Book Review: Other Breakable Things by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

Other Breakable Things
By: Kelley York & Rowan Altwood
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Published: April 4, 2017
Source: eARC from Publisher in exchange for a honest review
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According to Japanese legend, folding a thousand paper cranes will grant you healing. 

Evelyn Abel will fold two thousand if it will bring Luc back to her. 

Luc Argent has always been intimately acquainted with death. After a car crash got him a second chance at life—via someone else’s transplanted heart—he tried to embrace it. He truly did. But he always knew death could be right around the corner again. 

And now it is. 

Sick of hospitals and tired of transplants, Luc is ready to let his failing heart give out, ready to give up. A road trip to Oregon—where death with dignity is legal—is his answer. But along for the ride is his best friend, Evelyn. And she’s not giving up so easily. 

A thousand miles, a handful of roadside attractions, and one life-altering kiss later, Evelyn’s fallen, and Luc’s heart is full. But is it enough to save him? Evelyn’s betting her heart, her life, that it can be.


Right down to the thousandth paper crane.

 

My Thoughts:

Other Breakable Things was a story that I was drawn to from the beautiful yet simple book cover, and the bittersweet book synopsis.  I requested it at a time in my life were I was drawn to stories that were melancholy, authentic to real life, and gave me a ton of "feels."  Before I got a chance to read it, I underwent a ton of tragedy in my personal life, and didn't want to read a story that would break my heart and make me cry.  At that time, I was looking for the type of reading escape that would help get my mind off of the sadness and pain I was currently enduring.  So even though I knew I wanted to read it, I shelved it, until I could get to a good enough place mentally and emotionally.

Luc and Evelyn were best of friends and even though they both felt more than friendship for one another, they never crossed that line.  They were devastated, when her mother decided to uproot Evelyn from California, and move to Arizona to be with her newest in a long line of boyfriends. Three years later, Evelyn has returned to California after her mother's breakup.  They are back living with Evelyn's grandmother, and she can't wait to see Luc.  Even though she continued to call and write him, he eventually stopped communicating with her.  

Luc's been very sick and his body is rejecting his new heart from the transplant he had shortly after Evelyn left.  He has decided that he can't bear to continue being hospitalized, or even the thought of another transplant.  He doesn't want to continue being a financial or emotional burden on his family.  Luc has a road trip planned to Oregon where euthanasia is legal.  However, he never foresaw Evelyn coming back in to his life, falling in love, and meaning everything to him.  Evelyn is going on the road trip with Luc, and she's determined to make Luc see how beautiful life is, and that it's worth fighting for...

Other Breakable Things was a story full of bittersweet moments, the beauty in simplicity, and living each moment to it's fullest!  Evelyn and Luc were both very likable and mature teens.  Evelyn was all sunshine, optimism, exuberance, and endless love.  Luc was series, a little grumpy, (he had every right to be,) protective, thoughtful, and selfless.  I love that Ms. York and Ms. Altwood wrote the story from Evelyn and Luc's dual perspectives.  I felt like I was with Evelyn and Luc on their road trip.  I experienced butterflies as their feelings for one another grew, excitement with each new adventure or discovery, frustration, sadness, longing, and determination. 

This story had me going through such a rollercoaster of emotions!  I felt both hope and fear throughout the story.  I had certain predictions of how the story would end, and out of all of the possibilities, the ending managed to surprise me.  This story was a real tear jerker, was very true to life, and offered us life lessons about making the most out of every day, finding the beauty in life, and embracing it; even when we're experiencing pain.

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About the Authors:

Kelley is a California author who resides in Humboldt County with her wife, daughter, a German Shepherd, and a handful of cats and rats. In addition to writing, she has her A.S. in Anthropology, and is a graphic designer with a specialty in book cover design. She spends her spare time playing video games and tabletop games like the nerd she is, and combing the beaches for shells. Her specialty is LGBT+ fiction, usually with a dark twist.

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