Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Heart Shaped Box
AUTHOR: Suki Fleet
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 88 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 30, 2023
BLURB:
Jack’s idea of hell is working as a stripper in a club on Halloween, where he’ll be taking his clothes off for a room full of people who want to hurt him. But as he’s on his way to rock bottom anyway, what has he got to lose? Nothing, he thinks, until he inadvertently riles the crowd and puts innocent Lark, another stripper, in danger.
Jack’s been pushing Lark away for months, not willing to admit his feelings, but as he embarks on a drunken mission to save him, Jack’s realises he’s finally ready to fight for what he wants.
Only to discover that Lark is not at all who he seems….
REVIEW:
If you’re a fan of Suki Fleet’s dark and angsty young adult and new adult masterpieces, you should enjoy this fast paced, action filled novella. This is the story of Jack and Lark who bond over a terrible shared experience. Jack had a minor role in Foxes, set five years before Heart Shaped Box. If you read Foxes, this current book will provide you with more insight into Jack’s character and his tragic background.
Jack has been a stripper for six months and feels he has hit rock bottom, fallen into the darkness with no escape. One night after being assaulted on stage, he runs from the club and urges a fellow dancer – sweet, somewhat mysterious Lark – to run as well. Unfortunately, they are pursued by goons, but while on the run, their feelings for each other develop and intensify.
The action and suspense are almost constant but there’s still plenty of love mixed in. I loved the ending. At 88 pages, this is a one sitting read that I happily recommend. And if you haven’t read Foxes, use this as the springboard to do so.
RATING: 
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