Review: Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Title: Things We Know by Heart
Author: Jessi Kirby
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary Romance
Release date: April 21st, 2015
Pages: 304 (eGalley)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Edelweiss
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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.

Before the accident, Quinn had a normal life. She had plans for prom, graduation, and college--all of which she envisioned her boyfriend, Trent, by her side.  One horrifying morning, she realizes that nothing is ever set in stone.  Her soulmate was taken away from her and every plan she had for the future came and went.  Living just wasn't the same when Trent couldn't live with her.  Eventually, she reaches out to those who received his organs with the thought that meeting them would help.  Still, there was one she never heard from, one she ached to know.  After weeks of digging, she finally found the person who Trent's heart now belonged to.

Things We Know by Heart is the fourth book I've read by Jessi Kirby, and it definitely didn't disappoint.  Though the subject matter sounds pretty heavy, I felt that the story was very light-hearted and easy to read.  I could relate to Quinn, because there have been times in my life where I've lost people and felt the same.  She had trouble moving on.  Trent was the first and last thing on her mind each day, even a year after he died.  She didn't have much of a will to do anything other than look for the missing piece named Colton.  Once they finally do meet, she realizes how much she's been missing by shutting out the rest of the world.

While reading, I didn't think that this book would become a favorite of mine.  It was just another cute contemporary romance, but by the end, I was crying and wishing that it wouldn't end.  I went through this story in a day, and I loved every minute of it.  From the start, I pleaded with Quinn to tell Colton the truth.  He was such a sweet and caring character, so I empathized with him the most.  Colton had no idea who Quinn was or that she'd written him the letter so many months ago, and I felt that with each chapter, I was just waiting for the entire romance to blow up in Quinn's face.

Things We Know by Heart is the epitome of a great contemporary romance.  The story is original and that's what kept me hanging on until the very end.  Sure, there are a few cliches, but I don't mind as much as some.  Though death brought these two characters together, life is what made this story special.  Life is what happens when you learn to move on.