Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts

Product Information

I really loved the set of characters that were presented in this book. Jesse, Cas and Morgan are a truly heartwarming trio, Momma Spark and Jacques are amazing at being menaces and the movie crew (especially Bree and Tiny) really bring the whole story together. Even though they are young, we get to see their struggles, their hopes and aspirations, their emotions/feelings and their way of dealing with serious and heavy topics. It adds a layer of complexity and truth to the book that might not be seen at first glance and I really enjoyed going through these experiences with them. I did see the ending coming from a mile off (although not all of it's details) but I loved seeing how we managed to get there. There is some homophobia in the story, but I thought that it was handled well, as well as some hints at internalised homophobia. My one gripe is that there is some miscommunication which went on for too long and I found a bit annoying, but it didn't take too much away from my enjoyment. And was perfectly captured by the audiobook narrator, Chris Nelson. It truly felt like It was the real Jesse I was listening to, telling me his story.

Jesse Spark has just been diagnosed with a heart condition and needs to have open-heart surgery. And while he is scared about the operation, what worries him most is the scar he'll be left with and that no one will ever find him attractive because of it. So he starts a plan to get everything he wants before the surgery. First of all, he'll film the movie he's been writing for a while now and then, he'll find love. If not forever, at least for now. But nothing is so easy, and made worst by his two best friends fighting for an unknown reason. Das englische Hörbuch hat die Stimmung der Geschichte perfekt aufgegriffen und Chris Nelson hat Jesse und allen anderen so viel Charakter gegeben, dass ich mich ein wenig in seine Stimme verliebt habe. Da ist so viel an Emotionen passiert, das mir beinahe das Herz aus der Brust gesprungen ist.Your own heart will ache and feel like it might break, but it will also smile, laugh and feel so much joy it might even burst! ♥️ This is a heartfelt (pun intended), heart warming (sorry I'll stop), heart wrenching (okay I'm done for real) story of self-esteem, courage, achievement, friendship, and above all, love. This is a story that has such charm to it that it simply pulls you in without your notice so it can strike you right where it hurts the most. It makes you laugh, it makes you think, and it makes you cry, but most of all, it makes you feel like you're at home. I asked myself several times how realistic it is that these young people are making this zombie film and doing it so professionally, and then I thought „Who cares, I love it and all I want is for Jesse to be happy!“.

This was a funny queer romcom that felt real and whose characters will steal your heart. I promise all the heart puns are not intended. I'm very stupid and I don't read summaries so I thought this had actual Zombies. I'm kinda glad it didn't though.

Author

This book has a big old beautiful heart, and is proof that William Hussey is one of our finest writers for teens. * Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls * I'm not the target demographic for YA at all, but sometimes it just really hits the mark and gives me everything I'm looking for from a book. This book really did it for me. I enjoyed that it was funny and obviously that it was queer, but most of all I loved that the author put so much of himself into it. He's clearly a fan of cinema, which is demonstrated in the main thrust of the plot, but the main character also has the same heart condition as the author, which gives us a great insight into what it must be like and the worries and concerns that someone living with this condition must experience. Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar - because how will anyone ever fancy him after that? One of the big themes of the book is that of body image. Jesse knows that gay men are often held to incredibly high standards when it comes to their appearance, and he’s afraid that once he has the operation – and a scar on his chest – he won’t be considered datable. One of his best friends, Morgan, has felt insecure about how she looked her whole life, and while Jesse and their other friend Cas do their best to help her, she sees doesn’t find any validation in what they say. I thought these issues and storylines were handled really well. I also appreciated that the author didn’t go into the specifics of Morgan’s appearance, such as her exact weight or clothes size, because these insecurities can plague someone no matter their appearance (and also avoids giving a number to ‘too big’ or ‘small enough’).

The writing was light and easy; it was simple to follow. I wouldn’t say it was particularly challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. It was just ... Jesse Sparks. Was like a teenager whose head is everywhere at the same time.Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar – because how will anyone ever fancy him after that? There was also excellent narration from Chris Nelson, who brought all the characters to life so vividly. I’m not sure if it was the British-ness of the characters or what, but MC Jesse Spark reminded me a great deal of both Charlie Spring ( Heartstopper: Volume One) and Noah Grimes ( Noah Can't Even), who are two other gay teen characters I’ve adored in recent years. the premise was wonderful and i do really like the concept but the execution just wasn’t my favourite sadly . Like his counterparts, Jesse was this lovely blend of wholesome and starry-eyed, also hilariously rambly at times and so relatable in his insecurities, as he navigated his complex friendships and crushes, lifelong and new, all while making his zombie movie passion project and dealing with a scary new health crisis.