Review: Heat Wave by TJ Klune

Heat Wave by TJ Klune

Released July 19, 2022

TorTeen

🔥 5 stars out of 5 🔥 

Heat Wave is the third and final book in the series and I don’t think I have a single complaint about it. It was perfect. It was exciting, dramatic, tense, sweet, tender, romantic, riveting, and completely hilarious. 

It was so good to see Nick and Seth again. Nick is every bit as funny and adorable and in love with Seth as he’s always been. I loved seeing more of Nick & Seth’s relationship in this. They’ve definitely grown a bit as people and their relationship has as well. They are so sweet and deserve all the best things in the world. Two cinnamon rolls who have been by each other’s side for so long that, even though they’re teenagers, you still have a good feeling about them being together for the long haul. 

The plot was excellent. I liked where it went and how it developed. There was confusion and intrigue and mystery and I loved every minute of trying to guess what was going on. I thought the way Klune clearly made Simon Burke a Trump figure in the story was fascinating. The whole Burke storyline definitely felt like an allegory for the conservative/liberal - right wing/left wing divisions in our country and how Republicans harness the power of lies and fear to manipulate voters to get in positions of power and stay there. 

I also really liked how Klune approached the problem with policing in the story. These books were written and released during and after the riots and unrest related to the George Floyd murder and the rising awareness of police brutality in general. He didn’t let Nick’s dad being a police officer go undealt with. I think the way he handles it - the way he has the characters handle it - is really well done. 

New character Burrito Jerry was an absolute riot. And the Dad Squad was adorable. I just can’t get enough of these loving, supportive parents. 👏🏼 And that epilogue? It was EVERYTHING. 🥹😭🤧🥰  What a beautiful and fitting end to the series and to Nick & Seth & Gibby & Jazz & Aaron Bell’s story. It was everything I’d hoped for and more.

ALL. THE. STARS.