Book 968: Henry Hamlet’s Heart – Rhiannon Wilde

I picked this review copy up a while ago and due to school and work being a bit much recently, I’m posting this almost two weeks late.* I really try to have my responses published the week of publication but that week was also the week my first big paper was due, which I did great on, but still better luck next time.

Henry Hamlet’s Heart is the story of Henry and Len, best friends that have been in each others’ orbit forever. Henry has existed as the non-sexual know-it-all brainiac and Len has existed as the sexually fluid footballer who does what he wants when he wants with whoever he wants.

It’s pretty clear from the outset that they’ve loved each other forever but Henry was too obtuse to realize it and Len was protecting his heart and living up to his playboy reputation. It took WAY too long for them to figure it out (or more likely it took me too long to get to that point in the story), but when they did, boy did the sparks fly and the pace of the story picks up! Even though I felt ho-hum about the story I could’ve spent so much more time with Henry and Len as they figured out who they were together but Wilde did a great job with the happy for now, future is a bright ending so I can’t complain.

There were so many wonderful minor characters from all of Henry’s family to “The Boiss” (the friend group) that I’m honestly surprised I didn’t love the story more. There were definitely some that I felt should’ve played more of a role (Henry’s best friend who dips in twice) but for the most part, they were just great and I enjoyed them. My favorite was a tie between Henry’s bisexual grandmother who took no prisoners and his absent-minded author dad who was a space case but supportive.

Recommendation: Overall this one was sort of ho-hum for me. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t omg squee amazing either. I’m not sure if this is an Australia thing for me, seems the last few books set in Australia ended up sort of meh. The chemistry between Henry and Len was really well done and their fight and make-up scenes were SO good, but not enough to make me think this is a great book. It could be me and how exhausted/busy I’ve been but you never know. If I stumble across Wilde again in the future I wouldn’t say no to trying another book by her.

*I received a copy of Henry Hamlet’s Heart via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.

Opening Line: “‘Gran are you a lespain?’ my brother asks at Sunday brunch.”

Closing Line: “‘What Now?’ ‘Everything else, Hamlet.’ ‘Everything?’ ‘Yeah.'” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)