Readers have described "How to Repair a Mechanical Heart" as a story that intricately weaves together themes of fandom, cute romance, character growth, and religious struggles. The plot follows Brandon, an 18-year-old vlogger dealing with Catholic guilt and his sexuality, who embarks on a road trip with his friend Abel to meet the creators of their favorite show. The writing style is praised for its excellent flow, rich characterization, and the perfect balance between angst and light-hearted moments.

Characters:

The characters are richly crafted with unique backgrounds, struggles, and growth trajectories that resonate with readers.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and fluid, effectively portraying character depth and emotional nuances.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intricately explores themes of love and personal struggle set against a backdrop of fandom culture and a coming-of-age road trip.

Setting:

The setting immerses readers in a vibrant fandom world, enriching the story's emotional landscape.

Pacing:

Pacing is effective, allowing for emotional resonance mixed with moments of levity and character development.

I scroll down fast, my own secret heart thudding more than I want to admit. Plastic Sim shoots a plastic glare of judgment from his perch on the gooseneck lamp clipped to my bedpost. I know what he’s ...

Notes:

The writing is smooth and the characters are well-developed.

Brandon struggles with Catholic guilt over his sexuality.

The relationship development between Brandon and Abel is honest and well-paced.

The book is set against the backdrop of fandom and conventions.

It's a mix of cute moments and angsty, heartbreaking scenes.

Brandon is a relatable character dealing with existential and religious dilemmas.

There's a focus on the impact of fandom and community on personal growth.

The book has elements of a road trip and represents the fun and chaos of fandom life.

Readers familiar with fandom culture will appreciate the accuracy portrayed in the book.

Brandon's best friend, Bec, adds depth to the story with her relationship with him.

The ending feels abrupt to some readers, leaving them wanting more.

The book blends fluffy romance with serious themes and character growth.

Recommended for fans of contemporary LGBTQ+ fiction and those who enjoyed other similar YA novels.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of Catholic guilt, emotional trauma, and sexuality, which could resonate with some readers.

Has Romance?

The book features a significant romance storyline, focusing on the evolving relationship between the main characters, Brandon and Abel.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

The summer after high school graduation, two cute and snarky boys hit the road in an RV. Their mission: follow the traveling fan convention for Castaway Planet, the cult sci-fi show they're both obsessed with.

BRANDON irons his t-shirts, loves the dapper and reserved Castaway android Sim, and hides his pesky Catholic guilt from his out-and-proud roadtrip partner, Abel.

ABEL collects funny belt buckles, loves Castaway's brave and dashing Captain Cadmus, has a hot boyfriend with a phoenix tattoo, and has nothing to hide-except his epic crush on Brandon.

During their six-week cross-country adventure, Brandon and Abel post new entries on their Castaway Planet fan vlog, spar with an online community of slash fiction writers, meet their TV idols, play with their action figures, uncover big secrets, and maybe possibly fall in love. Can two fanboys face down their obstacles and write themselves a real-life romance-or is fiction the only thing bringing them together?

Reader Stats (10):

Want To Read (6)
Not Interested (4)

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How to Repair a Mechanical Heart

J.C. Lillis

Book 1 in the series:Mechanical Hearts