Ace of Hearts

When Alvin, 16, gay and socially awkward, moves to a much bigger high school, he hopes to remake himself. His only friend in his former school, Melissa, is a fierce friend and fellow outcast, but, in his new school, he hopes to find a circle of friends who are comfortable with his sexuality. Alvin finds the gay community, and, when they discover he has never had sex, they set him up with three of the hottest guys on campus. But the closer Alvin gets to intimacy, the more uncomfortable he becomes, and he begins to wonder whether the relationship he longs for is even possible.

As Alvin resists pressure from his new friends who push him into experiences he doesn’t want, he gradually learns that the gender spectrum is wider and more diverse than he ever imagined, and that being “ace”, or asexual, is just part of who he is.

Queer author Myriad Augustine has created a sympathetic portrait of a young man confused by his own feelings until he explores the array of gender diversity around him. Ace of Hearts is their first novel, part of Lorimer’s “Real Love” high-low series, and it explores the experience of asexuality with authenticity. A quick read, it provides a welcome addition to the literature of LGBTQ+. For young people like Alvin, Ace of Hearts provides valuable knowledge and acceptance as it reflects other realities of love and romance.