Review: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker

Title: Unbreak My Heart

Author: Melissa Walker

Published: May 22, 2012

Pages: 241

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: You can't help who you fall in love with. It's a lesson Clementine Williams knows all too well. She's headed into the summer with a broken heart and zero social life. So even though her parents' plan to spend the summer (trapped) on their sailboat should make Clem break out in hives, she doesn't really mind the chance to float away for a while. Even if it means most of her social interaction will be with her nine-year-old sister. 

Then she meets James at one of their stops on the Great Loop-a classic sailing track in the US. He and his dad are sailing the same track and he's just the distraction Clem needs. But will he be able to break down Clem's walls and heal her broken heart?

**REVIEW**

I've mostly been reading lighter and subtler novels lately and 'Unbreak My Heart' was just that. After having, unintentionally, been reading a lot of nearly 500-pages books, it's refreshing reading a story that doesn't necessarily have to be short, but that can simply be told in less (er, I guess it's the same).

'Unbreak My Heart' was a light, sweet, and generally nice read.

I was intrigued by the boat setting and frankly a little disappointed the book was mostly told when anchored. I'd really looked forward to experiencing the boat life and lots of salty breezes and sparkling waters.

Everything about 'Unbreak My Heart' was actually perfectly likable. There's little conflict in the story which obviously make less opinions. It was actually Clementine I needed an extra push to warm up to - only because she started off quite snarly and snappish. Sometimes I'd find it quite annoying how dismissive she'd be of her little sister.

James was perfectly fine - friendly and open - although, not particularly memorable. I think more mystery and roughness to him would've suited, just because I'd like to think of him as a mysterious stranger who intrudes on Clementine's miserable summer.

James and Clementine's growing relationship was definitely on the simpler side and even though there wasn't too much to it, it was fine.

I liked that many, if not, most of the chapters started with a draft of the letter Clementine's trying to write to Amanda, her best friend. I found the plot regarding Amanda to be either underwhelming or disoriented, I haven't made up my mind. Probably a little of both. 

 One part of me would've wanted more out of it, learn more, and get more of a satisfying end. The second part of me felt like it was okay the way it was. It was pretty blurry whether Clementine was at fault or not and I wasn't really sure where the whole thing was headed, therefore I wasn't astonished it left off loosely.

I have to say, my favorite thing about the book was how simple it was. As much as I adore poetic and descriptive writing, it's also really nice reading a cleanly well-written, more compact book.

Clementine will have time figuring things out during the summer - stuck on a boat with her (sweet) family - and she'll ultimately know how to deal and where she stands.

The writing was neat and the story itself had lots of room to breathe and was very easy to follow. 'Unbreak My Heart' was all-in-all a measured and balanced read. It's the kind of book you relax to a Sunday afternoon.

(3.5/5)