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tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
melaniereadsbooks's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Quiet and shy Henry Hamlet's life changes when his best friend, Len, kisses him during a party game and he discovers feelings he never knew he had.
This was so cute. I took too long to write this review and now my memories are mostly snippets and vibes from this book. But I read this in one day, absolutely devoured it, and needed to know what would become of Len and Henry's relationship every second of the way. They were so adorable and I absolutely love the friends-to-lovers trope and Lennon was in love with Henry for so long and Henry was completely oblivious! Not gonna lie, I wish some of this was from Len's pov too because I need to know what he was thinking!
I really loved this every step of the way. I hardcore need to reread it (audio maybe??) soon so I can remember details better but ahhh. So cute. But also painful. Like this may make you cry if you get as invested in the relationship as I did. I definitely cried and then thought about my feelings for many days afterwards.
This was so cute. I took too long to write this review and now my memories are mostly snippets and vibes from this book. But I read this in one day, absolutely devoured it, and needed to know what would become of Len and Henry's relationship every second of the way. They were so adorable and I absolutely love the friends-to-lovers trope and Lennon was in love with Henry for so long and Henry was completely oblivious! Not gonna lie, I wish some of this was from Len's pov too because I need to know what he was thinking!
I really loved this every step of the way. I hardcore need to reread it (audio maybe??) soon so I can remember details better but ahhh. So cute. But also painful. Like this may make you cry if you get as invested in the relationship as I did. I definitely cried and then thought about my feelings for many days afterwards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Ableism and Cancer
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's Henry Hamlet's last semester of high school and he's not sure what he wants to do when he's finished. His only talent seems to be his ability to make pretty much every situation awkward. Especially when compared to his best friend, Len, who is perfect in almost every way. They might be opposites, but their friendship has always been something that's worked.
Everything seems straightforward until Henry falls in love at a party. One kiss, and his life is changed forever. Len has always been there, but Henry never realized his feelings until that kiss. And that maybe Len has similar feelings, too. Now, Henry has to figure out if risking his friendship is worth falling in love for.
Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for an advanced copy of Henry Hamlet's Heart to review! One of the comp titles for this book is Red, White, & Royal Blue, and while I don't necessarily agree with that comparison, it did make me want to pick up this book.
Guys, the pining. If teenage pining is your jam, you'll love this book. The moment Henry and Len kiss, a light just clicks in Henry. Honestly, the chemistry between the two of them is really what makes this book. You can feel the yearning, the emotions surrounding first love. They want to be together, but they're not sure they'll be accepted. Wilde nails all of those emotions, bringing you on an emotional ride throughout the entire book.
However, just because there is an MLM romance doesn't mean it reads like Red, White, & Royal Blue. I actually think a better comp title for this would have been Heartstopper. For me, it read more like that story. Best friends, falling in love. One of them still trying to figure out their identity. It fits those vibes and that storyline to a tee.
The only thing that I think would have made this an absolutely stellar book was a better sense of the time. It's mentioned once that it's supposed to be like 2008 or something, but it's a blink and you'll miss it reference. It's also set in Australia, though, so maybe I just missed some of the references. The time period is important though, as Len and Hamlet are afraid of coming out. While this is still true for couples today, some of the homophobia and other things made a bit more sense.
All in all, if you love a good classic friends to lovers queer romance, you'll probably love this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Ableism
aromarrie's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the title of this book is absolutely spot-on because it genuinely felt like i was seeing all the best & worst parts of hamlet as his heart is unveiled at every page.
his love for reading and talents for writing showed very well in the way he described moments that for him were so completely significant—whether it was with len, his family, his friends, and himself.
it all made me feel closer to him somehow, and i loved how many times he made me laugh as i also teared up.
this is what ya books are all about, to be honest, and it’s wonderful that i got to read this when i did.
24 january 2024 update: (thank god for this re-read; henry & len’s characters mean the world to me)
his love for reading and talents for writing showed very well in the way he described moments that for him were so completely significant—whether it was with len, his family, his friends, and himself.
it all made me feel closer to him somehow, and i loved how many times he made me laugh as i also teared up.
this is what ya books are all about, to be honest, and it’s wonderful that i got to read this when i did.
24 january 2024 update: (thank god for this re-read; henry & len’s characters mean the world to me)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
yaryjd's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
pagesofnay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
cateemma's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, Ableism, Cancer, and Grief
m_riaelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"How do you un-know someone if you only know most of you because of them? How do you even try?"
'This smart and charming queer YA rom-com about falling for your best friend will win the hearts of fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.'
Yeah. I'm a fan of Adam Silvera. And yeah, it won my heart. It is already in the description. It is smart. It is charming. It is a rom-com. AND it has my favourite trope falling for your best friend! What could I ask for more? My heart and mind are satisfied. I instantly added it to my favourite shelf with no hesitation, no second thoughts.
I love Hamlet with my whole heart. My list of 'Fave characters I love with my whole heart' is getting crowded, and I don't care. Hamlet deserves a place there. And Gran and Marigold's relationship? I love it. I love their love even though they aren't the main characters and are always in the picture.
Hamlet is someone that seeks assurance, while Len is distant because he doesn't know how to work with things that need communication. It hurts how Hamlet tries to seek verification, but Len kept saying he's dramatic, don't overanalyze, don't overthink, and more. I can't help but hate that part of Len, but when Len did try to communicate, I'm finally giving him the benefit of the doubt as a red flag. There will be more scenes where he gets distant, and it's hurting Hamlet, but I'm going to tell all of you to go through it because it represents some people who are going through something within themselves. How being distant helps a little or blinds our judgement. Was those part stressful? Yes, but it's worth it.
This made me realize how much I'm a Len. I can't describe it, but this book shows me how I'm so much like him internally. Who loves too much but fear creeps up. The thought of all being ruined or I'm the one who does it, but, either way, leads to it.
TW: HP Reference, Grief and Mentions of death of a parent (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
"How do you un-know someone if you only know most of you because of them? How do you even try?"
'This smart and charming queer YA rom-com about falling for your best friend will win the hearts of fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.'
Yeah. I'm a fan of Adam Silvera. And yeah, it won my heart. It is already in the description. It is smart. It is charming. It is a rom-com. AND it has my favourite trope falling for your best friend! What could I ask for more? My heart and mind are satisfied. I instantly added it to my favourite shelf with no hesitation, no second thoughts.
I love Hamlet with my whole heart. My list of 'Fave characters I love with my whole heart' is getting crowded, and I don't care. Hamlet deserves a place there. And Gran and Marigold's relationship? I love it. I love their love even though they aren't the main characters and are always in the picture.
Hamlet is someone that seeks assurance, while Len is distant because he doesn't know how to work with things that need communication. It hurts how Hamlet tries to seek verification, but Len kept saying he's dramatic, don't overanalyze, don't overthink, and more. I can't help but hate that part of Len, but when Len did try to communicate, I'm finally giving him the benefit of the doubt as a red flag. There will be more scenes where he gets distant, and it's hurting Hamlet, but I'm going to tell all of you to go through it because it represents some people who are going through something within themselves. How being distant helps a little or blinds our judgement. Was those part stressful? Yes, but it's worth it.
This made me realize how much I'm a Len. I can't describe it, but this book shows me how I'm so much like him internally. Who loves too much but fear creeps up. The thought of all being ruined or I'm the one who does it, but, either way, leads to it.
TW: HP Reference, Grief and Mentions of death of a parent (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
beautifulpaxielreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Outing
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
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