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Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts
A Big Gay Rom-Zom-Com with Heart
Jesse Spark has a broken heart and in a few short weeks he'll require major surgery to repair it - which means he only has a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks.
1) Shoot his epic zombie movie on a shoestring budget if he has any hope of getting into film school.
2) Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar - because how will anyone ever fancy him after that?
Sex Education meets Love, Simon - with fake zombies - in this savagely funny gay YA romance about body image, self-acceptance and falling in love, all while shooting a low-budget zombie flick!
Fun, fresh and authentic, this is the feel-good hit of #hotboysummer, perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Ciara Smyth and Adam Silvera.
Jesse Spark has a broken heart and in a few short weeks he'll require major surgery to repair it - which means he only has a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks.
1) Shoot his epic zombie movie on a shoestring budget if he has any hope of getting into film school.
2) Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar - because how will anyone ever fancy him after that?
Sex Education meets Love, Simon - with fake zombies - in this savagely funny gay YA romance about body image, self-acceptance and falling in love, all while shooting a low-budget zombie flick!
Fun, fresh and authentic, this is the feel-good hit of #hotboysummer, perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Ciara Smyth and Adam Silvera.
400 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2023
About the author
William Hussey
18 books250 followersWilliam Hussey is the award-winning author of over a dozen novels, spanning almost every genre of fiction — from Young Adult thrillers to gripping whodunnits. His critically acclaimed books include the Crime Fest award-nominated Hideous Beauty, The Outrage, and Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts. Born the son of a travelling showman, he has spent a lifetime absorbing the history, folklore and culture of fairground people, knowledge he has put to work in his Scott Jericho thrillers.
With over a decade of experience in schools, William is passionate about reading and creative writing, regularly running events and workshops for young people.
William lives in the seaside town of Skegness with his dog Bucky and a vivid imagination.
With over a decade of experience in schools, William is passionate about reading and creative writing, regularly running events and workshops for young people.
William lives in the seaside town of Skegness with his dog Bucky and a vivid imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
March 12, 2023
William Hussey is an auto-buy author for me. His queer YA Hideous Beauty is a gem about love and loss, and The Outrage, a dystopian YA story, is chest-tightening and incredibly scary. He also writes adult books, Killing Jericho is a mystery about a disgraced and penniless gay detective. And his latest book, Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts, is a rom-com about a boy who needs an open heart operation.
I love William’s writing. I’ve said it before. He writes ‘showing’ like no other, and his writing is energetic, almost frantic at times, especially when there’s an MC like Jessie who spits out strings of words and can’t seem to stop talking. Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is a very personal story, and if you follow William on social media, you probably know why.
Unlike his other books, this story doesn’t seem scary at all. It’s hilarious and fluffy and cute. But the scariness lies beneath the surface. Because what does it do to you when you’re facing an open heart operation at seventeen? When people tell you there’s a ‘huge’ chance you’ll survive? And when the result of that operation is an enormous ugly scar? Jessie must face all these things, and the underlying equation between Jessie’s psychological battle and the zombie film he was making is beautifully done.
The Outrage and Hideous Beauty were exceptional and have a special place in my heart. Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is more common and mainstream, but the open heart operation and the personal story of William made this book special in a different way. It’s a wonderful book that will definitely appeal to lovers of Simon James Green’s books.
Oh, and William, I swallowed a few times when I suddenly read there was an Ellis Bell Memorial Drama Studio, and laughed out loud when I saw the titles for the tracks for the movie. Great way to refer fellow British authors 😂!
I received an ARC from Usborne Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I love William’s writing. I’ve said it before. He writes ‘showing’ like no other, and his writing is energetic, almost frantic at times, especially when there’s an MC like Jessie who spits out strings of words and can’t seem to stop talking. Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is a very personal story, and if you follow William on social media, you probably know why.
Unlike his other books, this story doesn’t seem scary at all. It’s hilarious and fluffy and cute. But the scariness lies beneath the surface. Because what does it do to you when you’re facing an open heart operation at seventeen? When people tell you there’s a ‘huge’ chance you’ll survive? And when the result of that operation is an enormous ugly scar? Jessie must face all these things, and the underlying equation between Jessie’s psychological battle and the zombie film he was making is beautifully done.
The Outrage and Hideous Beauty were exceptional and have a special place in my heart. Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is more common and mainstream, but the open heart operation and the personal story of William made this book special in a different way. It’s a wonderful book that will definitely appeal to lovers of Simon James Green’s books.
Oh, and William, I swallowed a few times when I suddenly read there was an Ellis Bell Memorial Drama Studio, and laughed out loud when I saw the titles for the tracks for the movie. Great way to refer fellow British authors 😂!
I received an ARC from Usborne Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on Instagram
October 24, 2023
4 Stars
Delightful, funny, and so very relatable, Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is a queer contemporary YA story that will warm your soul and do all sorts of funny things to your fragile hearts.
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.
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.
I loved the friendships here, especially between Jesse and his BFFs, Cas and Morgan. The trio had a Harry, Ron, and Hermione vibe to them, particularly in their loyalty and unwavering support for each other—although the relationship dynamics were quite different, if you catch my drift.
Although some serious themes were dealt with in this story—such as body image, internalised homophobia, bullying, death of a parent (past tense), to name a few—the overall tone of the story was upbeat and full of heart-warming and humorous moments that both charmed and amused.
This is my first-time reading a William Hussey story but I was won-over pretty damn quickly by his wonderful writing, layered storytelling, and delightful characters. Reading more from his varied backlog will be a no-brainer for me going forward.
*************************
Audio Edition:
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, narrated by Chris Nelson, who delivered an exceptional performance bringing these wonderful characters to life. He didn’t sound unlike actor Tom Holland, if truth be told, with a youthful and playful quality to his voice that played well with the characters at hand.
Delightful, funny, and so very relatable, Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is a queer contemporary YA story that will warm your soul and do all sorts of funny things to your fragile hearts.
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.
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.
I loved the friendships here, especially between Jesse and his BFFs, Cas and Morgan. The trio had a Harry, Ron, and Hermione vibe to them, particularly in their loyalty and unwavering support for each other—although the relationship dynamics were quite different, if you catch my drift.
Although some serious themes were dealt with in this story—such as body image, internalised homophobia, bullying, death of a parent (past tense), to name a few—the overall tone of the story was upbeat and full of heart-warming and humorous moments that both charmed and amused.
This is my first-time reading a William Hussey story but I was won-over pretty damn quickly by his wonderful writing, layered storytelling, and delightful characters. Reading more from his varied backlog will be a no-brainer for me going forward.
*************************
Audio Edition:
I listened to the audiobook version of this story, narrated by Chris Nelson, who delivered an exceptional performance bringing these wonderful characters to life. He didn’t sound unlike actor Tom Holland, if truth be told, with a youthful and playful quality to his voice that played well with the characters at hand.
May 21, 2023
I love how nowadays a cover with two cute gay boys on it is seen as a major selling point rather than an obstacle. But a teeny-tiny bit of me misses the artistic and vague covers of days past. Especially when the cutesy cover subverts the authors attempts to create some sort of suspense. On the other hand, this book is a rom-com and not a thriller, and every reader would be mad when the main character didn't end up with the affectionate guy he deserves. So it's absolute okay when the cover spoils a little bit. Even more so when it's such an awesome cover like this one.
I've only ever read one other book of William Hussey (shame on me) and reading this book had me thinking about Hideous Beauty more than once. Although both books couldn't be more different, one a thriller/drama and the other a rom-com. In both books the main characters feel like they are missing a huge part of the story and are they desperate to find out what's happening. But that's pretty all these two books have in common.
This book is a rom-com or more like a dramedy. It deals with some more serious topics like body image, homophobia, bullying but without dragging the whole mood down. But also without being superficial. Just the right mix. I'm currently not in the mood (or state) for to heavy and dark stuff, so I really appreciate books like this one.
Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is definitely a feel-good story with a happy ending (in every way). A comfort-read and a new favorite book of mine.
I've only ever read one other book of William Hussey (shame on me) and reading this book had me thinking about Hideous Beauty more than once. Although both books couldn't be more different, one a thriller/drama and the other a rom-com. In both books the main characters feel like they are missing a huge part of the story and are they desperate to find out what's happening. But that's pretty all these two books have in common.
This book is a rom-com or more like a dramedy. It deals with some more serious topics like body image, homophobia, bullying but without dragging the whole mood down. But also without being superficial. Just the right mix. I'm currently not in the mood (or state) for to heavy and dark stuff, so I really appreciate books like this one.
Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is definitely a feel-good story with a happy ending (in every way). A comfort-read and a new favorite book of mine.
August 13, 2024
✰ 3 stars ✰
“Let it burn; Let it fall; Let the hungry darkness have it all;
Make it stop before it starts;
Quiet this undying heart.”
Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is a soft but loud, gentle but reassuring reminder of the beauty that lies even in the imperfections. That our physical scars may be visible, but they cannot cut through the emotional divide of what gives our heart the strength and courage to stand strong against those who attack our imperfections. For there will always be someone - truly someone who feels that those flawS and faults are something that make you more beautiful and more courageous and more perfect in their eyes - that the beauty is often in the flaw. 🤍
And what better device exists as that of a camera? One that is crafted to gloss over those visible cracks in us, catered to only show the appealing sides and facets of our true natures. 🎥👥 It is that premise of a duo of friends who put their creative aspirations to their final film, it is that shadowy prospect that a life-altering open-heart operation is going to live a permanent stain upon him that has our sixteen-year-old protagonist Jesse test his own resolve about what really matters and how much face value exists on simply something is only that of face value? 🫀🫂
“Because you want everyone to love each other in the same bighearted way that you love them. But there’s only one problem with that.”
“We don’t all have your heart.”
I love the irony of working on a zombie romcom flick that somehow reflects on Jesse's own insecurities and doubts over accepting such a radical change to himself. It fitted well and I liked seeing him slowly come to realize that he did not have to put so much value on things of face value. It was fun being on set; it was a soft contrast to the more serious tone of what Jesse was dealing with. The characters, themselves, behaved normally - complete with all the relationship drama and misconceived notions one would expect from a YA read. 😅 The chaos, the craziness, the smooth-cutting banter - it all helped to develop the friendships into seeing how they very much needed to communicate with each other more to be a more connected unit. Jesse and Cas were an interesting pair and I enjoyed their dynamic; though, I seriously wish it could have been shown more, rather than tipped off to the side. 😕
As a newbie to William Hussey's writing style, I did find it fresh and engaging; the start, especially drew me in, at how Jesse's personality felt relatable and genuine. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 I wanted that feeling, though, to continue. I don't mind that the tone shifted to that of more of a serious one; one where addressing these important issues seemed more necessary than having it be a romantic-comedy. I felt the romantic comedy aspect, though, was a bit underdeveloped. As much as I did enjoy the start, the rest slowly faltered in humor and enjoyment, as it shifted towards the more serious themes of the plot. 'Not everyone we’re friends with when we’re kids remains close for life. It’s not anyone’s fault. Sometimes we just drift.' 💔 I liked Cas and Jesse's friendship; you know me and my childhood friends love and all. But, I did not see it actually happening; there were no real signs to its development, so that did not quite work well for me. If not for the objective of showing how people are more than what they appear, I did not see any signs of Jesse's boyfriend of interest having any discerning faults, save as they started to pile up as we neared the finish line. 😔
Jesse's relationship with his mother also bothered me. I understand where it finally came from, but his treatment towards her was very unbecoming for a mother-son relationship; even with how unique their relationship is, blocking his mother's calls - especially when she's so concerned for his health and well-being, she, not answering his questions about his father - everything played out so wrongly, I was surprised how it eventually turned into a favorable one, though. 🤷🏻♀️ But, another thing that pained me was how glaringly obvious the miscommunication trope - how each time the characters got close to revealing the truth, it would be pushed aside for a childish reason. If that had been avoided, I think it would have been a much more enjoyable read. 😔
“But for now all I want to do is survive.
Survive and see my friends again.
Screw secrets. Screw lies. Screw this drifting between us. I need them. I always have.”
At times, I thought Jesse was speaking to my heart; at other times, I felt he was pushing his limit. Self-deprecating that he was - plain and pathetic - he failed to see how perfect he was to those who truly loved him. And despite how he managed to hurt everyone close to him, simply because he was hurting on his own, the moment of clarity was a worthwhile one. 🥺 It feels wrong to dismiss Jesse's feelings of wanting to achieve so very much before he is scarred for life; his anxiety and fear over having a visible change to his body does seem valid. ... being open and honest with each other, we’ve finally begun to face our fears head on.' But, what is even more valid is how he learns that perhaps his focus on putting so much emphasis on that part of himself seems unwarranted in face of those who experience so much more rejection, shame and humiliation simply for how they behave, look, and appear. 😢 It is a sharp wake-up call that helps him realize not to bank on perfection, but to embrace the defective. The self-acceptance needed to love oneself - just as you are. In fact, who is to say that it is even defective or different?
Just because it does not live up to the ideal image of what people think is perfect? It is the company around him and the friends he has that teach him not to lay face value on that, and be proud of who you are, as you are. The build-up towards his eventual operation was well-done; the swirl of emotions where everything was hitting him all at once struck a visceral chord within me. 👍🏻👍🏻 The final reveal of Louis' true intentions were - man, I wanted to kick him where it hurts! I loved Jesse's resolve and pride in what he had undergone - not to feel ashamed by it - the good that came out of one of the darkest moments of his life. 'My scar was a badge of [pride, something positive. And it was beautiful.' If anything, for those who are struggling with feelings such as this - a poignant and positive feeling that resonates with even those who are perfect and know that they are more than just what we see of them. 🙏🏻
It had its ups and it had its downs, but it was a book I wanted to read for the longest time; especially with how wholesome a vibe the cover gives. 💜🩷🩵 As someone who carries her own personal and visible scar, Jesse's plight - while it may mean childish to some, does mean something to those who see those who are free of those scars. And if even if somehow it can leave someone with a hopeful feeling of positivity for their slights, then I can say with confidence that William Hussey successfully delivered the message of what he hoped to achieve. ✨
“Let it burn; Let it fall; Let the hungry darkness have it all;
Make it stop before it starts;
Quiet this undying heart.”
Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is a soft but loud, gentle but reassuring reminder of the beauty that lies even in the imperfections. That our physical scars may be visible, but they cannot cut through the emotional divide of what gives our heart the strength and courage to stand strong against those who attack our imperfections. For there will always be someone - truly someone who feels that those flawS and faults are something that make you more beautiful and more courageous and more perfect in their eyes - that the beauty is often in the flaw. 🤍
And what better device exists as that of a camera? One that is crafted to gloss over those visible cracks in us, catered to only show the appealing sides and facets of our true natures. 🎥👥 It is that premise of a duo of friends who put their creative aspirations to their final film, it is that shadowy prospect that a life-altering open-heart operation is going to live a permanent stain upon him that has our sixteen-year-old protagonist Jesse test his own resolve about what really matters and how much face value exists on simply something is only that of face value? 🫀🫂
“Because you want everyone to love each other in the same bighearted way that you love them. But there’s only one problem with that.”
“We don’t all have your heart.”
I love the irony of working on a zombie romcom flick that somehow reflects on Jesse's own insecurities and doubts over accepting such a radical change to himself. It fitted well and I liked seeing him slowly come to realize that he did not have to put so much value on things of face value. It was fun being on set; it was a soft contrast to the more serious tone of what Jesse was dealing with. The characters, themselves, behaved normally - complete with all the relationship drama and misconceived notions one would expect from a YA read. 😅 The chaos, the craziness, the smooth-cutting banter - it all helped to develop the friendships into seeing how they very much needed to communicate with each other more to be a more connected unit. Jesse and Cas were an interesting pair and I enjoyed their dynamic; though, I seriously wish it could have been shown more, rather than tipped off to the side. 😕
As a newbie to William Hussey's writing style, I did find it fresh and engaging; the start, especially drew me in, at how Jesse's personality felt relatable and genuine. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 I wanted that feeling, though, to continue. I don't mind that the tone shifted to that of more of a serious one; one where addressing these important issues seemed more necessary than having it be a romantic-comedy. I felt the romantic comedy aspect, though, was a bit underdeveloped. As much as I did enjoy the start, the rest slowly faltered in humor and enjoyment, as it shifted towards the more serious themes of the plot. 'Not everyone we’re friends with when we’re kids remains close for life. It’s not anyone’s fault. Sometimes we just drift.' 💔 I liked Cas and Jesse's friendship; you know me and my childhood friends love and all. But, I did not see it actually happening; there were no real signs to its development, so that did not quite work well for me. If not for the objective of showing how people are more than what they appear, I did not see any signs of Jesse's boyfriend of interest having any discerning faults, save as they started to pile up as we neared the finish line. 😔
Jesse's relationship with his mother also bothered me. I understand where it finally came from, but his treatment towards her was very unbecoming for a mother-son relationship; even with how unique their relationship is, blocking his mother's calls - especially when she's so concerned for his health and well-being, she, not answering his questions about his father - everything played out so wrongly, I was surprised how it eventually turned into a favorable one, though. 🤷🏻♀️ But, another thing that pained me was how glaringly obvious the miscommunication trope - how each time the characters got close to revealing the truth, it would be pushed aside for a childish reason. If that had been avoided, I think it would have been a much more enjoyable read. 😔
“But for now all I want to do is survive.
Survive and see my friends again.
Screw secrets. Screw lies. Screw this drifting between us. I need them. I always have.”
At times, I thought Jesse was speaking to my heart; at other times, I felt he was pushing his limit. Self-deprecating that he was - plain and pathetic - he failed to see how perfect he was to those who truly loved him. And despite how he managed to hurt everyone close to him, simply because he was hurting on his own, the moment of clarity was a worthwhile one. 🥺 It feels wrong to dismiss Jesse's feelings of wanting to achieve so very much before he is scarred for life; his anxiety and fear over having a visible change to his body does seem valid. ... being open and honest with each other, we’ve finally begun to face our fears head on.' But, what is even more valid is how he learns that perhaps his focus on putting so much emphasis on that part of himself seems unwarranted in face of those who experience so much more rejection, shame and humiliation simply for how they behave, look, and appear. 😢 It is a sharp wake-up call that helps him realize not to bank on perfection, but to embrace the defective. The self-acceptance needed to love oneself - just as you are. In fact, who is to say that it is even defective or different?
Just because it does not live up to the ideal image of what people think is perfect? It is the company around him and the friends he has that teach him not to lay face value on that, and be proud of who you are, as you are. The build-up towards his eventual operation was well-done; the swirl of emotions where everything was hitting him all at once struck a visceral chord within me. 👍🏻👍🏻 The final reveal of Louis' true intentions were - man, I wanted to kick him where it hurts! I loved Jesse's resolve and pride in what he had undergone - not to feel ashamed by it - the good that came out of one of the darkest moments of his life. 'My scar was a badge of [pride, something positive. And it was beautiful.' If anything, for those who are struggling with feelings such as this - a poignant and positive feeling that resonates with even those who are perfect and know that they are more than just what we see of them. 🙏🏻
It had its ups and it had its downs, but it was a book I wanted to read for the longest time; especially with how wholesome a vibe the cover gives. 💜🩷🩵 As someone who carries her own personal and visible scar, Jesse's plight - while it may mean childish to some, does mean something to those who see those who are free of those scars. And if even if somehow it can leave someone with a hopeful feeling of positivity for their slights, then I can say with confidence that William Hussey successfully delivered the message of what he hoped to achieve. ✨
October 5, 2023
I don't know how could cas resent Louis and forgive bree for what she did, what Brianna did was more than awful.
Anyway enough of that, let's just say these people are angsty Af and yet I wished these are the type of friends I had when I was in high school especially Sparky, Casper, and Morgan, love these trios,
I loved how they go through with Jess Ideas, don't like everytime they about to reveal something to the other they got distracted by something it's so annoying this goes on throughout 80% of the book until the truth got revealed, anyway this was a cute coming of age book fills with insecurity and friendship theme and also internalized homophobia approached gently.
Anyway enough of that, let's just say these people are angsty Af and yet I wished these are the type of friends I had when I was in high school especially Sparky, Casper, and Morgan, love these trios,
I loved how they go through with Jess Ideas, don't like everytime they about to reveal something to the other they got distracted by something it's so annoying this goes on throughout 80% of the book until the truth got revealed, anyway this was a cute coming of age book fills with insecurity and friendship theme and also internalized homophobia approached gently.
January 17, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts was such a cute and fun listen, which I enjoyed listening to in the car as i was travelling to and from a weekend away. Not only does this book cover some important issues such as body image, bullying, internalised homophobia, bereavement of a parent, and heart problems/surgery (to name a few), but it handles them in a sensitive and relatable way. I loved Jesse's character and the dynamics and comradrey between his friendship group. I think Jesse is quite a relateable teenage character, and his passion and talent for movie making was inspiring and believable and not overdone. I found this a lovely, touching, and heartwarming read and will definitely be looking to read/listen to more books from this author.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts was such a cute and fun listen, which I enjoyed listening to in the car as i was travelling to and from a weekend away. Not only does this book cover some important issues such as body image, bullying, internalised homophobia, bereavement of a parent, and heart problems/surgery (to name a few), but it handles them in a sensitive and relatable way. I loved Jesse's character and the dynamics and comradrey between his friendship group. I think Jesse is quite a relateable teenage character, and his passion and talent for movie making was inspiring and believable and not overdone. I found this a lovely, touching, and heartwarming read and will definitely be looking to read/listen to more books from this author.
July 31, 2023
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.
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.
I was given access to the audiobook by the Publisher via Netgalley. It's narrated by Chris Nelson, so also narrated both of the other William Hussey audiobooks that I've listened to. I really love his narration style, which feels very 'energetic' and nicely varied. There were a couple of moments throughout the book where he either mispronounced or placed the stress on an odd part of a word or sentence, but other than that it was an excellent quality audiobook.
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.
I was given access to the audiobook by the Publisher via Netgalley. It's narrated by Chris Nelson, so also narrated both of the other William Hussey audiobooks that I've listened to. I really love his narration style, which feels very 'energetic' and nicely varied. There were a couple of moments throughout the book where he either mispronounced or placed the stress on an odd part of a word or sentence, but other than that it was an excellent quality audiobook.
August 2, 2023
Picked up on a whim because it sounded really fun, and it turned out to be such a good read. The humour was excellent, the characters were all so fleshed out and had their own motivations. Just a seriously good camp read with an emotional ending!
Rep: gay mc with congenital heart disease, gay love interest, bipoc and queer side characters
Rep: gay mc with congenital heart disease, gay love interest, bipoc and queer side characters
October 15, 2023
Ohh, this was so fun! Which sounds a little weird maybe, seeing as the book deals with the MC's upcoming open heart surgery, but the book doesn't feel heavy at all. Very heartfelt, yes, and you'll care a lot about the characters, but not heavy. I would recommend this for fans of Simon James Green, because it's so funny, and especially the main character is hilarious. I had such a good time reading this.
July 1, 2023
A heartwarming, cute, sad and uplifting story about a boy with dreams and a broken heart…literally.
Jesse has two main goals this summer. He wants to make a new movie called ‘Zombie Honeymoon’ to present as his project when he applies to cinema school. But he also wants to fall in love and have his first boyfriend.
The problem is, he has a heart condition that will put him under a knife in 2 months, so time is of the essence.
Together with his childhood friends and new love interests he will try to juggle directing a movie, trying to find a boyfriend, the idea of heart surgery and the simple stress of being a teenager.
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.
It was for me predictable at times and I knew certain things from the get go but I still enjoyed the ride and getting to know the characters on a deeper level. They were all flawed, real and with their own personal struggles. The book definitely captured the fears of being a teenager and how certain things lose their importance when you are facing open heart surgery. It does help put things into perspective not just for Jesse but also for his inner circle.
Jesse has two main goals this summer. He wants to make a new movie called ‘Zombie Honeymoon’ to present as his project when he applies to cinema school. But he also wants to fall in love and have his first boyfriend.
The problem is, he has a heart condition that will put him under a knife in 2 months, so time is of the essence.
Together with his childhood friends and new love interests he will try to juggle directing a movie, trying to find a boyfriend, the idea of heart surgery and the simple stress of being a teenager.
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.
It was for me predictable at times and I knew certain things from the get go but I still enjoyed the ride and getting to know the characters on a deeper level. They were all flawed, real and with their own personal struggles. The book definitely captured the fears of being a teenager and how certain things lose their importance when you are facing open heart surgery. It does help put things into perspective not just for Jesse but also for his inner circle.
February 14, 2024
Jesse's life turned into a movie (not a zombie one) with a happy ever after!
A glorious recommendation from Simon James Green led me to purchasing this book, and after reading this story, I can totally see why Simon loves it: Jesse could be Noah's alter ego.
Jesse is a hilarious main character: he talks all the time, he is awkward, nerdy, loves filmmaking with an undying passion and loves his friends even more.
With his open heart surgery looming at the horizon, and the body insecurity that brings alongside it, Jesse distracts himself by diving headfirst in his latest passion project: filming a zombie movie with his best friends.
The romance is the slowest of slow burns, so be prepared to groan and scream at the love interest (the reader can figure that out pretty quickly) while rooting for Jesse and sympathizing with his frustrations. Nobody likes feeling that his friends keep secrets from him after all!
Shoutout to the band songs, a homage to other YA LGBT books which has me cackling!
A glorious recommendation from Simon James Green led me to purchasing this book, and after reading this story, I can totally see why Simon loves it: Jesse could be Noah's alter ego.
Jesse is a hilarious main character: he talks all the time, he is awkward, nerdy, loves filmmaking with an undying passion and loves his friends even more.
With his open heart surgery looming at the horizon, and the body insecurity that brings alongside it, Jesse distracts himself by diving headfirst in his latest passion project: filming a zombie movie with his best friends.
The romance is the slowest of slow burns, so be prepared to groan and scream at the love interest (the reader can figure that out pretty quickly) while rooting for Jesse and sympathizing with his frustrations. Nobody likes feeling that his friends keep secrets from him after all!
Shoutout to the band songs, a homage to other YA LGBT books which has me cackling!
August 30, 2023
Really enjoyed this little book!
May 7, 2023
I am beginning to suspect that William Hussey can do no wrong as an author, at least not for me. This is (once again) a phenomenal book, it’s cute, it’s fun, it’s clever, it’s adorable, it’s hilarious, it’s emotional (I sobbed like a baby), it’s just EVERYTHING OKAY?! You can tell that this story is super personal to the author and he did such a fantastic job in bringing the characters and their struggles to life. I want to wrap Jesse up and protect his sweet little heart for all of eternity.
This is quite possibly my favourite YA MM book I’ve ever read. I need to get myself to an event where he’s signing because I really need my proof signed to make it even more special than it already is.
Thank you to Usborne YA for sending me a proof of this awesome book.
This is quite possibly my favourite YA MM book I’ve ever read. I need to get myself to an event where he’s signing because I really need my proof signed to make it even more special than it already is.
Thank you to Usborne YA for sending me a proof of this awesome book.
April 9, 2024
A sweet read about a group of friends who decide to make a horror film over the summer holidays, little do they realise that they will also be dealing with their own emotions, their own angst and at times their own over bearing parents.
It is firmly set in the world of teens having lots of freedom and choice but that adds to part of the escapism (think of the world of Sex Education on Netflix and this town could be in the next valley over .)
I think though I would have liked more about Cas and his journey as he was the most interesting character here!
It is firmly set in the world of teens having lots of freedom and choice but that adds to part of the escapism (think of the world of Sex Education on Netflix and this town could be in the next valley over .)
I think though I would have liked more about Cas and his journey as he was the most interesting character here!
September 13, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. I’m not even a massive horror movie fan but the way Jess and cas went on about it made me fall in love with this book. I always had an inkling what was going on with tbr 3 of them. Spectacular book indeed.
February 9, 2025
I love when an author gives a piece of themselves in their writing by telling part of their own story.
This was a very wholesome, easy read with some of my favourite things!
This was a very wholesome, easy read with some of my favourite things!
April 13, 2023
How dare you make me cry and over this beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, heartwarming story. Jesse, Cas and Morgan are more than best friends, they’re soulmates, even better they’re all masters of their crafts - directing, filming, acting. Jesses film proposal “zombie honeymoon” is the biggest project they’ve done so far, but things do not go smoothly. Before filming even begins Jesse has heart complications after witnessing his best friend Cas kissing someone that isn’t his girlfriend, being caught and then threatened by the girlfriends brother. Cue Jesses hospital visit and diagnosis, heart surgery is imminent but first, the movie must be filmed - and that’s just mission one, mission two is to have a love connection before the surgery and recovery period. Secrets are threatening to break the trio of friends up and the further into filming they get the tenser the situation gets. Add in equipment problems and a cousin who’s hiding his own secrets and this is one of the greatest gay ya books I’ve read this year
May 22, 2023
This was just so much fun, I was expecting this and it didn’t disappoint at all, it delivered everything I wanted and more. It’s full of great characters with real depth, covers important issues like heart surgery, body image, this ‘Big-Gay-Zom-Rom-Com’ isn’t just a light fluffy read, it’s as full as depth and character as Jesse is. I loved all the hidden references and Easter eggs. If you want an LGBTQ+ read full of positivity, self love and heart, this is definitely for you
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2023
[I received a free audiobook copy from Bolinda Audio and Netgalley. This review is done freely, honestly and without payment].
[Ich habe ein kostenloses Hörbuchexemplar von Bolinda Audio und Netgalley erhalten. Die Rezension erfolgt freiwillig, ehrlich und ohne Vergütung.]
(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)
Summary
Jesse Spark has a broken heart, and in a few short weeks he'll require major surgery to repair it – which means he only has a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks:
1. Shoot his epic zombie movie on a shoestring budget if he has any hope of getting into film school.
2. Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar – because how will anyone ever fancy him after that?
Oh. My. God.
Everybody shut up, sit down and listen:
That. Was. AMAZING!
Really, this book was so incredibly cute and funny and sweet and heartwarming and painful and „I have hearts in my eyes“!
The story surrounding Jesse was so wonderfully told that I’m a little at a loss for words. The whole book is written in first person perspective and gives a wonderful insight into the life of the boy we accompany. And Jesse is so approachable? He’s clumsy and talks too much and always at the wrong moments. He’s always on the edge of his seat and really just wants to help, but makes everything worse. He reminds me a bit of Stiles Stilinski from the „Teen Wolf“ series in his whole manner and God, I love him for that alone.
I don’t care if some situations/scenes are a little over the top because everything is so matching and cute.
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!“.
But not only Jesse, all the other characters grew on me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. This book is just pure comfort AND has zombies!
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.
The English audiobook picked up the mood of the story perfectly and Chris Nelson gave Jesse and everyone else so much character that I fell a little in love with his voice. There was so much emotion happening that my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
If you like audiobooks, you should definitely listen to this one, because what Chris Nelson has delivered here is perfect. Just. Perfect.
I don’t know what else to say, except that my expectations were totally blown away.
(DEUTSCH)
Inhalt
Jesse Spark hat in wenigen Wochen eine Operation am offenen Herzen, die eine große Narbe auf seiner Brust hinterlassen wird.
Bis es so weit ist, will er noch zwei Dinge schaffen:
1. Seinen Zombiefilm drehen, der ihm helfen soll, auf der Filmschule aufgenommen zu werden.
2. Einen festen Freund finden und erste Erfahrungen machen, bevor er für immer „entstellt“ ist.
Oh. Mein. Gott.
Jeder hält jetzt mal den Mund, setzt sich hin und hört zu:
Das. War. UMWERFEND!
Wirklich jetzt, dieses Buch war so unglaublich niedlich und lustig und süß und herzerwärmend und schmerzlich und „ich hab Herzen in den Augen“!
Die Geschichte rundum Jesse war so wundervoll erzählt, dass mir ein wenig die Worte fehlen. Das ganze Buch ist in der Ich-Perspektive geschrieben und gibt einen wundervollen Einblick in das Leben des Jungen, den wir begleiten. Und Jesse ist so nahbar? Er ist tollpatschig und redet zu viel und immer in den falschen Momenten. Er steht ständig auf dem Schlauch und will eigentlich nur helfen und macht dadurch alles schlimmer. Er erinnert mich in seiner ganzen Art ein wenig an Stiles Stilinski aus der „Teen Wolf“ Serie und Gott, schon allein deshalb liebe ich ihn.
Es ist mir vollkommen egal, ob manche Situationen / Szenen ein wenig over the top sind, denn alles ist so passend und niedlich.
Ich habe mich mehrfach gefragt, wie realistisch es ist, dass diese Jugendlichen diesen Zombiefilm drehen und das alles auch noch so professionell und dann dachte ich „Ist doch egal, ich liebe es und alles, was ich will, ist, das Jesse glücklich ist!“.
Aber nicht nur Jesse, auch all die anderen Charakter sind mir ins Herz gewachsen und ich bin sicher, das ich da nicht die Einzige bin. Dieses Buch ist einfach purer Comfort UND hat Zombies!
Der Schreibstil war seicht und leicht; man konnte allem gut folgen. Ich würde nicht sagen, dass er besonders anspruchsvoll war, aber das muss er auch nicht. Er war einfach ... Jesse Sparks. War wie ein Teenager, der mit seinem Kopf überall zur gleichen Zeit ist.
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.
Wer Hörbücher mag, sollte sich dieses auf jeden Fall zu Gemüte ziehen, denn was Chris Nelson hier abgeliefert hat, ist perfekt. So. Perfekt!
Ich weiß nicht, was ich noch sagen soll, außer, dass meine Erwartungen bei weitem übertroffen wurden.
[Ich habe ein kostenloses Hörbuchexemplar von Bolinda Audio und Netgalley erhalten. Die Rezension erfolgt freiwillig, ehrlich und ohne Vergütung.]
(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)
Summary
Jesse Spark has a broken heart, and in a few short weeks he'll require major surgery to repair it – which means he only has a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks:
1. Shoot his epic zombie movie on a shoestring budget if he has any hope of getting into film school.
2. Fall in love before this surgery lands him with a huge scar – because how will anyone ever fancy him after that?
Oh. My. God.
Everybody shut up, sit down and listen:
That. Was. AMAZING!
Really, this book was so incredibly cute and funny and sweet and heartwarming and painful and „I have hearts in my eyes“!
The story surrounding Jesse was so wonderfully told that I’m a little at a loss for words. The whole book is written in first person perspective and gives a wonderful insight into the life of the boy we accompany. And Jesse is so approachable? He’s clumsy and talks too much and always at the wrong moments. He’s always on the edge of his seat and really just wants to help, but makes everything worse. He reminds me a bit of Stiles Stilinski from the „Teen Wolf“ series in his whole manner and God, I love him for that alone.
I don’t care if some situations/scenes are a little over the top because everything is so matching and cute.
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!“.
But not only Jesse, all the other characters grew on me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. This book is just pure comfort AND has zombies!
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.
The English audiobook picked up the mood of the story perfectly and Chris Nelson gave Jesse and everyone else so much character that I fell a little in love with his voice. There was so much emotion happening that my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
If you like audiobooks, you should definitely listen to this one, because what Chris Nelson has delivered here is perfect. Just. Perfect.
I don’t know what else to say, except that my expectations were totally blown away.
(DEUTSCH)
Inhalt
Jesse Spark hat in wenigen Wochen eine Operation am offenen Herzen, die eine große Narbe auf seiner Brust hinterlassen wird.
Bis es so weit ist, will er noch zwei Dinge schaffen:
1. Seinen Zombiefilm drehen, der ihm helfen soll, auf der Filmschule aufgenommen zu werden.
2. Einen festen Freund finden und erste Erfahrungen machen, bevor er für immer „entstellt“ ist.
Oh. Mein. Gott.
Jeder hält jetzt mal den Mund, setzt sich hin und hört zu:
Das. War. UMWERFEND!
Wirklich jetzt, dieses Buch war so unglaublich niedlich und lustig und süß und herzerwärmend und schmerzlich und „ich hab Herzen in den Augen“!
Die Geschichte rundum Jesse war so wundervoll erzählt, dass mir ein wenig die Worte fehlen. Das ganze Buch ist in der Ich-Perspektive geschrieben und gibt einen wundervollen Einblick in das Leben des Jungen, den wir begleiten. Und Jesse ist so nahbar? Er ist tollpatschig und redet zu viel und immer in den falschen Momenten. Er steht ständig auf dem Schlauch und will eigentlich nur helfen und macht dadurch alles schlimmer. Er erinnert mich in seiner ganzen Art ein wenig an Stiles Stilinski aus der „Teen Wolf“ Serie und Gott, schon allein deshalb liebe ich ihn.
Es ist mir vollkommen egal, ob manche Situationen / Szenen ein wenig over the top sind, denn alles ist so passend und niedlich.
Ich habe mich mehrfach gefragt, wie realistisch es ist, dass diese Jugendlichen diesen Zombiefilm drehen und das alles auch noch so professionell und dann dachte ich „Ist doch egal, ich liebe es und alles, was ich will, ist, das Jesse glücklich ist!“.
Aber nicht nur Jesse, auch all die anderen Charakter sind mir ins Herz gewachsen und ich bin sicher, das ich da nicht die Einzige bin. Dieses Buch ist einfach purer Comfort UND hat Zombies!
Der Schreibstil war seicht und leicht; man konnte allem gut folgen. Ich würde nicht sagen, dass er besonders anspruchsvoll war, aber das muss er auch nicht. Er war einfach ... Jesse Sparks. War wie ein Teenager, der mit seinem Kopf überall zur gleichen Zeit ist.
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.
Wer Hörbücher mag, sollte sich dieses auf jeden Fall zu Gemüte ziehen, denn was Chris Nelson hier abgeliefert hat, ist perfekt. So. Perfekt!
Ich weiß nicht, was ich noch sagen soll, außer, dass meine Erwartungen bei weitem übertroffen wurden.
October 9, 2025
I came into this story without reading the blurb but having loved a previous books by the author (The Outrage in YA and Killing Jericho in Adult Crime). Really pleasantly surprised to find it to be a cute YA messy romance that tackles a lot of subjects with amazing dexterity.
An MC who isn't quite comfortable in his skin even before impending major cardiac surgery threatens to leave him with scars he worries will make nobody want to love him before he's ever even fallen in love for the first time. Best friends who are falling out about how much they care about each other and how they're dealing with it, the conflict pushing them apart before it pulls them back together. A twist on the main romance, a slow burn friends to lovers, and enemy to best friends that do an excellent job capturing growing pains and people figuring out who they are rather than being who others expect them to be. Stories like this can run the risk of being too 'everything,' since tackling things like body image, dysmorphia, internalised ableism, internalised homophobia, OCD, complex relationship dynamics, anxiety, family life limiting illness and death, and personal growth and tossing them onto an event story (in this case, making an independent zombie film with next to no budget and overcoming a heap of hurdles) that provides a complete narrative arc could risk feeling complicated and messy, but all of the component parts are handled so adroitly nothing ever even feels juggled. Nothing is ever completely put down or dropped, and as the story builds we feel like the characters have grown rather than changed, and the flow is organic and enjoyable. The MC has neurodivergent traits (a special interest, taking things too literally, missing social cues, severe anxiety and black and white thinking) that though never labelled provide a complete and nuanced picture of how they affect his world view and experiences, and we find ourselves caring about him and also being a little frustrated with him at times as fits the story. It's all very cleverly done, thoughtful, and lovingly crafted and provides a very smooth and memorable read that I'm sure will connect with a lot of different readers.
Overall: cute, fun, textured and deep, Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is a lovely and brilliantly crafted YA book that handles both storytelling and its core themes perfectly, and I continue to Stan.
An MC who isn't quite comfortable in his skin even before impending major cardiac surgery threatens to leave him with scars he worries will make nobody want to love him before he's ever even fallen in love for the first time. Best friends who are falling out about how much they care about each other and how they're dealing with it, the conflict pushing them apart before it pulls them back together. A twist on the main romance, a slow burn friends to lovers, and enemy to best friends that do an excellent job capturing growing pains and people figuring out who they are rather than being who others expect them to be. Stories like this can run the risk of being too 'everything,' since tackling things like body image, dysmorphia, internalised ableism, internalised homophobia, OCD, complex relationship dynamics, anxiety, family life limiting illness and death, and personal growth and tossing them onto an event story (in this case, making an independent zombie film with next to no budget and overcoming a heap of hurdles) that provides a complete narrative arc could risk feeling complicated and messy, but all of the component parts are handled so adroitly nothing ever even feels juggled. Nothing is ever completely put down or dropped, and as the story builds we feel like the characters have grown rather than changed, and the flow is organic and enjoyable. The MC has neurodivergent traits (a special interest, taking things too literally, missing social cues, severe anxiety and black and white thinking) that though never labelled provide a complete and nuanced picture of how they affect his world view and experiences, and we find ourselves caring about him and also being a little frustrated with him at times as fits the story. It's all very cleverly done, thoughtful, and lovingly crafted and provides a very smooth and memorable read that I'm sure will connect with a lot of different readers.
Overall: cute, fun, textured and deep, Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is a lovely and brilliantly crafted YA book that handles both storytelling and its core themes perfectly, and I continue to Stan.
October 29, 2023
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts was an absolute delight. Funny, touching, and filled with warmth.
Jesse Spark is one of my favorite YA protagonists in a while! He was such a wholesome character and I appreciated the emotional depth that he was crafted with. His insecurities spoke to me and I loved how down to earth he was. I'm also an enormous horror fan, so the continuous references to classic films made me a happy camper. The plot was very well-paced and had some truly great scenes.
For most of the book, this was a solid 4-star read for me. The supporting characters, specifically Morgan, drove me absolutely insane at times. As we received more information, I did appreciate the character arcs of the supporting cast more.
What made me most upset was that Jesse did not deserve to be treated the way that a vast majority of the characters treated him at one point or another. He was lied to by nearly everyone and then treated like shit for questioning being lied to as if it was his own fault. Some of the plot "twists" were quite evident from context, but that didn't completely remove their impact.
I loved the novel's focus on body image / identity -- not just Jesse's own, as every single character had their own struggles with that topic. Internalized homophobia, toxic masculinity, self-worth? The book focused on so many important issues that teenagers (and adults!) deal with. I loved it being framed from the plot device of a scar from life-saving surgery, something I have never really seen as the focus / driving emotional force of a novel. It was so clever and so effective, especially knowing that it was directly from the author's own emotional experience.
I cried several times throughout the final 50 or so pages. It was just so heart-warming and emotionally touching, and was exactly what I needed from a book right now.
This is my second William Hussey book (the first being the absolutely marvelous Hideous Beauty), and I will absolutely be reading his other works -- new auto-buy author unlocked.
Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts was an absolute delight. Funny, touching, and filled with warmth.
Jesse Spark is one of my favorite YA protagonists in a while! He was such a wholesome character and I appreciated the emotional depth that he was crafted with. His insecurities spoke to me and I loved how down to earth he was. I'm also an enormous horror fan, so the continuous references to classic films made me a happy camper. The plot was very well-paced and had some truly great scenes.
For most of the book, this was a solid 4-star read for me. The supporting characters, specifically Morgan, drove me absolutely insane at times. As we received more information, I did appreciate the character arcs of the supporting cast more.
What made me most upset was that Jesse did not deserve to be treated the way that a vast majority of the characters treated him at one point or another. He was lied to by nearly everyone and then treated like shit for questioning being lied to as if it was his own fault. Some of the plot "twists" were quite evident from context, but that didn't completely remove their impact.
I loved the novel's focus on body image / identity -- not just Jesse's own, as every single character had their own struggles with that topic. Internalized homophobia, toxic masculinity, self-worth? The book focused on so many important issues that teenagers (and adults!) deal with. I loved it being framed from the plot device of a scar from life-saving surgery, something I have never really seen as the focus / driving emotional force of a novel. It was so clever and so effective, especially knowing that it was directly from the author's own emotional experience.
I cried several times throughout the final 50 or so pages. It was just so heart-warming and emotionally touching, and was exactly what I needed from a book right now.
This is my second William Hussey book (the first being the absolutely marvelous Hideous Beauty), and I will absolutely be reading his other works -- new auto-buy author unlocked.
August 19, 2023
This was a fun and goofy romance with deep themes and a brilliant backdrop of filmmaking. It was really predictable (especially with the cover too) but I personally I don't think thats an issue.
I love and care deeply for these characters. The fact that these teenagers made an incredible film whilst all battling with their personal concerns and worries was truly inspiring. I related to Jesse - his love for creativity and his worries about scarring after surgery. Morgan was so relatable too, once again her love for performance but also how she views herself as not enough. The plot points of the romance were predictable but very satisfying when they inevitably hit nonetheless.
I thank William Hussey for sharing such a personal story with us all, I truly enjoyed this audiobook! :)
I love and care deeply for these characters. The fact that these teenagers made an incredible film whilst all battling with their personal concerns and worries was truly inspiring. I related to Jesse - his love for creativity and his worries about scarring after surgery. Morgan was so relatable too, once again her love for performance but also how she views herself as not enough. The plot points of the romance were predictable but very satisfying when they inevitably hit nonetheless.
I thank William Hussey for sharing such a personal story with us all, I truly enjoyed this audiobook! :)
December 27, 2023
This was... different. For starters, I misread the back of this and totally thought I was getting a different story than I got. That's on me. The story I actually got, was definitely cuter than I assumed I was going to get. So that's good!
However-
I'm just going to outright say it: I did NOT like the MC. Like, at all. I've read plenty of books with bumbling, awkward MC's that start babbling in serious situations but this one hit all the wrong notes for me. I was just left finding him annoying, rather than adorably socially-awkward. Sometimes, I wasn't even sure if the other characters liked the MC all that much. As such, I couldn't really feel the romance either. Which was too bad, because I did like the romantic interest well enough.
Other than that, the other characters were fun and the idea of a bunch of high-schoolers struggling with some pretty serious life issues and the future, while tackling the ridiculously ambitious idea of creating a short film, was very intriguing so I enjoyed reading Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts for that.
However-
I'm just going to outright say it: I did NOT like the MC. Like, at all. I've read plenty of books with bumbling, awkward MC's that start babbling in serious situations but this one hit all the wrong notes for me. I was just left finding him annoying, rather than adorably socially-awkward. Sometimes, I wasn't even sure if the other characters liked the MC all that much. As such, I couldn't really feel the romance either. Which was too bad, because I did like the romantic interest well enough.
Other than that, the other characters were fun and the idea of a bunch of high-schoolers struggling with some pretty serious life issues and the future, while tackling the ridiculously ambitious idea of creating a short film, was very intriguing so I enjoyed reading Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts for that.
February 25, 2024
ah yes. the homosexual urge literally film a horror movie with the help of your friend (who you have a homoerotic tension going on) in less than a month. that’s unfortunately very relatable
shoutout to Jesse Sparks my man you made me laugh a lot. surprisingly? this is the first time i found a rom-com both genuinely funny and romantic 😭
shoutout to Jesse Sparks my man you made me laugh a lot. surprisingly? this is the first time i found a rom-com both genuinely funny and romantic 😭
January 6, 2024
dude DUDE DUDEEEE
this book is so freaking cute
i’ve read it in one day, sitting on my couch, burning up with a fever, and it brought me joy even though i am feeling like shit
i love every single one of these characters (except for fuck-face ofc) with my entire being
ITS SO ADORABLE
this book is so freaking cute
i’ve read it in one day, sitting on my couch, burning up with a fever, and it brought me joy even though i am feeling like shit
i love every single one of these characters (except for fuck-face ofc) with my entire being
ITS SO ADORABLE
June 10, 2023
4,5⭐️
June 2, 2023
So. Fucking. Cute.
August 21, 2023
*4.25 Stars*
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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.
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.
I really had a great time with this. I felt for Jesse and his fears and struggles. I was so intrigued by the whole situation with his friends, I really wanted to understand it all and could barely stop reading so I found out. I was also way into the whole movie aspect of the book and just found it so entertaining overall. I didn't always agree with Jesse's decisions but that made it all the more interesting and fun. The end was a bit predictable but I didn't really mind.
This was just a nice, fun YA romcom with some deeper topics and I liked it so much.
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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.
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.
I really had a great time with this. I felt for Jesse and his fears and struggles. I was so intrigued by the whole situation with his friends, I really wanted to understand it all and could barely stop reading so I found out. I was also way into the whole movie aspect of the book and just found it so entertaining overall. I didn't always agree with Jesse's decisions but that made it all the more interesting and fun. The end was a bit predictable but I didn't really mind.
This was just a nice, fun YA romcom with some deeper topics and I liked it so much.
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