Things We Know by Heart
Book Description
When a heart-wrenching loss leaves Quinn grappling with grief, a chance discovery of the heart donor's identity ignites a powerful quest for answers. Chasing the specter of a girl she’ll never meet, she finds unexpected connections spiral into a profound relationship that challenges everything she thought she knew about love, loss, and healing. As secrets unravel and emotions collide, Quinn must confront her deepest fears and the truth about moving forward. What happens when hope emerges from the shadows of despair, and can love truly blossom in the aftermath of heartbreak?
Quick Book Summary
"Things We Know by Heart" by Jessi Kirby is a moving exploration of grief, love, and healing. After the sudden death of her boyfriend, Quinn Sullivan feels imprisoned by sorrow, unable to let go. Driven by a need for closure, she seeks out the recipients of his donated organs but is thwarted by the anonymity surrounding the heart recipient. Breaking protocol, Quinn discovers the identity of Colton Thomas, the boy who now carries her boyfriend’s heart, and approaches him incognito. As they form a tentative friendship, Quinn grapples with secrecy and guilt. Their connection evolves into romance, forcing Quinn to confront her grief, the reality of moving on, and the complexities of loving again. The story examines whether hope and love can flourish after unbearable loss.
Summary of Key Ideas
Table of Contents
The Journey Through Grief and Loss
Quinn Sullivan’s world is shattered when her boyfriend, Trent, dies unexpectedly. Consumed by grief, she isolates herself, finding little comfort from family or friends. As a way to cope, Quinn tracks down all recipients of Trent’s donated organs, contacting and meeting each, except for the heart recipient, who remains anonymous. Her pursuit becomes an obsession, representing her desire for answers and closure she cannot find elsewhere.
The Search for Closure and Identity
When Quinn uncovers the identity of Colton Thomas, the boy living with Trent’s heart, she travels to his small coastal town without revealing her connection. Their first few interactions are marked by awkwardness and Quinn’s internal struggle, as she debates whether to disclose the truth. Despite her intentions to keep her distance, Quinn and Colton bond over shared experiences and a mutual sense of displacement, gradually forming a deep emotional connection.
Forming Unexpected Connections
As their relationship deepens, Quinn’s web of secrets grows heavier. She feels immense guilt over withholding her true intentions from Colton. These secrets create tension and raise questions about honesty and trust. Quinn must choose between her need for proximity to Trent’s memory and her responsibility to Colton’s feelings. The emotional stakes intensify as Quinn realizes that the truth could shatter the fragile happiness they’ve built.
The Complexity of Secrets and Truth
Ultimately, Quinn is forced to confront her grief head-on. Facing the pain of loss and the consequences of her actions, she comes to understand that moving forward does not mean forgetting. Acceptance and forgiveness—both of herself and from Colton—become keys to her healing. Through new love and genuine connection, Quinn learns to hope again, illustrating the resilience of the human heart even after it has been broken.
The Healing Power of Love and Acceptance
The novel closes with Quinn and Colton embracing an uncertain yet hopeful future. They acknowledge their shared pasts but focus on mutual healing and growth. "Things We Know by Heart" concludes as a poignant portrait of love born from loss, the courage it takes to move beyond sorrow, and the remarkable ways that second chances can restore fractured lives.
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