In a Heartbeat is a terrific new adult romance from Ali Novak. It’s #4 in the Heartbreak Chronicles series and wraps up the romances of the Heartbreakers’ band members.

Cara is one of the siblings of Stella, who is dating the band’s lead singer (her story is in the first book – The Heartbreakers). Cara has survived childhood cancer and while her treatment is finished, she’s adrift, not knowing what her life will look like now – or how long it will last. Her family have given her leeway to lie on the couch and watch tv, but they are worried for her.  When Cara finds a bucket list she created when her cancer treatment started, she decides to give everything a go.

JJ Morris is the drummer in the Heartbreakers and he’s around a lot in a flirty, easy going way – and he jumps in to help Cara with her bucket list. They have some delightful adventures – ridiculous selfies, crashing a wedding, skinny dipping, patting alligators and all the while, Cara is finding herself.  It’s a slow burn, with the band away on tour a lot and JJ coming and going from Cara’s life. While the romance is delightful, this book really belongs to Cara. She’s missed out on so many late teen experiences and her best friendships are from the hospital. We see the toll of cancer treatment, not just on her, but on her family. The triplets are homeschooled during her treatment, so they miss out on a lot socially, and Cara isn’t able to go to college after high school.  Their mother gives up her job, and ultimately her career, because of Cara’s health challenges. These complexities are so thoughtfully shown to the reader without being hammered home or underlined.

Both Cara and JJ are young – twentyish – and I loved how this is a happy-for-now, focused on how they support each other, and how they get on so well as they are falling in love. It’s fade to black, and suitable for teen readers who are happy with some angst. I thoroughly recommend this new adult/young adult romance!

Laura Black is a romance editor, reader and reviewer based in Queensland, Australia. You can visit me on Instagram @laura_black_reads

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