Having loved her debut novel ‘Beautiful Broken Things’, I was excited to read Sara’s sequel, ‘Fierce Fragile Hearts’. The novel picks up two years after Suzanne’s downward spiral with her return to Brighton. It was an excellent choice to continue the narrative primarily from Suzanne’s perspective, particularly as I had expected her be the out and out villain of ‘Beautiful Broken Things’ - there’s a lot to gain from being able to empathise with others.

On her return, Suzanne tries to restart her life with her best friends Caddy and Rosie, but they are about to leave for university. The idea of being left behind is a universal fear regardless of what stage of life we are in. I started uni a year after my friends and the feeling of being forgotten was unbearable; this is only magnified by Suzanne’s mental health issues. This is another beautifully-written, well-handled novel with gorgeous prose and a strong emotive quality. I will definitely be recommending this to all of my students.

Fierce Fragile Hearts is one of the best books I've ever read. A visceral and emotional look at friendship, mental health and all that comes with it. Sara is one of the best writers in UKYA.

When I heard there was a sequel to Beautiful Broken Things coming, I knew it had to be mine. Beautiful Broken Things is one of my favourite books, and kickstarted my love for Sara Barnard. Fierce Fragile Hearts follows Suzanne as she moves back to Brighton 2 years after the events of Beautiful Broken Things. I found Fierce Fragile Hearts to be a character driven story, rather than plot driven, but overall it's still a slice of Sara Barnard magic. I can't be the only one who wants a book from Rosie's point of view...?

This book has been on my mind for a while to read, namely because I'm such a huge fan of Barnard's books and this is actually a sequel to her gorgeous debut 'Beautiful Broken Things' where I get to read about Suzanne, Caddy and Rosie again! I loved that Barnard wrote a book focused solely on friendship that was not about romance and looked forward to reading another, set years later.

I loved being back in Brighton again, it's a great area of England that isn't often written about, and I also really liked the description of Uni life and how it affects friendships from school. It's so relatable for a lot of people! Despite it having been a while since reading 'Beautiful Broken Things', Barnard did a great job of reminding us of the events of book one without spelling it out! I liked the story a lot too, particularly the touching sub-plot friendship between Suzanne and Dilys. That part did make me tear up a few times.

I think my main irritation was that, aside from Rosie, I really found myself totally disliking Suzanne and Caddy in this book, and a lot of their decisions and interactions made me roll my eyes. Suzanne was selfish and attention-seeking a lot of the time and really stifling when it came to her need for her friends, and I found Caddy extremely unlikeable. She just whined and gossiped CONSTANTLY and I don't think she was a very good friend at all. Aside from that, I enjoyed this read a lot and liked revisiting the characters.

I finished reading this book about two weeks ago.  Mental Health Awareness week was just round the corner. A week where we are encouraged to talk about mental health, raising awareness and remind each other that it's okay to talk about these things.  So here I was with this book in my hands. This beautiful book  about three friends and the pain of growing up in a world that only seems to deal in sorrow and heartbreak, and it couldn't have come at a better time. A wonderful example of how we can find truth, friendship and support through reading novels such as this.

As the synopsis  said Fierce Fragile Hearts is a companion novel to Beautiful Broken Things where events unfolded through the voice of Caddy.  A story that culminated with a suicide attempt (unsuccessful) by one of her closest friends.  Suzanne survived but she left Brighton and her friends Caddy and Rosie in an attempt to heal.  To continue to survive.

It is now two years later and Suzanne has left her foster carers and is returning to Brighton; a place filled with memories and also the two people she loves most in the world -  Caddy and Rosie.  This time we hear through Suzanne's voice. A voice that has suffered in her childhood in a way that has left it's mark far more than any physical scars may show.  My heart went out to this young woman who, so desperate to let the past go, was still suffering and yet was filled with a steely determination.  When Caddy and Rosie leave for University, Suzanne is left alone but she gradually begins to adjust to her new life living alone in Brighton.  I was drawn into this tale and it made me feel.  It reminded me how lonely life can be, even when you are surrounded by the people you love.  It also reminded me how precious it is and how important it is to allow people into our lives.  It's easy to build a wall. To avoid being pushed away, beaten or unloved. Yet then we miss out on so much.  This we can see not only through Suzanne's relationship with Caddy and Rosie but also the new relationships she builds with the most unlikely of people.  Sometimes it's okay to need people and accept help... and oh how I would like to meet someone like Dilys!

The thing with mental health is that there is no quick fix.  It's something that takes time, effort and support.  Sara has touched on this beautifully in Fierce Fragile Hearts.  We can see how fragile Suzanne is but how she longs to be better.  The steps after the counselling, after medication, after the world goes back to normal... that's when we can feel lost again.   As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety one of the things that amazed me, when I came out of my own personal fog, was that some days you still feel bad.  Yes you are 'better' but it can be a little scary when you suddenly feel the shadow again.  There will always be bad days.  Everyone has them.  It's what we do to cope with them that matters. 

Suzanne's story reminded me that it's okay to have bad days.  It's okay to not always get it right. Suzanne has shown me that it's our experiences and how we react to them that makes us who we are.   She tried to make herself unlovable, because the alternative frightened her and after all, why would anyone want to love her? Right? But those who truly know you will always be there for you on the other side.  Life is about give and take and Suzanne finds what she has to give the world along her way.   It's about accepting you for who you are, good and bad, and making the very best life for yourself.  This is a story full of hope and light to help chase out the shadows and remind you that you're never alone and that you are enough... just the way you are.

* This is a YA novel and although I feel it will be suitable for older teens please be aware that there are themes of mild drug use and sexual relations within the story line.  It is never crude or unjustified though.

Written with feeling and understanding. This is a story with aspects that many will be able to relate to. My heart ached for the pain Suzanne experienced.  There was a real comprehension of the suffering she underwent and how at first she battled on, unaware of the love surrounding her from her closest friends and the gentle Matt.

Then she meets an old lady and her dog and her whole outlook is changed.  It was beautiful to experience with her, the simple care and compassion which this woman gave - even the dog played it's part.

This story is beautifully crafted to enable us to feel her angst and fear of hurt, rejection and the hand life has dealt her.

At times wild and out of control, she is drawn into a selfless care for her elderly neighbour.  This friendship was a joy to watch blossom and the result is a legacy for her future. 

Beautifully crafted story and running through it - the soundtrack to her life, as each chapter heading is a song.  Read the chapter whilst listening to it's title song for an even clearer picture of Suzanne's struggles.  This book truly touched me with it's relevance to how life can be for those struggling with their feelings or lack of self-worth.  It felt like a Rite of Passsage.

Highly recommended read and I now also have a beautifully evocative playlist

I've read every Sara Bernard book - this is my fourth - so to say I was excited to get approved for this one is an understatement. I've loved them all and I usually read them so fast because the pages seem to just fly by. I had a little apprehension over whether this book would be as good, and whether I'd remember the first book of this series.

It turns out that my apprehension was unjustified on both counts: this book is perfect and lived up to my lofty expectations easily. Also, you don't necessarily need to remember the previous book, as the friendship between the three girls is re-established early on.

This book is an emotional story that explores abuse, loneliness and all kinds of relationships; platonic, familial and romantic to a lesser degree.

Suzanne has PTSD and the author really seems to have done her research on it because the way she portrayed it was realistic and unflinching (I cried a few times.) The author did an excellent job of making Suzanne a wonderful, fleshed out character otherwise, whilst still slipping in observations about abuse, surviving and privilege without making any of it seem heavy-handed or making Suzanne seem like a vehicle for all the issues she had.

Truly, this isn't just good UKYA (albeit on the older side of YA if you ask me), this is a good book in general.

An easy to read tale of teenage friendship & angst mixed with overcoming an abusive childhood and subsequent counselling & therapy. The book is good, written in a contemporary style with modern references. The book doesn’t contain any major, earth shattering revelations about dealing with the afore mentioned teenage issues or getting over abuse but it would be a support I would think to anyone going through that and it has a nice ending which is always a bonus and not always a foregone conclusion!

Fierce Fragile Hearts is a beautiful book about chaotic friendships, unravelling lives and putting yourself back together. I got so much out of this...from possibly the best elderly character every written (did I mention she was undoubtedly asexual and it came up in the first conversation Suzanne had with her? I felt so seen...for fifty years in the future.) Also, a cute dog. A book can't go wrong if it has a cute dog and a wise, generous old lady.

Seeing the characters in more adult settings was great - there was such a sense of development from 'Beautiful Broken Things'. I loved how the girls fought and came back together again, always able to talk about their problems with themselves and each other without it being the end of the world. It's the first time I've read about a messy friendship like Caddy and Suzanne's, but it so closely resembles friendships I've had in the past. I loved it. Complicated characters are the best. And can we please have more books about characters at university? This was such a great aspect of the book!

This book made me cry (like I didn't see that coming!) but also immensely proud of Suzanne for everything she achieved here. Standing up to her abuser, living on her own, knowing when to ask for help...she was powerful and wonderful and a role model, honestly. 5 out of 5 stars, Sara Barnard has done it again.

I couldn't get on with this, I was looking forward to reading the sequel to Beautiful Broken Things, but it just didn't ring as true to me. Still, I love Sara and will always check out her next book

You know you’re reading a good book when you’re so engrossed that not even loud-eaters on a train can distract you.

This follow up to Beautiful Broken Things centres on another fresh start for Suzanne. Recovery is far from linear and this is all about the ups and downs of life following trauma and what happens afterwards.

Suzanne’s family are very much in denial about the abuse she went through, a story which I believe is painfully true of many cases. As she tries to move forward, she battles her desperation to be loved by her parents with her determination to be consumed all over again. Meanwhile, we get an insight into Rosie and Caddy’s lives through their first year of university. While the girls are going through vastly different experiences, one thing remains the same. The pivotal year of turning 18 is dramatic for any teen.

While I’m not usually a fan of books so character-led, I felt complete empathy for Suzanne and found myself reading this book from start to finish in 24 hours. The glimmers of romance, the almost-family and the discussion of class are all well-written, although I did find it confusing that Suzanne could barely afford food but would pay for train tickets. This felt contradictory as train tickets in the UK are known for being expensive.

Sara Barnard is a talented YA author with a track record for excellent writing and incredible characters. I can only hope we get another story about Suzanne, Caddy and Rosie.

I love Sara Barnard and this book was just amazing! I loved being able to read the story from Suzanne's point of view as her and Caddy are very different people so Suze's side of things is much more raw than Caddy's.

This is a story about a teen girl who was abused at home by her daddy and get out to live by her own. Also a coming of age story where the character growns up by dificulties through the way, the author talks about the importance of being someone in the world, the importance of being loved by friends or even a romantic affair.

I really liked the book even not knowing that it's a sequel and get lost sometimes. You can enjoy the story and the well build characters I can easy call this book a must summer read!

I loved this book, I appreciate how the author dealt with the sensitive issues that occurred within the storyline. Highly recommended

Many thanks to Netgalley and Sara Barnard for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

Themes - independence, friendships, music, abuse
Likes - writing, Dilys
Dislikes - time jumps with no formatting (corrected in finished copy?), lots of 'should haves'

FIERCE FRAGILE HEARTS did not disappoint carrying on the story of the three friends but this time with Suzanne as the protagonist. I was absolutely ready to get into Suzanne’s head and life; she was messed up and complex but I loved her honesty, humility and character growth. Suzanne was bravely stepping into independent life, in a bedsit and with a job.

Suzanne, Caddy and Rosie are two years on, 18-going-on-19 and they were all transformed in a realistic way. Lots had happened since the days of BEAUTIFUL BROKEN THINGS and Caddy seemed to be the most different, sometimes good and sometimes not so much. Suzanne had a big heart, it might have been fragile but I could feel it getting stronger and from this her individuality began to shine.

Kel and Matt were brilliantly woven into the story. I loved Kel’s friendship and everything to do with Matt was welcome. Dilys was the warmest addition to the storyline as was Henry.

This duo of books finishes in a good position and yet I still want more so if Sara Barnard would please write these three, especially Suzanne in the future, I will be queuing to buy it.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Sara Barnard is one of those authors whose books I anticipate. I think she is one of the best YA fiction writers and I get swallowed whole by her stories. Fierce Fragile Hearts is no exception to this praise.

In Fierce Fragile Hearts we return to Brighton and to the life that Suzanne once knew. Fresh and optimistic she is trying to become an adult and even though things haven’t been easy for Suzanne so far it turns out that adulthood is no easy picnic. It is especially hard when her support system – her friends Caddy and Rosie – are off to pastures new for university.

Feeling alone and a little bit lost Suzanne starts to fall back on old, dangerous habits.

Fierce Fragile Hearts was a brilliant sequel to an already amazing book. Barnard manages to capture the loneliness and isolation of Suzanne, the struggles with being a child of ‘the system’ and also the difficult journey of trying to grow up. It encapsulates all the things I love, a book with friendship at its core, a coming-of-age tale and an awesome soundtrack to accompany it. If there was an extended road trip added then I would have been in book nirvana.

Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard is available now.

For more information regarding Sara Barnard (@saramegan) please visit www.sarabarnardofficial.com.

For more information regarding Pan Macmillan (@panmacmillan) please visit www.panmacmillan.com.

Thank you to the publisher who gifted me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fierce Fragile Hearts is the latest novel by outstanding author Sara Barnard. This is the sequel to the Sara’s bestselling novel Beautiful Broken Things, but it can be read as a standalone! Fierce Fragile Hearts tells the story of Suzanne, who two years after a downward spiral took her as low as you could go is starting again. Suzanne is back in Brighton, the one place she feels she belongs, with her best friends Caddy and Rosie. With her best friends about to leave for university, Suzanne is unsure about what will happen. Caddy and Rosie where the light in the darkness and she is the one being left behind.

thumbnail.jpgI absolutely adored this book! I devoured it in just a couple of sittings. When I read Beautiful Broken Things at the start of 2018 I was always intrigued by Suzanne’s character and wanted to learn more about her. So, when I found out that Sara Barnard would be releasing a novel set 2 years after Beautiful Broken Things from the perspective of Suzanne, I was immediately excited!

I will say there is a couple of trigger warnings that come with this book as it deals with an abusive history and talks about suicide attempts.

This book is in my opinion more character driven than plot driven. Although I do not feel it needed to be plot driven as it deals with so many important and different aspects that will certainly grab your attention. There were no moments when reading this book were, I felt bored. I was constantly captured by something new and drawn into the story even more.

Fierce Fragile Hearts deals with a lot of important and different topics. Suzanne has just come out of care, after being there for the past two years. She is having to learn to live by herself and deal with the fact she is not following her friends Caddy and Rosie down the path they are taking. I feel that this was important for Sara to show in this book. As Suzanne is living independently without any help from parents or guardians and she also isn’t going to university like her friends. I feel this is important to show to other young adults reading this book, whether they have a similar history to Suzanne or not. I found it incredibly refreshing to read about a character who wasn’t planning on going to university and was doing just fine even without her A-levels. I would have loved to read this when I myself was in the transition period between college and university.

Sara Barnard has done an excellent job of capturing so many different intense and important relationships in this book. Sara also tells the story and the character relationships as they are. It shows that no relationship or friendship is easy and the fact that there will be ups and downs.

My favourite thing about this book has got to be the characters and the stories each one brings to the table. I already knew I liked the characters Caddy and Rosie. This book made me want a book from Rosie’s perspective. There are a couple of new character that also hold a special place in my heart. I don’t want to say much as I feel it might spoil the story. Matt is just a wonderful character and warmed my heart. Dilys who Suzanne becomes friends with was the character who affected me most. The story Dilys tells affected me in such a way that I sobbed when she was apart of the story. The friendship that Dilys and Suzanne form is similar in many ways to a friendship I have previously had which made it mean even more to me. Suzanne as a character grows throughout the book. There are moments you want to help Suzanne and moments where she helps herself and you feel incredibly proud of her.

Suzanne’s story is extremely important, and I am so glad that it is out in the world for others to read. It is important to bring light to the issues Suzanne deals with, abuse, suicide attempts, issues with her family as well as her friendship struggles. This book has something that I feel everyone will relate to be that now or in the future.

Overall, Sara Barnard has done it again and has made me fall in love with her writing all over again. This book is beautiful, heart-breaking and heart-warming. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it made my heart full. This is definitely a book to pick up if you are a fan of contemporary novels whether you have read Beautiful Broken Things or not!

This was a great follow up to 'Beautiful Broken Things'. This book pulls no punches as it explores serious issues that affect too many teenagers but Barnard handles it sensitively and positively.

I re-read Beautiful Broken Things before picking up Fierce Fragile Hearts and it really helped me appreciate the story more, I think. It reminded me how friendships were formed and about the different dynamics. It was great to go from Caddy's to Susanne's POV – I hope we get to hear from Rosie's perspective someday! Continue reading this review over on Pretty Books: https://prettybooks.co.uk/2019/02/17/mini-reviews-fierce-fragile-hearts-giant-days-the-night-olivia-fell/