Beneath Our Feet

by Jack Hartley

As the city Alfie calls home begins to tremble and in the blink of an eye comes crashing down around him, the heart transplant he desperately needs becomes available. A heart that will change everything, and not just for him. For Dani, a chance meeting with Alfie outside the hospital provides a welcome distraction from the fate that lies ahead for her. Together they find something impossible within the sealed-off cordon of the city's red zone – a world beyond anything they could ever have imagines. A world that might just give them what they need TIME.

Genres: Young Adult

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Jess Brien]

I don't think I've read a book that fast in a long time! Flew through it, literally couldn't put it down. Aflie and Dani are so, so special. It's a beautiful story set in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes.

This book has completely broken me! I'm a mess! I cried in public while reading!

Just saying, this should 100% be a movie... 👀

[Sarah Phillips]

Absolutely beautiful book! Could not put it down. Loved Dani and Alfie's personalities and their love story was so special, was in tears by the end. Also loved the unique kiwi teenagehood that was portrayed so well (as someone who lived it in the early 2000s). Just loved everything about it. Thank you for giving this to the world Jack!

[Jo]

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Be warned though, It’s a tear jerker. Beautiful, well written, perfect story.

[Reader]

Lovely read. I loved being transported to another world as an observer of this sweet love story. Moments of tears (as expected) but also so many sweet and centimental moments which were felt through the pages bye to excellent writing. Great book, would recommend!

[Zara Anderson]

I can’t remember the last time I read a YA novel and fell into it so easily. I knew it was going to be heartbreaking so I braced myself from the start. I also think it’s great we are seeing more fiction set around the Christchurch earthquakes.

[Aimee Findon]

Set in Christchurch after the large earthquake, this focused on two teenagers navigating their life changing health concerns. This has a bit of everything and is so relatable. An emotional journey of first love and experiencing loss. I couldn't put this down and recommend it widely.

[Anne]

I cried - a definite indication that I was invested in the characters the setting and the story. Despite the surreal element it all felt very very real and relatable.

[Claire Cunningham]

Originally, I gave this a 4 star, but I keep thinking about it which to me proves it's worth 5. An awesome story, beautifully written.

[Erin Wells]

I cried (multiple times) 😭😭

[Arlo Hartley]

Best young adult novel I’ve read in a long time! The characters were very relatable and I was so invested in their story. Highly recommend!

[Tony Hartley]

This is an amazing story that comes out of a very dark period in the history of Christchurch, New Zealand. If you lived through those earthquakes and the subsequent aftershocks, then it brings it all back with stunning clarity. More importantly it is a heartfelt account of how hope and optimism emerged from the rubble. As a teacher of teenagers I have been lifted by the reactions of my students who have read this book and related to the story of how Dani and Alfie navigate their lives, even through tragedy. This is a must read!