Jodi Picoult never shies away from the big, messy questions of life—and in Change of Heart, she tackles faith, justice, redemption, and the fragility of forgiveness in one powerful, heart-wrenching novel.

At the center of the story is Shay Bourne, a death row inmate convicted of murdering a police officer and his young stepdaughter. As his execution date draws near, Shay makes a startling request: he wants to donate his heart to the sister of the girl he was convicted of killing. The twist? She’s gravely ill and running out of time. What follows is a deeply layered exploration of whether people can truly change, and whether society is willing to believe in miracles—even when they come from the most unlikely source.

Picoult weaves the story through multiple perspectives, a style she’s mastered, allowing the reader to sit inside the minds of a grieving mother, a conflicted priest, a determined lawyer, and the enigmatic Shay himself. Each voice brings a unique lens to the ethical and spiritual dilemmas the book presents.

What’s truly striking is how Change of Heart feels like a modern-day parable, questioning the limits of human judgment and the meaning of salvation. It’s provocative but never preachy. It will challenge your beliefs—and maybe even make you cry.

Verdict:
If you enjoy stories that make you think and feel, with morally gray characters and page-turning tension, Change of Heart delivers. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one. Picoult once again proves she’s a master at crafting fiction that lingers long after the final page.