CW: Reference to suicide as they believe the body found was the result of a suicide, organ donation.

3.5 Stars ( )

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review this heartwarming story by C.C. Hunter. This is the story of transplant recipient Leah’s struggle through critical illness and the emotional journey she makes as life suddenly becomes more than just about surviving one day at a time, and also Matt, whose brother’s heart was the organ she received.

Leah is a girl who has resigned herself to her fate. Statistically, she knows there is a good chance she won’t have too many tomorrows, and doesn’t want to hurt those she will leave behind. This story shines in its study of emotional recovery. What do you do when suddenly, you might be able to live? Is it so easy to turn around and embrace life with a smile on your face, or will such a close call with death haunt you?

Matt is an interesting counterpoint. Having just lost his father, his family is in a dark place. When his twin brother is found dead months later, it’s assumed to be suicide. But Matt can’t let it go. Is he trapped in his own grief, unable to accept the possibility that depression could have taken his brother’s life, or has something far more sinister occurred that the police refuse to investigate? The way Hunter crafts the two families… one dealing with the fear of loss while the other deals with the aftermath, is cleverly done, and the romance between Matt and Leah is sweet. A definite great read.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book. ( )

"She asks me to unbutton my top. I almost don’t care that I’m flashing my boobs. I think everyone in the hospital has seen them. They try to cover them up with the sides of my pajama top when they examine me, but it never fails, something slips. Boobs are slippery like that."

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

I absolutely loved this book! I'm so happy it was the first book I finished in 2018! It was a great way to start the year, and it means I'm going to have very high standards for everything else I read. I hope they are all just as marvelous!

The entire book has an underlying sadness to it. The grief is palpable and constant. It shows you how different people choose to heal and manage their emotions, but it also shows you that the pain never completely leaves.

The characters are ridiculously relatable. I didn't feel like I was reading a fictional story. I felt like I was reliving someone's life experiences. It was really realistic and there were times I thought, "I do that, too!" Another awesome example: Matt reads Harry Potter and James Dashner. He also reads a romance book and isn't ashamed that he enjoyed it.

The relationship between Matt and Leah was sweet and sincere. They went through their rainbow of emotions, and it was beautiful to watch them come together. The newness of their feelings was light and refreshing, while their circumstances gave it a darker edge.

Leah also has the best Best Friend. I thought it was hilarious, and so very true, when the author included a bathroom scene with the two of them. They can have an entire conversation while taking turns peeing into a toilet, and it's not awkward or weird. It shows just how comfortable they are with each other, and it takes a long time to develop that kind of friendship and ease with another person.

There are literal laugh-out-loud moments, sweet and endearing moments, and moments when you want to take some of their pain away. It was a captivating, emotional, and hilarious story that I plan to read again and again.

I do have one minor issue with the book--it was too easy for me to determine the killer. I had made my assumptions long before the information was actually revealed, and it disappointed me a little. It didn't take away from the overall story, or Matt and Leah, but it was still a bummer. I like to be surprised. I don't mind intentionally knowing something before the characters, but I feel like this revelation was supposed to be shared with them. Instead I'm thinking, "Yep! I knew that was coming!" I wish his identity had been a little harder to discern.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on January 3rd 2018
http://www.doyoudog-ear.com/2018/01/this-heart-of-mine-by-cc-hunter.html ( )

This kept me wanting more

You don't see too many YA books about teens who need transplants. You're more likely to see cancer or another disease, but a book about a 17 year old girl getting a heart transplant is unique. I like that this book had multiple elements going on. There was Leah, who needed a heart and was resigned to dying. Then a miracle happens and she gets a heart and a new chance at life. Now she has to figure out how to stop living one day at a time and start planning for the future.
Then you have Matt, who lost his dad and twin brother and is trying to figure out what really happened that night. He believes his brother was killed and needs to prove it.
The different pieces of the story came together well and gave it depth. This was entertaining and a fun read. ( )

I became a fan of this author's when I read the Shadow Falls books. I was intrigued to read this author's new book which is different from the prior series. I like this new approach that the author had for a story. Hearing about the author's own experience with heart transplants as her husband is a recipient of one is great. Although, when it came to this book, the second half was way better. I just wished that it had happened sooner.

The first half of the story was fine. It just didn't draw me into the story or the characters as much as the second half. The first half of the story felt more like it was all about the set up. Whereas, in the second half, I felt the connection between Matt and Leah. They pulled me into the story. This book was an enjoyable read. ( )