In a Heartbeat

by Leigh Sharp

Some say you never truly forget your first love…

When Everly left Roseport she swore she’d left the town, and all of the memories that came with it, for good. Not once did she imagine she’d come crawling back to her parents feeling like a total failure.

Trevor loves Roseport. It’s the first place that has truly felt like home. That is, until Everly left.

When a car accident brings Everly and Trevor face-to-face again after five years apart, everything Everly had worked for is destroyed and she is forced to face everything she thought that time had healed.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 15, 2026

Reviews

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel touched and satisfied by Everly and Trevor’s small town second chance romance in this quick 2 hour read.

I liked Trevor’s character, could really picture him and the kind, thoughtful, and dutiful person he is to his parents and everyone around him. Took me time to warm up to Everly but I’m glad she grows in this story and unpacks her issues to allow love into her life.

Ultimately the story comes together in a tidy package, no plot holes. Satisfying read!

Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the emotional reconnection that Everly and Trevor had in this second chance romance and I was glad they got to work through their misunderstandings and be there for each other now. Once they were able to clear the air their relationship really found its footing and began to bloom again. The story moved back and forth between the present and the past and I applaud the author for that not being a distraction.

[☆Tiffy☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! Trevor and Everlys story about a second chance at love kept me hooked on wanting to know what would happen next. I really enjoyed that it went to their past and then present to have a better understanding of their story and that Trevor is in the medical field I really liked because I personally work in the medical field as an office rep but going back to work registration in and ER.

[Jenna M Seewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Heartbeat is a lovely fast read with a little drama and bit of spicy thrown in. V reminds us to not let ourselves be stuck in a box but to go out and chase our dreams regardless of how it ends up while Trevor is every woman’s super hero! Highly recommend a read if you enjoy going on an emotional ride with great character development.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first chapter. Everly and Trevor’s story was beautiful. I loved the small town vibes, friendships, and how well their characters developed throughout the story. I definitely recommend reading!

[Kayla McKibben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed an eARC copy of this book from the author.

I loved how much potential was within this story. The complex relationship dynamics with the man characters and everyone important to this story really drew me in. However, it was lacking the depth I was seeking from the storyline because it was short in length and it felt like it needed another 100+ pages to make it really feel complete. I devoured this book because I enjoyed what I did get, I just want more from Trevor and Everly!

[Taylor Wodnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

🩺🩺🩺🩺 and 🌶️ : keep in mind the star review is based off of MY interests!

Very quick read, one sitting for me! Fast paced. Written in a dual timeline ⏰. The writing style for this book to me was leaning toward the new adult/young adult readers. I did feel the book was short, but it’s PERFECT if you want something quick with a full storyline.

Everly, Trevor and Mallory are best friends. Trevor falls for Everly after her and Mallory make a pact that neither of them will date Trevor. This causes some tension and all the friendships are changed. Everly moves away and after some time comes back home. All their worlds come crashing back together in this quic contemporary romance.

Leigh explorers the ideas of mental health 🏥, struggles of high school relationships📚, and emotions. Her descriptions of the struggles with work life balance for a paramedic 🚑 (really any shift work) is spot on. I also think that the dynamics of the high school era was described very well. I don’t have kids myself, but from what I know what Leigh wrote is how some kids are treated in high school.

My least favorite character was Mallory for reasons that are obvious once you start reading. She did redeem herself slightly but I’m still a little skeptical!

I loved Trevor. He’s just the sweetest and true to himself and his family. Certainly think he didn’t deserve everything he got from Everly but.. that’s kids right?

I will continue to read Leigh Sharp books and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

You should read this if you enjoy: second chance romance, love triangle, friends to lovers, new or young adult.

⚠️: car accident.

Thanks for the opportunity to read In a Heartbeat before it is released! @leighsharpauthor

[Pati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everly and Trevor share a complicated history, but life ultimately took them down different paths. When a car accident unexpectedly brings them back together after years apart, they’re forced to confront the question: can you ever truly move on from your first love?

The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and I couldn’t wait to dive into this story. There’s something so compelling about second chance romances mixed with unresolved feelings and the emotional weight of returning home.

This was a sweet and emotional read, and I did enjoy the story overall. However, I found myself wishing it had gone deeper. Because the book is fairly short, some of the heavier topics and emotional conflicts felt a bit underdeveloped, and I wanted more time spent really exploring Everly and Trevor’s relationship, history, and growth.
Even though it left me wanting more emotionally, I still appreciated the heart behind the story and the nostalgia filled small town atmosphere.

Thank you, Leigh Sharp, for providing this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Mattingly · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ARC READ⭐️

I went into this book with high expectations, but it ultimately didn’t land for me the way I’d hoped.
While the concept was intriguing, the execution felt uneven. At times, the pacing felt rushed, making it difficult to feel like I was keeping up with the story or if I was missing details, and certain plot points didn’t feel as developed or impactful as they could have been. The characters, while interesting in theory, were hard to connect with on a deeper level, which made it challenging to stay emotionally invested in their journey.
That said, the book isn’t without its strengths. There are moments where the writing shines, and it’s clear Leigh Sharp had a strong vision. Some readers may still find value in it, even if it didn’t fully resonate with me personally.
Overall, this was a mixed read….one that had potential but didn’t quite come together in a satisfying way for my taste.

[Jasmine R · Rating 2 out of 5]

📕ARC READ!!📕

I’m a HUGE fan of second chance romances, and this book had a lot of potential, but fell short in a few ways.
I honestly think that the concept was great, but it felt really rushed and that equated to me not being able to connect with Everly & Trevor.

The pacing wasn’t great. There were also major plot pieces that were glossed over, which made it anticlimactic. Trevor was an amazing guy throughout, and with Everly being more on snarky side, I think there could’ve been more banter. It was definitely lacking the angst and yearning I feel is needed for a good second chance romance. It was real surface level for me.

There were some memorable spots for me. A lot of them were Trevor moments ❤️ he does have the makings of an amazing book boyfriend! I feel if some of the elements could be expanded on, this would’ve been a really good read.

[Ciara K · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC Review: In a Heartbeat by Leigh Sharp✨

This was a short, cozy small-town second chance romance that packed a surprising amount of emotional depth into a quick read.

While there was a lot to unpack in such a limited page count, I found myself genuinely enjoying the story and the characters’ journey back to one another.

The tension between past and present kept things engaging, and the emotional weight of their shared history added a layer of complexity that made this more than just a light romance.

Overall, it was an easy, satisfying read. Perfect for when you’re craving something heartfelt without the heavy time commitment.

Also, it comes with a playlist and you guys know how much of a sucker I am for a good book playlist!


⭐️My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚Format: E-ARC

[Rosalie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful contemporary romance. Thank you so much to Leigh Sharp for allowing me to ARC read it! It was hard to put this one down because the characters were so endearing. The only thing missing for me was a bit more tension/drama (which I enjoy). However, this story felt so real and raw. Like you were reading about an actual couple navigating second chance love and not a made up story. It reflected so beautifully the complexity of relationships and had so many sweet moments. I recommend this 10/10 if you are looking for a short, romantic, and sweet read.

[Gelene Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the eARC!

I was super excited to read this book because it had an element of healthcare AND romance! While this was true, I felt that many of the events were quite corny and I’ve read quite a few novels with the “boy best friend / love triangle” trope and this one was just in the corny area. It was also a short book so the plot seemed rushed and I feel like it would have been a better book if there was 100+ more pages. It was a cute read though, and it was nice to read before and after work since it didn’t take a lot of effort.

[Sherry James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for the advance copy.

This was my first book from the author & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I like her style of writing and the plot grabbed my attention from page one.

Even though it was a shorter book I feel like I learned enough about the characters and their past/present lives without needing more.

I'm definitely planning to check out the authors previous book & anything coming in the future.

[Amanda Dreher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the angst! Everly is about as stubborn as they come. This is a quick and sweet second chance romance with ALLLLL the drama! The non linear timeline will take you back to the teenage feels and bring you right back to adulthood. Trevor gives major golden retriever energy and it's impossible not to love him. Just swoon.

[Lis Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW ⭐️
I enjoyed Everly and Trevor's journey. Is a small town second chance and I loved it.
I loved that is goes back to the past to better understand their story. Though I feel like there was some things left out but still great story
It was an easy read, so if you are looking for something quick to read I recommend this book.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good, quick read! While I could have read way more about V and Trevor, everything came full circle by the end of the book and didn't leave any questions unanswered.

Thank you Leigh for allowing me to be part of the ARC team!

[Kaysi Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Leigh for this ARC. My honest thoughts? I liked the overall concept of the story but it felt rushed and too many details at the same time. It feels like it would’ve been better as a novella.

[Mary Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! So good that I could not put it down and read it all in one day! The story progression was amazing and I wish there was more!

[❤️Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Leigh Sharp for this read! It was fast paced and hard to put down. Loved Everly and Trevor and their second chance romance.

[Becca Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book soooooo much!
Everyone needs to buy this book. If you love second-chance romance, then this book is for you!!!!! The way Leigh writes her books is so amazing.

[Ashley Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short second chance, friends to lovers romance where the miscommunication trope was done really well. I would love more to their story but also did not feel like I was missing to much.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arc Review

The Plot for this story was really intriguing to me but I feel like it lost some depth to the characters and story line due to it being on the shorter side.