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Instructions for a Secondhand Heart

Contributors

By Tamsyn Murray

Formats and Prices

Price

$9.99

Price

$12.99 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. ebook $9.99 $12.99 CAD
  2. Hardcover $17.99 $23.49 CAD

A moving novel about grief, guilt, and the unpredictability of love, for fans of Everything, Everything and All the Bright Places.

Jonny knows better than anyone that life is full of cruel ironies. He’s spent every day in a hospital hooked up to machines to keep his heart ticking. Then when an organ donor is found for Jonny’s heart, that turns out to be the cruelest irony of all. Because for Jonny’s life to finally start, someone else’s had to end.

That someone turns out to be Neve’s twin brother, Leo. When Leo was alive, all Neve wanted was for him (and all his glorious, overshadowing perfection) to leave. Now that Leo’s actually gone forever, Neve has no idea how to move forward. Then Jonny walks into her life looking for answers, her brother’s heart beating in his chest, and everything starts to change.

Together, Neve and Jonny will have to face the future, no matter how frightening it is, while learning to heal their hearts, no matter how much it hurts.

Features select graphic novel illustrations from Jonny’s sketchbook.

  • "Pumps out grief and joy like the beating of a heart. A sweet, yet gut-wrenching novel that'll keep you turning pages."
    Adi Alsaid, author of North of Happy and Let's Get Lost
  • "Save some [tissues] for Instructions for a Secondhand Heart... Jonny and [Neve] inspire confidence that they will overcome their obstacles; you would have to have a heart of stone not to root for them."
    The Guardian
  • "Romance fans will revel in Jonny and Neve's intensity."
    BCCB
  • "British author Murray explores teen illness and death realistically...Readers should find it easy to cheer on these two misfits who are figuring how they fit in and fit together."
    Publishers Weekly
  • "Neve and Jonny are emotionally complex, vulnerable protagonists who help each other face realities they never dreamed they'd see."
    Horn Book
  • "Told in alternating viewpoints, this heavy-hitting story covers life, death, romance, friendship, loyalty, and much more. Readers will enjoy the emotionally realistic storyline."
    School Library Connection
  • "Their tentative journey feels fresh. Jonny's hospital experiences include a friendship with a girl battling cancer, and the book includes his drawings of her alter-identity as Chemo-Girl. This will appeal to readers drawn to romances featuring ill teenagers, such as (naturally) John Green's The Fault in Our Stars (2012)."
    Booklist

On Sale
Dec 5, 2017
Page Count
320 pages
Publisher
Poppy
ISBN-13
9780316471749

About the Author

NOVL - Headshot photo of Tamsyn Murray

Tamsyn Murray spent her childhood moving around a lot throughout England. At eighteen she left home to go to university in London and now lives in Hertfordshire. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found singing and dancing with her local amateur dramatics society. She has one daughter and one son and several pets.

#InstructionsforaSecondhandHeart

From NOVL Nation

Instructions for a Secondhand Heart is a poignant and beautifully written story about loss, grieve, healing, and falling in love. It’s emotional and heart-breaking but at the same time sweet and full of hope.”

—Milan

“You will laugh, cry, and appreciate just how important life is. In an instant life can change, without warning. Whether you like it or not.”

—Patti, Lovely Loveday

“What I loved most about this book is that it shows you that it’s OK to not be OK. Everyone struggles to discover who they are and where to go from there.”

—Ellie, Pages of Ellie

Tamsyn Murray

About the Author

Tamsyn Murray spent her childhood moving around a lot throughout England. At eighteen she left home to go to university in London and now lives in Hertfordshire. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found singing and dancing with her local amateur dramatics society. She has one daughter and one son and several pets.

Learn more about this author