Reviews

Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney

fien_vermeulen's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.25

theeuphoriczat's review against another edition

4.0

I absolutely loved reading this book. I didn't cry but it was sad. I has the one trope that drives me bonkers i.e. miscommunication/lack of communication. Irish authors know how to write beautifully about daily life and family relationships and Tish does such a fantastic job with this book.

best_lemon's review

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

toomanydresses's review

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

georgia_reads24's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

5.0

cecilialau_'s review against another edition

4.5

(Btw, I definitely don’t think that the blurb needs to reveal all that it does. But hey, that’s just how I feel. I just don’t think we had to know the “25 years later” part.)

This was so authentic and raw and delicate and heartfelt. There was frustration, miscommunication, mistreatment, things left unsaid or swept under the rug. And then a little bit of joy sprinkled in there as well. Some amazing “side” characters mixed in as well.
The realities of the Troubles and life in NI during the seventies, through to and beyond The Good Friday Agreement was depicted so vividly and emotionally that I could feel it in my bones as if I felt all that Mary felt (pretty much and only vicariously of course).

I have to say it took me 40 pages to get more into the story. Then after 100 it got more “interesting”, and then before the halfway point I read the rest only stopping once (out of necessity, not choice) - it was just so good. I’ve not been able to “let go” of these characters.

We meet Mary when she is only seven years old and follow her for over thirty years on. I was absolutely frustrated with her at times (and adored her), while it was very clear why and how she was the way she was, her insecurities, vulnerabilities, broken heart and broken dreams, uncomfortable and unexplained feelings plus an untrusting nature still hoping for better.
I won’t say more.

I honestly longed for the time when I’d finally read about Mary “succumbing” to her feelings toward John. Thought the new house/passage of time would change that. When John at the end finally tells her that he wanted her to love him back, that was exactly how I felt after she was old enough. I was glad he didn’t pressure her or did anything when she was sixteen. Or even before she was ready to let herself. I’m glad they came together in the end. And that she gained a sort of independence and he got to travel and be alone for a while. Bridie’s death was completely devastating. 

noahd's review

emotional reflective sad medium-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

3.75

lucyfrances's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

leia0610's review

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

harrietannreads's review against another edition

5.0

Beginning the year with a 5 star read bodes well! Trying to write reviews in 2023 so I actually remember why I give books certain ratings.

This book was beautifully written and deeply moving. I didn’t want it to end. I say I didn’t want it to end but at one point I considered maybe giving it 4 stars because I did feel the pacing was a bit off. Tish Delaney went into extensive detail at the beginning and it really immersed you in the life and thoughts of Mary. But, the plot started to feel increasingly rushed towards the end.

Still, the writing and the plot itself made up for it. It was an emotional rollercoaster; both heart wrenching and joy inspiring.