Review: My Mate Jack by Garrett Leigh

Author: Garrett Leigh

Pages/Word Count: 104 Pages

At a Glance: I completely fell for these boys and this book.

Reviewed By: Jules

Blurb: A Heated Beat Story

Will Barter’s been in love with his best mate Jack for as long as he can remember. They’ve shared everything: love, life, laughs, even Will’s first kiss. But Jack’s straight, and Will’s long-buried infatuation means nothing until their last summer together draws to a close.

Then one night, everything changes, but with Will bound for university in Leeds, and Jack for his dream DJ job in Ibiza, there’s no time to explore their blurred lines. Before long all that’s left are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings.

In the months that follow, anger and hurt overshadow fifteen years of friendship, and Will must dig deep to remember Jack is his mate… his best mate, and nothing matters more than that, right?

Review: I’m such a huge fan of Garrett Leigh. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what it is about her writing that I love; it’s a number of things, really. Her books are typically very emotional and raw. Her writing style is gritty and full of sass and kick ass characters that pull you in. My Mate Jack is all of that with an extra dose of youth and fun.

Will and Jack have been best friends since they were six, and are understandably close. In fact, Will has had a crush on Jack for many years, but knows, of course, that Jack is straight. Or, is he?

My Mate Jack is GFY done right. If you’re worried about not liking the trope in other books you’ve read, don’t be. These guys have such a fantastic connection; everything between them flows perfectly and feels natural and seamless. I adore their friendship and that it’s clear for both of them it remain a priority. Even with all the time and distance between them, they always keep a line of communication open, even if it’s strained.

The author’s use of emails is a fantastic device for showing both the strain of the separation on each of them, as well as their desire to remain connected. It is but one of the many things that work so well in this story. I loved the settings and the dialogue. I loved that absolutely nothing felt rushed, even though it was only one hundred four pages. The supporting characters are great, especially Will’s flatmate, Suki, and his father, Ned. In fact, there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t like about this one…other than wanting more. ;)

I completely fell for these boys and this book. A fabulous start to Garrett Leigh’s new Heated Beat series. Definitely check this one out, guys!