What do you think?
Rate this book
A Missing Heart
I’ve made mistakes. Some of those mistakes have ruined lives, including my own.
Because of this, my past is something I have kept to myself, so when I found a woman who also wanted her past to remain hidden, it felt like the universe was pushing us together.
It turns out the universe had nothing to do with that.
If a person’s past doesn’t exist, the present may not unravel the way it should.
I found out the hard way, when I learned that my wife is not who I thought she was…living with a past I should know about. Her continuous self-destructive behaviors let me know she clearly has a plan—possibly one I never should have been a part of. I keep trying to save her, but she’s making it hard.
Now, both of our pasts have simultaneously rolled into the spotlight—colliding head-on, and causing the present to come crashing down on top of us.
I learned that since our pasts are part of who we are, they will always be the foundation of our present and our future.
The question I have is, will either of us walk away in one piece?
Because of this, my past is something I have kept to myself, so when I found a woman who also wanted her past to remain hidden, it felt like the universe was pushing us together.
It turns out the universe had nothing to do with that.
If a person’s past doesn’t exist, the present may not unravel the way it should.
I found out the hard way, when I learned that my wife is not who I thought she was…living with a past I should know about. Her continuous self-destructive behaviors let me know she clearly has a plan—possibly one I never should have been a part of. I keep trying to save her, but she’s making it hard.
Now, both of our pasts have simultaneously rolled into the spotlight—colliding head-on, and causing the present to come crashing down on top of us.
I learned that since our pasts are part of who we are, they will always be the foundation of our present and our future.
The question I have is, will either of us walk away in one piece?
Published November 21, 2016
About the author
Shari J. Ryan
56 books1,890 followersUSA Today and International Bestselling Author, Shari J Ryan, is known for her captivating World War Two Historical Fiction, Women’s Romance Fiction, and gripping Psychological Thriller novels. Each series and standalone contains a wide range of dark suspense and heartbreaking emotions.
Shari has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Johnson & Wales University and started her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012 when she discovered her passion for writing books. Since then, she has been captivating readers with her compelling storytelling and has written over thirty-five novels with translated publications in twelve languages.
Shari’s talent and dedication have earned her a place on the USA Today Bestseller List, as well as rankings in Amazon’s Top 100, Barnes & Noble’s Top Ten, and iBooks at number one. She has also received two Rone awards for her outstanding work.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include: “The Stolen Twins,” The Bookseller of Dachau,” “The Doctor’s Daughter,” “The Girl with the Diary,” “Prison Child,” “The Soldier’s Letters,” and “The Lieutenant’s Girl.” These gripping novels are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Shari, a lifelong Boston girl lives in a small town in the suburbs and has a loving marriage with her adored husband. Together, they have two incredible young sons who make make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
To learn more about Shari J. Ryan and her captivating books, visit her official website at sharijryan.com
Shari has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Johnson & Wales University and started her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012 when she discovered her passion for writing books. Since then, she has been captivating readers with her compelling storytelling and has written over thirty-five novels with translated publications in twelve languages.
Shari’s talent and dedication have earned her a place on the USA Today Bestseller List, as well as rankings in Amazon’s Top 100, Barnes & Noble’s Top Ten, and iBooks at number one. She has also received two Rone awards for her outstanding work.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include: “The Stolen Twins,” The Bookseller of Dachau,” “The Doctor’s Daughter,” “The Girl with the Diary,” “Prison Child,” “The Soldier’s Letters,” and “The Lieutenant’s Girl.” These gripping novels are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Shari, a lifelong Boston girl lives in a small town in the suburbs and has a loving marriage with her adored husband. Together, they have two incredible young sons who make make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
To learn more about Shari J. Ryan and her captivating books, visit her official website at sharijryan.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 18, 2016
First and foremost, many thanks to Shari Ryan, who provided an advanced copy of A Missing Heart to this reader, in exchange for an honest review.
I previously read and loved A Heart of Time by this author, which is the story of AJ’s brother, Hunter. While A Heart of Time was heart wrenching; A Missing Heart is like a solid punch to the gut. Unknown to virtually everyone in his life, AJ has been carrying a secret pain since he was a teenager. When he says his heart is missing, he means it. He lost it as a teenager, thanks to his high school sweetheart, Cammy, and a situation that neither of them had any control over. Despite this, AJ has done his best to move on. Now married and with a small child, AJ is trying his best to hold it together. He and his current wife, Tori, never wanted children, and made it a point to avoid mention of their respective pasts. For Tori - getting pregnant was never in her plans, and AJ had to convince her to give him and their child a chance. Tori’s tragic past has come back to haunt her, and it is manifesting in more and more destructive ways. AJ finds himself fearing for his son, and rightly so.
A Missing Heart deals with, among other themes, that of mental illness. Tori was damaged by events early on in her life, and her refusal to deal with her problems has lead her to a point where she is a danger to herself and her little boy. I had a really really hard time feeling compassion for Tori. I know that sounds terrible, but it’s the truth. If you can’t buck up enough to make yourself safe for your own child, the least you could do would be to let your significant other know that you have a problem. As it stood, AJ was totally in the dark as to why she was acting the way she was.
In the midst of AJ’s turmoil with Tori, Cammy returns to AJ’s life with a huge surprise - and some hard choices for AJ to make. As teens, the two were forced apart by a situation that was much bigger than the two of them. They were strong armed into making some choices that no one that age should have to deal with alone, and the people who should have been helping them were either only concerned with appearances, or were totally left out of the loop. The secret the AJ has been holding for so long comes out, and he has to decide how he will proceed.
I have tried really hard in this review to not give away too much of the plot of this book, because it is just that good. I will say this, the first chapter, just like in A Heart of Time, is a heartbreaker. If you can come away from that chapter dry eyed, I applaud you, because I couldn’t.
Read this book. Read it’s predecessor, A Heart of Time. You may shed a tear or two, but you will not regret it.
I previously read and loved A Heart of Time by this author, which is the story of AJ’s brother, Hunter. While A Heart of Time was heart wrenching; A Missing Heart is like a solid punch to the gut. Unknown to virtually everyone in his life, AJ has been carrying a secret pain since he was a teenager. When he says his heart is missing, he means it. He lost it as a teenager, thanks to his high school sweetheart, Cammy, and a situation that neither of them had any control over. Despite this, AJ has done his best to move on. Now married and with a small child, AJ is trying his best to hold it together. He and his current wife, Tori, never wanted children, and made it a point to avoid mention of their respective pasts. For Tori - getting pregnant was never in her plans, and AJ had to convince her to give him and their child a chance. Tori’s tragic past has come back to haunt her, and it is manifesting in more and more destructive ways. AJ finds himself fearing for his son, and rightly so.
A Missing Heart deals with, among other themes, that of mental illness. Tori was damaged by events early on in her life, and her refusal to deal with her problems has lead her to a point where she is a danger to herself and her little boy. I had a really really hard time feeling compassion for Tori. I know that sounds terrible, but it’s the truth. If you can’t buck up enough to make yourself safe for your own child, the least you could do would be to let your significant other know that you have a problem. As it stood, AJ was totally in the dark as to why she was acting the way she was.
In the midst of AJ’s turmoil with Tori, Cammy returns to AJ’s life with a huge surprise - and some hard choices for AJ to make. As teens, the two were forced apart by a situation that was much bigger than the two of them. They were strong armed into making some choices that no one that age should have to deal with alone, and the people who should have been helping them were either only concerned with appearances, or were totally left out of the loop. The secret the AJ has been holding for so long comes out, and he has to decide how he will proceed.
I have tried really hard in this review to not give away too much of the plot of this book, because it is just that good. I will say this, the first chapter, just like in A Heart of Time, is a heartbreaker. If you can come away from that chapter dry eyed, I applaud you, because I couldn’t.
Read this book. Read it’s predecessor, A Heart of Time. You may shed a tear or two, but you will not regret it.
July 1, 2017
Wow...just wow. This book moved me in ways I can't even describe. What an emotional roller coaster! I laughed, I cried tears of sadness and tears of joy. This is one of the most powerful books I've ever read.
My heart broke for AJ! AJ endured more heartache than anyone ever should. I loved his character! My emotions were torn for Cammy, I knew in my heart that she was trying to do the right things in the beginning but she still broke me into a million pieces.
This is an emotionally captivating novel! My first Shari J. Ryan book, but absolutely not the last!
Definite 5 star read!
My heart broke for AJ! AJ endured more heartache than anyone ever should. I loved his character! My emotions were torn for Cammy, I knew in my heart that she was trying to do the right things in the beginning but she still broke me into a million pieces.
This is an emotionally captivating novel! My first Shari J. Ryan book, but absolutely not the last!
Definite 5 star read!
November 7, 2016
"A Missing Heart" follows the story of AJ, flipping back and forth through time. We focus on 12 years ago when he and his girlfriend Cammy (Cameron) were seventeen years old and got pregnant. They had a daughter which Cammy gave up for adoption without consulting him. We also view AJ in the present, when he is married to a woman named Tori and has a new son, Gavin. We see the demise of AJ and Cammy's relationship in the past, and AJ feels as though he is still missing his heart- Cammy has half and his daughter has the other half. Tori and AJ bonded over their disinterest in ever having children- however, their lives were changed forever when they accidentally got pregnant. Despite keeping the child, Tori is unable to bond with it and we soon learn that she is dealing with some bigger psychological issues. These are increasingly coming to light at times coinciding with his unknown daughter's birthdays and escalate when Cammy and his daughter fall back into his life.
I liked the idea of the relationship between Cammy and AJ and their reunion with their daughter, Ever. However, AJ has made some really terrible choices and they seem to continue compounding. Tori and he had decided never to talk about their pasts (healthy relationship right there), and then both are shocked when their pasts keep resurfacing. Tori has a really tragic history with PTSD and maybe depression/anxiety (not sure what all).
Despite Tori's cries for help and huge leaps she makes (although she has never spoken with anyone about what had occurred in her childhood, she opens up to AJ), he simply sees her as an unfit mother. The characters in this book all seem to just write her off as unfit instead of seeing her as a woman with an illness who needs help. If she had cancer, the story would have been written without these prejudices. For that reason, the storyline really lost me. It seems to suggest that people with mental illness don't deserve understanding and that it's okay that AJ leaves her and doesn't try to help any further, because she's an unfit parent and so he can hook up with Cammy. I think this was just the wrong way to make it happen. Tori needs to get help and instead they just write her out and don't really give her a way to come back/an option. And maybe she would never have been able to, but when her illnesses are at a crescendo is not the best time to just ship her off and forget about her.
If you get over the prejudices against mental illness, there's a sweet love story about Cammy and AJ. However, for me, I was not 100% on-board with their relationship due to the extenuating circumstances. Please note that I received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
I liked the idea of the relationship between Cammy and AJ and their reunion with their daughter, Ever. However, AJ has made some really terrible choices and they seem to continue compounding. Tori and he had decided never to talk about their pasts (healthy relationship right there), and then both are shocked when their pasts keep resurfacing. Tori has a really tragic history with PTSD and maybe depression/anxiety (not sure what all).
Despite Tori's cries for help and huge leaps she makes (although she has never spoken with anyone about what had occurred in her childhood, she opens up to AJ), he simply sees her as an unfit mother. The characters in this book all seem to just write her off as unfit instead of seeing her as a woman with an illness who needs help. If she had cancer, the story would have been written without these prejudices. For that reason, the storyline really lost me. It seems to suggest that people with mental illness don't deserve understanding and that it's okay that AJ leaves her and doesn't try to help any further, because she's an unfit parent and so he can hook up with Cammy. I think this was just the wrong way to make it happen. Tori needs to get help and instead they just write her out and don't really give her a way to come back/an option. And maybe she would never have been able to, but when her illnesses are at a crescendo is not the best time to just ship her off and forget about her.
If you get over the prejudices against mental illness, there's a sweet love story about Cammy and AJ. However, for me, I was not 100% on-board with their relationship due to the extenuating circumstances. Please note that I received an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
November 19, 2016
It feels like forever since I actually finished a book, and I've finally found the book to bring me out of a huge book funk! Shari Ryan brings all the feels once again in A Missing Heart, a standalone spinoff of A Heart of Time.
I fell in love with the Cole family in AHoT, so when I heard we were getting AJ's story, I couldn't wait to read it. Shari once again put my heart through a shredder in this book, which is told entirely in AJ's pov. This book confirmed my love for AJ, and the situations that life brought his way just broke my heart. And yet throughout it all, he remains loyal and dedicated to the ones he loves.
If you're new to this author, I highly recommend reading A Heart of Time (which is now free!) first simply because it is also a fantastic story, and you will come to love this family like I do!! Cannot wait for more from Shari Ryan in the future!
I fell in love with the Cole family in AHoT, so when I heard we were getting AJ's story, I couldn't wait to read it. Shari once again put my heart through a shredder in this book, which is told entirely in AJ's pov. This book confirmed my love for AJ, and the situations that life brought his way just broke my heart. And yet throughout it all, he remains loyal and dedicated to the ones he loves.
If you're new to this author, I highly recommend reading A Heart of Time (which is now free!) first simply because it is also a fantastic story, and you will come to love this family like I do!! Cannot wait for more from Shari Ryan in the future!
November 30, 2016
4.5 stars
Review by Jen Skewes
The first book that I read by Ms. Ryan was A Heart of Time, which I loved. But it wasn’t until I started to actually read A Missing Heart that I realized that this was AJ’s story. If you read A Heart of Time this is Hunter’s brother who I loved. So when I realized who this story was about I couldn’t have been more excited. Ms. Ryan delivered another emotional story that completely pulled at my heart strings. She did not disappoint with this one.
When AJ met Tori they both agreed to keep their pasts in the past where they belonged. They are both very broken people who do not want to share what they have been through and felt it was best to move on and not discuss it. But when they find out that Tori is pregnant things between them begin to change and after their son is born, AJ sees that maybe his wife is not the person he thought she was. And maybe hiding their pasts wasn’t the best idea, because somehow those pasts will always come back to haunt you and in ways completely destroy the present. However I do think that in AJ and Tori’s situation, their pasts coming back brought them both to a place where they were meant to be.
As a teenager AJ had a love that was like no other. It was one of those loves that no matter how young you are you know it will last forever. But circumstances beyond their control tore him and Cammy apart. It is now 13 years later, when he comes face to face with his first love and all the pain, hurt and most of all the love that goes with it. With his current marriage falling apart, a wife who he has no idea who she really is and his one true love back in his life, how will AJ handle it all? Will him and Cammy get their second chance at love?
I loved this book so much and loved the emotions that it brought out in me. For one AJ is an amazing man. He is so clearly broken but yet he is so strong. He is the type of man that will do everything to make the situation right, he will do what it take to make others happy and what is best for them. But I think in a way that caused him to lose himself a little. He wasn’t happy but trying to do what was right in a way came first for him. I admired it but at the same time just wanted this man to find true happiness. He has been through so much that he deserved to find true love and be happy again. For me the only person who really brought out the best in him and the one person that he was truly himself with was Cammy.
AJ went through so many emotions and one in particular was guilt. And what I loved about this story is that I felt the emotions with him. I wanted nothing more than for him to find happiness with Cammy again. I saw how much these two loved each other and even after 13 years apart their connection was just as strong as it was when they were 17. It was as if they had spent no time apart. But then there was Tori and what this woman was going through. And at some point I felt guilty for wanting him to just walk away. But at the same time I was so mad at Tori for everything she put him thorough, even knowing her past and her reasons for it.
Cammy was just an amazing person who I loved so much, even though I didn’t agree with her decisions or the way she handled them. But I still loved her and felt the love that this woman had.
A Missing Heart is an emotional story about love, guilt, second chances and so much more. It deals with some heavy topics but the author did an amazing job with the way she handled it all. I loved that we got to see AJ’s past so we could truly understand and feel where all of his pain has come from. I love a book where you can feel with the characters, where you connect with them and feel like you are going through it all with them. And this book did just that. Another fantastic hob by Ms. Ryan.
Review by Jen Skewes
The first book that I read by Ms. Ryan was A Heart of Time, which I loved. But it wasn’t until I started to actually read A Missing Heart that I realized that this was AJ’s story. If you read A Heart of Time this is Hunter’s brother who I loved. So when I realized who this story was about I couldn’t have been more excited. Ms. Ryan delivered another emotional story that completely pulled at my heart strings. She did not disappoint with this one.
When AJ met Tori they both agreed to keep their pasts in the past where they belonged. They are both very broken people who do not want to share what they have been through and felt it was best to move on and not discuss it. But when they find out that Tori is pregnant things between them begin to change and after their son is born, AJ sees that maybe his wife is not the person he thought she was. And maybe hiding their pasts wasn’t the best idea, because somehow those pasts will always come back to haunt you and in ways completely destroy the present. However I do think that in AJ and Tori’s situation, their pasts coming back brought them both to a place where they were meant to be.
As a teenager AJ had a love that was like no other. It was one of those loves that no matter how young you are you know it will last forever. But circumstances beyond their control tore him and Cammy apart. It is now 13 years later, when he comes face to face with his first love and all the pain, hurt and most of all the love that goes with it. With his current marriage falling apart, a wife who he has no idea who she really is and his one true love back in his life, how will AJ handle it all? Will him and Cammy get their second chance at love?
I loved this book so much and loved the emotions that it brought out in me. For one AJ is an amazing man. He is so clearly broken but yet he is so strong. He is the type of man that will do everything to make the situation right, he will do what it take to make others happy and what is best for them. But I think in a way that caused him to lose himself a little. He wasn’t happy but trying to do what was right in a way came first for him. I admired it but at the same time just wanted this man to find true happiness. He has been through so much that he deserved to find true love and be happy again. For me the only person who really brought out the best in him and the one person that he was truly himself with was Cammy.
AJ went through so many emotions and one in particular was guilt. And what I loved about this story is that I felt the emotions with him. I wanted nothing more than for him to find happiness with Cammy again. I saw how much these two loved each other and even after 13 years apart their connection was just as strong as it was when they were 17. It was as if they had spent no time apart. But then there was Tori and what this woman was going through. And at some point I felt guilty for wanting him to just walk away. But at the same time I was so mad at Tori for everything she put him thorough, even knowing her past and her reasons for it.
Cammy was just an amazing person who I loved so much, even though I didn’t agree with her decisions or the way she handled them. But I still loved her and felt the love that this woman had.
A Missing Heart is an emotional story about love, guilt, second chances and so much more. It deals with some heavy topics but the author did an amazing job with the way she handled it all. I loved that we got to see AJ’s past so we could truly understand and feel where all of his pain has come from. I love a book where you can feel with the characters, where you connect with them and feel like you are going through it all with them. And this book did just that. Another fantastic hob by Ms. Ryan.
November 21, 2016
This is one of the most beautiful and touching stories that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading and I loved every second of reading this book! This author has such a way of reaching straight into your heart and tugging on every emotion in existence and I laughed and cried and felt everything right along with these amazing characters that I fell in love over and over again.
AJ and Cammy have been through so much both together and on their own in life and I found myself wanting so badly for them to finally have their chance to be happy together. From the moment I was introduced to AJ and Cammy I felt they were meant to be. Life unfortunately had other plans for them and so many things get in the way of them being able to be together. My heart was literally broken and put back together so many times while reading this that by the time I reached the end I felt emotionally exhausted in the best way possible and I can count on one hand how many books have been able to have this effect on me.
When Ever was introduced into the picture I had tears streaming down my face and this story took on a completely new depth of emotion for me. I began to feel emotionally invested in these characters’ lives and felt like I knew them personally since I cared so much about what was going to happen to them. The situation going on with Gavin and Tori was so heartbreaking for me while reading this. I found myself feeling that everything would eventually be okay once things worked out and went in the direction they were always supposed to go from the beginning.
I can’t recommend this wonderful and incredibly beautiful book enough to anyone and everyone and this is a book that I strongly feel that everyone should read at least once! I’d like to take a moment to personally thank this author for providing me with such an incredibly profound story that will stay with me for a long time from now and I can’t wait to see more from her in the future!
AJ and Cammy have been through so much both together and on their own in life and I found myself wanting so badly for them to finally have their chance to be happy together. From the moment I was introduced to AJ and Cammy I felt they were meant to be. Life unfortunately had other plans for them and so many things get in the way of them being able to be together. My heart was literally broken and put back together so many times while reading this that by the time I reached the end I felt emotionally exhausted in the best way possible and I can count on one hand how many books have been able to have this effect on me.
When Ever was introduced into the picture I had tears streaming down my face and this story took on a completely new depth of emotion for me. I began to feel emotionally invested in these characters’ lives and felt like I knew them personally since I cared so much about what was going to happen to them. The situation going on with Gavin and Tori was so heartbreaking for me while reading this. I found myself feeling that everything would eventually be okay once things worked out and went in the direction they were always supposed to go from the beginning.
I can’t recommend this wonderful and incredibly beautiful book enough to anyone and everyone and this is a book that I strongly feel that everyone should read at least once! I’d like to take a moment to personally thank this author for providing me with such an incredibly profound story that will stay with me for a long time from now and I can’t wait to see more from her in the future!
December 23, 2016
A missing heart hits you were it hurts the minute you start reading. I cannot imagine that one person could carry such a huge burden and still function, never mind caring single-handedly for his infant son. I was left reeling as I read page after page. Yet, somehow he still remained positive, trying to find solutions for his problems.
AJ carries a huge secret from his teenage years. Something that shapes his life in the years to come. He loses 2 very important people to circumstance and life. This impacts on all his relationships, without him really being aware of this fact. Even with all this secret heartache he tries to make a life for his wife and son. I did not relate well to Tori. She came across as manipulative as well as cold and uncaring. She was portrayed in a way that made it very hard to have empathy with her. The author touches on mental illness in this book. It highlights how it can tear families apart.
This book gutted me from the very first page. I cheered for AJ all the way, even though sometimes I wondered if he would ever be truly happy and find his heart. I loved Ever. I loved the meaning behind her name. I loved the fact that AJ had a cupcake for her on her birthday every year. I loved that they finally got to celebrate a birthday. This book took me from the levels of deepest despair to horror and then finally to giddiness so profound, it was amazing! I loved every minute, and urge you to read this book. It was simply profound and amazing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
AJ carries a huge secret from his teenage years. Something that shapes his life in the years to come. He loses 2 very important people to circumstance and life. This impacts on all his relationships, without him really being aware of this fact. Even with all this secret heartache he tries to make a life for his wife and son. I did not relate well to Tori. She came across as manipulative as well as cold and uncaring. She was portrayed in a way that made it very hard to have empathy with her. The author touches on mental illness in this book. It highlights how it can tear families apart.
This book gutted me from the very first page. I cheered for AJ all the way, even though sometimes I wondered if he would ever be truly happy and find his heart. I loved Ever. I loved the meaning behind her name. I loved the fact that AJ had a cupcake for her on her birthday every year. I loved that they finally got to celebrate a birthday. This book took me from the levels of deepest despair to horror and then finally to giddiness so profound, it was amazing! I loved every minute, and urge you to read this book. It was simply profound and amazing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 20, 2016
Making It Work!!!
Let me start off by telling you guys that this book was a tearjerker and that you all are going to need lots of tissues. The emotional ride Shari J. Ryan takes you on will be one that stays with you for years to come. Amazing execution by Mrs Ryan, A MISSING HEART is one of those books that makes you wish the rating scale should be higher than 5 stars.
AJ Cole was Hunter's brother whom we met in A HEART OF TIME . Thirteen years ago he and his high school sweetheart, Cammy Hills had dreams to start a family. But those were shattered twelve years ago when the one person AJ loved more than life itself was ripped away from him.....his baby girl!
Cammy Hills loved AJ with all her heart and soul but being seventeen and pregnant, she was forced by her parents to give their daughter up for adoption against AJ's wishes. Things have never been the same between her and AJ again.
AJ walked away from Cammy and never looked back. He made a life for himself, things haven't always been easy for AJ when it came to relationships. After Cammy, he was never the same again, he married twice and had a son named Gavin with his second wife, Tori. He was also working with Hunter.
Gavin was an unplanned pregnancy sure he knew that he and Tori said they didn't want any children but when Gavin came along, AJ changed for the best while Tori pulled away from him and their son.
Tori had some pretty huge demons to deal with, AJ found out that never really knew the woman he was married to. Things got a little better between them after and incident nearly took Tori's life (or so AJ thought).
Just then AJ's past came knocking at his door in the form of the woman he never stopped loving, Cammy who went by Caneron now and their recently orphaned fourteen years old daughter, Ever.
Cam had someone in her life but the man found that Ever was an inconvenience. He wasn't planning on raising someone else's child. Cam wasn't about to lose her child again so she did what was best for her and walked away from the man she was settling for.
AJ and Cam still had some fights and obstacles on their hands before they were able to get to their HEA but it was all worth it in the end.
Loved the bond between Hunter and AJ, the way those two brothers had each other's backs was well done. And to see that they're both were at a place in their lives where happiness kept finding them in spite of what they went through was delightful.
A MISSING HEART was heart-wrenching, beautiful and it was also about a second chance at love but most importantly it was about unconditional love, strength, family. Fighting for that piece of puzzle that makes your heart feel whole.
*****Teasers courtesy of Shari J. Ryan****
Let me start off by telling you guys that this book was a tearjerker and that you all are going to need lots of tissues. The emotional ride Shari J. Ryan takes you on will be one that stays with you for years to come. Amazing execution by Mrs Ryan, A MISSING HEART is one of those books that makes you wish the rating scale should be higher than 5 stars.
AJ Cole was Hunter's brother whom we met in A HEART OF TIME . Thirteen years ago he and his high school sweetheart, Cammy Hills had dreams to start a family. But those were shattered twelve years ago when the one person AJ loved more than life itself was ripped away from him.....his baby girl!
Cammy Hills loved AJ with all her heart and soul but being seventeen and pregnant, she was forced by her parents to give their daughter up for adoption against AJ's wishes. Things have never been the same between her and AJ again.
AJ walked away from Cammy and never looked back. He made a life for himself, things haven't always been easy for AJ when it came to relationships. After Cammy, he was never the same again, he married twice and had a son named Gavin with his second wife, Tori. He was also working with Hunter.
Gavin was an unplanned pregnancy sure he knew that he and Tori said they didn't want any children but when Gavin came along, AJ changed for the best while Tori pulled away from him and their son.
Tori had some pretty huge demons to deal with, AJ found out that never really knew the woman he was married to. Things got a little better between them after and incident nearly took Tori's life (or so AJ thought).
Just then AJ's past came knocking at his door in the form of the woman he never stopped loving, Cammy who went by Caneron now and their recently orphaned fourteen years old daughter, Ever.
Cam had someone in her life but the man found that Ever was an inconvenience. He wasn't planning on raising someone else's child. Cam wasn't about to lose her child again so she did what was best for her and walked away from the man she was settling for.
AJ and Cam still had some fights and obstacles on their hands before they were able to get to their HEA but it was all worth it in the end.
Loved the bond between Hunter and AJ, the way those two brothers had each other's backs was well done. And to see that they're both were at a place in their lives where happiness kept finding them in spite of what they went through was delightful.
A MISSING HEART was heart-wrenching, beautiful and it was also about a second chance at love but most importantly it was about unconditional love, strength, family. Fighting for that piece of puzzle that makes your heart feel whole.
*****Teasers courtesy of Shari J. Ryan****
November 18, 2016
I LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down. I will admit that I read some reviews before reading it, and I was a bit nervous by the way one reviewer portrayed AJ and his care for his wife,Tori. However, I completely disagree. Let's all just admit that we want the HEA, right? We know it's going to be between Cammy and AJ. That's our hope as romance readers. So when things get difficult between our Hero and his psychotic wife, I'm not too put off! And let me also say that this author went above and beyond, IMO, to show us the effort AJ puts in and the love he is giving and the respect he gives Tori. She chose her path...as the reader, my conscience is clean. So don't be put off by another reviewer, everyone entitled to their opinions, but I feel the vast majority of ppl will have no issues with how things play out. It's actually very well written and considerate.
So anyway... Rant over! Lol.
I thought this was written in a way that I read. It flowed well and there wasn't a lot of metaphors and flowery wording. There was drama on every page, not huge issues always, just enough to keep you turning pages. The beginning nearly broke me! I mean...hello! I was bawling! I also loved that this was written from AJ's point of view. He was a good man and easy to relate to.
My only issue was with his parents. If he were my kid and I instinctively knew something, or knew exactly what was going on, there's no way I would have let it go. But it's a book. So whatever.
I also just wanted to mention that I did NOT read the first book in this series. I've bought it tho and plan to read it ASAP. I will say, knowing what the first book is about, it doesn't affect this book. But you won't be as surprised if you read them out of order. Hunter, his brother, plays a large role in this book. So I already know some of his story. But I still want to experience it.
Also the "sex scene" in this book was done very tastefully and not erotically. Romance/contemporary romance/erotica should not all mean the same thing! As someone who doesn't read erotica, I find it hard to read contemporary romance and not be disappointed. Let's leave the play by play graphics to erotica, ok? Lol. So thank you to the author on that!
Well done to this author! You've got a new fan!
***ARC provided for an honest review***
So anyway... Rant over! Lol.
I thought this was written in a way that I read. It flowed well and there wasn't a lot of metaphors and flowery wording. There was drama on every page, not huge issues always, just enough to keep you turning pages. The beginning nearly broke me! I mean...hello! I was bawling! I also loved that this was written from AJ's point of view. He was a good man and easy to relate to.
My only issue was with his parents. If he were my kid and I instinctively knew something, or knew exactly what was going on, there's no way I would have let it go. But it's a book. So whatever.
I also just wanted to mention that I did NOT read the first book in this series. I've bought it tho and plan to read it ASAP. I will say, knowing what the first book is about, it doesn't affect this book. But you won't be as surprised if you read them out of order. Hunter, his brother, plays a large role in this book. So I already know some of his story. But I still want to experience it.
Also the "sex scene" in this book was done very tastefully and not erotically. Romance/contemporary romance/erotica should not all mean the same thing! As someone who doesn't read erotica, I find it hard to read contemporary romance and not be disappointed. Let's leave the play by play graphics to erotica, ok? Lol. So thank you to the author on that!
Well done to this author! You've got a new fan!
***ARC provided for an honest review***
November 16, 2016
Every once in awhile, one of those books come along that you LITERALLY can't seem to put down. I tried! For the sake of work the next day, for the sake of my "beauty" sleep, I really did try! I just had to keep reading, and I had to know what happened next. This book will suck. you. in.
One of the things I liked most about this story, is that it's told from the male lead's perspective. I honestly don't see that very often in the books I read and I really enjoyed the differences. I also think it's amazing to read about a guy being broken-hearted. You always read about the woman and how devastated she is over whatever loss or hurt has come her way, but it's rare to read a tale where the guy is an emotional and caring man who hurts and expresses that hurt to the reader. I was drawn to AJ and I really loved the complexities of his character.
I also loved that this isn't a traditional romance, even at the beginning it's not all hearts and flowers and silly fumbles along the way. It's heartache and sadness and pain that demands to be felt. And you feel that pain, you feel it with AJ, and you feel it with Cammy even when you don't quite know the whys of it all.
Cammy is another aspect I loved about this book. She's not as present of a female lead as you come to expect from a romance novel, but it works that way, it helps to tell the tale and helps to make us feel AJ's emotions better.
The flawed characters are even interesting, in spite of your dislike of them, you will be intrigued and want to dig a little deeper...and oh boy when you do!
Basically, without giving away any plot points because I hate to do that in reviews, if you love a contemporary romance that you can't put down, if you love complex, interesting and flawed characters, and if you love a story with a complicated but warm ending, you're going to love this book.
One of the things I liked most about this story, is that it's told from the male lead's perspective. I honestly don't see that very often in the books I read and I really enjoyed the differences. I also think it's amazing to read about a guy being broken-hearted. You always read about the woman and how devastated she is over whatever loss or hurt has come her way, but it's rare to read a tale where the guy is an emotional and caring man who hurts and expresses that hurt to the reader. I was drawn to AJ and I really loved the complexities of his character.
I also loved that this isn't a traditional romance, even at the beginning it's not all hearts and flowers and silly fumbles along the way. It's heartache and sadness and pain that demands to be felt. And you feel that pain, you feel it with AJ, and you feel it with Cammy even when you don't quite know the whys of it all.
Cammy is another aspect I loved about this book. She's not as present of a female lead as you come to expect from a romance novel, but it works that way, it helps to tell the tale and helps to make us feel AJ's emotions better.
The flawed characters are even interesting, in spite of your dislike of them, you will be intrigued and want to dig a little deeper...and oh boy when you do!
Basically, without giving away any plot points because I hate to do that in reviews, if you love a contemporary romance that you can't put down, if you love complex, interesting and flawed characters, and if you love a story with a complicated but warm ending, you're going to love this book.
November 21, 2016
*Advanced Reader Copy was given in exchange for an honest review*
So, anyone that knows me, sees my reviews and what not knows I'm a big fan of Shari's. She is the only author (yet) to make me ugly cry while reading. It's happened once with A Heart of Time.... and again with this one.
A Missing Heart has so many emotions wrapped up in it that, I was on the edge of my seat, wanting and needing to know what in the hell was going on. I love AJ, he's an enigma in a way. Mysterious, Secretive and broken. Very, very broken. Yet, very together and capable of handling anything that's thrown his way.
I remember Tori, but I'm still not a fan of her. And by the time I got into the book good, oh I hated her. Chick is a few fries short of a happy meal, though you learn why and while I feel for her, I still can't like her. The ups and downs that AJ goes through are enough to test a Saint.
When AJ's past comes back into his life things go from "wtf" to "holy sh*t" in the blink of an eye. It's then that AJ has to step in, grab up his child and take the ride to crazy town Tori sets out for him while trying to comprehend what is right before him.
Life is full of twists and turns and those twists and turns make us who we are. My heart broke for AJ more than once as I read this book. His family, his support, both mentally and physically were there for him. He was there for his son and the woman who once took half his heart, and the child he once thought was lost forever. His everything had returned.
A Missing Heart is all in all, a great read. A heartfelt story that would warm the coldest of hearts. Sit back, grab your copy and get lost in AJ's story of love, loss and second chances.
So, anyone that knows me, sees my reviews and what not knows I'm a big fan of Shari's. She is the only author (yet) to make me ugly cry while reading. It's happened once with A Heart of Time.... and again with this one.
A Missing Heart has so many emotions wrapped up in it that, I was on the edge of my seat, wanting and needing to know what in the hell was going on. I love AJ, he's an enigma in a way. Mysterious, Secretive and broken. Very, very broken. Yet, very together and capable of handling anything that's thrown his way.
I remember Tori, but I'm still not a fan of her. And by the time I got into the book good, oh I hated her. Chick is a few fries short of a happy meal, though you learn why and while I feel for her, I still can't like her. The ups and downs that AJ goes through are enough to test a Saint.
When AJ's past comes back into his life things go from "wtf" to "holy sh*t" in the blink of an eye. It's then that AJ has to step in, grab up his child and take the ride to crazy town Tori sets out for him while trying to comprehend what is right before him.
Life is full of twists and turns and those twists and turns make us who we are. My heart broke for AJ more than once as I read this book. His family, his support, both mentally and physically were there for him. He was there for his son and the woman who once took half his heart, and the child he once thought was lost forever. His everything had returned.
A Missing Heart is all in all, a great read. A heartfelt story that would warm the coldest of hearts. Sit back, grab your copy and get lost in AJ's story of love, loss and second chances.
October 7, 2017
Tears aplenty! I loved Hunter’s story in the book 1 of the Heart Series but AJ in A Missing Heart is my fave. I practically hi lighted every page. GAH, THE FEELS! I love this series, I love this Author!
November 19, 2016
I received a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
AJ has made mistakes in his life. He keeps his past to himself and found a woman who wanted to keep hers hidden too. It was like the universe was putting them together. Turns out thought the universe had nothing to do with it at all. She has a past AJ should have known about from the very beginning. He keeps trying to save her but his wife is self-destructive. She clearly has a plan that AJ should never have been a part of. But now their pasts have come into the spotlight causing the present to change me crashing down on top of them. Will either of them be able to walk away in one piece?
If you have read A Heart Of Time you know that AJ Cole is Hunter's brother. You do not however have have read A Heart Of Time to read A Missing Heart. When I started this book the first chapter already had me an emotional mess and ready to just slap the crap out of Cammy who you will learn is AJ's high school girlfriend. He had a plan. He was willing to put aside everything for her and their situation. She totally blew that up and in the process I feel broke both of their hearts in ways it would be impossible to recover from. With that said I knew I was in for it. That emotional kind of read that pulls you so deeply into a book you eat sleep and breathe it. Fast forward some years and your in the present with AJ and his wife Tori and their newborn son. I love how Shari Ryan took us on the journey of AJ through alternating chapters of the past and present. Your actually getting two stories in one book. I'm a firm believer in our past shapes us into the people we become in the future and Shari Ryan has done an amazing job of illustrating this point.
Tori and AJ are not without their problems. She's hiding a serious mental disorder from him. She never planned on getting pregnant with their son when she did. Just like she didn't deal with a past that left her damaged and now a danger to not only herself but her son. AJ, all the while, is trying his hardest to help her but not fulling knowing what is really going on. He loves his son so much and I loved seeing him as a father. He's a playboy and so carefree it seemed in A Heart Of Time that this side of AJ just made me fall more in love with him. Im not so much a Tori fan but you too will see why. A Missing Heart has all the pieces of a great contemporary romance read. Your getting no more out of me of the plot or twists and turns in this book. You'll have to experience it for yourself.
Shari Ryan never fails to suck me in and wring out every single emotion I have while I am reading her books. She never fails to surprise me either. One thing I know for certain is Shari Ryan always creates these worlds and characters your don't want to leave. They stick with you. Their like coming home to old friends once you know their stories. This is why I love to read Shari Ryan's books.
AJ has made mistakes in his life. He keeps his past to himself and found a woman who wanted to keep hers hidden too. It was like the universe was putting them together. Turns out thought the universe had nothing to do with it at all. She has a past AJ should have known about from the very beginning. He keeps trying to save her but his wife is self-destructive. She clearly has a plan that AJ should never have been a part of. But now their pasts have come into the spotlight causing the present to change me crashing down on top of them. Will either of them be able to walk away in one piece?
If you have read A Heart Of Time you know that AJ Cole is Hunter's brother. You do not however have have read A Heart Of Time to read A Missing Heart. When I started this book the first chapter already had me an emotional mess and ready to just slap the crap out of Cammy who you will learn is AJ's high school girlfriend. He had a plan. He was willing to put aside everything for her and their situation. She totally blew that up and in the process I feel broke both of their hearts in ways it would be impossible to recover from. With that said I knew I was in for it. That emotional kind of read that pulls you so deeply into a book you eat sleep and breathe it. Fast forward some years and your in the present with AJ and his wife Tori and their newborn son. I love how Shari Ryan took us on the journey of AJ through alternating chapters of the past and present. Your actually getting two stories in one book. I'm a firm believer in our past shapes us into the people we become in the future and Shari Ryan has done an amazing job of illustrating this point.
Tori and AJ are not without their problems. She's hiding a serious mental disorder from him. She never planned on getting pregnant with their son when she did. Just like she didn't deal with a past that left her damaged and now a danger to not only herself but her son. AJ, all the while, is trying his hardest to help her but not fulling knowing what is really going on. He loves his son so much and I loved seeing him as a father. He's a playboy and so carefree it seemed in A Heart Of Time that this side of AJ just made me fall more in love with him. Im not so much a Tori fan but you too will see why. A Missing Heart has all the pieces of a great contemporary romance read. Your getting no more out of me of the plot or twists and turns in this book. You'll have to experience it for yourself.
Shari Ryan never fails to suck me in and wring out every single emotion I have while I am reading her books. She never fails to surprise me either. One thing I know for certain is Shari Ryan always creates these worlds and characters your don't want to leave. They stick with you. Their like coming home to old friends once you know their stories. This is why I love to read Shari Ryan's books.
November 19, 2016
Crikey! What an emotional heart-wrenching story. Stunning!
I recently read A Heart of Time and really enjoyed it, but this one, for me, took things to another level. This broke my heart and mended it again.
This story is about AJ. It's written mainly from AJ's PoV throughout with a short section from Cammy towards the end. We switch between present day and events that occurred 12 years ago.
AJ and Cammy at 16 and 17, were very close and were having a secret relationship. To all their friends and their family, they were just 'friends', but little did everyone know they were far more than that. Events from the past, mean that they were torn apart and were no longer able to be together.
Fast forward to present day, and AJ has moved on. He's on his second marriage, and has a young baby at home with his current wife Tori. Their baby was unplanned, and Tori is struggling with being a new Mum. The issue's that Tori was dealing with was written very sympathetically by the author I feel. Tori has a lot of instability, and mental health issues, which we do get to glimpse as to why. I think that AJ offers great support to his wife as much as he can and certainly doesn't just 'abandon' her as other reviewers have suggested.
But AJ's life is not going to plan either. He's still struggling with secrets from his past, as is his wife (and lets be honest a marriage based on lies, where the other doesn't know the others' secrets is never going to work!). Then to add to AJ's present day struggles, his past comes back to haunt him as well. Cammy is back in the picture!
I loved how this story was written with many twists, turns and surprises. I loved the characters and think they were written really well. The story line flowed perfectly, with plenty of suspense. I'm not saying any more as I feel you should just read it for yourself. It's breathtaking, full of sadness and happiness as well. You will laugh and you will cry and I would wholeheartedly recommend it!
I fell in love with this story and I fell in love with the characters! A wonderful book!
***** 5 STARS *****
I recently read A Heart of Time and really enjoyed it, but this one, for me, took things to another level. This broke my heart and mended it again.
This story is about AJ. It's written mainly from AJ's PoV throughout with a short section from Cammy towards the end. We switch between present day and events that occurred 12 years ago.
AJ and Cammy at 16 and 17, were very close and were having a secret relationship. To all their friends and their family, they were just 'friends', but little did everyone know they were far more than that. Events from the past, mean that they were torn apart and were no longer able to be together.
Fast forward to present day, and AJ has moved on. He's on his second marriage, and has a young baby at home with his current wife Tori. Their baby was unplanned, and Tori is struggling with being a new Mum. The issue's that Tori was dealing with was written very sympathetically by the author I feel. Tori has a lot of instability, and mental health issues, which we do get to glimpse as to why. I think that AJ offers great support to his wife as much as he can and certainly doesn't just 'abandon' her as other reviewers have suggested.
But AJ's life is not going to plan either. He's still struggling with secrets from his past, as is his wife (and lets be honest a marriage based on lies, where the other doesn't know the others' secrets is never going to work!). Then to add to AJ's present day struggles, his past comes back to haunt him as well. Cammy is back in the picture!
I loved how this story was written with many twists, turns and surprises. I loved the characters and think they were written really well. The story line flowed perfectly, with plenty of suspense. I'm not saying any more as I feel you should just read it for yourself. It's breathtaking, full of sadness and happiness as well. You will laugh and you will cry and I would wholeheartedly recommend it!
I fell in love with this story and I fell in love with the characters! A wonderful book!
***** 5 STARS *****
November 22, 2016
AJ and Cammy/Cameron are teenagers. She ends up pregnant with AJ’s child and informs him hours before the birth that she’s giving the baby up for adoption but not by her own choice. Her parents are forcing her to give the baby up. AJ is in the room for the birth. He has no say in the adoption as his name was never listed on anything and Cammy always told everyone she didn’t know whom the father was. She admitted it in the birthing room, one their daughter was born but it was too late. AJ walks out, mad at the world. Cammy is asked by the adoptive parents to name her and she names her Everything, Ever for short. There is a reason she named her this but I’m not going to spoil that part. In order to find out this reason, you’ll just have to grab the book and read it. I promise you it is worth the price and definitely worth the time reading this emotion wrenching book.
Things come full circle but there is a LOT of stuff that happens in the thirteen years that Cammy and AJ aren’t talking or friends until she just pops up out of the blue one day.
————————————-
A Missing Heart is AJ’s story. If you’ve read A Heart of Time then you’ve already met most of the characters that pop up in this book, except a few who are new. Just like A Heart of Time, A Missing Heart will slay your emotions. While reading this book I was laughing and crying, happy and sad and angry. Shari will put you through an emotional roller coaster with this book but what a wonderful roller coaster it is and definitely one that you should take a ride on.
I love Shari’s books. That’s no secret. She will kill you emotionally while reading a book before pulling all the pieces back together. Definitely give A Missing Heart and A Heart of Time a chance and read them. Read her other works if you love these books. I promise you’ll be addicted like I am!
Things come full circle but there is a LOT of stuff that happens in the thirteen years that Cammy and AJ aren’t talking or friends until she just pops up out of the blue one day.
————————————-
A Missing Heart is AJ’s story. If you’ve read A Heart of Time then you’ve already met most of the characters that pop up in this book, except a few who are new. Just like A Heart of Time, A Missing Heart will slay your emotions. While reading this book I was laughing and crying, happy and sad and angry. Shari will put you through an emotional roller coaster with this book but what a wonderful roller coaster it is and definitely one that you should take a ride on.
I love Shari’s books. That’s no secret. She will kill you emotionally while reading a book before pulling all the pieces back together. Definitely give A Missing Heart and A Heart of Time a chance and read them. Read her other works if you love these books. I promise you’ll be addicted like I am!
November 21, 2016
I first found Shari's books when I had seen a ad on social media about A Heart Of Time and I fell in love with her writing style and character development so I immediately wanted more! Of course haha one thing you always want when you discover an amazing new author is you want all the words! But good things come to those who wait!
With this story we see AJ's story, we first met him in Heart of Time as Hunter 's brother and I knew there was gonna be more to him than just a background character. He had his own story to tell, and right from the beginning Shari immerses us in all the feels! You think you are gonna get eased into the story? Have you read Heart of Time? Its INTENSE from the first chapter and it just increases from there. AJ has not had it easy, and I had no idea his back story was gonna be that heartbreaking, from losing his daughter with his high school sweetheart after he was not involved with the adoption decision, to Cammy moving away, to his first failed marriage to his current situation with Tori you just want to question how many bad things can happen to one good guy in his life?
You know at some point Cammy is gonna have to return with some answers and ohhhh man when she does! It changes literally everything, and turns this story on its ear. Now I absolutely loved Heart Of Time but I have to say this one left me more emotionally wrung out but completely satisfied with how this story turns out. Its back and forth with contrasting how his past directly impacts current events and that constant wanting to know where his daughter is and what she is like that it blends all of these emotions together and when you finally get to the healing part haha you are more than ready to see AJ find his HEA.
With this story we see AJ's story, we first met him in Heart of Time as Hunter 's brother and I knew there was gonna be more to him than just a background character. He had his own story to tell, and right from the beginning Shari immerses us in all the feels! You think you are gonna get eased into the story? Have you read Heart of Time? Its INTENSE from the first chapter and it just increases from there. AJ has not had it easy, and I had no idea his back story was gonna be that heartbreaking, from losing his daughter with his high school sweetheart after he was not involved with the adoption decision, to Cammy moving away, to his first failed marriage to his current situation with Tori you just want to question how many bad things can happen to one good guy in his life?
You know at some point Cammy is gonna have to return with some answers and ohhhh man when she does! It changes literally everything, and turns this story on its ear. Now I absolutely loved Heart Of Time but I have to say this one left me more emotionally wrung out but completely satisfied with how this story turns out. Its back and forth with contrasting how his past directly impacts current events and that constant wanting to know where his daughter is and what she is like that it blends all of these emotions together and when you finally get to the healing part haha you are more than ready to see AJ find his HEA.
November 22, 2016
A Missing Heart is a stand-alone, but is also a connected to the book A Heart of Time that features Hunter’s story (AJ’s brother) and it is certainly worth the read.
AJ and Cammy spent their youth in love, hiding their relationship and the consequences of their love for years. Life kept them apart but part of their past is about to put them back together. But it isn’t just a second chance at love. Cammy is engaged and AJ is in his second marriage, with a son and dealing with a wife that can’t seem to be a mother.
Tori, the wife. Gah, she was a mess. I won’t say too much more about her because each reader really needs to watch her story unfold first hand.
I am a huge sucker for a second chance romance and getting to see the adult versions of Cammy and AJ, that we got to see through a series of flashbacks, reunite was heartwarming.
This story packs quite an emotional punch right from the start, I loved that within the first few chapters I was a mess. It set the tone for the whole story and really made it where I fell head over heels in love with our H/h.
This is my third read from Shari J. Ryan and I am impressed. I love the feel of these books. Uplifting and heartwarming, but still managing to show you the grit that comes with real life. And showing you that pain just makes the sweet that much more enjoyed.
November 20, 2016
OMG!!! I did not think my heart could be any more heartbreakingly brilliantly broken after Hunter’s story, but I stand corrected. AJ’s story is more than I ever expected. First let me say, this book is read best after A Heart of Time, which is Hunter’s story. We meet AJ, Hunter’s brother in A Heart of Time, and you fall in love with his hilarious banter and smart a** remarks. Now he has his own story in A Missing Heart.
AJ has such a beautiful soul, and we see so many different sides of him in this story. AJ’s story is not easy, he is a complex man, yet a strong one. This story shows us about love. True love, lust love, friendship love, trying to make it right love, parental love and fighting love. All that love wrapped up into one amazing brilliant story. AJ’s story has many different paths to travel, they all intertwine to lead him where he is supposed to be. We are introduced to many characters who create roadblocks for AJ in different forms of love, and only AJ can decide which loves make his heart beat. Bravo Shari J Ryan, be proud, you did an amazing job with his story.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Sabrina from Kinky Kittens Book Blog
AJ has such a beautiful soul, and we see so many different sides of him in this story. AJ’s story is not easy, he is a complex man, yet a strong one. This story shows us about love. True love, lust love, friendship love, trying to make it right love, parental love and fighting love. All that love wrapped up into one amazing brilliant story. AJ’s story has many different paths to travel, they all intertwine to lead him where he is supposed to be. We are introduced to many characters who create roadblocks for AJ in different forms of love, and only AJ can decide which loves make his heart beat. Bravo Shari J Ryan, be proud, you did an amazing job with his story.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Sabrina from Kinky Kittens Book Blog
November 22, 2016
This beautifully written story by Shari J. Ryan is essentially about learning life lessons, letting love into your heart and letting it go as well. The story was interesting right from the beginning and the characters are both real and easy to relate to. The trials and struggles that AJ endures make him a lovable character and you really just want things to work out for him. This author cleverly weaves many real life issues such as adoption, grief, PTSD, post partum depression and regret over life choices into a story that is one of my favorite reads this year. I definitely will be reading more Shari Ryan books and I highly recommend this book. The essence of this story is summed up in this quote from the book:
"If I've learned anything, it's that everything happens for a reason- to teach us a lesson or make us appreciate something we didn't appreciate before."
"If I've learned anything, it's that everything happens for a reason- to teach us a lesson or make us appreciate something we didn't appreciate before."
March 1, 2018
Hate the so called h of this book. She made all the decisions without consulting the father. He deserves better. Hate her. Hero is so weak. I dont see why is he in love with her after what she did to her. Took away his daughter, made all the decisions by herself with no regard to her. If it were done other way around everyone would be hating the H. What kind of POS that h was!! She continued to mislead him throughout the story. I dont get why he still loved her.
Too much drama without really built up or real resolution. Everything happened behind the pages. We reader didnt get to read any thing interesting. Not the court cases, not what the family went through when H was in coma. It is very easy to make incidences but the authors should try to make us feel for those incidences too. Really badly executed book.
Too much drama without really built up or real resolution. Everything happened behind the pages. We reader didnt get to read any thing interesting. Not the court cases, not what the family went through when H was in coma. It is very easy to make incidences but the authors should try to make us feel for those incidences too. Really badly executed book.
November 16, 2016
Oh my heart - AJ is the ultimate book boyfriend. He tries - so hard to do the right thing and make everyone else happy, before himself. He's an amazing father, from day 1. He's good looking, sweet, dependable, and so swoon-worthy! The story took turns that I was not expecting and just when I thought that everything was turning out the way I had hoped - BAM! another twist, and another one, and another one. Shari J. Ryan has a way with words and sucking me into her imaginary worlds. I loved reading a Missing Heart because it pulled at my heart strings and melted my heart at the same time. I cried my eyes out, laughed, and cheered AJ on! I highly recommend A Missing Heart, because I know that you'll love it too!
November 19, 2016
I won an ebook of this story and is was a fantastic read of a second chance love. You will instantly fall in love with AJ and follow him through many heartbreaking moments starting in his teenage years. When AJ was with Tori I loved how he tried to be there for her and his son as she battled her demons. Even though it took all he had he gave all his support. When the past shows up he has to decide what is best for his family.
What I loved it that you could never predict what was going to happen next in this story. Just when you think happiness was in reach Ms. Ryan through a twist at you. All the characters were well written and you could feel their emotions as the story progressed.
Second chance at love with all kinds of angst and twists and turns made this a great read.
What I loved it that you could never predict what was going to happen next in this story. Just when you think happiness was in reach Ms. Ryan through a twist at you. All the characters were well written and you could feel their emotions as the story progressed.
Second chance at love with all kinds of angst and twists and turns made this a great read.
November 20, 2016
I knew from the first few paragraphs of A Missing Heart that this story was going to make me an emotional wreck. This is Shari Ryan's best work and by far one of the best books of 2016 for me.
This story is about someone you know, someone you're possibly friends with, or even someone in your own family. THIS book is about life and it's real. As I devoured each page, I was so amazed that this author nailed every thought and every feeling of these characters.
I was a huge fan of AJ throughout the book and I kept wondering how much more could this man take. First Cammy, then Tori. Without his support system, I couldn't imagine how a man could've endured all that he went through.
A Missing Heart is one of those stories guaranteed to stay with you for a long time.
This story is about someone you know, someone you're possibly friends with, or even someone in your own family. THIS book is about life and it's real. As I devoured each page, I was so amazed that this author nailed every thought and every feeling of these characters.
I was a huge fan of AJ throughout the book and I kept wondering how much more could this man take. First Cammy, then Tori. Without his support system, I couldn't imagine how a man could've endured all that he went through.
A Missing Heart is one of those stories guaranteed to stay with you for a long time.
March 7, 2019
I don't think my words can deliver my feelings that this book deserves. A Missing heart is wonderfully written, beautiful, totally soul shattering and breathtakingly to read.
The journey which this story takes you on is nothing less than amazing.
There were many tears shed whilst reading this book. I virtually couldn't see the words, tissue's were scatter around me, my heart shattered into tiny pieces. I was on a roller coaster ride with so many emotions sadness, angry, loss, heart broken and happiness.
I love AJ and Cammy and all the others characters through the book and you can't help but fall in love with them and follow there journey. I don't think I'll ever get over this book.
The journey which this story takes you on is nothing less than amazing.
There were many tears shed whilst reading this book. I virtually couldn't see the words, tissue's were scatter around me, my heart shattered into tiny pieces. I was on a roller coaster ride with so many emotions sadness, angry, loss, heart broken and happiness.
I love AJ and Cammy and all the others characters through the book and you can't help but fall in love with them and follow there journey. I don't think I'll ever get over this book.
November 16, 2016
Wow!!! What a great story! After A Heart of Time, I never thought Shari's story could get better, but this book proved me wrong.
Aj and Cammy's story will hook you from the very beginning. Theirs is the kind of story that you will never forget. Theirs is the kind of love that will make a believer out of you.
Words aren't enough to express how much you need this book in your life! It's not just a story that you can read, it's a story that you will savor and get back to every time you need a heart-warming experience.
Aj and Cammy's story will hook you from the very beginning. Theirs is the kind of story that you will never forget. Theirs is the kind of love that will make a believer out of you.
Words aren't enough to express how much you need this book in your life! It's not just a story that you can read, it's a story that you will savor and get back to every time you need a heart-warming experience.
November 16, 2016
"Relationships that grow from a young age mature into a kind of love that can't be created between two people meeting later in life. It's just different." This so resonated in me! This story is heartbreaking, uplifting... I cried, I laughed, I was nervous, I felt sooo much the whole way through. Such a great, great read. I don't like to give away anything when I do reviews, like nothing. So they are typically short, sweet and to the point. I think this is my 3rd book from Shari, and I just love her writing. One click this book, you will not be disappointed.
November 20, 2016
Just when I thought no other Shari's book could ever top A Heart of Time, then she did this, wrote this. I was left with so many feelings after I finished this book. It gripped me. The storyline, the twist, it left you wanting to know more and you just couldn't stop.
AJ's story is much more than what I imagined it would be. I love how Shari always offers us something fresh and completely different story in each book she'd written, that taught us not only about love itself but also about life too.
I so encourage you to buy and read this book ASAP!!
AJ's story is much more than what I imagined it would be. I love how Shari always offers us something fresh and completely different story in each book she'd written, that taught us not only about love itself but also about life too.
I so encourage you to buy and read this book ASAP!!
November 19, 2016
Shari Ryan does it again!! A Missing Heart is the story about AJ's life and the struggles that he faces along the way. It was a very touching book. What made it different for me was that we got to read this book as a males point of view. Men don't like to talk about emotions but WOW AJ has some major emotions going on in this book. We get to follow him thru life while he struggles with some deep feelings and secrets that are eating him alive each and everyday. His journey is a tough one. Great emotional roller coaster ride so get your tissues out.
November 19, 2016
OH my gosh. I love AJ. He's everything you would SERIOUSLY want in a boyfriend/hubby.
He does the right thing, is sweet, dependable and defintely a man you'd want for yourself.
I fell in love with him his brother's story and never in a million years would have imagined this story for him. Your heart will hurt, soar and want the very best for this amazing man.
If you are looking for a story that will captivate, pull at your heart strings and keep you glued to the pages until the end... you need to grab this story!
5 stars from me!
He does the right thing, is sweet, dependable and defintely a man you'd want for yourself.
I fell in love with him his brother's story and never in a million years would have imagined this story for him. Your heart will hurt, soar and want the very best for this amazing man.
If you are looking for a story that will captivate, pull at your heart strings and keep you glued to the pages until the end... you need to grab this story!
5 stars from me!
January 3, 2017
A Missing Heart was an okay read for me. I have to say that in the beginning my heart broke for AJ and what he went through, more for him than it did for Cammy(Cam). AJ moved on with Tori and they both agreed that they didn't want kids but with life comes unexpected things and AJ stepped up to the plate. Tori had a terrible past that left her mentally damaged and her past and present collides daily. Not only is AJ dealing with a wife who is mentally damaged but his past comes back and everything he ever wanted is standing right in front of him changing life as he knows it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews