Review: The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Publisher- Simon Pulse 
Released- May 21st 2013
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Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

My Thoughts:

Jude Hernandez is on a mission. She needs to find a mechanic that can help her and her Papi restore a 60's vintage motorcycle that her dad use to drive back in his glory days.

But, Jude had no clue that the only young mechanic that can be spared is no other then, Emilio.Freaking.Vargas. Rewind back to a 12 year old Jude, as she watches her sister crumble into pieces. The Vargas brothers strikes again, leaving nothing but endless tears and broken hearts in their path. From that day forward, the four Hernandez sisters decided to make a sacred vow, to never get involved with a Vargas boy again. But surely, a Vargas boy helping her fix their Papi's bike is totally different. It's not like history is repeating itself and she'll fall for him....right?

The Book of Broken Hearts is a wonderful heartwarming and heartbreaking story about a family battling against an incurable disease, finding love where you would least expect it and finding yourself at the same time. 

When I'm in the mood for something sentimentally sweet and need a quick light escape to lift me up, I know all I have to do is turn to one of Sarah Ockler's books. She writes some of the most beautiful stories with strong witty characters and an emotional journey that will guarantee to make you smile and pull on your heart strings. 

This story-line touched something very deep inside me. I have a very large family and I'm closed to everyone in it. So to watch a family member suffer such a merciless disease like Alzheimer's really tore my heart in two. To be robbed of the one thing that you desperately want till your very last breath...your memories, is such a heartless and evil way to go. Ockler tackles this issue with a lot of respect and dignity.

Jude Hernandez has a big round heart. She spends all of her time making sure everyone is okay around her. She's the doting daughter, the loyal sister, the best friend and even Emilio's princesa. So it's no surprise when she realizes, come the end, that she may be just as lost as her Papi. When your pulled in so many different directions, it's hard to know what you want in your own life and easy to lose yourself somewhere in the middle. Still, Jude's sisters did have good intentions for warning their baby sister off Vargas men and I thought it was kinda precious how protective they are and how Jude actually feels guilty about liking someone that is suppose to be 'off limits if you know what's good for you'. But I'm glad that she listened to her heart in the end. But what I really loved about this character the most was the bond she has with her Papi and how she takes care of him and what she wouldn't give for him to be happy. It's really touching and refreshing to see how much family means to these characters. 

But this story also has a very amusing and tender love story. Emilio Vargas has that famous gorgeous bad boy image with an overly confident charm complete with dimples that girls swoon over. I, being one of them. He's the kind of guy your scared to get involved with but even more scared to not take that chance. Emilio is good people and understands all to clearly what it means to lose someone you love. I loved their fun banter, witty zingers and chemistry spark. The relationship isn't rushed, it's starts with a gradual pull that leads to the inevitable, which is just the way I like my love stories. 

Bottom line, I really just loved this book. It's a beautiful story that is both emotionally touching but still warm and funny. It captures family unity, sisterly bonds and promises meant to be broken...with no regrets. Ockler got me again!

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