Where Your Heart Belongs

by Densie Webb

When college student Zee Owens meets Cillian Byrne, lead singer of the up-and-coming Irish band The Swifters, sparks fly. The intense attraction is mutual, and when Cillian asks Zee to go on tour with him, she’s ready to drop everything, including college, and follow him on an international tour that could shoot the band to the top of the charts. As a small-town-Texas girl, Zee sees this as her chance to travel the world with a man she adores and who adores her right back.

There’s just one problem. Zee is the only child of a struggling single mom who’s been counting on her to move back home after graduation and help out financially. And Zee’s best friend, Sloane, says dropping out to be with Cillian is a colossal mistake. Undeterred, she’s ready to forge ahead, even without their support.

But when Zee’s mother reveals that she is seriously ill, Zee’s dreams of being with Cillian are snuffed out. When she gets unexpected news and travels to Ireland to confront all she thought she’d lost, she is finally able to envision the happy ending she never thought she’d have.

Genres: Romance

300 pages, Paperback

Published January 5, 2026

About the author

Densie Webb (not Denise) has spent a long career as a freelance nonfiction writer and editor, specializing in health and nutrition, and has published several books on the topic. She grew up in Louisiana, spent 13 years in New York City, and settled in Austin, TX, where it’s summer nine months out of the year. She is an avid walker (not of the dead variety, though she adores zombies, vampires, and apocalyptic stories), drinks too much coffee, and has a small “devil dog” that keeps her on her toes. She has two grown "babies," one of which lives overseas, giving her the perfect excuse to travel.

Reviews

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a lovely, heartwarming romance. Zee Owens is a college student who quickly falls in love with Cillian Byrne, who's the lead singer of a popular Irish band called “The Swifters”. He asks her to tour with him, and she is excited for the opportunity to travel the world. She's supposed to be returning home after college to help her single mom, and her friend doesn't think it's a good idea for Zee to drop out, but she wants to do her own thing. I loved reading this. It's a beautiful love story, and also a mother/daughter story. I didn't always agree with some of the decisions but we all know how young love has a way of swaying your mind one way or another. I also loved reading about Ireland. I've always wanted to go there. You will be rooting for Zee and Cillian. Such a beautiful read!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Webb, The Author of “Where Your Heart Belongs” has written a captivating and heartfelt story. The Genres in the well written book are: Mothers and Children, Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Fiction, and Romance. The author vividly describes the colorful and dramatic characters. The characters are complex, complicated, flawed, each with their own set of problems and concerned. The female protagonist, Zee Owens, is a college student when she meets an Irish lead singer, Cillian Byrne, at a pub with her friends. Spark fly, and Zee and Cillian are attracted to one another. Zee is on a scholarship and has one semester left to finish college. Zee’s single mother is manipulative and broken, and constantly reminds Zee not to follow in her path, and make the same mistakes. Zee is ready to accompany Cillian on tour, but her mother gets very ill. After her mother’s death, a pregnant Zee is comforted by a high school friend, Ethan, and they marry.

Somehow Zee can’t get Cillian out of her mind, and although they had a misunderstanding, they do keep in contact, over the years. Unexpected tragedy sends Zee to Ireland, which once was where her hopes and dreams were. The author writes about secrets, betrayals, communication, the importance of friendship, family, hope and love. I enjoyed reading this book and was cheering Zee on, and hoping for the best. I encourage you to read this book.

[J. Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Webb is the queen of bittersweet and this story only solidifies her claim to that title. I've mentioned before that I'm a sucker for a musician love story and Zezelia (the MC) and Cillian (the Irish musician) have all the perfect makings of such a story. Add in mother-daughter relationships and a hopeful ending, and you'll sigh with contentment by the end of this book.

[crafty.jenn.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a story that allows its main character to BREATHE – to GROW.

This story, with its dual timelines and dual love interests, does just that.

You get to see how she reacts differently, given time and life experience.

I loved the bittersweet tone, the themes of love and family and regret, and, of course, the ending was everything hopeful.

I can’t wait to see where this author goes next.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

This book is amazing. It grips you from the beginning and holds you wondering all the way through. It is a story that you want to keep reading and not put down. I sure hope there is a sequel in the works.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue grabbed me, and I was fully engaged from cover to cover. The connection between Zee and Cillian was palpable, and I was rooting for them despite the odds. I loved her Texas background and his Irish roots! I also loved the bond between Zee and Sloane. Forever friends are such a blessing.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about choices, love, loss, and regret. It’s told in two parts and takes place over the span of twenty plus years.

In part one, University of Texas senior, Zee, meets and falls for Cillian, a member of an up and coming band from Ireland called The Swifters. She is ready to quit school and travel with him but an unexpected diagnosis from her mom leaves her making a different decision.

In part two, we fast forward twenty years. Zee is divorced, working just enough to support herself, and has a 21 year old daughter who is in an unhappy marriage. Once she hears about the death of her first love, Cillian, she decides to finally go to Ireland.

An unexpected FedEx package leads to Zee sharing her past with her daughter.

I like the theme of these choices that Zee has made dictating her life. It’s also interesting how Zee wants to be a risk taker for love which doesn’t ever seem to be able to happen due to circumstances around her.

Zee has a dedicated best friend named Sloane that deserves a huge character shoutout.

I also thought the secondary plot of Zee’s daughter and her marital troubles fell in line with Zee’s life choices.

An interesting and unexpected ending to this one.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel about life and the choices made that created the future for those involved. It's a mother trying to shield her daughter, and her daughter trying to protect her daughter. It's grief and learning to live and love again. It's the secrets revealed and learning to live with them. It's messy, it's sad, it's hopeful, and it's beautiful. I was caught up in the story, invested in the characters, and I've added visiting Ireland to my bucket list.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I even start? There’s so much to love about this one.

That rush of young love, the kind that makes you want to drop everything and follow your heart, add in a lead singer, who’s Irish, and I was completely sold from the start.

I loved all the emotions this story took me through: the twists, the turns, the tough choices, and that underlying message about fighting for what and who you love. And even though I’ve never been to Ireland, this book made me want to pack my bags and go even more.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing reading, I found I was doing a little soul searching on my choices and regrets. The one that got away and why. It stoked some strong emotions at times.

How would you react if you found out the one that got away just died? There’s a little bit of a mystery as to what caused the end of their relationship and what has happened since. And flashback to catch the reader up. What comes across as an almost love story is also just as strongly driven by the relationships between mothers and daughters. Their complex relationships with ups, downs and parallels in life and choices.

The characters make the story and kept me wanting to read. Complicated and messy but also real and relatable. I want to shout out to Sloane and then her husband. The best friend with tons of patience and strength. The kind of friend every woman needs.

I felt a little bad for Elliot, Zee’s (ex) husband. He gets such a raw deal. I almost wanted to see a chapter or two from his point of view even though I usually hate that in a book. I wanted to know a little more about him.

The ending caught me a little by surprise. I saw it coming but it felt a little out of place. But I guess it adds hope to a somewhat sad story.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t sat down, started a book, and finished it in one sitting in a very long time, but this one kept me hooked from start to finish. I had to see how the story would unfold.

This is a bittersweet romance that begins with young, impulsive love. An Irish musician and a Texas college student's eyes meet in a local Austin bar, and their hearts are forever connected.

I could not stop reading this beautiful, messy love story that broke my heart, not just once but several times. My emotions were all over the place. I was angry at bad choices and missed opportunities, I was overjoyed by the love that continued to be shared and poured out, yet I was heartbroken by the time that ran out.

I loved the connection between Austin, Texas, and Ireland, while I’ve been to Austin several times, Ireland felt like it was calling.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @densiewebbbooks  for this gifted book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to need a frivolous palate cleanser after this one.

THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL.

And as a Feelings Repressed Enneagram 7, I RESENT THAT. Lol

Seriously, though, I was incredibly impressed with this book’s ability to bring me into every emotion.

Happy. Sad. Heartsick. Hopeful.

I felt it all and it LINGERS.

First off, I love a book that battles with personal desires versus bigger-picture needs. It allows for such personal growth from the main characters. Now, I’m not saying that people (read: women) should decenter themselves, but it does show maturity to be able to clock consequences and predict outcomes.

My favourite bits were, of course, the romance. The dichotomy of her feelings for Cillian (ah, young impulsive love) and her more adult, deep-seated love for Damien was so well-done.

I was thrilled to see that this isn’t a debut and I can’t wait to track down this author’s previous works.

[Dana Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with any and all things Ireland and Scotland so there was no doubt that I had to read this one. I’m also a sucker for second chances and emotional reads… so, it’s a given that I just love this book.

The author Denise Webb does a fantastic job showing the excitement of young love as Zee falls for Cillian, an Irish lead singer. That first love feeling gets me every time! He then asks her to go on tour with him. She’s ready to follow her heart, but things get complicated when she finds out her single mom is sick. Zee has to choose between chasing her dreams or being there for her Mom.

When Zee finally gets to travel to Ireland, this is where the story gets even more emotional. It’s full of love, tough choices, heartbreak, family, and second chances.

I highly recommend this one!

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely pulled into this one—it had me flipping pages way too late to see how it would shake out. Zee and Cillian’s story starts with that electric, impulsive kind of love and turns into something much deeper and messier. It’s the kind of romance that hits every emotion—joy, frustration, heartbreak—you name it. The characters felt real and the twists of secrets and missed chances keep things interesting. When Zee confronts her grief, she discovers that hope can outlast even the deepest loss. A beautifully moving story about timing, choices, and second chances. And a beautiful cover too!

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Your Heart Belongs by Densie Webb is a heartwarming story.

Zee Owens, the female main character is in college when she meets Cillian, an Irish singer when she is out with her friends. There is an instant connection.
Her mother does not agree with the relationship and there is tension there as she is quite manipulative when it comes to her daughter.

There are a lot of secrets and betrayals. The characters were complex, well written, flawed and fleshed out.

I really enjoyed Zee and Cillian's story. Quite captivating.

Highly recommend!

[Lee Bukowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tender, emotionally rich story captures the ache of first love and the quiet bravery of choosing family over dreams. Years after walking away from a dream that felt destined, a journey to Ireland invites Zee Owens to finally confront her grief and discover that hope can outlast even the deepest loss. A beautifully moving story about timing, choices, and second chances.

[Barbara Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Webb’s books have a way of drilling into the heart of relationships, into the choices that destroy us, the chances we ignore, and the fate that brings us together again. Readers will fall in love with Zee and Cillian.

A not-to-be-missed story of lost love and found love.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHERE YOUR HEART BELONGS was an interesting story in the women’s fiction genre. Ireland is a place that I’ve always wanted to visit, so I was intrigued from the beginning! I had all the feels when reading this one. It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride, but in the best way!

Many thanks to Denise Webb for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.