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holsarmstrong's review against another edition
5.0
just leave me to sob pls
I bloody loved beautiful broken things and this book was beyond a rollercoaster of emotions. I adore!
I bloody loved beautiful broken things and this book was beyond a rollercoaster of emotions. I adore!
chrissireads's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written book. It completely captured my heart.
themaxdog's review
3.0
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2022/08/book-review-fierce-fragile-hearts-sara-barnard.html
How do you piece yourself back together when you've been broken?
Fierce Fragile Hearts is the second book in the Beautiful Broken Things duology. The first book focused mainly on Caddy, while this sequel picks up the narrative in order to tell Suzanne's story. I think you would struggle to understand a lot of what happens in this book if you haven't previously read Beautiful Broken Things. It's largely focused on Suzanne's recovery and what happens next to the trio of friends, much of which would have little meaning without the necessary context applied from book one.
Suzanne is a rich, complex character with plenty of hidden depths. She is a walking contradiction - she loves to put on a mask and excels in company, yet she is also afraid of showing her true self to anyone new. She is fiercely protective of her two best friends, Caddy and Rosie, yet can't help but lapse back into her old destructive behaviours when they leave for university.
Suzanne is certainly an interesting character to read about, yet despite this, I still found the book somewhat lacking compared to Beautiful Broken Things. Maybe it was the naivety of Caddy's narration, or the coming-of-age storyline just bore more weight, but either way, I definitely preferred Beautiful Broken Things to Fierce Fragile Hearts. This book is great if you enjoyed the first book and want to find out what happens next, but I do think it would be a struggle for a new reader to make the most of the story.
That being said, it was a joy to read a book that focused on friendship above romance. So much YA lit is focused on love interests, and while there is an element of romance in this book, it certainly isn't the main plot. The friendship that Suzanne, Caddy, and Rosie share really is something special - they are simply each other's people. Another highlight is the unlikely friendship that develops between Suzanne and Dilys. It's endearing, heartwarming, and just so sweet.
Fierce Fragile Hearts has a strong sense of place running throughout the book. In this story, we return once again to Brighton, where the girls' story began. Brighton acts almost like an anchor for a character like Suzanne who drifts through life, never staying in one place long enough to settle down and grow roots. Brighton is the anomaly, the one place she feels like she truly belongs.
Fierce Fragile Hearts is an emotionally-charged story of friendship, heartache, and navigating the complexities of life.
How do you piece yourself back together when you've been broken?
Fierce Fragile Hearts is the second book in the Beautiful Broken Things duology. The first book focused mainly on Caddy, while this sequel picks up the narrative in order to tell Suzanne's story. I think you would struggle to understand a lot of what happens in this book if you haven't previously read Beautiful Broken Things. It's largely focused on Suzanne's recovery and what happens next to the trio of friends, much of which would have little meaning without the necessary context applied from book one.
Suzanne is a rich, complex character with plenty of hidden depths. She is a walking contradiction - she loves to put on a mask and excels in company, yet she is also afraid of showing her true self to anyone new. She is fiercely protective of her two best friends, Caddy and Rosie, yet can't help but lapse back into her old destructive behaviours when they leave for university.
Suzanne is certainly an interesting character to read about, yet despite this, I still found the book somewhat lacking compared to Beautiful Broken Things. Maybe it was the naivety of Caddy's narration, or the coming-of-age storyline just bore more weight, but either way, I definitely preferred Beautiful Broken Things to Fierce Fragile Hearts. This book is great if you enjoyed the first book and want to find out what happens next, but I do think it would be a struggle for a new reader to make the most of the story.
That being said, it was a joy to read a book that focused on friendship above romance. So much YA lit is focused on love interests, and while there is an element of romance in this book, it certainly isn't the main plot. The friendship that Suzanne, Caddy, and Rosie share really is something special - they are simply each other's people. Another highlight is the unlikely friendship that develops between Suzanne and Dilys. It's endearing, heartwarming, and just so sweet.
Fierce Fragile Hearts has a strong sense of place running throughout the book. In this story, we return once again to Brighton, where the girls' story began. Brighton acts almost like an anchor for a character like Suzanne who drifts through life, never staying in one place long enough to settle down and grow roots. Brighton is the anomaly, the one place she feels like she truly belongs.
Fierce Fragile Hearts is an emotionally-charged story of friendship, heartache, and navigating the complexities of life.
raccoon_1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
blurrybug's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
A nice follow up, not absolutely needed but for my curious self it was definitely a gift.
A nice follow up, not absolutely needed but for my curious self it was definitely a gift.
caitlin27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
breadforsong's review against another edition
5.0
I just really really identify with Suze and I'm so glad she has a plan now ðŸ˜
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
One of those books that felt like coming back to a familiar friend, though everything had moved on a little.
A couple of years on Suzanne is now 19, still very much in the process of recovery and just about to start living alone. She gets a bedsit in Brighton and returns to the place that made her so happy, though her best friends Rosie and Caddy are about to leave for university.
The actual situation Suzanne is in is upsetting, but not unfamiliar to many. It was mildly amusing to see her going through the process of learning to be independent, but I still felt rage at what she had been through at the hands of her family.
I was fascinated by the way Barnard wrote about the therapeutic relationship, and the after-effects of trauma. It all felt far too intense at times, and the ins and outs of the story didn’t always appeal as much as I’d hoped they would. However, Matt has to go down as one of the loveliest characters I’ve read about for a while, and I have a new soft spot for Dilys.
I’m very grateful to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my thoughts, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to pass on to those I know who loved Beautiful Broken Things.
A couple of years on Suzanne is now 19, still very much in the process of recovery and just about to start living alone. She gets a bedsit in Brighton and returns to the place that made her so happy, though her best friends Rosie and Caddy are about to leave for university.
The actual situation Suzanne is in is upsetting, but not unfamiliar to many. It was mildly amusing to see her going through the process of learning to be independent, but I still felt rage at what she had been through at the hands of her family.
I was fascinated by the way Barnard wrote about the therapeutic relationship, and the after-effects of trauma. It all felt far too intense at times, and the ins and outs of the story didn’t always appeal as much as I’d hoped they would. However, Matt has to go down as one of the loveliest characters I’ve read about for a while, and I have a new soft spot for Dilys.
I’m very grateful to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my thoughts, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to pass on to those I know who loved Beautiful Broken Things.