College freshman Shani arrives for winter break planning to focus solely on her Smithsonian internship studying paleoichthyology (ancient fish fossils)—escapism from her recent breakup. Then she literally runs into May with her mom’s Subaru. Enemies-to-lovers ensues as Shani takes a dog-walking gig that keeps throwing them together. When they’re snowed in together on Christmas Eve, things intensify. As their relationship deepens, Shani’s trauma from her ex-girlfriend’s sexual assault resurfaces, forcing her to confront her past.
DCP Stories Collection
- Book – Fiction
- Ages 13-18 (e.g., young adult/teen)
- Jake Maia Arlow
- Sperm Donor
How to Excavate a Heart
Review
What’s Done Well
- Donor conception is a fact of life. Donor conception does not play a large role in this book. Instead, it is just a facet of Shani’s identity, as it can be for donor-conceived youth.
Additional Considerations
- Mentions of sexual assault. Shani is a victim of sexual assault, which is discussed in the book. While it does not happen on-page, it is recounted, and this may be upsetting for some readers.
