Half A Heart
by
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The alarm blared at precisely 6:00 AM, a jarring sound that sliced through the quiet stillness of Tessa's room. It wasn't a harsh, insistent shriek, but a gentle chime, chosen specifically for its soothing qualities. Even so, the sound was a stark reminder of the day's routine, a routine as meticulously planned and executed as a surgical procedure. Sunlight, filtered through the pale yellow curtains, illuminated dust motes dancing in the air, highlighting the pristine cleanliness of her room. Everything was in its place: the neatly folded clothes on the chair, the books arranged by size and color on the shelves, the medical equipment discreetly tucked away in the corner.
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About the Book
Half a Heart is a deeply emotional and tender contemporary love story centered on two teenagers, Tessa and Caleb, both living with severe congenital heart conditions. While Tessa clings to rigid routines and caution, Caleb embraces risk and spontaneity. Their contrasting philosophies collide—and ultimately intertwine—in a journey that explores resilience, mortality, and the courage to love despite ticking clocks and fragile bodies.
About the Author
Derante is a writer with a heart for telling emotionally charged, character-driven stories rooted in truth, vulnerability, and resilience. With a deep empathy for those living with chronic illness, Derante brings authenticity and tenderness to every page. Half a Heart—their debut novel—is a tribute to the strength found in fragility, the beauty of connection, and the quiet bravery it takes to live and love fully when tomorrow is never guaranteed.
When not writing, Derante is often exploring nature, reading late into the night, or quietly observing the world for its hidden moments of meaning. This book is for anyone who’s ever felt broken, but chose to keep going anyway.