The River Between Hearts

by Heather Mateus Sappenfield

Review by Lexi Reich

As a lifelong resident of the Rocky Mountains, Heather Mateus Sappenfield loves adventure, but she says her toughest trials arise in the writing of stories. A runner up for the Kraken Book Prize, her newest novel, The River Between Hearts, explores grief, loss, compassion and friendship. The characters in this book are the type that stick with readers for a long time.

The heartfelt story takes place at the start of summer break when third-grader Rill Kruse’s dad goes missing in the Colorado River. The journey leads to her befriending a Mexican immigrant named Perla; the two young girls — despite being from different countries and different cultures explore their similar experience of loss and grief together. In the end, what Rill discovers nudges her and those she loves towards healing.

Targeted to middle-grade readers, The River Between Hearts — the author’s fourth book — was released in 2022.

heathermateussappenfield.com