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Heart
Sometimes it doesn’t end with happy ever after.
Neve believes Jake is the one. She is miles away from home, struggling to fit in at university and missing the people she loves. The only thing getting her through is the knowledge that Jake will be visiting for the weekend.
Jake believes he isn’t the one. His family and lifestyle mean he can’t give Neve what she deserves: so much more than him. He arrives for the weekend, knowing that he has to break her heart, along with his own.
Sometimes we make decisions and have to live with the consequences.
Each of them struggles to cope with the aftermath of the weekend. Each of them is unhappy. Each of them refuses to do something about it.
Sometimes it isn’t about a boy meeting a girl and falling in love; sometimes it is about what happens next.
Neve believes Jake is the one. She is miles away from home, struggling to fit in at university and missing the people she loves. The only thing getting her through is the knowledge that Jake will be visiting for the weekend.
Jake believes he isn’t the one. His family and lifestyle mean he can’t give Neve what she deserves: so much more than him. He arrives for the weekend, knowing that he has to break her heart, along with his own.
Sometimes we make decisions and have to live with the consequences.
Each of them struggles to cope with the aftermath of the weekend. Each of them is unhappy. Each of them refuses to do something about it.
Sometimes it isn’t about a boy meeting a girl and falling in love; sometimes it is about what happens next.
ebook
First published November 24, 2014
4 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Hudson
4 books71 followersAs well as being a writer, I love reading and reading about reading. My taste goes from Shakespeare to John Green...and much of what lies between! Dickens, check. Austen, check. Atwood, check.
Over Christmas 2012, I discovered the joy of new adult fiction and, inspired by Colleen Hoover and Tammara Webber, I decided to try my hand at writing my own NA novel.
I love the friendliness of the Indie writer community and have been overwhelmed by the support of followers interested in my journey. Please feel free to monitor my publishing progress via my Facebook page, Twitter or blog :-)
My first novel, Curve, was released in October 2013. My second novel, Heart, is a standalone companion to Curve and was released in November 2014. The final novel in the Define series, Fault, will be published in October 2016.
Over Christmas 2012, I discovered the joy of new adult fiction and, inspired by Colleen Hoover and Tammara Webber, I decided to try my hand at writing my own NA novel.
I love the friendliness of the Indie writer community and have been overwhelmed by the support of followers interested in my journey. Please feel free to monitor my publishing progress via my Facebook page, Twitter or blog :-)
My first novel, Curve, was released in October 2013. My second novel, Heart, is a standalone companion to Curve and was released in November 2014. The final novel in the Define series, Fault, will be published in October 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 23, 2014
One of the wonderful things about Nicola Hudson's novels is that they show teenage life warts and all - exhilarating, romantic, full of friends, new experiences, but actually also sometimes very dark and painful.
Although it's a great genre that I wish had been around when I was growing up (I'm ancient at 40 now!) , I sometimes wish there was less romance and more reality, and both Heart and Curve deliver that sensitively and in a compelling style. I thought the central characters were very relatable and like the previous book, found myself reading through the tears, unable to put it down and go to sleep!
Another fab read from Nicola Hudson- looking forward to her next novel
Although it's a great genre that I wish had been around when I was growing up (I'm ancient at 40 now!) , I sometimes wish there was less romance and more reality, and both Heart and Curve deliver that sensitively and in a compelling style. I thought the central characters were very relatable and like the previous book, found myself reading through the tears, unable to put it down and go to sleep!
Another fab read from Nicola Hudson- looking forward to her next novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2014
Oh my goodness what can I say? I was so lucky to win a arc copy of this book , I have not been able to put it down and have read it cover to cover in one sitting, the characters grab at your heart strings from the first few pages, I can barely see through the tears as I have shared an emotional roller coaster with Neve this evening, the characters are bought to life and there are several times though out the book you just want to hug both Jake and Neve. A very powerful story that will stay with me for a long time after turning the last page. Definitely a 10 out of 10 from me.
November 23, 2014
Well, what can I say? I was so excited to beta read Heart after loving Curve and Nicola Hudson didn't disappoint. Once again, she wrote an absolute page-turner which I planned to 'just start' one night but, ended up in a cold bath at midnight having not been able to put it down. The narrative is incredible and I loved sharing the story from both Jake and Neve's point of view. Can't wait for number three!
January 13, 2016
I absolutely loved this book, so full of emotion, which like her last book, Nicola expresses so well. I really felt the heartbreak of main characters Neve & Jake. Even though I didn't want this book to end, I couldn't wait to read how it ended. I shall definitely look out for more books by Nicola Hudson in the future & shall recommend this book to others, like it was recommended to me. Nicola Hudson has a fantastic talent for writing.
October 7, 2014
I'd give it 10 stars if I could!!!
September 8, 2015
I need some time to process. I'm still hurting after finishing this book late last night. I had trouble sleeping because I closed my eyes I saw the fate of the characters playing over and over in my mind. I did not see it coming. I almost wanted to stop reading and preserve the characters in the way in which I'd come to know and love them but I couldn't. I needed know what happened to them. This book is going to stay with me for the longest time. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Full review to follow.
********
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I've been trying to write a review for heart, that comes close to the justice it deserves, for several days now. This book is stunning. It's the standalone companion novel to Nicola's debut curve. It's told from both the POV of Neve and her boyfriend Jake. I love books with different POV so we were already off to a great start. The transition between "speakers" was smooth and I really loved the heart related chapter headers.
Things are going well for Neve and Jake they are young and in love. They have an incredible connection and familiarity that even some couples beyond their years haven't found. This is why it's such a shock when Jake finally tells Neve what he's been struggling internally with for some time. The beauty of the different POV is that we soon learn his reasons why so it's easy to empathise with him.
Just like with curve this book is full of sound relationships. That of friends, lovers and family. The bond between Neve and her brother Flynn was particularly special and that alone brings a lump to my throat. Lots of siblings drift apart as they get older but Flynn and Neve have managed to remain like friends.
There is the mother of all plot twists in this book. I can't remember the last time a book affected the way heart has. It left me breathless and hurting. You know the expression so good it hurts? That's this book. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. I know that every book I read from now on will be compared to this.
I'm so glad I read the majority of this book in the comfort of my own home because I was not prepared for the way it was going to make me feel. I cried the kind of tears that made my chest heave and the kind of tears that I thought would never stop. But I also eventually smiled while I cried because Neve inspired me. I think she'll always stand a little less tall and never breath quite as easily again but the fact that she in time was able to stand and breath and live again in any capacity was incredible.
This book is going to stay with me for the longest time. I only have to think about it and everything it made me feel comes rushing back and flooding out.
For several nights after finishing this book when I closed my eyes I saw the fate of the characters replaying in my mind. There was a point when just for moment I considered stopping reading just so I could preserve the characters how I'd come to know and love them. It was because I loved them so much that I needed to know what happened to them however much I knew it was going to hurt.
I want everyone to read this book. Anyone who's ever been young, been in love or even better both. Anyone who's ever had to make difficult decisions. I can not recommend this book enough. It is full of strength and love and family and heart...
********
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I've been trying to write a review for heart, that comes close to the justice it deserves, for several days now. This book is stunning. It's the standalone companion novel to Nicola's debut curve. It's told from both the POV of Neve and her boyfriend Jake. I love books with different POV so we were already off to a great start. The transition between "speakers" was smooth and I really loved the heart related chapter headers.
Things are going well for Neve and Jake they are young and in love. They have an incredible connection and familiarity that even some couples beyond their years haven't found. This is why it's such a shock when Jake finally tells Neve what he's been struggling internally with for some time. The beauty of the different POV is that we soon learn his reasons why so it's easy to empathise with him.
Just like with curve this book is full of sound relationships. That of friends, lovers and family. The bond between Neve and her brother Flynn was particularly special and that alone brings a lump to my throat. Lots of siblings drift apart as they get older but Flynn and Neve have managed to remain like friends.
There is the mother of all plot twists in this book. I can't remember the last time a book affected the way heart has. It left me breathless and hurting. You know the expression so good it hurts? That's this book. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. I know that every book I read from now on will be compared to this.
I'm so glad I read the majority of this book in the comfort of my own home because I was not prepared for the way it was going to make me feel. I cried the kind of tears that made my chest heave and the kind of tears that I thought would never stop. But I also eventually smiled while I cried because Neve inspired me. I think she'll always stand a little less tall and never breath quite as easily again but the fact that she in time was able to stand and breath and live again in any capacity was incredible.
This book is going to stay with me for the longest time. I only have to think about it and everything it made me feel comes rushing back and flooding out.
For several nights after finishing this book when I closed my eyes I saw the fate of the characters replaying in my mind. There was a point when just for moment I considered stopping reading just so I could preserve the characters how I'd come to know and love them. It was because I loved them so much that I needed to know what happened to them however much I knew it was going to hurt.
I want everyone to read this book. Anyone who's ever been young, been in love or even better both. Anyone who's ever had to make difficult decisions. I can not recommend this book enough. It is full of strength and love and family and heart...
April 21, 2015
I found the title of this book very apt – because I broke my heart reading this story!
Neve and Jake are characters in Nicola’s first book ‘Curve’, but they’re not as prominent, as that story is about Neve’s brother Flynn, and her best friend Cass. You don’t need to have read Curve first, but I strongly recommend you do. Apart from the fact that it’s bloomin’ brilliant, it also gives you a background to Neve and Cass’s friendship. I really loved Neve in Curve, for being an amazing friend to Cass and giving her unwavering support when she really needed it, and when I heard that Heart was going to be Neve’s book, I was really looking forward to reading it.
Neve is facing a huge upheaval moving to Brighton for university, away from her friends and family, but at least she has Jake’s visits to look forward too…. Until he drops a bombshell on her and leaves her miles away from everyone, alone and trying to cope with her new life.
Reading from both points of view gave me the benefit of seeing what Jake’s reasoning was, and that was a good thing because I was really mad with him at first! I was so desperate for him to realise that he had other options and things didn’t have to be the way they were. He was under so much pressure to be the man of the family and he was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to keep the promise he made his father when he was younger. Then there was Neve, left completely shattered by Jake’s decision and ready to just give in completely. Luckily she meets some rather colourful friends, who help brighten things up bit by bit, but there’s still a huge Jake sized hole in her life. She makes an effort to move on, and soon comes under the radar of an American student called Garrett. I really had my guard up where he was concerned, although that was probably because I just wanted Neve and Jake back together.
Seeing how much both of them were missing each other just made me so frustrated, I was willing one of them to just bite the bullet and fight for the relationship. Whether it be Neve, because (to use one of my favourite quotes) “though she be but little she is fierce” or Jake, who needs to admit he was wrong!
I’m wary of saying too much, because I don’t want to spoil the story, what I will say is that I really went through the wringer in this book, but it was worth every minute. Nicola Hudson has a writing style that just sucks you straight into the story, into the lives of the characters, so much so that they feel like friends, like family. When one of them laughs you laugh, when they cry, you cry with them, and when they are faced with overwhelming devastation, you sit there with a bucket load of tissues, trying to read through your tears.
Neve and Jake are characters in Nicola’s first book ‘Curve’, but they’re not as prominent, as that story is about Neve’s brother Flynn, and her best friend Cass. You don’t need to have read Curve first, but I strongly recommend you do. Apart from the fact that it’s bloomin’ brilliant, it also gives you a background to Neve and Cass’s friendship. I really loved Neve in Curve, for being an amazing friend to Cass and giving her unwavering support when she really needed it, and when I heard that Heart was going to be Neve’s book, I was really looking forward to reading it.
Neve is facing a huge upheaval moving to Brighton for university, away from her friends and family, but at least she has Jake’s visits to look forward too…. Until he drops a bombshell on her and leaves her miles away from everyone, alone and trying to cope with her new life.
Reading from both points of view gave me the benefit of seeing what Jake’s reasoning was, and that was a good thing because I was really mad with him at first! I was so desperate for him to realise that he had other options and things didn’t have to be the way they were. He was under so much pressure to be the man of the family and he was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to keep the promise he made his father when he was younger. Then there was Neve, left completely shattered by Jake’s decision and ready to just give in completely. Luckily she meets some rather colourful friends, who help brighten things up bit by bit, but there’s still a huge Jake sized hole in her life. She makes an effort to move on, and soon comes under the radar of an American student called Garrett. I really had my guard up where he was concerned, although that was probably because I just wanted Neve and Jake back together.
Seeing how much both of them were missing each other just made me so frustrated, I was willing one of them to just bite the bullet and fight for the relationship. Whether it be Neve, because (to use one of my favourite quotes) “though she be but little she is fierce” or Jake, who needs to admit he was wrong!
I’m wary of saying too much, because I don’t want to spoil the story, what I will say is that I really went through the wringer in this book, but it was worth every minute. Nicola Hudson has a writing style that just sucks you straight into the story, into the lives of the characters, so much so that they feel like friends, like family. When one of them laughs you laugh, when they cry, you cry with them, and when they are faced with overwhelming devastation, you sit there with a bucket load of tissues, trying to read through your tears.
December 19, 2014
Cover Thoughts-
Now that is a beautiful girl. After reading the story I really wish that the cover had shown Neve's heart-shaped mark. What I imagine in my head probably doesn't come close to the real thing.
First Thought-
Reading the line "Sometimes it doesn't end with happy ever after..." really scares me. Don't get me wrong. I love reading books that emotionally traumatize me, but I don't want to stay up the whole night crying over a book that doesn't have a sequel.
Review-
Unfortunately, I did stay up all night crying. It wasn't soft cries either. It was loud, ugly sobbing. The kind you have when a piece of you dies. Man I wish I could tell you why it broke me, but I won't spoil it for you. Just know that the kind of ending this book has shouldn't be allowed. This is the kind of book you will always remember. I have these books stuck in my brain shelf that aren't my favorite happy stories, but I remember them for their significance. Heart is forever sitting on my brain shelf. If I found my way into a situation like Neve, there is no way that I would let Jake walk away. When she started hanging with the american boy I had to fight the urge to yell out NO! I couldn't put my finger on it but I knew that he wasn't going to be good for her. I really liked how the novel has 2 point-of-views. It helps you feel empathy for Jake and Neve. You understand both of their situations and it makes you cry even harder in the end. The only thing that really bugs me about Heart is Garrett. He is the american boy that starts advancing towards Neve. I don't understand how he could go from sweet to evil so fast. The book gave no signs of his creepiness except for rumors. The book tricked me. For awhile I thought that Neve found solace in Garrett and his silliness. I was very wrong and surprised. Even though Heart broke me into a million sad pieces I encourage you to read it and feel what I am feeling.
Overall Readability-
If you are interested in new adult contemporary romance I recommend this as long as you don't mind a little heart break. I can't promise you won't cry.
My Final Thought-
I wish I could tell you that this book has a cute happy ending leaving you wanting more. The novel left me strangely empty and pessimistic. I don't think I have read anything as sad as that in a long time. In a way the ending does look up. It holds the theme of moving on, but I could not move on from that ending.
4 out of 5 Haunted Roses
Now that is a beautiful girl. After reading the story I really wish that the cover had shown Neve's heart-shaped mark. What I imagine in my head probably doesn't come close to the real thing.
First Thought-
Reading the line "Sometimes it doesn't end with happy ever after..." really scares me. Don't get me wrong. I love reading books that emotionally traumatize me, but I don't want to stay up the whole night crying over a book that doesn't have a sequel.
Review-
Unfortunately, I did stay up all night crying. It wasn't soft cries either. It was loud, ugly sobbing. The kind you have when a piece of you dies. Man I wish I could tell you why it broke me, but I won't spoil it for you. Just know that the kind of ending this book has shouldn't be allowed. This is the kind of book you will always remember. I have these books stuck in my brain shelf that aren't my favorite happy stories, but I remember them for their significance. Heart is forever sitting on my brain shelf. If I found my way into a situation like Neve, there is no way that I would let Jake walk away. When she started hanging with the american boy I had to fight the urge to yell out NO! I couldn't put my finger on it but I knew that he wasn't going to be good for her. I really liked how the novel has 2 point-of-views. It helps you feel empathy for Jake and Neve. You understand both of their situations and it makes you cry even harder in the end. The only thing that really bugs me about Heart is Garrett. He is the american boy that starts advancing towards Neve. I don't understand how he could go from sweet to evil so fast. The book gave no signs of his creepiness except for rumors. The book tricked me. For awhile I thought that Neve found solace in Garrett and his silliness. I was very wrong and surprised. Even though Heart broke me into a million sad pieces I encourage you to read it and feel what I am feeling.
Overall Readability-
If you are interested in new adult contemporary romance I recommend this as long as you don't mind a little heart break. I can't promise you won't cry.
My Final Thought-
I wish I could tell you that this book has a cute happy ending leaving you wanting more. The novel left me strangely empty and pessimistic. I don't think I have read anything as sad as that in a long time. In a way the ending does look up. It holds the theme of moving on, but I could not move on from that ending.
4 out of 5 Haunted Roses
December 13, 2014
WHAT I THOUGHT:
First off, I feel like Guy off The Croods - I Did Not See That Coming. TWIST ENDING!!!
Seriously though. As with a lot of relationship stories, there's a potential for good and bad, but this story takes all of that, crumples it up, throws it in the bin and then slaps you in the face. You find yourself drawn into the emotion, the thoughts and the confusion of our two main characters. Both know what they want, but neither willing to budge.
They are the epitome of love, especially young love. Both feel they know what is best, especially for the other, but neither takes the time to ask. Admit it, we've all been there.
We are mere pawns on the sideline, reading the story of these two, desperate to jump in and save them from the heart ache. Then, the slap comes. A twist we didn't see coming and it rips your heart out, much more than you thought you were experiencing in the previous pages.
Throughout this story I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I found myself comparing all their problems, actions and thoughts to people I know, events I've seen or even my own life. I was drawn in, mesmerised by Hudson's words.
I found the story easy to read, as far as the pace and the attention to both detail and continuity. It made it all the more easy to fall hopelessly into their story.
I also loved the POV changes. With love stories, we often read from only one side. This causes a lot of hatred toward the character who messes up. However, with the POV changes, we are able to see in the mind of Jake, understanding and feeling compassion for him, as we hurt and yearn to tell him that he is good enough and he is exactly what Neve needs. We also get to see inside Neve's mind and get to know the inner workings of her pain and loss. As we learn about their true nature, we grow close to both of them and want nothing more than for them to see and find a way to be together again.
OVERALL: Excellently written. This is a great book, even if you haven't read the first (yet), which I haven't. I love Hudson's writing style. I truly felt a part of the story and wanted to be there to comfort, to wake up to help Neve and Jake. A truly brilliant take on both young love and the silly things we do in the name of love (at any age). I highly recommend this read, as I could not put it down!
First off, I feel like Guy off The Croods - I Did Not See That Coming. TWIST ENDING!!!
Seriously though. As with a lot of relationship stories, there's a potential for good and bad, but this story takes all of that, crumples it up, throws it in the bin and then slaps you in the face. You find yourself drawn into the emotion, the thoughts and the confusion of our two main characters. Both know what they want, but neither willing to budge.
They are the epitome of love, especially young love. Both feel they know what is best, especially for the other, but neither takes the time to ask. Admit it, we've all been there.
We are mere pawns on the sideline, reading the story of these two, desperate to jump in and save them from the heart ache. Then, the slap comes. A twist we didn't see coming and it rips your heart out, much more than you thought you were experiencing in the previous pages.
Throughout this story I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I found myself comparing all their problems, actions and thoughts to people I know, events I've seen or even my own life. I was drawn in, mesmerised by Hudson's words.
I found the story easy to read, as far as the pace and the attention to both detail and continuity. It made it all the more easy to fall hopelessly into their story.
I also loved the POV changes. With love stories, we often read from only one side. This causes a lot of hatred toward the character who messes up. However, with the POV changes, we are able to see in the mind of Jake, understanding and feeling compassion for him, as we hurt and yearn to tell him that he is good enough and he is exactly what Neve needs. We also get to see inside Neve's mind and get to know the inner workings of her pain and loss. As we learn about their true nature, we grow close to both of them and want nothing more than for them to see and find a way to be together again.
OVERALL: Excellently written. This is a great book, even if you haven't read the first (yet), which I haven't. I love Hudson's writing style. I truly felt a part of the story and wanted to be there to comfort, to wake up to help Neve and Jake. A truly brilliant take on both young love and the silly things we do in the name of love (at any age). I highly recommend this read, as I could not put it down!
December 12, 2014
Heart was an enjoyable story filled with romance and tragedy. Let's just say the ending left me utterly devastated. I had major waterworks with the ending. Anyway, I loved how I was able to read this story through both Jake's and Neve's POVs. I was able to understand each character better, and understand the why's in the decisions they made. I was also able to connect with them on a deeper level. Both characters also showed a lot of growth by the end of the story.
Neve goes to Uni and Jake believes that she can do better than him. Let's face it, no one is better than him. I would marry that man in a heartbeat!!! Since he believes that, he makes one of the worst decisions ever and leaves them both with broken hearts. I really wanted to jump in the story and slap one of them and tell them to get their acts together. Both were suffering and yet neither would do a darn thing about it. Neve was a character I was able to relate to easily. Money and all that doesn't matter. It is what is on the inside. Jake was flat out just sexy and compassionate. He was always protecting the ones he loved and cared about.
I only had a few issues with the story. I love stories that end with HEAs so of course, I didn't like how it ended. I mean Jake was honestly a good person. He gave up so much and had a rough life, but managed to see the beauty in everything. Since he had such a rough life, I was rooting for his happy ending. Rooting for the underdog who deserved it. Then bam. That all ended over a little accident. A mistake that wasn't even meaningful in anyway. It just felt off. The other issue I had with the story was I felt as if something was missing. I was waiting on something really important to happen, something big in the middle, but nothing happened. Nothing important. Maybe I should have read Curve first, I don't know. Other than that, I still enjoyed the story.
Heart was a fast-paced story that completely wrecked me with the ending. Wow, wow, wow. Didn't see that coming at all. I read some reviews and knew something horrible happened at the end, but I was hoping against all hope that THAT wouldn't happen. But it did. And destroyed me.
Neve goes to Uni and Jake believes that she can do better than him. Let's face it, no one is better than him. I would marry that man in a heartbeat!!! Since he believes that, he makes one of the worst decisions ever and leaves them both with broken hearts. I really wanted to jump in the story and slap one of them and tell them to get their acts together. Both were suffering and yet neither would do a darn thing about it. Neve was a character I was able to relate to easily. Money and all that doesn't matter. It is what is on the inside. Jake was flat out just sexy and compassionate. He was always protecting the ones he loved and cared about.
I only had a few issues with the story. I love stories that end with HEAs so of course, I didn't like how it ended. I mean Jake was honestly a good person. He gave up so much and had a rough life, but managed to see the beauty in everything. Since he had such a rough life, I was rooting for his happy ending. Rooting for the underdog who deserved it. Then bam. That all ended over a little accident. A mistake that wasn't even meaningful in anyway. It just felt off. The other issue I had with the story was I felt as if something was missing. I was waiting on something really important to happen, something big in the middle, but nothing happened. Nothing important. Maybe I should have read Curve first, I don't know. Other than that, I still enjoyed the story.
Heart was a fast-paced story that completely wrecked me with the ending. Wow, wow, wow. Didn't see that coming at all. I read some reviews and knew something horrible happened at the end, but I was hoping against all hope that THAT wouldn't happen. But it did. And destroyed me.
May 18, 2016
WOW where do I begin? I have fallen in love with heart ❤
Firstly I have shocked myself with the emotion that heart had provoked; I’m not the romance type. In fact I’m the type of person that sighs and rolls my eyes at the first sign of romance to my best friend’s annoyance.
On Wednesday I discussed with Laura how I was struggling to read the axe man’s jazz but I wanted to know the ending, then Laura offered to read it and tell me the ending. I was overwhelmed with the lengths she would go to for me.
As I stared at my book case I noticed the dusty copy of heart that Laura had given me….. and it hit me if Laura can read for me I can read for her and am I so glad.
Heart made me reach inside and reconnect with that part of me that i had buried, the part wants to be loved, as I read from Neve’s point of view my guard came down and I started to recall my first love and that amazing feeling that I forgot I had ever felt.
I am a reader of fantasy, I read farfetched fantasy in order to avoid any kind of emotion, but my heart opened to heart and all the emotions began to flow for EVERY character. I loved Mickey’s vulnerability and how heart touched upon the journey of being gay and how people reach different places at different ages. Jakes love and protection for his family, the fact that he will hurt himself for Neve. But Neve is the character I most connected to, her strength especially towards the end where she goes on by doing what Jake would have wanted.
As I read on I knew tragedy was going to strike but I did not see the ending coming at all! Heart was gripping all the way through and I was so hooked that I read it all in fewer than 48 hours (which is a first for me I’m a slow reader). In fact I had to hide the book in the lounge as I knew if it was by my bedside id tell myself just one more chapter.
Firstly I have shocked myself with the emotion that heart had provoked; I’m not the romance type. In fact I’m the type of person that sighs and rolls my eyes at the first sign of romance to my best friend’s annoyance.
On Wednesday I discussed with Laura how I was struggling to read the axe man’s jazz but I wanted to know the ending, then Laura offered to read it and tell me the ending. I was overwhelmed with the lengths she would go to for me.
As I stared at my book case I noticed the dusty copy of heart that Laura had given me….. and it hit me if Laura can read for me I can read for her and am I so glad.
Heart made me reach inside and reconnect with that part of me that i had buried, the part wants to be loved, as I read from Neve’s point of view my guard came down and I started to recall my first love and that amazing feeling that I forgot I had ever felt.
I am a reader of fantasy, I read farfetched fantasy in order to avoid any kind of emotion, but my heart opened to heart and all the emotions began to flow for EVERY character. I loved Mickey’s vulnerability and how heart touched upon the journey of being gay and how people reach different places at different ages. Jakes love and protection for his family, the fact that he will hurt himself for Neve. But Neve is the character I most connected to, her strength especially towards the end where she goes on by doing what Jake would have wanted.
As I read on I knew tragedy was going to strike but I did not see the ending coming at all! Heart was gripping all the way through and I was so hooked that I read it all in fewer than 48 hours (which is a first for me I’m a slow reader). In fact I had to hide the book in the lounge as I knew if it was by my bedside id tell myself just one more chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2014
I sure picked a good book to be my first Nicola Hudson novel. I enjoyed a new twist on what could seem like a cliched story. I read 213 pages in 90 minutes. That's fast, even for me. The story of Heart is unique and fresh.
I really liked Jake and Neve. I understood Jake's reasoning for breaking up with Neve but wish he hadn't. Yes that's a contradictory statement. He could have avoided both of their heartbreaks by just talking to her, but she made a unilateral decision that cost them both. I loved Jake for how dedicated he was to his family. He did somethings I was extremely proud of and others I wasn't, just so he could take care of his younger siblings and be the man of the house. The two of them together were magic. I loved seeing them interact with each other.
Now if I loved the characters this much and the story, why not rate it 5 stars, you ask? Well while this book can and does stand on its own, it is a spin-off from a book I hadn't read previously. It was alluded to a number of times and so I would wonder what had happened that had bearing on this story. I also wasn't a very big fan of how Neve dealt with things when someone new entered her life. I wish she'd been more proactive about dealing with them, rather than being so passive. I also didn't like how Jake dealt with his mother and her boyfriend. I do wish he could've been more proactive about that too.
In the end, when the book was finished, I couldn't help but be impressed with what I'd just finished reading. It had plenty of twists I wasn't expecting and I can not believe how the book ended! I know you will will feel the same when you read it. The message this book conveys is well worth it. I strongly urge you give it a chance.
I really liked Jake and Neve. I understood Jake's reasoning for breaking up with Neve but wish he hadn't. Yes that's a contradictory statement. He could have avoided both of their heartbreaks by just talking to her, but she made a unilateral decision that cost them both. I loved Jake for how dedicated he was to his family. He did somethings I was extremely proud of and others I wasn't, just so he could take care of his younger siblings and be the man of the house. The two of them together were magic. I loved seeing them interact with each other.
Now if I loved the characters this much and the story, why not rate it 5 stars, you ask? Well while this book can and does stand on its own, it is a spin-off from a book I hadn't read previously. It was alluded to a number of times and so I would wonder what had happened that had bearing on this story. I also wasn't a very big fan of how Neve dealt with things when someone new entered her life. I wish she'd been more proactive about dealing with them, rather than being so passive. I also didn't like how Jake dealt with his mother and her boyfriend. I do wish he could've been more proactive about that too.
In the end, when the book was finished, I couldn't help but be impressed with what I'd just finished reading. It had plenty of twists I wasn't expecting and I can not believe how the book ended! I know you will will feel the same when you read it. The message this book conveys is well worth it. I strongly urge you give it a chance.
December 23, 2014
Okay here is a book that will gut you.Seriously get the kleenex actually get many boxes of kleenex you will need them. This is not and I repeat is not a happy ever after. This is so so sad. The story will have you in a crying bloody heap of goo..If you loved Jake in Curve than here you will just be crushed but fall more in love with him.
Jake feels he is doing what is best for Neve even if that hurts them both. He walks away. His life is complicate and he feels Neve deserves a future. Happiness….but neither are happy. Neve is miserable and ends up friends with someone who affects her future in a unforgettable way. Jake is just miserable but trying to move on and become better. Better for his brother and sister. So here is where you love Jake more..He is trying to be honorable but in a messed up way.
When they finally come to their senses the smiles come out for all of us annd that is short lived. The smile lasts oh about 3 chapters. The love you feel from them jumps off the page. But than splat that ends with one mistake…one night and everything is gone…In the end you smile through the sadness of what happened as stories of Jake seen and you see what a truly great guy he is..
A story of love that is fated but also tears apart. Two people who want each other but are afraid and one wanting more for the other. A sad wonderful tale of love that is broken but at the same time whole.
Jake feels he is doing what is best for Neve even if that hurts them both. He walks away. His life is complicate and he feels Neve deserves a future. Happiness….but neither are happy. Neve is miserable and ends up friends with someone who affects her future in a unforgettable way. Jake is just miserable but trying to move on and become better. Better for his brother and sister. So here is where you love Jake more..He is trying to be honorable but in a messed up way.
When they finally come to their senses the smiles come out for all of us annd that is short lived. The smile lasts oh about 3 chapters. The love you feel from them jumps off the page. But than splat that ends with one mistake…one night and everything is gone…In the end you smile through the sadness of what happened as stories of Jake seen and you see what a truly great guy he is..
A story of love that is fated but also tears apart. Two people who want each other but are afraid and one wanting more for the other. A sad wonderful tale of love that is broken but at the same time whole.
December 1, 2014
I've been trying to put into words my feelings on this book for the last couple of days...
I really liked Curve, book one of this series, it was different, fresh, but had a 'realness' to it that I related too. So I was eagerly awaiting this one.
This is Neve and Jake's story, and it's impossible not to fall in love with them. I couldn't put it down, I needed to know where their story ended...
But then I reached the 70% mark and BAM, Nicola throws us a curveball that (for me) came so far out of left field, I'm still not actually sure I've processed it. It's hard to review without giving away spoilers, so I'm going to censor...
I've gone backwards and forwards on this one, because I LOVED most of this book. It's definitely worth a read, just be prepared and come with tissues!
I really liked Curve, book one of this series, it was different, fresh, but had a 'realness' to it that I related too. So I was eagerly awaiting this one.
This is Neve and Jake's story, and it's impossible not to fall in love with them. I couldn't put it down, I needed to know where their story ended...
But then I reached the 70% mark and BAM, Nicola throws us a curveball that (for me) came so far out of left field, I'm still not actually sure I've processed it. It's hard to review without giving away spoilers, so I'm going to censor...
I've gone backwards and forwards on this one, because I LOVED most of this book. It's definitely worth a read, just be prepared and come with tissues!
April 2, 2015
I received a arc copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
This is the first book I've read by Nicola and won't be the last.
What and amazing love story with a tragic ending. Jake and Neve were perfect together. Like every relationship they had there ups and downs, but because of the strength of there love they worked thru it. Then one tragic evening Neve's life was turned upside down :(
I have to say I cried like a baby from like 81% till the end (overly emotional) tissues and chocolate are a must with this book. Thank you Nicola for the chance to read this book I look forward to your next release
"It's like breathing; I can't stop myself doing it. I will carry on loving you as long as I'm breathing. I promise. I will treasure every moment I spent with you and everything I've learned from you"
This is the first book I've read by Nicola and won't be the last.
What and amazing love story with a tragic ending. Jake and Neve were perfect together. Like every relationship they had there ups and downs, but because of the strength of there love they worked thru it. Then one tragic evening Neve's life was turned upside down :(
I have to say I cried like a baby from like 81% till the end (overly emotional) tissues and chocolate are a must with this book. Thank you Nicola for the chance to read this book I look forward to your next release
"It's like breathing; I can't stop myself doing it. I will carry on loving you as long as I'm breathing. I promise. I will treasure every moment I spent with you and everything I've learned from you"
December 8, 2014
This was definitely not your typical romance novel. Its main focus was on the aftermath of a break-up. It was painful to read but it was also nice to have a different sort of story. You can totally feel for both characters as we're privy to the reasoning behind Jake's actions and your heart aches for Neve because of what she has to go through because of them. Does it make you love either character more one way or another? Sort of. I found that I didn't love Jake so much despite his intentions. Neve, on the otherhand, grew up in a good way throughout the novel and it was nice to see. The story pans out in an unexpected way, too, which I loved. I'm all for unique stories and Heart definitely fits that bill!
December 21, 2014
I couldn’t wait to read Heart and I can safely say that I wasn’t disappointed.
Both Neve and Jake are well-developed characters and I enjoyed the way their story was told from both their perspectives. I felt it enhanced the emotional content of the novel and allowed me to completely empathise with both characters. This really carried the story forward for me, making it a page-turner as I found myself truly caring for both of them.
Heart was well-paced and I was unable to put it down, desperate to know how the story resolved itself. The end was perfectly pitched for me and concluded a highly emotionally-charged story.
Both Neve and Jake are well-developed characters and I enjoyed the way their story was told from both their perspectives. I felt it enhanced the emotional content of the novel and allowed me to completely empathise with both characters. This really carried the story forward for me, making it a page-turner as I found myself truly caring for both of them.
Heart was well-paced and I was unable to put it down, desperate to know how the story resolved itself. The end was perfectly pitched for me and concluded a highly emotionally-charged story.
December 23, 2014
This is the second of Nicola Hudson's books that I have read and once again it did not disappoint. Although it is the second of what will be a trilogy, it works perfectly well as a stand alone book. Those of you who have read Curve will see how the characters delicately intertwine with each other but do not dominate the main characters of Heart. Heart's characterisation is strong and you are totally drawn in to the story. It is a book that cannont be put down and is a must read for all.
December 4, 2014
Wow! Amazing! I've read hundreds of books but have cried with only a a handful or two. This book...I just added it to my tearjerker list. This is not like the typical love stories I normally read...it goes beyond that. I felt like I was part of the book because it was so descriptive. I love when I am able to lose myself in a book. Thanks Nicola Hudson! This is a must-read!
September 13, 2016
What an emotional read I was grabbing for them tissues on more then one occasion! This book is different to others no controlling alpha males and that is what makes it so amazing. The depth and details of events are so well detailed the author got them all perfect! I look forward to more work from nicola in the future thankyou x
September 30, 2014
Man. I am sat here sobbing over HEART. Neve and Jake go through so much together and alone and you know they are it for each other and then Nicola throws a curveball at you and all the tears let loose. My heart is aching and you all need to read this book when it's out!!!
December 2, 2014
An engaging and consuming novel that takes you from one extreme emotion to the other with effortless ease. The story flows and takes you along with it making it impossible to put down.
You will love, you will cry and you will have your HEART broken.
Brilliant !
You will love, you will cry and you will have your HEART broken.
Brilliant !
December 7, 2014
patyon jyd????? @#$%&!!!
January 16, 2016
I needed a good ugly cry, I loved every word.
December 2, 2014
I really struggled to connect with this whole story and the characters.. Not sure why.. Reviews for this were so good I had to read it but even from the beginning I felt like I was starting the book from the middle.
December 2, 2014
I thought I was going to love this book but unfortunately I didn't. I felt there was alot of unessasry wish wash and it didn't flow!
April 27, 2016
It was beautiful but what about Garrett? They should sue him because he is the one who killed Jake..
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