The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel
4.4 | 4,293 ratings
Price: 18.11
Last update: 02-05-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- PadmeCharming and heartwarming, in a sophisticated wayIts a great story, sympathetic portrayals of characters and a kooky, but believable plot. If you get the audible, the narration is brilliant. One I will listen to again.
- Pamela ShrewsburyChaotic road trip to healing and redemption????✨ Book Review ✨????
The Road to Tender Hearts
by Annie Hartnett
Genre: Literary Fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story follows PJ Halliday, a flawed but endearing lottery winner who embarks on a cross-country journey to reconnect with his high school sweetheart. Alongside him are his adult daughter, Sophie; two orphaned grandchildren of his estranged brother, Luna and Ollie; and Pancakes, a mysterious cat with the uncanny ability to predict death.
What follows is a chaotic, tender, and darkly funny road trip across America. Each stop on their journey — from Niagara Falls to a quirky alpaca ranch — adds layers of humor, heartbreak, and hope. The journey forces this broken family to face grief, guilt, and the messy miracle of second chances.
If you’re looking for a story that perfectly blends dark comedy with genuine, raw heartache, this is it. Hartnett masterfully balances the absurdity of this wild cast of characters with serious themes of grief, redemption, and what it means to truly care for someone. PJ is a wonderfully frustrating “man-child” whose clumsy attempts at redemption will absolutely win you over.
The Road to Tender Hearts is a tender, funny, and unforgettable reminder that even in tragedy, joy and connection might be just around the corner. It’s quirky, big-hearted, and full of truth — like Little Miss Sunshine with a twist of grief and grace. You’ll laugh, cringe, and probably tear up more than once.
If you enjoy clever writing that’s quirky, heartfelt, and touched with a bit of magical realism, I highly recommend giving this one a read.
⚠️ Content warnings: alcoholism, death (by drowning and poisoning), and suicide. - What She Reads 727Love, Heartbreak and familyAnnie Hartnett's latest novel is full of quirky and interesting characters. PJ Halliday, at age sixty-three, has been lucky enough to be a million-dollar lottery winner. But he has also seen some tragedies: the tragic death of his oldest daughter and his marriage.
Now, when his brother's grandchildren are dropped off with him after the tragic (and somewhat bizarre) deaths of their parents, PJ sees that he has a second chance at being the parent he always wanted to be.
He knows he's living on borrowed time: he's already had a few heart attacks, and the fact that he's an alcoholic isn't making things any better.
So, PJ, the two children, and his youngest daughter set off on a road trip. They're off to find PJ's high school crush, who is newly widowed, in Arizona.
The characters are unique, the story has humor, and yet there is more to this book than just a fun way to pass time. I found myself laughing at various parts, and still felt sad for PJ, a great guy with a lot of problems. As soon as I finished this one, I wanted to talk to someone about it and had to hold myself back from sharing bits and pieces that I am hoping my friends will discover during their reading of this one.
Annie Hartnett's storytelling is unique and full of adventure, humor, and wit. They are some of the best books I have read. Don’t miss this one, it’s a 5-star book. - Debra R.Love this novelIn The Road to Tender Hearts, sixty-three year old divorced alcoholic lottery winner PJ Halliday takes his newly thrown together family - struggling adult daughter, genius cat, and estranged brother’s grandchildren - on a road trip from Massachusetts to Arizona so he can renew his relationship with a high school crush. What could go wrong??
This is the first novel in a while that’s held my attention in these hard-to-focus-times. It’s eccentric, funny, poignant, and warm-hearted.
I did spend the entire book worrying about the cat but the cat ends up fine. You’re welcome. - Kindle CustomerWhat an interesting bunch of characters!A recovering alcoholic who has let down most of his family agrees to take on his estranged brother's grandchildren. He's a often self-deluded man who won $1.5 million with a scratch off lottery ticket, but realizes as this story begins that he has spent most of it (a lot on charities). Nonetheless he agrees to take the two "Irish twins" who have already had a tough life. The girl is sure she is the product of an affair her mother had with a high school classmate who is now a soap opera star. Uncle P.J. agrees to take her to meet him at a "meet and greet" in Texas to see if he will agree to a paternity test. Meanwhile P.J. wants to go see an old high school classmate in New Mexico who has recently been widowed . P.J.'s somewhat estranged adult daughter agrees to go along, and a crazy road trip is launched. It's a fun story but with some dark aspects.
- Amazon CustomerNot upliftingI thought it was sad with not enough character redemption.
- HowietamA funny but tender story!I absolutely loved this story! I’ve added this book to my “most loved” shelf. The characters are relatable and I love Annie Hartnett’s humor! Well paced and well written.
- MPNice.This book was sweet and weird and what the heck was up with that cat? Such an interesting and enjoyable group of characters with whom to spend time. Also, I loved Luna and Ollie very much, and I am grateful Luna is not mine to care for.