Review: This Heart of Mine by C.C. Hunter (Spoiler Free)

Title: This Heart of Mine

Author: C.C. Hunter

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publication Date: February 27, 2018

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.

A new heart saved her life—but will it help her find out what really happened to its donor?

Seventeen-year-old Leah MacKenzie is heartless. An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive. However, this route only offers her a few years. And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn’t likely. Living like you are dying isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when a heart becomes available, she’s given a second chance at life. Except Leah discovers who the donor was — a boy from her school — and they’re saying he killed himself. Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realizes she may hold the clues to what really happened.

Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself. When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he’s certain it means something. While unraveling the secrets of his brother’s final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose. But life and even new hearts don’t come with guarantees. Who knew living took more courage than dying?

Guys, this was a good one. Stop what you’re doing right now and order a copy. Even if you’re not usually a contemporary person, this book will manage to captivate you with it’s heartbreaking take on how people deal with grief and also it’s compelling storyline. This is a nearly 400 page book, but you won’t ever feel it’s length because you’ll be so invested. Leah’s story is so inspiring. By the time I got to the last page, I was so proud to be an organ donor.

Matt and Leah are some of my favorite characters I’ve ever read about. They are both so real, and there are times when their pain is just so raw that you can’t help but ache for them. They’re coming to terms with such different things, but they way they’re able to help each other through their respective struggles is beautiful. They have such a great relationship, and I totally ship it.

As for the story itself, C.C. Hunter doesn’t shy away from the realities of what the life of a transplant recipient is like, whether it’s the good, the bad, or the ugly. You see that even after Leah receives her new heart, that’s not necessarily the end of her fight. I also loved the relationship that Leah had with her mother, in particular. You see them have healthy, open discussions about love, sex, and just life in general. It’s so great to see healthy family dynamics in a genre where family drama is such a popular plot device.

This Heart of Mine is beautifully written and full of family and love. I would definitely pick it up again, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.