A cute and delightful romance featuring likeable characters and a realistic couple of MC
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A comfy summer romance with relatable characters, and a bit of a British experience insight. Extremely fun and calm to read.

Reading Hiding Him felt like a refreshing dip into a summer romance that I couldn’t put down. Adam Hattan’s debut novel is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and a sprinkle of spice that made me fall in love with its characters and their journey.

Cameron Hawkins, our protagonist, is wonderfully relatable. He’s stuck in a village that feels like a dead end, grappling with his identity and longing for something more. His struggles with being hopelessly single and wanting to escape his mundane life struck a chord with me, reminding me of the awkwardness of teenage years.

Then enters Finn—a tall, dark, and enigmatic newcomer who brings a rush of excitement to Cameron’s otherwise predictable existence. The chemistry between them is palpable, and I found myself rooting for their connection from the moment they met. Hattan expertly builds their relationship with wit and warmth, balancing the romantic tension with laugh-out-loud moments.

What I truly appreciated was how Hiding Him explores themes of coming of age and coming out. The emotional depth is beautifully woven into the narrative, addressing the complexities of love and acceptance. There were moments that left me breathless, as well as plenty that had me chuckling. The friendships in the story add another layer of charm, showcasing the importance of support and understanding during challenging times.

The pacing is spot on, with just the right amount of drama to keep my heart racing. I found myself turning pages late into the night, eager to see how Cameron and Finn would navigate their feelings amidst the shadows of their pasts.

In short, Hiding Him is a warm, cozy read that captures the essence of young love in a way that feels genuine and heartfelt. Adam Hattan has crafted a charming debut that’s sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or yearned for connection. I closed the book with a smile, filled with hope and a little nostalgia for my own youthful adventures. This is a must-read for fans of YA romance, and I can’t wait to see what Hattan writes next!

It’s VERY British so the school experiences I could only somewhat relate too but the core group was so fun to see interact. Cam and Finn were so sweet and overall it was a great book. Very fun coming out and coming of age book. It felt more geared towards a young middle grade sort of demographic.

Wonderfully written! You feel what the characters feel. Good character development and a heartwarming story. Also a great lesson on the importance of dignity and respect for all. Loved it!

The perfect summer comfy romance that feels like a warm hug.

Cam and his friends are curious about the new guy in town, Finn. Finn is mysterious and yes, very attractive. Cam has a huge crush on him and their friendship starts to become something more.

This book had such a good group of friends that helped to portray how a great support when you are a teenager full of doubts, can make a big difference. My only criticism here is Geri keeping secrets from Robyn. I did not enjoy that part so much.

This is a wholesome coming out story and even though, yes there are many tropes used, this is the type of cute, fun and exciting love story that will make your heart melt. Definitely a perfect read for Heartstopper fans.

The characters had a lot of fun moments and experiences in many different settings but also had time to share real conversations about more serious topics and support each other during their darkest times. We love a supportive found family moment.

A really enjoyable and great YA debut romance.

As a long time watcher of Adam's youtube adventures, I was beyond excited when he announced he was writing a novel because I absolutely adore him and his storytelling. And I was not disappointed!

Hiding Him is a delightful, cozy coming of age romance full of the humor I've come to expect from Adam's videos, but in written form. I loved how easily I was able to slide into Cam's life, almost as if I'd known him for years. If I had one complaint, it wouldn't really be a a 'complaint' per say, but rather a sign that I am absolutely not British because I did find myself occasionally jolted out of the story by a phrase or term that I was unfamiliar with and needed to look up.

Overall, I found Hiding Him to be a fun, quick read with call backs to Adam's videos woven in, and a plotline that was calming in its familiarity. Based on this, I eagerly await continuing to follow Adam and his adventures both in print and vlogs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Adam for the ARC!

This was super cute!

Cam is the only out gay guy at his school and he spends his time hanging out with best mates Geri and Robyn, ogling his teacher and avoiding school bully West. That is until new student Finn arrives...

I found the story super cute and super relatable (even though I am well past school age 😂) but there was a slight case of instalove. Also the plotline about the school show just disappeared.

The characters could probably have used a little more development, I didn't really know them and Geri and Robyn blended together a little at times. I also wanted a proper resolution for West.

Overall though fantastic vibes and I loved the writing style!

I adored this - what a hearwarming emotional tale! Real characters and genuine feelings, this one gave me major Heartstopper vibes. Such a great read. I cannot wait to read anything Adam writes next.

Thank you, NetGalley, The Hattan Company Ltd., for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Cameron Hawkins isn't straight and he really wants to escape his village in the middle of nowhere. That until brilliant and charismatic Finn arrives.

Hiding him is a brilliant, funny romantic and genuinely intriguing YA and I loved reading this debut. I've found the story really funny, filled with some drama notes, characters you can't love, in this heartwarming story. Cosy, a bit of spicey I loved the romance between the characters and they are realistic in their interactions, doubts, fears and desires. In this coming of age and coming out story, the author wrote about lovely souls falling in love and I'm so here for it.

I really wanted to love this one. The characters were sweet, and I loved the subject matter. Unfortunately, the writing style just did NOT work for me. For me the way the characters spoke did not feel authentic to a teenager style, and I just wanted more from the plot. That being said, I am an adult and so probably not the recommended audience for this one. It does have a very sweet queer storyline, so please still check it out!

Thanks to NetGalley, Adam Hattan, and The Hattan Company for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

As a huge fan of Adam’s YouTube channel for a long time now, I was very eager to get my hands on a copy of this and I’m so glad I could! It is incredible!
There is so much love put into this you can feel it jump off the pages through the teenage angst and nervousness that is young love.

The characters are so vibrant and relatable and it just brought back so many memories of being that age and finding out who you are and who you love.

Such a precious story, one I could hear Adam when reading it and I loved every minute of it!
I was so happy to read it and yet so sad to finish it.

Thank you Adam for a wonderful story and taking us along for the ride on YouTube, I can’t wait to see what you write next!

I have been a fan of Adam Hattan for as long as I can remember and this book definitely did not disappoint.
I can really feel the thought and feelings that Adam has put in to this book, as I was reading it I could just picture Adam writing each scene. This queer YA story really ticked all of the boxes for me, I pretty much read it in one sitting.

Hiding Him is described as a “coming of age, coming out and hearts coming together, warm and cosy read”, it follows Cam as he navigates himself through sixth form with his group of friends, and all their relationships, trauma, heartache and accomplishments that comes with growing up. It's great to read novels set in the UK, as I can easily imagine or pinpoint locations that are mentioned throughout (everyone should know which ride and theme park the guys went to!) plus it is really nice to explore characters experiences of the UK educational system, as I know it is completely different to America’s,

This book really brought the squad goals, and I loved the group of characters formed in this book, they all brought and held their own throughout the novel, I could really relate to some of the characters and their feelings/experiences. I loved Cameron and Geri instantly, and felt the strong force of their friendship throughout, and really was rooting for them through the entire novel. Hiding Him gave me all the feels, the sweetheart moments, the laugh out loud comedic moments, and the “I really hope the bully gets his comeuppance” anger.

This is a fast-paced page turner that keeps you gripped throughout, there are some trigger warnings for bullying and the outing of a character against their wishes, but any YA romance needs that rollercoaster of emotions and angst, being a teenager (especially one who is part of the LGBTQ+ community) is no easy feat and comes with a variety of problems, many that Adam did a great job of showcasing in this novel. Plus, Adam’s letter at the end to his younger self, that was completely heartfelt, and vulnerable, and it was so refreshing to read, cannot wait to read more from Adam!

This is one I would recommend secondary school (and older) people, secondary school is penned as “the best years of your life” but it really isn’t, and teenagers need books like this to help them navigate the weird, wonderful and uncomfortable years of secondary school

this was such a cute book. it had me giggling and kicking my feet. i loved the characters and it reminded me a lot of heartstopper in the best ways. innocent and sweet but also touching on tough topics of queerness and bullying in the upper school years. <spoiler>i found it very interesting how cam didn’t hold resentment to west and actually kept the door open for them. i did have a problem with the teacher (mr walsh i think). he stated by the end that he knew west was psychologically abusing people through bullying them at the school and had been doing it for years, but there didn’t seem like there had been any reporting or escalation of it to his superiors. teachers are supposed to safeguard their students, and sometimes that is from other kids. he didn’t seem to have done this, which feels wrong to me.</spoiler> i related to a lot in the book and think it is amazing and extremely important to have as a piece of media today, for younger kids to see they aren’t alone and that what can be the hellhole of school years does have a light at the end of the tunnel.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This is a very sweet YA book that I think a lot of teens would enjoy, but as an adult, I didn’t love. The story is a rather predictable, cliché story line and none of the characters felt all that real. Additionally, the writing quality detracted from the storyline. I’d maybe recommend this to a student, but I probably wouldn’t to any of my friends. Forgettable.

3⭐️

Hiding Him by Adam Hattan is a delightful YA novel that blends humor, romance, and a touch of drama in a charming and heartwarming story. This book follows Cameron Hawkins, who is hopelessly single and longing to escape his small village, and Finn, the tall, dark, and handsome newcomer who shakes up Cam’s world. The chemistry between Cam and Finn is palpable, and their journey of self-discovery and coming out is beautifully portrayed.

Adam Hattan's writing is engaging and filled with a consistent, humorous tone that makes the story a joy to read. The relationship dynamic between Cam and Finn is heartwarming, and their support for each other is truly touching. The book tackles some hard-hitting topics while maintaining a light and enjoyable atmosphere, reminiscent of Heartstopper but with its unique charm.

Hiding Him is a story about finding yourself, embracing your identity, and the power of love and friendship. The characters are well-developed, and the side characters add depth to the story, making it a rich and immersive read. The British nuances in the writing add a nostalgic touch, though some international readers might miss a few references.

Overall, this is a brilliant debut from Adam Hattan, and I look forward to reading more from him. Hiding Him is a perfect read for fans of YA, LGBTQ+ romance, and anyone looking for a fun, romantic, and slightly spicy summer read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this amazing book. This review has also been posted on Goodreads and StoryGraph.

This was the sweetest little love story. Sometimes you need a palate cleanser of a book — one that you have a feeling will have a happily ever after, one that you can guiltlessly smile at and swoon over — and this is that book.

Hiding Him has a charm running through its veins that was akin to the vibes of Heartstopper, without being a carbon copy of it. In addition to its charm and romance, it had its own sense of humor that blended effortlessly into the writing. The tone was consistent, and it was able to maintain levity throughout while still being able to tackle some harder topics.

The relationship dynamic between Cam and Finn had my heart so full, and I loved watching their love blossom. The support that they offered one another was so heartwarming, and the way they protected one another was touching.

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My few critiques … some of which are personal preference.

The side characters, at times, made me so frustrated. Not outing your boyfriend to your friend does not mean you are maliciously "lying" to that friend. (Looking at you, Geri.)

I think I am officially at my limit with the “the heterosexual villain is actually a closeted homosexual” trope. It’s played out, it’s overdone, and it sometimes feels lazy.

I wish there had been more attention on Cam confronting West at the end of the book. A great deal of the book’s conflict stemmed from him, and all we got was a paragraph acknowledging it.

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Overall, Hiding Him is a wonderful story about discovering and accepting your identity — even in the face of hardship and bigotry. It’s about embracing the love and support around you, and learning firsthand how empowering that can be.

The strength of the story and Adam Hattan's writing style were more than enough to make me want to read future releases by him. This is a stellar debut novel.

Also, the Taylor Swift references were an enormous bonus!

*3.5 stars* I will caveat this by saying that I don't believe I am necessarily the target audience for this book - that being said, I really enjoyed it!

Hiding Him is a YA romance following Cam and Finn who are both finding themselves and discovering what it is like to be in a relationship for the first time, and doing this openly. Obviously there are a few bumps along the way that tests the relationship between Cam and Finn and what it is like coming out as a teenager. In my opinion I do not see enough books representing these kind of stories for the younger audience and I definitely think it is needed.

I would say that a lot of the terminology used in the book is very British so you might find yourself looking up what sixth form means (I have lived in the UK for nearly a decade and had to Google it)! Other than that the book was well written and suprisingly spicy for a YA novel. There were a few times where I was thinkig is this okay for a YA novel - but honestly I think it was realistic for what an innocent teenager would be experiencing and nothing happens on page but it is definitely referenced throughout.

Pick this up if you enjoyed Heartstoppers as it definitely gives similar vibes, but it is unique in its own right.

This ARC was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.