Anatomy: A Love Story cover art

Anatomy: A Love Story

the must-read Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

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Anatomy: A Love Story

By: Dana Schwartz
Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison, Tim Campbell
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About this listen

 A Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club Pick!
INSTANT NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

'Dana Schwartz is one of the brightest of the next generation of young writers' NEIL GAIMAN

A gothic tale full of mystery and romance . . .

Edinburgh, 1817.

Hazel Sinnett is a lady who wants to be a surgeon more than she wants to marry.

Jack Currer is a resurrection man who's just trying to survive in a city where it's too easy to die.

When the two of them have a chance encounter outside the Edinburgh Anatomist's Society, Hazel thinks nothing of it at first. But after she gets kicked out of renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham's lectures for being the wrong gender, she realizes that her new acquaintance might be more helpful than she first thought. Because Hazel has made a deal with Dr. Beecham: if she can pass the medical examination on her own, Beecham will allow her to continue her medical career. Without official lessons, though, Hazel will need more than just her books - she'll need corpses to study.

Lucky that she's made the acquaintance of someone who digs them up for a living.

But Jack has his own problems: strange men have been seen skulking around cemeteries, his friends are disappearing off the streets, and the dreaded Roman Fever, which wiped out thousands a few years ago, is back with a vengeance. Nobody important cares - until Hazel.

Now, Hazel and Jack must work together to uncover the secrets buried not just in unmarked graves, but in the very heart of Edinburgh society.

Praise for Anatomy:

'Lionhearted heroine you'll root for from page one? Check. Dark academia vibes? Check. Cheeky romantic banter that will make you blush? Check, check and CHECK. Read this gripping, ridiculously clever tale only if you're fully prepared to be haunted by its revelations about life and death while also swooning at the idea of flirting with someone in an open grave' Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of You Have a Match and Tweet Cute

'A fast-paced, utterly engrossing tale of mystery, romance, and cadavers...I grinned, I gasped, I cried and ended this book breathless and craving more' Alwyn Hamilton, New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel of the Sands series

'Diabolically delightful. A love story, a murder mystery, and a horror novel bound up together in ghoulish stitches' Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Truly Devious trilogy

'Schwartz's magical novel is at once gripping and tender, and the intricate plot is engrossing as the reader tries to solve the mystery' Booklist (starred review)©2021 Sidley Park LLC Fantasy Historical Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Paranormal Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Fiction Scotland Surgery

Critic reviews

Irreverent, intelligent and smart, Dana Schwartz is one of the brightest of the next generation of young writers (Neil Gaiman, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author)
Lionhearted heroine you'll root for from page one? Check. Dark academia vibes? Check. Cheeky romantic banter that will make you blush? Check, check and CHECK. Read this gripping, ridiculously clever tale only if you're fully prepared to be haunted by its revelations about life and death while also swooning at the idea of flirting with someone in an open grave (Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author)
A fast-paced, utterly engrossing tale of mystery, romance, and cadavers...I grinned, I gasped, I cried and ended this book breathless and craving more (Alwyn Hamilton, New York Times bestselling author)
Diabolically delightful. A love story, a murder mystery, and a horror novel bound up together in ghoulish stitches (Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author)
Schwartz's magical novel is at once gripping and tender, and the intricate plot is engrossing as the reader tries to solve the mystery. She doesn't miss a beat in either the characterization or action, scattering clues with a delicate, precise hand. This is, in the end, the story of the anatomy of the human heart
...an intimate look at how society decides who is worth healing and who is worth exploiting in the name of science
All stars
Most relevant
loved it, loved the history of Old Edinburgh , helped me to get a full picture in my mind especially after visiting the city below ground.

Brought Old Edinburgh to life

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was good, a bit boring at times but the story was ok I suppose

was good bit long winded though

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Love the historic references, really good story. And the performed is excellent. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes YA historical romance.

Great book, amazing performance

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This had a lot going for it at first, a rich historical setting, an intriguing premise, and the promise of a dark, romantic, gothic-leaning story. Unfortunately, it never quite lived up to that potential for me.

The biggest issue was the pacing. The opening felt very slow, with long stretches where not much seemed to happen beyond scene-setting. While I appreciated the atmosphere and detail, it took too long for the plot to really find momentum.

The middle section was where the book truly shined. Once the story leaned into the medical mystery elements and Hazel’s determination, it became much more engaging. The stakes felt real, the themes around gender and ambition were compelling, and I found myself genuinely invested.

Sadly, the ending didn’t stick the landing. It felt rushed and a bit underwhelming compared to the buildup, with some plot threads resolving too conveniently and the emotional payoff not quite hitting as strongly as I’d hoped.

Overall, this was a book with a fantastic concept and moments of real promise, but uneven pacing and a disappointing conclusion kept it from fully delivering.

Good concept, mediocre execution

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It easily transported you back in time, yet it felt relevant. It felt effortless to see Edinburgh in that age.
It’s clear that when some boundaries start to be blurred, how quickly they disappear.
Great story of female grit, love and betrayal.
Well done!

Brilliant book

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