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The Heart of Him

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Sixteen months ago, Cassidy Porter lost the love of her life.

Every day since has been a battle to carry on, but despite what her mother and sister say, she’s making progress—or is she?

When she receives an invitation to attend a banquet in honor of the organ donors and their recipients, she has every reason to guard what remains of her shattered heart.

Maybe this will be the closure she needs to finally mend its pieces.

For the last twenty-eight years, Samuel Copeland has been afraid to live.

Diagnosed with a genetic heart condition, he knows better than anyone that second chances don’t come along often. Since his transplant, he spends his days in the local coffee shop, watching and observing, trying to make sense of all he’s been given.

Grateful doesn’t begin to describe it.

When the opportunity to meet the person who was closest to his selfless donor presents itself—a chance to say thank you for saving him—he takes it.

What’s the worst that can happen?

Brought together by fate—or perhaps, something else entirely—the two form an unexpected bond, one that has them both asking: can two hearts be destined only to beat for each other?

Published October 1, 2018

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About the author

Katie Fox

20 books151 followers
Katie Fox was born in Florida and raised in Pennsylvania, where she still currently resides with her husband and son. A hopeless romantic, she is a sucker for a good love story. When you don't find her nose buried in one, she's usually found in her writing cave, giving life to the voices in her head. Since a very young age, writing has been her passion. Katie has a crazy obsession with social media and loves interacting with her fans.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews231 followers
October 20, 2018
★ 3 “There was beauty in the broken” STARS ★

“Too many people take life for granted, Cassi. They go about their days, not appreciating the simple air they breathe. They don’t take a moment to stop and realize that everything they are and everything they once hoped to be can disappear within a blink of an eye.”



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Profile Image for nikki.
791 reviews99 followers
October 22, 2018
Its been a minute, but Katie Fox is back and I could not be happier. She writes those ugly cry stories that will leave you in a snotty heap on the floor. She will break your heart, but I guarantee that she will put it back together again. I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of this book, knowing full well what I was getting myself into. (Have you read OUR ALTERNATE ENDING? Oh boy!) but I don’t think I was fully prepared for how it would actually make me feel.
About 20% into THE HEART OF HIM, i was already tearing up, and I think I cried on and off pretty much the whole way through the book. Cassi and Sams story was incredibly beautiful, but also so real. I cried with them. I laughed with them (particularly Sams interactions with Mason, which were hilarious)and sometimes I wanted to bang their heads together to try and get them to see sense. It takes someone very special to be able to bring out all those emotions in a reader (and I don’t cry over books that easily) but Katie managed it, repeatedly.
If you haven’t read any of her books yet, I highly recommend you do. I just adore her storylines, and her characters, and I will never not pick up a book that she has written.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,133 reviews910 followers
May 31, 2019
This is my second book by miss Fox. The blurp promising angst, drama. I mean organ donor and stuff. And the heart organ belongs to the heroine's greatest love.

But again, i found the writting and story is flat. The book discuss about the emotional effect seeing the heart of ur lover now is inside another man. Then u fall in love with this man. The writting is dragging, repetitive.

I give it 3 stars due to idea of the story. But need better execution.

3 stars
Profile Image for Amanda.
170 reviews40 followers
October 13, 2018
5 "how does your heart feel" stars

I loved Our Alternate Ending so I jumped on the opportunity to read this one. Katie Fox takes us on another beautiful journey in The Heart of Him.

This story is a tragic, emotional, yet heartwarming journey of two people finding their way. One not sure how to move on and another unsure how to live.

I rarely cry when I read but this one definitely brought out some tears. Secrets, surprises, redemption, and love. I was so invested in Sam and Cassi's story. Not wanting to put it down so I could see how they figure things out.

Perfect epilogue. Their story felt wonderfully complete. And oh so many highlights in this book.

"...I want to spend the rest of my life being beautifully broken with you. Only you."
Profile Image for Nadine Booklover.
811 reviews116 followers
October 15, 2018
"Because some hearts are simply meant to be together, aren't they?"

The Heart of Him is my second book by Katie Fox and again she managed to amaze me with this beautiful lovestory of two broken souls that will stay with you for a long time.

"He tasted exactly how I imagined he would: like heartbreak and redemption - like a thousand broken dreams and a million impractical wishes."

This story is about love and loss, about healing, mending, letting go and learning to love and being loved again. Both main characters had to undergo some experience of loss you wish nobody has to endure. And they have to deal with some other life-changing circumstances. Until the day fate brings them together.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal."

Cassi and Sam are beautifully broken and wonderfully created main characters. Their story touches your heart and soul deeply and your heart aches for both of them equally through the whole book.

"You may have the heart of him, but I'm in love with the whole of you."

I really do love how the story develops. It's a slow burn, but nothing else would fit here. I'm totally in love with Sam and Cassi. Every Cassi needs a Sam and vice versa. They make me totally believe that two hearts are meant to be together.

"If we're meant to be broken, let's be beautifully broken together."
Profile Image for Emma Johnston.
919 reviews28 followers
October 3, 2018
This book has instantly become my top read of 2018.

It was beautiful, stunning even. What a story!

Cassi is broken, and no wonder, after the tragic loss of her boyfriend. Sam is moving through his second chance at life but not really living. When their worlds collide there are sparks everywhere. Chemistry is off the charts and they were an amazing couple!

This story is one of loss, heartache, grief and guilt but also of love, overcoming your past and moving on.

This author was one that had me hooked on her previous books, and this one was no different. I read her books without even bothering with the blurb. If you haven't read this author yet, I highly reccomend you do!

Simply stunning.
Profile Image for Eleanor Lloyd-Jones.
Author 14 books158 followers
September 12, 2018
When reading a book, I always intend to make a little note of lines that leave me breathless or startled or that make my heart pound―and trust me, there are so many of those moments in this book. I like to be able to point some of them out when I write reviews, but I often forget. I forgot this time, too, but I don't mind so much because you need to experience the prose in this book first hand as you meander through the story. And meander you will because it's not a story that hits you like a truck; it's a story that will gently weave its way into your heart at exactly the right pace to break it in half before piecing it back together again in a way that means you will understand a little better, feel a little deeper, breathe a little easier and love a little harder.

Katie Fox has done it again, and in my opinion, even better than before. She keeps stepping up and climbing higher, and I believe this is her best solo yet. Again, she has delivered a story with a beautifully unique plot that will have you wide-eyed and gasping.

These characters, Cassi and Sam, are so damn human. They are so believably flawed and broken that you will instantly relate to them, instantly root for them, and instantly hurt with them.

Katie's ability to portray emotion is up there with the best. She seems to be able to delve either into the depths of herself, or the depths of people she has met, and yank out the deepest darkest feelings, transforming them into something magical on the page. Cassi and Sam spill over with emotions of every kind, and so each page in The Heart Of Him is filled with this Fox magic.

I find it hard to not repeat myself from previous reviews because how many different ways are there to say this woman writes from the heart in a way that has you living and breathing in the worlds she creates?

Cassi and Sam are chasing a happy ever after from the start to the finish, and isn't that what we all do? Isn't that why we read books like this? I think so. And that's why I would urge anyone, wether they like romance or not, to pick it up and give it a chance, because it's not just about love. This story will leave you thinking and contemplating your own life and how you live it, how you treat people and how you make the best of what you've been given. It's about consequence. It's about chances and second chances, guilt and forgiveness, and I believe every one of us out there can relate to every bit of it. This story is life―life, and all the shit it throws at us―and also how life is the most wonderful gift of all.

Just brilliant, Fox. So bloody proud. Again.
Profile Image for Booked & Busy Book Blog.
927 reviews33 followers
October 14, 2018
I first found Katie Fox when reading Our Alternate Ending which completely broke me and then put me right back together again. Well Ms. Fox, you’ve done it again.

There are so many moments in this book that I want to share with you but then again, I want you to experience them for the first time like I did. I truly believe Katie Fox words are magic. The way she gets right down deep into the depths of your soul before giving you that moment of utter heartbreak and then moment of hope that makes you believe in all things love again.

Cassi and Sam are everything. I felt as though I knew them, they were my friends who I was rooting for, who I was hurting with when they hurt and made me contemplate how I live my life.

While this is a story of the happily ever after, it’s also a story about life and how we all need to make the most of it.

Absolutely amazing story. I highly suggest it.
Profile Image for Booksobsessive .
668 reviews18 followers
October 17, 2018
If there’s one thing Katie knows how to do, its write the most emotional stories that captivate you, break your heart but fixes you back whole! If you’ve read An Alternative Ending you will know this. (if you’ve not I highly recommend you do!)

Another beautiful story of two people ‘broken’ in different ways who come together to heal each other.
Katie creates two characters who you feel for, who completely touches you, and who deserves nothing but happiness!
You will love everything about Sam, so caring and patient and also brings us some humour as he is quite witty.
Don’t get me wrong at times they frustrated me and I wanted to shout at them both to get their act together.
So many raw and tender moments, at times it’s totally gut wrenching but then its heart warming.
A story of loss and guilt. We all deal with Grief in different ways, we all have scars, some visible and some not, some are deep inside, in our head and in our hearts. We only see what’s on the surface and not the secrets and feelings that people hide.
Katie’s writing is excellent, not only does she bring us a story you cannot put down but her words have you experiencing the feelings and emotions of the characters yourself,!
Profile Image for Tania's Book Blog.
1,639 reviews19 followers
October 13, 2018
Oh my heart. I’ve read emotional books but this one is on an entire other level. Such sadness from the prologue to the end with some in between beautiful moments but still heartbreaking. Two broken souls but it seem like it was fate for Cassi and Sam to meet.

Cassi loses the love of her life who happens to be an organ donor. His heart is donated to Sam and after a year a months they finally meet but it was not the easiest. This is where the tears started. Cassi was beyond broken and the sight of Sam was a bit much and something about her just pulled at Sam. This was an extremely slow build and it was not an overnight friendship. The emotions were so raw and my heart broke for these two broken souls. They both had their issues to deal with. But then they became friends and it was the most beautiful thing to read. Nothing was rushed and it was the most beautiful development of course with its bumps and highs and lows.

Then an unexpected twist that I did NOT see coming left me completely speechless. At this point I wasn’t even sure how this was going to end or be resolved. It was so wow. I don’t know who was hurting more, Cassi or Sam. But then as time passed and they both healed they hit their well deserved HEA. As emotional as this story was I actually wanted more of these two.
Profile Image for Bookish_Sally.
380 reviews10 followers
October 17, 2018
Wow! Seriously, I am so in love with these characters. Sam and Cas were perfectly broken. This story was Emotional and heartfelt.
My husband would say he can’t take me anywhere...., crying in public is a real thing. But this story was so touching how could I not.
I’ll normally pick a few quotes to add to my review but there are seriously too many beautiful quotes to quote so I’ll just tell everyone, you need to read this.
The chapter headers were gorgeous too, and as an added bonus there’s a playlist that goes along with the book.
A top read of 2018!
Profile Image for Thuy Taylor.
1,297 reviews17 followers
October 10, 2018
I read this book 3 days ago, avoided writing this review because I didn't know if I was going to write one that was enough for this book. I wanted to think, make sure my emotions were in check to write one appropriate for Sam and Cassi. I realized this book brought out soooo many emotions that I couldn't really hide or mask it. This book will make you feel all of it.

Gah, what can I say about Sam? He is such a wonder. I fell in love with him in the prologue when he was having his moment with his mom. Oh my, my heart just broke for this wonderful boy and his mom. Sam's story is really tough but also felt real. Sam was living his life but not really living it because he had a heart condition but one day he receives a second chance at life.

Cassi is grieving, having a hard time moving on. Cassi meets Sam and there is such a pull towards each other, not only with the physical heart in mind, but the emotional/attraction pull that they have with each other. Its a very delicate situation, but they need each other.

I loved this story. Once I saw the author announce this book, I was elated. Her book "Our Alternate Ending" was such a wonderful read, I couldn't wait to get my hands on her new book! I highly recommend Sam and Cassi's book. It will break your heart but it will also make your heart so full. LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!
Profile Image for Colleen  (The Book Lover Blog).
595 reviews61 followers
October 4, 2018
It feels like it's been a while since a book has gripped me like this; since I've been so consumed by the story unfolding before my eyes.

This book is everything I'd been waiting for.

I was moved by the beauty of the writing, the emotional storyline, and the realness of the characters.

Both main characters find themselves at a place in life where they're unsure of how to move forward. Cassi is lost- almost stuck- in her grief, while Sam has been given a second chance that he's not quite sure how to handle.

My. Gosh. Every doubt, each painful memory, the glimmers of hope, and the happiness that was experienced as Cass and Sam's relationship evolved- at each step of their emotional journey, I felt as though I were right there in the moment with them. I was connected to them and fully invested in their happiness.

Katie truly had me lost in the pages for the few short hours it took me to read the story. The Heart of Him is a novel I would not hesitate to read again myself, or recommend to others. I loved it.
If you want a heartwarming, emotional and angst-filled romance, you’ve found it right here.
Profile Image for Diz Reads 4TLOReading.
667 reviews11 followers
October 17, 2018
Is it possible for a heart to beat solely for another, no matter the circumstances ?

A heart so entwined with another it is only able to beat its perfect rhythm when it’s souls are connected ! A heart that will always find it’s way back to another ! A story so beautiful that it hurts at times, but as you read it heals you and makes you understand the need for love and loss in the world !

This story is about Loss and Love, Learning to live and enjoy life and allowing yourself to heal even if it means living in the future and loving your past !

Katie’s writing, I love seeing it evolve and with each book she writes her words get more beautiful and heartfelt ! This tales circumstances was crafted so carefully and with plenty of thought and understanding it totally made me feel everything. To the point I had to stop and take stock because I couldn’t see the words !

It is simply a story that you need to give a chance, live it and love it ! For me it was stunning

5 Beautiful Stars

Diz
4TLOR
Profile Image for G (heartbooked).
135 reviews7 followers
October 17, 2018
WELL DAMN!!! This was a great introduction to knowing the mind of this ‘new to me author’. A story of a beautiful disaster that’s been rightly aligned once again by love. I absolutely LOVED this book. Sam and Cass’s story deserves to be read!!! And also, I enjoyed the music - I know a few of them so I listened to all of them after :) Giving this a 4.75!!!

I LOVE Sam... He truly is the kind of hero that you would want nothing but cheer for him to the end!!! He was just brokenly perfect!!! Cass, the broken hearted heroine who’s life has been turned in disarray after the death of her boyfriend... finds herself in a place where there’s uncertainty of whether to move on or stay put ( it I really wanted to give her a swift kick in the butt at times lol)!!!

BUT...
“For anyone who has ever felt second best, read this.
For anyone who has had her heart broken, read this.
For anyone who has felt they don’t deserve love, read this.
For anyone who has felt lost, read this.
For anyone who has felt unsure of what they deserve, read this.
For anyone who has lost a loved one, read this.
For anyone who has lost their soulmate, a very dear and special friend, a spouse, read this.
For anyone who found it hard to move on, or is finding it hard to do so, read this.
Most importantly, for anyone who has found love, read this”.

Personal thought: I’m as strong willed as they come, so I vowed one night during a conversation between some mates and I that I could never date or marry someone who has lost a spouse to sudden death, while deeply and madly in love with them. We discussed our deep thoughts on the subject of ‘deal breakers’ and that was mine... purely because I could never want to compete with a ghost, nor do I ever want to feel second best...

But this book, Katie Fox has wormed her way into my reader heart with her words... telling the story of this beautiful broken love, that has produced only the most beautiful thing ever - a world where hearts can be accepting of circumstances, understanding that broken pieces can create the most beautiful piece of ‘love art’, and where you can love freely knowing it is the bravest thing you can ever do... learning to pick yourself back up, move on and love again!!!

One click this book readers!!! You won’t regret it.. AT ALL!!! Thank you so much for the advanced copy Katie Fox, I hope this book brings you more success because it truly was a beautifully written book that seemed to have from your heart xX

(Our Alternate Ending is my next read of yours, highly recommended by my good friend Thuy -tweezyreads) ❤️
Profile Image for Britt Chaotic Creatives.
1,414 reviews94 followers
October 15, 2018
Don’t even grab the tissues. Grab a freaking shamwow or something because there aren’t enough tissues in the world for the amount of tears I cried while reading this book. The Heart Of Him completely ripped my heart out (for once in my life, pun NOT intended) shattered it, and then beautifully put it back together. This book is so jam packed with powerful and heartfelt emotion there’s no way reading this will not impact you. Loss, grief, healing, and so much love it hurts all pour off the pages in this unputdownable read.
I can’t even begin to decide who had my heart more, Cassi or Sam, because both of these characters were so well written, had so many layers to them, and were so real it was like I was right there with them on every page. Beautifully flawed and full of raw, true to life emotions Cassi and Sam both had my heart the moment I met them. Their story may not be sugary sweet, but their story is powerfully moving.
These two show what love truly is. Broken, hard, and still pulled together by a soul deep connection they show you how love really can heal and overcome anything that life throws at it in a way that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Profile Image for EpicRomanceReviews.
743 reviews136 followers
October 26, 2018
´¨)
¸.•´¸.•⭐´¨) ¸.•⭐'¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`
❤~🌟~❤ 5 HEART-MENDING STARS!!❤~🌟~❤

AN EPIC ROMANCE REVIEWS 2018 TOP FAVE!

“There is beauty in the broken.”

You know when you read a book that hooks you from page one and swallows you whole?? That transports you within the pages of a slow burning, soul-consuming love story that holds your heart in a vice grip, shatters it to smithereens and then ever so miraculously fuses it back together again?? Well, THE HEART OF HIM by Katie Fox is THAT book!

THE SETUP:
Cassidy Porter is a grief-stricken young woman who’s still struggling to move past the unbearable loss of her boyfriend, Adam, an organ donor who gave the ultimate gift of life after his own was so tragically snuffed out 16 months earlier. When she goes to a banquet to honor the donor families and recipients, as a way to pay tribute to her lost love and hopefully gain some much needed closure, time stands still when she meets Sam Copeland, the handsome young man who is the recipient of Adam’s heart.

That first face-to-face encounter is heart-stopping. Emotionally Harrowing. And ends in complete and utter disaster! But when their achingly lonely worlds unexpectedly collide again, a tentative friendship slowly blossoms. Then, over time, as a smoldering attraction flickers between Sam and Cassi, they find their splintered hearts and fractured souls fusing together in unimaginable ways! Is their second chance at love written in the stars…or doomed from the start? Gotta read to find out but you better have TONS OF TISSUES handy because this journey is most definitely not all sunshine and roses!

MY MUSINGS:
Holy moly…THE HEART OF HIM, which is told in dual POV, sure is one powerfully emotional novel that gave me goosebumps galore and sucker punched me with the feels. But I kind of expected it because the moment I read the blurb, I knew deep down in my gut that this book was gonna SLAY me!

However, despite the heartbreaking premise, rest assured it’s not a Debbie Downer of a book. For while this romantic tearjerker did at times turn me into a sobbing, blubbery basket case, this story also LIFTED ME UP. Made me smile and swoon. Tingle with heady delight. And filled my heart with an abundance of joy, hope and wonderment!!

I ADORE discovering new authors and Katie Fox is a revelation! Her prose is captivating, the plot beautifully paced, the tone wrenchingly emotional, and her character craftsmanship is stellar. The manner in which she's able to draw us into the hearts and minds of these characters and have their emotions splatter across the page like teardrops and then seep into our own beings was AWE-INSPIRING!

I connected with Sam and Cassi immediately and they completely stole my heart … in all their BEAUTIFUL BROKEN GLORY. I swear, if any two MCs deserve a slice of happiness, it’s these two. They have both endured such crushing loss and unfathomable pain in their lives, but even at their lowest point, their true valor always shines through! And when their fates intertwine its beyond extraordinary. These two have sparks and chemistry up the wazoo…and that first kiss?! Breath-stealing!!!!

“He tasted exactly how I imagined he would: like heartbreak and redemption—like a thousand broken dreams and a million impractical wishes.”

What I cherished most about these achingly flawed protagonists is that they are so real and genuine and their feelings so raw and palpable I truly felt as if I was living vicariously through them.

Gah! I loved Sam TO THE MOON AND BACK!!!! There’s nothing more titillating than a sweetly chivalrous, broodingly handsome loner with an achingly gentle touch who will do anything to piece together the broken heart of the bereft young woman who just might be the balm to his own tortured soul!

But…S.O.B…the odds sure are stacked against them.

Can Sam, a man who’s haunted by the knowledge that his “life was saved at the cost of another” ….dare to fall for the woman whose boyfriend’s heart now beats inside of him? He may look strong and virile on the outside, but he bears physical and emotional scars that run deep.

So while he yearns for Cassi with every fiber of his being, can he truly trust that this emotionally fragile beauty, who bursts unexpectedly into his life and turns his world completely asunder, is his for KEEPS? Is what Cassi feels for him genuine or just transference of all the pent up love and longing she harbors for a dead man? And although he will always be eternally grateful for this precious second chance at life, a man has his pride, and he cannot bear the thought of being second best.

“She’d loved him first, but the selfish part of me wanted her to love me last.”

As for Cassidy, OMG what a remarkably brave heroine!! I mourned right alongside her as she continued to reel from her unspeakable loss, yet I also admired her so, so much for coping with adversity with such courage, dignity, aching vulnerability and infinite grace!! She has her good days and her bad days that's for sure. But can this young woman who’s still drowning in guilt and regret and overwhelming grief truly ever let go of the past? And risk it all for a man who not only owned a piece of her entire world but is afraid to truly LIVE??

Ahhh the conundrum!

Did this tortured duo frustrate me at times with their fears, hang ups and emotional inhibitions? Heck yeah! But these two kindred spirits just share such a rare, life-affirming kind of love it gave me BUTTERFLIES!!!! And while this angst-ridden romance has its fair share of heartache, when Sam and Cassi finally succumb fully to their feelings, and their hearts, bodies and souls passionately fuse together as one, it’s utterly spellbinding!

But eeep just when you begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel, brace yourself for a SPINE-CHILLING plot twist! As for how this tumultuous story ends, not going to spoil it, but I will guarantee it’ll leave you WEEPING!

BOTTOM LINE:
THE HEART OF HIM is a heart-rending tale about love and loss, hope and healing, embracing the world in all its perfectly imperfect splendor, and finding the courage to love again against all odds! And ultimately, after the final cathartic tear was shed, it reinforced my belief in fate and destiny and the REMARKABLE RESILIENCE OF THE HUMAN HEART!

A MUST READ!
Profile Image for Danielle Dickson.
Author 7 books486 followers
October 5, 2018
Ever since I read the smaller version of this story in an anthology, I've been obsessed. I messaged Katie immediately all stalker-like and demanded more of Cassi and Sam. You see, (and I've never told her this because I didn't want to come on too strong at the time because I hardly knew her) I first read this story at a time in my life where I was still grieving for a very good friend. They'd passed away unexpectedly four months previous so my heart was a little shattered, but what gave me comfort was the fact that through the death of my good friend, he was able to save thirteen peoples lives that night that I know of.
This story resonated so hard and deep within me; Katie's words, yet again, are a work of magic. The way she's able to describe a simple emotion is breathtaking, making you feel so deeply for each and every character.
Cassi and Sam are characters I think everyone can resonate with; they're a little lost, each for different reasons, but together they make sense. They complete the other.
I could not put this book down, it is a must read, like every other Katie Fox book. Heartwarming, a little heartbreaking, and completely beautiful.
Thank you, Katie, for giving me closure on Cassi & Sam. It's a beautiful story about two lost souls finding each other and coming to terms with the hardships in their lives.

"How does your heart feel?"
Whole. It feels whole.
Profile Image for Amanda  B Gillespie.
512 reviews14 followers
December 27, 2018
I am in love with this author. The topic she chose to write on, organ donor's soul mate meets the recipient of said organ and feels an immediate connection and the overwhelming despair becomes a little easier and life may actually be worth living. Of course, there are obstacles but that is where the true journey lies.
Profile Image for BookAddict.
1,732 reviews141 followers
October 15, 2018
Overwhelmingly wonderful, poignantly heartfelt and deeply introspective are what come to mind in describing The Heart of Him. It’s been five days and seven other books since I’ve finished this one, and the broken characters, their insurmountable obstacles and their heart-rending emotions are still woven throughout my heart and mind. This is one that touches deeply, lingers long and causes one to question ideals and beliefs that were previously firmly cemented.

Sam's life work has been piecing together bits of broken glass to form something new, whole and beautiful. Never has he longed to be able to apply his talents more than to mend Cassi’s shattered heart. If only there weren’t so many roadblocks in his way. She’s still grieving the loss of the love of her life, a man whose generous gift of organ donation has given Sam a second chance, a man whose heart beats in Sam's chest. But Cassi sees a kindred spirit in Sam, a man who is alive but not really living.

Sam and Cassi are two characters who are hauntingly, beautifully broken, both mired in grief, loss and guilt. Cassi describes herself as “A girl who was lost in her own grief and drowning in sorrow . . . everything I was and the person I had become vanished. I was an empty shell of the person I used to be . . . I couldn’t find the shore. I was stuck in this vast ocean of guilt and sadness, and all I wanted was for someone to pull me from the water, to bring me back to dry land.”

Sam's situation is just as bleak, and has been since he lost his mother at age nine. Add to that a congenital heart problem and Sam has been drifting, unmoored in life, merely existing in shades of gray, rather than experiencing life in vibrant color. But Cassi, even in her pain and grief, brings color, and so much more, to Sam's life. He says about Cassi, “. . . she brought my boring world to life. She gave meaning where logic confused—hope where reality discouraged. She reminded me life was precious.” But no matter how close they become, how much they forgive the past and turn loose of the guilt, or how much their hearts beat for each other, Cassi may never forgive Sam once he reveals his deepest, darkest secret.

I can’t begin to explain to you the profound depth of emotion in this book. It ensnares the reader from the very first page, holding her captive as the story unfolds, a prisoner to the characters’ pain and loss, their quiet desperation and unfathomable grief. Bound by a fragile hope and a wary love, with a promise of redemption and an ultimate healing. Cassi and Sam completely, utterly overwhelmed my senses, devastated my heart, and stained my soul, only to restore my faith and leave me in awe of destiny, the human spirit and the heart's capacity for healing.

Their story is the polar opposite of what we’ve come to expect in contemporary romance writing, and I’ll warn you now, you won’t come away unscathed. But have no fear, this book is sooo worth it. This, that Cassi says about the human heart, gives a taste of what awaits you: “No matter how shattered they [hearts] appear, they can be recreated into something new—something just as stunning and equally breathtaking.” Prepare for your own heart to break and your soul to weep, and then hold tight as this exquisitely unique, poignantly beautiful journey carefully, tenderly knits you back together, all the better for having experienced it.

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Profile Image for Hannah May Book Reviews.
358 reviews17 followers
October 16, 2018
Synopsis:

Cassidy Porter's life comes crashing down when she loses her soul mate, Adam. Every day feels like a battle to her, a battle that she is losing. When she receives an invitation to a banquet to honour Organ Donors and the people who have received a second chance and the gift of life, she forces herself to go hoping to find closure. However, this is not the case and she finds her life turned upside down by the lovely Sam Copeland, the man who received the heart of the love of her life.

Review:

After reading the synopsis of this book, I was both intrigued and hooked instantly, so I am very grateful that Katie Fox allowed me to read and review this lovely book!

The Heart of Him is the first book I have read that has a music playlist alongside, with each chapter having a different song. This was a wonderful touch and connected me with the book further as music inspires me too, like the author said it does her.

The book itself was lovely looking and you can tell that a lot of love has been put into this book. After reading the prologue I could also feel the author's emotion straight away and I knew that she had put a lot of love into writing this story.

I connected with the author's writing style straight away. The jumps between the characters were easy and the story continued to flow throughout. All the characters were likeable, especially the male and female lead. It was nice to read a story where the male lead is an open book and a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve. Instantly you could feel Sam's vulnerability and it was refreshing to have a male character who is not ashamed of showing his true feelings. As for Cassi, the female lead you could see that she was broken and from the start I wanted things to work out for these two characters. The chemistry between them was buzzed throughout.

The book itself was a rollercoaster of emotions! At the beginning you could feel the sadness but just as the happy tones were creeping back in something else would happen and your feelings would be changed again. There was some lovely, tender scenes throughout the book and the author did an excellent job at setting the scenes.

Now I am far from being a hopeless romantic, but this book managed to pull on my heart strings at times which is quite and achievement in its self. It proved that if something makes you happy, it is worth the risk and you should grab that chance whilst you can because you never know what life will throw at you. I felt that there were some lovely and true phrases throughout that really did hit home with me.

The story line was not rushed and it did not jump straight into intimate scenes, which gave the book a feeling of realness. The book felt believable throughout which really appeals to me as a reader. The fact that the author even managed to squeeze a twist in there too was impressive. The Heart of Him is just a genuine lovely book from an author who clearly loves
October 25, 2018
Cassie is broken, her heart shattered and smashed to pieces 16 months earlier following the death of her boyfriend Adam... her 'Forever Always' stolen away and the promise of the future gone with it leaving her unable to cope with life without him. 
Heart broken at her loss she is barely functioning, her sisters constant concern for her is wearing her down.... hoping to get some form of closure by attending an organ donation event and meeting the recipient of Adams heart might be a step in the right direction if she can only find her way there through the tears. 



Sam grew up knowing what it was like to have his future taken away from him...seeing his mother pass from heart failure as a child changed his world... to protect himself from further heart ache he has always kept himself distant...after receiving a donor heart his future has so many possibilities and trying to feel worthy of them is harder than he could possibly believe.... especially when he meets his donors family...Cassie. 

Together they can mend each other's broken pieces. 



This book was a first read by this author for me, 
A beautiful story written with such care and emotion..I was blown away. 

I loved the originality and creativity and read it all in one sitting.

I was captivated by Cassie and Sam's story and was waiting for the big reveal... and my lord it was a whopper that had me clinging to me seat and howling with tears.

I adored Sam, his situation and emotions were so brutally real and honest. I could practically feel his loneliness and dismay when he first met Cassie and realised who she was. 
Cassie was hard for me, not because she was a badly written or unbelievable character...but because she was such a well written believable one...her grief was heart breaking...grief is a horrible soul destroying thing and kudos to the author for describing and relating it with such respect, care and attention. 


Only those that have truly lived with the loss of a love one can convey how damaging grief is to those who are 'left behind'. I cried ugly ugly tears by the bucketful.. and a don't retreat a single tear. 

Such a wonderful story that deserves to be read. If you enjoy an emotion packed read then this my friend is the book for you! Just remember tissues and maybe some chocolate 🖤🖤🖤
Profile Image for AnneKR.
867 reviews24 followers
October 17, 2018
For the past 18 months Cassi has been dealing with picking up the pieces of her shattered heart. Her time has been cut short with her long-time love Adam, who died in a car accident, and she doesn’t know how to move on. With Adam being an organ donor, Cassi is invited to a hospital event bringing donor families and recipients together. Even though she doesn’t want to go, she knows she must do this for some type of closure with Adam’s death. When she arrives and sits next to a young man her age, she panics and flees.

Sam Copeland lost his mother at a young age and he has been dealing with heart issues his whole life. He has closed himself off to others, since he doesn’t know how much time he has left. At 28 years old he finally gets the call from the hospital – they have a heart for him. With the heart transplant successful, he can’t help but feel happy & hopeful yet guilty, knowing someone had to die for him to live. The guilt eats away at him knowing the heart should have gone to someone else more deserving than him. When he attends the hospital event, he can’t believe the sad but beautiful woman who sat next to him is the one he has been waiting to meet. A chance encounter at a local coffee shop has the two meeting again, and this time they take precautionary steps getting to know each other. It isn’t long before Cassi starts smiling again, and she knows it’s all because of Sam. He is also smiling and learning to embrace his new chance at life, and it’s all because he has fallen in love with Cassi. But they are both harboring secrets that are overwhelming for both when everything is out in the open.

Told by dual P.O.V.’s, this story tugs at your heart when you read about the emotional turmoil Cassi goes through and Sam’s inner struggle and doubts that Adam is the one Cassi sees and wants when she looks at him. The way the author writes has me living through the anguish and guilt of Cassi finding happiness again and has my heart breaking for Sam who second-guesses himself and believes he doesn’t deserve Adam’s heart. This is a phenomenal book and I look forward to reading more of her work!
Profile Image for Sarah.
815 reviews
October 10, 2018
Katie Fox was a new author to me this year, and I am SO glad that I found her! She writes like poetry - it is beautiful, it will make you feel ALL the feels, and leave you thinking about her stories for days after you finish them. The Heart of Him is no different. The characters in this book will break your heart, and K Fox will slowly put it back together. I high-lighted more passages in this book than most others and here is one of my favorites:

"He tasted exactly how I imagined he would: like heartbreak and redemption - like a thousand broken dreams and a million impractical wishes."

I was drawn into this book immediately from the beginning of the Prologue, where the character is not revealed, but as his story unravels you quickly discover who it is. Sam has sky-rocketed to the top of my book boyfriend list! He is everything you could want in a man, and I often forgot that he is only 28 in this story. He is mature beyond his years, as he was forced to grow up and take responsibility for himself and his dad at a young age when his mother passed away. His memories of his mother are so real and raw that you will cry for this little boy who becomes this deep and broken man. Sam puts everyone and everything ahead of himself. He is selfless, caring, generous, broken and loyal to a fault.

Cassi & Sam's paths cross at an extremely emotional event. Without giving anything away - they are forever tied to one another, as is Cassi's past love, Adam. The heartbreak, past tragedies, and lives of these three run so deep. Sam wears his emotions on his sleeve, and the chemistry and connection between him & Cassi is undeniable. I love how Sam loves - with everything in him, and he is not afraid to say how he feels or show it. He is strong, yet broken; confident, yet unsure of his path; a family man with no present family. When he & Cassi are together, they just fit - and the way their hearts intertwine is beautiful.

I couldn't put this book down because I just had to know what was going to happen to these two. Each of their past stories is slowly unraveled and you will be taken on an emotional roller-coaster when it's all said and done. But it is soo worth it. You will fall for Sam and cheer for Cassi, and meet some amazing secondary characters along the way. I just wanted more of Sam & Cassi's story - I was not ready for it to end. Well done once again K. Fox!!!
Profile Image for Clare Harrison.
1,074 reviews14 followers
October 13, 2018
A life snubbed out by illness, a mother lost.

The echo of "how does your heart feel" surrounds his every memory of her.

Tears flowing as life goes on, endless darkness engulfing her once full heart.

A million thoughts of him, a hundred wishes but only one fact. He was gone.

Always forever, and forever always a promise to each other broken and out of reach.

To give a life, means to lose a life. Devastation reborn as hope in another.

His heart belonged to her, but now beats in another.

"some hearts are simply meant to be together, aren’t they?”

Sam Copeland isn't a stranger to grief and loss, tears and uncertainty but he is a stranger to true love.

Cassidy Porter one night is all it took to live a nightmare and wish for the past.

Both characters so broken, shattered and devestated. Love stolen from them by the hand of fate. So harsh and cruel.

Whilst this book had me an emotional wreck pretty much from the start of the book to the end, due to the sensitive nature of the storyline I was still able to enjoy the journey.

I could see the beauty within even though the path was dark and murky.

My heart broke for both Sam and Cassidy. My mood plummeted, and sadness engulfed me but not necessarily in a bad way.

To understand you have to feel, to feel you have to open your mind, and to open your mind your heart must be free.

Such a wonderful story, though overwhelming and intense, it was also deep, and meaningful. Katie fox has done a fantastic job of bringing life to that which was broken.

A quick word of warning.. you WILL need tissues a plenty for this!
October 19, 2018
How does your heart feel? Cassie is broken. She lost her soul mate, Adam 16 months earlier and she is struggling to move on. Sam is trying to move on with his own life after receiving a heart transplant from a mystery donor. While he has a second chance at life, something seems to be holding him back that is until he meets Cassi. Sam is patient with Cassi and brings out a side to her that has been lost for months. They have an incredible connection and the chemistry is explosive. Cassi tries to move forward, however she can’t not help feel guilty over Adam and what they had and lost. Can Sam be patient or will he always have to compete with a dead man? This story is tragic, dealing with loss and heartache and yet at times it was heart-warming. Be warned you need plenty of tissues and there are a few plot twists that you don’t see coming. Overall it was a fantastic read and one that pleasantly surprised me with the perfect epilogue.
Reviewed for Hot books and Sassy Girls book blog
Profile Image for Gavinsmommaloves2read.
933 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2018

Seriously this book is what the words heartbreaking beautiful were made for. This book for acne apart but throughout it mended my heart along with the characters.Cassidy is stuck in her grief and can't find herself after losing the love of her life.When she received an invitation to a banquet honoring organ donors she thinks this might be the push she needs to help her heal. Samuel life has be tragic and filled with loss he lost his mom at age 9 and has a congenital heart problem which keeps him from really living until he get the gift of life from an organ donor. He wants to meet the people closet to the man who died but saved him. These two both aren't living and needed each other so much and watching them heal and traverse roadblocks and come out while was a beautiful reading experience.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
315 reviews
October 16, 2018
What a great story! I felt so bad for both of these characters. They had both experienced such tremendous loss. Poor Sam never knew how it felt to be secure in the knowledge that your parents would always be there to love you and guide you through life. And on top of that he had to live his whole life without the privilege of expecting tomorrow to come. Cass, on the other hand, had a wonderful life full of happiness and love until that terrible night when she lost not only the love of her life, but any chance of the future she had planned and looked forward to. I so wanted to see them both find love and happiness....and they did. They tiptoed through the guilt that each of them fought and around the truth of how their relationship could even exist until it came back to shatter their fragile love affair. Thank goodness there is truth in the saying love conquers all, and overcoming the trials in our lives makes us stronger.
1,017 reviews12 followers
October 27, 2018
Katie Fox is a new to me author and won't be my last! I was going to say that Cassidy and Samuel's journey was fate but l don't think that was the case here, these two are just meant to be together! How does your heart feel? My heart is full of happiness and my heart goes to these two! That epilogue was so good, The Heart Of Him is so worth the read!
76 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2018
Beautifully written

“Do you think it’s possible some hearts are meant to beat together?”
This book was such a beautiful read full of heartbreak and love. I found the characters Sam and Cassi to be real and raw with so much emotions i could feel it seep through the page's.
"If we’re meant to be broken, let’s be beautifully broken together.”
Again an amazing read!!
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