An Optimist's Guide to Heartbreak

Heartsong Duet, Book 1

De: Jennifer Hartmann

Narrado por: Gabriel Spires, Charlotte Claremont

There once was a girl with fireflies in her eyes and music in her soul. Remember her... she's important.

She's the reason I panic-bought the little brick house on Maple Street, the one I lived next door to for eight magical years. Now that I'm back digging up floorboards and lost journals, I can't stop thinking about the two people who grew up here.

You see, that girl was my best friend, and this house was once hers. She also had a big brother who was my everything before circumstances turned us into nothing more than memories.

That's why I applied for a job at his auto shop—unprepared to discover that my new boss, Cal Bishop, is now gruff, built, and covered in tattoos.

I'm the sun to his overcast sky. The smile to his surly solitude. A reminder of everything he longs to forget. But my heart has a secret, and we're running out of time to fix our torn pages.

Maybe... the same girl who used to be the glue still holds the key to putting our pieces back together. (See? I told you she was important.)

Toodles,

Lucy

©2023 Jennifer Hartmann (P)2023 Podium Audio

So, so good!

This an amazing story with a great cliffhanger ending!! The next book is a MUST read (listen). I can’t wait to find out how the relationship between the two main characters pan out. I just hope I’m not the one heartbroken.

JH does it again!!

In true Jennifer Hartmann fashion, she nails it once again. The ending of this story had me on the edge of my seat and immediately diving into the next book….I’m glad I didn’t have to wait because that was a brutal cliffy. The history between these two characters is still unfolding but what has been revealed already has me scrambling for the answers! This story is beautiful so far and I’m rooting for an HEA after all this built up and angst!

Love the storyline.

I love the story. Well written. I love it enough to pay for book 2. The female voice is good, but I’m not a huge fan of the guy’s voice for this character. Based on the description and the female’s interpretation his voice should definitely be deeper for this role.

Cliffhanger

If you listen to this one, you’ll want to listen to the next one. I liked this one pretty well. The second one not so much. Kinda don’t recommend because of my dislike for the second book. And I do typically really like Jennifer Hartman’s books.

Beautiful written Series

I laughed and cried so hard. This was truly a well written Series. Don't have more to say, but Amazon or Audible or whoever set this thing up requires me to put more words here...REALLY!

Slow development

I had to keep pushing through this book for book club. It was so nagging to me what the mysterious reason was that they couldn’t be together and then BAM end of part one!

I wasn’t a fan of the person reading the book as her voice for Cal wasn’t what I was envisioning,part 2 sample reading was better.

A Captivating and Heartbreaking Start to the Duet

An Optimist’s Guide to Heartbreak completely captivated me from start to finish. The story is beautifully raw, filled with emotion, and truly lives up to its name—it’s a heartbreaking journey that lingers with you long after the final chapter.

I love a good slow burn, and this book delivered it flawlessly. The way the story shifts between different POVs and weaves the past with the present made it even more powerful. Every layer added depth, making me fall harder for the characters and their journey.

I also loved the narrators on Audible. Their performances pulled me in even deeper, perfectly capturing the pain, longing, and fragile hope of these characters. It’s rare that narration enhances an already powerful story so much, but this one absolutely did.

Jennifer Hartmann has such a gift for weaving grief and healing into romance in a way that feels authentic and unforgettable. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to continue the duet with Book 2.

perfection in my humble opinion ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

you ever get through a book and wish you could experience it for the first time all over again? That's what I feel this moment. Grumpy Sunshine at its finest... childhood friends who lose touch after a pivotal event that rocks their lives and pulls them apart... after searching for years she finds him again and there is our beginning.

This story holds your heart from beginning to end. so much angst, so much laughter, so much heartbreak. it ends on a cliffhanger but gives you a sneak peek at the first chapter book 2. The writing and narration are brilliant.

Books that gives you the same feels...
reminiscent of "a thousand boy kisses" by Tilly Cole or "Brightside" by Kim holden.. both great books you need to read if you loved this one. ❤

Heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and loss.

I read/ listen to audiobook frequently (128 audiobooks in 2023) and I have a feeling this duology will be in my top 10. Jennifer Hartman delivers another story you won’t forget. Your heart will break for Lucy and Cal but the hints at what could be for them will keep you going. The story thus far (book 1/2) is a solid 5 stars. Overall I enjoyed the narration done by Gabriel Spires & Charlotte Claremont. My only critique is that I wish there was more change up between the narrators when the MC were speaking. As it is when we are in Lucy’s POV Charlotte is narrating both for Lucy and Cal. Although Charlottes male voice is not terrible I wish we could hear Gabriel speak for Cal regardless of who’s POV we are in and vice versa for Cals POV. Overall this was an incredible story and great audiobook. I have already preordered the next book ‘A Pessimist’s guide to love”.

4.75⭐️

Humorous, Angsty, Emotional. Jennifer Hartmann definitely succeeded in making me feel all the feels. I loved this duet!