From the #1 bestselling author of the beloved Calendar Girl books comes the first in a witty, wise and emotionally compelling new series, where coming home is just the beginning… birthday, Suda Kaye opens another of the letters her mother penned before she passed, heeding the advice inside as she fills her life with experiences. From Italy to Australia, from Rio to Russia, she’s slaked her wanderlust. And then, on her twenty-eighth birthday, she opens the letter that sends her home.
Returning to Colorado means confronting everything—and everyone—she left behind, including her cherished sister, Evie, and her first love, Camden Bryant. Suda Kaye and Cam spent four years and one unforgettable night together. Given the way she ran out on him, it’s no surprise that he’s wary, resentful…and engaged to someone else. Evie, hardworking and überresponsible, just wants her sister to put down roots at last.
For Evie’s sake, and her own, Suda Kaye is trying to build a new life, all the while wondering whether it’s too late to come back home—or if the most important part of her never really left.
Don’t miss To Catch a Dream, the next book in Audrey Carlan’s The Wish series that will brings readers a poignant and honest look at life’s most complicated relationships.
more
Wow! What to say about this heartwarming read from Audrey Carlan.
From the very first page of this book to the very last, my heart just felt this story. And I truly mean from page 1… Sisterhood and love were woven into everything from the dedication through to the acknowledgments. It was just beautiful.
What the Heart Wants is a delightful tale of coming full circle. Flying free as a teen… gaining a treasure trove of worldly experiences. Spending a decade separated from those that mean the most to her. And then coming home and realizing that you can fly free and have roots at the same time.
What the Heart Wants is an emotional, passionate, second chance romance full of wit and wonder. This is a summer must-read! The perfect book to kick back with outside and lose yourself in the beauty of the words.
What the Heart Wants has everything you could ever want or need; it’s 352 pages of racy romantic women’s fiction at its finest! Luckily for us readers, Suda Kaye’s love life isn’t the only relationship nourished from the roots up as Audrey Carlan does a fantastic job of bringing raw beauty to the love of sisterhood! Her writing style draws me in every time, there’s just something about it – the familiarity, the love of feeling connected, the humor, and the unashamed intimacy. What the Heart Wants is genuinely unforgettable.
Our story begins in the aftermath of Suda Kaye’s mother’s death as she embarks on what ends up becoming a decade long adventure around the world, experiencing more than most could ever hope for in a lifetime. On every birthday, Suda and her sister Evie open a new pre-written letter from their mother, designated for specific times and milestones in their lives. As she reads her latest letter on her 28th birthday, she knows that it’s time to return home. After coming back to her sister, Evie, in Colorado, Suda Kaye decides it’s time to dig in settle down. Although her sister isn’t the only person, she runs back into… queue, her first love, Cam.
Four days. That’s all it took for me to devour every.single.page! It would have been much sooner, but, you know – the life of a mom and wife came calling… and sleep. Yet, when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. The heartwarming stories of Suda Kaye, Evie, Cam, the loveable Bryants, elder Tahsuda, and Milo were a joy to read. Although fictional, there was something bittersweet about the realistic feeling within What the Heart Wants. Just make sure you read the author’s note at the end as there’s much insight on the inspiration and sheer amount research put into this novel.
Quick question before I go, have you heard the song “No Place” by the Backstreet Boys? Parts of this song remind me of What the Heart Wants in many ways; Suda Kaye has traveled the world, but there just ain’t no place like home! I am very much looking forward to reading Evie’s story in the upcoming sequel To Catch a Dream. The preview at the end just makes me all the more interested in the ‘Ross’ sisters!
I would recommend this book to everyone because literally, everyone should experience What the Heart Wants. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers at Harlequin Books, the author Audrey Carlan and her amazing PA Jeananna Goodall for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this title in exchange for my honest review. #mistyscornerreviews
Audrey Carlan proves once again why she is a #1 NYT best selling author with What The Heart Wants. This story gives me all the feels because it’s empowering and magnificent! It reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with Audrey’s storytelling in the first place. It’s an emotional, unique journey of love, light, heartache, passion and joy! Suda Kaye is a free spirit who loves to experience all walks of life. I could not get enough of her and Cam. They are a sexy, irresistible couple that have been through so much. Then add in the amazing but complicated relationship these sisters have and you won’t put this book down. The love and devotion between these two makes me wish I had a sister of my own. They are so different, but have an inseparable and unbreakable bond. You need to read this book for the letters, the barn, the wishes and their grandfather alone. Audrey shows us exactly why second chances can and do mean the world in this masterpiece. What The Heart Wants will captivate your heart and mind resonating with you forever.
Tracey, Life Reads With Friends
This story makes you think: the road taken vs the one not taken, old loves and new chances, coming home again. It’s about family and love and connections. Connections within relationships that do not need to be tended everyday to be there when you reach for them again.
I want to read this book over and over again and discover nuances I missed in previous read throughs. All the stars!!
A wonderful story about building a dream and loving your life, home, family, and more.
Audrey Carlan has created a gem of a story about sisterhood, love, second chances, and the kind of wanderlust that won’t be silenced, reminding us that sometimes the most important journey is the one we take home.
What a wonderful second change book. Be prepared from some emotional reading with some sound characters that will draw you in.
Suda Kaye finds herself headed home for the first time in ten years. After reading a letter from her deceased mother at 18, she fled to explore the world. Once again her mom is giving her direction. But more than that she thinks she is ready, home feels like the right place to be right now. She just needs to convince her sister, who is a little skeptical. Sure she wants life to go back to normal but can she trust Suda Kaye will stay. What other demons will she encounter on the way.
Camden has tried to move on with his life since she left him ten years ago, but there are just too many unanswered questions. Deep feelings that keep clouding others. When surprised by her return, his anger takes hold and he tries hard to just stay away. But they have always had a draw to one another. Will he let her back in, or push her away out of fear?
Can Suka Kaye convince her family and friends she is here to stay. Will the roots be enough to keep her in Colorado?
***Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
What an incredible novel. I received a signed copy from Audrey, and within 48 hours, I’d read the entire book, cover to cover. I couldn’t put it down!
As always she pulled me in with her gift of storytelling. What The Heart Wants grabbed me by my heartstrings and refused to let me go until I was ready to ‘Fly Free’ myself! I can’t wait for book 2!!! Chocolate, wine, and tissues are strongly recommended while you read this one!
PS: This one is just as much of a wicked hot love story as the rest of her books, and as a bonus, your moms book club will love it too!!!
Revived an ARC in exchange for an honest review
So.. to start I’m a HUGE Audrey Carlan fan and jumped at the chance to read her new book.. FYI she didn’t disappoint, she never does.
Firstly.. characters..
Suda Kaye; a free spirited woman trying to follow her mums last wish for her.
I love this character and I feel for this character, the decision she took to travel the world at the expense of her one true love was truly inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time.
Camden a heartbroken business investor still not over the fact his one true love left him after one of the most important nights of their life.
I definitely felt for this character, losing Suda Kaye and not knowing why definitely damaged him. I love that he didn’t let it affect him too badly, that he tried to have a good life.
These characters are amazing, all the struggles they were met with and overcame was again truly inspiring.
Secondly.. storyline
I absolutely LOVED this story and the message I got from it…
How no matter what happens true love weather it’s romantic or family oriented will always be with you wherever you go and wherever you end up. That no matter what you do there will always be people to love you no matter what.
Lastly.. Thank you..
Thank you Audrey for this absolutely amazing story, I’ve love every book of yours that I’ve read and this one is no different, it’s definitely something I see myself re-reading more than once.
Your words and imagination is truly a wonderful thing and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
THANK YOU!!!!
What the Heart Wants is such a heartwarming read. I loved every moment, every emotion I went through and just simply everything about this book. I laughed, cried and cheered many times over in this one. This is one fabulous second chance romance that will just pull you in and will not let go. Suda Kaye is lovely. She took this amazing adventure in life taking her all over the globe. You will feel that peace come over the entire book once she lands home again. I love her bond with her sister Evie. And then there is Camden. Your heart aches for what they both went through with Suda going on her adventure. But you also get this beautiful second chance that is worth fighting for. Suda and Camden have such a strong love that even time and distance did nothing but bring everything into focus. You will feel so much with Suda and Camden. What the Heart Wants is a fantastic start to the new series Wish and I cannot wait for more to come.
Suda Kaye thought she knew her journey. But seeing her past makes her wonder. Cam always held a candle for the one that got away. Now she is back and so many emotions surfaced. Cam and Suda Kaye’e journey is one of life.
See more of my review here on YouTube https://youtu.be/55BzoacumQs
If you are looking for a beautifully written love story look no further than What the Heart Wants, you won’t be disappointed this book has all the feels you want and expect in a emotional, heartfelt love story. This is Suda Kaye Ross’s story it’s about the woman who is a free spirit and the people she leaves behind when she takes off on her travels….
Suda has been traveling for 10 years and she has avoided going home and facing her sister Evie and Cam the man who stole a piece of her heart. Every year on her birthday wherever she is in the world she opens a letter from her mother, all of which were written prior to her mother’s death but the last letter has her heading for home, but what will be waiting for her 10 years down the line…….
This book ticked all my boxes, it has the perfect mix of love, passion and angst, it’s a story about discovery, forgiveness, family and making amends. It’s about learning to love yourself as well as others and I highly recommend What the Heart Wants to all romance lovers. Wonderful, emotional, captivating read that I fell in love with.
This book, is one of those I stretch out as far as possible. I want to be in the story in my mind, and would like it bo be that way for some time! But.. It was too good to let it be stretch out longer!
This is one of the best books Audrey Carlan have written! I really love it!
This book gives you what you want and more! I will recomand that you start reading this at once! You won’t regret it!
Can’t wait for the next one!
But until then, enjoy this wunderful peace of fab!
Well my dear friend Audrey you have done it again give us another AMAZING book to read full of love, laughter, tears, and happily ever after. Suda and Evie are wonderful sister that have an awesome sisterly bond. Suda and Cam. Have a bond that no test of time could break. Definitely a must read.
A moving story of self discovery and finding your way back to who and what matter the most. A story full of strong family ties, love, and forgiveness…sister solidarity!
I think there’s a bit of Suda Kaye in all of us…the want to experience the beauty that life has to offer, the different things that we can enjoy. But, where most of us just want from afar, Suda Kaye went after and held it in her hands! But, flying free and being a wanderer cannot be fulfilling forever, eventually you will want to settle and experience the other part of life, the part that most of us only ever experience…the part where you put down roots and live and love for someone other than yourself. This is where we find Suda Kaye.
Binding her wings and tethering her to the earth is not something Cam ever wanted for Suda Kaye, he only ever wanted for her heart and happiness…Ten years later and they may finally get their chance. The tension between the two is absolutely palpable, something that’s hard to breathe around, very combustible. Watching them find one another again was hard because you root for the both of them so very much. Their passion simply ignites the pages.
Seeing Suda Kaye grow into herself…accept the life that was always hers for the taking and seeing her teach the people she loves that she’s more than just water through their fingertips was…chill inducing. And to know that they want to help her light shine and not snuff it out was heartwarming.
Really satisfying read. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Audrey Carlan is a Harlequin author!!!! What the Heart Wants is handsdown the BEST Harlequin novel I have ever read!! I started this book at 5pm and finished it at 1am it was that good! I couldn’t put it down for a second!! Suda Kaye’s story had me feeling all the feels!! I laughed I cried and I wanted to beat characters through my tablet lol
What the Heart Wants is the story of Suda Kaye and her journey to find her place in life after her mother passes away when she is eighteen. She leaves behind her older sister/best friend Evie, her grandfather and the love of her life Camden to go life as a traveler like her mom did.
After 10 long years being away from everyone she loves Suda Kaye is back in Colorado and ready to settle down and see what life has to offer her at home. She decides after months of thought that with Evie’s help she is going to open a boutique. What she doesn’t prepare for with this amazing idea is who it will lead her to when she seeks help starting her boutique.
Throughout the entire book you see the amazing bond that Suda Kaye and her sister Evie share. They are so close they were born on the same day 2 years apart!! Suda Kaye is dark where Evie is light and they both have the best features of their mother and her native American side.
The sudden appearance of her long lost love Camden brings back feelings Suda Kaye had been trying to block out for ten years, but fails to do so. Can things truly be the same after extreme heartbreak and ten years? Suda Kaye wished upon a star when she was little and she lived that dream…..now it’s time to find her forever!!!
If you have not one-clicked this book yet then get on it!! Once you’ve read it make sure to go find all those you hold near and dear to your heart and tell them you love them and never stop!!!
Beautiful story about finding your true self.
As with all books by this phenomenal author, we get captivating story, well developed characters with depth of emotion and fantastic writing.
A definite must read!
Saddened by the lost of their mom. Total opposites or are they. Suda after reading a special letter. Decides she must travel the world to find her happiness. While Evie is content on staying where she is. This was heart felt emotional read. Showing how with time and growing up. Your destiny is there if you follow your heart.
It’s an amazing read..
5 stars plus
What the Heart Wants absolutely blew me away. It was the most heartfelt, beautiful story that will hold a place in my heart for a long time.
I am just beyond speechless at how inspirational and truly wonderful book this is.
The characters, the words penned and the family in it, have touched my heart and soul tremendously.
Wanderlust- At times myself have felt this and there would be no stopping me. I loved how Suda Kaye embraces her life and her destiny and how close she is with those around her.
As I sit here writing this, Im rather overcome as I feel that what Suda Kaye Ross felt could be in all of us at some point in time.
This book was unputdownable and an absolute highlight of my day to read.
It was the most amazing escape from reality that causes you to ponder….on your own life.
Truly the most amazing book you will ever pick up. So worth it! The author has outdone herself and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.