Review of The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

About the Book ~

Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide and living with her parents in her small Minnesota hometown, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.

When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.

As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

For more information about Lindsey Harrel and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

When it comes to The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel, all the happy heart feelings abound. <3

First off, I loved the traveling! Thanks to Megan and Crystal's adventure, I was able to vicariously travel the globe from the safety of my couch while wearing my cozy slippers. #win

The author wrote the story in such a fun, unique way with not only Megan and Crystal's perspectives, but also with journal entries, blog posts, and flashbacks. Swoony romance popped up in the most perfect way, and the pages flew by me as we jetted from one destination to the next, from one poignant juncture to the next soul-inspiring moment. It's one of those books that I am kicking myself for not having a notebook handy. Oh, well. I'll save that for the reread. ;-)

Megan and Crystal are the literary sisters of my heart. I love them. I hear them. I understand them. While the gorgeous cover and heartfelt premise of this story made me anxious to read it, at the same time I was hesitant because I knew I would relate to this story in a real and literal way. I am so thankful that I didn't let my fear and personal trauma stop me!! Reading this story made me feel like I had finally found that story that articulated the emotions from the hidden, dusty corner of my heart. However, you don't need to have a family rife with heart problems to relate. We all have trauma. We all have pain and fear and doubts. Between these pages, you will find a story filled with hope, love, and joy. Something we all need so very much. <3

Five Stars ~ A story I will forever cherish! I look forward to reading more books by Lindsay Harrel very soon!

I received a copy of The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel published by Thomas Nelson from BookLook Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.