Red, White, and Royal Blue was my favorite novel of 2022. The tagline is 100% correct to compare the two. If you like RWRB, READ THIS!!!!!

i enjoyed this book so much! i am currently trying to get myself out of a reading slump and it felt so good to read a book i thoroughly enjoyed :) i requested this arc many months ago that by now when picking it up i had basically forgotten anything it was about so i went into it blind and was surprised and happy to see that it was not one but TWO of my fav tropes! childhood best friends (who have a falling out) to lovers, AND a famous musician/boyband romance! i loved all the characters and as a bisexual myself it was nice getting to read david's journey to discovering himself. the romance was cute and fun and i loved the ending so much! another cool thing was how it was set in seattle as i have been there many times, i love when books take place somewhere i know/been because it makes the story feel so much more real! overall i would highly suggest this book for anyone looking for a queer band romance because it perfectly hit the spot <3

Stop comparing everything to Red, White & Royal Blue and making Harry Potter references challenge.

Darkhearts sounded like a book that would be perfect for me. Coming-of-age. Forbidden love. Bandmates secretly dating. Friends-to-lovers. *chef's kiss* That's some top tier stuff. But Darkhearts also suffers from not being sure exactly what it's supposed to be. A drama? A romcom? We start out at a friend's funeral who died from alcohol poisoning. I wish this had been explored more. Said friend, who was also in Darkhearts (the band), and was, once upon a time, best friends with David and Chance. Chance, the sole surviving band member, (because David quite 2 years ago), returns home to try and reconnect with David. Their reunion blossoms into some resemblance of a relationship. But Chance has to return to the life on the road (As a one man band? A solo artist?) and David is, once again, being left behind. Feelings are hurt all around. Though, there is some resolution by the end. And everyone lives happily ever after. Just kidding! We actually have no idea because just as the book gets exciting, it ends. Maybe we could have seen some of the *after* and cut out some of the boring mundane stuff. Not that I don't love fluff. Idk. Side note: let's play a game where we count how many cringe popculture icons and phrases are mentioned. I'll wait.

I know it seems like I disliked Darkhearts but I actually did enjoy it. I listened via audiobook. Ramon de Ocampo is a narrator I typically enjoy.

If you are looking for some great companion novels: If This Gets Out, Catch My Breath, A Summer Soundtrack for Falling in Love, Boy Banned, A Little Bit Country, and Beyond the Sea all had some similar vibes.


***Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.***

David quit Darkhearts, the band he created with his two best friends, before they went on to become incredibly famous and successful. After Eli tragically dies, Chance ends up in their hometown looking to spend time with David again. But David is still holding onto a lot of resentment towards Chance and how everything went down with the band. However, through spending time together he starts to find himself developing romantic feelings for Chance. Which is new, since David’s never liked a boy before.

There was a lot that I really enjoyed about this book. It was interesting seeing David and Chance try to pick up their friendship again after so much has changed. I also liked that David is pretty unlikable at times. He’s always viewing himself as the victim and is pretty uncharitable when it comes to special considerations Chance needs to have because of being famous. It all felt very realistic for how a teenager might react in these situations.

For most of the story it just feels like a slice of life about these two boys reconnecting. There’s not really a huge overarching plot outside of their relationship and how that will impact their lives going forward. I didn’t mind the laid back pace of the story, however I do think that the ending felt rushed. I liked how David had to realize how he had been treating people unfairly, apologize, and learn to go about his relationships differently. But it felt like that development just happened way too quickly. Also, some things that were brought up never got fully fleshed out. Like conversations about if celebrities need to come out and if people are just taking advantage of ambiguity.

Overall I did enjoy the book even if it didn’t become a new favorite. If you’re a fan of queer YA and a story about teens reconnecting and the pressures of figuring out your sexuality in the spotlight sounds interesting then I say to give this one a try.

Disclaimer; I received a gifted copy of this book from netgalley and I'm in exchange leaving an honest review.
I primarily read sapphic romance when it comes to LGBTQ+ books, but the cover of this one sold me almost immediately. I fell in love with this book when Chance was introduced pretty much. It's a cute coming out story, though David's coming out part is closer to the end. Chance is humble, despite the baggage that comes from being famous. David is resentful because he wanted to be famous too, so he's kind of a dick in the beginning, but seeing his character development was awesome.
I also thought it was cool that I share a name with Ridley, David's best friend. It's not often that I see characters with my name

This book is so very cute, and it's perfect for queer teens. I may be 24, But I'm a sucker for YA.

This book will make you feel all the feels. I was feeling so many different emotions during this. I love the cast of characters. It was a great story line and the plot was well flushed out. I had a great time.

It’s rare that I read a book that makes me feel a variety of emotions towards different characters. It’s refreshing to see flaws in all of the characters and be angry at them for the choices they make and the things they say, especially the POV character. I wasn’t big on the “fame” storyline but that wasn’t as prevalent as it could have been. I love the moments between Chance and David the most. I felt the connection (and disconnect) between them and felt their relationship grow and evolve.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love that this was a book about boy bands and old friends turned rivals. This book was a phenomenal read. I could not put it down.

Darkhearts is a beautiful book about love and second chances and learning to forgive others (and yourself) for missed chances. It's about figuring out who you are and what you really want, and letting the rest go. It's messy and painful and beautiful and full of second-hand embarassment and sheer joy. I loved it.

Watching David and Chance figure out what they can do, what they can't do, what they should do, and what they want to do was a lot of fun. It was very much an end-of-highschool coming-of-age story, with the added complications of fame and missed chances at fame. I loved being along for the ride.

The audiobook is performed beautifully and the narrator really brings the characters to life. I'm glad I listened to it because I think it adds to the story and makes it easier to get swept up in it.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy and early audio copy for review.

This was on my new releases TBR for 2023 and I’m so grateful to get an early copy from NetGalley. I ended up finishing it in a day, and found it to be a short and easy but really enjoyable read.

James L. Sutter’s new novel focuses on two boys who’ve been brought together again after the sudden death of their friend. One had the chance to become famous, and the other had to sit back and watch it happen. There’s angst and unrealized trauma from their past, but as they recognize their feelings they learn to heal and move forward.

I found the story and characters very realistic (except the best friend, maybe I’m too old but I’m pretty sure no one real talks like that). I appreciated that the kids relationships with their parents were supportive and understanding, if difficult sometimes, and Sutter didn’t follow the trope of the teen whose parents just don’t get them.

This story felt young and real and a great representation of modern youth and finding your way in life and in relationships. Absolutely recommend you read it, even if you’re not a romance person, since the themes traverse more than just the love story.

I am so glad I’m not a teenager anymore.

T/CW: death of a friend (alcohol poisoning), grief, casual fatphobia, absent parent, Harry Potter reference

If you know me online, you know I love a gay boy band book. I don't know why exactly? But I eat them up like it's 1am and there's a free cupcake. While I would say I prefer If This Gets Out and Kiss & Tell over this one, it's still a solid read and will get you in your feels.

The premise is what really pulled me in: our main character was one of the founding members of the three-person band Darkhearts but walked away right before they got big. Now one of the band members has died and the other is back in town for the funeral.

Romance in the public eye/with someone famous is always so interesting to me. Maybe because I'm a Swiftie and followed Taylor for years as she learned that real happiness in relationships happens with privacy (Toe for life). As I've aged I've found also YA romances don't do it for me the same way anymore, but this one has really stayed with me. The mini-golf date, the long drive, the first kiss, the secret beach—it all comes back to me easily even though I took no notes while reading.

I wish the mental health storyline was kept up beyond the first 1/3. Losing someone so young—and their best friend for years and bandmate—and to such a preventable tragedy (alcohol poisoning was mentioned as the cause very briefly) is traumatic, and the grief was not written as such. It felt more like a kid they had grown up with, maybe were neighbors with, died, not the person they rose to fame and traveled the world with. I don't think therapy played a role at all.

But overall I enjoyed the story. There's a beautiful moment about sexuality and labels:

"Sexuality is . . .” She looked around for a metaphor, then lifted what was left of her cinnamon roll. “Like this cinnamon roll. You see it, you think, ‘Damn, that looks good,’ so you eat it. If you like it, you do it again. Everything else—whether you’re bi or pan or sapiosexual or whatever the hell—that’s about labels, and politics, and creating shorthands for other people. That can be useful, and important for society, but you don’t have to pick a flag right out the gate. Just let yourself like who you like.”


David lives with just his father and I loved their relationship. He works in construction and we see plenty of that on the job action, but it doesn't slow the story down. David also has some very unlikable qualities that don't necessarily vanish after the third act conflict. While some people might be annoyed by that, I LOVE a flawed character, and David felt more realistic than most YA narrators. There's some rivals-to-lovers romance, a few scenes of secondhand embarrassment where I had to stop reading and take a break before I could stomach coming back, and sex positivity.

I also learned that the author wrote this inspired by his own teenage punk band, so I love the book even more now.

Rep: queer MC, Korean-American queer LI, Mexican sc, butch sc

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

I tried to get into Darkhearts, I really did, but I've read so many fanfiction m/m bandmate romances that were just so much better than this book that I can't give it more than three stars. I continue to appreciate that stories like this have really become more mainstream now, but while I don't mind "unlikable" characters, they need to be written in a way that doesn't ultimately become tiresome and unfortunately that wasn't the case here. I do like the cover, though! Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Years ago David and his two friends, Elijah and Chance, started a band as young teens. When high school began, he chose to step back and shortly there after the remaining duo was signed by a label and rocketed to stardom - leaving David behind.

Now one of those friends is prematurely dead and the other is back in David’s life after two years of not speaking.

As they reconnect and build a new sort of relationship, past resentments and new fears come to a head.

How can they move forward?

This is an angsty teen romance with some pretty heavy topics loosely touched on (substance abuse, sexuality, parental abandonment, racism, etc).

I adored this book! It was sweet and romantic, angsty and emotional, and full of internal conflict. I felt like the Red White & Royal Blue comp wasn't quite right for the tone of this book and at times, the main character's jealousy as a flaw was frustrating beyond what I think the author intended. But ultimately, a really sweet and fun story.

While the book was well-written, it was hard to get over the main character’s personality traits. He just wasn’t likable and the love interest deserved better. The plot has potential and was cute, however.

I really enjoyed this ya romance - two 17 old guys learning how to be friends again after years apart. Very well done. I loved all the hard topics - addressed with purpose and showing realistic recovery.
The tragic suicide of a founding member of the band Darkhearts, brings Chance home for an extended stay. He reconnects with David - also a founding member who left the band right before they found success.
David struggles with his anger - and resentment, left behind by his friends while they traveled the world and became famous. Chance reaches out - giving David an opportunity to reconnect. Their friendship grows into something more. With all the realities of teenage insights.
This book covers - addiction, recovery, grief, dealing with abonnement; done realistically and with grace.

3.5/5 stars

What I liked:

Darkhearts is a light-hearted, queer YA tale with quick pacing and witty dialogue. I enjoyed Sutter’s fun, to-the-point writing style and appreciated how it perfectly captures the protagonist’s personality. It was an entertaining read but different than the high-stakes, plot-twist-heavy stories I’m used to reading. Despite that, it was a nice change to read something more lighthearted and wholesome.

What I didn’t like:

The ending was a bit predictable and there weren’t any twists that I didn’t see coming, but overall the story itself and David’s journey were written well, albeit a bit simplified.

Overall:

I would recommend Darkhearts by James L. Sutter to anyone looking for a wholesome, queer love story that doesn’t focus on the traumatic experiences that many LGBTQ+ stories include. It was refreshing reading a YA story that has supportive friends and family members.

When David quit his band two years ago, he certainly wasn’t expecting them to hit it big and leave him in the dust. But nevertheless, he’s been stuck in highschool while his two former best friends chased stardom. And then Eli dies in a tragic case of alcohol poisoning and suddenly Chance is back. As the two deal with the loss of their friend they rediscover what once made them great friends, break open old wounds, and make new discoveries about themselves. Not to mention the unexpected kiss that sends the two into a whole new world of hiding a relationship.

I wasn’t expecting to start this book at a funeral. Honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was approached about reading an ARC of this book in the first place. I didn’t particularly love either of the main characters, though I did really enjoy Ridley’s penchant for old movies. David was a little flat emotional wise for me, but I enjoyed his hobbies of wood work and carpentry and the backstory and discoveries surround his mom shared more near the end rounded him out. I also really appreciated the not perfect, but better than most relationship he had with his father. Chance’s personality bugged me, but the reasoning for his front I enjoyed a lot and gave him a lot of depth. The relationship between the two is as it should be for a YA, messy and complicated and real. Neither of them is perfect, what teen is? So while I hated David’s treatment toward Chance, it makes sense. They’re learning how to have relationships and his “sudden epiphany” of how he should treat Chance seems more realistic to me than it might to others. And really, I feel like some adults could learn a lesson or two from this.
If you enjoyed If This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich & Sophie Gonzales you will definitely enjoy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, & Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed the idea of a boy band! I am also a sucker for tropes like reconnection. I also appreciated the fact that the author took the time to explore the two boys’ trauma over their friend’s death and did not sugarcoat such a tragic event. Really entertaining read!

DNF.

I got about 20% through with this book but could not find it in me to continue or be invested in what was happening so far. All other reviews seemed great but I couldn’t get past how… Bland it felt. The idea of teens going through grief, bringing them back together after being apart, then falling for one another is a perfect storyline & something truly interesting that can hit a lot of people, however, it was just done with no finesse and left no reason for me to be interested in seeing the characters develop. It felt like too much relied on weird pop culture references that were EXTREMELY specific or obscure- just to show that Chance was… Famous? Didn’t make sense honestly. David was someone who had no sense of personality, and every single time he said anything there was NO emotion attached to the tag, which led me to picture him as being one dimensional and not at all someone who could be related to.

I wanted to try the book out, like it, and be able to have another good LGBTQ book to add to my shelf, but this missed the mark in so many ways. Maybe it got better- but if I’m not invested by like… an hour of reading- I can’t justify wasting more time figuring out if the characters have depth or not.