This was such a wonderful read! I'm such a big fan of Dana Schwartz' podcast, so I'll admit to having a pre-existing bias, but I'm also a huge fan of historical stories with complex women having to deal with misogyny so really, this book was made for me. I had such a good time with this one and Hazel is easily one of my favorite female protagonists that I've read all year!

In a world where women aren’t suppose to be surgeons, Hazel Sinnett will do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true. Throw in a dashing grave robber, or as he likes to refer to himself a “resurrection man” and a mystery of dead bodies and missing parts and a dash of romance and what we get is a gothic story of mystery and romance. Hazel Sinnett has always dreamed about being a surgeon, it’s all she’s ever wanted. Jack Currer is a resurrection man just trying to get by day to day. They run into each other when Hazel dresses up as a man to attend the lecture of a renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham, whom Jack provides bodies for. Hazel is kicked banned from the lectures but Dr. Beecham offer’s her a deal, if she passes the medical examination on her own he will allow her to continue her education and help her in her career. Without official lessons, Hazel will have to find a way to study dead bodies... and the perfect person to help her is Jack. But Jack is dealing with his own issues, more of his friends are disappearing and with a sickness wiping out thousands of people, Jack needs to find a way to make a living... and Hazel just might help him. Soon both Hazel and Jack find themselves digging up graves together, spending time together, and seeing that they just might be exactly what the other needs. They have a mystery to solve that runs far darker than either could imagine, and the impossible romance between them since not only does class separate them but Hazel already has a fiancee (who she’s been engaged too since she was a child and doesn’t exactly like). This was a beautiful story and I really did enjoy it. I loved the slow progression of romance between Hazel and Jack and the small moments that made their relationship sweet. I do adore a gothic romance story with a splash of mystery! Hazel was a great protagonist, she knows what she wants and is going to great lengths to achieve her dreams. Go read this story if you’re looking for a good gothic romance with mystery elements!

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

“𝗧𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵.”

If you loved 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 then you will definitely love 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗬: 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬.

“𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝘀.”

Edinburgh, 1817.

The opening scene featuring two men, knee deep in a graveyard, cracking open a coffin to remove a body.

Please. Say no more.

She lifts a dead frog from the pavement and carefully places it in her dress. A storm is coming and it’s perfect for the re-animation that she has in mind. If only she knew what metal to use to get the frogs legs to move.

Hazel dreams of being a surgeon. She’s read Dr. Beecham’s Treatise on Anatomy so many times that the pages have worn thin in places. Other little girls might be concerning themselves with their weddings, but Hazel has other plans and nothing will get in her way.

There’s an anatomy seminar that is set to take place in town. After trying to convince her betrothed to go with her, she decides that she will just have to quietly slip out of the house. After all, her mother barely notices her, too consumed with her grief and the health of Hazel’s younger brother.

If you love:
Gothic fiction
Historical fiction
Victorian surgery
Romance
Strong female characters

YOU NEED TO GET THIS ONE. I already have my copy preordered!

Thank you to Wednesday Books for my ARC copy!

Holy moly this book was REALLY good. As a female pre-med fascinated with anatomy, I loved the premise of this book. I felt as though Hazel's journey as a desiring physician was balanced well with the mystery and romance aspects. I felt myself rooting for Hazel and rooting for Jack and rooting for them to be together. The historical aspect was very fun, as it highlighted gender roles that still exist today. I can't wait to talk to people about the plot twist of this book because my jaw literally DROPPED. I would 100% recommend this book and I can't wait to buy a physical copy.

This ARC was provided by Wednesday Books, and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

"How were they all so content? How did the rich so easily dismiss the chaos and terror that were happening within their city?" –Dana Schwartz, Anatomy: A Lovestory

Anatomy: A Lovestory is–well–exactly that. For once, there's truth in advertising. Hazel Sinnett is a brilliant surgeon-to-be in Victorian Edinburgh who needs to overcome the sexism and social conventions of the day to pass her medical exam and settle into a purpose greater than the man she's meant to marry. Helping her along the way is Jack Currer, a resurrection man–a polite moniker for a grave robber–who helps supply Hazel with fresh bodies for examination while unravelling the mystery of his disappearing colleagues. Familial-impersonations, a mysterious sickness, and Frankenstein-tinged hijinks ensue across Edinburgh as the pair endeavour to break away from the social positions they were cast in.

Reminiscent of other modern Victorian novels like Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell the historical setting and mood is as much a character as anyone in the main cast. Dana Schwartz, unsurprisingly given her research-heavy podcasting work, absolutely captures the vibe of a grimy Edinburgh caught in the past and shuddering toward modernity. Her Edinburgh has a lived-in feeling, raising it above the poorly etched backdrops that usually act as a stand-in for a historical city. Without spending pages delivering an encyclopedic account of the Scottish capital in the 19th century, the sense of gloom and English-adjacent society come through with every brief description and line. It's cheesy and trite to comment on how a book "transports readers back in time," but aside from the modern sensibilities of the writing, Schwartz's Edinburgh shares comfortable company with descriptions of Dickensian London.

Hazel and Jack balance being compelling characters in their own right and even better together. Hazel, in particular, is a delight to follow, whether she's navigating the gory innards of a cadaver or the equally gory inner workings of Scottish high-society. She's headstrong about her dreams of becoming a surgeon without ever getting a Terminator-level of singlemindedness that would make her seem too mechanical in servicing the plot. I'd still call it obsessive, but in a human way that many of us have experienced. You can understand why she wouldn't be content with performing as the doting wife of an aristocrat, and it makes readers invested in her journey to medical accreditation.

Jack, in comparison, plays second fiddle–not that it's a bad thing–and he does it well. Young Mr. Currer is the sad emo boy pining and sketching by his locker for the first third of the novel, but once Hazel stumbles into his life, he finds there's more to do than stare longingly at unrequited love. One of my favourite things about Jack comes down to what he's not–namely, a roguish scamp. Too often, the young man with a heart of gold working outside of the law falls into the scoundrel archetype like another play on Han Solo. I'm a sucker for this sort of character, but it's refreshing for Schwartz to make her male lead bristly in a different sort of way.

In terms of romantic gothic historical fiction, Anatomy leans more on the historical aspect of the novel rather than the romance. The relationship between Hazel and Jack–which pretty much anyone could call once the resurrection man is brought into the story–never really takes the spotlight away from Hazel's burgeoning medical education. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, plenty of fiction tacks on a romantic subplot, and in Anatomy there's a far better balance– but it's good for readers to know what they're in for. If Mary Shelley, the Bronte sisters, and a dash of Twelfth Night sounds up your alley, then pick up Anatomy: A Lovestory , and hopefully, a sequel will be on its way.

Source of book: NetGalley (thank you!)
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.

This is intriguingly odd. As we have comprehensively established I’m not a big YA-reader so I’m often find myself trying to adjust for genre because, and this could say more about the YA books I happen to read than whatever is happening with the young people, YA is … like out there. Contrary to nearly every YA I’ve read in recent times, the romantic lead of Anatomy: A Love Story is NOT a mass murderer. He just exhumes the bodies of the recently deceased to sell them.

Although to be fair, that’s due to economic necessity. And he’s otherwise a pretty nice guy who spends most of the book being supportive to the heroine. In some ways, I’m even a little envious. I mean, if you write historical romantic aimed at adults the hero literally has to be a duke.

In any case, this is story of Hazel Sinnett, a gently born young lady who wants to be a surgeon. I mean, God knows why because surgery in the early 1800s was bloody (no pun intended) awful. In any case, that’s her ambition and she’s determined to achieve it, sneaking into anatomy presentations and disguising herself as a boy to attend classes—a ruse that ultimately goes wrong and gets her banned. At least until the famous surgeon, Dr Beecham, offers her an opportunity: if she can successfully pass the surgeon’s exam without formal teaching, he’ll allow her to study and allow other women to study too. Of course, to pass the exam, Hazel will need bodies to, um, practice on? Enter Jack.

And, y’know what they say, the only thing more romantic than a man who will help you bury bodies is a man who’ll help you dig ‘em up in the first place.

That summary barely scrapes the surface of what’s going on in this book. Alongside Hazel’s wager with Dr Beecham, there’s her romance arc with Jack, there’s her engagement to a Viscount, and the fact her parents conveniently leave she turns her family home into a makeshift hospital. There’s also a mysterious fever sweeping the city and mysterious disappearances amongst the lower classes, whereas the upper classes seem to be undergoing ever more outlandishly successful surgeries. It’s kind of like a Regency Repo!The Genetic Opera. Except less utterly bobbins.

With so much happening, it’s not surprising certain elements of the story are not as well developed as I might have hoped for. Jack, for instance, is definitely a swell guy but he has no personality except “is poor, steals bodies, supportive of Hazel.” And maybe that’s all he needs to be but it did make their romance feel a little bit flat to me. I liked Hazel but she, too, is mainly defined by her ambition which … I mean? That’s fine. She has a few moments of doubt when someone in a position of authority actively yells at her but mostly she’s unwavering resolute—making her admirable, more than I think she’s necessarily relatable. Again, I’m not saying this a problem. There shouldn’t be rules for what a heroine needs to be like and I kind of found her lack of vulnerability, plus her morbid fascination with the interiority of bodies, refreshing. And for those who relish a hefty dose of competence, porn you certainly can’t go wrong with Hazel.

Oh my God. She’s basically Anya Taylor-Joy from The Queen’s Gambit. Except, instead of playing chess, she likes cutting up dead people.

Speaking of dead people, there’s also the oddest moment I think I’ve ever read in a romantic subplot where Hazel and Jack go to steal a body for her, exhume a disgustingly mutilated corpse with, like, maggots in his toes, are then nearly caught so … they hide in the grave, and once the danger has passed start making out. Like, they make out so long that a priest WAKES THEM UP THE NEXT MORNING.

And they are in a grave. Amongst the worms. With a hideously mutilated body just lying on the grass a few feet away. I know danger boners are a thing in but … ye Gods. Kids today. Or rather kids in the 1800s. Fair play to both of them, I guess?

The hideously mutilated corpse, by the way is another of the waysided plot elements. In the sense its significance becomes apparent later, but neither Jack nor Hazel seem remotely interested in it when they actually encounter it. Again, I realise my values and priorities are way out of whack with the book in general, given my personal discomfort with in-grave sexytimes, but neither one of them at any point remarks, “hey, what was the deal with that hideously mutilated corpse we left just lying in the middle of that graveyard?”

I also felt that, while the plot was twisty and exciting, especially in the final third, that there ends up being a bit of a bait and switch. I don’t want to pick over too much because of spoilers, but essentially the thing we’re told to be interested in at the beginning of the book does not remotely get resolved by the end. Something else, arguably more important and dramatic, is resolved instead but I still found myself a bit frustrated that I’d been asked to care about something that became ultimately irrelevant.

In general, though, there’s lots to appreciate here: I loved the Edinburgh setting, the enthusiastically gross focus on surgery and anatomy, the faintly gothic undertones, the breakneck plotting, and the on-going examination of intersectional privilege. Recommended to anyone who fancies an unusual historical-set YA where the hero isn’t an absolute psychopath for once.

PS – Also, sorry to be this dick because I sincerely try to be open-minded about historical “accuracy” not least because insistence of particular ideas of what historical accuracy entails is often a way for the genre to police stories by marginalised authors. Basically, I’m cool with a modern-flavour to dialogue or with books set in the past having modern values (we are, after all, modern readers) and I’m even cool with elements of the setting being adjusted for thematic resonance or plot necessity (I mean, Reputation is full of well-bred Regency ladies sneaking away from their chaperones to talk loudly about sex while drinking wine and smokes opiates). But I just have to say: there are multiple references to large, unwieldy crinolines in this book and the book is set in 1817. And in 1817 the silhouette was basically a triangle. Extremely high bosom and consequently high waist, long straight gown, heavily embroidered hem. And maybe I’m being ungenerous here, but this didn’t feel like a deliberate adjustment to period norms for a specific narrative reason. It felt … uh. Unnecessary.

A gothic, feminist, and at times macabre Regency-era love story, between an ambitious young woman fighting against societal restrictions to become a surgeon and a man who survives by stealing dead bodies to sell to the medical school. Anatomy: A Love Story checked many boxes regarding what I enjoy in historical fiction, such as strong world-building and highly atmospheric depictions, well-researched historical details, compelling characters, and a unique concept. I also love stories about intelligent, brave women breaking free from confining roles, and this tale, with dark academia vibes set against the backdrop of ghoulish, medical history, delivers on that count as well. Hazel is a compelling heroine, and Jack is such a sweet and solid love interest that I found this one hard to put down. I would have liked the ending fleshed out a bit more, but perhaps a sequel is coming that goes into more detail. And I am utterly obsessed with the cover! It is clever and gorgeous. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Such a strange book! It goes through most of the book as a basic historical fiction book about a young woman in the 1800’s who wants to be a surgeon, with a little bit of romance involved. It ended as a sci-fi/fantasy novel? And I mean at the tail end. The writing was fine, although the opening scene wasn’t the best. The main character was pretty likeable, although not very realistic about the ways of the world and possible difficulties becoming a female surgeon at that time. I wished there was a bit more of the romance. It seemed like a side part of the story for most of it.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

"Anatomy: A Love Story" is a feminist gothic historical romance that truly delivers. At first glance, there's everything to love about this novel -- a stunning cover, engaging title and an intriguing description to match.
The novel follows Hazel Sinnett, a determined, yet privileged young woman who wants nothing more than to be a surgeon. This, of course, is in contradiction of 1800s social norms that think her only purpose is to marry a nobleman she's been "engaged to since birth," raise children and attend social events. Hazel sets out to crawl her way into the field by posing as a man to attend classes to become a surgeon. Along the way, she meets the struggling Jack Currer, a resurrectionist who digs up graves and sells the bodies to medical facilities for studies. Hazel enlists Jack's services so she can study and their professional relationship soon evolves into something much more. But their romance isn't the focus. In fact, it doesn't start until about halfway through the novel and it really is out shadowed by the raging Roman plague and a mysterious force that seems to be abducting the city's lower-class population and returning them maimed. In short, there's quite a lot going on in this novel!
"Anatomy" is beautiful and immersive. It's dark, mysterious and tinged with classical Gothic elements. Our heroine, Hazel, is so wonderfully determined and real, as is her counterpart, Jack. Author Dana Schwartz does a tremendous job of creating complex characters and arcs in this relatively fast-paced read. The ending comes quick, but it fits so well into the book and leaves me hoping for a sequel.

Anatomy: A Love Story is a story carved straight out of the darkest corners of 1800s Scotland. If you enjoyed The Corpse Queen by Heather Herrman, then believe me when I say you’ll love this one. We follow mostly the perspective of Hazel, a girl who wishes to be a surgeon in a world where the wishes of women are often denied. We also get to see a little bit from Jack’s perspective, who’s a resurrection man and also works in a theater.

Sometimes, I’d see sparks of writing genius. That ending that I can’t seem to shut up about? An absolutely brilliant piece of writing. Other times, this book felt so incredibly juvenile. We’d gloss over important details because apparently everything fell right into place for Hazel but then some random thing would come up that we’d spend more time on. I think this story was unsure if it wanted to be a romance, a mystery, a gothic historical novel, or a coming-of-age narrative.

The entirety of the book is spent discussing the pressures and limitations women faced in 1800s Scotland. Hazel and Jack have a complex relationship and have complex character arcs. And that’s honestly what I loved most about this story: the ending fell perfectly within the boundaries it had already established. Sure, there’s a slight dash of fantastical happenings which weren’t present in most of the book. But the last few pages were so beautifully written, I truly believe that there is not an ending out there more perfect than what Anatomy already has.

Thank you so much Wednesday for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! My full review will be up on my blog soon.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. With a stunning cover and the promise of an intriguing gothic tale, Anatomy seemed like it was going to be the exact kind of novel that I'd enjoy. Unfortunately, I struggled with the writing style and the overall pacing of the book, which really prevented me from connecting with the story.

Anatomy: A Love Story is a gothic historical romance, of sorts...

Set in the early 1800's, Hazel Sinnett wants nothing more than to be a surgeon in a time when most women her age only want to marry and raise children. She meets Jack Currer, a resurrectionist who sells her bodies to study on. After what felt like 80 years, the romance portion of the book finally enters stage left. There's also a plague that they work together on to save the living, AND a crazy reclusive aristocrat offering them the gift of immortality.... Lots of plot lines that had potential to be aaaamazzing, but weren't fleshed out enough in my opinion.

Overall, it was alright. The ending was a bit weird and abrupt, so maybe there will be a second book? TBD on that and on if I'll read it

Thank you to Wednesday books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Anatomy follows Hazel, a young woman in Edinburgh working towards becoming a surgeon, and Jack, a young man who digs up the bodies for the classes. Anatomy, as I had guessed, has similar morbid themes like Stalking JAck the Ripper and The Corpse Queen, so if you like a bit of historical mixed with the macabre, this is definitely a great book to be added to your TBR!

Now, I am a huge fan of young women in history trying to become doctors and scientists, and I have a love of Scotland, Edinburgh in particular, so this book definitely called to me! And who can say no to that cover? Now, there is a romantic subplot between the two characters, but I wouldn't say it's the main plot. Hazel working toward becomign a surgeon is definitely a focus of the book, and for good reason.

There was a lot of talk of class and medical access in the book, which I appreciated, but I will say over all that it felt very...white. There's a lot of Black history in Scotland (good and bad) and I feel like we just focused on a higher class white young woman trying to become a surgeon. Cool idea, but it's not the first book to do this, and I jsut wanted something a bit more?

Still, overall enjoyed it, but it didn't necessarily wow me.

5/5 stars
Recommended for people who like: historical fiction, medicine, Frankenstein, Regency era

This review has been posted to Goodreads and has been published on my review blog as of 10/27.

Anatomy was giving me big Charité and Frankenstein vibes, which I love. While Hazel may not spend a ton of time in the lecture hall before she's thrown out, she does do a good bit of medicine, and I liked reading about her studies and treatments. I thought it was fun to read about where medicine was at the time the book was set and the little historical things Schwartz dropped into the book, such as arsenic green and lecture hall clapping by knocking on the desks.

I definitely didn't understand at first was 'resurrection men' were, but it actually has nothing to do with bringing people back to life, just digging up their bodies. I thought the attitude around this by the resurrection men was funny: it isn't robbing if you only take the body and leave the clothes and grave goods. This is a time period really before people willingly donated their bodies to science, so the medical schools can only get their bodies from dead criminals or from the resurrection men. At the same time, though, anatomists, physicians, and the police don't like resurrection men, perhaps for obvious reasons, so there's this kind of push-pull going on.

Hazel is a very determined character and pushes on even when it seems difficult/impossible. She has been studying medicine, in a way, for a while, but wants that practical, expert experience that the classes can give her. She's empathetic to other people and is willing to help people that others of her station would just ignore, which of course endears her to Jack and other characters. Despite this softness, and her determination, she doesn't seem overly concerned with her mother or younger brother, or with her impending marriage and the potential doom of her career as a result. I think part of her always knew it would end up the way it does and, honestly, I would happily read an entire book just about Hazel practicing medicine, regardless of whether she is in a hospital or her house or a witch in the woods.

Jack comes across as a sympathetic character off the bat. It's clear his life has been difficult, but it unfolds slowly over the course of the book so we get the full image only later on. Jack doesn't really seem to want to be a resurrection man, but he does enjoy the money it brings in. I wish we got more chapters from Jack's POV since he seemed to have this thing about being in the rafters in the theater he works in, and I would've liked to explore that a bit more. He acts as a good support for Hazel and doesn't really question her desire to study medicine the way most other people in her life do.

Hazel and Jack fit together well. There is a bit of instalove going on, but it does say 'A Love Story' in the title, so you can't really complain about it and Schwartz does it subtly enough that it works out, I think.

Iona is one of the servants in Hazel's house and acts as her other main supporter. Iona never doubts or questions Haze's decision to study medicine and actually actively helps her get to lectures and then run her clinic. Hazel also champions Iona, mainly in her love live, and the two are obviously close friends. Burgess is someone else that Hazel is friends with, though this occurs later on in the book. I enjoyed their relationship as well and liked that Hazel got to have people in her corner.

Hazel's mother and younger brother, Percy, are largely absent from the story since the mom is already spacey and the two of them disappear at the first mention of Roman Fever. The situation with the family is a little odd and I wish we got to know more about George and how his relationship was with everyone before his death. Also part of her family, though definitely slightly different, is Hazel's cousin/betrothed, Bernard. He is kind of a terrible person, though this isn't apparent at first. I definitely wasn't a fan of this guy by the end.

I liked the plot with the Roman Fever and the resurrection men going missing. Jack and Hazel don't actually investigate the latter until it literally comes to the door, but it does come back to bite them in the ass later on. I wish we got to see the conclusion to the Roman Fever plot since it seemed like it was coming to something, but then the resurrection men plot got in the way and we don't really get to see what happened with the fever and Hazel's treatment. I did figure out an aspect of the resurrection men plot fairly early on in the book, but it was still nice to know that I was correct.

The only thing I'm really iffy on in this book is the very end. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about those last three or so chapters. I think there's going to be a sequel, based on Schwartz's question/answer here, so it depends on what happens there on how I feel about the ending here.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and the step back into historical medicine. Hazel was a fun character to follow and I really liked reading about her medical studies. Jack was a good character as well, though I feel like we didn't get a ton from his POV, so if/when there is a sequel, I think a bit more emphasis on Jack would be nice. I also hope we get to see more of Iona and Burgess.

I thought this was pretty dark and gory for YA, in the best possible way! I just wish that the romance aspect of the novel had lived up to this same degree of maturity, I found it a bit childish. But feel free to disagree.

The writing was good, the descriptions of the setting, dress, behaviours all seem period appropriate (not a historian, so I apologize if I'm incorrect). I think my main criticism, other than the simplified romantic aspect, is that if I'm reading a novel that turns out to have supernatural aspects I like to know that the world in which the novel is set allows for these possibilities much earlier on. I think for me, this helps in the sense of satisfaction from the resolution, if supernatural elements are relied up.

All in all a pretty solid read if you are looking for something very dark and gothic.

Stealing a body was against the law, but if they actually took any property from the grave, that would make it a felony.

Hazel Sinnett comes from a wealthy family, is almost engaged to her cousin who is in line to become a viscount but she still dreams of becoming a surgeon. It's 1817 in Edinburgh, though, and Hazel is forced to dress as a boy when she finagles a way to attend classes at the Royal Edinburgh Anatomists’ Society, taught by the leading physician at the time, Dr. Beecham. Hazel has read and reread, Dr. Beecham's grandfather's medical treatise book and is excited to learn from him.

And so Jack Currer became a resurrection man.

Jack Currer has managed to survive on the streets by working at the local theater and making some needed side money by digging up freshly buried bodies and selling them to the Anatomists' Society for the students and doctors to learn from. When he helps a society girl sneak into a medical demonstration, neither realize how it will change their lives.

The boy in the shadows looked up, and for a moment Hazel locked eyes with him, the hairs on the back of her neck standing at attention.

Anatomy: A Love Story, was a Gothic toned story that also added in some mystery, suspense, paranormal, historical fiction, and romance. Hazel and Jack are both seventeen, so I can see their ages being the reason this is getting tagged as young adult but I can see this being enjoyed by adults maybe even more. The pace is gradual and while Hazel leads us, the story is more about the plot swirling around her and Jack than the actual characters themselves. I could see younger readers getting restless while older ones would sink in more. Readers who enjoy the series, Veronica Speedwell, Lady Sherlock, and Wrexford and Sloane, might want to check this out. This first book doesn't quite deliver the romance genre HEA but gives an ending that could easily lead to a series and I could see it falling into the essence of the other series mentioned, just with younger protagonists.

“Gentlemen, I give you ethereum. Or, what I have taken to calling in the laboratory, the Scotsman’s dodge.”

After her older brother died from Roman Fever (malaria), Hazel's mother slipped into depression and only cares about coddling and protecting the younger brother Percy. With her military father off guarding Napoleon, Hazel is pretty much left to her own devices. She occasionally goes out with her cousin Bernard, who shows flashes of possessiveness and is slowly trying to get Hazel to give up her dream of being a surgeon, nevertheless, Hazel realizes the importance of marrying him, having security. Hazel's focus on her quest to become a surgeon has her a bit naive at times, it feeds certain plots but this also makes it feel forced. There were times that it was obvious that the author was driving the plot, instead of a naturalness from the characters. All the threads involving the medicine of the day, ether being introduced, were intriguing and a little gory, adding to the Gothic tone and I liked how it tied into the mystery plot of people disappearing; is it a resurgence of Roman Fever or something more sinister.

“And how much do you charge for something like that?” she asked. “A body.”
“That depends. Are you in the market for one”?
“That depends,” Hazel replied. “Do you make deliveries?”

The romance doesn't really get going until around 50% and even then it's not the focus. Hazel and Jack start to spend more time together when Hazel gets discovered as a girl at the Society, enters into a deal with Dr. Beecham, and ends up paying Jack for bodies to study on. We get to know Hazel pretty well but Jack didn't feel as flushed out as there were other focuses in the story. These two were sweet together but their youth and circumstances keep the story from giving them too much of relationship development. The secondary characters were utilized well and if this does continue on into a series, I definitely want to see more of Jack's friend Munro and the Dr. Straine.

It was easy to die in Edinburgh, but Jack had made it seventeen years because he knew how to survive.

As I read an advanced reading copy, I don't want to give too much away but the ending does provide some revelations I saw coming and one that was a surprise and changed, if made into a series, where I thought it was going to go. This had a Gothic tone, some mystery, romance, and a twist of paranormal, I'd definitely pick up a second book to see where the plot takes the characters next.

Wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but I was very pleasantly surprised! I don’t tend to gravitate towards YA books, but after reading the description, I just couldn’t pass this one up. And I mean, that cover! I loved that, while there were romantic elements, the story was mostly about Hazel trying to be an independent, self-sufficient woman at a time when that’s very much frowned upon. It wasn’t quite as thriller/horror as I had hoped, but again, it’s YA, so I’m not super surprised. It’s a pretty quick read, and definitely worth the time!

Anatomy: A Love Story is a is a wonderful and incredibly rich fantasy novel, so well built and fast paced that I wasn't able to put it down till I reached the end. I was absolutely captivated by the atmosphere, and the characters.

This novel submerges the reader in a landscape so imaginative and detailed that the information of the world building/plot never feels forced, and is never difficult to understand or picture in one's mind. I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day! I enjoyed every page and thought that the plot/story was very unique. Would recommend to anyone!

Exactly what I was looking for in a YA gothic romance! This is such a wonderfully balanced story, with a little bit of everything. Hazel Sinnett is a 17 year old wealthy young lady who has huge dreams of becoming a surgeon. But she just so happens to be born in a time where women were not allowed to pursue this dream - or any dreams for that matter. She is supposed to sit, look pretty, and marry well. The marrying well part actually seems to be easy for her but her hope of becoming a surgeon fully outweighs what is expected of her. So begins a tale of how a young lady follows her heart toward a life she chooses, and a man she desires...and does this story deliver!

Did I mention this has a little bit of everything? Some cemetery secrets, medical education, romance, horrific surgeries, and even a fine looking young man, Jack, who helps Hazel in her hours of need (delivering freshly dug up corpses, by the way). Schwartz has a wonderful way of keeping the reader fully engaged and feeling every single emotion our heroine feels. When she begins to try to discover a cure for a deadly fever that is running rampant through the country, we experience the ups and downs right along with her. A plus is getting Jack's story too, which shows us how the other side lives.

Hazel is such a beautifully developed character, and her determination is uplifting. Watching someone who will do anything to reach her potential, even when not knowing which road to take, makes for an inspiring read. And the juxtaposition of this - seeing things fall apart around her and knowing that what she is pursuing may be the wrong choice - is where Schwartz excels. Hazel is spirited and brave and we are fully set on seeing her succeed all the way to the end.

This story took me a bit by surprise. While there were moments it seemed to lull, the journey the plot took me on was worth it. The love story that never stopped our main character from her ambitions was also really enjoyable to me, and I appreciated the way Schwartz made Hazel continue in her path to being a surgeon- despite it all. This historical tale was not necessarily frightening at any time but was enjoyable nonetheless.

Anatomy: A Love Story is a quick read. The prose is to the point, nothing too over flourished but still satisfying. The medical journey felt correct for the time the story was set, while the more "paranormal" parts were believable. The tale between Jack and Hazel warmed my heart, and I appreciated the way their love grew. The ending surprised me, and I'm quite pleased with how it all wrapped up. There is something to a medically cold story set with romantic undertones, and our author did a fantastic job with this one.