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laneandstone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
alannaiona's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was enjoyable, as a teen I would have loved this, but I felt that it could have gone deeper into character development. I wanted to see more meaning behind why the main characters act the way they do, because it is hinted at but never properly explored. Overall it was a fun storyline with a good sprinkling of angst and teenage hormones.
emilyrpf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
deerling's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
veeva's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Oh boy, I love the idea behind Darkhearts so much, but there were points were the ball was dropped. Mostly so in its characters. While I loved Chance as a character, David kinda pissed me off more than anything. I kinda wished that we got to have the book from Chance his point of view instead.
However, that's not to say that David pissing me off makes this a bad book or a bad read. David has his flaws, and he does touch upon those flaws. I just wished that they were worked on earlier in the book and that it wasn't all named and apologised for in the last 5 chapters of the book. If him handling his mistakes had taken more of a place in the plot, I would have liked the book more.
As it is now, still an enjoyable read. I for sure would love to see what more is in store for Chance and David now that they are actually together. A sequel focusing on them dealing with a long distance relationship, one known to the public, while still also learning to be their own persons would be really nice
However, that's not to say that David pissing me off makes this a bad book or a bad read. David has his flaws, and he does touch upon those flaws. I just wished that they were worked on earlier in the book and that it wasn't all named and apologised for in the last 5 chapters of the book. If him handling his mistakes had taken more of a place in the plot, I would have liked the book more.
As it is now, still an enjoyable read. I for sure would love to see what more is in store for Chance and David now that they are actually together. A sequel focusing on them dealing with a long distance relationship, one known to the public, while still also learning to be their own persons would be really nice
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a heartfelt YA celebrity romance that explores grief, bisexuality and second chances and sees two former high school friends turned enemies turned lovers finding solace with one another after their mutual friend overdoses on alcohol.
Perfect for fans of books like Kiss & Tell or If this gets out and great on audio narrated by Ramon de Ocampo. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early ALC and Wednesday Books for sending me a gifted hardcover copy!
This was written by a new to me author and I'm excited to read what he writes next!
Fav quote:
“Take it from me, dude - don’t get wrapped up in labels yet. Sexuality is…like this cinnamon roll. You see it, you think, ‘Damn, that looks good,’ so you eat it. If you like it, you do it again. Everything else - whether you’re bi or pan or sapiosexual or whatever the hell - that’s about labels, and politics, and creating shorthands for other people. That can be useful, and important for society, but you don’t have to pick a flag right out of the gate. Just let yourself like who you like.” (p. 125-6).
Perfect for fans of books like Kiss & Tell or If this gets out and great on audio narrated by Ramon de Ocampo. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early ALC and Wednesday Books for sending me a gifted hardcover copy!
This was written by a new to me author and I'm excited to read what he writes next!
Fav quote:
“Take it from me, dude - don’t get wrapped up in labels yet. Sexuality is…like this cinnamon roll. You see it, you think, ‘Damn, that looks good,’ so you eat it. If you like it, you do it again. Everything else - whether you’re bi or pan or sapiosexual or whatever the hell - that’s about labels, and politics, and creating shorthands for other people. That can be useful, and important for society, but you don’t have to pick a flag right out of the gate. Just let yourself like who you like.” (p. 125-6).
ej_pridepages's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a free copy of the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A strong, bittersweet work about grief and regret. This book is difficult to classify. While it has some elements of a romcom (friends-to-rivals-to-lovers, secretly dating, finding yourself, etc.), it doesn't actually read like one. The romance between narrator David and his love interest Chance is the main plot, but arguably the story is really about how David has been stuck in the past and needs to find a way to move forward.
If I had to register a critique, it would be the fact that band member and friend Eli's death--the event that kicks off the plot and brings David and Chance back together--wasn't thoroughly handled. This was a trauma for Chance and arguably for David too. But it barely gets discussed. By the midway point of the book, Chance's feelings of guilt are "resolved" for narrative purposes (or more accurately, seemingly ignored or forgotten by David). It's clear that David is meant to be a selfish character, but the fact that this event just falls away is troubling.
I also thought I would leave unsatisfied by the 'resolution' about the choice to come out or not. Until those last couple of lines...well, let's just say I liked it better than I thought I would.
I'd recommend this book to fans of YA, coming-of-age novels, and bittersweet romances.
A strong, bittersweet work about grief and regret. This book is difficult to classify. While it has some elements of a romcom (friends-to-rivals-to-lovers, secretly dating, finding yourself, etc.), it doesn't actually read like one. The romance between narrator David and his love interest Chance is the main plot, but arguably the story is really about how David has been stuck in the past and needs to find a way to move forward.
If I had to register a critique, it would be the fact that band member and friend Eli's death--the event that kicks off the plot and brings David and Chance back together--wasn't thoroughly handled. This was a trauma for Chance and arguably for David too. But it barely gets discussed. By the midway point of the book, Chance's feelings of guilt are "resolved" for narrative purposes (or more accurately, seemingly ignored or forgotten by David). It's clear that David is meant to be a selfish character, but the fact that this event just falls away is troubling.
I also thought I would leave unsatisfied by the 'resolution' about the choice to come out or not. Until those last couple of lines...well, let's just say I liked it better than I thought I would.
I'd recommend this book to fans of YA, coming-of-age novels, and bittersweet romances.
illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review against another edition
4.0
When tragedy strikes, two former best friends and ex-bandmates reconnect and fall in love in this YA read from James L. Sutter.
David didn’t expect to see Chance and Eli again. They took the band he helped create and became famous without him. They traveled the globe. They became teen heartthrobs. And David? He stayed back in high school, working construction with his dad in the summer and forging a friendship with a new best friend.
Then the unthinkable happens. Eli passes away, and David finds himself in Chance’s orbit again for the summer. As he begrudgingly begins to rebuild a friendship with Chance, he finds himself feeling something more—something he’s never felt for a guy before.
I enjoyed David and Chance’s story. It’s an honest portrayal of David’s feelings in the midst of major change and upheaval in his life. He’s taking the SATs, trying to figure out his next steps after high school, and lamenting the loss of a dream. He is experiencing grief at the loss of one friend and now has unexpected feelings for another. With these discoveries about himself, he tries to reframe his perspective and to figure out how everything fits, but due to Chance’s fame, he’s left to process many of these feelings in secret. How should he define himself now? He’s not part of the famous Darkhearts, but could he be again? He’s not just attracted to girls, but what label should he use?
Sutter captures the giddiness of young love and the mix of emotions that comes along with its related firsts but doesn’t shy away from the accompanying confusion, hurt, jealousy, and miscommunication.
I listened to the audiobook version. Narrator Ramon de Ocampo’s voice perfectly portrays David’s youthfulness, his moments of hesitation and excitement, and his frustration and elation. I listened to this one mainly at 1.5x speed.
I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
David didn’t expect to see Chance and Eli again. They took the band he helped create and became famous without him. They traveled the globe. They became teen heartthrobs. And David? He stayed back in high school, working construction with his dad in the summer and forging a friendship with a new best friend.
Then the unthinkable happens. Eli passes away, and David finds himself in Chance’s orbit again for the summer. As he begrudgingly begins to rebuild a friendship with Chance, he finds himself feeling something more—something he’s never felt for a guy before.
I enjoyed David and Chance’s story. It’s an honest portrayal of David’s feelings in the midst of major change and upheaval in his life. He’s taking the SATs, trying to figure out his next steps after high school, and lamenting the loss of a dream. He is experiencing grief at the loss of one friend and now has unexpected feelings for another. With these discoveries about himself, he tries to reframe his perspective and to figure out how everything fits, but due to Chance’s fame, he’s left to process many of these feelings in secret. How should he define himself now? He’s not part of the famous Darkhearts, but could he be again? He’s not just attracted to girls, but what label should he use?
Sutter captures the giddiness of young love and the mix of emotions that comes along with its related firsts but doesn’t shy away from the accompanying confusion, hurt, jealousy, and miscommunication.
I listened to the audiobook version. Narrator Ramon de Ocampo’s voice perfectly portrays David’s youthfulness, his moments of hesitation and excitement, and his frustration and elation. I listened to this one mainly at 1.5x speed.
I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
felicitydisco's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.0