Review: Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Published April 21st 2015 by HarperTeen

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.


Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake. 

My Thoughts

Loved it! The story, the plot, the characters.... All of it. Jessi Kirby ranks up there with Sarah Dessen when it comes to YA contemporaries that are full of substance and meaning. I was drawn to this story and the characters from the first to the last page. I could have used a few more chapters for my own selfish reasons... I simply wanted more.

In Things We Know by Heart, we meet Quinn Sullivan at a time in her life when she’s trying to recover from her boyfriend’s death where a tragic car accident robbed him of his life. Immediately upon his death, Trent’s parents decide to donate his organs, and as part of the healing process Quinn is able to meet several of the recipients. As time passes, Quinn wonders who received Trent’s heart, and a few clicks on the internet leads her to Colton. Quinn wonders why Colton never came forward to meet Trent’s family and herself, and the pain of her loss as well as her curiosity leads her to a beach café where she crashes into Colton… literally.

I was a bit conflicted about Quinn’s actions at first because I felt Colton deserved some privacy. However, it was quite clear that Quinn never meant to run into Colton, but rather just see him from afar to quench her curiosity. When Colton pursued her, I knew the ultimate reveal could go south very easily.

Overall the story unfolded in just the right away to make you fall for Quinn and sympathize with Colton. I loved their moments together and hoped they’d be able to find an ending that worked for both. I also appreciated how Kirby offered insight throughout the novel about the heart and transplants. I loved walking away from a novel with a little bit more knowledge than what I came into it with.

Things We Know by Heart is a great story if you’re looking for a beach side read that’s filled with substance and meaning. Kirby clearly knows her craft when she sets out to make you fall in love with a cast of characters that stay with you long after the story concludes. Love!!

5 Suns