The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler Review

Synopsis:

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A “touching father-daughter story” (Kirkus Reviews) from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.


Review:

This was not a planned read for me, I was visiting my family and the books I brought with me were not calling to me. So, I decided to peek into the TBR piles of my sister. Coming from a family of readers with various tastes, I knew that there had to be a book somewhere that would scratch that itch. And I wasn't wrong.

There sitting on my sisters table halfway down her pile was 'The Book of Broken Hearts' by Sarah  Ockler. I actually forgot that this is in my TBR pile until I went on to goodreads to upload my review and found it.

But this book was a quick and easy read, I finished it in one day actually. While it is a clean read there is still enough drama to keep me tuned in. I think what I liked best about this book is that it talks about a subject near and dear to my heart. Alzheimer's.

Growing up my mother worked in Assisted Living homes, and there were plenty of men and women who would get lost in their minds and forget things. I saw not only the struggle of their family as they were forgotten but the fight the patients went through as well. So when Jude is struggling with her fathers illness I couldn't help but relate. Each outburst and "senior" moment her father had made my heart ache for her a little more.

I liked that despite how Emilio's brothers were he was adamant that he was not like them. Just because you come from a big family does not mean you are automatically going to end up just like your siblings. As the oldest of 4 I can attest to that. Each of us has our own personalities and quirks, both good and bad.

I liked that Jude found something that helped her father with his memories and worked with him. Her sisters comment that they didn't know it had gotten so bad and they were amazed that she was able to calm him down so easy.

This is a sweet gentle read perfect for any rainy day and one I would recommend to just about anyone looking to pass the  time.

Rating: 
4 out of 5 Stars.