Heartbeat - Elizabeth Scott

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Source/Format: Publisher (Thanks!) || Bound manuscript

[I received this book for review from the publisher. This in no way affects the thoughts expressed in my review.]

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love? (from Goodreads)

Heartbeat is not an easy book to read. The situation it revolves around is unique – Emma’s mother is brain dead, but her body is being kept alive because Emma’s baby brother is growing inside of her. But a part from the dramatic conflict of the situation it revolves around, there’s weightiness to every word of this story. It’s nearly impossible to avoid feeling the full force impact of the emotions that plague Emma – a deep despair, a growing anger, festering resentment and an ache of emptiness that won’t go away.

These emotions are harsh and negative, so it’s not unexpected that readers will find it difficult to like Emma at first. I struggled with understanding all the provocation, the bite to Emma’s remarks, her lack of interest in her former passions and goals and the stone exterior to her emotions, especially with her stepfather. But if her situation is considered – she’s young and just lost the one person in the world she loves most – it makes a whole lot more sense. Elizabeth Scott portrays Emma’s grief and hurt in a way that was so real that I wanted to hug her a lot of the time!

As Heartbeat progresses, the truth behind Emma’s feelings is revealed. I really liked that most of the revelation comes from witnessing Emma in a few key moments of vulnerability – with her mother, her stepfather, her best friend and even this boy Calvin. Her relationships with each one of them affect her journey with grief. With her mother, it keeps pulling her back into despair to be so close to her, but to know that she’s no longer really here. With her stepfather, she’s angry with him for putting her in this situation without consulting her first, thus breaking apart the close relationship they formerly had. Then there’s Olivia, her best friend, who provides a sense of normalcy and comfort, and Calvin, who understands all of Emma, even the pieces that appear to be broken. 

Heavy and thought-provoking, Heartbeat was interesting. It’s an introspective sort of novel, so it takes things a little longer to progress. But it allows readers to really get to know Emma, and understanding how she feels and why is key to appreciating the story. Heartbeat also does an incredible job of showcasing Emma’s various relationships, as well as inspiring the reader to try to put herself in Emma’s shoes (or maybe those of other characters) and try to figure out what they would do in that situation. For that alone, I’d say it was well worth my time to read.