The quick cut: A teen couple are split apart after one of them drowns in an accident. They're given a second chance, if they can make it together again.
A real review:
Thank you to Razorbill for providing the arc for an honest review.
Everyone wants to be loved and appreciated, but rarely do people experience the support of a true soulmate. It's a type of connection that can't be defined, yet inspires others when they see it. For soulmates Hart and Ruby, they'll need to overcome all odds to stay together.
Hart and Ruby have been best friends and soulmates as long as anyone can remember. They're a pair never apart until a tragic boating accident causes Hart to drown and Ruby devastated. Unexpectedly, an angel's actions give Hart a second chance at life - but in the body of a classmate who is in a coma. Can Hart and Ruby come together again? Or forever be apart?
This is a really cute story that runs the gamut from hopeful to sad over and over again. It's an interesting story and the characters are loveable, but I did find their emotions and character development a bit lacking in complexity and depth. This book would've been a knockout if that was better executed.
Hart goes through a real uphill battle with how he dies, ends up in limbo, and quickly has to choose whether to continue living in the body of classmate Jameson. Jameson's life is very different from Hart's and in the process discovers his seemingly easy life isn't as easy as it appears. He navigates difficult family relationships and differing needs while he attempts to win over Ruby. Oh yeah, and then there's the whole "losing his Hart" memories part. It's a lot to manage.
Ruby felt very simplistic in her emotions. I get they were soulmates, but not enough time was given in the beginning to establish that connected a relationship between them. She also seemingly did things that made in that position I never would've done. Maybe that's the point though - she followed her heart and not her head.
A cute story lacking in depth.
My rating: 3.5 out of 5