The first thing I feel the need to say about this book is how vividly real it felt. Not only am I only *just* in my thirties, but I have a teenager myself, and the character behaviours, actions and dialogue felt like so much of what I’ve witnessed and overheard between my son and his friends. Obviously this is a work of fiction, yet the absolute “ride or die” dedication that comes with teenage relationships was evident, for better or worse, and it deserves a huge amount of credit for that.

Jesse jumps off the page, full of boundless energy and awkward “I know I should stop talking but physically can’t” moments, which are both relatable and highly entertaining. His closest friends, Cas and Morgan, are also designed with the perfectly imperfect in mind, and the trio complement one another wonderfully. Their dynamic – the good, the bad, and the awkward – is delightful to watch, and as the book unfolded, I was so happy to see them come into their own, as well as standing as a group.

The heart – bad pun not intended but also left in – of the story is about love. Self love, the love of friends, romantic love, the love in families… All the ways one can be and can in turn be loved are shown, beautiful and honest and raw. Jesse is so convinced that with a scar he will no longer be able to be loved, and that no one will see beyond it. He is so sure that this will be the case, like it’s open and shut. Between panicking about a scar, flirting with a boy who he hopes just might be able to help him out with his love life and his movie, and working out how to use expensive movie equipment to make his dream film on a pocket money budget, and Jesse is as stressed as he can be.

I really loved how the characters developed over the course of the book but ultimately just became more solidly themselves at the same time. It means that the hopeful, happy note that the book finishes on feels more deserved, and you can’t help but smile as you conclude your reading. More than anything, you just want the best for (almost) all involved, and the book leaves you with a warm, happy feeling. And a healing heart.

As soon as I started this book, I could not put it down. This story is emotional, funny and raw all at the same time.

Each character in this book was written to utter perfection, it’s hard to write teenagers realistically and well. However, Hussey does an excellent job at portraying the complex emotions and questionable decisions we all experience during those years where we think everything and anything is either the making or breaking of our world.

The plot was a fresh take on YA fiction, the film making aspect to it reminded me of Dawson’s Creek (one of my all time favourite guilty pleasure shows that I can watch repeatedly and endlessly) so it was so comforting to read a book that centred around a school movie project!

Queer rep was brilliant, alongside issues queer people face brought to light - but we also have other issues that teenagers face during those insecure years. I loved the fact this book tackled body image issues, anxiety, dementia and problematic family members/dynamics.

All in all, Hussey did an absolutely amazing job and I am looking forward to reading more of their work in the near future!

4.75

Before I start praising this book, let me just quickly mention that the middle part of it was a bit slow, which almost killed the flow but fortunately in the end...

Oh man, this book was amazing! Strong start and even stronger finish, gripping, convoluted but entertaining plot, mystery, complicated relationships, our very confused but lovely MC and many, many other incredibly well-written characters-that's all and more that 'Broken hearts and zombie parts' has to offer.

Damn, I haven't read a story like this one for a loooong time. Honestly, reading this book felt like watching a very, very good movie. Thanks to the author's amazing writing style I felt fully immersed in the story and I could imagine every scene from 'Zombie Honeymoon'- the movie main characters have been working on. It was such a fun experience and I have to say, the last 40% of the book was so good I literally could not put this book down!

I love how diverse the characters were in this book- they're all from different backgrounds, all have different life circumstances but the best thing about it is that the author spends some time diving into all the issues stemming from the differences like homophobia, parental death, racism, body dysphoria etc. I love when authors examine societal issues through their books instead just skimming over it or using it to push the plot forward. That's exactly why I'm not annoyed about the pace of the middle part of this book. I think slowing down the plot was a necessary move to ensure a better understanding of the characters, which then helped us as readers connect with them better and empathise with them in the final act.

I feel like I also need to mention how much I liked the main character. I read a lot of reviews, in which people have complained Jasse Spark complained too much and was just annoying. I disagree. Yes, he had a tendency to run his mouth but I also struggle with talking too much when I'm stressed and trust me when I tell you, this boy was was STRESSED! I mean, everyone gaslighted the hell out of him just for him to find out in the end that he was right about things not going well between his friends. Well, kind of. I also appreciate the way William Hussey dealt with body image issues of the main character. I think his self-conciousnes and firm belief the scar he would get after his heart surgery would make him less desirable was very believable and easy to relate to, no matter the reason behind the self-depreciating thoughts in each of us.

To conclude, I think this was a wonderful book and I can't wait to read other works of this author.

SPOILER:

Before I finish my review, I just want to mention the one part of the plot, which really worried me at the start: cheating. The book starts with our MC's best friend cheating on his girlfriend by kissing her friend. As a big anti fan of this topic I found the main character's attempts to paint the girl in the bad light and excuse his friend's actions really triggering. Luckily, the author used this situation to later on teach the characters why idolising people is not a great idea and also, that lying to yourself about who you are can not only hurt you but everyone else who care about you.

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.

William Hussey has a talent for creating fun and compelling reads that have a deep meaning. Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is no different. It's a rom-com thats original, well written, with strong characters and will appeal if you love horror movies.

Jesse Spark has a broken heart and will need to undergo major surgery to repair it,
meaning he only a month to accomplish two almost-impossible tasks: 1. Shoot his epic
masterpiece of a zombie movie on a non-existent budget. 2. Fall in love and find a summer
boyfriend before he’s left with a massive scar – because no one will fancy him after he’s been
cut up and sewn back together like Frankenstein’s monster, right?

Broken Hearts has a lot of the usual YA romance narrative tropes – falling in love,
miscommunication, family, and friendship drama, which Hussey deploys with a deft and
experienced hand – but at its core is about self-image and self-acceptance. Jesse’s friend
Morgs, for instance, is a talented and ambitious actress but is plagued by insecurities about
her weight thanks, in part, to her fitness obsessed mother and despite Jesse and the rest of
their friends’ efforts to reassure her and boost her confidence. Likewise, Jesse lives in fear of
the surgical scar he’ll be left with because he feels he will be judged for it, acknowledging
that he cannot turn off the critical voice in his head anymore than she can. And it isn’t just
self-image tied to physical appearance but sexuality and social status, all issues people can
relate to. (And in Jesse’s case, very personal to the author, as Hussey explains in an
author’s note, bringing an added layer to the writing.)

It’s also a great book for fans of film and filmmaking, particularly horror films, as Jesse and
best friend Cas are both aficionados. There are numerous references scattered like Easter eggs
throughout, from the easy, such as name-dropped titles and characters, to the subtle, such as
Cas’s last name being Loomis or the owner of the – amazing sounding – film-themed café
Argento’s having a son named Dario. (I see what you did there Mr Hussey: bravo!)
Funny, frank and heartwarming.

*4.25 Stars*

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.

This was a really fun read with a likeable and sweet main character in Jesse. I enjoyed the dynamics of the relationships between Jesse, Cas and Morgan and how this developed over the novel. The insights into film making were fascinating and there were serious and sensitive moments that are handled very well. It was clear that the author is drawing on his own experiences / emotions when writing about Jesse's concerns for his upcoming heart surgery and post-op recovery. This gives it a real emotional punch that rings so true.
I would definitely recommend this book to KS4 students (and in fact have ordered a copy for the school library already!)

I liked this book! It's sweet and treats its teenage characters with respect. You gotta love a book where everyone is a film nerd and there's loads of horror movie references/names chucked in. At its core, it's a book about accepting your battle scars in life - real and metaphorical - and not rushing to judgement about those scars (your own and others).

How can you not love anything he writes, this has comedy but also a serious side including operations and how society can view people

A queer romcom of a read with a slight edge to it. Jesse Spark has discovered his heart isn’t working the way it should and, in the next few weeks, he will be having a major operation to fix it. Before that, Jesse decides that he needs to do two things: make his epic zombie movie on a non-existence budget and fall in love (because who would want to fall in love with him once he has a scar on his chest?). But with two best friends being weird lately and him keep finding himself in bizarre situations, will he get the movie done and kiss the boy?

This is funny and sweet as heck. I think this took me a while to read as I’m not the biggest fan of overly sweet reads and this just dances the line for me. It’s lovely and funny, while tackling (with the lightest of touches) issues such as self-acceptance, friendship, homophobia, body image and others. A little predictable at times, but such a fun ride to go on! I know William can write dark thrillers really well (I love Hideous Beauty and I have his adult thriller, Killing Jericho, on my TBR), but he’s a dab-hand on writing rom-coms as well. More please!

Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts by @WHusseyAuthor Brilliant, funny, totally un-put-downable YA & zombies!
Can Jesse Spark find romance, film his epic zombie movie & learn how to love himself all before he has to have major heart surgery...
#PrideMonth2023
@DHFSUpdate
#NetGalley

Jesse is chaotic (in a delightful way) and facing imminent heart surgery whilst filing his zombie movie with his friends and flirting with his best friend's cousin.

I loved Cas and Morgan, their friendship dynamic. They're all working through their own issues and not always great friends to each other but they keep showing up and trying.

I would absolutely watch Zombie Honeymoon if it were a moved. I loved the insight into the filming process.

This is an absolutely delightful romance and I adored the way it ended. All of the stars from me.

This book is cute, funny, romantic and rammed full of emotion! I adored the friendship between Jesse, Cas and Morgan and loved seeing how their dynamics changed and developed over the course of the book. I also loved the relationship between Jesse and his mum which was really sweet.

Jesse’s worries about his appearance after his heart surgery were so well written and so it was unsurprising to discover in the author’s note just how personal this book is to William Hussey. I also think it is something which will resonate with other young people who have scars: beauty is not only about appearance.

Throw in the shooting of a zombie film and tonnes of references to horror films and I think there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this book! Jesse is so precious.

Thank you to Usborne, William Hussey and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.

A really fun read, with great characters and 2 interweaving main storylines. There is plenty of humour, but also serious and sensitive moments that are handled well - you can definitely tell the author is drawing on his own feelings/experiences when writing about Jesse's worries for his upcoming heart surgery and post-op recovery/scarring. This gives it a real emotional punch that rings so true.
Brilliant YA choice that is perfect for fans of Simon James Green, with nothing too serious content-wise for younger teens (some swearing, sexual references but nothing explicit, descriptions of serious medical procedures).

Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts is a surprisingly sweet coming of age story full of teenage angst, beautiful friendships and a heart warming message of self-acceptance.

I loved the chatty writing style and how Hussey approached a number of important topic such as body image and coming out in a sensitive manner.

This was so wholesome and life-affirming! Quirky banter, lovely characters but added with a lot of depth because of some of the subject matter (e.g. heart surgery). I loved the focus on body image and getting to see behind the fun, excitable facade that Jesse sometimes puts up. There was also fear and anxiety about what's to come and it added so much depth to this engaging story. Quite a unique coming-of-age novel I won't soon forget!

A rom com, a coming of age story, a life affirming novel. I loved it as it's realistic, funny, and compelling.
Great characters and storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Hussey's latest YA offering is labelled as a rom-com (or rom-zom-com) but it's more than that. It's essentially a coming-of-age story focused on one transformative summer of Jesse Spark's life. This is the summer Jesse will undergo open heart surgery, something the author has experienced himself. It is also the summer Jesse hopes to make his feature length horror movie masterpiece, Zombie Honeymoon, and maybe, just maybe, he could fall in love along the way.
Jesse is joined on at least one of these journeys by his two best friends, Cam and Morgan. This brilliant book is jam-packed with horror references and, if you're a gay teen fiction fan, you'll spot some of Hussey's homages to his fellow authors. It also tackles some pretty heavy topics such as body image, toxic masculinity and emotional manipulation.
Librarian lowdown:
- discussions of sex but no detail
- some mild use of language
- suitable for KS3 but interest and relatability is upwards of Y9

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.