Spanning multiple years, Open Heart is a beautifully-written and moving coming-of-age story set in 1970s Arizona. Gene discovers the meaning and complexity of life as he copes with the loss of his renowned anesthesiologist father, experiences his first heartbreak, and ultimately explores who he is as a young man. These different storylines intersect seamlessly to create a compelling and thought-provoking plot that effectively blends elements of historical fiction, literary fiction, and romance. Although I initially struggled to connect with Gene’s character because of his immature mindset, I appreciated the ways in which his character developed, making him highly relatable by the end of the novel. This heartfelt book brought back the tornado of feelings I experienced as an adolescent and young adult almost as if I was falling into the arms of an old friend.