Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland

Our Chemical Hearts

by Krystal Sutherland

John Green meets Rainbow Rowell in this irresistible story of first love, broken hearts, and the golden seams that put them back together again.
 
Henry Page has never been in love. He fancies himself a hopeless romantic, but the slo-mo, heart palpitating, can't-eat-can't-sleep kind of love that he's been hoping for just hasn't been in the cards for him—at least not yet. Instead, he's been happy to focus on his grades, on getting into a semi-decent college and finally becoming editor of his school newspaper. Then Grace Town walks into his first period class on the third Tuesday of senior year and he knows everything's about to change.
 
Grace isn't who Henry pictured as his dream girl—she walks with a cane, wears oversized boys' clothes, and rarely seems to shower. But when Grace and Henry are both chosen to edit the school paper, he quickly finds himself falling for her. It's obvious there's something broken about Grace, but it seems to make her even more beautiful to Henry, and he wants nothing more than to help her put the pieces back together again. And yet, this isn't your average story of boy meets girl. Krystal Sutherland's brilliant debut is equal parts wit and heartbreak, a potent reminder of the bittersweet bliss that is first love.

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

5 of 5 stars

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FIRST LOVE IS AN EPIC DISASTER is printed on the back cover of this book, so the author did not mislead me, but I just was not fully prepared for all the tears I would shed. This book pits Henry's heart against a beautifully broken girl (Grace) as he experiences his first love.
Draft Two
Because I never met anyone that I wanted in my life that way before.
But you.
I could make an exception for you.

Henry had been able to avoid all the drama that typically plagues teens until Grace transfers to his school during senior year. He is immediately intrigued by her, and circumstances (the school newspaper) thrust them together in a working relationship. As Henry learns bits and pieces about Grace, he becomes more and more enamored with her.
Grace Town is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

I must say, I was won over immediately from page one of this book. I fell in love with Henry's voice, and with Henry himself soon thereafter. He was so honest, genuine, witty, and wry, but also youthful and naive in many things. Henry learned a lot during this book about his family, his friends, himself, love, and life. This obviously comes at a price for me, the reader, but I enjoyed every second of it. I knew how much I adored Henry when I shed tears for him. Real, wet, mascara smearing tears. My heart ached a little too.
You're an extraordinary collection of atoms, Henry Page

Grace was such a complicated character, and although I was able to figure out what was going on there with the clothes and all, my heart ached for her. For her loss. For her pain. Sometimes, I was angry with her, because I felt like she was using Henry, but in the end, he gained something from their relationship too.
Thinking of Grace Town and how, if people really were assembled from pieces of the universe, her soul was made of stardust and chaos.

This book was not all tears and deep thoughts. Thanks to his two wonderful best friends (Lola and Murray) as well as Henry's engaging family, and just the whole essence of high school, there were a lot of fun times and humor shared as well. But, I reveled in the beautiful parts the most. One particularly heartfelt moment occurred between Henry and his sister, Sadie. She was discussing the science of love and heartache, and it just got me right in the feels. (By the way: this feeling thing happens a lot in this book)
Draft Six
Because you're worth nothing less than stardust, and all I can give you is dirt.

This was a beautiful offering from Sutherland exploring love and loss from multiple angles. There are so many deep messages hidden among the beautiful words she shared with me. I an a loud and proud HEA girl, but still, I regret not one minute of this read.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 August, 2016: Finished reading
  • 27 August, 2016: Reviewed