One of the reasons I like Ellen Wittlinger's books is because they are atypical. This book is told completely through online and snail mail correspondence, and although there are many others like that, I think the plot of this one is unusual, or at least the ending is. This book gives the readers a chance to see both sides of the story. In the end, the main characters, who thought they were really into each other, do not end up together (which is atypical) because they realize that each is not the person the other thought them to be (which is realistic). They discover this after meeting in person for the second time. After all, how well can you really get to know someone online? What I like best about the ending is that both points of view are understandable, and they don't make either character seem unfavourable. Neither one is a bad person, they are just different and uncompatable. There are some other conflicts and themes that branch out from the main theme and delve into each of the characters' personal lives outside of their online relationship that also make the book seem real and easy to relate to. ( )

I've actually been hoping to read this book for awhile. Mostly because I loved "Hard Love" and "Sandpiper" by Ellen Wittlinger. Much like that novel, this novel is about the complications and difficulties with liking someone, much less getting into a relationship with them. It gives a real look into the way teenagers can be about their life. The decisions and choices we make end up changing who we are. I don't want to ruin this book for those who haven't read it and want to... but I do want to say that with all that Chloe and Julian went through, I was hoping for a slightly different ending. Though I have to say that the ending was just fine as it is... it's its own "happily ever after" with a litle bittersweet taste. ( )

Chloe Gillespie meets Julian Casper while visiting Cartwright University. It was infatuation at first sight. Chloe lives in MA and Julian is in FL. They keep in touch through e-mails and letters over the course of their senior year of high school. Chloe is already dating Eli, whom she considers her best friend, not boyfriend. Julian's friend, Tyler, wants Julian to forget about Chloe and go out with Nina, who happens to be friends with the girl Tyler likes, Inga.

Meanwhile Chloe gets relationship advice from her sister, who has a secret of her own that she hasn't told anyone, while Julian is trying to handle the conflict between his mom and sister while trying to come up tuition money so he can attend Cartwright in the fall.

I really enjoyed this book. It's written in e-mails, IMs and letters. It took me back to my senior year and how excited I was to go away to college, but at the same time sad about leaving my friends. ( )

I loved this book. I thought that it was lovley. I thought chole was a great charactor and I was really fun seeing her and Julians realationship change. I thought the ending was really unexpected yet still wonderful. I think its a great read for teenage girls. ( )

Ellen Wittlinger’s Heart on My Sleeve (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004) presents the challenges of family, friendship, and love that face graduating senior Chloe Gillespie. Chloe navigates her developing interest in a new boy she meets, her existing relationship with her boyfriend, her family’s reaction to her sister’s announcement that she’s a lesbian. Complete with a playlist of the songs referred to in the novel, the story develops through email messages, letters, and IMs exchanged by the characters, showing how communications and relationships are affected as Chloe moves from high school senior to her first year of college over the course of the summer.