Debut Alert: What The Heart Wants by Ellis Darnell

Ellis Darnell’s debut romance novel, What the Heart Wants, published in July, is a warm and engaging story about grief, healing, and being open to new possibilities even when moving forward feels difficult.

The story follows Thea, a twenty-year-old college student from Seattle, who travels to Driftbury, South Carolina, to live with her aunt Beth Ann, the owner of a popular local diner. Both women are reeling from a devastating life event. As they work through their grief, they are faced with choices that could lead them toward new and positive paths—or leave them stuck in the past.

Darnell does a nice job taking a heartbreaking life event and wrapping it in a sweet, engaging story about grief and recovery. The characters feel realistic and genuine. The romantic tension between the two couples is handled well, adding another layer to the story without overriding its themes of healing. Darnell also creates a strong sense of community in Driftbury, making it the kind of town readers may wish they could visit.

Readers get a good sense of how Thea is navigating her grief, but Beth Ann’s emotional journey is not explored as well. More attention is given to Beth Ann’s romantic storyline so there is a missed opportunity to dig further into her experience with grief. There is room to get more in-depth with both characters working through their grief which would add even greater emotional depth to the story.

Overall, What the Heart Wants is a warm, cozy-like romance that blends grief, healing, community, and the possibility of love. It will appeal to readers who enjoy gentle, character-driven stories with romance at their heart and a welcoming small-town atmosphere.