Book Description 

Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman and Red, White, & Royal Blue, Darkhearts is a hilarious, heartfelt, enemies-to-lovers romance about love, celebrity, and what happens when the two collide.

When David quit his band, he missed his shot at fame, trapped in an ordinary high school life while his ex–best friend, Chance, became the hottest teen pop star in America.

Then tragedy throws David and Chance back into contact. As old wounds break open, the boys find themselves trading frenemy status for a confusing, secret romance—one that could be David’s ticket back into the band and the spotlight.

As the mixture of business and pleasure becomes a powder keg, David will have to choose: Is this his second chance at glory? Or his second chance at Chance?

My Review 

My interest was piqued by the comparison to Red, White, & Royal Blue, but the book didn’t really deliver on that aside from being a queer “enemies to lovers” romance.

This book was… fine. The best parts were David’s interest in woodworking and his rapport with the other craftspeople who work with his father. David clearly had a passion and it’s always nice to see kids finding fulfillment in paths that aren’t the traditional four year college degree. 

And I know that’s not the point of the book, but I said what I said. 

I also liked David’s friend. She’s a hoot. I want her to have a spinoff book. 

There was nothing inherently wrong with David and Chance and their relationship but it was fairly predictable. Of course they’re going to start jamming together. Of course the idea of David rejoining the band is going to come up. Of course it’s not going to be that simple. 

I would recommend Darkhearts. This was a sweet book with a lot of big feelings. I mean that in a sincere coming-of-age way and not in a condescending way. There’s a lot of space devoted to what was and what could have been, but there’s also the importance of what IS right now happening in the moment. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley.