The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrell

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 13, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718075706
• ISBN-13: 978-0718075705

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.

My Thoughts:

Sorry.

**

Can't type. 

**

Many tears.

**

Heart too full.

**

So, exquisitely good.

Okay, now that I've gotten that out of my system, may I just say that Lindsay Harrell is a fantabulous author?  "The Heart Between Us" is another sister story, but unlike the others this one has a special twist.  Megan has been fighting heart failure for most of her adolescence, while her sister Crystal has been able to do all the things Megan hasn't.

Life changes drastically when Megan receives a heart transplant.  At least, it should have.

But both sisters are cemented in the roles they've played for a lifetime.  It takes the journal of a dead girl and a bucket list from beyond to shake up the sisters and to set them free to really live.  

"The Heart Between Us" also deals with the fact that, for someone to receive an organ transplant, someone else has to die.  Reading about Megan's emotional journey really drove home the sacrifice that saved her life, and made me think about the incredible gift that's given with organ donation.

I'm very impressed with Harrell's ability to tell a heart-string-tugging story, and I'm giving "The Heart Between Us" four out of five stars.  My thanks to the publisher for my advance copy with no services provided in exchange!

Until the next page turns, 

Deena