Jack of Hearts by Lev A.C. Rosen
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
My first time getting it in the butt was kind of weird. I think it’s going to be weird for everyone’s first time, though. 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…
My Thoughts
If it’s not already internationally known, I’d like to shout it out once again: BOOKS LIKE JACK OF HEARTS (AND OTHER PARTS) ARE GONNA HELP ME BEAT THIS READING SLUMP ONE DAY.
So, I read the blurb of this book, like, months ago, and I had wanted to read it, but I didn’t pick it up until six days ago, and I’m still beating myself up. I am a huge fan of Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and this book reminded me a lot of it. But it’s different from Simon.
Lemme just tell y’ all how I feel about this book: it is amazeballs.
Not only does it talk about pride and acceptance and being unapologetic, but it also talks about the importance of safe sex and consent. The sex advice column where Jack answers the questions of people was actually a sex advice column. This book is sex-positive, funny and educational. I found myself nodding, roaring with laughter, and sometimes crying (yes, I cry a lot).
Even though the mystery part was not quite mysterious and I had guessed who the stalker was (after suspecting almost everyone), I still loved it till the end.
I loved Jack, who is hilarious and accepting and intelligent and unapologetic. He is also an amazing son and an amazing friend. I loved his friends too, who are super helpful and supportive. My favorite character, after Jack, was Jenna, who is his best friend. I loved her because she stood up against the school principal to support Jack.
All in all, I loved this book. It was interesting and hilarious and important. It’s about acceptance, being you and loving others for who they are and of course, good sex. You should definitely read it!
Prose & Pancakes 