Reviews

Heartsick: Three Stories of Falling in Love . . . And What Happens After it Ends by Jessie Stephens

lizbib's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

maddison's review against another edition

reflective

4.0

wannabesenpai's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

3.75

Longform nonfiction narrative is not my usual kind of read but I tried it out because of a soft spot I have for the writer, having listened to her on a podcast for the last few years. Jessie Stephens is a great writer whose voice is well-suited to this style of narrative. There are some beautiful expressions that she puts onto feelings that I have felt, wanted to articulate, but could never. The "characters" are wonderfully fleshed out in their desires, flaws and relatability. This is definitely a book to read to understand your own hurt and longing, and to know you're not alone. 

karamccurdy's review against another edition

Uninteresting

lillihayes's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. Jessie has completely captured the visceral feeling of heartbreak. So much so that I had to put it down for a little bit because I began to feel in my body the pain that was my first heartbreak. That doesn’t sound like something you want to feel but... it is? Jessie so incredibly and artfully articulates the parts of being human that no one ever truly opens up about. The parts that you have felt in your darkest moments where you don’t believe anyone else has ever quite felt like this. I wish I had this book when I’ve been heartbroken and quite literally heart sick. Anyone who has ever felt that feeling (read: everyone) should read this book. It’s painful at times, yes, but it really does remind you that you’re not alone in this feeling. It’s also just a beautiful piece of writing. Read it!

edwarddtaylor's review against another edition

5.0

This book hurts so much!!!!

Although it's non-fic it reads like the most beautiful novel and I loved and hated all of the people as if they were my friends. I found myself throwing the book down at some points because I just COULDN'T with some of the decisions that were made

samanthajemima's review against another edition

2.0

Didn't get the hype around this book and struggled to finish it.

felicitythereader's review against another edition

4.0

Great read, although it did remind me how painful heartbreak can be.

thebookishkimmy's review against another edition

4.0

I agree with Jessie when she says that sometimes when you're going through something hard, you want to know someone else has felt the same way you have. Sometimes, what you need is stories that speak into what you're going through, not how-tos or self-help guides. You just want something that makes you feel less alone.

This is a truly absorbing account of three people falling in love and then their heartbreak. It isn't a breakup book about revenge or steps to moving on or filled with meaningless motivational quotes. It is true stories from real people of their experience with heartbreak.

I really enjoyed it, I love reading people's stories and I felt this was tangible and honest. I'd recommend it if you're going through a breakup, feel like reflecting on past relationships or just want to hear someone else's experience of love and heartbreak.

hoovertronic's review against another edition

4.0

This has been a book that captivated me with its capacity to describe feelings in a way I had never known. I picked up this book when Trent Dalton's Love Stories left me with a sense of unfulfillment.
It was a wonderful journey going through the highest of love highs with our characters but it was gut wrenching when we hit the lows.