Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts

I'm not the target demographic for YA at all, but sometimes it just really hits the mark and gives me everything I'm looking for from a book. This book really did it for me. I enjoyed that it was funny and obviously that it was queer, but most of all I loved that the author put so much of himself into it. He's clearly a fan of cinema, which is demonstrated in the main thrust of the plot, but the main character also has the same heart condition as the author, which gives us a great insight into what it must be like and the worries and concerns that someone living with this condition must experience.

I did see the ending coming from a mile off (although not all of it's details) but I loved seeing how we managed to get there. There is some homophobia in the story, but I thought that it was handled well, as well as some hints at internalised homophobia. My one gripe is that there is some miscommunication which went on for too long and I found a bit annoying, but it didn't take too much away from my enjoyment.

I was given access to the audiobook by the Publisher via Netgalley. It's narrated by Chris Nelson, so also narrated both of the other William Hussey audiobooks that I've listened to. I really love his narration style, which feels very 'energetic' and nicely varied. There were a couple of moments throughout the book where he either mispronounced or placed the stress on an odd part of a word or sentence, but other than that it was an excellent quality audiobook.

This book has – if you’ll pardon the pun – so much heart!

Jesse Spark is the lovable lead, a teenage film-maker who finds out he needs to have open heart surgery. He sets out to make the zombie movie of his dreams, despite growing tensions between his best friends, and a complete lack of budget or equipment.

We join the friends on the adventure as they pull together a cast, locations, make-up artists, and everything they need for the film. It was laugh-out-loud funny, the mishaps they got themselves into, but they always managed to pull it off despite the odds.

I will admit that, at the start of the book, I thought I knew exactly where the story was going, and I was still fully committed to the ride. Over the course of the book, though, the story changes direction ever so slightly, until we see just before Jesse does what the true ending will be. It kept me on the edge of my seat and very emotionally invested!

One of the big themes of the book is that of body image. Jesse knows that gay men are often held to incredibly high standards when it comes to their appearance, and he’s afraid that once he has the operation – and a scar on his chest – he won’t be considered datable. One of his best friends, Morgan, has felt insecure about how she looked her whole life, and while Jesse and their other friend Cas do their best to help her, she sees doesn’t find any validation in what they say. I thought these issues and storylines were handled really well. I also appreciated that the author didn’t go into the specifics of Morgan’s appearance, such as her exact weight or clothes size, because these insecurities can plague someone no matter their appearance (and also avoids giving a number to ‘too big’ or ‘small enough’).

There was also excellent narration from Chris Nelson, who brought all the characters to life so vividly.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book to the very depths of my soul. I think this may be the first time I’ve ever cried happy tears in a book but there were also plenty of sad tears and even more out loud laughter. This was honestly just the most magnificent book. Jesse is perhaps my favourite character of all time, with all his sweetness and his amusing babbling as well. He was so darn wholesome and downright hilarious, completely unintentionally. The narrator also had a great voice for his character and the delivery was perfect, really bringing Jesse to life.

The dynamic between Jesse and his two best friends, Morgan and Cass, was keeping me guessing most of the way through this book with the mystery of their weird behaviour hanging over Jesse and whilst I had my suspicions it was impossible to know for sure until near the very end when the truth was revealed and I really loved that because it meant the book wasn’t predictable and I truly empathised with Jesse in the I-have-no-idea-what’s-going-on camp. It broke my heart a little how much other people’s caginess and secrets were eating away at him.

This book obviously tackles some really difficult topics - first and foremost, Jesse needing open heart surgery. There were so many complex emotions surrounding this and they were so well written and it made Jesse feel like a real person rather than a character in a book. You definitely won’t love all of the characters, but I reckon you’ll love all the ones that you’re meant to. Especially all the people that are as charmed by Jesse as you will be. This book drives home how hard teenage years and school are but shines a light on the beautiful parts too and the bonds between friends and family.

I laughed, I cried, I loved it. Don’t miss out on a great thing!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This book has a whole lot of ♥️

There isn’t a single thing that I didn’t love about Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts. If you love horror, like me, you’ll adore the references, I mean, Casper Loomis? Pure brilliance! These alone are enough to make me love this book, but there is so much more to this beautiful story.

Your own heart will ache and feel like it might break, but it will also smile, laugh and feel so much joy it might even burst! ♥️

The characters are fantastically written. Each with their own personality & quirks, but it’s the main character, Jesse that gets my heart. He is adorable, goofy, nerdy and bloody funny.
And was perfectly captured by the audiobook narrator, Chris Nelson. It truly felt like It was the real Jesse I was listening to, telling me his story.
It’s narration, like in BHaZP, that just reaffirms my love of audiobooks.

A magnificent tale of friendship, romance as well as self-love and acceptance. I cannot recommend this enough.

Even the authors note was beautiful.

A special mention goes out to Tiny. Listen to it and you understand.

References I love:

- [ ] Guillermo del Toro
- [ ] Freddy Vs Jason
- [ ] Rest In Peace, Pennywise
- [ ] Bad Dreams On Maple Avenue (It was a homage)
- [ ] Queer books as song titles

And those are just a few. There are just too many to mention.

Thank you, NetGalley & Bolinda audio.
This is my honest review.

[I received the Audiobook of “Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts” through NetGalley from Bolinda Audio and in return have provided an honest review 😁]

Heart-aching, Awkward and Authentic.

I need to confess. I went into this with my breath held and one eye (ear?) closed, nothing to do with the adorable artwork or the title. But as a gay man, with a brain lightly seasoned with health anxiety I worried how a teenage rom-com around a queer kid wrestling with a serious medical condition was going to make me feel.

In short, I was right to be anxious. Through Jesse’s experiences, William Hussey manages to peel away my defences and and prod all the right nerves and break me down and then manages pours a cool, warm and wholesome balm over the wounds to make it all feel better.

Quickly a lot of my early concerns about the book were addressed very quickly. Jesse was overbearing, but not annoying. Chris Nelson’s narration quickly helped me to warm up to Jesse as verbal diarrhoea erupts from him as he and “Big Si” get acquainted. I like the protagonist - tick.

The straight best friend Caspar? Quickly established to not be an unrequited love interest. A sigh of relief - tick.

Morgan, initially I thought she annoying - was bossy and reminiscent of other female friends of two boys from a wizard book series and a demigod book series. But through her body image subplot she is quickly established with unique layers that allow me to warm to her as much as I needed to. - tick

The rest of the ensemble were deliciously brought to life by Hussey’s writing and Nelson’s narration, Brianna, Louis/Louie, Mother Sparks, Dean, Ethan and of course Tiny are all well-rounded and continue to have purpose, adding more worth as the story unravels - beyond what they appear to be offering when initially introduced.

A special shoutout to the subplot involving an elderly character and dementia, there is an allegory of Alzheimer’s as a hungry disease that nibbles away at a person with its insatiable appetite until there’s nothing left that had me feeling hollowed out. Superb.

As for the main plot. Stunning. I was expecting, and accepting, a run of the mill teen rom-com similar to Heartstopper or Simon vs the Homo sapiens Agenda. Instead we are taken to other places entirely. From the end of Chapter 32 onwards - I could not stop listening. I was driving back to London during my final listening session and at that point had to pull onto a motorway services to give it my full attention.

During a few points I was moved to tears, as a queer individual myself there are a few gut punches along the way but how those threads are treated in the resolve it was overall a very cathartic experience.

I was equally as moved at the Authors Notes that closed off the novel and feel incredibly honoured to have been able to share what is clearly a very personal novel.

I definitely look forward to checking out more from William Hussey and Bolinda Audio in the future..

Check out my Instagram @hypefixate

Heartfelt, heartbreaking and humorous 💖 The perfect mixture of vulnerable and hilarious - Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts is a must read!

We follow Jesse Spark who has recently been diagnosed with a heart complication that requires major surgery to repair. With the surgery deadline looming he propels his goals into high gear & has two weeks to:
1. Complete his epic zombie movie
2. Find love - because he isn’t sure what dating will look like post surgery with his changed body.
This novel is packed full of beautiful friendship, coming of age reflection, self acceptance, queer representation, raw depictions of chronic health conditions, complex emotions, hilarious shenanigans, brilliant mc narration, strength and love. I truly adored this book and cannot wait to read more works by William Hussey.

Method read: 🎧

Thank you so much to Bolinda Audio for the advanced copy. Chris Nelson did an amazing job narrating and bringing the story to life! 10/10 recommend!

Oh. My. God.
Everybody shut up, sit down and listen:
That. Was. AMAZING!

Really, this book was so incredibly cute and funny and sweet and heartwarming and painful and „I have hearts in my eyes“!
The story surrounding Jesse was so wonderfully told that I’m a little at a loss for words. The whole book is written in first person perspective and gives a wonderful insight into the life of the boy we accompany. And Jesse is so approachable? He’s clumsy and talks too much and always at the wrong moments. He’s always on the edge of his seat and really just wants to help, but makes everything worse. He reminds me a bit of Stiles Stilinski from the „Teen Wolf“ series in his whole manner and God, I love him for that alone.
I don’t care if some situations/scenes are a little over the top because everything is so matching and cute.

I asked myself several times how realistic it is that these young people are making this zombie film and doing it so professionally, and then I thought „Who cares, I love it and all I want is for Jesse to be happy!“.
But not only Jesse, all the other characters grew on me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. This book is just pure comfort AND has zombies!

The writing was light and easy; it was simple to follow. I wouldn’t say it was particularly challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. It was just ... Jesse Sparks. Was like a teenager whose head is everywhere at the same time.


The English audiobook picked up the mood of the story perfectly and Chris Nelson gave Jesse and everyone else so much character that I fell a little in love with his voice. There was so much emotion happening that my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
If you like audiobooks, you should definitely listen to this one, because what Chris Nelson has delivered here is perfect. Just. Perfect.
I don’t know what else to say, except that my expectations were totally blown away.