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.

[Amy Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this - quirky, dark humour, heart warming moments, reflections on life and love, loveable characters, great pacing & clever plot! Couldn’t put it down

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed the feel good parts and was completely understanding of the tragedies as they occurred. I loved the positive interaction of all the characters, especially the unexpected ones, like PJ visiting his ex-wife and her soon-to-be husband every morning for breakfast. When his daughter and the 2 children who recently lost their parents in a horrible way, join PJ for an unexpected drive across the country, the positives and negatives are just SO well written! And the surprise at the end was just perfect!!

[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.

[Madison Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally so good

[Heather (Batcitybookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just really lovely, with quirky characters, a story that felt entirely new and unique, but simultaneously relatable even in its oddness. This book had heart, and depth, and a simplicity to the prose that made it feel so approachable while also asking you to do some introspection.

This wasn’t like a wow blew me away right out the gate read, so much as a read I grew to appreciate more and more as I read, until realizing how much I loved it. Despite heavy topics it still felt like a peaceful and sweet read.

[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.

[megan.flirtythrills · Rating 4 out of 5]

the road to tender hearts by annie hartnett 🚗🐈⛽️🏨☠️🏜️🪦☕️🤢🥤🍬🏃🏻‍♀️✂️👧🏻🧒🏻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.25/5 stars

📖 summary: At 63, lottery winner PJ Halliday should have everything he needs to be happy, but instead he’s haunted by the loss of his child and the collapse of his marriage. When he hears that his high school sweetheart, Michelle, is unexpectedly single, PJ decides to drive across the country to win her back. But a family tragedy leaves him unexpectedly responsible for his estranged brother’s grandchildren, so the road trip becomes a chaotic family adventure with his adult daughter Sophie and, of course, Pancakes, a former therapy cat with a very concerning talent for predicting death. 🥞🐈

💭 my thoughts: I’m going to be honest… the beginning of this audiobook was a STRUGGLE for me. 😭 The storytelling felt so slow and repetitive, and I kept thinking, “okay, we get it… can we please just get on with it?” It took me probably 25% of the book before I felt like the actual story was FINALLY starting.
BUT once it got going, I was so invested. I genuinely never knew where this story was going until we got there, and somehow this completely ridiculous road trip turned into such a surprisingly heartwarming, sad, weird, and funny story about grief, family, aging, and figuring out how to keep moving forward when life has absolutely wrecked you.
The characters really grew on me, and by the end I loved them SO much. 🥹 Sophie especially made me laugh because she’s getting ready for the GRE and may become an SLP, so obviously I was paying attention. 😂 I also loved how the book could be so blunt and unexpectedly funny one minute and then hit you with something genuinely heartbreaking the next.
I also felt like there were little hints throughout that PJ might be starting to experience some cognitive decline similar to what his parents went through, and I kept wondering if the story was going to go further with that.
And obviously… Pancakes is the best character. 🐈🥞 No debate.
This is definitely NOT the kind of book I would normally pick up on my own, but it was our book club pick and I’m honestly so glad I gave it a chance. It ended up being SO much better than I anticipated. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it quite as much reading it with my eyes, but I really think this is a book that works well as an audiobook.
My only real complaint is that it took way too long to get me invested. Once it did, though, I didn’t want it to end. I actually want a sequel or at least a big epilogue because I NEED to know how everyone is doing now. 🥹
A weird, messy, unexpectedly funny, and ultimately very tender story about life, loss, and finding a reason to keep going even when everything feels impossible💖

[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.

[Reader Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book... I honestly can't even put it into words.

There were moments when it felt like a lot, but in the best way. It was emotional, messy, heartbreaking, hopeful, and so incredibly well done.

Pancakes the cat completely stole my heart, and PJ quickly became one of those characters you can't help but root for. There were so many moments where I found myself saying, "No, PJ, don't do it!" because I was so invested in these characters.

Just know that this book doesn't shy away from real-life issues. It explores grief, healing, forgiveness, and the kind of love that reminds you family isn't always the people you're born into. Sometimes it's the people who choose you. It also shows that people are capable of change, even when it feels impossible.

And that ending... This one is going to stay with me for a long time.

[Rae PlotTwisted Sister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately it is very rare that I don’t want an audiobook to end, I’ve been speeding them up or quitting at 50%.
The road to Tender Hearts was it for me!! I loved PJ and all his flaws. The writing was perfect for me. This is a road trip story that isn’t dragged out, keeps the reader engaged has humor but also some heavy dark depressing themes. Check trigger warnings.

This book follows PJ his ex wife her new boyfriend, his daughter and another family. Read it to find out how everyone is connected. There is a journey on the road to tender hearts that all the characters go on both emotionally and literally. The writing was perfection and I enjoyed some funny parts that made me laugh out loud, especially parts including a wax arm. IYKYK. LOL

[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.

[Debora · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much (unnecessary swearing), so many deaths! Check your trigger warnings before reading this book. I anticipated a light-hearted novel about the shenanigans of an elderly gentleman on a cross country trip with some kids. There were so many things wrong with the way the author unfolded this plot. I guess it was meant to be humorous, but it was really just cringe worthy. The best character was the cat.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
A touching and memorable read about family, resilience, love, and the complicated roads we take to find our way back to the people. I appreciated the emotional depth of the story and the way it explores relationships and second chances without feeling overly sentimental. There were moments that made me laugh and moments that tugged at my heart.

I loved the quirky humanness of the characters--flawed, vulnerable, funny, and incredibly easy to root for.

[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!

[Kunni Biener · Rating 3 out of 5]

very very slow. I had to make myself return to listening to it each day. It was a story and there seemed to be a moral, but no one in the story was that interesting. The cat was the best character. Old man getting a second chance. Daughter maybe getting freed from parents, but probably not. Two kids suffering horrible tragedy. Whatever.

[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.

[Nikki Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seen so many good reviews about this one. It was okay, but so slow. Got a bit bored in the middle and didn’t find any of the characters that interesting. A nice story but just a bit on the boring side.