This read a lot like a romance novel to me -- high drama, lots of sex, tonally light and heavy at the same time (our hero is in peril but you know everything will work out for him). I got caught up in the mystery and stayed up late to finish it in one sitting.

It's sort of funny that this reminded me of a romance novel because one of the defining features of the main character Jack is that he's not interested in falling in love or being in a relationship and (spoiler alert) that's not a setup for a meet-cute. This truly is not a love story. It's a story about friendship, sexuality and bullying. The romance novel feeling comes from how surreal this world is: beautiful, rich teens having lots of great sex, going to parties, drinking and getting dressed up. It's what I think maybe Gossip Girl is like, only I've never seen or read any Gossip Girl. Actually, I'm sure this is better than Gossip Girl because along with all the sex and fashion is some solid relationship and sex advice.

Did I mention there is a lot of sex in this book? Good lord. The thing is, there is also a lot of mentioning of safe sex and condoms, etc. The other thing is that most of the sex happens off-screen. I don't think the novel is meant to be erotic. It has frank descriptions of sexual encounters. It also has salacious build-ups that fade away and then cut to post-coital scenes. It's certainly no Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, but it's not, like, Fifty Shades of Grey either.

I think the main thing I took away from this book is what it's like to be in the head of Jack, a hot, rich, gay teenage boy with a strong interest in fashion and no interest in monogamy. There are a lot of assumptions made about him, some of which are true, some not so much. A book like this blows up stereotypes and leans into them at the same time. ( )

I enjoyed reading Jack of Hearts as it highlights a lot of issues with teens in particular, even in 2018/19. Being in high school is hard, I am sure everyone will agree there. Jack is gay, he is a bit of a party animal and his reputation precedes him, although not everything spoken in the rumour mill is true heck he likes to be talked about so really mind what he was supposed to have done at the last party.

Jack also writes an advice column on his friend’s blog and yes he may divulge a bit too much of his private life, but it does help the anonymous people he answers.

He starts receiving notes in his locker and it soon turns to be a full-on stalker. And when he turns to his headteacher for help, his prejudiced attitude says basically Jack has bought it all on himself and should just calm down.

In this book, we see how this affects Jack and how he deals with it, but there is also a lot of humour too, his friends are great, there is banter, tiffs and so much more. It was a great book. ( )

Content warning: stalker, alcohol use, pot use, descriptions of sex acts.

I had to read the last four chapters without stopping because this got a bit dark and I needed to know how it resolved, in case you wonder if the plot is compelling. Obsession is bad, y'all. Creepy-bad.

Then I read through a couple of the low star reviews, and... Huh. Seems some readers took exception to Jack's sex life, when that's just him, and not the point of the story. That says way more about the reviewer than the book. It isn't "shallow" to enjoy sex. What century are we in? Jack is intelligent about it, and thoughtful, as his mom taught him. The advice he writes did seem a little advanced to me, but considering the intended audience, I am all for good advice.

Anyway, if YA is your jam, this one is very good. I borrowed it from my library, total win. :) ( )

Too Bad More Teens Don’t Read: This Book Is for Them

On the one hand is the storyline and plot of the novel. On the other hand is the real strength of this book.
The real strength of this book is the straightforward advice it offers in the form of the “Jack of Hearts Advice Column” and in some of the author’s narration. The advice is strong, clear, powerful and greatly needed by teens, straight and gay alike, because it so clearly deals with issues of sexuality about which they have so much confusion and so little guidance. It is advice I wish I had gotten when I was 16 or even 20 and advice I wish I had been able to give my own kids as they struggled with those issues when they were those ages.
On the other hand, in order to get anyone to read the advice, a strong and compelling storyline and plot were needed. Since I am well past being a teenager and yet I wanted to finish the book, I think it is pretty obvious that the book was sufficiently engaging to keep readers interested. The storyline and plot were engaging, compelling even.
Thus, the book succeeds in both its purposes and I believe it is a valuable contribution to the YA genre, even though I have reservations about just how frank it sometimes was.
Nevertheless, it is non-judgmental, non-preachy and non-clinical, a good read and a good cornucopia of useful and needed information. ( )

Good, fun read with a wide spectrum of characters. I can see some parents/teachers not liking this book because it features aspects of teenagerhood they'd rather not be discussed, but I feel like the topics of alcohol and sex were responsibly covered. They happen in teenager's lives, and the most important thing is to stay safe and smart. ( )