Review: A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

Summary from Goodreads:

When everything has been taken from you, what else is there to do but run?

So that’s what Annabelle does—she runs from Seattle to Washington, DC, through mountain passes and suburban landscapes, from long lonely roads to college towns. She’s not ready to think about the why yet, just the how—muscles burning, heart pumping, feet pounding the earth. But no matter how hard she tries, she can’t outrun the tragedy from the past year, or the person—The Taker—that haunts her.

Followed by Grandpa Ed in his RV and backed by her brother and two friends (her self-appointed publicity team), Annabelle becomes a reluctant activist as people connect her journey to the trauma from her past. Her cross-country run gains media attention and she is cheered on as she crosses state borders, and is even thrown a block party and given gifts. The support would be nice, if Annabelle could escape the guilt and the shame from what happened back home. They say it isn’t her fault, but she can’t feel the truth of that.


Through welcome and unwelcome distractions, she just keeps running, to the destination that awaits her. There, she’ll finally face what lies behind her—the miles and love and loss…and what is to come

My Review:



I will say this now, this is by far my favorite novel of 2018. 

What I Loved:

Writing Style. I've read every single Deb Caletti's young adult novels because I adore her writing style. I love a novel or an author when you keep reading just because their prose speaks to you, it a treat to read. 

I don't tend to annotate my books but I would have underlined so many of the quotes from this novel. 

Characters. It was refreshing to read from a single character. It was easy to connect with Annabelle and have my heart completely shattered by the end. Plus, a mark of great author is the amazing side characters that Caletti crafts. Annabelle's family, her grandfather and brother most of all, were such unique and great characters. 

Messages. The novel tackles lot of intense and important topics and does a good job with them. It deals with intense subjects in a beautiful way that I believe both young and old people need to read and hear about. I don't want spoil the plot because I went into this blind and I think that people should experience how the plot unfolds without knowing too much of the plot. 

Friendship/Family. The focus on supportive family and friends was amazing to read about. I loved the focus on how the people around you can help you through the tough times. 

Emotional. I'm not a crier at all and this book had me close to a full on ugly cry. It shows how well it captures the main characters feelings and how grief effects people. I recently lost a family member and I felt that the author beautifully captured what is like to grief for your loved ones. 

I recommend checking out this amazing contemporary. However, be warned that it is very intense and may make you cry. 

My Rating:

5 Stars Out of 5 Stars.