ARC Review of "Things We Know By Heart"

Things We Know By Heart 

By Jessi Kirby 

Stars: 5 

Source: Edwelweiss 

Release Date: April 21st 2015 

When Quinn Sullivan's boyfriend, Trent, suddenly passes away his tragic end gives five others new beginnings. 

Quinn is so heartbroken by his sudden death that she can't cope, can't move on, can't let go. 

Even months later she still feels the pain of Trent's absence. 

Hoping to find closure and peace Quinn decides to write letters to the recipients of Trent's organs. She writes five letters but only four are answered. 

The recipient of Trent's heart seemingly wants nothing to do with her or Trent's family so Quinn decides to find whoever received the heart and hopefully with them find closure. 

What she doesn't expect is Colton Thomas. 

Suddenly she finds herself falling for Colton and she's afraid that the truth, the reason why she met him in the first place, will break the heart she so carefully sought after. 

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I cannot describe the feelings that this book made me feel. It was an emotional roller coaster that left me begging for more, because while the lows were very low the highs were magnificent. 

There is such grief and such pain in this book. It is written so well that it makes you feel everything that Quinn is feeling and with an intensity that is almost painful. But the hopefulness and the pure love and gratitude and joy that is side by side the hurt and pain makes it all worth it. 

I don't even know where to start, I loved everything about this book! I guess I'll just list off a couple of my favorite things and go from there. 

1. Her family. I've noticed that a lot of the newer YA books have a strong focus on family ties, it's no longer just the main character with the absentee parents and the gang of friends. Quinn's family was amazing, I adored her Grandmother, envied her sister and loved her parents. I don't think I would have liked this story as much as I did without Quinn's family. 

2. Ryan. I feel like Ryan deserves her own little mention. She was definitely one of my favorite characters. I would LOVE a companion book about Ryan and her Italian adventures. 

3. The writing. This is my first book by Kirby and holy cow her writing is spectacular! I read this book insanely fast! I couldn't wait to see how it ended, but some sentences demanded to be read over and over again or they would refuse to let you move on. This story captures you and you find yourself fully immersed in someone else's life completely unaware of the passing hours.  

I HIGHLY recommend this book and anything else written by Jessi! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.