Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen
Review by Lauren
Source: ARC borrowed from Karen of For What It’s Worth; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Meet Jack Rothman. He’s seventeen and loves partying, makeup and boys – sometimes all at the same time. His sex life makes him the hot topic for the high school gossip machine. But who cares? Like Jack always says, ‘it could be worse’.
He doesn’t actually expect that to come true.
But after Jack starts writing an online sex advice column, the mysterious love letters he’s been getting take a turn for the creepy. Jack’s secret admirer knows everything: where he’s hanging out, who he’s sleeping with, who his mum is dating. They claim they love Jack, but not his unashamedly queer lifestyle. They need him to curb his sexuality, or they’ll force him.
As the pressure mounts, Jack must unmask his stalker before their obsession becomes genuinely dangerous…
Review: Can I just commend Little, Brown books for publishing a book like this? It’s an unapologetic look at teen sex – and gay teen sex at that! – and it’s for the YA crowd. I love it so much. This book has been on my to-read list since I heard about it, so I’m so thankful for Karen for allowing me to check out her ARC. Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) is definitely a book I need a finished copy of though.
I imagine people will have issues with this book – especially some adults – but it’s an important story and I’m glad that it’s going to be out there for teens to read. While Jack might be gay, his sex advice column doesn’t just answer questions for gay teens – other orientations write in too! I loved the variety of questions that Jack answers, and I’m sure actual teens reading the book will learn a lot about their own sexuality, which is important. Teens should be informed, whether they want to have sex or not.
Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) is a sex positive YA novel that we need to see more of - full #bookreview on the blog! #bookbloggers Click To TweetBeyond the advice column, Jack of Hearts is about a teen boy named Jack with two best friends who starts getting creepy secret admirer notes folded into various origami figures. It starts out innocent enough – someone has a crush; not so bad right? But things escalate and it starts to get really worrisome where you aren’t sure if Jack is even physically safe or not. This person doesn’t want Jack being who he is – proud and sexually liberated. They are willing to go to extreme means to make him change himself, and it was so upsetting to read about these moments. As a reader, you just want to reach into the pages and hug Jack and tell him it’ll be okay, and don’t change who you are! He does have some great friends, though, and a pretty awesome mom – though she’s a bit absent due to her job – so he’s not alone. Granted, that doesn’t make what he’s going through that much easier and he starts to feel like he can only rely on himself and maybe he should just give in to these crazy demands.
Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) is a fantastic read, full of heart and humor, and I love that it portrays teen sexuality in a positive light. Plus, it has an intriguing, and suspenseful, mystery that spans the whole book. Highly recommend!
Jack of Hears (and Other Parts) is released next Tuesday, October 30, so pre-order now!
I have been hearing mixed things about this book, and I think it’s like you say, because it is very open about sex. I worked in a high school, uh, kids are talking about/having sex. Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh this seems interesting. But yes teens shoukd be informed, this from someone that was very sheltered growing up.
I love books like this, when my children were teens I read the books they did and it opened the door for great discussions.
I can see how this will upset some people with it’s frankness but it’s important for teens (especially gay teens where there’s very little information/representation in YA) to be informed so they can make good choices and know they aren’t alone.
I really liked it too.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I saw Karen’s review of this one too. Glad it was good! I hope it helps some kids out there, and I like the sound of the mystery too!
This sounds like a novel I would have appreciated as a shy and pretty sheltered teen. I didn’t know much until too late
I like what someone said above about reading books like this with your teens so you can have open conversations with them. My kids are still young, but I don’t plan to censor what they read as they get older–but I do hope to talk with them about what they read, and this one looks like a good one for discussion (and just for reading as an adult too!).
Sex positive YA books are still pretty rare, and sex positive queer YA books even more so. So I am incredibly excited about the existence of this book! Queer sex is never discussed at school during sex-ed and it;s a huge oversight. I think it’s wonderful that there’s a book that can perhaps shed some light on things queer teens have been questioning.
The other side of the story sounds like it tackles an important topic, as well! I’m glad Jack has supportive friends and a supportive mum, as well.
I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on this one! Thanks for the lovely review, Lauren ^.^
Ohhh this looks good! Definitely reading this.
How have I not heard of this book before? I am really happy to find out that such a fantastic book exists. I will definitely add this one to my TBR. 🙂
So I got an ARC of this at ALA, but just haven’t had time to read it. And while I kind of knew what it was about, I’m even more intrigued now that you’ve reviewed it and liked it! I’ll have to pull it out sooner rather than later! Great review!
Oh that’s great! I love your enthousiasm for it!
This sounds like a novel I would have enjoyed reading as a teenager. I might still check it out anyway!
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Ooooo, yes, I agree! We need more books with sex positivity and ones that open the doors to questions because as a teen, those are unknown waters… and sometimes parents don’t want to or can’t have those discussions with teens (I certainly never got the birds and bees talk). I’m glad Jack of Hearts (and other Parts) turned out to be a book that deals with positive sex discussions openly, even if it might make some uncomfortable.
As a mom to teen sometimes I get a little leery with the route traditional media and entertainment is taking when talking about teen sex. Don’t get me wrong, I talk about it with my kids, a lot, but sometimes it is just portrayed so badly and in a way that isn’t real at all. I worry for kids who don’t have outlets to really talk about it.
Thanks though for sharing this book to open up discussion.
Awesome review! This sure sounds like a powerful read!
I haven’t heard of this book and love that it is so open and honest. Looking forward to reading it.
Oh gosh, I am sure this is a page turner and I would not want someone knowing that much about my life and then leaving me love letters! Ha!! I’d be freaking out. 🙂 Sounds like a fun read.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com