Our chemical hearts by Krystal Sutherland

Henry Page has been there for his friends while they have loved and lost. Loved and won. But he has never been in love. He's watched his parents and wanted that kind of love, the love that lasts, the meet in high school and stay forever. While he's picked his best friends, Lola (gay) and Murray (straight) up from the pits of despair of love gone wrong, and always been there for them in their failures and successes, he's just never had that spark. Henry is a good student, busy trying to become the editor of the school newspaper, always had a way with words. Then he meets Grace Town. Transfer student from another high school, in senior year. She's quiet. Elusive. Walks with a cane, dresses in boy's clothes. Doesn't draw attention to herself. But Henry notices her. And when they are put together as co-editors of the school newspaper, their worlds collide.

Told from Henry's perspective, this story is very much a tragic love story. A mix of real time and text format, the story moves quickly from the two characters meeting to becoming established in each others lives. Numerous characters are fleshed out in detail, with the exception of Grace - while described, she is the mystery to be solved through the book, so hints and clues are dropped and readers will make guesses early on. Some characters are a bit 'extra', such as Henry's Australian friend, which is interesting given that the author has lived in Australia. The character is listed as having moved to America in their early childhood and having lost their accent, but that they put it on, and even dress in exaggerated Aussie dress (think Steve Irwin). Some readers may find this endearing, others may find it irritating. The book is otherwise well written, well paced with the usual cadence of the author. Perfect for fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End.

Themes: Romance; Contemporary; Relationships; Tragedy; Hardships; Grief; High School.

Melanie Pages