Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier is a gripping thriller praised for its intense plot and well-developed characters. Readers appreciate the novel's suspenseful pacing and unexpected twists. However, some critique the predictability of certain elements and moments of graphic content. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of dark and twisted crime stories.

Readers who enjoy Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier typically appreciate gripping psychological thrillers with dark, suspenseful plots. Fans of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins would likely be captivated by Hillier's intense narrative and complex characters.

Jar of Hearts is a thriller novel by Jennifer Hillier that follows a person named Georgina, who carries a dark secret connected to a friend's murder from their past. As Georgina navigates challenges in her present life, the truth about the murder begins to surface, intertwining her history with unfolding events.

Dark / Suspenseful / Mysterious / Unnerving / Emotional

**Georgina "Geo" Shaw**  
Geo is the protagonist who grapples with past traumas and guilt from her involvement in the murder of her best friend while navigating complex relationships and personal redemption.

**Kaiser Brody**  
Kaiser is one of Geo's best friends from high school and a detective in the present who plays a crucial role in supporting Geo emotionally, offering a contrast to darker influences in her life.

**Calvin James (The Sweetbay Strangler)**  
Calvin is a charming yet dangerous convicted serial killer whose past relationship with Geo and actions drive much of the narrative tension and plot developments.

**Dominic Kent**  
Dominic is a character whose mysterious connection to Geo and actions as a killer are pivotal to the unfolding of the story’s external conflict and key plot twists.

**Angela Wong**  
Angela, Geo and Kaiser’s best friend in high school, is the first victim of Calvin, whose death sets off the chain of events central to the plot.

**Ella Frank**  
Ella is an incarcerated criminal who forms a protective and business-centric relationship with Geo during her time in prison.

**Cat Bonaducci**  
Cat is Geo’s close friend in prison who provides support through personal struggles and serves as a parallel to Geo’s own journey.

**Walter "Walt" Shaw**  
Walt is Geo’s father whose loving and forgiving nature influences Geo’s self-perception and her journey toward self-acceptance.

**Claire Toliver and Sasha Robinson**  
Claire and Sasha are victims of the serial murders whose connections to Calvin and similarities to Geo add layers to the story’s mystery.

**Henry Bowen and Emily Rudd**  
Henry and Emily are young victims in the narrative whose tragic deaths emphasize the stakes and emotional depth of the conflict.

**Kim Kellogg**  
Kim is Kaiser’s partner on the police force involved in both personal and professional complexities that help advance the murder investigation.

Jennifer Hillier

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Jar of Hearts reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Jar of Hearts | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Jar of Hearts and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Jar of Hearts Summary and Study Guide

Background

Jar of Hearts Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Denial”

Part 1 Jar of Hearts Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Anger”

Part 2 Jar of Hearts Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Bargaining”

Part 3 Jar of Hearts Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Depression”

Part 4 Jar of Hearts Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Acceptance”

Part 5-Epilogue

Jar of Hearts Part 5-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Jar of Hearts Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Jar of Hearts Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Jar of Hearts Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Jar of Hearts Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Jar of Hearts Essay Topics

Jar of Hearts

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Jar of Hearts?

RecommendedReading Age

Book Details