Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green - Review

I don't remember now where I picked this book up, but I think it might have been in one of the queer bookshops that I've been to fairly recently. It must be one of the only books by Simon James Green that I didn't own, so I was happy to buy it. I kept meaning to pick it up and I eventually did towards the end of October. Again I was trying to read something easy after The Book of Lost & Found and this fitted the bill and I was happy to enjoy one of Simon's books again. I love how he puts so much humour in his books, alongside a lot of touching parts and some pathos. 

This novel has a dual narrative. First of all there's Jack. Jack is out and proud, hugely camp, and going out with Dylan, who is captain of the football team. Jack was bullied when younger, but now, in Year 11, he isn't because he's going out with Dylan. It's their prom, and Jack wants to go all out, and he thinks they're in with a good chance of winning prom king and queen, too. But Dylan really wants Jack to tone it down somewhat. He's kind of embarrassed by Jack, and really clearly does not deserve him at all. 

Nate is quiet, a bit shy, he sort of fades into the background. He's giving a speech at prom, though, and he has decided that he will use the opportunity to come out. He has been seeing Tariq, but it's been a secret. Tariq has been trying to push Nate out, though, and Nate thinks he will appreciate this grand gesture of Nate coming out in front of the entire school. So he does it, and everyone is watching, but then Jack notices a look between Dylan and Tariq, and realises that he and Nate have both been cheated on... 

So everything blows up. Jack is upset, but he is determined to not show it. Dylan and Tariq immediately become the like hashtag couple goals and they head off on holiday and this amazing life together. Nate is really upset. Jack goes over to see him. The two of them used to be friends but when Jack came out Nate distanced himself and they haven't really spoken since. Clearly this was because Nate was struggling with his own sexuality, but it means they aren't really friends. 

Nate's parents want to take him and his sister, Rosie, who is hilarious, on a camping trip in their clapped out camper van. Nate's dad has had a bad year and has lost his job and a good friend, so he needs some headspace. I actually really loved these details because parents have difficult lives too! Jack gets himself an invite and he decides they will start an instagram called HeartbreakBoys and they will have the best summer ever!

But the best laid plans and so on... 

I really enjoyed this book, it's fun and funny. I'm giving it four out of five.