Day’s YA: DARKHEARTS

DARKHEARTS by James L. Sutter
9781250869746
6/6/23
Wednesday Books
Ages 14-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

A few years ago, David, Chance, and Elijah were best friends and bandmates, but after David quit the band and Chance and Elijah were launched into stardom—without David—things changed and they haven’t spoken in years. David remained a normal high schooler while the band, Darkhearts, became the most popular teen band in America. But when Elijah tragically dies, Chance and David are thrown back into contact. Suddenly, Chance is back in David’s life and old wounds are reopening again. As the boys reconnect and get to know each other again, they begin falling for each other in a way that is confusing to both of them. While exploring their new relationship (and keeping it a secret from the world), they navigate through the ways in which they’ve hurt each other in the past and discover whether or not they will be able to put those aside to grow together in the future.

James L. Sutter’s YA debut is a heartfelt, hilarious, and emotional story of queer love and self discovery. David and Chance’s chemistry is undeniable, and I was so invested in their friends-to-enemies-to-frenemies-to-lovers journey as they learned more about each other and themselves along the way. The portrayal of Chance’s fame juxtaposed against David’s ordinary high school experience felt realistic and I loved the insights into the music industry. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves Casey McQuiston’s joyfully messy queer characters in RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE and I KISSED SHARA WHEELER, Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich’s take on secret romances and boy bands in IF THIS GETS OUT, and Stephen Chbosky’s emotional journey of self discovery in THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER.

Happy reading!
<3 Emily

YA Resources:
2023 Books for Teens
Day’s YA Archives
2023 Adult Books for Teens