Member Reviews

Oh. My. God.
I need a moment to catch my breath. Literally.

I started off this book a while ago, I think during April? I wanted some lighthearted cutesy queer romance to engage in because why not. The cover was promising, the plot - one of my favorite tropes... It was really screaming 'pick me up' next. So I did. And boy I fell hard for this book.

For context, I love to watch k-dramas. My favourite one is 'Her Private Life' with its beautiful story, striking aesthetic, and amazing characters. In the series, there's this one episode where they are trying to get photos of a famous photographer, who's dead now, and has some unreleased photos kept with his best friend. The best friend always refuses to make those available to the public eyes, because they are not the best works. The best friend is a writer. And this story repeatedly reminded me of that couple - a gay couple where one is a photographer and another is a writer, both living while knowing they love each other.

This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. I gobbled it up till 70% in and sensed a showdown. I really wasn't ready for it, so I kept the novel aside for a bit. But now I'm glad I picked it up again because IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STORY! The chemistry and the tension 🤌🏼🤌🏼

Choose this read soon folks, lest you may regret it.

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This was a very well written heart felt book that pleasently surprised me, even though i had high expectations since it has one of my favorite tropes.

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Beautifully written and touching tale of young love. I think a lot of teenagers can relate to Henry - he's awkward, quirky, and always feels out of the loop. Like everyone has a manual to life that he somehow misplaced.

I loved the every-day setting. The teenage years are tumultuous enough as is, and this slice-of-life feel contrasted nicely with the high emotions of the characters and let them shine through. However, I thought the ending came a little too soon. I feel like the characters needed a little more time after the climax of the story to really flesh out the conclusion.

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Get ready to fall in love with 'Henry Hamlet’s Heart,' a charming queer YA romance that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster through the streets of Brisbane. In this debut novel by an exciting new author, we meet Henry Hamlet, a high school senior navigating the uncertainties of post-graduation life. With his trusty sidekick Len by his side, Henry stumbles through awkward situations with his trademark clumsiness. But when unexpected feelings arise for someone unexpected, Henry finds himself facing a whole new set of challenges.

Set against the backdrop of Brisbane, this novel captures the essence of youth, friendship, and self-discovery. The dynamic between Henry and Len is both heartwarming and hilarious, showcasing the complexities of adolescent relationships. As Henry grapples with his newfound emotions, readers are taken on a journey of growth, acceptance, and, ultimately, love.

With its witty dialogue and relatable characters, 'Henry Hamlet’s Heart' is a must-read for fans of YA romance. Through its pages, readers will find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering for Henry as he navigates the ups and downs of first love and coming-of-age. This book is a testament to the power of love and friendship, and a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can lead to the greatest happiness.

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I love reading queer books and with the romance comedy trope is a cherry on cake. I absolutely love this one.
The characters were so amazing, they literally got me hooked to the book till the very end. The plotline was well paced and ever all the characters were given sufficient scope to contribute to the plotline.
I love the writing style of the author.

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This was a quick and easy read. It felt very light and a great option for a quick read in between some heavier reads. I really enjoyed the setting and the overall story, would definitely read more from this author.

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Thank you so much for the ARC. This is another book that I dfn , I don't remember at what percentage. The book is fine, it is a friends to lovers. I have realized that I no longer like reading YA books .I don't give it a low rating because I don't think it's bad read, just not for me. If you like YA, you would probably like it.

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THIS IS THE QUEER YA ROMANCE ID BEEN WAITING FOR. thx netgalley for giving it to me in exchange for honest review. i have no idea why it took me so long to pick this up. this was one of my highly anticipated MM- actually just romance in general- books and it DID NOT disappoint.
thank u for giving me characters to adore, a story- adorably awkward at times- to fall in love with in the GASP 2000s. waaaaaaaay too little books set here. in brisbane too! i am ashamed to say i did not know where this was before the book. so we can classify this as educational ;).
friends to lovers trope supremacy. hope u love this book as much as i did!

"I don't get ... What I am, to you.'
Len's face shifts, a roller thunderstorm.
He leans in. Closer and closer, until he's got me pinned between him and the wall.
'You're half of me,' he says, his voice soft and serious. 'What else is there?"

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this was a cute read! the cover was absolutely adorable that's the reason i picked it up. not necessarily something i'll re-read but it was enjoyable nonetheless

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A breathtaking story of self discovery, romance and friendship. The novel follows Henry as he navigates his feelings for his best friend, after a party game changed their lives.
It was a sweet read, and I loved the tender moments between the two.

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I loved this book and we have been stocking and selling it! We received the yellow cover and love it :) (apologies for this review being so late!)

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I loved this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the queer representation and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good LBGTQ+ story.

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I just loved this heartwarming queer YA story a lot. I could relate to all the characters and I found this to be an overall lovely experience. I love positive queer stories and this is definitely one of them. This belongs on your June TBR

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I really enjoyed this book, it was such a fun read. I forgot to leave a review at the time I read it, but I definitely recommend!

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I absolutely loved this novel.
Such a great story with defined characters and a great plot.
What drew me in the most was how fleshed out the characters were
The writing style was fluid and relateable.
The cover was fascinating as well.
A reviting read overall
Definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!

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I loved this book! It is the epitome of a queer, coming of age, romcom, YA novel. Henry was so adorable and very relatable, it made me remember my awkward days in high school. A cute first love romance that left me feeling cuddly and hoping their love lasted.

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I love Australian YA books and especially queer ones. This one is so very wonderful, and I am so glad that it exists.
This book is just.... so good. I loved it a lot.

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This books makes my queer heart soar. It’s what we should all have felt in high school. The comfort to be who we are, fall in love and even experience heartbreak like all our peers.

This book was funny, serious at times and heartwarming. It had its moments of perfect romance and kept me turning pages until it was over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Two best friends, Henry and Len, enter their senior year of high school and prepare for entering adulthood. Henry is a super endearing character, rich with awkwardness and a need for belonging. His best friend, Len, comes from a home with layers of trauma, from the loss of his mother and a volatile relationship with his father. Henry and Len find solace with each other, until their relationship takes a step toward more than friends.

This is a sweet coming of age story, exploring queerness in many forms, and the self discovery of young adults seeking happiness amidst large life changes and transitions.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Henry Hamlet‘s Heart is just what the premise promised: sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking and passionate. As a high school student (or at least the international equivalent of a high school), this book hit me really hard.
It took me quite a bit to get into the story but then I almost couldn‘t put it down again.
I loved the characters- Henry was so relatable and I really felt for and with him.
Actually, the whole book made me feel A LOT.
The different dynamics between the characters were incredibly good. I loved Henry‘s family and friends- this was a beautifully written book that I would totally recommend to everybody! It reminds me why I love ya contemporary so much.

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