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Don't Break My Heart: A Psychological Thriller
In the quiet town of Rosebud Grove, everyone adores Nicole Kelly. Brilliant, compassionate, and engaged to the hospital’s chief of medicine, she’s the kind of nurse patients trust. When a health crisis threatens her life, the entire town rallies as Nicole undergoes a miraculous heart transplant. She survives, but survival comes at a price.
Almost immediately, Nicole senses something is different. The sudden flashes of anger, the strange impulses, the haunting nightmares—none of it feels like her. Then come the other organ recipients meeting untimely ends and a donor whose past may not have been as clean as the gift he left behind. And when a desperate young woman collapses on Nicole’s doorstep with a chilling warning, Nicole is thrust into a deadly game she can’t escape.
As secrets unravel, Nicole finds herself torn between her reputation as Rosebud Grove’s golden girl and the darkness that lures her in. Friends become suspects, allies turn into threats, and the line between sanity and madness blurs. With bodies piling up and danger closing in, Nicole must confront the truth about her legacy—before it’s snatched away from her.
Don’t Break My Heart is a haunting domestic thriller set in the misty redwoods of Northern California, where small-town perfection hides unspeakable secrets and even the most beloved heroes can harbor terrifying darkness.
Almost immediately, Nicole senses something is different. The sudden flashes of anger, the strange impulses, the haunting nightmares—none of it feels like her. Then come the other organ recipients meeting untimely ends and a donor whose past may not have been as clean as the gift he left behind. And when a desperate young woman collapses on Nicole’s doorstep with a chilling warning, Nicole is thrust into a deadly game she can’t escape.
As secrets unravel, Nicole finds herself torn between her reputation as Rosebud Grove’s golden girl and the darkness that lures her in. Friends become suspects, allies turn into threats, and the line between sanity and madness blurs. With bodies piling up and danger closing in, Nicole must confront the truth about her legacy—before it’s snatched away from her.
Don’t Break My Heart is a haunting domestic thriller set in the misty redwoods of Northern California, where small-town perfection hides unspeakable secrets and even the most beloved heroes can harbor terrifying darkness.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 8, 2025
This was a very engaging and addictive storyline, and while it is not my usual genre of choice, this psychological thriller kept me on the edge of my seat!
... I am purposefully being vague in this review as I will no give spoilers ...
Nicole and Asher are planning to marry, but things aren't as they should be. After Nicole's heart transplant, she begins to feel different, and when strange things begin to happen, she's on the hunt for answers. Who else is there and how does it all fit together?
My emotions were all over the place as I followed the twists and turns in this storyline, sure I had figured out what was going on, only to find another thread to follow. For me, there were "cringe" and "yikes" feelings throughout this one. And the big question - what if this actually happens?! I just couldn't stop reading!
I did not see the reason (or who orchestrated it) for all the mayhem and pain these characters endured, until the end, and, oh my! Didn't expect it to finish that way.
I definitely had a lot of big emotions about it.
While this was my first read from this author in this genre, I would definitely read another story from her. If you are look for an interesting and addictive read, grab this one.
I received an ARC, and my thoughts are my own.
... I am purposefully being vague in this review as I will no give spoilers ...
Nicole and Asher are planning to marry, but things aren't as they should be. After Nicole's heart transplant, she begins to feel different, and when strange things begin to happen, she's on the hunt for answers. Who else is there and how does it all fit together?
My emotions were all over the place as I followed the twists and turns in this storyline, sure I had figured out what was going on, only to find another thread to follow. For me, there were "cringe" and "yikes" feelings throughout this one. And the big question - what if this actually happens?! I just couldn't stop reading!
I did not see the reason (or who orchestrated it) for all the mayhem and pain these characters endured, until the end, and, oh my! Didn't expect it to finish that way.
I definitely had a lot of big emotions about it.
While this was my first read from this author in this genre, I would definitely read another story from her. If you are look for an interesting and addictive read, grab this one.
I received an ARC, and my thoughts are my own.
November 3, 2025
A great thriller with an unexpected twist
This is definitely a stay up too late, cannot put it down kind of book. The author did a fantastic job of creating multi-layered characters and storylines all woven together in this psychological thriller. Nicole is a compassionate nurse engaged to the chief of medicine. She thinks she’s received the answer to her prayers and a second lease on life when she gets a heart transplant. Now she’ll be able marry her fiancée and have the family she dreams of. But when another transplant recipient dies on Nicole’s doorstep warning her, soon things begin to unravel in her life - Nicole becomes paranoid and full of anger, suspicious of the people in her life and convinced that all is not what it seems. Now she’ll just has to figure out what is going on to get her life back on track. The slow ratcheting up of the tension that accompanies the gradual reveal of information as the story unfolds and Nicole’s life begins to unravel is delicious perfection. I did not even notice how tense I was getting until I started to yell at Nicole to be careful, don’t do that, what are you doing? The story includes what you’d expect from this genre - dangerous situations, mysteries, painful pasts, coincidences, synchronicity, real life issues, nail biting moments, and plot twists. I am excited to read more from this author. 4.5 stars.
This is definitely a stay up too late, cannot put it down kind of book. The author did a fantastic job of creating multi-layered characters and storylines all woven together in this psychological thriller. Nicole is a compassionate nurse engaged to the chief of medicine. She thinks she’s received the answer to her prayers and a second lease on life when she gets a heart transplant. Now she’ll be able marry her fiancée and have the family she dreams of. But when another transplant recipient dies on Nicole’s doorstep warning her, soon things begin to unravel in her life - Nicole becomes paranoid and full of anger, suspicious of the people in her life and convinced that all is not what it seems. Now she’ll just has to figure out what is going on to get her life back on track. The slow ratcheting up of the tension that accompanies the gradual reveal of information as the story unfolds and Nicole’s life begins to unravel is delicious perfection. I did not even notice how tense I was getting until I started to yell at Nicole to be careful, don’t do that, what are you doing? The story includes what you’d expect from this genre - dangerous situations, mysteries, painful pasts, coincidences, synchronicity, real life issues, nail biting moments, and plot twists. I am excited to read more from this author. 4.5 stars.
November 2, 2025
Whew I’m not sure I was ready for that one. The twists and turns were quite unexpected, but boy was I here for it! Nicole was a sweet nurse dealt a bad card at birth, having a bad heart. She desperately needed a new heart. Asher is top dog at the hospital they work at, also a sweet caring person.
Once Nicole gets the urgent news that a heart has been found, she feel relief she can live her life, renewed.
Oh she lives life, just much differently, given the heart she received.
This was a book I simply could not put down, I devoured it. The ending… yall are not ready for that. It is NOT what you’d expect.
This author really branched out, she has definitely found her calling with this genre.
I 1000 out of 10 recommend this!
Once Nicole gets the urgent news that a heart has been found, she feel relief she can live her life, renewed.
Oh she lives life, just much differently, given the heart she received.
This was a book I simply could not put down, I devoured it. The ending… yall are not ready for that. It is NOT what you’d expect.
This author really branched out, she has definitely found her calling with this genre.
I 1000 out of 10 recommend this!
November 10, 2025
I’ve been on an intrigue-read quest lately and man did I land on a good one! It kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing – mostly wrong, but that’s how good the story was. Boy, did it throw me for a loop. I won’t give anything away but there are some really, really “I can’t help but hate ‘em folks”. I’ll never forget those characters. Nicole Kelly is one of the amazing characters, though, and she will keep surprising you. I know she did surprise me.
I highly recommend this book – just don’t read it in the dark. Gah, my heart is still pounding!
I highly recommend this book – just don’t read it in the dark. Gah, my heart is still pounding!
November 9, 2025
What a ride. I will say this book kept me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was really happening. Once it is revealed you still won’t quite believe it. You will put this book down and still want more. Can’t wait to see what else this author comes up with! If you love thrillers that leave you guessing this one is for you.
November 12, 2025
Wow! I thought I had this figured out…nope, not the twist I saw coming…the ending…ahhhhh!!
In her thriller debut, Gertie gives us a story that will have you on the edge of your seat. This story is filled with characters you cannot trust and you will question their every move.
If you love domestic thrillers then I highly recommend reading this book.
In her thriller debut, Gertie gives us a story that will have you on the edge of your seat. This story is filled with characters you cannot trust and you will question their every move.
If you love domestic thrillers then I highly recommend reading this book.
November 29, 2025
Wowza! This is a great debut novel that had me on the edge of my seat. I kept wondering how this story would play out. I was surprised at the outcome - and then we were shoved down another twisty slide. I was given the opportunity to read an early version by the author. I'm so glad I accepted. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.
November 14, 2025
Don't Break My Heart is a great debut novel for Gertie Greyson. It contains psychological make-you-think elements along with a somewhat unsettling yet intriguing premise. It was engaging and tough to put down.
I received a copy of this book at my request, and the opinions here are my own.
I received a copy of this book at my request, and the opinions here are my own.
November 14, 2025
This was such a fantastic page turner. The characters were all written so well and the journey is gripping and twisty with a great ending. I highly recommend it. Fantastic debut novel for Gertie.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews