Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things

Hearts and Strings cover

Mansfield, Massachusetts is the last place seventeen-year-old Edie Price wants to spend her final summer before college. It’s the home of wealthy suburbanites and prima donnas like Edie’s cousins, who are determined to distract her from her mother’s death with cute boys and Cinderella-style makeovers. Edie has her own plans, and they don’t include a prince charming.

But as Edie dives into schoolwork and applying for college scholarships, she finds herself drawn to two Mansfield boys who start vying for her attention. First there's Sebastian, Edie’s childhood friend and first love. He’s sweet and smart and . . . already has a girlfriend. Then there's Henry, the local bad boy and all-around player. He’s totally off limits, even if his kisses are chemically addictive.

Both boys are trouble. Edie can’t help but get caught between them. Someone's heart is going to break. Now she just has to make sure it isn't hers.

HMHTeen 12/17/19

"[This retelling of Mansfield Park] winningly upholds the spirit of its source material. A well-fleshed-out secondary cast keeps this debut fresh." --Booklist

"[Jane Austen] would no doubt approve of this retelling's dreamy romance and sly social commentary. A sweet, gentle modernization of Jane Austen that packs a little subversive punch." --Kirkus

"The author shows skill in accurately portraying the conflicting needs and desires of a girl turning into a woman, both sexually and intellectually." --School Library Journal

"Part steamy romance, part comedy of manners, the story effectively mirrors Austen’s writing style with its sharp-witted dialogue and gentle pokes at society. Trapped in a superficial world, Edie emerges as a noble, genuine heroine, who (usually) remembers to follow her late mother’s advice: “If you let your heart drive, don’t forget to bring your brain." " --Publishers Weekly