Heart On A Chain by Cindy C. Bennett

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (December 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1456492411
• ISBN-13: 978-1456492410

17-year-old Kate has lived her whole life in abject poverty, with an alcoholic father and drug-addicted mother, who severely abuses Kate. At school, her second-hand clothing marks her as a target. Her refusal to stand up for herself makes her the recipient of her classmates taunts and bullying. That is, until Henry returns. Henry Jamison moved away six years earlier, just as he and Kate had begun to develop feelings for one another. He returns to find the bright, funny, outgoing girl he had known now timidly hiding in corners, barely speaking to anyone around her, suspicious of even him. Kate can't figure out what game Henry is playing with her - for surely it is a game. What else would the gorgeous, popular boy from her past want with her? Kate finally decides to trust Henry's intentions, opening her heart to him. Just when it seems he might be genuine in his friendship, tragedy strikes, threatening everything Kate has worked so hard to gain. Can Henry help her to overcome this new devastation, or will it tear them apart forever?


A huge thank you to Cindy for sending this to me, I am so grateful.


Cover: Cute cover, the swing and necklace make sense after reading.


5/5 stars!  I loved the first Cindy C. Bennett book I read, Geek Girl I loved everything about it, so naturally I had high expectations with this book and boy were they met!  I am trying to be objective in this review but I can't because I just loved it SO much.  It's a beautiful, poignant book that captivated me from the very beginning.  
I really felt for Kate, she has a horrible home life but she still wasn't a whiny character (even though in that situation self pity would be justified) but rather strong even if she does get scared (but who wouldn't?).  
Henry is just perfect.  Cute.  Sweet. Protective.  Funny.  He doesn't tolerate how people bully Kate and sets out to stop it.
Their romance is sweet, and you really get the feeling that they're friends too which gives it a realistic feel.  
The main point of this book is that you care about the characters your reading. I couldn't put this book down because I was compelled to keep reading, so I read it in just one day.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA contemporary.  This has become one of my favourite books and I know I will re-read it over and over because it has a timeless feel to it for me.