What do you think?
Rate this book
Her Heart in Chains
There was so much blood. It pooled in the grass and dripped down my clothes. He's dead, and it's all my fault. As a senior in high school, Janelle Dixon had it all - good grades, popularity, and the perfect boyfriend - until a chance encounter with the quiet, mysterious boy in class changed everything. That was when she discovered love can lead you to unexpected and dangerous places.
- GenresDark RomanceRomance
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2020
12 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 7, 2024
I absolutely loved this story about a young high school student, Janelle who falls in love and overcomes a lot of adversity and obstacles.
Janelle meets a high school student, Ian who is socially isolated and carries a picture of her in his bag. When her best friend, Mindy pushes her to play a prank on him and go on a date with Ian, she reluctantly agrees, despite having a boyfriend.
Janelle falls in love with Ian. However, a part of her doesn't want to be estranged by her friends and family if she was to leave her boyfriend and develop a relationship with Ian who is seen as the weirdo of the school. She fails to tell him she has a boyfriend until he discovers it for himself.
A series of events occur that escalate, but I won't give too much away.
I like the way the story draws you into the present then the past and back to the present as she recounts her story to a psychologist. Fourteen years later, Janelle is still hugely impacted by the events of her past. Will she move on from those events or will she fall prey to her past?
I would have liked there to be the same point of view in each scene or chapter, and found it confusing to read with multiple viewpoints of two or more characters within the one scene. Also, perhaps have less description of the surroundings that I felt slowed down the action of the story. Despite that, it was an amazing read with a plotline which can mirror the gruesome reality of life.
Janelle meets a high school student, Ian who is socially isolated and carries a picture of her in his bag. When her best friend, Mindy pushes her to play a prank on him and go on a date with Ian, she reluctantly agrees, despite having a boyfriend.
Janelle falls in love with Ian. However, a part of her doesn't want to be estranged by her friends and family if she was to leave her boyfriend and develop a relationship with Ian who is seen as the weirdo of the school. She fails to tell him she has a boyfriend until he discovers it for himself.
A series of events occur that escalate, but I won't give too much away.
I like the way the story draws you into the present then the past and back to the present as she recounts her story to a psychologist. Fourteen years later, Janelle is still hugely impacted by the events of her past. Will she move on from those events or will she fall prey to her past?
I would have liked there to be the same point of view in each scene or chapter, and found it confusing to read with multiple viewpoints of two or more characters within the one scene. Also, perhaps have less description of the surroundings that I felt slowed down the action of the story. Despite that, it was an amazing read with a plotline which can mirror the gruesome reality of life.
May 21, 2025
Thrilling and Compelling
A story told mostly in flashbacks, this romantic thriller centers on Janelle, a recent divorcee suffering from PTSD due to a tragic incident while she was in high school. Her story surrounded a group of friends, none of whom had too many redeeming qualities, and the class outcast (Ian) who was targeted for a prank by the group as he appeared to be stalking Janelle. We immediately know that something brutal happened, as the talk of “so much blood” and “I killed him” were teased in the opening chapter. The teases give the reader a high level of anticipation as to what actually happened on that fateful day and who was killed. Leading up to the reveal, we see Janelle begin to fall for Ian while still holding onto her current boyfriend. It becomes extremely messy when the friends turn on Janelle by trying to out her relationship with Ian. The story is riveting leading up to the incident which left multiple characters dead in an unexpected twist. I thought the search for Janelle at the two-thirds mark of the book wasn’t as realistic as it could have been (the obvious suspect should have been immediately targeted by the detective). Also, some of the dialogue contained unnecessary overexplaining. But the finale was a nail biter and kept me interested until all was revealed.
A story told mostly in flashbacks, this romantic thriller centers on Janelle, a recent divorcee suffering from PTSD due to a tragic incident while she was in high school. Her story surrounded a group of friends, none of whom had too many redeeming qualities, and the class outcast (Ian) who was targeted for a prank by the group as he appeared to be stalking Janelle. We immediately know that something brutal happened, as the talk of “so much blood” and “I killed him” were teased in the opening chapter. The teases give the reader a high level of anticipation as to what actually happened on that fateful day and who was killed. Leading up to the reveal, we see Janelle begin to fall for Ian while still holding onto her current boyfriend. It becomes extremely messy when the friends turn on Janelle by trying to out her relationship with Ian. The story is riveting leading up to the incident which left multiple characters dead in an unexpected twist. I thought the search for Janelle at the two-thirds mark of the book wasn’t as realistic as it could have been (the obvious suspect should have been immediately targeted by the detective). Also, some of the dialogue contained unnecessary overexplaining. But the finale was a nail biter and kept me interested until all was revealed.
December 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this dark romantic thriller by Destiny Eve. I appreciated the great characters who pulled me through the story with a need-to-know-what-happens-next kind of excitement. It's certainly dark, and yet, you feel for all the characters (even the troubled ones), and I love an author who can make that happen.
The plot was great and I enjoyed seeing how things all tied into to each other as the story went on.
Interesting choice in "perspective" and "narration" throughout the story as it goes from present day to the past and back again, but it's easy to follow. I would have read this in one sitting if my Kindle hadn't died halfway through! Looking forward to reading more from Destiny Eve in the future.
The plot was great and I enjoyed seeing how things all tied into to each other as the story went on.
Interesting choice in "perspective" and "narration" throughout the story as it goes from present day to the past and back again, but it's easy to follow. I would have read this in one sitting if my Kindle hadn't died halfway through! Looking forward to reading more from Destiny Eve in the future.
August 26, 2023
Read in one night, finished at 3a.m. Those are the best books imo. This story carries TW of suicide, self harm, murder, and DV but it’s still my favorite read so far this year. The story grabs you right from the start and I’m still emotional about it.
October 31, 2024
Definitely had my heart racing at one point near the end where everything built up. Struggled with the characters love for Ian who was clearly dodgy from the start! But a sad example of childhood trauma and what can happen as a result.
Well written and enjoyable. Would recommend!
Well written and enjoyable. Would recommend!
January 13, 2025
This book was wholly unsatisfying for me. I wanted to love it and there parts that I did but there too many more parts that I greatly disliked. Destiny Eve writes well and she really fleshed out her characters which I always appreciate. But this was just not for me at all.
December 14, 2020
A great read for fans of any genre! Normally I prefer fantasy but the fast paced emotional story kept me hooked from page one.
December 17, 2020
Awesome read!
This kept my attention and all I wanted to do is find out what happened next. It was well written and worth the read.
This kept my attention and all I wanted to do is find out what happened next. It was well written and worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews