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Heartsick: Three Stories About Love and Loss, and What Happens in Between by Jessie Stephens
wannabesenpai's review
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.
lillihayes's review
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
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
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
thebookishkimmy's review
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.
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
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.
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.
rachhenderson's review
4.0
This book ended up on my To Read list because I follow Mia Freedman and she recommended it (it would be pretty weird for an employer to mention that their employee had written a book and not recommend it). Jessie occasionally appears in Mia's Facebook videos and I was curious about what her writing would be like.
Jessie says in the introduction to the book that it is primarily to let people experiencing heartbreak know that they are not allow, but also to give them somewhere to wallow. As a 40-something woman who doesn't foresee heartbreak in her near future, I didn't personally feel I needed to read this, but wondered if it might be one that I'd finish and then dash to buy by own copy (I borrowed from the library) so I have it on hand when my children inevitably experience their first heartbreak sometime in the next 10 years or so. But I don't think I will.
The three stories are very interesting, but unlikely to appeal to a teen going through their first heartbreak. The youngest of the three protagonists is still well into his mid 20s when his engagement breaks down. All three stories relate to fairly long term, more mature relationships than the first pang of young love lost.
The stories are very interesting (I read the whole book in a day) but I feel there was much more of the "in a relationship" bit than the "heartbreak" bit, so I'm not sure the book really met it's goal.
The final chapter touched very lightly on how different genders and cultures deal with heartbreak. This was really interesting and I would have liked more of this.
Jessie says in the introduction to the book that it is primarily to let people experiencing heartbreak know that they are not allow, but also to give them somewhere to wallow. As a 40-something woman who doesn't foresee heartbreak in her near future, I didn't personally feel I needed to read this, but wondered if it might be one that I'd finish and then dash to buy by own copy (I borrowed from the library) so I have it on hand when my children inevitably experience their first heartbreak sometime in the next 10 years or so. But I don't think I will.
The three stories are very interesting, but unlikely to appeal to a teen going through their first heartbreak. The youngest of the three protagonists is still well into his mid 20s when his engagement breaks down. All three stories relate to fairly long term, more mature relationships than the first pang of young love lost.
The stories are very interesting (I read the whole book in a day) but I feel there was much more of the "in a relationship" bit than the "heartbreak" bit, so I'm not sure the book really met it's goal.
The final chapter touched very lightly on how different genders and cultures deal with heartbreak. This was really interesting and I would have liked more of this.
ashmagoffin's review
2.0
I did not like this book but I want to put a disclaimer at the start of this review that I listened to the audiobook and the narration of it may have had a huge impact in my rating. Heartsick follows three individuals and their experiences with heartbreak. Jessie Stephens at the start of this book states that when she was in the depths of heartbreak she was seeking a book to help her through. I felt a disconnect with the characters, I couldn't see why they were with their respective partners and as well going into it knowing the ending really zapped my motivation to continue with this book. I felt no intrigue either to any of the protagonists and could not empathise with them. I would have much preferred a book entailing Jessie Stephens's own experience with heartbreak as her personal introduction and conclusion was my favourite part of this book.
Jessie Stephens's monotone narration of the audiobook falls flat, there is a lack of expression for a dialogue heavy book. I do think with a different narrator I may have gotten a more positive experience with this book.
2 stars
Jessie Stephens's monotone narration of the audiobook falls flat, there is a lack of expression for a dialogue heavy book. I do think with a different narrator I may have gotten a more positive experience with this book.
2 stars