: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
When twin sisters, Megan and Crystal are put on different life paths due to Megan’s illness, requiring a heart transplant after almost 20 years, and Crystal being the healthy, successful one, it can be difficult not to develop unhealthy coping skills. Now in their early 30’s, the sisters join together to travel the world and complete Megan’s teenage heart donor’s bucket list and try to reconnect with each other. It’s an emotional uplifting story for both women who face fears and emotions long dormant. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this story. I really enjoyed it.

When I read the description of this book, I thought it sounded like such a great concept. Turns out it was so much more than I had hoped for. I adored this book so much, it just might be one everyone gets from me this year!

This is a story about two sisters—twins—who are at different but the same place in life. They’ve grown apart but when Megan decides to embark on a trip in order to fulfill her heart donor’s bucket list, her sister decides to join her.

There are so many feels in this book. Between Amanda’s (the young woman who lost her life but gave Megan a heart) experiences through journal entries, Megan’s discovery of who she is post-surgery, and Crystal’s own revelations, you just may need to keep a few tissues handy.

But oh, the healing that takes place in this book. The life these two sisters have yet to live, and the fabulous places they visit (the pyramids, the Great Wall, London, Paris, and more) are all so well crafted by Lindsay Harrel, readers are taken along on a ride they won’t soon forget.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I thought it was interesting that Megan whom was unable to perform most life long goals during twenty years of time opted to do so on a bucket list created by her heart donor. Before of her limited life scope, her mentality and emotional capacity seemed far more in line with the young donor. At first sight, Crystal was tough to like but as she softened and re-prioritized, she became far more likeable. A great read.

Megan and Crystal Jacobs are twins. The only children in their family. So how can it be that Crystal is healthy and has a wonderful life, and Megan had to wait years for a new heart to be anywhere near healthy.
Maybe one of the best things that came out of all those hospital stays was meeting Caleb Watkins. He too needed a new heart, and finally got one, leaving Megan behind to wait for hers. The dreams they both discussed with each other over the years , Caleb wanted to be a Photographer and Megan would write about the photographs Caleb took.
Instead, Caleb went on to become what he wanted and Megan was still working in the Library she had been at since finishing school. She hadn’t seen or spoken to Caleb for a year, but she was going to put everything back to rights, tonight, at the Fundraiser.
Another thing she had to do was contact her donor’s family, she had been putting it off, just like she had Caleb, it was time to get her life back in order.
Megan’s sister Crystal has some issues she knew she had to finally address, her job first and marriage second. Even though she loved her husband Brian dearly, the prospect of career advancement as a senior architect was looming just out of reach and if she could just convince everyone she was the right fit and get that promotion then she could work on her and Brian’s marriage.
After meeting with her donor’s family, and getting an all clear result from her physician, Megan decided to act on a list that was in Amanda’s journal. Her Bucket List. She would Travel and write a Blog on her adventures, she knows she has to convince her parents that she is okay to do this, so when her sister Crystal suggests she accompany her on her trip, Megan sees this a way to maybe get her relationship with her sister back on track also.
This is a beautiful story of family, love, heartache, discovery, redemption and so much more and will leave you with a feeling of hope at the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson – Fiction for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced read in exchange for this review.

Megan has a twin sister, Crystal. Megan has spent her entire life in and out of hospitals. She receives a heart transplant, a gift of life. The parents of the donor give Megan their daughter's unfinished bucket list. Megan embarks on a journey to restart her life as a healthy person, and her twin joins her so they can repair their relationship.

All and all, this is a touching story. There are a couple of things that I did not like - sometimes the POV switches were a little confusing. Also, the reasons for the sisters' tension filled relationship seemed kind of petty and juvenile. Still a good read though!

This story touched me very deeply. The relationship between Crystal and Megan was almost inexistent, and they really needed each other.
The character development is beautifully done. I loved how travel was used partly as self-discovery, and how both the sisters needed to take a long, hard look at themselves and make some changes.
The characters' inner journey is even more important than the actual journey they went on, and I am so thankful I was able to go with them on both!

The Heart Between Us is a beautifully written book. A story of sisters, a bucket list and courage will tug at your heart.

I really enjoyed this book. I think take the story of two sisters, set apart by time, illness and work load and really put them together and it just makes for good story.
The writing is superb, and really pulls you into the story, making you journey with the two sisters, each told from their point of view.
It reminded me of Katherine Reay's books a bit or maybe even Hilary Lodge's writing. I just wanted to savor the book, but at the same time, I wanted to finish the story. While there is a hint of romance, that is not the focus of this book.
This book is more on forgiveness, communication and finding what is truly important to you, beyond your work, your health even or where you live. It is about relationship and communication the most, was what I saw.
I cannot wait to read more of what this author has to give us in the future!

Megan and Crystal are twins who trying to find a way back to being close. Megan has had serious health issues and needed a heart transplant. Megan decides she wants to meet the family of the person who gave her her heart. When she goes to meet Amanda's family she finds out she had a bucket list. Megan decides to visit all the places on Amanda's bucket list. When her twin, Crystal finds out what she is doing she decides to go with her. Throughout their journey around the world, Megan and Crystal learn how to open up to each other and start to repair their relationship. I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson was a copy of this book!

You don't have to be a twin to relate to this story of two women- Megan and Crystal- who have been separated by Megan's health problems which overwhelmed their childhood and adolescence. Anyone who has had- or been- the sibling of a kid with medical or other problems can relate to one of these two. Harrel has written a story which focuses on the two of them completing the bucket list of Amanda, her heart donor. It's really about more than that, of course. There's a little love, a lot of faith, and a pretty good, if sometimes a tad slow, story here. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I am always excited when I finish reading a terrific book by an author who is unfamiliar to me.

Lindsay Harrel is that author, and “The Heart Between Us” is that book.

There’s a somewhat unusual storyline: A heart transplant recipient decides to fulfill the heart donor’s bucket list. That plot would seem to make this a heartbreaking storyline. It’s the exact opposite: A heartwarming book that’s filled with courage, adventure, hope, faith, and love. As twin sisters Megan and Crystal check the items off the list, they each learn how to celebrate the opportunities that God brings into their lives. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby as you finish this touching story. The ending to this book was perfect.

I’m already looking forward to another book from Lindsay Harrel.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher for review. I was not required to write a positive review. This is my honest opinion about the book.

I just finished this book and it's midnight. I couldn't put it down until I finished. This story is a poignant look at family, and priorities. What is the most important thing in life? Two sisters embark on a trip of a lifetime to figure this out. A romantic tale of finding love, re-claiming love and offering forgiveness. I definitely recommend this book because it shows hope in overcoming hardships in relationships.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Sweet love story about two heart transplant recipients and their lives.

Although The Heart Between Us can be categorized as chick lit, don’t let the label fool you. This book is not about shopping or finding romance. It is about traveling, both in the way you expect and in a way you don’t. It takes the two main characters and the reader on a journey of discovery — of what it means to really live and what it means to give over control to God. From the Incan ruins of Peru to the Great Barrier Reef and on to the streets of Pamplona, this novel takes you on a ride of a lifetime. I loved this book and think you will too.

Megan Jacobs has a new heart, but hasn’t really started living yet. With dreams she is afraid to pursue, she is letting life slip past her. When she is given the journal of her heart donor, she musters up enough courage to complete the girl’s bucket list. Accompanying her on her adventure is her twin sister Crystal. The two have been estranged, but Crystal asks to go along to watch out for Megan. But this trip is a turning point for Crystal as well, as she seeks to find balance and a way back to what is important in her life.

I loved the two main characters, Crystal and Megan. Although identical twins, their personalities differ. Their life experiences have also shaped who they are and have caused them to grow apart. Megan’s illness affected not only her life, but that of her sister. Travel trials and the exotic locales are a bonus for readers of The Heart Between Us — who doesn’t want to run with the bulls, at least vicariously? But the real story is the spiritual journey the two are on. It’s what gives this book real heart (sorry for the pun 😉 ). Living life fully, forgiveness, and allowing God to take control are some of the themes that are explored. There is some romance too, which spices the book up nicely.

I loved traveling along with Crystal and Megan as they discovered life and love and what is really important. Pick up a copy of The Heart Between Us and get going — you’ll love the trip!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Love this book and look forward to reading Lindsay's other published book and more by her. I fell in love with the characters and woke up the day after I finished reading wondering how Megan and Crystal were doing, I had to remind myself that they were fictional characters! This is always a sign of a great book when I am so invested in the character's lives I feel like they are friends! This book had just enough conflict to keep my attention and was never too sappy. I loved the end but would love a sequel!

What a wonderful book. There were so many facets to this story. Family relationships, marital relationships, work, life goals, medical issues (i. e., heart transplant), bravery, and trusting in God are just a few.

I loved this tale about Megan and her adventures while she continues to grow and mature and become the person God intended.

The dynamics between the characters were very real. Whether it was Megan and her parents, Megan and her sister, her sister and her husband, her sister and her boss...the emotions were real and ones to which I could relate in and believed were true.

Looking forward to more books by this wonderful author!

Thanks to the author for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

INTENSELY INSPIRATIONAL!

This is a beautiful story of twins with heart issues. Megan spent years missing out on life because of a heart condition that required many lengthy hospital stays and eventually received a heart transplant. Crystal felt guilty for having a healthy heart and buried herself in controlling all the things within her power. This novel will take you on an adventure of a lifetime with the characters where they discover new things about themselves and rediscover the love they have for each other. It’s a novel filled with misunderstandings, worry, illness, old friends, healing, hope, bright future, restoration, familial love and romantic love. What more can you ask for in a good novel? I was provided an ARC by the Publisher. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

Great story. Family, friendship , love, achievement, everything is in this book.