Review: Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Title: Things We Know by Heart
Author: Jessi Kirby
Series: n/a
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 21st, 2015
Source: received from publisher via Edelweiss
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

I've only read one other book by Jessi Kirby, and that was Moonglass. I really enjoyed it.. and I'm not sure why I haven't read anything else since. :/ I'm kind of kicking myself in the butt now because I really love her writing. 

Things We Know By Heart is my favorite by Kirby thus far. I loved Moonglass, but not nearly as much as I loved this one. It was just.. *sigh*.. I started it Valentines weekend because it's about a heart! Perfect right? 

I thought so. It follows a girl named Quinn, and she lost her boyfriend in an accident. His organs are donated, and a year later she seeks out the recipient of his heart. She's looking for some sort of closure.. because she's having a very hard time moving on. What she doesn't expect is to actually meet and find a connection with this guy. 

One of my favorite parts of this book, are the quotes ahead of every chapter. I wont elaborate, but they really do go so well with the story. Also, there is hot weather, sand, and ocean. I need that in my life right now. 

There are some sad parts of Thing We Know By Heart, but it's not a tear jerker. I went into this thinking that it might be, since she lost her first love, but it's really a story about finding new love in the light of tragedy. It was plain out sweet and adorable at times. 

I really enjoyed this one. I'll be buying her other two books I haven't read yet soon. I think it's time I add the rest of her works to my kindle library. Highly recommend this one, especially if you've like her other stuff. :) 

About the author:

Jessi Kirby is a former English teacher and librarian. She lives in Orange County, CA
with her husband and two kids, where she writes stories and runs the beach every day. Well, almost every day.


Find Jessi:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Labels: harper-collins, hearts, jessi kirby, love, reviews, things we know by heart