The Girl with the Broken Heart follows Kenzie Caine, a determined Vanderbilt University student pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian despite a serious heart condition and a family torn apart by tragedy.
Thrilled to escape a painful home life for the summer, Kenzie takes a job at Bellmeade Estate, caring for abused horses and helping in their rehabilitation. In the stables she finds purpose and peace, even as her health limits what she can do.
When she’s paired with the charming Austin Boyd to handle the more demanding tasks, a tentative friendship grows into something deeper. But Austin is hiding secrets of his own, and the truths he carries could shatter Kenzie’s fragile trust and expose painful realities about the people around her.
Lurlene McDaniel crafts an emotional contemporary young adult story about grief, first love, fragile health, and the healing power of animals. Readers who enjoy character-driven romance and heartfelt family drama will find a tender, affecting read.
- Contemporary young adult romance
- Themes of loss, resilience, and forgiveness
- Set in the world of horse rehabilitation and college life
