The Heart Between Us: 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.
Bubby:
I do love books about sisters. I do! I guess it’s because I have an amazing sister of my own and I want everyone to see how awesome that can be. Unfortunately Megan and Crystal have drifted apart during the years that Megan has been sick. Megan is afraid to live a full life even though she has a new healthy heart and Crystal prioritizes her career above anything else. So not the relationship that Sissy and I have!
Sissy:
What a lovely thing to say. Even if you weren’t my only sister, you’d be my favorite!
Bubby:
I know.
Sissy:
I adored this story. The premise is different and refreshing and I couldn’t get enough of it. The main story of Megan and Crystal’s bucket list journey was a great adventure in and of itself, but the side stories of the heart donor and her family, Crystal’s husband and job, and long-lost Caleb added such warmth and depth to The Heart Between Us.
Bubby:
I think I have a bucket list somewhere that I wrote when I was a teenager. I should go find it. Now, I had no life-threatening issues, so it’s probably a pretty tame (yet insipid) list. Might be fun to see how I’ve done with it though. I feel that if I had a daughter whose heart I had donated, it would be such a fulfilling experience to have my daughter’s life goals accomplished. It must have brought such closure to Amanda’s parents.
Sissy:
The relationship Megan established with Amanda’s parents grew into something beautiful for sure. But please no having our daughters have to donate their hearts! From my lips to God’s ears!
Bubby:
I couldn’t agree more with you. The Heart Between Us was far more than what I was expecting. I got the happy ending and the romance that I was looking for, but I also got a deep satisfaction from reading a story with such a finely woven plot. I am thrilled that Lindsay Harrel has a previous stand alone novel out (One More Song to Sing) and I intend to read it this very evening! Can’t wait for more from this accomplished writer.
Sissy:
Heartwarming and captivating, The Heart Between Us delivered everything I desire in a novel, and did it in an original way. Now that Bubby and I don’t have to fight over hard covers, I’m going to read One More Song to Sing immediately as well. Hooray for Kindle Unlimited!
Click HERE to buy The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel