Tethered Hearts

by Persephone Autumn

A right person/wrong time, close proximity, friends to lovers romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Persephone Autumn.



She will always be mine… even when she belongs to someone else.



I choose to be in this place—my heart tethered to Shanti Mahal, regardless of her lack of reciprocation. I choose to stay in her orbit, to remain close, even if the repeated sting of rejection hits me again and again.

I love her.

I have loved her for years.

More than once, I’ve questioned my sanity. Wondered if I’m an emotional pin cushion. How can I not? Every time Shanti chooses someone else, it’s a scorching blade to the heart.

Yet, I stay in her life.

I continue to wait for her.

Wait for her to look at me the way she does them, and matter.

Wait for the day she returns my feelings and chooses me.

436 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Persephone Autumn lives in Florida with her wife, crazy dog, and two lover-boy cats. A proud mom with a cuckoo grandpup. An ethnic food enthusiast who has fun discovering ways to veganize her favorite non-vegan foods. If given the opportunity, she would intentionally get lost in nature.

For years, Persephone did some form of writing; mostly journaling or poetry. After pairing her poetry with images and posting them online, she began the journey of writing her first novel.

She mainly writes romance and poetry, but on occasion dips her toes in other works. Look for her non-romance publications under P. Autumn.

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Reviews

[Natiley Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Persephone Autumn has crafted a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved deeply and waited patiently. Tethered Hearts is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, where Jets unwavering devotion to Shanti is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The opening lines in the blurb immediately draw you into the depths of the narrator's soul: "She will always be mine… even when she belongs to someone else." This sets the stage for a narrative steeped in longing and sacrifice. The author beautifully portrays the internal conflict of someone who chooses to remain in the orbit of their beloved, despite the repeated scorching blade to the heart that comes with each rejection.

The raw honesty of Jets feelings is captivating. The questions of sanity, the acknowledgment of emotional pain, and the persistent hope for reciprocation create a character that is both vulnerable and strong You can't help but root for him as he continues to wait, hoping for the day Shanti will finally look at him.

Tethered Hearts is more than just a romance; it's a story about the choices we make in the name of love, the strength it takes to endure heartache, and the unwavering belief that maybe, just maybe, love will eventually find its way.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review tethered hearts

-Dual timeline
-Childhood friends to lovers
-He falls first
-Right person, wrong time

This is my first book by this author and it definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed the emotional aspect of the story and the characters that were built within the story.


The story follows jett and Shanti and they are both ballerina dances and they meet in class many years ago and they have an instant connection , Jett is all in on her and really has feelings for her. Instantly. Shanti also does feel the same but a lot of pressure she always just wants to maintain the friendship and not the relationship.

This book has a lot of topics that I think need to be discussed in books from disconnection from family, drug abuse, mental health issues so I think it was really good that this book opened up to a lot of of those no issues within society

My boy jett need to be protected at all cause he is just amazing. I love everything about him and if you wanna read about a bad man this is the one to read about. 💕💕

Thank you to the persephoneautumn and theauthor.agency for an arc copy of this book. This is out now.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️

[Justina Bascombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story

Thank you to the author agency for a copy of this ebook.

This story was filled with toxicity, struggle and healing. The love Jet had for Shanti was so strong he held on for dear life waiting for her. The story starts when they are still children but lasted through the years until they find their HEA. I hated the struggle they went through to finally make it to each other but watching the trials they constantly went through made their ultimately getting together all the more satisfying in the end.

[Megan Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional rollercoaster I went on with this book drained me. At times I really hated the story, but only because it takes you on the journey of their entire lives while knowing each other and it just shows how messy things can be. Real life is not a fairy tale and people go through things and deal with trauma in different ways. I felt like I was immersed in Jet and Shanti’s lives while reading this. I absolutely loved this and completely fell in love with the characters.

Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC!

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an emotional book. I was captivated by the story and the characters and their journey was one of determination and true love and respect. Shanti and Jet were perfect for each other and the love that Jet had for Shanti is truly what a love story is all about. This is book six in the Stone Bay Series and each book outdoes the previous. I don’t know how Persephone Autumn does it but every time I read one of her books I am totally blown away. A wonderful read.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tethered Hearts is the sixth book in the Stone Bay series by Persephone Autumn. This one is a coming-of-age, best-friends-to-lovers romance. Jet and Shanti's story spans years. It's an emotional and heart-wrenching tale, and it's real and raw. They both go through a lot in their teens (especially Shanti), but they come out stronger than ever. Their story is epic, and I would highly recommend it with way more than five stars!

[Tasha S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seventeen years. One best friend. One man who won’t give up. Jet’s devotion to Shanti is everything—a slow-burn, soul-deep friends-to-lovers romance that will wreck you emotionally (in the best way).

Quote: “I choose to stay in her orbit, to remain close, even if the repeated sting of rejection hits me again and again.”
Someone give Jet a statue.

[ryleigh mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book I finished it in one day I 10/10 recommend a very good love story

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever had the softest, warmest, coziest blanket that you wrap around yourself and it instantly feels like the best hug you've ever had in your whole life. Like when this blanket is draped over you, nothing could ever hurt you or make you sad. It's dependable and solid - always there to catch your smiles, soak up your tears, hear your fears and dreams.

Now imagine that as a person.
Your person.
Always your person, but never ever at the right time person.
That is absolutely what Jet was to Shanti.

When this author said this would be the slowest burn EVER she wasn't lying. These two went through so much, together and apart. Growth, heartache, ups, downs, watching each other lust after others.

Watching it all play out was beautiful. Having a front row seat while these two danced and lived life was so captivating. Sometimes waiting on THE ONE to finally be able to love you how you deserve is heart wrenching but wanting them to love themself even more is the sweetest gift one could sacrifice.

This story was beautiful and rich in love. These two were made for each other.

[Persephone]

🩰🪶 TETHERED HEARTS IS LIVE + AVAILABLE IN KU!🪶🩰

She will always be mine... even when she belongs to someone else.
Read Tethered Hearts in paperback, hardcover, ebook, or Kindle Unlimited!
→ https://books2read.com/TetheredHearts



TETHERED HEARTS TROPES
・right person, wrong time
・slooow burn
・golden retriever x black cat
・he falls first & harder
・childhood friends to lovers
・past & present parts - spans 17 years
・ballet dance partners
・unrequited love
・road trip
・close proximity
・one bed



I invade her space and frame her face with my hands. "I made a choice. I chose to stay." My thumbs stroke the apples of her cheeks. "You know why?"

Sniffling, she shake her head. "Because you're an idiot."

Laughter rips from my chest. "Probably." I shrug. "But I embrace my idiocy." Leaning in, I drop my forehead to hers. Hold her gaze for one, two, three breaths. Let her see how serious I am before I confess what I've held in for far too long. "I stayed because I am no one without you."



Read Tethered Hearts in paperback, hardcover, ebook, or Kindle Unlimited!
→ https://books2read.com/TetheredHearts

[Mel Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars — A Hauntingly Beautiful Slow Burn
Persephone Autumn has already proven in her extensive catalog to be a master of the slow burn and with Tethered Hearts she raises the game to new heights. This right person/wrong time, friends-to-lovers romance follows Jet and Shanti from their teenage years into adulthood, weaving a story of unrequited love, heartbreak, and unwavering devotion.
The teenage angst and missteps are a master class on young adult writing and could have been released as a standalone worthy of it’s own spotlight. But she then delivers the master stroke of their adult years. Every page aches with Jet’s steadfast love and the quiet, bittersweet moments that define his connection to Shanti. The trials they endure are hauntingly painful at times, yet through it all, their love endures—tethered by fate and hope even when life keeps them apart.
As if that isn’t enough, make sure you slow down and read the table of contents for the chapter headings. It’s filled with easter eggs and sweet treats that must’ve been inspired by Taylor Swift.
If you love slow burns that make your heart ache, stories that earn every bit of their happily ever after, and characters who feel deeply and love fiercely, Tethered Hearts is a must-read. Persephone Autumn delivers another poignant, unforgettable romance.

[Amy Crull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author to me and I wasn't sure what to expect especially coming in on book 6. This book was good and I loved how strong their connection was, especially when they danced. I'm sure if it was anything like I imagined it in my head, they moved beautifully together. I kept thinking that Jet was probably an idiot for pining and waiting on Shanti but then he'd say something so meaningful and I'd cave, like this for instance, "I will never let you fall, Shanti, because all i want is to see you soar. " He was an extremely patient man, who had to see her date losers and had so much demand on her from dad. Shanti had so bad times but she needed to be on her own to see what things were like. It sounds crazy to say that but she was sheltered for the most part. She needed to struggle and come back from it.
Jet dealt with his own things as well. He had his heart broke and trauma from a trusted name in dance. With the strength he gained from being with Shanti, he was able to come clean and do the right thing.
These two go thru a journey in this book and it turns out to be very beautiful!

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want pining, angst and a lot of torture this is the book for you. Years of unrequited love and pain is the forefront of Jets story. He chooses to stay and hope that Shanti will love him the way he loves her.

When you read a book where a character questions their own sanity over their love for someone else you know that you are gonna need all the strength to turn those pages. You wonder how many heartbreaks you can handle and at times how angry you can get for him not giving up. So grab your tissues, your bestie and be ready for the burn.

[Karla Escutia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow… the love that Jet had for Shanti is just unmatched. From the time they were kids it was her and he never wavered. The Uniate long game here!!!

Beautiful story about two people who are meant for each other but take the load road to get to each other.

[Tina Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a feel good slow burn…..a very slow burn. Jet and Shanti have been friends and go through so much. I loved reading about their relationship. The book is beautifully written and a great book.

[Kourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was (almost painfully) the slowest slow burn I have ever read. HOWEVER, that is not a criticism!!! I genuinely thought it was at first until I happened to read someone commented that the author was going with a slow burn novel. And after about 15% of the way through, it became apparent that I was invested in these characters. This story spans YEARS of these characters with personal perspectives from both main characters. And you could tell the distinction between their personalities. I loved the little notes about their personalities and their surrounding characters. If you skim too fast in this book, you don't pick up on some of them. This is 6th in a series, but I was able to easily read it as a standalone. It was a good story to read on a cold night, where you can tell the author loved these characters and their whole world. You watched these characters develop and grow. So, while it was probably too slow for me, I'd recommend it to several readers. It's probably a 2.5 stars, personally.