Lawrence Bub

Hearts and Bones by Lawrence D. Bub is an interesting coming-of-age-meets-present-self novel that pulled me in from the beginning. I enjoyed the alternating timelines. It made Maya’s journey genuine. The writing isn’t flashy, but it’s sincere, especially in the quiet moments when Maya recalls her mother as she was before everything happened. The book captures the strain of early adulthood so well, from hectic hospital shifts to the small, hopeful moments that keep her moving forward. Her relationship with Peter was my favorite part. They had a natural chemistry. If you adore a love story grounded in real-world struggles, this is the book for you.

Hearts and Bones is a novel of love, mental illness, and heartbreak that simmers with tension, discovery, and change... Libraries and readers seeking astute examinations of hope, fear, mental illness, and moving on will appreciate the finely tuned relationships that Maya develops in Hearts and Bones. The novel draws with emotional revelation, educates readers about mental illness’s impact on relationships, and immerses its audience with a heartfelt, close inspection of what that maturity looks like in relationship-building choices. Filled with moments of reflection and discovery, Hearts and Bones is especially highly recommended to readers who like their romances more contemplative and thought-provoking than most. It delves beneath the surface of possibility to consider the lasting impact of heartbreak and what it means to truly move on.

With Hearts and Bones, Lawrence D. Bub delivers a polished and well-rounded bildungsroman that touches upon several important topics. From institutional elitism, to sexist violence, to serious mental health issues and loss of loved ones, this novel doesn’t shy away from its at-times difficult subject matter. Even for those topics that aren’t given equal weight in the narrative—such as Maya’s sexual harassment at the hands of the entitled nepo-baby Conor—it reads as a natural, realistic bildungsroman; after all, we are rarely awarded definitive closure on anything in life.

In addition to this measured portrayal of mental illness, another key strength of Hearts and Bones is the complex relationship between Maya and Peter. At times sweet, sometimes strained, but always dynamic, the faithful portrayal of ups and downs of dating a person suffering from psychosis and depression forges a strong heart of the novel. While the rest of the cast is less dynamic compared to the two principal characters, they are colorful and compelling enough. From the creepy Conor, sexy and snobby Felix, and adorable wild-girl Olivia, to Maya’s deadbeat musician dad and loving mother Barbara, the cast makes the story expansive and well-rounded.

Hearts and Bones truly resonates with its emotional authenticity. Bub doesn’t rush Maya’s journey through grief and guilt. Instead, he lets the emotional truths unfold gradually, often in the quiet moments—late-night reflections, strained conversations, and the unspoken ache of regrets that refuse to fade. There’s pain here, yes, but also tenderness and resilience.

I was hooked from the very first page. Heart and Bones is a tender, character-driven story that explores love, loss, and the quiet ways people carry their grief. The author’s use of metaphor throughout the novel creates vivid, almost lyrical imagery, making the emotions feel deeply felt and intimate.

I really loved the writing style; it is gentle and thoughtful, allowing the story to unfold naturally while still packing an emotional punch. This was a beautiful yet heartbreaking read that stayed with me long after I finished the final page.

Keenly drawn characters headline this quietly absorbing tale of young love.