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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.
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
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Stalking
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Excrement, Suicidal thoughts, and Adult/minor relationship
magical_jess's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed it overall. The portrayal of stalking was really compelling, to the point that it was uncomfortable in parts for me, and I was sometimes frustrated by Jack's choices as he became more and more afraid, but so were all his friends. The friendships, mystery, and party vibes were all fun though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
fairy_internet's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Cursing, and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
amartinios's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book proved quite the page-turner, it was pretty hard to put down. I read it during breaks at work, and was always disappointed when I had to put it away to get on with work again. If I could have, I probably would have read the whole thing in one go.
Jack's character at times aggravated me, I felt a lot like Jenna throughout. AT the same time... I would probably react not too dissimilar from Jack in a situation like this.
Jack's character at times aggravated me, I felt a lot like Jenna throughout. AT the same time... I would probably react not too dissimilar from Jack in a situation like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Mental illness
teachreadrepeat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Disclaimer: I had to read this as part of my school district's Book Reconsideration Committee because a teacher filed a complaint on the book for its explicit sexual content. We have not yet met to determine if the book will stay in our high school library catalog.
Review: Jack of Hearts is a two-fold story.
On the one hand, we have Jack who is an unapologetically gay teenage boy who isn't afraid of discussing his sex life. His friend Jenna asks him to write a sex advice column on her blog. The sex advice chapters are actually great conversation starters, imo, and doesn't shy away from the fact that teenagers of all orientations are having sex. There are some explicit scenes that I feel tip this book more into the New Adult genre rather than the Young Adult genre.
On the other hand, a stalker starts leaving creepy notes in Jack's locker after the advice column starts gaining popularity. It was an interesting storyline, but that's not my preferred reading genre so I found it lackluster. I think it did raise some good points about how adults (and the general public) tend to /not/ help those in need if they don't like them or if they think the person in question behaved in a way that "encouraged" the negative situation (e.g., Jack's sexual behavior).
Overall, I thought it had some redeeming qualities but the writing was very cringey in many places and I struggled to like many of the characters at times. I also understood Jeremy's point of view, that some things in the book perpetuate the stereotype that gay men are very promiscuous.
Review: Jack of Hearts is a two-fold story.
On the one hand, we have Jack who is an unapologetically gay teenage boy who isn't afraid of discussing his sex life. His friend Jenna asks him to write a sex advice column on her blog. The sex advice chapters are actually great conversation starters, imo, and doesn't shy away from the fact that teenagers of all orientations are having sex. There are some explicit scenes that I feel tip this book more into the New Adult genre rather than the Young Adult genre.
On the other hand, a stalker starts leaving creepy notes in Jack's locker after the advice column starts gaining popularity. It was an interesting storyline, but that's not my preferred reading genre so I found it lackluster. I think it did raise some good points about how adults (and the general public) tend to /not/ help those in need if they don't like them or if they think the person in question behaved in a way that "encouraged" the negative situation (e.g., Jack's sexual behavior).
Overall, I thought it had some redeeming qualities but the writing was very cringey in many places and I struggled to like many of the characters at times. I also understood Jeremy's point of view, that some things in the book perpetuate the stereotype that gay men are very promiscuous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
bexh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
bridge_to_narnia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Very entertaining! Definitely a page-turner. I really liked the approach to sex as well, it wasn't the star struck fantasy love that most books have, but a practical real life 'shit happens' sort of deal. And for those of you worried that all this book is, is sex: don't. This mystery drama has a few real talk sex letters, but is mostly about the struggle to be one's self, when feeling threatened by societal norms (and mysterious notes).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use
heyday's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
melissamarie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
foreverinastory's review against another edition
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.
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
Graphic: Stalking, Bullying, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, and Vomit