How to Excavate a Heart

De: Jake Maia Arlow

Narrado por: Hope Newhouse

Stonewall Honor author Jake Maia Arlow delivers a sapphic Jewish twist on the classic Christmas rom-com in a listen perfect for fans of Kelly Quindlen and Casey McQuiston.

It all starts when Shani runs into May. Like, literally. With her mom’s Subaru.

Attempted vehicular manslaughter was not part of Shani’s plan. She was supposed to be focusing on her monthlong paleoichthyology internship. She was going to spend all her time thinking about dead fish and not at all about how she was unceremoniously dumped days before winter break.

It could be going better.

But when a dog-walking gig puts her back in May’s path, the fossils she’s meant to be diligently studying are pushed to the side—along with the breakup.

Then they’re snowed in together on Christmas Eve. As things start to feel more serious, though, Shani’s hurt over her ex-girlfriend’s rejection comes rushing back. Is she ready to try a committed relationship again, or is she okay with this just being a passing winter fling?

©2022 Jake Maia Arlow (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

A Fun Read

This book was, overall, really fun and cute. It held my attention really nicely and I thought that the characters were lovable with the two main characters being, in my opinion, written well and definitely coming across as their age. I also loved the narrator and thought that they were perfect for this book! I definitely appreciated this book as a lighthearted, fun, and cosy love story.

A fun little lesbian romance with some heartbreak

and healing.
I enjoyed the banter between the leads a lot. They have that "old married couple" vibe of constantly bickering and teasing each other, but also getting more and more caring towards each other as they progress.
There are some dark spots, too. Shani has a lot of self hate and shame to work through, and goes a good chunk of the story being super down on herself, even about really terrible thing that other people have down to her that were in no way her own fault.
But the story isnt all doom and gloom and there is a pretty sweet resolution so dont worry to much about a depressing ending.

OMG the angst..

It didn't take me long to realize I was definitely not the audience for this book. I read lots of YA books that have a bit of angst in them but this one was soul crushing with the angst more than 3/4 of the book and I just about could take any more the main character was just so whiny. I get it she's young and she's trying to figure herself out and her path in life but come on nobody in the real life world has that much angst we're all damaged in our own way but that was just over the top.

Cute story - Spoilers and trigger warning

As a Gen xer.
This story was a bit young. However
As someone married to an Ace with sexual abuse trauma.
It was very eye opening. It was very well written and
The voice actress was very talented.