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destinyandpaper's review
3.5
Conditions of a Heart is a story about the struggle of having a sickness in a world where everyone underestimates you. It's a love story and celebrates relationship of all kinds (familial, sisterly, friendships, and romantic).
My favorite part of this book would have to be the characters. They're all flawed and sometimes they make the same mistakes but they actively try to learn from it. They're not perfect, but they're trying.
I also enjoyed how the author focused less on the romance and more on the characters and what she's going through. Although the romance was fun to read, I wish there were more reminiscing on when they first met. I wasn't attached too much to the couple, and I felt like that would've helped me more. (Admittedly, some of the lines in the book were very cheesy)
The writing style was a mix of humorous and emotional, but it didn't quite do it for me. The style almost felt too simplistic and an emotional moment would be interrupted by something meant to be funny in commentary.
Now, to be more specific.
Let's talk about Francesca. Throughout the beginning of the book, the main character comments on how she doesn't feel Francesca is really her friend. In the middle, Francesca gets into an argument with the MC about not discussing her highschool dropout with her. (Totally valid point) That subplot ends up being forgiven with a "cute" humorous note. They don't even end up talking about the friendship, when one of them didn't even feel like they were friends.
As for Eliza, it felt like a total personality switch. It went from her being a bitch to her being a flawed character who makes mistakes but tries to correct them and listen. I would've much preferred to have some sort of show or more details into Eliza's life and how she really is. When the main character first got upset with her, she continued arguing and refused to acknowledge her mistakes. Later, they get in another argument, and suddenly she's all over herself to correct her flaws and be a better sister??? Neither of them are necessarily great siblings, but the main character at least consistently tried throughout the book.
Although some parts frustrated me, I have to say that the ending was really well done. It felt like the perfect conclusion, both cheesy and emotional. Everything turned out pretty much perfect, which isn't... amazing? I wish there were still more to go than a perfect ending, but nevertheless it was still cozy.
Overall, the pacing was well-done (it never felt too fast or too slow), the characters were great despite certain changes, and the ending was fantastic. It ended up being too cheesy and too much of a writing style I couldn't bring myself to enjoy, but still entertaining.
My favorite part of this book would have to be the characters. They're all flawed and sometimes they make the same mistakes but they actively try to learn from it. They're not perfect, but they're trying.
I also enjoyed how the author focused less on the romance and more on the characters and what she's going through. Although the romance was fun to read, I wish there were more reminiscing on when they first met. I wasn't attached too much to the couple, and I felt like that would've helped me more. (Admittedly, some of the lines in the book were very cheesy)
The writing style was a mix of humorous and emotional, but it didn't quite do it for me. The style almost felt too simplistic and an emotional moment would be interrupted by something meant to be funny in commentary.
Now, to be more specific.
Although some parts frustrated me, I have to say that the ending was really well done. It felt like the perfect conclusion, both cheesy and emotional. Everything turned out pretty much perfect, which isn't... amazing? I wish there were still more to go than a perfect ending, but nevertheless it was still cozy.
Overall, the pacing was well-done (it never felt too fast or too slow), the characters were great despite certain changes, and the ending was fantastic. It ended up being too cheesy and too much of a writing style I couldn't bring myself to enjoy, but still entertaining.
honeyvee's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
scholasticsunny's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2.5/5
I had really enjoyed the medical parts of the book, like learning about her experiences and seeing how she delt with certain situations, I do hope to reread it in the future though. I just felt like I went back to the book after finishing a book I had enjoyed more and wasn't ready for a calm no-high-stakes contemporary.
I had really enjoyed the medical parts of the book, like learning about her experiences and seeing how she delt with certain situations, I do hope to reread it in the future though. I just felt like I went back to the book after finishing a book I had enjoyed more and wasn't ready for a calm no-high-stakes contemporary.
imstephtacular's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Ableism, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Bullying, Sexism, Body shaming, Homophobia, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Alcohol
ateachersguidetoreading's review
5.0
This is the type of book I wish I'd read as a teen with an invisible congenital heart condition!
We meet Brynn who has hEDS and PoTs as she tries to act as normal as possible, not letting anyone see how difficult life can get for her when completing every day tasks most people take for granted. Brynn attends a private school on scholarship and upholds her popular persona by hiding a big part of herself. But after being unfairly suspended for her part in a fight that wasn't her fault, she starts to re-evaluate her choices.
I enjoyed the different types of relationships in this book. The one Brynn has with her father is amazing! He is someone who understands her struggles and who she can joke with. I particular felt an emotional tug to this one as my son inherited a heart condition similar to my own and I feel I will know what he is going through as he gets older. In contrast her relationship with her Mum and sister can be strained - they want to help but she feels like they don't get it. Brynn's relationship with her ex Oliver plays throughout the book and how her condition is why she distanced herself from him. The romantic element is a side story to the real message of finding yourself and being comfortable sharing the parts of you that are most vulnerable.
This was an emotional read sprinkled with humour. And as someone who uses humour as a coping mechanism I loved it, especially the internal chats she has with her body parts (my favourite being the Shakespearean style one). The key message is around Brynn's journey of acceptance and pa inf her own identify.
I think it's a must read for anyone with chronic conditions, especially those that are invisible. It would be good to read for people who know someone going through similar conditions to have an idea on the challenges they face.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster and Bethany for an early copy
We meet Brynn who has hEDS and PoTs as she tries to act as normal as possible, not letting anyone see how difficult life can get for her when completing every day tasks most people take for granted. Brynn attends a private school on scholarship and upholds her popular persona by hiding a big part of herself. But after being unfairly suspended for her part in a fight that wasn't her fault, she starts to re-evaluate her choices.
I enjoyed the different types of relationships in this book. The one Brynn has with her father is amazing! He is someone who understands her struggles and who she can joke with. I particular felt an emotional tug to this one as my son inherited a heart condition similar to my own and I feel I will know what he is going through as he gets older. In contrast her relationship with her Mum and sister can be strained - they want to help but she feels like they don't get it. Brynn's relationship with her ex Oliver plays throughout the book and how her condition is why she distanced herself from him. The romantic element is a side story to the real message of finding yourself and being comfortable sharing the parts of you that are most vulnerable.
This was an emotional read sprinkled with humour. And as someone who uses humour as a coping mechanism I loved it, especially the internal chats she has with her body parts (my favourite being the Shakespearean style one). The key message is around Brynn's journey of acceptance and pa inf her own identify.
I think it's a must read for anyone with chronic conditions, especially those that are invisible. It would be good to read for people who know someone going through similar conditions to have an idea on the challenges they face.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster and Bethany for an early copy
thindbooks's review
4.0
Another great book from Bethany Mangle that you don’t want to miss out. This story follows a teen girl who has a chronic illness that she doesn’t want anyone to know and wants to experience a normal life. I really enjoyed this book. It was well written with a lot of self-development and showcasing invisible illness that you never know someone has. I love how it opens a reader’s mind and showcases so much of this world. The pacing was great and I really enjoyed the high school setting of the book. There are a lot of conflicts in the story which sometimes did feel a bit overwhelming but it also created Brynn to be who she is.
Brynn is the MC of the story and I really enjoyed her character. In some ways, I could relate to her but I really loved how much she developed. She opened up to others around her and she also learned what she wanted to do. There were many side characters in this book. I loved Brynn’s family and how they supported her and of course there will be characters you won’t like the minor antagonist. I also liked Oliver’s character as it shows how you have to trust a person and see how much they care. There is a bit of romance in this book but I wouldn’t truly call this a romance book as it focuses mainly on Brynn and her story.
The ending was well done and overall I really enjoyed this book. It was well-written and something I wouldn’t have easily picked up. The author did an amazing job of writing a different story from their other books. This is another book I have enjoyed from this author and will be reading more of their books.
*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
bookplaits's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
raix's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Contemporary Teen Romance" is not a genre that I normally read, but I genuinely enjoyed this book. I thought the writing style was engaging, and I liked the humour even though the story deals with difficult topics and emotions. I feel like with YA there's sometimes a tendency for it to sound like it's talking down to teenagers or making light of their problems. I didn't get that feeling with this book, even at the times when the characters' ages really did define their actions (like Brynn's fights with her sister). I liked the element of the romance being with her ex who she's still so in love with. The obstacle between them is her own ability to be open about herself, and I enjoyed that there was the opportunity for that growth. As someone with a chronic illness I can relate to Brynn's sense of grief and hopelessness, but I really enjoyed her character growth as well when she starts to reconsider what her future might look like. I'm really glad I picked this book up because I enjoyed it from beginning to end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Ableism, and Bullying
Moderate: Medical content