What a great read "In a Heartbeat" was. This was basically a story of two girls and one heart. I loved how the author told the story from both Amelia's and Eagan's points of view. Af first I wasn't sure about Eagan's narration since she was already dead, but the author did it well, and by the end I was sorry to see her go.

Both girls were relatable and I thoroughly enjoyed following Amelia's story as she struggled to adjust to her new heart and the inexplicable changes that occurred after her operation. Eagan's story was just as interesting as she slowly overcame her confusion, accepted her death and let go of the past. Told in alternating chapters, the more I read this book the more invested I became in the two girls and their lives.

I am so glad I picked "In a Heartbeat" up. When I saw the cover I was expecting a light, fluffy read but, instead, I found a touching story about organ donation and second chances. ( )

Mother/daughter bookclub selection ( )

Probably more of a 3.5 for me overall. This is an extremely fast read and definitely a young adult read. The story revolves around a heart transplant scenario and switches back and forth between the donor and the recipient.

The girls each tell their stories through memories (Eagan) or through the way they are adjusting to their new heart (Amelia). At the core of the story is the connection between the two - Amelia seems to really have a part of Eagan within her, from tastes of food to colors. Even memories come through to her.

I was craving a little more of the family dynamic and more specifically hoping for a connection into Eagan's mom's story, but that could just be because I'm a mom myself, and this is written with the teenage female in mind.

It would be an interesting discussion to have with a group of teenagers, most definitely. ( )

Simple and good. The plot is interesting but there's not much twist and weight to the story. But I liked it. I even cried towards the end. I mean, it's always so sad when someone so young and promising and vibrant dies so suddenly. It's tragic and I kinda wished Eagan didn't die, but then how about Amelia, right?

There are just some things I'm quite not satisfied with. Like, Eagan's mom's skating career wasn't explored in the story. If she used to be a good skater, why did she stop? How did Eagan's baby sister died? Why did her family kept it from her? What happened to the rocking chair? Was Amelia able to get rid of those nasty habits (e.g. talking back) she 'got' from Eagan? I also didn't like the idea that Eagan just checked that 'organ donor' box on her driver's license just because she didn't want to stand in a long line again.

Thinking of these unanswered questions made me feel frustrated and disappointing. It was like reading an unfinished book. Honestly, I didn't even realize I was heading towards the end. I was waiting for some back stories and I was like "That's it?"

But still I can say it's a good read. I enjoyed this book okay.
( )

Two characters tell a compelling and thought-provoking tale of the biomedical repercussions.

A one-half inch error on the ice during a skating competition translates to the end of life for Eagan. Suffering from a degenerative heart condition, Amelia is given the miraculous gift of life when she becomes the recipient of Eagan's healthy, athletic heart.

In a gray, foggy limbo state of existence, Eagan confusingly observes memories of her recent experiences before her untimely death. After surgery, Amelia awakes to a healthy body but a mind that remembers events that were not a part of her life. She now has a personality that is very different than the one that previously existed.

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The author based the theory of this book from research that suggests that memory may be stored not only in the brain, but in the cells as well. There are instances when transplant recipients acquired characteristics of heart donors. ( )