Review: The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett

Hello there!  It's been a long time, but I'm back!  This is my first post in about three months and while I've missed everyone I've enjoyed and needed the time off. I hope everyone has been well!

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: November 3rd 2015
My rating: 4.5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she's spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps, she's ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital’s Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down.

Jack is charming, wildly attractive . . . and possibly one of San Francisco’s most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight buses and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who Jack really is—and tries to uncover what he’s hiding that leaves him so wounded. But will these secrets come back to haunt him? Or will the skeletons in Beatrix’s own family’s closet tear them apart? 

My Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a swoony young adult romance The Anatomical Shape of a Heart is the book for you! 

Beatrix, “Bex” Adams wants to be a medical illustrator, a highly competitive field, and is trying to win scholarship money to aid that future. After trying to get a seat in the Willed Bodies program of her local hospital she misses the train home and must take the late Owl bus where she meets Jack.  Their chemistry is immediate and mutual:

His gaze lifted and met mine. We stared at each other.

And stared.

And stared…

A strange heat sparked inside my chest and spread over my skin.—I didn’t know what was happening between us, but I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if the Owl had burst into flames, veered off the road, and exploded in a fiery inferno.

But on their journey, Bex figures out Jack is an infamous graffiti artist. Does she want to get involved with trouble?  The pull to him is undeniable and they end up crossing paths and hearts, navigating first love and family drama along the way. 

I enjoyed the fact that Bex was comfortable in her own skin being a sort of “misfit” but okay with that.  I admired that she was a hardworking teenager since her father left and the family’s funds were stretched, but didn’t wallow in self-pity. Her father was supremely selfish for leaving, and my heart broke for them.  I felt for Bex’s mother, Katherine, and I thought she tried to do right by her kids for the most part, but I was very disappointed with her over one issue, but no one is perfect, and feelings of rejection can short circuit good thinking sometimes. 

Jack, the graffiti artist/beautiful boy, had his share of family issues, but he was a complete sweetheart!  The unraveling of his secrets and slow progression of Jack and Bex’s romance kept me glued to the pages.

I just visited San Francisco over the summer, and while reading I felt like I was transported back there all over again with its cool, foggy weather, trendy restaurants, old Victorian townhomes, and unique energy! The city came alive through Jenn Bennett’s writing.  Visit her Pinterest board to get some of the imagery and more of a feel for the story.

It’s been a while since I read a young adult romance. I actually don’t read many young adult stories anymore, but I’m a huge fan of Jenn Bennett so I knew I had to read The Anatomical Shape of a Heart.  Ms. Bennett nails the ups and downs of youth and real life, mixing it with humor and charm making her story utterly captivating.  She captured the thrill and headiness of first love perfectly, which, of course, was my favorite part! 

Connect with Jenn Bennett:

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads