please read disclosures & policies

purchases via affiliate links offset the cost of this website. thank you!

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 in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, 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.

goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | christianbook

 

my thoughts

Even though this kind of around the world adventure seems highly unlikely for many of us to actually experience, the authentic relationships and layers and struggles are completely relatable. So, why not indulge in some literary travels, right?! Personally, I have never flown and have no desire to do so but these destinations leap from the pages and make me wonder how many of these places I could actually reach by land or sea!

I have three sisters so perhaps that’s part of the reason I find myself so drawn to stories featuring sibling relationships. However, I tend to think our deeper desire to connect and belong make this dynamic appealing regardless of our own family structure. In short, you don’t have to have a sister to enjoy this story! Face your own fears alongside Megan and Crystal as they plow through the strain of the awkward distance between them.

This story has so many delicious layers that I would recommend it to a wide variety of readers from women’s fiction or romance fans. Readers who travel and those who are content to live vicariously through others, folks who’ve lived with illness and even those of us who haven’t will all be entertained by and even challenged by this story. I can’t wait to get my hands on Harrel’s previous and future work!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

about the author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels.

When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her on her website and social media!

website | facebook  | twitter | instagram | pinterest

also available

goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | christianbook

 

giveaways

Lindsay has several giveaway opportunities listed on her website and she is giving away an amazing prize package during release week.
Enter HERE to win a copy of The Heart Between Us, a $25 Amazon gift card, and several fun travel-themed items.
The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and ends Sunday, 3/18, at midnight Pacific time.

 

Only hours remaining in the Faithfully Bookish giveaway! GO!

 

How would you describe your relationship with your siblings?
Close, distant, tight, tense?
Would you go on a huge trip with them?