This was such a cute story that I stayed up past midnight to read! The character development was great and the ending had me grinning from ear to ear!

Ace of Hearts by Lucy Mason
Read the content warnings. Hesler’s father is a police officer, verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive. And he abducts her. 

This book took me on a RIDE! Hesler and Felix have been best friends forever. Hesler has some major trauma she is working through and quite possibly might be neurodivergent. We aren't told, but she has some neurospiciness to her. Hesler is ACE, and her explanations are absolutely spot on. The very interesting part of this story is that Felix is not ACE. But he loves her, and he wants to be with Hesler more than anything else. I really enjoyed reading them find each other and find the relationship that works for them.

I wanted to like this so much more. The pacing was weird, there wasn’t a ton of plot, and the climax felt sudden. But the ace rep was great, really realistic, and I appreciated that, at least.

 

i’m asexual and i also have a very abusive that i ran away from. 
reading a story like this and her being loved so much by the characters was kinda healing. I’m definitely biased but it was a cute story.

I appreciated the way a commentary on the issues of compulsory sexuality and corruption in law enforcement were included in the story.