The Anatomical Shape of a HeartAuthor: Jenn Bennett
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: November 3, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 302
Source: Publisher
Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she's spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps, she's ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital’s Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down.
Jack is charming, wildly attractive . . . and possibly one of San Francisco’s most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight buses and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who Jack really is—and tries to uncover what he’s hiding that leaves him so wounded. But will these secrets come back to haunt him? Or will the skeletons in Beatrix’s own family’s closet tear them apart?
I can honestly say that The Anatomical Shape of a Heart (internationally known as Night Owls) is one of the best books in the YA genre I’ve read. No joke. There are so many elements to TASoaH that made it wonderful.
♥ It’s very realistic for the the characters ages (18) without being annoying or over-dramatized.
♥ I immensely enjoyed the way art was incorporated into the story. I was so curious about what the meaning behind the graffiti was and why it was being done. I can say that I was very pleased with the reasoning and loved the way everything turned out. The other type of artwork is Bex’s anatomical drawings. She wants to be a medical illustrator, and that includes the need to use cadavers to get parts accurate, which I found especially interesting.
♥ The characters and their different dynamics are instrumental in making this book amazing. One of them being Bex. I seriously love her sense of humor and deadpan wit, especially when Jack couldn’t tell whether or not she was joking at times in the beginning (I get that a lot). There’s no mush brain syndrome when she’s in the presence of a cute guy either, instead she’s quick with banter and has the art of flirting down pretty well. Not to mention how she straight out says what she’s feeling without being all angsty about it. It’s extremely refreshing. Also, this may not seem like a big deal, but I was elated to see Bex take certain steps regarding her safety. For instance, sending a photo of Jack’s I.D. to her brother. What a clever girl!
♥ Ahh, and Jack. What a wonderful guy and again, completely refreshing! I love his retro-rockabily style. His whole demeanor, actually. I’m so used to certain types in YA, so I kept waiting for his true douche self to appear, but what a lovely surprise he was. Girls, there really are guys like him in real life, they just don’t get enough credit.
♥ The romance was executed fabulously. Bex and Jack are absolutely wonderful together! The author did a phenomenal job with putting a realistic feel on first love. And they were just flat-out funny at times. I was smiling and laughing so much, I had to cover my mouth because I’m sure I looked and sounded like a loon. More so than usual. I about died laughing at one point when … well, lets just say he made an impression on her family. It was also nice to see how she didn’t just fall all over him, she made him work for it at first.
♥ Can I just talk about the family dynamic for a moment? I was so happy with the type of relationship Bex had with her mom and brother. Her mom is a friend, but at the same time parental. Even though Bex turned 18, she is still expected to follow the rules and listen to her mom. I thought that was handled very well. Though, things aren’t exactly … perfect, but I’m not getting into spoilers. I can’t even tell you how much I adore the relationship with her brother. They gave each other crap, but were close and had each others backs the way sibling should.
♥ The setting was fantastic! It felt like I was right there in San Francisco with the characters. Granted, I was already familiar with the areas they were in, but I’m sure anyone who hasn’t would still feel that way.
Seriously, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart really impressed me. It’s an all-around sweet, funny, and touching book that left me smiling for a long time after it ended.
I need to buy this one! I love Jenn Bennett and I confess that I’m so curious to discover this new book. Everyone is loving it!
I have meant to read something by her..one day
Good! I’ve loved all of Jenn’s adult work and I’m so excited to finally read this one. It’s on my list for next weekend and I really can’t wait. I love that the setting is so vivid and that the story is completely realistic.
I didn’t know about this one and I loved her Roaring Twenties series. So cool that she’s tackling YA. And that is wonderful that they felt the right age, the family was real and it made you laugh.
Thanks, Christy! Going on the wish list. 😉
I’m in love with this book! Seriously, the characters, the romance (Bex and Jack are really adorable together, right?), and the family relationship in it are just perfect. Suddenly I have the urge to reread this book 😀
Anyway, great review!
YAY! Glad you loved this. I thought it was great too. Bex and Jack were both so awesome. I loved how they were both artistic but in such different ways. Great review!!
I’m so glad you loved this one! Everything you pointed out were things I adored from this book. It is simply perfection <3
“I’m so used to certain types in YA, so I kept waiting for his true douche self to appear, but what a lovely surprise he was.”
LOVE THAT!!! Yes, YA and NA have trained me to expect a bit of douchey-ness or assholery to come out in the male characters at some point, so I’m really glad to know there’s none of that in Jack. I’ve loved everything of Jenn’s I’ve read, so I’m sure this one will be no different:)
I’m surprised you haven’t read this one. You are going to LOVE it, Jenny.
I’ve been dying to read this one since I first saw it. Glad to keep reading positive things about it. Thanks for sharing!
You know I rarely dabble in YA contemps…but I think I need to make an exception for this one 🙂
Yay! I’m so happy you loved it, Christy. It was truly a wonderful novel and I loved both Jack and Bex. One of my favorite things was also the family dynamics. YA really needs to focus more on them instead of the absentee parent.
Beautiful review!
Everyone seems to be loving this one. I liked it as well. I especially liked all the anatomical drawings and the graffiti, not to mention how well the sex stuff was handled.
Everyone seems to be loving this one. I liked it as well. I especially liked all the anatomical drawings and the graffiti, not to mention how well the sex stuff was handled.
How did I not know that you were reading this and why did you not include me in on it? So happy you loved it. I am so getting this for Christmas.
I kind of grabbed it last minute off NG, and am I ever glad I did. You DEFINITELY need to read it. Without a doubt.
Oh I agree! I enjoyed this one immensely as well. I also loved the various relationships that intertwined with our main couple and I really loved her brother as well. Brilly review.
Dying to read this! I requested it late, I was on my NG diet when the arc was loaded and it got buried. I haven’t gotten a “no” email yet, I’m such a fan of Bennett, I hope the book gods bless my request hahaha
Okay I’m definitely adding this to my list, it sounds fantastic!
Right? Right? How awesome is this book?! Gah. Jack is the sweetest boy. <3
OH yay, I’m glad to hear you loved this one. I think I’ve only seen positive reviews for this one. I really do want to read it as soon as possible. I have to admit though, I like the international title way more than the U.S. one. I don’t know why really…
When you say this is one the best YA books you’ve ever read, that gets me attention. Now I badly want to read this so I’m sure I’ll be buying it soon. I love everything you said, the family relationships, the non douche bag guy, the deadpan humour, it all sounds great!
Man I have been trying to get my hands on this. Everybody loves it. I want to love it too! Nice review 🙂
Retro rockabily. That’s awesome. Sounds like a fab read, Christy!
Well, the concept from the blurb sounds interesting but I never got the best YA you’ve read from it. What a pleasant surprise. Now I am interested. The characters sounds awesome, I love when they feel real.
One of the best. And I should’ve narrowed that down to contemporary YA. You should read it, Jen-nay.
Wow, sounds like this was a good one for you Christy. Lots of good characters and an interesting storyline. You have me intrigued about the art and graffiti!
So glad you liked this one! 😀 I LOVEEE the romance, and the parent relationships going on, for both Bex and Jack. The ending was pretty much perfect <3 and ahhh all the feels. Wonderful review!
I have this to read soon! I’ve been hearing so many good things about this book, glad to see you love it (: I do love awesome family dynamics and great romance. Bex sounds lovely.
Great review, Christy!
And the positive reviews roll in for this one! I love the wit and the banter between her and Jack, it definitely sounds like it would set about the butterflies! The artwork in this one sounds really lovely as well. Great review Christy!