Title: In A Heartbeat
Author: Ali Novak
Publication: August 25, 2026
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Teens, YA Fiction, Romance
Pages: 320

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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

When so much is uncertain, how can love be the next step?

Even though her lymphoma is in remission, Cara Samuel feels anything but normal. After years of preparing for the worst, she has no idea what kind of life she wants, now that she’s (probably? maybe?) going to live. So she hopes completing a “bucket list” she abandoned a few years ago will help her find herself again. She’s already crossed one thing off the meeting her favorite band, the Heartbreakers. Well, it’s only because her sister Stella’s dating the lead singer, but it’s a start.

It’s not long before Cara’s taken a polar plunge, started planning the tattoo she’ll get, and also… is playing fake girlfriend to JJ Morris, the Heartbreaker’s drummer. Okay, that definitely wasn’t on her list, but weirdly enough, the band’s brashest, most obnoxious member has turned out to be a surprisingly great listener and a sweet friend. And when he needs to get some distance from his tricky ex, Cara’s happy to help out.

Trouble is, JJ might be catching feelings, and while she’ll never admit it, Cara is too. By now she knows better than to count on the future, and the last thing she wants is for him to get hurt. Can’t they keep pretending there’s nothing between them?

REVIEW:

**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I’ve read Ali Novak’s My Life with the Walter Boys books, and while they weren’t necessarily favorites of mine, I was willing to give another one of her stories a chance. I’m happy to say that I actually enjoyed In a Heartbeat more than her previous books! The story had some sweet moments, and I appreciated Cara’s journey of figuring out how to live her life after everything she’d been through.

However, I had absolutely no idea this was part of a series when I agreed to review it. Not only was it part of a series, but it was the FOURTH AND FINAL book! LOL. There was no indication in my review invitation that I was jumping into the end of an established series. I can’t help but wonder how much more I would have enjoyed it if I’d read the previous books and already had a connection to the characters.

I also found Novak’s writing style very similar to what I experienced with My Life with the Walter Boys. It’s definitely on the more juvenile side of YA fiction, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it isn’t my personal preference. I love a good YA book, but I tend to prefer stories that feel a little more mature and realistic.

Overall, In a Heartbeat was an enjoyable three-star read. I liked it more than Novak’s previous books, even if her writing style still isn’t quite my favorite. I do think readers who have followed the series from the beginning will probably appreciate this conclusion more than I did. And if you’re interested in picking this one up, learn from my mistake and start with book one! LOL.