Almost a year has passed since Linnea received her donor heart, but she's remembering things and doing things she shouldn't. Maxine is mourning the loss of her sister, Harper, and trying to take care of her brothers and emotionally absent mom. When Linnea shows up claiming to be Maxine's sister, complete with Harper's memories and secrets, things take a psychologically thrilling turn. Harper has overtaken Linnea. When Harper realizes that the boy who murdered her now has his eyes on her sister, she and Maxine find themselves in a very dangerous game of survival. The premise is engaging and contains an interesting concept of memory and humanity with beautifully written prose. The final third of the adventure seems to fall apart as the murderer shifts in an unexplained way, becoming suddenly obsessed with religion. Scenes of assault and rape may be triggering to some readers, and the final resolution is lacking in details and explanations of what really has happened. A flawed but nonetheless compelling take on organ donors and memory.

One year after surviving a heart transplant, Linnea should be celebrating; instead, she is terrified.On the first anniversary of Linnea's transplant surgery, she should be celebrating her recovery. Instead, she can't help but feel that her donor wants her heart back—and that her body is becoming less and less her own. Meanwhile, across town, Maxine struggles to keep her family together in the aftermath of her sister Harper's death. The one person Maxine thinks she can confide in is her boyfriend, Chris, who, after losing his little brother, seems to be the only one who understands what Maxine is going through. In the first two acts of the novel, the combination of debut author DiStefano's lyrical prose and effortlessly nuanced characters makes for a gripping and heart-wrenching read. Unfortunately, the final act of the book trades skillful character development for sensationalized scenes of violence and sexual assault (some of which may be triggering to survivors), focusing on a villain whose lack of a defined backstory makes him feel more like a caricature than a real person. Furthermore, the author's attempts to include diversity do not necessarily succeed; while there are some secondary characters of color, the primary characters are white, and the only one identified as black is Florabelle, a mystical truth teller who embodies the "Magical Negro" trope.A book full of beautifully written prose that, ultimately, includes a poorly executed resolution. (Fiction. 17-adult)

Gr 9 Up-A year after her heart transplant, Linnea is trying her best to stay present and grateful. Then she starts having memories that aren't her own. A year after her sister dies, Maxine is having trouble keeping her grieving family together, and can't shake the idea that Harper's drowning wasn't an accident. Maxine and Linnea have never met, but they're connected because Harper's heart is in Linnea's chest, beating stronger every day. Maxine is looking for answers. Together they may be able to cobble together what happened the night Harper died. DiStefano's character development is outstanding; all three girls are complex and nuanced. Maxine's attempt to take the helm of her crumbling family is heartbreaking, as are her relationships with a boy who helps her remember Harper, and one who helps her forget. The gusto with which Linnea pursues her dream of being a pastry chef, and her burgeoning romance with the boy next door are full of joy, as well as the weight of only recently acknowledging that she has a future to look forward to. The slightly clichéd plot works its way toward a truly twisty third act, but by that time, readers are invested in the characters enough to take the leap. VERDICT Both literary and sensational, this will appeal to thoughtful readers looking for a little fun. Beth McIntyre, Madison Public Library, WI