Cover Image: Henry Hamlet's Heart

Henry Hamlet's Heart

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Member Reviews

This was a quick and easy read. It felt very light and a great option for a quick read in between some heavier reads. I really enjoyed the setting and the overall story, would definitely read more from this author.

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Thank you so much for the ARC. This is another book that I dfn , I don't remember at what percentage. The book is fine, it is a friends to lovers. I have realized that I no longer like reading YA books .I don't give it a low rating because I don't think it's bad read, just not for me. If you like YA, you would probably like it.

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THIS IS THE QUEER YA ROMANCE ID BEEN WAITING FOR. thx netgalley for giving it to me in exchange for honest review. i have no idea why it took me so long to pick this up. this was one of my highly anticipated MM- actually just romance in general- books and it DID NOT disappoint.
thank u for giving me characters to adore, a story- adorably awkward at times- to fall in love with in the GASP 2000s. waaaaaaaay too little books set here. in brisbane too! i am ashamed to say i did not know where this was before the book. so we can classify this as educational ;).
friends to lovers trope supremacy. hope u love this book as much as i did!

"I don't get ... What I am, to you.'
Len's face shifts, a roller thunderstorm.
He leans in. Closer and closer, until he's got me pinned between him and the wall.
'You're half of me,' he says, his voice soft and serious. 'What else is there?"

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this was a cute read! the cover was absolutely adorable that's the reason i picked it up. not necessarily something i'll re-read but it was enjoyable nonetheless

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A breathtaking story of self discovery, romance and friendship. The novel follows Henry as he navigates his feelings for his best friend, after a party game changed their lives.
It was a sweet read, and I loved the tender moments between the two.

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I loved this book and we have been stocking and selling it! We received the yellow cover and love it :) (apologies for this review being so late!)

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I loved this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the queer representation and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good LBGTQ+ story.

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I just loved this heartwarming queer YA story a lot. I could relate to all the characters and I found this to be an overall lovely experience. I love positive queer stories and this is definitely one of them. This belongs on your June TBR

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I really enjoyed this book, it was such a fun read. I forgot to leave a review at the time I read it, but I definitely recommend!

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I absolutely loved this novel.
Such a great story with defined characters and a great plot.
What drew me in the most was how fleshed out the characters were
The writing style was fluid and relateable.
The cover was fascinating as well.
A reviting read overall
Definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!

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I loved this book! It is the epitome of a queer, coming of age, romcom, YA novel. Henry was so adorable and very relatable, it made me remember my awkward days in high school. A cute first love romance that left me feeling cuddly and hoping their love lasted.

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I love Australian YA books and especially queer ones. This one is so very wonderful, and I am so glad that it exists.
This book is just.... so good. I loved it a lot.

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This books makes my queer heart soar. It’s what we should all have felt in high school. The comfort to be who we are, fall in love and even experience heartbreak like all our peers.

This book was funny, serious at times and heartwarming. It had its moments of perfect romance and kept me turning pages until it was over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Two best friends, Henry and Len, enter their senior year of high school and prepare for entering adulthood. Henry is a super endearing character, rich with awkwardness and a need for belonging. His best friend, Len, comes from a home with layers of trauma, from the loss of his mother and a volatile relationship with his father. Henry and Len find solace with each other, until their relationship takes a step toward more than friends.

This is a sweet coming of age story, exploring queerness in many forms, and the self discovery of young adults seeking happiness amidst large life changes and transitions.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Henry Hamlet‘s Heart is just what the premise promised: sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking and passionate. As a high school student (or at least the international equivalent of a high school), this book hit me really hard.
It took me quite a bit to get into the story but then I almost couldn‘t put it down again.
I loved the characters- Henry was so relatable and I really felt for and with him.
Actually, the whole book made me feel A LOT.
The different dynamics between the characters were incredibly good. I loved Henry‘s family and friends- this was a beautifully written book that I would totally recommend to everybody! It reminds me why I love ya contemporary so much.

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Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review


This book exceeded my expectations, taking me on a poignant and emotional ride that explored the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery in the backdrop of a final year of high school. Initially anticipating a lighthearted queer YA romance, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and authenticity of the narrative. Henry Hamlet, an awkward and introspective protagonist, finds himself propelled towards adulthood alongside his group of friends. Among them, Len stands out as the charismatic and outgoing best friend, constantly urging Henry to embrace the real world and break free from his own thoughts.

The story takes an unexpected turn when, during a "truth or dare" game at a party, Henry is kissed by Len. This revelation leads Henry to discover his own attraction to boys, particularly to Len. The gradual development of their relationship is filled with uncertainty, heartbreak, and unspoken emotions. Though the story is told from Henry's perspective, one can read between the lines to sense the turmoil and conflicted feelings that Len experiences, torn apart by the evolving dynamics between them.

Set in Brisbane, Australia, the book not only captivates with its captivating storyline but also immerses readers in the charm of the Australian dialect sprinkled throughout its pages. The banter between Henry and his friends is both humorous and endearing, allowing for moments of levity amidst the emotional weight of the narrative. The characters are masterfully developed, evoking a sense of familiarity and connection. By the end of the book, it feels as though you have journeyed alongside them, truly knowing their hopes, fears, and dreams.

Occasional poetry and beautiful prose add a layer of artistry to the storytelling, heightening the impact of certain scenes. One description, in particular, lingers in my mind: "The dripping city is quiet around us, still holding its breath in the four-thirty light before it exhales commuters for the day." Such evocative imagery transports readers into the atmospheric setting, enhancing the overall reading experience.

With its profound exploration of love, friendship, and the tumultuous path to self-discovery, this book has firmly imprinted itself in my heart. It surpasses its initial genre expectations, delivering a narrative that resonates on a deeply emotional level. I find myself yearning to revisit its pages, eager to delve once again into the captivating world the author has crafted.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

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Thank you to Rhiannon Wilde and Charlesbridge Teen for providing me with an ARC last year through Netgalley. I have only started catching up on ARCs I missed, and this doesn’t affect my review in any way.

Henry doesn’t know what he wants. He doesn’t think he’s good enough for anything except making things awkward. Then there’s the charismatic Len, Henry’s childhood bestfriend. The popular guy to Henry’s anxious personality. And yet they always made it work since forever. Nevertheless, things take for a turn when their last semester of Year 12 finally begins.

Henry Hamlet’s Heart is an adorable queer YA rom com that explores a coming-of-age story that takes us through Henry’s life as he navigates the difficulties of growing up, family dynamics, friendships, and falling in love.

This book was both superbly emotional and insightful as it tells us a story of two childhood bestfriends becoming more. I find this trope to be very underrated because I’ve always been attuned by how realistic it grasps falling in love in real life. It’s what most of us hope for, yet rarely attain because it is difficult to know someone so deeply and crave this longing then to realize the feelings are better left unspoken because we’re avoiding ruining what already seems so good. But sometimes, the tide changes, and that’s what makes me so fascinated with the ever-changing aspects of this trope and Wilde’s impeccable writing was able to convey that narrative through Henry and Len’s story.

Overall, the prose was beautiful, and I easily fell in love with the characters as Henry fell in love with Len. This book is very promising, and I’d recommend it to anyone who’d love a good, childhood friends to lovers’ story.
We definitely need more books like this!

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This this THIS is exactly what I want from a YA. The characters were so REAL and the author perfectly captured that giddy feeling of young love. Highly recommend.

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A lovely queer coming-of-age story. It was a fast read and the characters were very lovable, can recommend!

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