Genre Fiction
![Eva Carter - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_eva_carter.jpg)
Owner of a Lonely Heart: A Novel
From the author of How to Save a Life comes a heartfelt story of two people finding the courage to choose love, no matter how hard it may be.
Gemma thought she had her future all mapped out. She had a wonderful husband, a cute apartment, and plans to start a family. But just months after their wedding, illness took her husband from her. And now she finds herself trying to think up new dreams, when all she really wants are her old ones back.
Across town, Dan's also rethinking his life. He's about to meet his twelve-year-old daughter, Casey, for the very first time. She's tracked him down because she needs a place to stay for the summer while she receives treatment for a brain tumor at the city hospital, and Dan is terrified he won't be up to the task of taking care of her; after all, he's structured his entire life so that no one has to rely on him.
But when fate (with the help of Gemma's scruffy terrier, Bear) brings these three strangers together one scorching July morning, there's an instant connection among them. And it soon becomes clear that this summer could change everything-if only they'll let it.
Will Gemma, Dan, and Casey be brave enough to let love in and build a new life together? Or will they let fear keep everything they've ever wanted just out of reach?
Gemma thought she had her future all mapped out. She had a wonderful husband, a cute apartment, and plans to start a family. But just months after their wedding, illness took her husband from her. And now she finds herself trying to think up new dreams, when all she really wants are her old ones back.
Across town, Dan's also rethinking his life. He's about to meet his twelve-year-old daughter, Casey, for the very first time. She's tracked him down because she needs a place to stay for the summer while she receives treatment for a brain tumor at the city hospital, and Dan is terrified he won't be up to the task of taking care of her; after all, he's structured his entire life so that no one has to rely on him.
But when fate (with the help of Gemma's scruffy terrier, Bear) brings these three strangers together one scorching July morning, there's an instant connection among them. And it soon becomes clear that this summer could change everything-if only they'll let it.
Will Gemma, Dan, and Casey be brave enough to let love in and build a new life together? Or will they let fear keep everything they've ever wanted just out of reach?
Editorial Reviews
"Heartwarming, immersive, and hopeful . . . a beautiful read."-Julie Cohen, author of Dear Thing
"A truly moving, uplifting story about love, connection, and finding the courage to start over."-Rowan Coleman, author of The Day We Met
"A gorgeous novel about messy, scary, wonderful love in all its forms."-Katy Regan, author of Little Big Love
"A truly moving, uplifting story about love, connection, and finding the courage to start over."-Rowan Coleman, author of The Day We Met
"A gorgeous novel about messy, scary, wonderful love in all its forms."-Katy Regan, author of Little Big Love
Readers Top Reviews
ORShopperLaurie
Despite other positive reviews on this novel and an interesting premise, I was disappointed. I never engaged with the characters of Emma and Dan and the alternating chapters from their respective points of view felt disjointed. It had all the earmarks of a touching story – a young girl diagnosed with a brain tumor, a reunion with an absentee-father, a young widow struggling to move on, and an adorable dog named Bear – but it never clicked for me. My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter 1
Gemma
Sunday, July 1
"My Little Gem waited a long time for the perfect person. But then, suddenly, there he was."
And here he is. Andrew Boxer. The love of my life.
Our guests whoop in response to my father's words, and a blush spreads up my new husband's neck, above his stiff collar, and along his square jaw. I reach for his hand.
Dad hasn't quite finished. "Before we accepted him into the family, this young man faced quite an inquisition. I call it ‘being hauled over the Coles' and it's extremely rigorous. After all, her sister has interrogated Somerset's most hardened criminals, but Andrew charmed her instantly."
Laura nods to confirm it.
"And after decades as a medical receptionist, my wife can sniff out a fake or malingerer at fifty paces, but the worst thing she uncovered about this man was his passion for jigsaw puzzles.
"I liked him on sight. Which was a relief, because daughters are precious, especially when you delivered them yourself, on the kitchen floor. Look at the bride and groom. Aren't they wonderful together?"
Yes. We really are.
"It's time to toast the happy couple. To Andrew and Gemma!"
"Andrew and Gemma!"
The ring of crystal echoes around the function room, and Dad's dewy smile makes my own eyes smart. I brush away the hint of a tear before the wedding videographer zooms in too close.
Andrew stands up. The anticipation makes me catch my breath.
"Love is the biggest puzzle in the world. You'd all expect me to say that. But it's true. You can't see it. You can't hear it. You definitely can't buy it. Yet finding it is the key to happiness."
The glow spreads through me. The speech has taken him weeks to perfect and it is Andrew to a T.
"So what kind of puzzle is it? Maybe it's a treasure hunt. The fun is in the seeking. Making mistakes-and, as many of you know, I've had plenty of practice in that department. Following false trails. Reading the map upside down. Gemma is a specialist at that."
Everyone laughs. My terrible sense of direction is a family legend.
"Or perhaps love is a crossword, with cryptic clues that make your head hurt. There are millions of words that might fill in the blanks, and there are millions-billions-of people out there who could be The One.
"Finding love could also be a numbers game, like Sudoku. When you meet the right person, everything suddenly adds up."
He turns and his surf-blue eyes lock onto mine. He's perfect. I know I'm biased, but I'm also right.
"For me, though, love is actually a giant jigsaw, but with no picture on the box. You make the frame first, learning about yourself. Sometimes it feels like you'll never be able to see what that image is-what it means.
"And then it happens. That person comes into your life. That missing piece. I knew the moment I saw Gemma that she was The One. Compared to some people, we took a long time to find true love. But the trickier the puzzle, the more incredible it feels when you complete it."
Love surrounds us, warm and buoyant, like the thermals that lift a hot-air balloon into the sky. I can almost smell the tea-rose arrangement on the table, almost taste the biscuity bubbles of the champagne, almost feel his hand around mine, and the unfamiliarity of my wedding ring.
But not quite.
Andrew's face fills the frame.
My handsome, living, breathing husband.
I press pause. How many times have I watched this? Two hundred? No. More. And this is where I always freeze the recording. Andrew is the picture of health: his frame still broad, not fat. His face tanned. His lips soft. His dark hair thick and glossy.
Everything about him seems vital. It will be seven months before his body starts offering him clues. Another three months before the most dedicated puzzler I've ever met joins the dots and "bothers" the doctor.
I press play again, but with the sound muted. Jed's best man's speech goes on a bit, so the video editor has cut it short, panning the room, showing polite smiles as people get restless. My bridesmaids try out Princess Elsa poses before my sister gives them a fierce stare and they freeze. Even in her turquoise taffeta maternity dress, Laura looks as if she might have handcuffs stashed under her skirt.
I didn't want a video, but I'm grateful for it now. When Andrew proposed, we imagined an intimate ceremony in a wooded glade, barefoot, wild flowers in our hair, with a handful of guests sitting on hay bales. He would have written poetic vows to make everyone sob, and I could have worn something folksy and smocked.
Instead we ended up with the works: silver service, tuxes and tiaras, plus the incre...
Gemma
Sunday, July 1
"My Little Gem waited a long time for the perfect person. But then, suddenly, there he was."
And here he is. Andrew Boxer. The love of my life.
Our guests whoop in response to my father's words, and a blush spreads up my new husband's neck, above his stiff collar, and along his square jaw. I reach for his hand.
Dad hasn't quite finished. "Before we accepted him into the family, this young man faced quite an inquisition. I call it ‘being hauled over the Coles' and it's extremely rigorous. After all, her sister has interrogated Somerset's most hardened criminals, but Andrew charmed her instantly."
Laura nods to confirm it.
"And after decades as a medical receptionist, my wife can sniff out a fake or malingerer at fifty paces, but the worst thing she uncovered about this man was his passion for jigsaw puzzles.
"I liked him on sight. Which was a relief, because daughters are precious, especially when you delivered them yourself, on the kitchen floor. Look at the bride and groom. Aren't they wonderful together?"
Yes. We really are.
"It's time to toast the happy couple. To Andrew and Gemma!"
"Andrew and Gemma!"
The ring of crystal echoes around the function room, and Dad's dewy smile makes my own eyes smart. I brush away the hint of a tear before the wedding videographer zooms in too close.
Andrew stands up. The anticipation makes me catch my breath.
"Love is the biggest puzzle in the world. You'd all expect me to say that. But it's true. You can't see it. You can't hear it. You definitely can't buy it. Yet finding it is the key to happiness."
The glow spreads through me. The speech has taken him weeks to perfect and it is Andrew to a T.
"So what kind of puzzle is it? Maybe it's a treasure hunt. The fun is in the seeking. Making mistakes-and, as many of you know, I've had plenty of practice in that department. Following false trails. Reading the map upside down. Gemma is a specialist at that."
Everyone laughs. My terrible sense of direction is a family legend.
"Or perhaps love is a crossword, with cryptic clues that make your head hurt. There are millions of words that might fill in the blanks, and there are millions-billions-of people out there who could be The One.
"Finding love could also be a numbers game, like Sudoku. When you meet the right person, everything suddenly adds up."
He turns and his surf-blue eyes lock onto mine. He's perfect. I know I'm biased, but I'm also right.
"For me, though, love is actually a giant jigsaw, but with no picture on the box. You make the frame first, learning about yourself. Sometimes it feels like you'll never be able to see what that image is-what it means.
"And then it happens. That person comes into your life. That missing piece. I knew the moment I saw Gemma that she was The One. Compared to some people, we took a long time to find true love. But the trickier the puzzle, the more incredible it feels when you complete it."
Love surrounds us, warm and buoyant, like the thermals that lift a hot-air balloon into the sky. I can almost smell the tea-rose arrangement on the table, almost taste the biscuity bubbles of the champagne, almost feel his hand around mine, and the unfamiliarity of my wedding ring.
But not quite.
Andrew's face fills the frame.
My handsome, living, breathing husband.
I press pause. How many times have I watched this? Two hundred? No. More. And this is where I always freeze the recording. Andrew is the picture of health: his frame still broad, not fat. His face tanned. His lips soft. His dark hair thick and glossy.
Everything about him seems vital. It will be seven months before his body starts offering him clues. Another three months before the most dedicated puzzler I've ever met joins the dots and "bothers" the doctor.
I press play again, but with the sound muted. Jed's best man's speech goes on a bit, so the video editor has cut it short, panning the room, showing polite smiles as people get restless. My bridesmaids try out Princess Elsa poses before my sister gives them a fierce stare and they freeze. Even in her turquoise taffeta maternity dress, Laura looks as if she might have handcuffs stashed under her skirt.
I didn't want a video, but I'm grateful for it now. When Andrew proposed, we imagined an intimate ceremony in a wooded glade, barefoot, wild flowers in our hair, with a handful of guests sitting on hay bales. He would have written poetic vows to make everyone sob, and I could have worn something folksy and smocked.
Instead we ended up with the works: silver service, tuxes and tiaras, plus the incre...
