Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen

7 reviews

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this because it's been getting banning buzz lately, and it was available on Libby so I figured why not! From the first page, you can tell why people are targeting this book because it's very blunt about sex. Jack isn't afraid to be who he is, and he isn't afraid to share what he knows about sex with other teens though his advice column. It's forward and upfront and informative, and the tone fits perfectly for a teen audience.

Jack also has a stalker for most of the book, and there's a lot of important discussion around that. Jack doesn't want it to be a big deal, but his friends keep reminding him of how dangerous it actually can be. In addition, there's a lot of emphasis on what it means to be gay and how soceity often expects you to act a certain way when you are gay. To fit into their molds. There's just a lot of great discussion and information in this book, and I think it's an important one for teens to have access to.

Is this going to continue to be targeted because of the content? Absolutely. But I think this is an engaging, well-written way to engage teens in important discussions surrounding sex, sexuality, and identity in general.

Content Warnings

foreverinastory's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5/5

If you enjoyed Perfect on Paper, I would highly recommend picking this one up. While they don't talk about the exact same thing, both of these deal with giving out relationship and sex advice. They're both very queer and sex positive books.

Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) is a YA contemporary about high school student Jack. He has always been the center of the gossip rumor as an out gay student. When his friend Jenna ask him to write a sex advice column, Jack is skeptical. After his first column though, Jack finds he really enjoys giving out advice to young queer or questioning people. But then Jack starts receiving creepy and threatening love notes. The sender wants Jack to stop the column and basically shove himself back in the closet.

The blackmailing/stalking aspect of this was very hard to read. I felt so bad to Jack. Things started escalating so quickly, but he never feels like he has a safe outlet to tell someone about the blackmailer. It doesn't help that when he does try to tell an authority figure, they don't believe him at all. I wish there had been some more closure on this aspect of the book and that the perpetrator faced harsher consequences.

However, everything else about this book? Absolutely loved. This was so damn good. We need more books like this with realistic and accurate advice for teens who are curious about sex. This book was 5000% more advocative of SAFE sex than any in person sex education I went too. Like damn. And Jack actually practices what he preaches.

I loved the various relationships Jack has. His friends, his flings, his mother. Ugh this book just made me so happy. Jack still has struggles, but he has an incredible support system and I want to see this for more young queer kids.

Rep: white femme gay male MC, Black gay male side character, Latina cishet female side character, bisexual male side character, Latino male gay side character, questioning asexual side character, various queer side characters.

CWs: Stalking, bullying, fetishization of gay men, sexual content, underage alcohol consumption, body shaming. Moderate: homophobia/homomisia, toxic relationship, emotional abuse, drug use, panic attacks. Minor: suicidal thoughts, excrement, vomit.

Content Warnings