Heart Block : A Friends To Lovers Short Story

by Desi Stowe, Susan Hopper (Editor)

Heart Block. A slowing heartbeat.

Not dead, but not functioning well.

Kinda fits Stephanie’s vibe since she said, “No thanks” when her best friend Theo said he wanted more.

She changed her mind, but it’s too late.

He’s moved on.

Or has he?


A story of friends to lovers, and self-inflicted heart damage.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy of Desi Stowe’s short story “Heart Block” for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Prior to reading this, I read several short novels written by Ms. Stowe, and I enjoyed reading them all, therefore I was eager to read her short story. It didn’t disappoint, as it was a fun, engaging, and enjoyable read I was able to finish in less than an hour. Although the story begins with a sudden death and the protagonist is an ICU nurse who frequently confronts such tragedies, the overall narrative is lighthearted and involves playful dialogue. It’s a charming but frustrating romance because the protagonist is too afraid of being hurt to admit her feelings. She’s learned to advocate for everyone else but not for herself — at least not yet.