Despite not being a huge fan of reading about teens and also people in the past, the premise hooked me and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. There is plenty of female empowerment in Hazel Sinnett, our lead, and it was fun watching her develop in both the field of anatomy and in her relationships with Jack and her family.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz was one of those books that I just devoured. I listened to this one on audiobook and I didn’t want to stop. The narrators brought this book to life for me. It was so well executed and the story was so beautiful!
I don’t know how I couldn’t fall in love with a character that has so much hope and belief in making her dreams come true. Hazel was so young, but so strong and determined. And Jack! What a beautiful souls he was. This is an unconventional(in my opinion)love story at its core and I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for an honest review.

Most times, when I hear a book is historical fiction, I will leave it right on the shelf. But this time, I just couldn’t. There were so many “me” things that have come up in this book. The grave robbers thing. And then the romance part. And ugh it just sounded so good. So I gave it a shot. And I was correct. It was a me book.

Hazel is a woman who wants to be a surgeon. In the 1800’s. All the men in her life have told her not to even dream of it, but she knows she can do it. Jack is a resurrection man (grave robber). They meet when Hazel is kicked out of the famous Dr. Beecham’s lecture because she’s a girl. She gets in touch with him again to see if he can help her out. Add on to this the fact that Hazel has to try to stay involved in society and make sure her (hopeful) husband to be is happy. What can go wrong?

Normally I don’t like historical fiction because I don’t find myself enjoying them. I look too much into the events or things they’re talking about and I have to do research into them. I of course also did this with this book too. But it was on the resurrection men. I didn’t know they were a real thing. (Whatever lol) But I found out this was a large thing. I was able to learn a lot from this book. It was pretty cool to see Hazel taking charge of her interests and doing whatever it is she wanted. Hazel was a boss and I loved getting to know her character.

As for Jack, he seemed super quiet. But it was obvious he was into Hazel. I was cheering for them from the beginning. Which was weird because there was already someone that Hazel was supposed to be with? I ended up hating them. (You’ll understand why when you read it!) I also was super scared for Jack. He was so sweet and trusting. It opened him up to so many bad things.

The plot was what I didn’t care for about this one tho. There was WAY TOO MUCH going on. There was a mystery on who the men that were coming for the bodies were. Then there was the mystery on the missing people. There was the romance between the person she was supposed to marry. The budding relationship with Hazel and Jack. Jack’s POV with getting the bodies and getting the money for them. It was a lot. I know it was setting the tone for the 1800’s, but listening to this as an audiobook made it hard to keep some things together.

The ending tho? EPIC. I knew where it was going at a certain point, and I got a bit upset. But then once I finally read it, I had to go back and re-listen. It was so sweet. I hated that it meant that it was separate, but I was also happy that it all came together. Definitely wasn’t what I thought it would end on, but it was amazing nonetheless.

This ends on an “opening” for a sequel. If not a sequel, more like a companion. Especially on this person’s next location. I think it would be cool to see. So Schwartz, here’s my formal ask for another lol Let’s see what she decides!

I was excited for this one because it sounded like it would be something along the lines of stalking Jack the Ripper, which I loved. This one was only okay for me though. It was too slow, the plot dragging for the first half of the book. I liked the main character and thought she was well done but the romance of the story didn't draw me in at all. Overall it was just an okay read for me.

I suppose I should have expected it to be romantic from the title. I thought it would be more focused on the mystery and the darkness. I didn't find the writing to be florid and overly gothic so I was mildly disappointed. The characters were enjoyable enough, though I wish there had been more punch to the reveal.

I love a good historical fiction with a dash of fantasy, mystery, and romance. When I saw this cover and read the synopsis I knew it was my cup of tea. Unfortunately, that said tea ended up leaving a bad aftertaste. It’s a quick read with a lot of potential, but sadly I didn’t end up enjoying it as much as I’d hoped.

This book started off so strong. The main character, Hazel, wants to defy gender and societal norms of the time by going to medical school and having a career. She’s curious, eager to learn, and smart. She’s also privileged compared to the love interest, Jack. That’s an interesting dynamic because in a lot of historical fiction, either the woman is less privileged, or they’re equals. This is not the case here.

The class divides actually play a prominent role, as it becomes clear that those who are privileged don’t consider the poor or working classes to be human. That’s some powerful discourse, and I 100% supported the commentary that the rich consider everyone else as less than. It also offers commentary on gender, and how women are viewed as useless and stupid. Annoying save for how pretty they are. The book is good at being blunt about these topics.

The book is eerie and dark, with literal fog rolling in as the villains stalk their prey. (Or am I remembering that wrong)? The fantasy element is actually really intriguing and I liked the way it unfolded, though it wouldn’t have hurt if there was more of it. It added to the dark tone, and allowed for later events in the book to be truly horrific.

Where the book falters is mainly in its ending. I saw the ending coming once we got to the climax but I was hoping I was wrong. Turns out I wasn’t, and the book took a sharp turn. I’ve spoken with a friend about this book, and she feels the same. We both LOVED the beginning, but struggled with it as it went on. Largely because the romance feels flat, and because Hazel’s decisions become increasingly frustrating. Morals were a constant thought running through my mind when reading this book, because even Hazel sometimes gets a little fuzzy on where the line is. It also felt unrealistic that she would’ve been able to accomplish what she does.

I don’t want to make anyone feel like they shouldn’t give this book a chance, or like they shouldn’t enjoy it. I just personally feel that there are much better books out there that are very similar stories at their core (Stalking Jack the Ripper, anyone?). A lot of readers are raving about this book on Instagram in particular, so I might be in the minority here. But even now, despite having read it back in October 2021, I’m still wavering between a 1.5 and 2 star rating.

Well rip my heart out why don’t you!

Hazel Sinnett wants to be a surgeon but it’s 1817 Edinburgh so no one takes her seriously. She finds out about a medical class being held at the Anatomist’s society and decides she must attend. While outside, she meets Jack Currer, a redirection man, tasked with supplying bodies to the medical theater. Together, they discover a nefarious plot masked as the Roman fever and work together to find the culprit. Along the way, they fall in love and realize there is no one else for each other.

This book was absolutely mesmerizing. In a world where there is so much YA historical fiction, this stands out as a unique take on a decidedly tired trope, the girl in Victorian era wanting to be a doctor. Dana Schwartz has created an immersive universe with vivid and beautiful language and a story enticing to even the most reluctant reader.

Amazing! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy to review

The cover of this book was what drew me at first, so whomever did the cover art deserves major kudos as it's eye-catching and unlike so many of the other YA covers at the moment.

The story was also an excellent lure as well. A historical fiction where the protagonist is denied the use of her intelligence simply because she's a female, and then how she sets about correcting that ignorant opinion. Give it a gothic twist, an interesting romantic counterpart in a resurrectionist man, a mysterious disease ripping across Edinburgh and you've got quite the tale.

It went slowly at first and things were pretty easily deciphered as far as the mystery went. The ending felt a bit abrupt and I'm hoping there's more coming because it felt somewhat unfinished, or at least as if the author has more to say.

Twitter has been abuzz over ANATOMY: A LOVE STORY by Dana Schwartz, so I was beyond thrilled when NetGalley gave me the opportunity to read an e-ARC.

From the beginning, I was immediately drawn to Hazel's character--fascinated by her excitement over a dead frog. I definitely connected with her faster than I did with Jack. She is an extremely sympathetic character (seriously wanted to knock some sense into her mother) with dreams of becoming a physician that place you firmly on her team right from the beginning. Despite the story taking place in 1817, the career-related setbacks and disappointments are all too relatable as Hazel faces challenges that many women still face today. It was a stroke of genius for the stakes to impact not just Hazel but any woman who might have interest in becoming a physician one day. The informational excerpts and letters in between chapters were integrated nicely and really enjoyable.

While I enjoyed the story and found it compelling, something about the language and writing itself made it obvious the author is American. I found myself having to suspend disbelief with regards to the setting being Edinburgh because the story felt like it could have been transplanted into somewhere in the US and somehow be more believable. The pacing and character development--especially with Jack--seemed a bit uneven, and there consequences for conflicts did not seem as severe as they could have been. Things resolved towards the end a bit too easily and neatly for my liking. Ultimately, I feel like maybe ANATOMY received a little too much hype. Perhaps my experience with the story would have been different if my expectations had not been so high.

That being said, ANATOMY is still a wonderful story with a modern heroine you will cheer for. This feminist story is bound to resonate with readers.

It took me some time to decide how I feel about ANATOMY (after finishing it in 2-3 days). For seven days, my mind ran over and over the ending, the plot, the relationships, the foreshadowing, the main character. Only for me to realize THAT was my answer. I spent days haunted by this book and the root of my dissatisfaction was wanting MORE of the story.

I was instantly laughing from the first page, and while the main character reads a little young at first, her fire and determination and pure disregard for societal rule had me LITERALLY feisty while I was reading it. My responses were hilariously snappy and particularly feminist that week :)

Perhaps, what most caused my extended reflection — and is my favorite part of the book — is the elegantly subtle embodiment of the title in the story itself. While the title may feel overstated or obvious, the way it threads through the story and directs it is understated. It leaves so much room to interpret the true connection and meaning for yourself -- again and again, with a new theory forming every time.

She’ll mislead you. She’ll fire you up. She’ll make you angry squint (and possibly ugly cry). She’ll haunt you, my friends.

(And cause you to shout at strangers at the bookstore, you’ve been warned)

I really enjoyed this book. The pacing was spot on, and I loved the character's depths and how they interacted with everyone. It was such a fast, fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in a great story for a while! It was such a unique concept, and it was executed really well.

Let me start by saying I love gothic horror, but I’m not 100% sure I enjoy gothic horror as YA at this point. I requested this awhile ago before I actually committed myself to reading the Stalking Jack the Ripper series and had I done that first, I don’t think I would have requested the ARC of this book because I didn’t enjoy that series as much as I seriously thought I would despite my love of gothic horror. The two were kind of similar in regards to the general plot with the main character being from a prominent family and hoping to enter a field of study not open to women and generally morbid. I love gothic horror, so I just don’t understand what about this YA aspect doesn’t work for me. Maybe I need my characters to be older and more afraid to make waves and yet still have to think about things like money when she does?

Still, I did enjoy Anatomy: A Love Story and wouldn’t actually categorize it as much of a romance at all. The story did not linger too much on any romance for very long. It was mostly Hazel’s POV and her drive to learn and attend classes about surgery. She was kind to the staff, she wasn’t into the limitations of her time period and attending parties, and she was stubborn. Jack had a few POV chapters and he was a likable guy who dug bodies for the surgical doctors in his spare time as well as worked at a theatre. He just wanted to survive and wasn’t afraid to get a little dirty to make money. He didn’t initially fall all over Hazel, either, and they both were simply curious about each other and then slowly got to know each other.

I did think the ending was actually pretty realistic and good.. not a super outrageously inaccurate way to wrap up a story set in this time. Overall, I liked the story and I think I just wanted more.. more details, backstory, and development of the rest of the characters and their motivations.

Anatomy was an interesting gothic tale and one I recommend to fans of YA, gothic time periods, and historical fiction.

*3.5

Anatomy was a fun read. It follows Hazel Sinnet, a young girl who wants nothing more than to become a surgeon in a time when women weren’t allowed. It also follows Jack, a resurrection man.

I felt no chemistry between the main characters and did not believe at any moment that they were in love. There were also a few characters that could have been left out and the story would have been the same.

While not wholly original, it had an intriguing story. The mystery and plot twist were predictable, but it didn’t bother me too much. I still don’t know how to feel about the ending. While it was different, it felt rushed and I feel it needed at least a few more pages.

If you are looking for a gothic fiction with a dash of mystery and romance, I definitely recommend this to you.
In this wonderful story, we have Hazel, a wonderfully independent woman, seeking to take her medical exams and become a surgeon. When she is denied the access to join lectures to study dur to being a woman, Hazel makes a deal with a Dr. Beecham that if she passes her medical exam, she can enroll into the university. But how does Hazel study if she can't go to lectures?
Cue: Jack, a resurrection man who digs up and sells dead bodies for a living, that Hazel meets on a chance encounter.
Cue: Adventure, Mystery, Romance, and more!

I really fell in love with this story and the main character, Hazel, because of her journey in learning and trying to 'make it' in a male-dominated world. As someone who is about to start law school and join a still heavily male-dominated industry (even though it isn't 1817 anymore), I often struggle with being taken seriously and questioning my abilities. While the title and synopsis make it as though this story will be a romance/mystery, I found it also as a story surrounding loving yourself and pursuing your goals no matter what (and finding love along the way). In the end, it's about what is in your own heart that counts.

~ Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review! ~

'What were miracles, but science that man didn't yet understand? And didn't that make it all the more miraculous that the secrets of the universe were out there, codes one might decipher if smart enough, tenacious enough?'

This was such a gruesome delight. It really made me realize I'm a YA historical fiction hoe, especially when it comes with a bit of mystery. Dreamland Burning, The Arsonist, All These Bodies, The Gilded Wolves, The Secret Life of Bees, and now this!! How had I convinced myself I didn't like historical? I think it's because I still really don't enjoy adult historical fiction. But YA, wow, that's good stuff.

I really loved this book, and my enjoyment was heightened even further by the stellar audiobook. Seriously. If you have a chance to listen to it, DO IT!! The narrators have the proper accents and it just makes the story come even more to life and helps the humor hit even harder.

I was starting to worry that I was falling out of love with YA, and while that may be true for some subgenres/tropes/clichés, it is most certainly not true about the entire age category.

This book worked for me for a multitude of reasons—the Scottish banter, the complex protagonist Hazel who's determined to prove herself in a man's world and become a surgeon, the macabre, the plot twist, the world, the pacing, everything!! I loved this book and think it's a very unique YA and would recommend it to anyone intrigued by the synopsis. I really think it delivers.

This was quite the book.

In Anatomy, by Dana Schwartz, our protagonist Hazel, a genteel young lady, has very unusual aspirations. Forget marriage. Hazel longs to become the first female surgeon in a world dominated by men. Although she is not allowed to take classes at the Edinburgh Anatomists Society, she strikes a bargain with the illustrious Dr. Beecham for the opportunity to sit for the physician's exam. Hazel befriends Jack Currer, a young body snatcher, who agrees to procure her corpses for her to study as she prepares to take the exam.

I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book–but at the very end, it took a turn into the magical and fantastical that I didn’t expect and, for me at least, took away from the overall impact of the story. I would have preferred it to stay within the realm of the possible if not probable.

It’s written for a YA audience, which is almost important to remember, since I’m not the exact demographic, so maybe teens would be more willing or able to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the admittedly well-crafted ending

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

“My heart is yours, Hazel Sinnett," Jack said. "Forever. Beating or still.”

Anatomy is a brilliant historical fantasy that I enjoyed reading so much. Although I struggled a bit at the beginning, the writing was smooth and the description of the scenes was vivid, which made me continue reading until I reached the last page in one sitting.

We follow the 17-years-old “Hazel” who wants to become a Surgeon at any cost in a world where Surgeons have a reputation of being more like butchers- Not the dream of a typical girl from Edinburgh, Scotland in the 19th century. She meets with Jack, who is a gravedigger that provides dead bodies for surgeons who wish to find more about the plague by studying corpses.

I loved the story as a whole, but the chemistry between Hazel and Jack was addicting and well-written.

Overall I recommend this book to fans of historical fantasy.

A historically accurate fantasy book set in 1800's Scotland, and its a romance?? This book's blurb had me sold almost immediately. I am happy to report that after finishing this book, it seems it did live up to its expectations (for the most part). Dana told this story with so much attention to detail. The gothic vibes were immaculate. I do have to say that the romance definitely took a backseat. The story was wonderful and mysterious with lots of twists and turns but the romance didn't really kick in till around the middle of the book. It didn't make the book any less enjoyable, but the title implies that the driving force of the plot would be romantic when that's not really the case. Nevertheless, I really liked this story. Hazel was such a likeable heroine; smart, headstrong and passionate. The ambiance was interesting and the writing style struck a nice balance between descriptive and poetic.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me this ARC!

There is nothing interesting about this book. I don't know why it's called a "love story". The romance doesn't even start to happen until half way through the book. Maybe the title is in reference to something else. It is well-written, the story just wasn't for me. If you like Stalking Jack the Ripper, you might like this.

I adored this feminist, gothic story! It's historical and set in Scotland, which makes it even more enjoyable! I love Hazel and how she is determined to be a surgeon, no matter what anyone else thinks. She's smart and strong willed and definitely someone you can root for. It's a love story, but not too much. It's a sweet and gentle love which leaves you wanting more. There's also mystery and murder. It's just an all around wonderful book!