The Road to Tender Hearts

by Annie Hartnett, Mark Bramhall (Narrator)

'A moving, unforgettable story about the power we have to change our lives' Alison Espach, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding People

'I loved every page of this wild, weird, big-hearted book' Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

'Will live on in your heart long after the book is over' Rufi Thorpe, author of Margo's Got Money Troubles

US National Indie and USA Today Bestseller
New England Book Award Winner || May Indie Next Pick
Featured on Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
People Magazine Top Books of 2025
New York Times Best American Road Trip Novels
An NPR and Lit Hub Best Book of the Year

At sixty-three years old, million-dollar lottery winner PJ Halliday should be the happiest man in town - but everything in Pondville is another reminder of the child he lost, and the way his marriage fell apart.

So, when PJ hears that his high-school sweetheart, Michelle, is unexpectedly back on the market, there's nothing stopping him driving straight to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona to win her back.

But before he can hit the road, a spanner in the a tragic incident has suddenly left PJ as the only guardian of his estranged brother's grandchildren.

Anyone else might be deterred, but it seems like the newly orphaned kids might enjoy the trip out of town. And PJ's adult daughter, Sophie, has been roped in to help babysit.

There's one final surprise passenger - Pancakes, a former therapy cat with a knack for predicting death, who recently turned up outside PJ's home . . .

BUCKLE IN FOR THE ROAD TRIP OF A LIFETIME

'Absurdly over-the-top in plot, yet warms like a heated seat' The New York Times

'Miraculous' John Irving

'An ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! . . . Brilliant and heartwarming' ★★★★★

'Laughed out loud and also sobbed uncontrollably' ★★★★★

'A rare and special novel . . . an extraordinary reading experience from beginning to end!' ★★★★★

'Some stories find a way to dig down deep into your heart, burrow there, and then stay for good. I think this will be one of those for me' ★★★★★

'There is really no way to put my love for this book into words' ★★★★★

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction

Audible Audio

Published May 21, 2026

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/5 stars!!!!!
Audio is fantastic!

[Ami Boehlje · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! The most zany, funny, and sad adventure ever. I laughed out loud, cried, and related to the quirky humanness of the characters. This one is a keeper.

[John Landolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book embraces its genre (tragic-comic family roadtrip) in its opening epigraph and then immediately swerves into macabre animism as we’re introduced to an agent of death, Pancakes the Cat, and a quickly rising body count. The first half of the book, pre-roadtrip, is heavy on the tragedy—but the setup still feels propulsive and surprising and is a necessary emotional anchor to the back half. I’d say trust the tale teller on this one. It is not so much quirky magical realism as it is a clockwork folk tale where each thread has purpose and pay off. Chekhov’s cat is a time bomb and a central tension is wondering who Pancakes is coming for next.

[Alycia Ferrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I first read it (gives Little Miss Sunshine vibes) but I was laughing out loud with the audio. Fantastic narrator.

[Karyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I unexpectedly really enjoyed this book. A warm-hearted novel with a little humor. PJ inherits his estranged brother's grandchildren just as he's set to drive across the country to win back his high school crush. Alongside is his adult daughter and a death-predicting therapy cat named Pancakes. It's a messy, dysfunctional family embarking on an unforgettable road trip that will give you all the feels as they navigate grief, forgiveness, and unexpected connection.

[Mary E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dysfunction meets 'tender hearts' in this sweet story. All the main characters in the book has their own demons, but on a road trip together they overcome them. Characters include a lottery winner with a drinking problem (after the death of his first born daughter), who still goes every morning to the house of his ex-wife and her fiancé, his best friend, for breakfast. After those two leave for a trip to 'Alaska' he learns he is to take custody of his niece and nephew - a 10 yo girl and 9 yo boy - after his estranged brother and his wife die in a murder/suicide. Convinced that her real father is a soap-opera star, the girl talks everyone into taking a road trip to prove it with a paternity test. The man, who has his own reasons for the trip, has lost his license due to DUIs so his surviving daughter is enlisted as the driver. Oh, and there's a prescient orange cat, another main character in the book, who goes along for the ride. It's an overall fun read about love, redemption and families, even the dysfunctional ones.

[BonLivre · Rating 3 out of 5]

What to make of this book... I will mention that it was a terrific title for a book club discussion as there are so many themes and ways in which to interpret the story. And while I did enjoy certain elements of the novel, like the cat Pancakes, the idea of a road trip as pushing forward together, and the element of finding joy even in the tough moments through the dark comedy of life, something still hindered my overall enjoyment. Perhaps it was all of the unresolved scenes or themes with some very intense, life-changing trigger moments. Or, perhaps it was the volume of absurd predicaments and the resulting chaos of the overall story. Who knows? So while I do applaud the idea that life is a journey that requires forward motion and support from others, this book was not-in its entirety-for me. Mark Bramhall's audiobook narration presented a good tone for the zany tale.

[Jenssay M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. Will definitely be passing it on to my dad to read. I loved the dynamic and relationships between all the characters. Love PJ, Ivy & Fred’s dynamic. Pancakes was soo freaking adorable. I loved how the kids were so reluctant to be loved and so was PJ and Sophie and in the end they all become the family they were looking for, the entire premise of the book was beautiful definitely recommend. Also didn’t see the michelle twist coming at the end lmao i laughed so hard and her reaction it was great.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quirky story. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it was good to me. It is sad and funny, serious and forgiving. There is a cat that comforts the dying, Uncle PJ that is an emotionally hurting alcoholic, the two children that he “inherits,” and many more characters. They get into crazy situations that will make you laugh as they travel across the country in a “borrowed” Volvo. It is a story about love, forgiveness, and humanity.

The Road to Tender Hearts reminds me of the movie, Little Miss Sunshine

[Dionna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has a really beautiful way of writing characters that make you want to learn more about them, even those who are only bit players.
Incredibly sweet story, and I didn't see the twist coming at the end (well, I saw an illness coming, but not the romantic twist).

And on a personal note: the weekend we learned of Mom's brain cancer diagnosis, I started a book in which a character has brain cancer. Now a week after she passed, the third book in as many months with another character who has brain cancer. The universe is funny.

[Stephanie Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so wonderful! The storytelling somehow both warm and beautifully tragic. I especially loved how most characters the main crew interacted with got their own small blurb. It felt like a gentle reminder that everyone is going through this life together and experiencing difficulties or joys & all are worthy of noticing. Easy 5/5 stars.

[Elise Cofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this like 4.3 stars! It was funny, serious, and seriously enjoyable. In the acknowledgements the author mentions taking all of her fears and anxieties about life/new motherhood/the unknowns and putting them into a novel that we can still laugh at, and that’s exactly what this was. Would definitely recommend!

[Shanna Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a dark delight. Tragedy, swearing, and yet you are rooting for everything you work out.

60 yr old, PJ Halliday a divorced, lottery winner becomes the guardian of 2 kids and adopts a cat that seems to cause death. Together along with his grown up daughter end up on a road trip.

[Michelle King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so delightful and touching that- when I returned it early to the library bc I blew through it- I wished I could pass a note to the next person to check it out and tell them they were in for a treat!

[Mallory Grimste · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected pleasant surprise from book club. The storytelling within the book was amazing as well as the comedic timing. Even though there were strong feelings throughout reading, I felt it had a nice balance and was weirdly enjoyable.

[Susan Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic audio book - not sweet and sappy, but realistic and heartwarming. I fell in love with the characters, was regularly surprised by the plot twists, and found myself smiling while listening. Highly recommend this - would be ideal listening while on a road trip!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book this year.🙌🏾 This is all the feels although dark and serious life events it is laugh out loud funny with tears OMG. Definitely will spin the block and annotate. PJ, Sophia, Luna, Ollie, Pancakes and Pondville, MS live in my head until the next favorite comes along😁

[Mallory Stites · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book. It had a little bit of everything - love, loss, chaos, humor, heartbreak, and redemption. Very much “little miss sunshine” vibes with a quirky family on an ill-fated road-trip.

[Lag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The characters, humor, and whole idea of it was just great! I listened to this one and the narrator/reader was perfect. His voice and intonations were spot on! Highly recommend.

[Andrea Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did a great job making me laugh and cray throughout. It is about an older man finding purpose for his life. I would give it 4 1/2 stars!

[Ann Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best audiobooks I've listened to -- perfect narrator and awesome, unpredictable storyline. I highly recommend!

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! A lighthearted take on serious things. (I read this, didn't audible it)

[KD · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written book. This story has so many heart warming moments, mixed in with humor. The topic of death and everlasting grief was so beautifully discussed.

[Melissa Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Elisa Guthrie]

This was a great book! Just the kind I like!

[Amy Weems · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Enjoyed this crazy, entertaining book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun, sad, funny, and chaotic. Overall a good time with a strong message of life isn’t always fair, overcoming self struggles and family drama.

[Nancy Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quirky book. Story hits on a lot of different emotions.

[Peggy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book

[Carolyn Bonamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5