Things We Know by HeartAuthor: Jessi Kirby
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 21, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher
Quinn Sullivan lost the love of her life when her boyfriend, Trent, died in an accident their junior year. In an attempt to get closure, she reached out to the recipients of his donated organs. Though some answered her letters, the one Quinn feels matters most--the person who received Trent's heart--has been silent.
Nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas has spent the last several years in and out of hospitals waiting for a heart transplant. Now that he's finally received a new heart, Colton is regaining strength, and he's walking away from his bedridden past with no intention of looking back. He doesn't want to know about the person who had to die so that he could live. He only wants to move forward.
But Quinn can't let it go. Venturing outside the system to find Colton, Quinn takes a risk in hopes of finally laying her memories to rest. But what begins as an innocent conversation quickly becomes an attraction--and to make matters worse, Colton has no idea how they're connected. His zest for life pulls Quinn from her months of sorrow but leaves her torn between honesty and utter betrayal. Because no matter how hard she's falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she's lost.
“For so long, I was the one with his heart. I just need to see where it is now.”
I can’t believe I almost skipped this book. Things We Know by Heart was so moving and beautiful. I don’t know if it was just my mood that enhanced the emotions or what, but I swear, it felt like my eyes were on a continuous drip while reading. Ah, but there were plenty of smiles and laughs too.
Quinn’s boyfriend died and his organs were donated to various people. First of all, I’m so happy that the subject of organ donation was covered and we get to briefly see the people who were saved because of it. It was incredibly touching. Quinn has met with all the recipients except the one who means the most to her. All she wants is a glimpse of the guy who received Trent’s heart, but apparently fate has other plans.
I adore Colton and Quinn. Colton has a great attitude and doesn’t want to waste any of his second chance at life. While Quinn is stuck, not sure how to move on from her loss. Oh, these two. The chemistry and pull between them is palpable, and their connection feels so easy and natural. It just feels good when they’re together.
“Are you hungry? I know this great taco place. We could eat, and then maybe- ” He stops when I shake my head.
“I can’t. It’s Sunday.”
“You don’t eat tacos on Sunday?”
I manage, barely, to match his straight face. “No. Only on Tuesdays.”
The secondary characters are wonderful too. They are so supportive of Quinn and are really there for her. My favorites are her sister and grandma; how they showed such strength and pushed Quinn in just the right ways.
And of course, I love the setting! The author does a wonderful job at transporting us to the small coastal town and taking us on their little adventures. Anytime a place like this is mentioned in a book, I automatically conjure images of places I’m familiar with and love on California’s central coast. So it made me giddy when actual places I know were mentioned. I about died laughing at the description of Pirate’s Cove because it’s spot-on.
Something else I really enjoyed was how each chapter starts with a quote, fact or statistic about the heart. This was such a great touch! Even some of the facts and statistics are beautiful and felt emotional given the context.
The Things We Know by Heart is an absolute gem. This is my first Jessi Kirby book, but it’s definitely not my last.
The “only on tuesdays” quote reminds me of another novel 😉 You’re a danger, you know that ? Every time I go see one of your reviews and think the cover doesn’t appeal me much, or it’s not the kind of books I want to read these days, I read your review and… add the book to my Everest-to-be-read pile ! 😉
Beautiful review, Christy! I loved this book so much too and yes the setting was absolutely gorgeous.
I loved Colton! He was my favorite. I’m so happy you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Dang it I wasn’t going to read this either but this is the second glowing review I have seen for it and if you loved it, then I trust completely that I will too.
*sigh* Off to add it to the pile.
I have been curious about this one, of course I would ball my eyes out reading this.
i Can tell from the photos you included how much this touched you. It sounds heavy, but I love stories like this. If done right, the journey is incredible
Oh this sounds so good Christy!!!
Oh, I haven’t heard of this one. It sounds like a tear jerker tho!
I have read mixed reviews on this one and I can’t get an accurate read on it. I will have to just try it for myself as I have heard such amazing things about this author. An interesting topic as well.
I skipped this because I was afraid it would break my heart! I’ll add it to the list for when I’m in the mood to be hurt. 😀
I really love Jessi Kirby’s writing. I’ve heard mixed things about this book but I’m definitely going to have to read it. I’m so glad you enjoyed!
You don’t know how much I need this book. I thought I had pre orders it but I hadn’t and now I have to wait till this weekend till I get paid ahhh. I am so excited for this book it is my most anticipated book of 2015. If your looking for another book with organ donation as the theme check out What Remains by Helene Dunbar just read it and loved it. It’s out the beginning of May.
Sounds emotional and cute. Loved the quote! I do think you convinced me I need to put this one my wishlist.
Ahhh that sounds like one that would make me leak too. lol That is great to see the subject brought up. Definitely not one you see often.
Really want to read this. Waterworks?
This sounded like a sweet read Christy. I want to know what happens between Quinn and Colton… how he takes her secret. Nice review girl.
Wow, kinda a messed up story but yeah, a good subject to read about. Hreatbreaking though.
I started reading this one, but I never go to actually finish it – I do like the premise of this book though, although.. at times the dialogue can be a bit cheesy. Atleast one of us loved it 🙂 Great review.
I have to say that I am one of those who wants to dismiss this book already. Only because it seems such an emotional journey and I’m not really in the mood for that. But sometimes, like Trouble by Non Pratt, I really enjoy one occasionally so maybe I need to reconsider not reading this book after all. Great review. 🙂
I love how you almost skipped it yet ended up adoring it. For some reason, the blurb didn’t grab me so I didn’t pick it up. Kicking myself now. Especially as I adored Golden by the same author and should have had more faith.
Oooh, I am so glad you liked this Christy! I feel the urge to pick this up before vacation so I can read it by the pool… Though maybe not now that I know it’s a tear jerker. I’m digging those more and more these days. 🙂 I’m intrigued by the organ donor theme. hmmm
This is the second super positive review I’ve read about this book, and while the first time I didn’t thin it was for me, you just started to make me wonder.
Beautifully said and illustrated 🙂
Awww this book sounds like a super emotional one and it’s so fantastic when you pick it up and realise you’ve found an absolute gem! Lovely review Christy!
I reviewed this one this past week too. It’s really cool that you are actually familiar with the setting of the book. That’s always really neat to know exactly what the author is talking about. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this one. It was a bit of a surprise that I liked it as much as I did too.
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I agree that this was such an amazing book. One of the best I’ve read in the Contemporary genre tha sent my heart very warm flutters, made me learn so many things and how fragile and beautiful life is. And I love the pictures you used! Those are the exact images my mind conjured when I read this book!
Hehe – Those are the actual places in the book. I used to party up there at Pirate’s Cove, but I swear I didn’t leave glass like was mentioned in the book. 😉
This sounds like such a beautiful story! What a tear-jerker. I agree that organ donation is very important. This story is going to the top of my TBR! Excellent Review!
Woah…This is weird. When was this book published? Because I read a book with almost the same subject maybe 2 years ago. It’s called Vital Sign by J. L. Mac.
Weird…
Oh, sorry. I see now the publication date above.