This is a twisting, tangled story set in Edinburgh Written in the style of a blog which adds to the feel of the narrative. Ailsa, the main character is likeable, believable and loveable. The storyline is poignant & funny. A different but sweet story making this an enjoyable read. My thanks to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I actually listened to the audiobook version of this one in my quest to get through more of my NetGalley copies and the narration was really engaging.

I immediately got The Fault in Our Stars vibes from this book. Though the characters are in their late twenties, there was definitely a young adult feel to them. It's not a bad thing, it's just not what I expected.

Also the third person narration seemed like an odd choice to me as most of the story describes Ailsa's thoughts and feelings that may have been more suitable written in first person perspective.

Having said that, this was highly enjoyable. The male love interest was great and a nice change from the usual tropes, though he was pretty much the only developed male character. 

It felt that the author really did her research about transplants and the medical facts, though I'm no expert! 

Overall I would recommend this book but I do think that there were a lot of predictable aspects to the plot. I did enjoy learning about the characters' lives and think it was a quick fun read. It had a good amount of emotion and I loved the Edinburgh setting.

Very moving book about Ailsa who has a heart condition and is needing a heart transplant to give her the chance of a future that most 28 year olds should have . Most of it written very well with emotion and humour some is a little disjointed but overall a really good read . Second book I've read by this author and was not disappointed.

Very good. Some difficult issues tackled with sincerity and integrity. Enjoyable which made it a rewarding experience.

The book has moments of happiness and sadness centred around transporting organs. A captivating and engaging read which is full of heart. I enjoyed this book.

This book is absolutely breathtaking, Literally.
I forgot so often when I was reading this that it wasn't an autobiography. I found myself so emotionally invested in all the characters, willing them on, crying for them (yes you need tissues for this one) and hoping beyond all hope that it works out in the end. It's an emotional roller-coaster of a story told with such blunt honesty and compassion that I found I just couldn't put it down. The depth of characters and the plot is so superb that you can't help but get so drawn in. It's an incredible testament to the authors writing style and depth of understanding on the subject matter that has created such an epic book.

An eye opening book about what could happen for a transplant patient. The waiting and then the relief at being able to live a normal life are harder to adjust than Ailsa thought.

Great book.

A sweet, heartwarming read centring around characters who have had transplants of organs. Alisa blogs about her life before and after her heart transplant. Emotional reading in places, it certainly raises awareness of transplant patients and the impact on their families too. A positive and life affirming book.
My only criticism is that the blog flashbacks, current updates and emails can be confusing to follow at times.

Stephanie Butland has written a well researched and insightful novel about Ailsa's chronic life threatening heart condition, set in Edinburgh. 28 year old Ailsa has experienced lifelong heart problems which have curtailed and limited what it is possible for her to do, leaving her dependent on the loving care of her tremendous mother, Hayley. She is pessimistic about receiving the heart transplant she needs, and she has good reason to be, her close friend and lover, Lennox failed to receive one and never made it. However, to her complete surprise, she is one of the lucky ones, she receives a new heart, which brings with it life changing challenges as Ailsa becomes free to live a life that has never been open to her. The story goes back and forth in time as it follows Ailsa for the turbulent year after her heart surgery, with a narrative that includes blog entries, email exchanges, news articles and more. There is a focus on mother and daughter relationships, family friends, loss, grief, health, love and the joy of learning to dance for the first time.

There is much on Ailsa's mind, such as finding out about her biological father which Hayley has been less than forthcoming about, but Ailsa refuses to be fobbed off. The parent/carer and daughter relationship enters a fraught phase as Ailsa is finally in a position to become more independent, wanting a job and so much more. A fragile and vulnerable Ailsa began a blog as a coping mechanism for all that she has had to endure, allowing her a forum to express her insecurities, fears and doubts. She has lacked the faith and self belief required to make her own decisions, becoming heavily reliant on people visiting her blog to determine what she does, conducting polls on a variety of issues, such as the name, Apple, for her new heart. We see Ailsa begin to develop the self confidence, instinct and trust required for her new heart to inhabit the life she wants as she carves her own path. She reflects on what it has taken for her to have a life, that someone had to die for her to have a new life. A developing relationship with actor, Sebastian, who has also received a transplant, although a vastly different one, provides much needed succour and support for her.

Stephanie Butland writes a heartwarming story of Ailsa, her life lived under the darkest of clouds until she receives the unexpected gift and light of a new heart. This opens up a series of challenges that Ailsa embarks on such as the tearful but loving shift towards an adult to adult stance with her mother. It is a testament to Butland's skills that this book is emotionally evocative without descending into sentimental schmaltz levels. What is critically important is the contemporary issue of the severe shortage of organs available for transplants, and Butland highlights all the reasons why people should commit to carrying a donor card. A beautifully entertaining and thought provoking story with a lovely central character in Ailsa. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.

I have to say I wasn't expecting this from the book - I have read other books from this author for my book club and have loved them all. This one was different. Although it took me time to get into it, I really enjoyed the unexpected story. I loved the characters in this book and enjoyed exploring how to find happiness in a world you were not expecting.

Moving, rich and a real enjoyable read. Couldn't put it down. A great mix of Funny and sad all at the same time.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. How I really enjoyed this book and Ailsa Rae and so desparately wanted her to find all the happiness and health she deserved. A great read

I am afraid that I did not like the way this book was told and really struggled to finish it but I did. Others might like the story but it wasn't for me.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.

I really wanted to love this book and it sounded like a great story and although the transplant story is one I hadn’t read before and the author has clearly done her research, I just wasn’t feeling it.

The romance between Ailsa and Seb didn’t feel real enough, and I struggled to warm to a lot of the characters. I also found the story jumped about a bit too much, leaving me a little confused.

Not one that will stick out in memory, unfortunately.

A very enjoyable book to read as we follow Ailsa's life after her heart transplant. Equally I enjoyed going back in time to fill in the gaps in her live with very important people.

I enjoyed this book very much,. It is well written, with beautifully drawn characters, especially that of Ailsa Rae, who is at the ‘heart’ of this story. I found it very thought provoking, in terms of donated organ recipients, and also of those who sadly die whilst waiting for a donated organ. The profound effect on family and close friends of people waiting for a transplant, is poignantly described.
The device of Ailsa’s online blog, which she used to ask her readers’ opinions on which course of action she should take when presented with a dilemma, was curiously odd. But which of us knows how we would react or behave if we were to be in Ailsa’s situation? The very warm, close bond between Ailsa and her mother was movingly described, especially when Ailsa wanted to live her life more independently. Her eventual meeting with her father was satisfyingly enlightening, leaving Ailsa and the reader in no doubt as to his true nature. Ailsa’s romantic interest was sweet and hopeful, leaving the reader wanting more. A very human, engaging story, told from an original and contemporary perspective. I will read more from this author.

Wonderful. Ailsa's story of life leading up to and after a heart transplant. You really get a sense of what it must feel like to receive a organ and also when an organ cannot be found in time I really hope this novel encourages readers to join the organ donor scheme. A lot of sadness but also happiness. Loved it

I must admit I struggled a little at first with the format but I'm glad I persevered. It does hop about a bit from past to present and then into the blog but, once mastered, is an interesting idea.
Ailsa has always had help with any major decisions, first from her mum and then from the readers of her blog. Now she has a new heart and is learning to stand on her own two feet.
Her journey is never a straight line but always captures our interest.
Well worth a read.

I had previously read another book by this author, which I loved, so thought this would be more of the same. I was wrong, it is very different, but oh, so good. The story was great, but the message behind it was better. Perhaps this should be required reading in the sixth form?

I found this to be very far fetched and disjointed, jumping from present to past with no real warning.
Just did not like the way this was written.