Octobr 2025Book Buzz

Happy October, Neighbors!

Bring on all things spooky, cozy, pumpkin-y (it’s totally a word), and everything fall! This month, I had to go down a dark path with my book rec. (Because, October!) It’s gruesome, gnarly, bloody, dark and totally fascinating If you have a weak stomach, don’t like blood, corpses, or details of cutting-edge surgeries in the early 1800’s, this book is definitely not for you. 

But it was 100% for me. 

Friends, I bring you Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz. And before you go all Jill, this is definitely not a book for me, let’s all keep in mind that this book is a YA (Young Adult) read. So really, how bad could it be??

Let’s dive in! So we have Hazel, who is a lady. Or, at least she should be. She was brought up and raised to have manners and get married, but she is obsessed with the intricacies of the human body, and ALL she wants to do is become a surgeon. But in 1817, ladies are not surgeons. They are wives, mothers and high society members. 

Insert Jack. A resurrection man. He (illegally) digs up corpses (for a fee) and for the sole purpose of doctors, surgeons, and students to practice on. While Hazel is destined to be married to Bernard since childhood, she can’t pull herself away from her first love…her passion of surgical knowledge…and now, maybe Jack??

Hazel and Jack quickly get to know one another as they trespass into graveyards at night, try (and sometimes fail) to not get caught, and love blossoms as they sneak into practical demonstrations watching professors work on the cadavers. Super romantic, amiright?

The fun doesn’t have to stop there! Immortality: A Love Story is the second book in the series and equally as fascinating!

This book continues the story of Hazel's attempt at becoming a surgeon (which had me up into the wee hours of the morning) and while I feel as though a thorough review will give away so many spoilers, all I will say this—this sequel did not disappoint. I went from being elated and proud that Hazel had made a name for herself doing what she loves regardless of societal pressures, then heartbroken upon her unjust arrest and trial, to immense relief of being saved from her fate and sent to look after Princess Charlotte and her mysterious illness. 

And the emotions didn't stop there...she meets likeminded and determined peers that aim to make a difference in the world, Hazel finds out the truth about the immortality serum, and there's a famous and handsome doctor that, if it wasn't for her lingering feelings for Jack that never went away, I would have been WAY more excited for his pursuits of her...AND THEN THE ENDING! Gah!! I highly recommend this novel. You all just have to read it.

And now that you know, grab some apple cider, and cozy up for this deliciously dark read!
Happy reading!

Jill xoxo
@ThatShelfLove