Heartsick

by R.J. Conte

Blessing Spivey didn’t expect to cause such an uproar on her first day of college. She’s a missionary kid, outgoing and eager to achieve her dreams, and when she leaves behind the harder life of Mexico and arrives at her small Bible college, all she wants is to obtain a teaching degree – and maybe a man as well. But she’s barely set foot on campus before a shadow looms over her. She is told she’s an exact doppelganger for Tessa Lyme, the popular school sweetheart who shocked the college last semester with her unexpected suicide. And now Tessa’s mysterious ex-boyfriend, Shale Westin, seems to have it out for Blessing. Despite Shale’s hostility, Blessing is irresistibly drawn to him, and to the strange story of his girlfriend’s death. What secrets did Tessa’s glamorous life hide? And can Blessing protect her own heart from danger?

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2016

About the author

RJ Conte has kissed only one boy in her entire life - and she married him - inspiring her to write about sweet or powerful love stories ever since. She writes issue-driven fiction that explores human nature and the depths of the soul while pointing readers to their Creator.

She writes a blog on parenting, publishing, painting, and perorating at http://blonderj.wordpress.com/

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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Blessing Spivey didn’t expect to cause such an uproar on her first day at college.

She’s a missionary kid, outgoing and eager to achieve her dreams, and when she leaves behind the harder life of Mexico and arrives at her small Bible college, all she wants is to obtain a teaching degree – and maybe a man as well.

But she’s barely set foot on campus before a shadow looms over her. She is told she’s an exact doppelganger for Tessa Lyme, the popular school sweetheart who shocked the college last semester with her unexpected suicide. And now Tessa’s mysterious ex-boyfriend, Shale Westin, seems to have it out for Blessing.

Despite Shale’s hostility, Blessing is irresistibly drawn to him, and to the strange story of his girlfriend’s death. What secrets did Tessa’s glamorous life hide? And can Blessing protect her own heart from danger?

[R.J. Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me riveted the whole time! RJ Conte has crafted an amazing story here. I wanted to know all the secrets, had to know, had to understand, had to see how it would turn out. Absolutely loved it. The characters are well-rounded and real, and everything in the story is positively believable. In the best of ways, in the most tragic of ways, believable. There is so much I want to say, but can't, as I don't want to give away spoilers! But know this: It is excellent. And your bookshelf is not complete without Heartsick.

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down,.

I planned on just reading a couple chapters today.. but found I couldn't put the book down.

Blessing started school with an image of an idle man in her head.. the one she found was anything but perfect. She struggles with her own weaknesses (ones that others don't see) as the man she loves deals with his own demons.

The characters are intense and lovable.. I recommend it to anyone over the age of 14. I will be passing it along to my nieces.

[Please Pass the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartsick by RJ Conte tells the story of Blessing Spivey, a missionary kid who is uprooted from her family home in Ensenada, Mexico to attend an exclusive (and expensive) small Christian Bible college in the United States. Her ultimate goal is to knock out two years of college in just one and obtain a degree in childhood education. Of course, her ultimate dream is to "...be married, have a family, and live in a typical suburb with a two-car garage and a picket fence..." On her first day at Living Fellowship, with her John Adams Bible College dormitory roommate, Sadie Bridgeman, by her side, Blessing is given a less-than-warm welcome by the other students after learning she is a dead-ringer for a girl named Tessa Lynn, a junior who had committed suicide the year before. Things become much more complicated when an attraction to Tessa's former boyfriend, Shale Westin, stirs emotions inside Blessing that - at first - don't mix easily with Shale's animosity toward her.

Heartsick by RJ Conte has a unique coming-of-age story line with a plot I haven't come across before. It deals with a catalogue of social issues, with an emphasis on suicide, and an ending that provides a heartbreaking finale (although this is made easier by way of the bittersweet epilogue). I sped my way through this book with a whole spectrum of emotions. Optimism at Blessing starting her journey to adulthood. Dejection at her early treatment. Hope as things begin to turn around. Love, because she felt it so purely. Sadness when all was revealed. Fear when the consequences were made clear. Anger and, again, sadness in the final chapter. And, finally, happiness for second chances (however they come about). This is a Christian romance and the faith of the characters is deeply embedded throughout. It's a clean story even with its dark overtones, and I'd highly recommend it for an edgier read within this popular genre.

Written by Please Pass the Books for Readers' Favorite.

[Mimi Davis Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love is Forever

This is a very well written story of true and ever laying love. How long would you wait for the one you love? Truly a clean romance Christ centered story. I Loved it. Great Read

[Denise Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sad

This was very hard to get through and then it has a sad unhappy ending. Sorry I read this book.

[Ashley Lavering · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good

It was pretty good. The story had good morals and the the tragedies and consequences of not following those morals.

[Barbara A. Faw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not really my type of book. The ending was not what I consider HEA. The writing style was good but the content not so much.

[Krista Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intelligently and realistically written story. RJ Conte's craft for writing about a believable and likeable teenager struggling with a typical temptation toward another student is outstanding! I LOVED this YA novel. The only other kind of YA genre I've navigated toward is mystery thrillers, never romance. But this was far more than romance. This story hits on significant worries that a young woman faces and deals with some serious issues in a straightforward and delicate manner. I am so thankful that I picked this one up. RJ, thank you for using your gift from God. It truly glorifies Him and blesses your readers.