A review by loribreereads
Heartwood by Amity Gaige

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The structure of the book and the writing style were excellent. My favorite chapters were Valerie (Sparrow's) chapters that included beautiful letters to her Mom during the time she was lost on the Appalachian Trail.  Her story of how she went missing is told slowly throughout the book, alternating perspectives with the Lieutenant leading the search, and Lena, a woman whose storyline ties in beautifully in the last part of the book. A beautifully written literary mystery!

"Here's an idea: All emotions start out as love. Later, that love is worked on by the forces of luck and suffering. Hate is just soured love. Fear is wounded love. Longing is homeless love. Love, not pain is the mother. Love is the taproot."

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent