Status Updates From In a Heartbeat

I still love this book even now. It's so bittersweet.
I think as frustrated as I was with Eagan's mom, in a way you come to understand she's never stopped grieving and that deeply affects her. It's not an excuse but an explanation.
I really like the dual povs and how the story ends; there's a feeling of hope for the future. I'm very glad I decided to reread this, but I can't decide if it's a keep or a donate.

Aww man Eagan having the thought of "Maybe the future wasn't as bad as I thought." hours before she died is really sad to think about. Her hope for bettering her relationship with her mom and her future with skating and being supported by her loved ones hits hard.

It's interesting to see Amelia exhibiting Eagan's traits and grappling with who she was and who she is now.

It's rough because it is good that Amelia got a new heart but the guilt about feeling relieved is understandable since someone had to die for that to happen.

Also, I wonder if Miki is the sibling Eagan almost had because it seems like she's in the right age range for that to be possible. It's crazy that this is a reread since I don't remember a lot that happens in this book so it all feels new again.

Also wanted to add - Ik it's hinted earlier on about issues that Eagan's mom is facing and I do feel for her with that latest reveal and then now on top of it, Eagan's gone too. How she was coping with things before Eagan passed wasn't good for her and her taking it out on her daughter and husband isn't fair to them either.

It's interesting to hear that there are studies that might show evidence of people experiencing changes in their personality and/or that they can inherit habits that their donor had after receiving the heart transplant. I looked it up to see if it was just a part of the story but it's a real thing that's been studied.

"I shouldn't have lost my temper. But that wasn't entirely my fault, Eagan. You push me to my limit every time we argue."

Word for word what Eagan's mom says after slapping her during an argument. Keep your hands to yourself?? Also, her mom implied she'd get pregnant if she went to homecoming and that was also wild. I assume her mom gave up skating to care for Eagan and she's now living her dreams through Eagan.

I really like what the author did with the alternating chapters. The story flows so nicely from Eagan's pov to Amelia's pov. Eagan's pov is so interesting since she's reliving different moments from her life. I do enjoy the past and present alternating in stories. It just adds so much interest. "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin does that too but it's only up until about the halfway point of that book.

I decided to finally start rereading this book to see if I wanted to keep it or if it's time to donate it and free up some shelf space. I think I last read it in 2011/2012 when I was in middle school and got it at the Scholastic Bookfair. I do remember it being a bit sad but that it was a good read and I overall enjoyed it at the time.