Benji’s Book Corner: Things We Know By Heart

A Book Review | Things We Know by Heart | By Jessi Kirby

This book was undeniably effortless and enjoyable to read. It washes over you, and it takes you along for a heart-breaking, romantic, and ultimately – heart-healing ride.

From the Back Cover: “When Quinn Sullivan lost her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, her world is shattered. So in an attempt to take control of her mourning, she reaches out to the recipients of Trent’s donated organs. Every letter she writes is answered except for one, to the person that received Trent’s donated heart. Going outside the system, Quinn tracks down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas, hoping to find peace once and for all. But, like all matters of the heart, it’s not quite that simple. What begins as an accidental run in with Colton quickly becomes an undeniable attraction. Quinn knows she should walk away- especially since Colton has no idea how they’re connected – but that means giving up on the only semblance of happiness she’s felt in over a year. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, every beat of his heart is a reminder of all she’s lost … and could lose again.”

 

Three Things I loved About Things We Know By Heart

1. Good Intentions Gone Totally Wrong: Okay, so Quinn does a bad thing- like… a REALLY bad thing. We should all be mad at her and scorn her for her poor choice. BUT – the author makes it impossible to judge her too harshly. That is such good writing! To take this very ethically questionable action, (betraying the confidence of the donor recipient after they’ve asked for no contact – and then spy on them and even meet them – and lie to them about not knowing who they are) but write it so it seems like, Yes – that’s a perfectly understandable thing to do! Impressive storytelling to say the least.
2. The Push and Pull of Conflicting Emotions: It may be hard to accept sometimes, but you can feel opposing emotions simultaneously. Quinn tragically lost her high school love, Trent. The author does and excellent job of showing us how utterly destroyed she was. She also shows us how Quinn is trying and failing at getting over him. However, Quinn is still alive. She’s a young adult and her life is still going on. She feels and undeniable attraction to Colton that comes with a heaping helping of guilt, but it’s there just the same.
3. The Sprinkling of Science: There are really interesting science blurbs at the beginning of each chapter that inform the reader about the heart, transplants, and what it’s like to be a recipient. These short snippets of fact help to cement the validity of the emotions that the characters are experiencing. For instance- this one is used to illustrate how when Quinn and Colton meet for the first time, they inexplicably feel that they already know each other. “Scientists have identified individual neurons, which fire, when a particular person has been recognized. Thus, (it is possible that) when a recipient’s brain analyzes the features of a person, who significantly impressed the donor, the donated organ may feed back powerful emotional messages, which signal recognition of the individual. Such feedback messages occur within milliseconds and the recipient (may even believe) that (he) knows the person.” – Cellular Memory in Organ Transplants

 

 

Mex-inspired hot chocolate

I made myself some mexi-hot chocolate this morning in appreciation of the spicy bits of this novel. The characters are older, nineteen – so there’s a bit more raciness than a YA book written for a slightly younger audience. It’s not graphic or smutty by any stretch. It’s tasteful- leaving just enough detail in to get the heart fluttering. 😉

 

 

To make yourself a spicy chocolate bevvie:

Heat one cup of plant milk, 1 tbsp of cacao powder, 1 tbsp of maple syrup, one dash of cayenne, and one dash of cinnamon in a saucepan until warm. Enjoy!

 

 

We hope you enjoyed the review and the book!

XO

Mariah (and Benji)

 

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