Heart to Heart by Lurlene Mcdaniel

Summary:
From Lurlene McDaniel, the bestselling author of young adult inspirational fiction, comes Heart to Heart. This emotionally charged novel explores loss, love, renewal, and the ways in which these complex bonds within families and between friends are tested at life's most challenging moments.

Elowyn Eden and Kassey Messechek are best friends. They share every aspect of their lives. But one thing Elowyn has not yet shared with Kassey is that she checked the organ donor box on her newly acquired driver's license. Kassey only learns of this in a startling and devastating way—when Elowyn's life-giving donor wishes are about to be honored.

Arabeth St. Clair has not had the luck to have a best friend. Due to her diseased heart, she's led a sheltered life. When Arabeth is sixteen, she and her mother receive the call that will change their lives—but they don't know to whom they should be forever grateful.

When the worlds of these three girls and their families intersect, lives are changed in ways never imagined. Most especially, it is Kassey who sees things differently, for she can keep alive the memory of her dear friend by sharing the renewed life of another teenage girl, while helping to ease the pain of the two families involved and coming to terms with her own.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com


I think now that I've read just about enough of Lurlene's books for a few months at least although they do come in handy since for me I usually finish one of her books in under 2 hours and with the end of the year looming I'm trying to read a few more books before it's officially over.

I liked this newer book of hers though I didn't particularly like the characters other than that of Arabeth. After Kasey's best friend Elowyn gets in a car accident her family follows through with her wishes of donating her organs. Her heart ends up going to Arabeth a girl younger than Kasey and Elowyn but one who become important to her since the younger girl carries her best friend's heart.

The part I really liked about this book is the fact that once Arabeth wakes up after her heart surgery she starts acting differently. For example when she wakes up she wants her mother and aunt to paint her room purple and yellow and make it look like France though she doesn't like that country but it's what Elowyn's room was like, She also develops a taste for Chunky Monkey ice cream which was also Elowyns favourite. Several things like this happen and the book basically talks about the adjustment thqt everyone goes through after the loss of Elowyn. This is especially hard for Kasey and Elowyns parents but the fact that Arabeth is a living reminder of the friend and daughter that was lost it's very heartfelt. All in all not bad at all.

★★★★