Heart Stood Still is an eco-memoir and a lyrical portrait of Manawatu, Aotearoa. In early 2020, Miriam Sharland was nearing the end of a 17-year adventure in Aotearoa and was set to return to her family and friends in England when Covid put an end to her travel plans. Facing isolation, Sharland turned to the natural beauty of Manawatu to find healing and a sense of belonging in a time of uncertainty.