I snagged a copy of this book from NetGalley way back in April, but of course, my schedule went off the rails and I ended up missing the review deadline by a few weeks.* I’m glad I kept my copy and finally got around to it though, it was great!
Heartbreak Boys is the story of Jack and Nate. It starts with a coming out, two horrible breakups, cheating, a lot of sass, an Instagram rivalry, and an embarrassingly awkward forced-road trip together. If that doesn’t convince you to read it, the former best-friends patch up and grow closer should!
In this story, I am 100%, Nate—especially in high school. I was the grumpy, boring, keep your head down, don’t make too much of a stir, and get through kid. I’m still grumpy and relatively boring, but I’m much more willing to stand up for myself and others and give my opinion these days, so basically Nate at the end of the novel. I guess I did have a Jack growing up, and they were overwhelming, but we never got back on best terms like this again. Jack is flamboyant and over the top and lives his life how he wants which was wonderfully delightful and I enjoyed every second of it.
‘You don’t have to change a thing, Jack. You’re living your truth, and no one should take that way from you. Me, I don’t even know what my truth is, but . . .’
He raises his eyebrows.
I swallow. ‘But when I’m with you, I feel like I’m . . . finding out. I feel like I’m getting to know it. I feel like I don’t have to pretend. I can just be me, even if I’m grumpy sometimes, even when I’m in a bad mood, and you don’t seem to mind, and I like that. Just me. No filter. Not the highlights reel, the whole thing, the whole . . . messy, chaotic, happy, sad thing call me. And, Jack?’
His eyes widen, his mouth open a little, waiting.
‘Just so you know, Jack, your truth, you with no filter, the real you, maybe some people like Dylan don’t like it, maybe they’re scared of it, maybe you shine so brightly for them they know they could never compete. But me, I like it. I love it. And I should have told you that. I should have told you that ages ago. You’re epic, Jack. You’re fabulous. And please don’t ever stop.’ (Chapter 44: Nate)
The story exists mostly as a revenge plot via who can become more famous on Instagram Jack and Nate or their exes. That part of the story was fine and I enjoyed the lifestyle blogger/influencer, Leila, they met, but the subplot faded away pretty fast for me. I don’t even remember a lot of the posts toward the end and when Nate’s ex shows him their Instagram and what Jack has been publishing I’m like oh yeah they had an Instagram. The realist part was the party they attended and realized neither of them had any desire to be a part of that world.
Nate’s dash through London and the speech he gives Jack after Jack runs away because his dick of an ex gets into his head about Nate is 100% swoonable and aww-worthy. Seriously, I grinned like an idiot for a good 30 minutes after I read that and I was exhausted, sick and it was like 2 am.
OK, it’s just . . . don’t laugh, but I have this thing, this . . . It probably sounds stupid, but I always imagine there’s a monster in the bedroom hungry for limbs, and if any part of me is exposed and not under the duvet, the creature will eat them. So. My left arm, foot, and lower leg are all currently in peril. (Chapter 21: Jack)
If there’s one character that stole the show, it was Nate’s little sister Rose. She had so many epic one-liners and Green’s timing with them was impeccable. In general, the minor characters helped take this from a mediocre novel to a better-than-expected read. Nate’s family was hilarious even aside from Rose, Jack’s cousin and the lifestyle blogger all had their moments.
Recommendation: This was my first book by Simon James Green and I very much enjoyed it. It was a quick read with relatively low angst considering how angsty teenagers are and how the book starts. Jack and Nate both mature and grow as characters and there were so many low-key moments that just brought queer joy and friendship to the front and that just made me so happy. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Green in the future.
*I received a copy of Heartbreak Boys via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
Opening Line: “Is this a joke?”
Closing Line: “And I won’t ever let those flames die again. Not ever.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)
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