Review: In a Heartbeat

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love the format – seeing both Eagan’s perspective and Amelia’s perspective. I have heard of cases like the one in this book, and it’s something that I find just amazing. The way Ellsworth weaved the story of the two girls together with the thread of Eagan’s heart is fascinating to read.

Eagan’s relationship with her mom reminds me of the relationship I had with my mom at that age. Very tumultuous. It was interesting to see some of that attitude find its way into Amelia’s relationship with her own parents. Toward the end, I found my eyes getting teary as I read about Eagan and her mother. (I’m trying to write carefully without spoiling the story.) It was very touching, and handled quite nicely. (I do wonder if being a mother shaped my reaction to those parts. Would I have reacted differently if this was something I read before having children? Obviously there’s no way to know, but it’s a question that intrigues me.)

This was a very good, memorable story. I am grateful to have been able to read it – and wouldn’t mind reading it again sometime.

My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars Note: On Goodreads it’s actually 4 stars, because half stars aren’t possible on there.

Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is an Amazon link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission. Your support is appreciated!)

Find me on Goodreads >>

FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.