The Road to Tender Hearts

Bookseller recommendation

“Nothing says “summer reading” quite like a classic road trip novel! This one is so fun- there’s a great cast of characters (including a very intuitive cat) and the narrator does a great job embodying each one. Funny, sweet, messy- you won’t regret taking the road to Tender Hearts retirement community with PJ and his cobbled-together family. ”

— Kelsie • Red Balloon Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Looking for a funny and heartwarming story? The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett is a delightful cross country adventure with a bit of heartbreak and plenty of humor. I really enjoyed the humanness of PJ and the whole cast of characters. 5 stars from me! ”

— Anne • Cherry Street Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I can't describe how much I love this book -- but I will try! PJ lost the woman of dreams to his best friend in his youth. After a lifetime of shiftless living, the loss of a daughter, and the divorce of his wife (who is about to marry his new bet friend), he discovers his old romantic rival has died. He decides to drive from Massachusetts to Arizona to woo her back. Only, complications arrive in the form of two orphaned, precocious great nephews and nieces and a therapy cat that predicts the deaths of everyone around it. They all pile in a car with PJ's surviving daughter and road trip to not only woo his old flame but to discover the paternity of one of the kids. It's hilarious, heart-breaking, sweet, and acerbic... sometimes all on the same page. This book is so beautifully written and transporting, the characters are so vividly drawn, and that cat is a hoot -- I could not stop reading until the lovely twist ending. Every single thing works, and this one reads as though a woman was channeling the quirkiness and sweetness of John Irving. A real original and one of the best of the year, I am certain. Get ready to fall in love!”

— Bill • An Unlikely Story

Bookseller recommendation

“How many bad decisions can one family make and still survive? What starts as the road trip from hell does, indeed, create tender hearts. Come along for a feel good read that takes no prisoners.”

— Anita Gett • Main Street Books Davidson

Bookseller recommendation

“A curmudgeon, his daughter, two orphans and an orange cat set off on a road trip from Massachusetts to Arizona. PJ hopes to find his true love at the Tender Hearts retirement community, and finds much more than that along the way. Hartnett's characters are quirky, relatable, and entirely human. ”

— Melissa • Elephant Ear Books

Bookseller recommendation

“If you're in the mood for a quirky, dark comedy that allows its characters to honestly confront loss, grief, disappointment and heartache, while also dealing with past decisions and failures, yet leaving room for second chances and found family? This is absolutely the book for you. Join PJ, his daughter, Sophie, and two newly orphaned children, Luna and Ollie, as they embark on a cross country roadtrip to confront the past and the future. Joining them is Pancakes, agent of death and orange tabby cat. I loved everything about their journey. Content warnings can be found on Storygraph if that's a concern. There are a few. But this was my introduction to Annie Hartnett, but now her previous novels have been added to my TBR.”

— Sara • Plenty

Bookseller recommendation

“Light, funny and touching with unforgettable characters and even a cat named Pancake. The cat attaches himself to a family in transition and they all head out on a crazy road trip with varied agendas during which Pancake is found to have unusual powers. Though nothing in their story turns out as planned, the twists, turns and hilarity wind up giving them all an even better story than they'd hoped for. ”

— Patience • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“What a heart-warming, delightful, touching, absolutely WONDERFUL book!! I loved PJ (main character) from the moment I met him. He's so sweetly flawed. I'm a dog person, but loved Pancakes....the agent of death. I'm a "my kids vs. other people's kids" kind of person, yet I wanted to keep Luna and Ollie too. That's what a good story will do for you...show you a side of yourself you didn't yet know existed. Buy the hardcover...but then listen to it on Libro.fm. It is literally the best narration I've heard in AGES.”

— Kathy • The Well-Read Moose

Bookseller recommendation

“For fans of A Man Called Ove and Little Miss Sunshine, these characters will have your whole heart. ”

— Corina • The Wandering Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“This book was so strange and so wonderfully touching. You won't be able to tell what twists and turns this story, much like the cross country road trip that takes up much of the book, is going. Do yourself a favor and just go along for the ride with PJ, Ollie, Luna, and Sophie, and Pancakes the cat. ”

— Sara • Reads & Company

Bookseller recommendation

“This book is remarkable -- think A Man Called Ove, Elizabeth Strout, John Irving -- and the narration is perfectly matched. I was fully immersed in the audiobook, laughing and weeping. Loved it. ”

— Mary • Newtonville Books