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My Heart & Other Breakables: How I lost my mom, found my dad, and made friends with catastrophe
The hilarious and deeply moving 11+ debut from critically-acclaimed and bestselling adult author Alex Barclay, this might just be the funniest book ever to make you cry your eyes out...
Ellery Brown says NO to sadness. And yes to HER CRAZY NEW LIFE.
This is the diary of me, Ellery Brown, aged 16 and a half. I think I'm supposed to use it to record my feelings about my Mom, since she died.
So why do I keep thinking about who my dad might be, instead... ? My best friend has narrowed it down to three authors my Mom knew. (She was an author too.) But they're not just in different countries: they're on different CONTINENTS. Which means fake IDs, passports, disguises, plane tickets, and somehow getting away from my self-obsessed grandmother.
One thing's for sure: this year is going to be INTERESTING.
Ellery Brown says NO to sadness. And yes to HER CRAZY NEW LIFE.
This is the diary of me, Ellery Brown, aged 16 and a half. I think I'm supposed to use it to record my feelings about my Mom, since she died.
So why do I keep thinking about who my dad might be, instead... ? My best friend has narrowed it down to three authors my Mom knew. (She was an author too.) But they're not just in different countries: they're on different CONTINENTS. Which means fake IDs, passports, disguises, plane tickets, and somehow getting away from my self-obsessed grandmother.
One thing's for sure: this year is going to be INTERESTING.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
400 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2020
16 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Alex Barclay
39 books156 followersBarclay studied journalism at university and worked for a period in fashion and beauty journalism as a copywriter in the RTÉ Guide. In 2003, she left the fashion industry to write Darkhouse, the first of two novels featuring NYPD detective Joe Lucchesi. Her second novel, The Caller, was released in 2007, and Last Call in 2008. She won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her fourth novel, Blood Runs Cold.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 29, 2022
WRITTEN BY MY 13YO DAUGHTER. BUT I'VE READ IT TOO AND HER REVIEW SUMS IT UP PERFECTLY. I ALSO AM NOW ON TENTERHOOKS WAITING FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.
I loved this book. It is set in Ireland and I am half Irish and visit there often so a lot of the words and phrases used were familiar to me, but I loved the parts where she tried to explain them.
This book is really funny in places buy in others it almost had me in tears. It's the diary of Ellery Brown, who has recently lost her mum who was a famous author. Ellery is being looked after by her grandmother and her aunt, but she decides she really wants to find out who her dad is.
A lot of this story is a bit far-fetched, like she manages to get planes on her own to other countries and stay in £500 a night hotels 'accidently', but if you ignore all that and just totally go with the story it's fantastic!
Ellery Brown is a wonderful character and you get totally enveloped in her world. I honestly couldn't put it down. I just kept saying to myself 'one more entry' as I whizzed through the year.
A fabulous read. Get this book. You won't regret it. Well you might, but only because then you'll be hyped up waiting for the next installment!
I loved this book. It is set in Ireland and I am half Irish and visit there often so a lot of the words and phrases used were familiar to me, but I loved the parts where she tried to explain them.
This book is really funny in places buy in others it almost had me in tears. It's the diary of Ellery Brown, who has recently lost her mum who was a famous author. Ellery is being looked after by her grandmother and her aunt, but she decides she really wants to find out who her dad is.
A lot of this story is a bit far-fetched, like she manages to get planes on her own to other countries and stay in £500 a night hotels 'accidently', but if you ignore all that and just totally go with the story it's fantastic!
Ellery Brown is a wonderful character and you get totally enveloped in her world. I honestly couldn't put it down. I just kept saying to myself 'one more entry' as I whizzed through the year.
A fabulous read. Get this book. You won't regret it. Well you might, but only because then you'll be hyped up waiting for the next installment!
October 11, 2022
Read for PRC
Delightful light read, set in Ireland with great cast of characters. I really enjoyed this book - written in diary format, it was a fun read.
Delightful light read, set in Ireland with great cast of characters. I really enjoyed this book - written in diary format, it was a fun read.
February 6, 2024
DNF (I got bored)
November 27, 2022
This was quirky, fun, sweet, zany, hard to out down and thought provoking. I love Ellery and Megser! Hilarious, a bit crazy but definitely Yin & Yang best friends. Their friendship was one of the best things in the book. I enjoyed the journey of trying to find Ellery’s dad, and as someone who recently had their father’s one year anniversary of his passing, found Ellery’s feelings about her Mom to be very relatable.
March 3, 2023
Ellery Brown is a sixteen-year-old girl living in Cork, Ireland whose life comprises of fashion, homework, Netflix, and most of all — problems. Ever since Ellery’s mom, Laurie, died last year, Ellery has been stuck with her over-protective sassy grandma Lola. Ellery knows Lola means well, but one thing is really bothering her: Ellery’s dad. Ellery doesn’t have a clue who her dad is. Now in the wake of her mother’s death, Ellery is more determined than ever to track him down. Except — PROBLEMS! All three suspects are celebrity authors scattered across the globe on separate continents! And so, begins an epic adventure of a journey on which surprising turns await at every bend and hearts are broken.
'My Heart and Other Breakables’ is a compelling and original story that whisks you away on a surprising adventure around the world. The story is really realistic, with characters, situations and relationships that I connected to. Many of the characters are going through typical coming-of-age experiences and have to deal with — often irritating — problems. Some of them also get into bad fights with their best friends. I found them to be super relatable, because I’ve gone through many of their experiences.
Although it’s rare that you need to travel across the globe in search of something — or someone — there are many situations that I also related to. For example, the main character’s joy at the end of the book when all the problems are solved, and she is finally reunited with her dad. I felt like I was there with her, and I felt like I was in déjà vu. Every time my problems are solved, I feel similar joy.
Unlike someother books where when characters feel negative emotions, I feel like they deserve it, in this case I didn’t. With characters in ‘My Heart and Other Breakables’, I genuinely felt bad when the characters were sad. They’ve gone through a lot, and I was so relieved when they received their well-deserved happy ending!
Ellery Brown, our protagonist, is funny, clever and enthusiastic, whose dialogue is full of quirk. On her journey to find a certain someone, she encounters many different people and cultures, that make me want to hop into the pages of the novel and join her. Ellery reminds me of the dramatic, hilarious, courageous kid we all want to be, but are too afraid to do so. Ellery is also an awesome, free therapist; she teaches us that having your heart broken is a normal, human experience. I really connected to Ellery —I was glad someone else understood what having an imperfect life is like.
One thing that could be improved about this character is that she could have more hobbies and interests. In the book, the author, Alex Barclays, only writes about how Ellery loves fashion and Netflix, which, in my opinion, is a bit stereotypical.
Generally, I really loved reading this book from Ellery’s perspective. Even though Ellery is a fictional character, she is so well-developed that I feel like I’ve known her for years and she is one of my best friends.
The other characters, including Megser, Ellery’s best friend, ‘Silent Johnny’, Ellery’s classmate and Auntie Elaine, are also very well built. They have distinct personalities and witty voices that make me laugh as I read along. ‘My Heart and Other Breakables’ is one of the books in which I really loved the side characters.
This story also has one of my favourite plots. I mean, who doesn’t like an adventure around the world, on the run from an angry grandma, all while breaking into galas to confront celebrities? I certainly adored it. The plot also reminds us that celebrities have a life of their own outside of interviews and red carpets, that they are real humans with real emotions! Although the plot was a bit too fast at times, it’s filled with twists and turns, ending in a satisfying plot twist. Love humorous, page-turning adventures? I suggest hunting down ’My Heart and Other Breakables’ down right away!
Overall, ‘My Heart and Other Breakables’ was a brilliant, enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it, if you don’t mind longer reads (570+ pages). I rate this book four stars out of five! If you’re a fan of ‘Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library’, ’Spy School’ or anything in the adventure-comedy-coming of age genre, I highly suggest this book — vice versa as well!
Wishing you well on your wonderful reading journey, and as always — have fun!
'My Heart and Other Breakables’ is a compelling and original story that whisks you away on a surprising adventure around the world. The story is really realistic, with characters, situations and relationships that I connected to. Many of the characters are going through typical coming-of-age experiences and have to deal with — often irritating — problems. Some of them also get into bad fights with their best friends. I found them to be super relatable, because I’ve gone through many of their experiences.
Although it’s rare that you need to travel across the globe in search of something — or someone — there are many situations that I also related to. For example, the main character’s joy at the end of the book when all the problems are solved, and she is finally reunited with her dad. I felt like I was there with her, and I felt like I was in déjà vu. Every time my problems are solved, I feel similar joy.
Unlike someother books where when characters feel negative emotions, I feel like they deserve it, in this case I didn’t. With characters in ‘My Heart and Other Breakables’, I genuinely felt bad when the characters were sad. They’ve gone through a lot, and I was so relieved when they received their well-deserved happy ending!
Ellery Brown, our protagonist, is funny, clever and enthusiastic, whose dialogue is full of quirk. On her journey to find a certain someone, she encounters many different people and cultures, that make me want to hop into the pages of the novel and join her. Ellery reminds me of the dramatic, hilarious, courageous kid we all want to be, but are too afraid to do so. Ellery is also an awesome, free therapist; she teaches us that having your heart broken is a normal, human experience. I really connected to Ellery —I was glad someone else understood what having an imperfect life is like.
One thing that could be improved about this character is that she could have more hobbies and interests. In the book, the author, Alex Barclays, only writes about how Ellery loves fashion and Netflix, which, in my opinion, is a bit stereotypical.
Generally, I really loved reading this book from Ellery’s perspective. Even though Ellery is a fictional character, she is so well-developed that I feel like I’ve known her for years and she is one of my best friends.
The other characters, including Megser, Ellery’s best friend, ‘Silent Johnny’, Ellery’s classmate and Auntie Elaine, are also very well built. They have distinct personalities and witty voices that make me laugh as I read along. ‘My Heart and Other Breakables’ is one of the books in which I really loved the side characters.
This story also has one of my favourite plots. I mean, who doesn’t like an adventure around the world, on the run from an angry grandma, all while breaking into galas to confront celebrities? I certainly adored it. The plot also reminds us that celebrities have a life of their own outside of interviews and red carpets, that they are real humans with real emotions! Although the plot was a bit too fast at times, it’s filled with twists and turns, ending in a satisfying plot twist. Love humorous, page-turning adventures? I suggest hunting down ’My Heart and Other Breakables’ down right away!
Overall, ‘My Heart and Other Breakables’ was a brilliant, enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it, if you don’t mind longer reads (570+ pages). I rate this book four stars out of five! If you’re a fan of ‘Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library’, ’Spy School’ or anything in the adventure-comedy-coming of age genre, I highly suggest this book — vice versa as well!
Wishing you well on your wonderful reading journey, and as always — have fun!
April 27, 2022
Thank you HarperCollins for a proof copy of My Heart and Other Breakables by Alex Barclay.
I requested this book right away (mostly because of how pretty the cover is!) without really knowing what I was going to find and I was greatly surprised by Ellery's story.
The book is written in a diary-kind of style, starting from January 1st until the 1st of January of the following year. And we follow Ellery in one of the most important years of her life. She has just lost her mum, and has never met her dad. So, you can imagine how eventful and full of mixed feeling "My Heart and Other Breakables" is.
With sad and touching moments, with funny and happy ones, with a family and friend support that is a great one and with some surprises, this book is full of emotions that everybody will enjoy!
I requested this book right away (mostly because of how pretty the cover is!) without really knowing what I was going to find and I was greatly surprised by Ellery's story.
The book is written in a diary-kind of style, starting from January 1st until the 1st of January of the following year. And we follow Ellery in one of the most important years of her life. She has just lost her mum, and has never met her dad. So, you can imagine how eventful and full of mixed feeling "My Heart and Other Breakables" is.
With sad and touching moments, with funny and happy ones, with a family and friend support that is a great one and with some surprises, this book is full of emotions that everybody will enjoy!
April 9, 2023
At first I struggled to get into this story because it just felt like it was written by a kid with an overactive brain that can’t focus.
But it’s worth bearing with because it gets exponentially better. The characters are very well thought out and written, the emotions are tender and real and definitely relatable. And all the while there are little bits of peoples stories happening alongside Ellery’s and how it all weaves and integrates together makes for a lovely heartwarming tale of one teenage girls mission to discover where she fits into a world that no longer houses the most important thing to her…her mum.
But it’s worth bearing with because it gets exponentially better. The characters are very well thought out and written, the emotions are tender and real and definitely relatable. And all the while there are little bits of peoples stories happening alongside Ellery’s and how it all weaves and integrates together makes for a lovely heartwarming tale of one teenage girls mission to discover where she fits into a world that no longer houses the most important thing to her…her mum.
February 4, 2023
My Heart & Other Breakables by Alex Barclay is a children’s or young adult book
I found it an amazing read about Ellery whose mother has died and how in the year after she handles her mother’s death. She is then 16 and wants to know who her dad was and makes efforts to find out with the help with her best friend.
This is a book that makes the reader laugh and cry, you experience all sorts of emotions as you read this book.
Highly recommended
I found it an amazing read about Ellery whose mother has died and how in the year after she handles her mother’s death. She is then 16 and wants to know who her dad was and makes efforts to find out with the help with her best friend.
This is a book that makes the reader laugh and cry, you experience all sorts of emotions as you read this book.
Highly recommended
January 29, 2025
I did not enjoy this book that much because I felt it was not aimed at my age audience. Ellery the main character, was funny and her friend Meg was down to earth but the plot was for me a little too simple and I got a bit tired of the story towards the end. I think this book should be targeting a 11-12 audience for the mention of swears and some extensive vocab. But the story itself I think could be a younger audience.
September 17, 2022
Told in epistolary style, through diary entries from protagonist Ellery Brown, this story has great characters and a lot of wisdom. While not all the events in the book are quite believable, Ellery and her relationships and thoughts and feelings were all relatable and well-drawn. It was an easy read but will stay in my mind for a long time.
April 18, 2023
This novel is an easy read with its 11+ age rating. It is written in a diary format, with lots of squiggles and graphics just like a teenager would use.
It deals with loss, trying to find one's place in the world, identity (seeking a never-known father), friendship, family all woven together with humour.
I'm going to hold onto this book for my granddaughter to read when she's a little older.
It deals with loss, trying to find one's place in the world, identity (seeking a never-known father), friendship, family all woven together with humour.
I'm going to hold onto this book for my granddaughter to read when she's a little older.
February 11, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. Crying from start to finish. A brilliant narrator and loads of loveable characters, you just don’t want to put this one down!!
(Also this is the first book I’ve finished in over two years, after like eight tries)
(Also this is the first book I’ve finished in over two years, after like eight tries)
March 21, 2023
An amazing diary novel about Ellery Brown aged sixteen and it is based in Ireland and New York, America . This book is about how Ellery travels around the world, gets fake IDs and passports. Ellery is ready to strive and find her dad!
February 1, 2024
Rating: 3.5 stars. I’m only giving 4+ stars to books this year that have a huge impact on me. At first, I thought it was going to be too childish for me to get into. But I actually ended up really enjoying it! And finding out who her dad is!
September 6, 2024
I think this book does NOT get the recognition it deserves (LIKE BURRITOS) As an Irish teenager, I really thought it was so accurate to Irish teenage life, was so funny (with a few sad parts). The ending was perfect. READ IT!!
January 10, 2026
this diary of a teenager learning to live without a mom while trying to figure out who her dad is alongside her best friend Meghan is amazing. It's full of funny humor and I found myself giggling so much in this story.
April 5, 2022
Great book, full of heart. Really immersive. A teen coming of age story with a lot of humour and depth. Recommended.
November 13, 2022
Funny, moving and beautifully written. Made me cry which all the best books do. And Dadpreneur definitely needs to be made A Thing.
April 5, 2023
Love this book!!! So interesting, funny and beautiful. When u realise who the father is you will be jumping up and down just as I did. My favourite book yet!!!
July 12, 2023
I cried and I laughed and I loved… all at the same time
July 14, 2023
V funny and sad. Some bits r unrealistic but it is a good fluff read
October 11, 2023
Went through the motion reading this.
November 9, 2023
It was really good but I found it a little boring
December 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this book - one of THE BEST book I have read
March 6, 2025
Too many unchristian references, i didnt expect. It made me very uncomfortable as a christian reader. Stay away if that sort of thing makes you uncomfortable too.
July 1, 2025
Really good and i enjoyed the diary style of it.
September 17, 2023
Trigger warnings: Death of a mother, grief and loss depiction
6/10, this was a fine but unremarkable young adult novel but at least the premise was interesting and the execution wasn't horrible rather it was just ok and if the author tried harder it would've been even better of a book. Already I could see that the main character Ellery Brown is different from other main characters because her mother died for an unexplained reason and her father is still a mystery and finding him is the central aspect of the book however it didn't need to be nearly 500 pages long when part of it is just filler and should've been removed from the editing process. Ellery at the beginning grieved over her mother dying and then she begins the search for her father and she surprisingly narrowed it down to three suspects named Quentin, Jean-Luc and two other ones whose names I forgot and three of them were just authors and the last one had zero characteristics which I disliked considering that it's the main part of the book. After a few hundred snail paced sluggish pages later I finally got to see who Ellery's father was and he was called Dan the carpenter and she inferred that only because he was strong and thus she was and that was unrealistic yet heartwarming and I didn't mind that as long as the ending was happy and this all felt inspired by the Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell but I think it's only a coincidence. If you like heartwarming stories about searching for something read this but it's only passable and there are better realistic novels you can read like Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley.
6/10, this was a fine but unremarkable young adult novel but at least the premise was interesting and the execution wasn't horrible rather it was just ok and if the author tried harder it would've been even better of a book. Already I could see that the main character Ellery Brown is different from other main characters because her mother died for an unexplained reason and her father is still a mystery and finding him is the central aspect of the book however it didn't need to be nearly 500 pages long when part of it is just filler and should've been removed from the editing process. Ellery at the beginning grieved over her mother dying and then she begins the search for her father and she surprisingly narrowed it down to three suspects named Quentin, Jean-Luc and two other ones whose names I forgot and three of them were just authors and the last one had zero characteristics which I disliked considering that it's the main part of the book. After a few hundred snail paced sluggish pages later I finally got to see who Ellery's father was and he was called Dan the carpenter and she inferred that only because he was strong and thus she was and that was unrealistic yet heartwarming and I didn't mind that as long as the ending was happy and this all felt inspired by the Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell but I think it's only a coincidence. If you like heartwarming stories about searching for something read this but it's only passable and there are better realistic novels you can read like Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley.
July 22, 2022
When I saw the words Geek Girl mentioned in the email where I was offered this, I knew I’d be saying yes because that is one of my favourite series of all time and I basically read everything that’s remotely connected to them. This One follows Ellery Brown, whose famous writer mum has recently died, and she is on a mission to find out who her long lost father is, which leads to many amusing mishaps and also realisations about her life and the people in it. Ellery is a very fun narrator, who actually reminded me more of Hope from the Valentines books than Harriet from Geek Girl, and I think the Irish dialect added another dimension of fun and humour to the narrative. I loved her relationships with her best friend Meg, and her slightly dysfunctional but loving family, and the fact that the book explores Ellery’s grief alongside all the humour and heart. If you’re a fan of funny, moving diary format stories, this will very likely be a hit for you!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews