Publication Date: July 22, 2025
A treasure hunter and the bestselling adventure novelist who broke her heart after one successful expedition reunite for a summer to search for lost riches.
Treasure hunter Stella Moore dreams of having it all—wealth, love, and a flourishing career—but knows she’ll never be that lucky. Every summer she and her childhood friends travel to search for hidden treasure, but she can barely manage her bills, let alone a relationship. Then, a chance encounter with alluring novelist Huck Sullivan during an expedition in Iceland has Stella thinking maybe her fortune has changed.
After his last book bombed, Huck hasn’t written a word. Joining Stella and her crew on an adventure seems like the perfect distraction from his problems, and when the crew finally uncovers hidden treasure, he is certain that he’s found more than just inspiration for his next novel. Huck and Stella’s undeniable connection gives way to an unforgettable night on a black sand beach.
After Huck disappears without a goodbye, Stella vows to put the heartbreak behind her—but that’s easier said than done when, a year later, every bookstore has a life-size cutout of her ex-lover next to stacks of his latest record-breaking bestseller. Good thing it’s time for another summer treasure hunt. Stella throws herself into mapping the path to a shipwreck off Key West, but the last thing she expects is an extra crew member showing up in search of material for a sequel and a second chance.
Stella and Huck are prepared for storms, sharks, sea sickness, even a tentative truce. But facing the feelings they buried and confronting the devastating truth about why Huck left is the only way to find what their hearts have been searching for all along.
Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher is filled with adventures, lost treasures, a shy bestselling author, and romance. The story is set in Iceland and Key West, before they sail off into the sunset.
Treasure hunter Stella and her team, Ted, Zoe, and Gus, encounter author Huck, coincidentally a friend of Ted’s from school, licking his wounds from his failed last novel and suffering from writer’s block in Iceland. Huck is invited to join the crew on their adventure, which may be the perfect diversion from his troubles. We get to know each of them a little at a time, but Stella and Huck tell the story from their points of view throughout.
The descriptions are vivid, with a wealth of details that make me feel like I was there, whether on land, at sea, or on their dives. Huck’s latest book was an interesting choice for him to write, especially since it’s a series.
Stella and Huck have an immediate attraction, but things go awry, and Stella has a hard time trusting him. They circle around each other, occasionally taking one step forward and many more back, until they finally find common ground. There is closure on several fronts by the end of the book, but the story ended abruptly. The discussion questions at the back of the book made me think.
Heart Marks the Spot paints a picture of living life on the water for an extended period while fulfilling dreams. The author richly described the adventures and treasures.
Libby Hubscher is an author and scientist. She studied biology at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and holds a doctorate of philosophy in molecular toxicology from North Carolina State University. Her work has appeared online and in textbooks, scientific journals, and literary journals. Her short story “The Unwelcome Guest” was long-listed for the Wigleaf Top 50 in 2018. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two young children, and a menagerie of pets.
