The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Author: Sarah Ockler
Publication: May 21, 2013
By: Simon Pulse
4 STARS

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.

Thank you Edelweiss and Simon Pulse for this eARC.

What I loved: I expected this to be just another tragic love story between a "good girl" and a "bad boy" but instead, I found a story that focused on the bonds of family and the heartbreak that comes from watching a disease slowly steal someone you love, one precious memory at a time. 

I enjoyed these characters and the witty banter had me laughing at loud. Jude is smart, funny and determined not to be swayed by the tall, dark and temptuous, Emilio Vargas and she fails, hilariously. Jude quickly learns that despite her sisters' warnings about the Vargas men, Emilio is nothing like his older brothers.  He's definitely cute and wastes no time trying to charm her but Emilio also possesses a unique level of compassion that even her closest friends aren't able to provide. He sees the good, the bad and the ugly that is her daily life and he doesn't run screaming for the hills. *smooshes Emilio*   He's patient and understanding but Emilio also calls her out on her "stuff" as he tries to make her see that life is meant to be lived, here and now.  

When everything comes to a head, Jude will have to decide for herself what and who she's going to live for but deciding is only half the battle, actually living will require risk, but it's always a risk worth taking. 

What left me wanting: I didn't want it to end but I loved the way it did! 

Final verdict: There are two kinds of people in this world, the kind that read this beautiful, heart wrenching story of family, first loves and learning what it really means to live, and those who don't.  

Review also posted at YABC.