Teenagers – Judefire33 – The Book Blog

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.

Hugest of thanks to William Hussey for sending me a copy of Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts, it is treasured.

So Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is a “Big Gay Rom-Com” that’s aimed at teenagers (13+) , and I know its been 40 years since I’ve been a teenager but my body may be failing but my mind is still young! I can vividly remember being a teenager and realising I was “different” because I didn’t like boys, and the struggles I had coming to terms with that and eventually coming out in my early 30’s. In the 80’s we had very little in the way of role models or indeed books to help those of us from middle class, Christian households. BUT how I wish I had had a book like Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts, to give me confidence to express who I wanted to be. Of course nowadays I’d like to think the majority of children and young adults do HAVE that opportunity as times have thankfully changed.

William Hussey has managed to write and utterly fantastic, hilarious, touching, and excellently plotted novel. Our main character Jesse Sparks has just been diagnosed with a heart issue after collapsing at the Ferrivale High School Prom (embarrassing!) and he has just 4 weeks to make an epic zombie movie Zombie Honeymoon, on a budget of zero, if he has any chance of getting in to film school. He also wants to find a boyfreind before his body is hideously disfigured, becuase then noone will want him!

His 2 best friends Casper Loomis and Morgan Adeyemi-Perera, have agreed to help in this quest as always. I must say the way William Hussey has written the scenes at the Hospital for Jesse’s treatments are absolutely stunning, I know this is because He himself had a life saving operation, but to be able to write this into the plot as a 17 year old boy and in a language anyone can understand is superb.

The characters are written with love and care and i instantly fell in love with Jesse and his quirky ways, but all the main characters are just so vividly written and loveable, Mr Hussey is a real Pro at this!

The novels plot is fast moving and gripping, at no point did i feel bored, in fact i couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next, and have i mentioned how utterly hilarious it is? I was laughing out loud at so much, which is a rare talent that not all authors can achieve!

William Hussey has managed to write a marvellous book with issues that affect teenagers everywhere, in a comedic and knowledgeable way, issues such as body image, sexuality, bullying, life threatening medical procedures, friendships, dementia and dysfunctional families, oh and of course Zombies!

This is a magical novel, its touching, its funny, its heartfelt and its above all REAL! if I was a teenager today I’d be getting all my mates to read it! Fans of Alice Osman’s Heartstopper series will love Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts. This book is a bookbanger and will surely become a best seller, and it so deserves it.

A Big Gay 5 Stars from me!

William Hussey is an award-winning author of over a dozen novels. From thrillers for Young Adults to gripping whodunnits for grown-ups, he has written in almost every genre of fiction. His latest books include the highly-anticipated KILLING JERICHO (April 2023), the first in a brand new series featuring crime fiction’s first Traveller detective, and the acclaimed political thriller for teens, THE OUTRAGE.
His other titles for children and Young Adults include Hideous Beauty, Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide, Witchfinder: Gallows at Twilight; Witchfinder: The Last Nightfall; Haunted; The Nightmare Eater; and Turn Her Face To The Wall.

You can Pre-Order Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts HERE

You can follow William Hussey on TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

You can sign up to William Hussey’s Newsletter HERE

Based on the true story of a childhood growing up in a home for abandoned and unwanted children, The Homes is a beautiful and haunting thriller.

‘As moving as it is gripping… I loved it’ CHRIS BROOKMYRE
‘Utterly compelling’ MARION TODD
‘Extraordinary’ JAMES OSWALD

There were good people in The Homes. But there were also some very, very bad ones…

A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley’s quiet thoughtfulness.

Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take the matter into their own hands. But unwanted children are easy victims, and they are both in terrible danger…

Inspired by a true story, and introducing readers to the unforgettable voice of young orphan Lesley, The Homes is a moving and lyrical thriller, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Chris Whitaker, Jane Casey and Denise Mina.

Thank you so much to Viper Books for the brilliant proof copy of The Homes

This is the first book I have read by James Mylet, and I was absolutely obsessed with it from page 1! The way it’s written is such an easy read, but the story is not skimped on.

A tale that is based on some truth of 2 twelve-year-old girls in a children’s home in Scotland.

The 2 main characters of Lesley and “Jonesey” are written with such love and care, and they tell the story of friendship, murder and abuse in a place that should keep children safe. That is not to say that there are any extreme scenes, in fact the power of NOT saying something is sometimes stronger!

It’s not very often that books make me cry, but this one did …. NO SPOILERS!

I was totally invested in The Homes, the story and plot were excellent, and I did not guess who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end!

If you like a creepy, thriller then I urge you to read The Homes from a talented and caring writer.

A fantastic 5 star read