happy about it or not. He's her roommates cousin and their neighbor- in fact they share a bathroom. Awkward.

Liv is living as if she's on borrowed time- and she kind of is, with a borrowed heart from an unknown death that saved her life. She has a lot of guilt over that fact and tries hard to take care of it and herself. She will not however, allow herself to get into a relationship. She feels it isn't fair to ask someone to commit to her when she may only have 15-20 years max before her body rejects the heart.

Hunter has had some tragedies of his own. He left his old world behind for a fresh start in a new state surrounded by new people. He has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and is skeptical, ornery, and extremely handsome. Even with the scars on his face. He is also full of fire and his anger hides his true self.

I love the fact that her friends encourage her to live her life- not just exist day to day. Have hope. Have faith, live without fear of the future. I love her family connections, the Swedish words and treats. (I think the book should come with samples, personally.) I love her relationship with Farmor (her grandma) her fiest, and the encouragement she gives her granddaughter.

"When I tell you not to give up on your chance for happiness and love, I never meant for you to think I talking about a fairy tale. I meant REAL love, the kind that can can be strong enough to bend but not break when the storms of life hit. The kind of love that is WORTH fighting for."

"The sun will rise tomorrow, and so will you. We'll get through this. We always have, and we always will-- together."

Did I highlight half of the book? Yep. I would love to share them all with you, but just read it for yourself; you can highlight your own. Just be warned that your heart will break into several pieces, but it will be mended again. I was very angry at the author at a couple of points- but all is forgiven.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC of this heart warming and thought provoking story.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍, " 𝑰 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓.
This story was so incredibly powerful. It took me on such an emotional rollercoaster, but it was worth every minute. I do want to offer a quick heads up that this story includes heavier themes. It will be hard before the hope and happily ever after kicks in.

Olivia’s heart transplant has given her another chance at life, but fear keeps her from fully embracing it. She wants to dream, to love, to make plans… but she doesn’t have faith in her future and refuses to let anyone get too close. When a family emergency brings in the help of her neighbor, Hunter, she’s reluctant to accept it. Hunter has his own struggles to overcome that weigh on him daily, and make him anything but kind when they first meet...She’s stopped looking forward to her future and he’s stuck in a past that still haunts him. They start off like oil and water… until forced proximity works its magic and their feelings start to change. But can they help each other move past their fears and take a second chance at life?

I loved these two. The enemies to more in the beginning was perfect, and watching them slowly break down their walls and grow closer had me fully invested. But wow, the emotional journey they go on… I didn’t see it all coming. If you’re looking for a fluffy romcom, this is not it. It can feel heavy and overwhelming at times, but stick with it. It’s worth the tears.

I loved this and need more by Sara ASAP!

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

CW: (not exhaustive) past drunk driving incident, grief, premature loss, strained family relationships, anxiety, chronic illness, medical emergencies, and discussions of loss/deceased loved ones.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
Olivia spent half of her senior year of high school hospitalized, waiting for someone else to die so that she could have a heart transplant. Seven years later, Olivia (25yo) enjoys her job with the family business and spends quality time with her friends, but Olivia is scared that she won’t find her person before her shortened lifespan ends. Then Hunter (28yo) moves in next door, and Olivia admits a new fear—what if she does?
A misunderstanding between the main characters is blown way out of proportion, giving the book an eyerolling beginning, though it is tolerable due to the characters’ backstories. I enjoyed watching Olivia and Hunter break down their walls and help each other to grow despite the pain caused by their heartbreaking experiences with life and death. And then my least favorite “heart transplant trope” came into play, which I didn’t think was going to be an issue from the initial description of the book. It was written as a big reveal, so I won’t say which one it is, but I wasn’t thrilled about it. However, while it includes tropes I don’t love, Larson wrote the story well, and I enjoyed the characters and their book overall—eyerolls and loud complaints to empty rooms notwithstanding.
Olivia has Swedish heritage, Talia is implied Hispanic, and Hunter is described as “tan.” The mature content rating is for mentions of drugs and alcohol, kissing, partial nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for medical emergencies and discussions of death.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia sobrevivió a algo que no muchos pueden contar, un trasplante de corazón que le dio una segunda oportunidad, pero también un miedo constante a encariñarse y a planear demasiado su futuro. Ella trabaja en una panadería familiar y vive con la sensación de que su vida está en pausa, hasta que aparece Hunter, un hombre cargando sus propias heridas y un pasado que todavía duele, su llegada lo desordena todo porque la hace sentir cosas que juró evitar, ahora ella tiene que decidir si vale la pena arriesgarse a amar cuando no sabe cuánto tiempo le queda y cuando abrir su corazón significa enfrentarse a la culpa, al miedo y a la posibilidad de perderlo todo otra vez.


___


Fue un libro difícil para mi porque tengo una opinión bastante firme sobre las personas que conducen borrachos, por lo cual me costo mucho tenerle compasión a Hunter y honestamente creo que se merecía todo lo malo que le paso. Todos aquellos que deciden ponerse al volante sabiendo que no están en condiciones de manejar y que pueden causar muertes, no merecen perdón.

También puedo comprender la reacción de los padres, por más que sea su hijo y lo amen, sus decisiones terminaron matando a su hermana, por lo cual no se les puede reprochar que no lo reciban con los brazos abiertos.

No me malentiendan, el libro es bueno y por eso mi calificación.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free advance copy for review.

I was so swept up in this story and had a really hard time putting it down. It is pitched as Return to Me meets Beauty and the Beast and that felt very accurate--especially the Return to Me comparison.

This contemporary romance was full of heart and hurt as the main characters both had such difficult things to go through and process throughout the story. They didn't always act in the "right" way or respond to things in ideal ways which felt authentic to their characters who were going through unimaginable things. I gained so much insight into the life of a heart transplant recipient and the many, many small but significant things that have to be managed and considered all the time.

I loved the Swedish bakery setting and how much of the author's Swedish heritage and connection with her own farmor (Swedish grandma) was woven into the story. It made me hungry and also made me appreciative of all the family members who paved the way before me. The side characters in this story were wonderful and I loved the female friends who had their own unique personalities and ways of connecting and were deeply good and supportive friends.

Trigger/content notes: spoilery triggers: past drunk driving fatality, heart failure and heart transplant, loved one in a coma . Spice level is kissing.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read anything by Sara B. Larson before, but the cover and blurb of this novel piqued my interest. If you've ever seen the movie Return to Me, this novel at first feels like a remake of the same story. After just a few chapters, though, I got sucked into Liv and Hunter's story as their personalities and conflicts were their own and not just a makeover. And WOW! this book was so intense and deep, plus the romantic tension is there almost from the very start.
Liv is a heart transplant survivor who is struggling to truly live, and Hunter is her new neighbor, with burdens and secrets of his own. I love how Larson delved into grief, fear, and trauma without things getting to dark; she weaves a beautiful story of hope, forgiveness, love, and healing. Liv and Hunter and their families show deep inspiration into how any life can be lost at any time, but that doesn't need to leave us afraid and bitter. Each moment with those we care about is precious and we can try harder to treasure them. Seriously, this was an incredibly beautiful and inspiring read, and I highly recommend it. Five stars!!!

Triggers: death and grieving, serious health problems, trauma, etc.

I received an advanced ready copy through NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia and Hunter both have a lot of emotional baggage--which makes them relatable to readers, even if their particular burdens aren't the most common. I totally understood why Hunter would lash out during their initial meeting and why Olivia would respond in kind. Their relationship progressed slowly, with a lot of one-step-forward, two-steps-back action, but again, it made sense with their backstories. There's a lot going on here--Olivia's health and her worries, her grandmother's health, the precarious situation of their small business, Hunter's issue, etc.--so it can feel pretty weighty. At the same time, there are lots of funny lines, and so I devoured it for about 80% of the book; I just couldn't get enough....and then there was one more really big problem, and it was maybe one too many things. (I know life is sometimes like that, but for me, it upset the delicate balance of reading something realistic but also reading for escape and entertainment. I was ready for the happily ever after, not another fifty or so pages of heavy emotions and conflict. Overall, I still enjoyed the book and I think other readers will, too!

4 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so very good
“Our scars tell the stories of our survival.” What if your life came with an expiration date? Liv had a heart transplant at eighteen. Now years later she struggles knowing that her heart could and will eventually fail again, then she will need another transplant. If that isn’t possible then her life ends. Knowing the sorrow that entails, she hesitates to accept romantic love. Hunter moves next door to Liv. Hunter is angry and combative. That behavior began when an accident left him burned and scarred. Now he wonders if anyone could possibly love him and if he even deserves love. As they are forced to associate, they begin to understand what the other is struggling with. When a life-threatening emergency occurs, both are forced to assess what their fears and what they want as well as deal with an unexpected revelation. This book is so incredibly good sure to touch and entertain you. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

[Michelle]

In many ways I like this book. But at times I felt a little irritated at Hunter for his moodiness. I think because I dated a moody guy and it brought back memories of him going quiet and me feeling like I’d done something wrong. He felt borderline abusive sometimes and it was hard to get on board with his on again off again charm and kindness. I saw the twist coming from early on, and felt a bit like it was a copycat of Return to Me (reading the authors note, it seems she intended it to be a bit of a spin off.) You have to sort of suspend disbelief because honestly what are the odds? And for there to be a movie with this same twist makes it feel a bit unoriginal. That being said, I did find Olivia likable and was rooting for her throughout.

[Haley Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Beat After @sarablarson @shadowmountainpub
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑 Kisses only

“She’s guarding a borrowed heart, afraid of her uncertain future. He’s locked his heart away, still haunted by his past…”

Olivia and Hunter are sure to steal your heart..and make you need some tissues 🥹 Liv is a heart transplant recipient and Hunter has a traumatic past. Watching their unexpected relationship bloom was just perfection. These are characters that will stay with me for a while!
My daddy also had a heart transplant so this one was an extra emotional read for me! Highly recommend!

**please check content warnings because this is an emotional story with some heavy themes.

Thank you @shadowmountainpub and @sarablarson for my gifted copy. All thoughts are entirely my own.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Sara B. Larson and I really liked it. I easily connected to each of the characters, and yes, I didn't realize how intense this book would be, with it being about a heart transplant character, it wasn't too much for me. Sara B. Larson wasn't afraid of dealing with all of the emotions that would entail in a situation like this. Loved the family, great friends, and romance element; they all fit in well with the storyline.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.

[Zippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I was crying by page 5.
A heart transplant recipient, baker and generally lovely person is afraid to fall in love. She meets a guy and they get off to a very rough start. Then tragedy interrupts her life and she has to figure out what matters most.
I absolutely loved this book. I wanted to meet the characters and hang out in the bakery with them. Vivid writing curbed my usual speed reading/skimming because the details were too good to miss.
A huge emotional roller coaster in the best way.
Now I need a sister book about the MC’s roommate.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Beat After is a sweet romance about an heart transplant patient learning to live and love. There are a lot of emotional scenes that yank on the reader's heartstrings with talk of premature death, death of parents and grandparents, estrangement of family and long held guilt for past mistakes. I personally found the female main character a bit annoying, but it is a charming story with a happy for now ending.

I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels right here!! I can’t believe how beautiful and perfect this story is. I’m dazzled, and I truly have no words to express how gorgeous the writing is for Every Beat After. I seriously can’t praise this enough, and any words I have to say fall short of the beauty Every Beat After has to offer in helping us to remember that love, real and genuine, unconditional love, conquers all, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty. Highly recommended!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Henri Bonan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about a young woman who works with her Swedish grandmother in a bakery.and her pathway to true love is such a charming story. Being a child in Sweden myself brought back fun memories of my heritage and family there

[Cedy Redcay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read books by Sara Larson before because this was a unique book that caught my attention. It was a little slow in the beginning, but I quickly was sucked in. I did have some issues with the FMC, I found her to be a little annoying. But its an easy read and heart warming story.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary romance will take you on the a full enemies to lovers rollercoaster ride! This will be one of those stories that will stick with you long after you have finished the last page!

I received an ARC from the publisher and all opinions are my own.

[Kerstin Sainsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book. I loved all the Swedish culture in this book and it was lovely story

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with a happy ending

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just couldn’t get into this one. Slow. Probably a me thing, but I tried valiantly before giving up. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy all opinions stated are my own.

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for a gifted copy.

A very enjoyable romance with good themes. Warning, it's heavy.

Full review to come!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Sara Larson’s first adult novel. I really enjoyed reading it. The story reminded me somewhat of the movie Return to Me. I look forward to Sara’s next adult novel.

[Jessica Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Such a fun romance. I loved Return to me as a teenager too and this brought back those feels. I also love baking and tend to want to get in the kitchen when life gets too much to handle. I related to Liv in all those ways. Grab a yummy treat from a bakery or bake one yourself and get cozy. You won’t want to put this down.