Borrowed Heart

I loved reading Borrowed Heart by Andrew Grey. I love reading his books, and I’m always so excited when he releases a new book, and I get to review it. I love his writing style and his attention to detail. His characters are complex with real-world problems and issues. I loved all of the little twists and turns that were in the story around Robin’s ex-boyfriend, Mason. I also loved how Robin treated his ex when he shows up on his tour as a late addition and kept putting him in his place throughout the tour instead of being his friend like Mason wanted.

I loved Robin. He starts out in the story as just a tour guide for Euro Pride Tours. It isn’t until we get a little further in the story when he’s talking to his boss that it comes out that he’s just getting over a breakup from a relationship that had lasted for five years. And he was heartbroken over the fact that he’d wasted so much of his new heart’s life on his ex since, as a heart transplant recipient, that he would only get about ten to twelve years out of it if nothing else happened health wise.

After Robin’s breakup, he wasn’t looking to fall in love, but when his bus driver, Johan, shows up, he is surprised at Johan’s appearance. He had gone from having super long unkempt hair and a mountain man of a beard to being cleanly shaven with shoulder length hair and being a total hottie. On his previous tour, Robin had totally ignored and was rude to him, but he isn’t able to do that on this tour. Now he isn’t able to keep his gaze off of him. But Robin is hesitant to do anything about his attraction because of the time limit that he has on his life and not wanting to inflict heartache on anybody else.

I also loved Johan. I loved how he transformed himself so that he would get Robin to notice him. After being his driver for one of his tours and seeing how much joy he brought to his tour group, Johan wanted Robin to notice him, and so he went about changing his appearance to make that happen and then he continued to pursue him during the tour and break down the walls that Robin had up.

I also loved the people in the tour group and how Robin was able to help the different couples with some of the issues that they were having. I also loved getting to know more about the various places that they visited during the tour and would love to one day go on a tour of Germany myself.

This was a wonderful book to read, and I can’t recommend it enough.

How often do we forget to make the most of each day? Borrowed Heart by Andrew Grey reminds us to cherish each moment as the truly wonderful gift life is. In the emotional words of Lee Ann Womack’s, I Hope You Dance…

https://youtu.be/RV-Z1YwaOiw

Robin Fuller was born with a defective heart. Enduring surgery after surgery, he ultimately receives a heart transplant, giving him clear perspective on life. His goal is to live each day to the fullest, not sit around waiting for his “borrowed” heart to give out. However, Robin is not immune to heartache.

Repulsed by his scars, Mason, Robin’s boyfriend of five years, breaks up with him effectively wasting a good portion of his remaining time. Making the most of a devastating situation, and exerting his independence, Robin moves to Germany finding work as a tour guide for Euro Pride.

Johan has a thirst for life without a care for what others think. Except maybe the perplexing tour guide who once referred to him as “‘Cousin Itt’”. Cleaning himself up and requesting another tour with the mystifying guide produces a wonderful partnership that flourishes spectacularly.

Robin and Johan’s travels teach us a bit of German history and expose us to vivid images of its countryside. We witness how a loving family interacts. We encounter regret – Robin’s regret for not seeing Johan the first time, his snap judgement and time that’s finite and not renewable.

Unfortunately, Mason reappears signing up for one of Robin’s tours. It seems he has one last “screw you” to give; the guy has no shame. But Johan is having none of that.

Johan’s character, words, and action elicit Robin to “dance” remembering each day is a gift. Together they explore life and plan for the future all while loving each other. They poo-poo the grim reaper; who truly knows how long a life has left? They embark on their tours making a tremendous impact on those they touch.

Borrowed Heart is a sweet romance, but more importantly, it surrounds you with positive energy and eliminates the negative. A reminder to look to the future while dancing as often as you can.

My husband and I enjoy very much Mr Grey’s stories. This was particularly meaningful as I received an organ transplant in August 2018, though I suffered for years with hospitalization and sickness before and my husband stood beside and before me. The feelings, anti-rejection meds, worry and constant realization of another’s organ in you, extending your life was just as he portrayed in this wonderful story. We also love to travel internationally and that was an added joy to read! I wanted to save this story for this summer, our first overseas trip since my transplant, but couldn’t resist. What a terrific, loving tale of compassion, inclusion and acceptance. I would love to see more travel-related stories by you, Mr Grey. Thanks for writing a sweet tale of love for us. It really hit home.

I am a huge fan of Andrew Grey. His books have always been such a comfort for me and Borrowed Heart didn’t fail me. The blurb is a little misleading. Yes, Robin did receive a heart transplant however it was quite a few years ago. He states in the book that average life expectancy for a heart transplant recipient isn’t very long, like 10 to 12 years. His ex, Mason broke off their relationship because of this fact (supposedly). Robin moves to Germany for the summer to lick his wounds and to live his “borrowed” life to the fullest. His latest tour is being driven by Johan and the sparks fly. Like a lot of Andrew’s books, the dreaded ex shows up on the tour and is up to no go. I liked how a few of the tour members also got little side stories. While the tour travels through Germany and the surrounding area, we get to learn more about Robin and his fears. Johan spends most of the time, reassuring Robin that he’s worth being with, no matter how long they will have. My only criticism about the book is that I wanted to know more about what happened with the ex. Otherwise it was a good, sweet story!

Reviewed by Racheal for Diverse Reader

In this emotional and heartwarming story Andrew Grey brings comfort and tranquility to Borrowed Heart.

Robin's childhood was not like those of the ones he witnessed outside his window playing, or even the ones he watched on TV. Although, he tried to play like a healthy child his body wouldn't allow him to exert himself before becoming overly tired. Through numerous surgeries and a transplant he has managed to live a reasonable life as an adult. He decided to move to Germany and was in a committed relationship for 5 years until he was unexpectedly dumped in the most painful and embarrassing way. He loves being a tour guide for Euro Pride but now even his job seems to be a struggle.

Johan routes driving buses on tours and this time he is no longer gonna be quiet and not noticeable to Robin. This sexy driver is determined to show Robin a good time and bring a real smile to his face not the fake one that he has witnessed throughout their previous tours together.

Johan is finally getting Robin to open up to him and the true reasons why he holds back so much of himself and accepting true happiness, when a late comer to the tour ends up to be none other than Mason, Robin's cruel and manipulative ex.

Mason tries to bring more than just malice between Johan and Robin but towards the tour bus. With Johan by his side this will be the last time that Mason ever hurt him much less ruin the tour for everyone else.