This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. One moment I was ready to throw my Kindle across the room, beyond frustrated, while the next I found myself unable to stop reading.

I'm not big into cliche romance stories, and while this did have a fair share of cliches, the actual story being told was utterly fantastic, and that was what ultimately led to me pushing through the book. And while I'm glad that I did, I can't help but to feel that I wasn't prepared for the ending. (Even if it was the right way to end the story.)

I ultimately ended up requesting this book from NetGalley mainly because I enjoyed York's "Hushed," but also because I adored the cover. And while it wasn't as strong as "Hushed," it was a worthwhile read. It's ultimately a story about two people learning to live when life gives you every reason not to; it's not the easiest story to read at times, and there will be at least a few tears along the way, but the message in the end makes it all worth it.

My main issues:
While I did like Evelyn and Luc, a lot of their issues could have been solved if they'd just talked early on. As for their relationship, it did touch on plenty of cliches along the way.

What I really enjoyed:
Seeing these characters grow over the course of the book and coming to terms with the decisions they'd made and the hand they'd been dealt.

3.5 stars
Hmmm. What can you say about a book that attempts to pick you up, take you on a roller coaster of emotions and then rip your heart out? I wasn't sure which path this book would take - ultimately hopeful, focusing on the joys and hurts of living or a complete and utter sob fest? Even after finishing I'm still not sure - a bit of both, maybe? Either way, Other Breakable Things is a very interesting book and quick to read, perfect for contemporary fiction fans.

Evelyn has always loved Luc. Loved him throughout their stilted friendship and then the past three years of silence when she moved away from him. Now she is back in the same town as Luc but still isn't sure if he will reach out to her, or include her in his life. She is used to being the second choice in people's lives. But to Luc, Evelyn was never the second choice, just a choice he never allowed himself to make. Luc's heart is failing. The second time in his short, nineteen-year life. He knows that he doesn't want to try another transplant, and is sick of hospitals and tests and doctors. So, instead, he takes off on a road trip - one last effort to really live. And he takes Evelyn with him. Evelyn has always suspected that Luc was unwell, but it isn't until she is on the road with him that she finally, fully begins to understand as she uncovers everything he has been hiding.

One might think that you could kind of guess from the summary that this book would be heart-pulled-from-your-chest-and-put-through-a-meat-mincer-breaking. And yet a lot of the time I felt a little numb to the characters' emotions. Perhaps this in part was due to Evelyn's level-headed manner of dealing with things or maybe because despite the sad nature of the book, it was equally uplifting and deliciously sweet.

However, I did feel like there was something missing in this story. I wanted more, but maybe that's not because the book was lacking and rather that I was unhappy with the whole situation. But maybe that makes it all the more lifelike - where we are handed things in life with which we must make lemonade.

How does one end a book like this? Is there a right way? Did I think this was the right ending for this book? I'm not sure, but then I'm not sure how else you could end it.
This is simply a story about these particular characters in one particular situation. I may not have made the same decisions, but I could certainly see that the choices Evelyn and Luc made were true to their characters - even if there actions might seem good, bad, impulsive or crazy to others.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog <a href="https://madisonslibrary.wordpress.com/">Madison's Library.</a>

A gorgeous book that reminds us to live our life to the fullest and love to until your heart is full.

The plot of this book was amazingly executed, and the story was so very well thought out and developed that nothing was out of place and there was a single word out of place. There were no unnecessary lines and nothing that made it feel as if the story where dragging on. The characters of Evelyn and Luc where developed so organically that I couldn't help but give this story a five out of five rating. I will for sure be picking up a copy of this book for myself and for any of my friends that love to read. If this author duo ever comes out with anything in the future, together or on their own, I will most certainly be picking it up automatically no matter what, and I am very interested in reading any of their existing work.

Three years ago, a terrible accident for a girl saved Luc's life and provided him with a much needed heart to prolong his life.
Now, he finds out the heart is starting to fail and so he needs another transplant. Yet after the anguish of waiting before, he's now contemplating euthanasia, so he can die on his own terms and not his body's terms.

Evelyn, has returned home to their town after her mum took her off to live with her new boyfriend at the time. Evelyn missed seeing Luc and is happy to be back and so they slowly start to hang out again. She is aware there's something wrong with Luc but is not entirely sure what exactly is wrong with him. We also learn her mum's boyfriend used to abuse her and Luc is whom she chooses to confide in about this.

Luc enlists Evelyn to accompany him on an adventure as he wants to go and look into euthanasia but lives away from the area they are located. He plans the trip with interests of Evelyn's interwoven and we see from the split narrative point of view just how much he grows to care for her more despite him growing weaker as the book goes on. He still plans on killing himself, yet Evelyn is obviously emotional when she finds tabs open on his phone about euthanasia, pill bottles and a business card too all to do with a specific drug. The couple really care for each other so much that Luc wants to make sure Evelyn is looked after when he's gone so calls his parents to make them promise so.

A running theme through the book also linking them is the butterflies Luc collects and also wants to see in the conservation building when they're travelling but they have to break in as it was shut. Luc also buys Evelyn a butterfly necklace, another reminder of him for her to keep. Evelyn makes a lot of origami animals such as the crane from the cover of the book, she states in the book it helps her stay calm and keeps her hands busy but also again, it's symbolic as she does make a lot of them around Luc, nervous at first in their feelings but less so as we go on.

This book was beautifully crafted and reminiscent of Morgan Matson's novel, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour which I love!

It dealt with the topic of euthanasia and transplants seriously and showed the toll it takes on everyone, how one life can have a ripple effect on so many others one way or another.

If you like books with adventure, love and an interest in health issue storylines, this is your book!

Thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

“Other Breakable Things” absolutely wrecked me- it’s a beautiful and heartwrenching story about Evelyn and Luc. The book begins when Evelyn returns to town after leaving Arizona, where she and her mother lived with her mother’s boyfriend. Her best friend, Luc, has not been great about staying in touch, but Evelyn is eager to see if they are/can still be friends. Luc is suffering after his heart transplant years ago- it seems his body is rejecting the heart. He feels that it would be easier on Evelyn if they weren’t friends to save her the heartbreak when he dies.

Everything changes when Evelyn finds out her mother wants to go back to her boyfriend in Arizona. Evelyn feels like she finally got away, and since her mother always treats her like the second choice, Evelyn is not sure if her mother will believe her about what her boyfriend has been doing to Evelyn. Unsure of what else to do, she runs to Luc for comfort. Luc invites her on a roadtrip to Oregon that he had been considering- Oregon allows euthanasia. Luc is keeping his heart condition from Evelyn, though she knows that something is going on. Evelyn is a lover of origami and suggests that he fold a thousand paper cranes.

Their trip takes many unexpected and lovely turns as they both learn more about the other and what it means to be alive. This book was absolutely beautiful and I loved it. Both Evelyn and Luc were so real and incredibly well crafted. The alternating viewpoints between the two was a perfect way to tell this story of young love and life. I absolutely could not put it down and loved every second of this book- it’s such a poignant and beautiful story. I’m not sure I can write how amazing this book is, but I highly recommend it.

There are some really big themes here- sexual assault, euthanasia/suicide, running away, etc.- and as a warning, it will absolutely make you feel some big emotions- heartbreak, sadness, happiness/joy. However, it’s really a fantastically well-crafted story and I wouldn’t change a word of it. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.