Title: The Anatomical Shape of a Heart
Author: Jenn Bennett
Publication: November 3rd 2015 by Feiwel & Friends
Format: Advance Reading Copy
Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley
ISBN: 9781250066459
Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she’s spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps, she’s ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital’s Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down.
Jack is charming, wildly attractive . . . and possibly one of San Francisco’s most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight buses and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who Jack really is—and tries to uncover what he’s hiding that leaves him so wounded. But will these secrets come back to haunt him? Or will the skeletons in Beatrix’s own family’s closet tear them apart?
I received a digital ARC of this book from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group via NetGalley for my participation in the blog tour. By no means have my review been affected and/or influenced.
Beatrix, or Bex, is an artist. She’s into anatomy and drawing cadavers is her ticket to winning a contest for a college scholarship. One night, she comes across Jack, a (super hot) vegetarian buddhist and also an artist. They instantly hit it off, until Bex finds out that Jack is a vandal at large and his art are the infamous golden graffiti around California.
With a very curious title, I really didn’t know what to expect with The Anatomical Shape of a Heart when I decided to go and sign up for this blog tour. But as soon as I turned to page 1, I was instantly drawn into it. And honestly speaking, Jack’s sex appeal played a big role on keeping my eyes and hands hooked on this book (aside from the interesting storyline, that is). Sexy rockability + machismo = OOH LALA JACKSON VINCENT. So, anyway…
The Anatomical Shape of a Heart is not all romance, although I really wouldn’t mind if it is. Seriously, I had to contain my feels while reading this book since I was reading it at work and it would be totally embarrassing to get caught swoon-kicking-the-air every time Jack does something dreamy for Bex but as I was saying, this book is also about art, family, finding what makes you happy.
It was such a relief that this book is written in the 1st person POV and is narrated by Bex. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against 3rd person POV books but I really prefer reading in the 1st person POV for it’s easier to connect with the characters.
Bex is a likeable character, I like her honesty, be it inside her head or vocally. I like how she’s a thinker too, it makes being inside her head fascinating. On the other hand, Jack is… well, he’s pure charisma, he’s sugar and spice and everything nice (he’s a powerpuff girl). I might be in love with him if you haven’t noticed by now.
One of the things that I love about this book is the art the main characters make. It would be even cooler if there were illustrations incorporated in the pages of this book but nonetheless, words were enough for me to see AND feel the art in it especially in the last part. It really triggered my imagination into visualizing Bex’s artwork and it felt beautiful.
For the family aspect, I’m glad that this isn’t one of those books with the non-existent parents. Bex and Jack’s life are very different, much more their parents. I appreciate the way this book showed how great an influence our family is.
For my final words, TASOAH is the definition of Contemporary Romance. It’s a great YA book. So if you’re into that genre (or even if you’re not), definitely grab and read this one. You wouldn’t regret it. But if you’re still in doubt, always remember: OOH LALA JACKSON VINCENT.
Rating:
Favorite Quotes
“Just so we’re clear, if we were alone, I’d probably kiss you right now.” … “Just so we’re clear, I’d probably let you.”
“What do I want? I want to call you every five minutes. I want to text you good night every night. I want to make you laugh. And I want you to look at me like you did that first night on the bus.”
“I’d say that even good people make bad mistakes.”
“Feeling alive is always worth the risk.”
Giveaway!
Win a signed copy of THE ANATOMICAL SHAPE OF A HEART by Jenn Bennett!
Open to US/Canada residents only.
Jenn Bennett is an artist and RITA-nominated author of the Arcadia Bell urban fantasy series (Kindling the Moon) and the Roaring Twenties romance series, including Bitter Spirits, which was chosen as one of Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2014 and winner of RT Book Reviews Paranormal Romance Book of the Year, and Grave Phantoms—which was awarded RT’s May Seal of Excellence for 2015. The Anatomical Shape of a Heart, (aka Night Owls in the U.K.) is her first YA contemporary romance. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two evil pugs. Visit her at 
Beatrice Learns To Read 
I reviewed this as Night Owls, but I do prefer this title and cover. Great review 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re kind of the opposite, I like the Night Owl cover/title version better. And thanks, I’m gonna go and check out your review 🙂
LikeLike
Great review! I’ve got this sitting in my Kindle just waitng patiently to be read and I don’t know why I haven’t read it yet! This sounds like my kind of book and I really can’t wait to start!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait to see what you think about it. Do let me know! ❤
LikeLike
I haven’t read many artsy type books, my ones are usually filled with music or dance as the character’s passion but I did read one called Graffiti Moon and it was amazing! Ever since I don’t think I’ve come across a book that’s even mentioned graffiti but this one sounds amazing and I’m so glad I found it! The characters sound amazing and I’m loving that Jack has that sex appeal to him!! Great review!
LikeLike