Garvis Graves, Tracy. The Trail of Lost Hearts. Narrated by Eric Meyers; Kate Handford. MacMillan Audio, 2024. ISBN 9781250333056. $19.99 8 hours, 30 minutes.
****
After discovering that her now-deceased fiancé has a wife and family, Wren Waters needs a reset. She takes a mini-vacation in the Pacific Northwest, planning to geocaching a number of sites. On her first day out, she’s accosted by two men who have assault on their minds, and is rescued by another geocacher, Marshall. They agree to form an alliance to help Wren feel safe, and her solo trip turns into one for two. Marshall describes her journey like Eat, Pray, Love with dirt, GPS and skinned knees. Wren allows herself to be vulnerable, and quickly falls for Marshall, who seems to be carrying a load of his own. When she asks him to share, he can’t; and it’s the end of the brief affair. Eventually, they reconnect, and the narrative switches to email, text, and phone calls. In the audio format, this was an abrupt shift that detracted a bit from the story, as until now it was in Wrens sole point of view.
The character development and growth is marvelous. Graves is masterful at drawing the reader in, setting a scene, and writes beautifully, whether describing National Parks or simple meals or deep conversations. You’ll cheer Wren and Marshall on, and your heart will ache as they navigate their baggage.
Spoiler Alert: After accusing Marshall of withholding information and splitting up to go back to her real life in Dayton OH, (highlight to continue reading)Wren learns she is pregnant by her deceased fiancé. When she finally comes clean to Marshall and he invites her back for a visit with her daughter, his grand gesture is a place for Birdie to sleep in his office. “You can tell a single mother that a relationship is real over and over and that you’re all in or you can show her by buying a crib and assembling it, and what used to be your office.”It reminds me of the time my now-husband, then-boyfriend, installed a towel bar next to the sink in my galley kitchen, taking care of needs I hadn’t even expressed. Grave’s writing is filled with such truths.
I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #TheTrailOfLostHearts via #NetGalley, courtesy of MacMillan.