Can a book about a man turning into a great white shark and the woman who loves him, be relatable, or worth reading? Yes, it can, and here it is. 8.8/10. Thanks to Goodreads reviewer Jessica for a review I agree with:: I don't know what I expected from a novel whose elevator pitch is "a man who is gradually turning into a Great White Shark," but it certainly wasn't an emotional gut punch.

The plot summary is indeed a little weird. At the outset, newlyweds Lewis and Wren receive the diagnosis that means he will gradually turn into a shark. In the world of the book, this isn't altogether unheard of. Some people mutate into other types of animals much like they develop other diseases in our world; there are policies in place to handle this and facilities that provide treatment. You're going to have to engage in a healthy suspension of disbelief in order to appreciate this book.

But it isn't some gritty sci-fi or horror novel. The subtitle is A Love Story, and that's absolutely what Shark Heart is. It's a tender, emotional exploration of the effect the diagnosis has on Lewis and Wren, as a couple and as individuals. The writing is kind of unusual, as some chapters are written as though they were scripts (Lewis once dreamed of becoming a playwright) and some are written in free verse poetry. Very few chapters are more than three pages, many clocking in at just one paragraph. It's nonlinear, as Emily Habeck takes her reader through the early days of Wren and Lewis' romance, but also Wren's childhood - and then, what happens when she has to let go of Lewis as the transformation becomes complete. This can make things feel a little disjointed at times, but trust me: it all comes together eventually.

And, I don't know. It was just lovely. It's often very sad, as Wren desperately wants to find a way to stay with Lewis even after he becomes a shark, but it never felt manipulative to me. I think that's because the characters felt very authentic, even as they were going through some very strange experiences. I went into this with a healthy dose of skepticism but I'm so glad I went in, because this may end up being my favorite book of the year.