When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart.
When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different — dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy —her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life,meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.
Told in alternating viewpoints, In a Heartbeat tells the emotional and compelling story of two girls sharing one heart.
Review:
In a Heartbeat is a touching novel filled with a lot of heart.
It's told in alternating viewpoints of the two main characters Eagan, the girl who dies in a tragic skating accident and who evidentially is an organ donor, and Amelia, a shy girl whose receiving Eagan's heart. Both spun stories that were interesting and easy to get lost in. I loved how both learned to see how important the little things were in life, and how those things could make you the happiest.
The premise was definitely intriguing, one that showed some light on the little talked about topic of heart transplants, and the execution was far better then I expected. It was fascinating to think that person who received the heart could gain some of the personality traits the donor had.
Loretta's writing was up to par and easy to read. Though, I felt that, at times, the transitions between Eagan’s current state of in between life and death and her past life were done a little awkwardly. But other than that, it was great!
Overall, In a Heartbeat is a lovable novel that you should read. Loretta definitely shows a lot of promise leaving her to be an author I'll continue to read more by.
Grade: B+
In a Heartbeat is now out!
Other Links:
Author website
Excerpt from In a Hearbeat
Other Tour Stops:
Feb. 2 – Little Willow http://slayground.livejournal.com
Feb. 3 – Elizabeth- http://dulemba.com
Feb. 4 – April- http://aprilnichole.com/
Feb. 5 – Dary- http://www.libraryloungelizard.com
Feb. 6 – Kim- http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com
Feb. 7 – Lauren- http://laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Feb. 8 – Yan- http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/
Feb. 9 –Kerry- http://shelfelf.wordpress.com, Alea Adou- http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com
Feb. 10 – Ashley- http://booksaremylove.blogspot.com/
Feb. 11 – Cindy - mother/daughter bookclub (review) www.motherdaughterbookclub.com
Feb.12 – Cindy - mother/daughter bookclub (interview)
Feb. 13 – Kate - http://readthisbook.wordpress.com
Wow, great review! I've been wanting to read this one for awhile! It sounds like a touching read :)
ReplyDeleteThis one is on my wish list. Glad you think it's good :)
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