It must’ve must been everything he didn’t want – a connection to his past, and the acknowledgment of a stranger’s death, and the pain of those mourning that death.

Quinn’s world is shattered when her boyfriend is killed in an accident. His organs donated, it’s suggested that she write to the recipients to help get closure, to understand the life and chances that came out of the tragedy. But one recipient doesn’t reply, the most important of all, the boy who received his heart. Quinn tries to track him down, promising she won’t approach him, won’t interact, but fate has other ideas.

Things We Know by Heart is a tender story about moving on with your life after tragedy. At the start, Quinn hasn’t really accepted that Trent is gone and she’s become obsessed with the recipient of his heart, tracking him down online. She feels that a piece of Trent is still out there, unaccounted for.

Quinn knows what she’s doing is wrong, she feels the same awkwardness as the reader. She should stop this now but it’s never the right time. I really felt for her, but I also loved her discovering the Californian coast. It made me want to go back there and go sea kayaking.

It’s completely understandable that Colton would be drawn to Quinn. When someone has been that close to the brink of death, people who knew them at that time are likely to treat him with care. They will always see him as the sick kid and know what he’s been through. Quinn is a blank slate, or so he thinks.

It’s terrifying to realize how much of your world is wrapped around loving another person.

Each chapter starts with a quote on hearts or transplants. Some refer to the heart as more than just an organ; that maybe a part of the person stays with the transplanted organ. However the story itself is much more rooted in reality. The sunflower connection can be a coincidence but also leaves a little doubt in your mind.

Things We Know by Heart is published by HarperCollins and is available now in paperback and ebook editions. Thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy for review. Please note, the photo at the top of this post is taken my me and should not be used without my permission.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free of charge for review purposes only. Receipt of a book does not guarantee a review or endorsement. My reviews are my honest opinion and are not biased for the purpose of personal gain.