Book lovers, mark your calendars—Utah-based author Erin Stewart is set to release her latest young adult novel, Every Borrowed Beat, on March 11. This deeply moving story explores life, loss, and the power of second chances through the journey of a teenage heart transplant recipient.
Stewart will be celebrating the book’s launch with a special event on March 13 at The Book Box in Draper, followed by a book signing on March 15 at the Sandy Barnes & Noble. Every Borrowed Beat is her third young adult novel, and it promises to be a heartfelt read that resonates with audiences of all ages.
A Story of Survival and Self-Discovery
The novel follows 17-year-old Sydney Wells, who has spent years battling heart failure before finally receiving a life-saving transplant. But her new heart brings more than just renewed health—it comes with difficult questions and unexpected emotions. Sydney begins to wonder about the person who lost their life so she could live and embarks on a journey to uncover the donor’s story. Along the way, she not only discovers new love but also learns to navigate grief, guilt, and what it truly means to move forward.
Stewart describes Every Borrowed Beat as a story about letting go while embracing life:
“It’s about facing loss and finding love again. Sydney has this second chance, but she has to decide—will she stay stuck in the past, or will she allow herself to live the life her donor wanted her to have?”
A Personal Connection to the Story
The inspiration for the book came from Stewart’s own experience with heart failure. When she was 25, shortly after giving birth to her first daughter, she developed peripartum cardiomyopathy—a rare condition that leads to heart failure after pregnancy.
“I was lucky,” Stewart recalls. “Thanks to great doctors, my heart eventually recovered, and I avoided a transplant. But it was a terrifying year. I was a new mom, struggling to breathe, exhausted, and unsure of what my future looked like.”
Her experience deeply influenced the novel’s themes. Stewart likens heart function to life itself—both require balance. “You can’t just hold on to everything—you have to let some things go,” she explains. This philosophy is woven into Sydney’s story as she learns to make peace with her past while embracing her future.
Capturing the Reality of Heart Transplants
To ensure authenticity, Stewart consulted heart transplant recipients and medical professionals while writing Every Borrowed Beat. She wanted to portray not just the physical aspects of transplantation but also the long-term challenges survivors face.
“A heart transplant isn’t a cure—it’s lifelong management. Patients take medication forever to prevent rejection, and many need additional transplants later. It was important to me that Sydney’s journey felt real and respectful to those who have lived through it,” Stewart says.
Themes of Love, Loss, and Moving Forward
Sydney’s story is more than just a medical journey—it’s an emotional exploration of grief and resilience. As she searches for answers about her donor, she wrestles with survivor’s guilt and the years of her teenage life lost to illness. Her quest leads her to break rules and take risks in hopes of easing her pain, but ultimately, she learns that grief isn’t something to escape—it’s something to carry forward in a healthy way.
“She starts out believing she needs to erase her guilt to be okay,” Stewart says. “But what she finds is that some grief stays with us. The challenge is learning how to live with it while still moving forward.”
Stewart hopes readers will connect with this message, especially those who have faced personal loss. “Anyone who has ever had a moment where they realize life is fragile will relate,” she says. “One day, everything seems fine, and the next, everything changes. The key is to appreciate the time we have and not take it for granted.”
Raising Awareness for Heart Health
Beyond its emotional depth, Every Borrowed Beat also sheds light on the realities of heart disease and transplant survivors. Stewart is passionate about raising awareness, especially for women’s heart health.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, yet it’s not talked about enough,” she says. “Before my own experience, I didn’t realize how many people live with serious heart conditions. I hope this book brings more visibility to what heart patients go through.”
Connect with Erin Stewart
Stewart encourages readers to follow her journey and upcoming events through her website and social media. With Every Borrowed Beat, she delivers a story filled with heart—one that reminds us all to cherish life and embrace second chances.
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