Hearts, Strings, and Other Unbreakable Things by Jacqueline Firkins

Reviewed by Nicole V.
Grade 10

Engaging debut Hearts, Strings and Other Breakable Things introduces the reader to the heroine, Edie Price. It had been seven years since she stepped into Mansfield, Massachusetts. Back then, her mother had a massive disagreement with her sister which left the family disunited. Edie pledged never to return again, until she broke that pledge and everything dramatically changed her life.

The novel opens with Edith “Edie” Price, a 17-years-old foster teen, struggling with the loss of her single mother three years ago. Edie is set to spend the last few months of her senior year with her wealthy aunt and uncle offering her a room, sending her to a private school with her cousins, and throwing a charity case party to introduce her to Mansfield society. Edie tries to fit in like her cousins, Maria and Julia, who obsessively care about fashion, parties and kissing boys while Edie cares about her education, writing music, reading classic literature and avoiding being in love. However, Edie is diverted by two love potential interests--the boy next door and the playboy. Sebastian, the boy next door and Edie’s childhood friend, quickly turns into a crush and both share literary references and same feelings for each other. Except...he has a girlfriend. Claire is gorgeous, popular and not fond of Edie. Edie senses that they aren’t a good match for each other when Claire's brother, Henry, a debonair and notorious player, gets really interested in Edie and starts flirting with her after Edie instantly rejects his action on her. When Edie’s with Sebastian, she feels like herself and knows that someone understands her situation, but as she continues to spend more time with Henry. She feels more honest and has a perfect and open connection with him, even joking around each other.


Jacqueline Firkins did an amazing job re-telling the story of Mansfield Park by transforming it from a countryside/Victorian time to a modernistic time. Although the book starts off complicated, it turns out to be heartwarming. Each individual character throughout the novel is entertaining, dramatically funny and self-controlled. For example: Edie’s conflicting relationship with her cousins can be difficult and annoying when they pressure her to do this and to do that with them, but in general they treat her like a “real” cousin rather than a mean friend. The writing overall is deftly written and contains lots of diction. Even though the plot deals with ups and downs, it was thrilling and interesting overall.

I would recommend this book because Edie's personality is unique, mature, and different from others with her superior intelligence, and she is not afraid to let her dream drop. Edie’s moral message to a young teenage girl is whatever you're striving or dreaming for, don’t let anything topple you down or let any boys distract your potential future. However, I would not recommend it to anyone younger than 13 because of its over-sexualization and deals with a lot of issues throughout the novel. I also suggest reading the original version, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen and see how both authors utilizes their characters in different time periods.