Review: Second Hand Heart

Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Release Date: September 2, 2010
Publisher: Black Swan
Pages: 460
Age Groups: Young Adult
Source: Tour
Interest: None
Other Titles in Series: None

Vida is 19 and has never had much of a life. Struggling along with a life-threatening heart condition, her whole life has been one long preparation for death. But suddenly she is presented with a donor heart, and just in time. Now she gets to do something she never imagined she'd have to do: live. 
Richard is a 36-year-old man who’s just lost his beloved wife, Lorrie, in a car accident. Still in shock and not even having begun the process of grieving, he is invited to the hospital to meet the young woman who received his wife’s donor heart.

Vida takes one look at Richard and feels she’s loved him all her life. And tells him so. Richard assumes she’s just a foolish young girl. And maybe she is. Or maybe there’s truth behind the theory of cellular memory, and maybe it really is possible for a heart to remember, at least for a time, on its own.

Second Hand Heart is both a story of having to learn to live for the first time, and having to learn to live all over again.

I was surprised at how much I liked this novel! I knew it was going to be good, but I had no clue I would grow this attached to the characters! 

Vida is the main character. You can not help but love her. She has been through so much, but she is so strong. Though the whole book I just wanted to hug the poor girl. She had lived such a shelled life. Her mom was a bit overboard with the protecting her. I loved Richard! Bell his soul. All of the characters are suffering in some way. It is such a emotional book I flew through it!

This book is large and may seem intimidating, but as I stated earlier I flew through it! It really was worth reading. I had no idea I would get this attached to the characters. After I finished the book I was still thinking about them!

This book is for older readers. Their is some sexual content, but it wasn't really bad. Other then that it is suitable for any YA reader. 

I loved how it was written as a journal. It switched between Vi and Richard. 

Catherine really surprised me! I will be reading more of her work as soon as I can!