Book Review — Plastic Hearts by Lisa De Jong

My life has always been safe. I like it that way. I grew up in a fake society where plastic hearts rule. If our hearts are made of plastic, they can never be broken. My parents have expectations and I do everything I can to meet them, even if it means giving up on my own dreams.

Now, all I want is to be free to make my own choices.

Dane Wright is everything I have been warned to stay away from. We met one night while I was with my perfect, parent-approved boyfriend and I haven’t stopped thinking about him. I don’t want to like him. I am doing everything I can to ignore his pull, but my heart seems to want what it cannot have, what it has never had.

Can he measure up? He may think I am too good for him, but maybe he is too good for me.

Life is a series of choices and I have never been able to make my own. Until one day, when my heart decides to make a choice for me.

Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content and language

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. In plain English, this means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase something through the links provided. This small income goes back into my blog, so I can continue to create fun content for you. I appreciate my readers and make it my goal to be upfront and honest. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Review:

I was drawn in by the smooth writing style and the realistic, relatable characters.  For her debut novel, Lisa De Jong did a fantastic job with making me connect with the characters and their lives and struggles.  Most of all, I love loved LOVED the angst factor.  The angst was OFF THE CHARTS!

Everything in Alex’s life is about keeping up appearances.  Born into a wealthy family, Alex has lived a rather privileged life, well at least that’s what it looks like from the outside.  On the inside, she is tired of being told what to do.  Her mother dictates every aspect of her life, and her father only cares about Alex getting into medical school to carry on the family legacy.  Alex has a seemingly perfect life – she’s dating the perfect guy, lives with her best friend, and does well in school, but isn’t happy.  She holds herself together with art.  Art is her real passion and her lifeline to happiness.

Dane’s childhood was less than perfect.  His mother was a drunk and left Dane to take care of his brother.  However, like Alex, he isn’t happy with his family.  He uses his art to escape the daily stress of his life.  To pay his way through school, Dane sells his art and works at a bar.  The very same bar where he meets Alex.

These two couldn’t be more different.  All Dane knows is struggle and strife, whereas Alex’s life has been easy sailing (financially, at least).  Despite their difference, these two manage to be together and I found that kind of beautiful.  Let me tell you, Dane and Alex’s first meeting was insanely hot!  Even after their extremely hot meet cute hot, Alex didn’t give into Dane easily.  I love it when characters play hard to get.  Alex messed with Dane in the beginning, but he didn’t give up.  This led to some pretty funny moments.

“I usually don’t have to try so hard,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.”
“Yeah? Well you can try all you want because this is all you’re getting,” I said, picking up the pace. A part of me wanted him to try harder and another part was telling me to run. Right now the latter was winning, but if he kept this up it might not stay that way.
“Hey, Alex?”
“Yeah?”
“I won’t have to try for long. I guarantee it.”

See? See?  Ahhhhh!!!

From the beginning of the book to the end, you see Alex grow as a character, finally breaking away from her parents’ control and doing what makes her happy.  And Dane he is super hot.  He rocks the bad boy look, but surprisingly, he’s rather straight-laced.

There were only a few minor things that bothered me.  In the beginning before Alex and Dane really knew each other, she saw him with someone else and got jealous.  I didn’t understand why she was jealous at that time.  I felt as though their relationship was a bit rushed at first, but the fact that they got to know each other made up for that.

I would recommend you read this. I loved the last 20 percent.  Lisa De Jong is working on “Glass Hearts”, the follow-up to Plastic Hearts.  I’m excited!

3 stars

Disclosure:  I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.