My Thoughts:
Other Breakable Things was a story that I was drawn to from the beautiful yet simple book cover, and the bittersweet book synopsis. I requested it at a time in my life were I was drawn to stories that were melancholy, authentic to real life, and gave me a ton of "feels." Before I got a chance to read it, I underwent a ton of tragedy in my personal life, and didn't want to read a story that would break my heart and make me cry. At that time, I was looking for the type of reading escape that would help get my mind off of the sadness and pain I was currently enduring. So even though I knew I wanted to read it, I shelved it, until I could get to a good enough place mentally and emotionally.
Luc and Evelyn were best of friends and even though they both felt more than friendship for one another, they never crossed that line. They were devastated, when her mother decided to uproot Evelyn from California, and move to Arizona to be with her newest in a long line of boyfriends. Three years later, Evelyn has returned to California after her mother's breakup. They are back living with Evelyn's grandmother, and she can't wait to see Luc. Even though she continued to call and write him, he eventually stopped communicating with her.
Luc's been very sick and his body is rejecting his new heart from the transplant he had shortly after Evelyn left. He has decided that he can't bear to continue being hospitalized, or even the thought of another transplant. He doesn't want to continue being a financial or emotional burden on his family. Luc has a road trip planned to Oregon where euthanasia is legal. However, he never foresaw Evelyn coming back in to his life, falling in love, and meaning everything to him. Evelyn is going on the road trip with Luc, and she's determined to make Luc see how beautiful life is, and that it's worth fighting for...
Other Breakable Things was a story full of bittersweet moments, the beauty in simplicity, and living each moment to it's fullest! Evelyn and Luc were both very likable and mature teens. Evelyn was all sunshine, optimism, exuberance, and endless love. Luc was series, a little grumpy, (he had every right to be,) protective, thoughtful, and selfless. I love that Ms. York and Ms. Altwood wrote the story from Evelyn and Luc's dual perspectives. I felt like I was with Evelyn and Luc on their road trip. I experienced butterflies as their feelings for one another grew, excitement with each new adventure or discovery, frustration, sadness, longing, and determination.
This story had me going through such a rollercoaster of emotions! I felt both hope and fear throughout the story. I had certain predictions of how the story would end, and out of all of the possibilities, the ending managed to surprise me. This story was a real tear jerker, was very true to life, and offered us life lessons about making the most out of every day, finding the beauty in life, and embracing it; even when we're experiencing pain.
