Jenn Bennett

Sparks fly when Beatrix Adams, seventeen, who strives to be a medical illustrator, meets Jack, one of San Francisco's most notorious graffiti artists, but even as Beatrix begins to uncover the secrets that have left Jack so wounded, her own family secrets threaten to tear them apart.

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart

roro

I really loved this book. I loved it so much that I rate it five stars which I don't normally do. I loved the plot line, that characters, everything.

Winner of the Romantic Times Best YA Protagonist Award (2015) Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she's spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Da Vinci's footsteps, she's ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: drawing actual cadavers. But when she tries to sneak her way into the hospital's Willed Body program and misses the last metro train home, she meets a boy who turns her summer plans upside down. Jack is charming, wildly attractive . . . and possibly one of San Francisco's most notorious graffiti artists. On midnight buses and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who Jack really is-and tries to uncover what he's hiding that leaves him so wounded. But will these secrets come back to haunt him? Or will the skeletons in Beatrix's own family's closet tear them apart? The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett is an irresistible, deeply romantic story about a girl and boy who help each other heal and grow.

Victoria

I’d admit, I knew that this was gonna be my least favorite Jenn Bennett book the minute I started reading it. So I was already biased going into this and, well, I was bored during the first few chapters.

It also did not help that their “meet cute” was not at all cute.

There was little to no character development/growth, unlike the characters in other Jenn Bennett books. And it’s one of the things that I look forward to the most. But sadly, one that I didn’t get.

It was an okay love story. And I would have given this 2 stars but I really like the sex positivity part that was injected into the story. Plus, it’s Jenn Bennett and I’m a little biased.

P.S. What the hell is an anatomical shape of a heart, anyway??????

Sven Test

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews

How perfect is this book?!! I mean, seriously. I cannot stop gushing over it. While I had requested this because I wanted to read it, I was unsure of whether I would like it and boy, I was in for a surprise because I ended up adoring it! It even made it into my 2015 faves!!

Beatrix wants to draw actual cadavers not only because she's very interested in doing so but because she will have an advantage to win a scholarship. One night, Beatrix meets Jack and her world is about to change. She wants to get to know Jack because he is so fun and caring but Jack has scars that go so deep, they cannot be seen.

This book was an adventure, an experience, a journey. I fell head-first into it and I was attached to the story and to the characters right from the start. I haven't read many books when it comes to art so this was a pleasant surprise seeing as I enjoyed it a lot! I loved how the author was so descriptive with the drawings that were talked about and I could vividly imagine them in my head. The Anatomical Shape of a Heart taught me something, a kind of art I had no idea even existed! I knew that people would draw cadavers for images and whatnot but for it to be something like a profession in life? This was new information to me. I love when books teach me something completely new because it expands my knowledge and makes me want to keep on searching for more on this subject.

This story is so different from what I've ever read seeing as the main character is a little bit of complex when it comes to her hobby or what she wants to do in her life, which is to draw cadavers. I was creeped out by this factor but it didn't stop me from reading once I started. Beatrix was a joy to read about. She was so full of life even with everything she had gone through in her life with her family. Beatrix is the kind of character many will look up to. She knew what she wanted out of life and if she had to do it on her own to reach that goal, she would do it and she did.

When Jack gets introduced, I immediately needed to know more about him. He's a mysterious characters with secrets of his own that no one really knows. Aside from that secret, he also hides that he does graffiti and is actually the most wanted one in their area. Jack's life is far from perfect yet he continues to smile and to have fun, to continue enjoying life. And did I like Jack and Beatrix's relationship? YES! It was so much fun! I definitely wanted more of their fun and witty banter and I definitely wanted to read more of their relationship.

Seeing as the relationship wasn't the big aspect, I will tell you the two major aspects I found in this story. The first important aspect is family is extremely important. We have two different families (Bex's and Jack's). Bex's family is very close and united whereas Jack's is kind of drifted. This is very important to the story because of Jack's secret and let me tell you I got tears in my eyes because I was not expecting that at all.

The second important aspect I had mentioned before is actually the want to fight for what you know you want out of life and if along the way you get obstacles, to give it your all and overcome those obstacles and ultimately achieve exactly what you thrived for. With that being said, I think this book is very empowering to teens, especially Senior high school teens. This book shows a new take on various things of life and while it is Young Adult, it does have its complexity but it's what makes this story so real and makes it come to live.

Jenn Bennett is a new author to me even though she has written other genres before. I hope she goes more in-depth with the YA genre because I certainly want more from her.

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews

Alexis Clara

** spoiler alert **
           what can I say, I’m a teenager, of course insta-love isn’t going to bother me. However, I didn’t really take this to be insta-love. But that may just be me. This book is half and half, you either love it or hate it.

I like the characters(especially Jack, did I mention I’m in love with him??) , I like the story, I like the cover, it’s just an overall good book. Also, it had my favorite things, art and medical stuff. How can I not like a book that has that? 

The story involves some hard topics like divorce, an lgbt character, and a character with a mental illness. Not to mention, it also talks about safe sex, and sex in general, which wasn’t so uncomfortable to read about.

I enjoyed the fact that it had a happy ending. This book is just a feel good book. There wasn’t anything I hated/disliked about it.

This review isn’t really a review but long story short, I recommend this book if you want a cute love story that involves captivating characters.

Sara Carlson 

The relationship between Jack and Bex was so cute! And the only other thing I have to say is I love Jack <333 This is definitely a good quick read (imo), and it helped get me out of a reading slump. :)

Sophia Hofmann 

Another great book by Jenn Bennett. I couldn't put it down and really enjoyed the chemistry between the protagonists. It touches on a few more serious topics but I liked the tone it had. I also enjoy drawing myself, so this book sparked my creativity and will to draw again :)

Jessica Guht

I fell in love with this book within the first chapter. The dynamic between Bex and Jack and all their witty conversations and quick responses reminded me of myself, and made me wish for more books with characters like these. Not to mention, the overall takeaway of the book is very heartwarming, and sometimes you just need a book that makes you smile, right?!

Vera Sokolyanskaya

Maria

тема про медицинские иллюстрации немного странная, я что-то даже никогда не задумывалась, что на них кто-то специализируется. но в остальном - a solid jenn bennett book, всё как мы любим, девочки, берите

Aleena Korell

3.5 stars for unlikely but fun cheesy goodness.

Ana Ignat

I absolutely loved this book, holy shiz. Will be writing a review. New fave contemporary

b.andherbooks

"Mom says I'm stubborn, and maybe that's true. But she also taught me not to blindly follow rules without thinking. Not everything in this world is fair, and people with power don't always have sense." (p255)

This YA book hit me in all the right places. Bennett makes her hometown of San Francisco sparkle, the lovely parks, the gritty metro stops, and the neighborhoods. What she does even better, if possible, is make you fall in love with Bex and Jack, two people who are passionate about their art despite the risks.

Bex is sneaking into the cadaver lab at the local medical college to create her piece to enter into a scientific art contest for a scholarship. Jack is secretly spraying gold glitter graffiti words around San Francisco, and if caught would be charged with a felony. They meet on the bus and quickly become immersed in each other. Both struggle with their family lives for reasons I won't spoil here, but man this is simply fantastic.

A SUPER steamy YA book, I was blushing really good for a large part of it. Adore.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


The Anatomical Shape of a Heart has been on my TBR for ages. After seeing one of my favorite authors — one who has recommended some amazing books to me in the past — talk about her love for it on Instagram one day, I decided it was high time to read it. (Especially since she isn't really a big YA reader.) I knew this one had to be something special. And guess what? It absolutely was. 

Bex and Jack's story was so sweet. I loved how they come to meet each other — YA has some of the best meet cutes, no? — and how things progressed with them. Something sparked when they first met each other, but the real good stuff built over time and was even tested along the way. My feelings about these two, however, were never in doubt. I shipped them so freaking hard. I loved how Jen mixed their romance with a hefty dose of coming of age and serious character growth. This book delivered the feels and the swoons and was an absolute delight.  

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


FAVORITE QUOTES

"Feeling alive is always worth the risk."
"Feeling alive is merely a rush of adrenaline."

"What do I want? I want to call you every five minutes. I want to text you good night every night. I want to make you laugh. And I want you to look at me like you did that first night on the bus."

My hands snaked around his back, and he pulled me closer. And then he was kissing me like we were both on fire and he was trying to put the flames out, and I kissed him back like an arsonist with a pocketful of matches.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

THIS BOOK IS JUST....


  

 
AHHHH!!! I'm having so much trouble writing this review. I keep typing... then deleting... then typing again. SO FRUSTRATING!! It's really difficult to review this one because I feel like you have to actually read it for yourself to get the full feel of how awesome it is. My words will not do it justice, that is a fact. That being said, I will do my best to portray through my utterly inadequate words how over-the-top adorable this book is. Let's begin, shall we?

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart is set in San Francisco. Beatrix (Bex, for short) is trying to weasel her way into winning a scholarship for college. Bex is an artist with a very unique style: she draws anatomical body parts. She tries her darnedest to sneak into a program at the local hospital where she would be able to draw actual cadavers. But when she misses the last train home from the hospital, she ends up on the Owl Bus, where she meets the attractive and mysterious Jack. 

Bex and Jack are not your typical YA contemporary couple. The two are intrigued by each other, yet don't cross that line of infatuation too quickly. Jack is eager to get to know Bex better right from the get-go. I loved his persistent to get her to notice him, despite her making it extremely difficult for him. In the beginning of the book, Bex was very standoffish and make Jack really beg for the little attention she did give him. At first I didn't understand why she acted that way, but after she realized a "secret" about Jack, I think that fact alone made her hesitant to get too close to him too quickly. I can completely understand where that tough girl persona came from, though I was happy to see it eventually shed and get to know the real Bex.

Another thing about this book that I loved... FAMILY! Such strong family bonds were present in this story, and that's always wonderful to see. These parents were (mostly) very present in their children's lives, and they were also extremely supportive and understanding. They didn't let their kids get away with much either, setting boundaries and punishments when needed. (They also weren't perfect and made their fair share of mistakes themselves.) The parents actually being present in their children's lives is hard to come by in YA, and it was one of my favorite parts of this story. Also... the sibling relationships in this story were PERFECTION!! Bex's brother was HILARIOUS!! I so want more of that guy. ♥


  

 
The Anatomical Shape of a Heart was full-on adorableness at its finest. That alone earns it ALL THE STARS in my humble opinion! This story has everything you could want and expect from a YA contemporary. As a HUGE contemporary fan, trust me when I say this book has everything going for it. I think most people, even non-contemporary fans, would love this story and these characters. The friendships, family involvement, and gorgeous messages throughout this book are heartwarming and will leave you with the warm fuzzies feelings long after finishing.


  "A happy coincidence."
He shook his head. "Everything's connected, Bex. Whether we understand it or not."


I buddy read this book with the lovely Genesis, and together we were fangirling the entire time! This is definitely a fun book to buddy read with a friend. There are a few secrets that are fun to guess while reading. Plus all of the swooning over Jack's charming self made for some pretty fun conversation! 


  If James Dean and David Beckham had a baby, it would be Jack.


Amirite?! *major topnotch swooning*

SUCCESS! This book just made my Top Books of 2015 list! Read this book, guys! It's really THAT good. Seriously. This gorgeous story runs the complete spectrum of feels, from adorable-beyond-words to sobbing-like-a-baby. This book addresses some touchy topics (such as mental illness and some slight criminal activity) with such grace and sensitivity. The larger focus of the story though is what will have you hugging this book.

[caption id="attachment_15462" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Hugs all around![/caption]
 
If I haven't made it clear yet, I would DEFINITELY recommend reading this book. Its quirky characters and their witty banter makes this such a unique story that so many YA readers will enjoy.

(Thanks to Feiwel & Friends for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Artist Beatrix Adams knows exactly how she's spending the summer before her senior year. Determined to follow in Da Vinci's footsteps, she's ready to tackle the one thing that will give her an advantage in a museum-sponsored scholarship contest: draw