Thank you so much to Wednesday Books & St Martins for an advance copy of this!
Thank you so much to MacMillan Audio for an advance copy of the audio! 

If you know me, you know I am a sucker for anything boy band related so I was elated when I received a widget for this book. 

This book took a spin on the "two band mates falling for each other" trope as what was different is that David had quit the band prior to them taking off and then tragedy brought Chance back into his life.

"Well," she breathed. "I'm pregnant now, how 'about you?"

I often forgot that I was reading about teenagers as I felt that they were dealing with very much grown up experiences. As much as I love the celeb culture, I will always protest that I could and would never want to be a celebrity. The constant lens on you, the lack of privacy and then add growing up and not able to make mistakes? No thank you.  We saw this each time David & Chance would try to go out and be teens and would be swarm. Even though an average reader may think the paparazzi chase seemed far fetched, I do not believe so. I can't even imagine what stars like Justin Bieber went through as a teen heartthrob. It is amazing what the media and fans do to celebrities. OH and then let's add being a closeted queer teen in there.

"I'm always pretending, Holc. Except maybe with you."

I liked how this relationship was a gradual build and how David & Chance really had no clue what they were doing or feeling but knew they had a pull towards one another. Selfishly I would have love Chance's POV to see what was going on in his brain. I like how the book dealt with David's resentment and jealousy of what could've been for him. Though I am sure the idea of therapy would probably be the best route to take especially with the loss of his friend & now this new public relationship. I really liked Chance's character and how open he was to the perils of fame as a teen and how he knows that he is perceived a certain way. Fame has a way of making one more mature than the average person and I think that definitely was the case for Chance. He was able to articulate and tell David his feelings and his struggles. And then in return encouraged David to do the same. 

I also paired this with the audio which I thought Ramon de Ocampo delivered wonderfully! He brought the vulnerability and the angst to each character. The pacing was good & the tone of the narration was good. 

I wish Darkhearts were a real band because I know I would definitely be listening to them and likely fangirling over them as a teen errrr or as an adult.