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

4.75⭐️

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

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.

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.

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!

Loved the Story-Didn’t Love the Female Narrator

I read this book last year and absolutely loved the story. I think Jennifer Hartmann writes beautiful, emotional stories. With that being said, I had a very hard time with the female narrator. In my opinion, she pronounced her vowels oddly. I also could not find the right speed to listen to it. Every time she said a word with an “O” in it, I would cringe. I also don’t think she used the same voice for Lucy consistently. It really took me out of the story. It’s definitely a book I would read again, but not one I would listen to again.

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”.

This is good!

🚨Spoilers🚨

This book has you wondering the entire book is what happened to Emma and what is Lily medical condition.. it leaves you on a major cliff hanger. Cal is soooo in love with her but trying his absolute best to keep her at arms length to save himself again. I love how innocent Lily is and she is just so odd about things she should know by now. I literally cannot wait to get to the next book so this review is short.


Off to the next 📖 book in the series ‼️‼️‼️

Disappointed

This book way too long to get to a point. I can't suffer through to book 2. There was so much potential in the story but it was way too drawn out.

Some funny parts

Lucy is funny, chaotic, and likable for the first half of the book. The mixed signals thrown at Cal, her constant reflecting of her two friends is overdone.
The female narrator is horrible. Her pronunciation of some words is grating on the nerves. It’s almost like she’s attempting to pattern her speech after another talented narrator, and at times attempts a UK pronunciation of words with an American accent and fails.
She made this book/audiobook worse than the story alone.