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I Heart Beat
Beatrice has got a deadbeat mum, an addiction to online messaging and an aversion to the sun. If she could stay inside all summer she most absolutely would. Except she's being shipped off to stay with her 'Grummer' - a grandmother she barely knows - while her mum has another go at rehab. If Beatrice is going to have any chance of having some peace she will need to distract Grummer with a husband. Unfortunately there aren't many eligible bachelors hanging around this cranky old dorp.
Her plan is simple: identify the target, establish contact and ensure eternal love. But all does not go to plan for control-freak Beat. Suddenly she finds herself ditching the factor 50 for freckles from swimming in the reservoir; her cucumber and tea-only diet is overtaken by peanut butter sandwiches, and the very important 'rely on no-one' policy has to make room for Toffie; a boy with a bike, a shock of red hair and a love for the natural fauna of South Africa.
Beat always knew that love was found in unexpected places. She just never thought that it might find her.
Her plan is simple: identify the target, establish contact and ensure eternal love. But all does not go to plan for control-freak Beat. Suddenly she finds herself ditching the factor 50 for freckles from swimming in the reservoir; her cucumber and tea-only diet is overtaken by peanut butter sandwiches, and the very important 'rely on no-one' policy has to make room for Toffie; a boy with a bike, a shock of red hair and a love for the natural fauna of South Africa.
Beat always knew that love was found in unexpected places. She just never thought that it might find her.
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2014
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Edyth Bulbring
26 books38 followersEdyth Bulbring is an award-winning author of nine Young Adult novels: The Summer of Toffie and Grummer which was shortlisted for the English Academy's 2010 Percy FitzPatrick prize for Youth Literature (Oxford University Press, February 2008); Cornelia Button and the Globe of Gamagion (Jacana, April 2008); The Club (Jonathan Ball Publishers, September 2008); Pops and The Nearly Dead (Penguin, March 2010); Melly, Mrs Ho and Me (Penguin, September 2010); Melly, Fatty and Me which was awarded the English Academy's 2012 Percy FitzPatrick prize for Youth Literature (Penguin, September 2011); The Mark which was awarded the English Academy's 2016 Percy FitzPatrick Prize for Youth Literature (Tafelberg September 2014) and Snitch which won the 2017 M.E.R Prize for best Afrikaans or English youth novel (Tafelberg, May 2016).
She was born in Boksburg and grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She worked as a journalist for fifteen years and was the political correspondent at the Sunday Times of South Africa covering the first democratic elections. She likes dogs, trees and junk shops.
She was born in Boksburg and grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She worked as a journalist for fifteen years and was the political correspondent at the Sunday Times of South Africa covering the first democratic elections. She likes dogs, trees and junk shops.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 21, 2014
Originally reviewed on The Escapist.
***
With that lovely cover and interesting blurb, I had some expectations for I Heart Beat. I had in mind a light, fun, and romantic read, and it made my fingers itch to read this book since my "bookish body" seems to crave for fun romantic contemporary this year.
Beatrice/Bea/Beat was being sent to her grandmother (Grummer) by her mother for a vacation while her mother goes to the rehab. When I started reading I Heart Beat, I was rather disappointed. The tone alone of the main character feels unwelcoming and whiny. She obviously doesn't love her mother--which I quite understand because of her mother's behavior, based from her. She barely knew her grandmother because they didn't have communications before so she planned something to keep her widowed grandmother off her back--search for a new husband.
Beatrice was the first main character I met that I absolutely have no sympathy for. That might sound trashy, but it was based from her tone and story. While she didn't love her mother, she also didn't love--or like--her grandmother and late grandfather. She even say mean things about them; it made me cringe. When she met new people on the place they're staying, she does the same thing. Don't like them and say mean things about them, even with the person who treats her as a friend.
The story goes on and I came to the point on page 131 (middle of the book; only had 193 pages) and I said, as I updated on my Goodreads status, "Where, exactly, is this going?" Because that's what I think. I don't know where the story would go, I can't find a sense or connect to the characters. Beatrice keeps on being whiny and mean. She's not anti-social, but she obviously hate people. I don't think she love or like anyone. I guess the only thing I quite like was the ending. At least someone was there for her Grummer and her mother seems willing to change. I hope Beatrice do too.
I Heart Beat was supposed to be a funny and light read, but I ended up disliking it. I wasn't impressed how Beatrice attacks people in her mind, especially her only relatives and even the church and the people. There was also never a romance in it, like I assumed. Her supposed to be love interest was weird (but okay as a person) and they don't have the slightest connection. Maybe because she didn't like him at all. I think this book isn't just for me, but go try it if you think you'll like it.
*Thanks to Olivia and Hot Key Books for the copy in exchange of an honest review!
***
With that lovely cover and interesting blurb, I had some expectations for I Heart Beat. I had in mind a light, fun, and romantic read, and it made my fingers itch to read this book since my "bookish body" seems to crave for fun romantic contemporary this year.
Beatrice/Bea/Beat was being sent to her grandmother (Grummer) by her mother for a vacation while her mother goes to the rehab. When I started reading I Heart Beat, I was rather disappointed. The tone alone of the main character feels unwelcoming and whiny. She obviously doesn't love her mother--which I quite understand because of her mother's behavior, based from her. She barely knew her grandmother because they didn't have communications before so she planned something to keep her widowed grandmother off her back--search for a new husband.
Beatrice was the first main character I met that I absolutely have no sympathy for. That might sound trashy, but it was based from her tone and story. While she didn't love her mother, she also didn't love--or like--her grandmother and late grandfather. She even say mean things about them; it made me cringe. When she met new people on the place they're staying, she does the same thing. Don't like them and say mean things about them, even with the person who treats her as a friend.
The story goes on and I came to the point on page 131 (middle of the book; only had 193 pages) and I said, as I updated on my Goodreads status, "Where, exactly, is this going?" Because that's what I think. I don't know where the story would go, I can't find a sense or connect to the characters. Beatrice keeps on being whiny and mean. She's not anti-social, but she obviously hate people. I don't think she love or like anyone. I guess the only thing I quite like was the ending. At least someone was there for her Grummer and her mother seems willing to change. I hope Beatrice do too.
I Heart Beat was supposed to be a funny and light read, but I ended up disliking it. I wasn't impressed how Beatrice attacks people in her mind, especially her only relatives and even the church and the people. There was also never a romance in it, like I assumed. Her supposed to be love interest was weird (but okay as a person) and they don't have the slightest connection. Maybe because she didn't like him at all. I think this book isn't just for me, but go try it if you think you'll like it.
*Thanks to Olivia and Hot Key Books for the copy in exchange of an honest review!
March 20, 2025
It's a nice coming of age, and I ended up not really liking the main character, but understanding her and loving the way her character changed. I do wish, though, that the book were a little longer to maximize character development because we got all the changes at the last chapter and all the action happened out of the blue. I still enjoyed it so 3/5.
March 9, 2023
I’m not sure about this story. Maybe it’s just not my lingo. Then there’s the ending that ended too quickly.
February 16, 2014
I have previously read Edyth's books featuring April-May, so when I saw she had written another book I knew I wanted to read it. I began reading the first page and soon found myself laughing, but also grossed out at the same time, the laughter only continued throughout the first few pages
Beatrice's mum is going to rehab (again) and Beatrice is sent to her Grandmothers for the duration of this time. Unhappy with this situation Beatrice decides she needs to set her Grandmother up with a new boyfriend. What results from this is a hilarious dating profile in Beatrice's head, a plan to work with Tofie to scout out potential partners in the local town, weeding out possible suspects according to likes and dislikes to find someone who Beatrice thinks is perfect for her Grandmother.
Beatrice has a lot to deal with in regards to her mother, but she has underlying issues herself which come to light later on in the book, and reading I Heart Beat gives you a true insight into her home environment, where she is basically the adult looking after her Mum, and even organising the rehab visit, the tickets and transportation for her time away with her Grandmother. I felt sorry for her having to deal with all of this and I was tempted to knock some sense into her Mother.
I mentioned Tofie, and he is a new partner in crime who Beatrice enlist to aid her in her quest, he is willing to offer some help thanks to his infatuation with Beatrice, but soon demands payment in the form of her spare phone. Together this duo certainly made for an entertaining read ,seeing them interact with each other and things they said made me laugh a lot, and while I didn't like how Beatrice treated him at first, I did like the tentative friendship they formed throughout this book.
I Heart Beat was a quick light read and there is no mistaking Edyth's writing style. I Heart Beat was easy to fall into, and while it didn't necessarily wow me, I did enjoy the time spent reading it.
Mom's forehead stays unwrinkled as she listens to Grummer on the other side of the phone. But I know she's getting mad. That's the good thing with Botox: most people can't tell when you're annoyed. Mom gets her injections every three months. Her brow is a smooth as a baby's bum.
Beatrice's mum is going to rehab (again) and Beatrice is sent to her Grandmothers for the duration of this time. Unhappy with this situation Beatrice decides she needs to set her Grandmother up with a new boyfriend. What results from this is a hilarious dating profile in Beatrice's head, a plan to work with Tofie to scout out potential partners in the local town, weeding out possible suspects according to likes and dislikes to find someone who Beatrice thinks is perfect for her Grandmother.
Beatrice has a lot to deal with in regards to her mother, but she has underlying issues herself which come to light later on in the book, and reading I Heart Beat gives you a true insight into her home environment, where she is basically the adult looking after her Mum, and even organising the rehab visit, the tickets and transportation for her time away with her Grandmother. I felt sorry for her having to deal with all of this and I was tempted to knock some sense into her Mother.
I mentioned Tofie, and he is a new partner in crime who Beatrice enlist to aid her in her quest, he is willing to offer some help thanks to his infatuation with Beatrice, but soon demands payment in the form of her spare phone. Together this duo certainly made for an entertaining read ,seeing them interact with each other and things they said made me laugh a lot, and while I didn't like how Beatrice treated him at first, I did like the tentative friendship they formed throughout this book.
I Heart Beat was a quick light read and there is no mistaking Edyth's writing style. I Heart Beat was easy to fall into, and while it didn't necessarily wow me, I did enjoy the time spent reading it.
May 12, 2014
Review by Catherine - Year 8
Beatrice is an over obsessive teenager who has always had to look out for herself and has never had a strong mother or father figure to help, or guide her through life.
Chapter one is quite an intense opening because it tells us all about the difficult situation that the main character “Beatrice Well beloved” is in. Throughout the story the writer makes the reader feel a range of emotions: sympathy being at the forefront.
Beatrice encounters an awkward situation in which she has to go away without her mother and with somebody else that she is not familiar with. This really helps the reader think what it would be like to be in this girls shoes, what it would be like to be stuck in that kind of situation.
As the story evolves see a bond form between Beatrice and her companion. They become more comfortable around each other which really making the reader curious as to what is going to happen with them at the end of their journey.
In the next part of the story we are introduced to another pivotal character in Beatrice’s adventure. His name is Toffie. They become friends, but could they become much more than just friends????
I Heart Beat takes on an adventure alongside the characters. It follows the good and the bad parts of a young girls struggle in an unusual situation. The writing captures the true emotions of a teenage girl, and the actions they would consider. It is a fascinating tale that will draw you in and make you want to read on.
Beatrice is an over obsessive teenager who has always had to look out for herself and has never had a strong mother or father figure to help, or guide her through life.
Chapter one is quite an intense opening because it tells us all about the difficult situation that the main character “Beatrice Well beloved” is in. Throughout the story the writer makes the reader feel a range of emotions: sympathy being at the forefront.
Beatrice encounters an awkward situation in which she has to go away without her mother and with somebody else that she is not familiar with. This really helps the reader think what it would be like to be in this girls shoes, what it would be like to be stuck in that kind of situation.
As the story evolves see a bond form between Beatrice and her companion. They become more comfortable around each other which really making the reader curious as to what is going to happen with them at the end of their journey.
In the next part of the story we are introduced to another pivotal character in Beatrice’s adventure. His name is Toffie. They become friends, but could they become much more than just friends????
I Heart Beat takes on an adventure alongside the characters. It follows the good and the bad parts of a young girls struggle in an unusual situation. The writing captures the true emotions of a teenage girl, and the actions they would consider. It is a fascinating tale that will draw you in and make you want to read on.
February 21, 2014
3.5Stars
I know I’ll be reading more of Edyth Bulbring going forward. I Heart Beat convinced me almost straight away.
I wouldn’t call Bea instantly lovable as a character, in fact occasionally she’s very unlikeable but Bea is a brilliant narrator, realistic and complicated. Yes Bea did annoy me but never so much I wanted to put the book down, in fact I read I Heart Beat pretty much in one sitting.
Despite Bea’s one-sided view you get a good feel for the other characters in the book, particularly Grummer and Toffie. Even with Beatrice ignoring the obvious, you as the reader, have big insight into her struggles. The problems she has now but also what made her the way she is.
I Heart Beat is one of the few books where I wish/need there to be sequel. There is so much more of Beatrice I want to discover.
I know I’ll be reading more of Edyth Bulbring going forward. I Heart Beat convinced me almost straight away.
I wouldn’t call Bea instantly lovable as a character, in fact occasionally she’s very unlikeable but Bea is a brilliant narrator, realistic and complicated. Yes Bea did annoy me but never so much I wanted to put the book down, in fact I read I Heart Beat pretty much in one sitting.
Despite Bea’s one-sided view you get a good feel for the other characters in the book, particularly Grummer and Toffie. Even with Beatrice ignoring the obvious, you as the reader, have big insight into her struggles. The problems she has now but also what made her the way she is.
I Heart Beat is one of the few books where I wish/need there to be sequel. There is so much more of Beatrice I want to discover.
January 18, 2014
A light-hearted and funny read. Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews