The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

352 pages, Hardcover
Release Date: May 21, 2013
Published by: Simon Pulse
Standalone
Source: Library
For fans of: Contemprary Romance, Sparkly Covers, Hot Literary Guys, Chick-lit, Summer Love, YA

     When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author ofBittersweet 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. (From Goodreads)


*MY THOUGHTS*
     This was a review that was very hard to write. I had so many feelings while reading this, I felt like none of the words I came up with would do any justice. So I’ll do my best at trying to get this right. 
     The main thing I loved about this book was the characters. They felt so genuine and real. It was so easy to connect with them and feel everything that they felt. The situation with Jude and her father was heartbreaking. Having known someone with Alzheimer’s  I could connect with her on a deeper level and feel the emotional battle she had within herself. Also, as I’m in love, I could definitely connect to the way that she felt about Emilio. As my mother told me “You can’t help who you love. It shouldn’t matter about their color or gender, long as they make you happy.” In this book, it shouldn’t have mattered about his last name. Emilio was an amazing guy. He had his share of emotional baggage, but it truly made him wh he was. He made so many important decisions based on the one thing that happened to him, and it in turn made him a man. 
     The romance in this story is phenomenal. In no way does it feel rushed or insta-lovey. It actually has a very unique twist to the story, with the Book of Broken Hearts. The Book has been passed down through the Hernandez family and it finally made its way down to Jude. It was a huge part in keeping her away from Emilio, but because of this, it made their love so much stronger. 
     Overall, whatever you’re expecting about this book, don’t. It has so much more depth than you think and it will leave you with an unusual heartbreak. The Book of Broken Hearts is a swirling mix of emotions that will leave you with a lot more than toy bargained for.