Jack is not ashamed of his sexuality, even though it means he is often ostracised and the target of scandalous gossip. He always believes it could be worse.
When Jack starts writing an online teen sex advice column, “worse” unexpectedly happens. He starts to receive threatening letters from a “secret admirer”, attempting to force Jack to curb his personality and sexuality. Jack and his friends need to find and stop his stalker before things get too dangerous.
Lev Rosen’s debut novel hits two triggers for censors at the same time: representation of queer identity and accurate sex education. Complainants have raised concerns that Jack of Hearts graphically depicts the mechanics of gay sex and reads as a “how-to” manual, therefore encouraging teenagers to engage in risky sexual practices. While it is true that sex is mentioned numerous times, the author was careful to make any actual depiction of sexual activity implied rather than blatant. At its core, this is a story that celebrates the freedom to be one’s self in the face of adversity.
Rosen, L. C. (2018). Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts). Penguin Books.