Author: Sarah Ockler
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary | Young Adult
Release Date: 21st May 2013 Publishers: Simon Pulse
No. Pages: 352
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 
When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel 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.
So I've been dying to read Twenty Boy Summer and Bittersweet for a long long time and never got around to it, well when I was changing internet provides and my internet was down for two weeks I decided to pick this up and I was so glad that I did. Another reason I decided to read it when I did was because of Sarah Ockler herself.
On goodreads and on blooger I fallow someone known as Jude, she is a massive fan of Sarah Ockler and has told her many times, once she created a song, well Sarah Ockler decided while day dreaming up the story that would later be The Book Of Broken Hearts, to use Jude's full name for the main character. And when I read that story, along with her happiness and reaction, I thought I must read this book. Surely an author that cares that much about her fans can only be good, and it is my greats pleasure to tell you that she did no disappoint. I'm only mad at myself for taking so long to pick up her books, although I'm happy with my reason's for this one, its made me like her all that more.
So I think its safe to say I liked loved this book, I could not put it down. It had such raw emotion in it that I felt myself close to tears a good handful of times and I almost never cry at a book any more. The characters and the written were some of the strongest I have read in a long, the story line. Oh god the storyline. I just cant.
As the description states, Jude Hernandez must never date a Vargas boy, no exceptions. The exact words she took in the vow is
I, Jude Hernadez, vow to never, ever, under any circumstances within or outside of my control, even if the fate of humanity is at stake, even if my own life is threatened, get involved with a Vargas
The oldest Hernadez sister Lourdes was hurt by Miguel Vargas at their prom, Celi was engaged to married to Johnny Vargas, but that never happened and Mari was hurt by Jack Ramirez, a cousin of theirs and thus The Book Of Broken hearts was created. And even though Jude knows deep down in hear hear that she should stay away, when Emilio Vargas is the only one available to help her restore her fathers motorbike she jumps at the opportunity. Because there's one thing you should know, early-onset Alzheimer's disease and Jude believes restoration of the bike, the very one he rode across country with, would be enough to help him hold on to his memories.
Keeping Emilio a secret at first seems easy enough, until her older sister Mari comes to stay and then things start to get complicated. Because even though she started of wit the same detest and hatred as her sisters, she's slowly come to see that many she shouldn't have been so quick to judge him. He isn't his brothers just as much as she isn't her sisters.
Like I already said, I loved this book. It was well written and thought out, had enough heartache to make you get emotional attached but also had laughter and comedy to lift your spirits. It was such a beautiful book, and Jude's character was just so strong. I loved the banter between Emilio and Jude, I loved the tender moments, I loved the sad moments. I just in turn loved this book. It reminded me so much of a Sarah Dessen book (which made me love it more) and I'm so pleased I read it.
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That is so lovely that the author named the character after one of her fans. :)
ReplyDeleteI know right? I thought it was such a nice thing to do and she obviously cares about he fans. I'm so glad the book was goo because that little story just made me love it more.
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