Publishers Weekly
05/13/2024
A newly out lesbian navigates her blossoming queer relationship as well as a complicated dynamic with her ex-boyfriend in Horne’s engaging debut. Even though 17-year-old Alana Lucas came out, very little has changed between her and her former boyfriend, and now just best friend, Gray, though their friend circle has begun excluding her in subtle ways. When Tal transfers from Portland, Maine, to their Bangor high school for senior year, Alana half-heartedly agrees to go along with Gray’s glacially slow plan to ask her out, despite her immediate attraction to the newcomer. After struggling to understand Tal’s signals, it finally clicks for Alana when Tal kisses her at a party. Keeping the budding relationship secret from Gray torments Alana and strains their relationship, even as it helps her rethink her friends’ tepid acceptance of her sexuality and allows her to tentatively explore queer community-building. But when a crisis calls Tal back to Portland, Alana’s choice to not immediately join her cascades into a messy fallout. Snarky humor buoys depictions of fraught, realistic relationships in this winning story of believably flawed teenagers contending with issues of first love and first heartbreak. Characters read as white. Ages 14–up. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Don't Let it Break Your Heart:
"A complicated and modern look at first queer love, finding your people, and the exhilarating risk of letting go in order to find yourself. Maggie Horne's book immerses you in a world of humor, growing pains, and teenage drama that makes your heart burst." —Gabriel Shane Dunn, New York Times-bestselling author of I Hate Everyone But You
"A beautiful, contemporary coming-of-age story about finding one’s authentic self and learning to love and accept it . . . completely relatable." —School Library Journal
"Snarky humor buoys depictions of fraught, realistic relationships in this winning story of believably flawed teenagers contending with issues of first love and first heartbreak." —Publishers Weekly
"The joyous friends-and-lovers narrative sets this romance apart. Readers will enjoy Alana’s immense growth as a character and delight in the witty dialogue between the three leads." —Kirkus
"Full of incisive humor and heart, Don't Let it Break Your Heart deftly embraces the complexities of queer romance and friendship, coming out, and showing up for the queer community—and for yourself. Horne gorgeously explores the nuances of emerging queer identity in this must-read romance that is sure to earn a place in readers’ hearts." —Auriane Desombre, author of I Think I Love You
"Funny, fresh, and full of feeling, Don't Let it Break Your Heart is a thoughtful love letter to friendship and possibility. Maggie Horne's voice shines through Alana, but each of the characters leapt off the page and into my heart." —Jen St. Jude, author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come
"An unflinchingly honest story about queerness and community, infused with so much heart and humor. Readers will be drawn to Alana's exploration of comfort zones — and how beautiful it can be to outgrow them." —Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments
“An emotionally charged queer romance that deftly unpacks the distinction between coming out and being out with nuance and heartfelt honesty. Don’t Let it Break Your Heart is a gorgeously rendered, visceral [YA]debut about a girl untangling herself from the people who have always defined her . . . and discovering her dreams, her desires, herself in the process.” —Marisa Kanter, author of Finally Fitz
"Absolutely broke my heart! With characters whose passions are relatable and true, [this book] is sincere and moving. Horne is an undeniably fresh and welcome voice in the YA world." —Louisa Onome, critically acclaimed author of The Melancholy of Summer
"A breathtakingly poignant love letter to platonic soulmates, teenage romance, and anyone who grew up queer in a small town. Honest, heartfelt, and hopeful, Don't Let It Break Your Heart will hold you tight and heal your soul." —Jenna Voris, author of Every Time You Hear That Song
"Full of complex queer feelings and laugh-out-loud banter, Don’t Let It Break Your Heart sets a precedent for future coming-of-age stories. Horne skillfully balances wit and heartache while exploring themes of friendship, love, and what it takes to stand on your own. A masterful young adult debut." —Kelsey Rodkey, author of Last Chance Books
"This emotional roller coaster contains a great deal of hope and heart." —Booklist
School Library Journal
08/01/2024
Gr 10 Up—A beautiful, contemporary coming-of-age story about finding one's authentic self and learning to love and accept it. Alana Lucas is completely relatable as she navigates the politics of high school and her friend group, having recently realized her sexuality. Her best friend and ex-boyfriend Ethan Gray is close to her and supports her as best he can. But when new girl Tal Stonnard joins the student council and subsequently their friend group, Alana is forced to face her feelings and come into her own. Complete with college decisions, navigating forgiveness and betrayal, realizing life dreams, witty banter, and exercising autonomy, this is a wonderfully balanced story that evokes emotion and invites readers into the fun. Horne so accurately captures the buzz and electricity of high school: feeling overwhelmed getting to know a crush, as well as the conflicting feelings of getting closer to someone you're interested in, while also feeling guilty when your best friend likes them, too; and knowing who you are on your own, beyond the role you play to others. VERDICT Fresh and important while also being comforting. This book highlights themes and sentiments that all readers can relate to, regardless of identity or orientation.—Jenna LaBollita
Kirkus Reviews
2024-05-17
Alana Lucas is a lesbian: It’s why she broke up with Gray, her best friend and boyfriend, last year.
Even though they’re no longer dating, the teens from the Bangor, Maine, area are inseparable—Gray’s mom and Alana’s parents have been close since college, and the high school seniors declare they had an “in-utero friendship.” Alana and Gray have private jokes, long-standing traditions, and detailed plans for their futures. When intriguing new girl Tal arrives at their school, both Gray and Alana are instantly smitten. Alana, who’s still coming to terms with what it means to live as an out queer person, allows herself to get roped into Gray’s complex scheme to get Tal to like him. She decides to bury her growing feelings for Tal, even though the two girls become closer every day. The resulting love triangle forces Alana to explore her own interests, her identity as a lesbian, and how she fits into the larger queer community. She also learns some difficult lessons as she works on discovering her own path forward. While some supporting characters lack detailed backstories and seem to be tacked onto the main story arc, the joyous friends-and-lovers narrative sets this romance apart. Readers will enjoy Alana’s immense growth as a character and delight in the witty dialogue between the three leads. Alana and Tal read white; Gray has brown skin.
A warm hug of a romance. (Romance. 14-18)
