Hearts on the Table coming September 22nd, 2026 from Candlewick Press; 464 pages
Content Warning: Homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, ableism, death
About the Author: “I am a neurodivergent author and youth services librarian. Reasons to Hate Me, my debut novel, received several honors including being named a ‘Best YA Book of the Year’ by Publishers Weekly and a ‘Teacher Favorite’ by the Children’s Book Council. I am a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and I am living my best nerd life in Central Virginia with my husband, my children, and an 80-lb. bulldog who fervently believes she will fit on your lap. Find me on Bluesky (@metallowrites.bsky.social) and Instagram (@metallowrites)” (Bio from author’s Goodreads profile).
Find Susan Metallo on the following platforms:
Violet is a seventeen-year-old feminist with a knack for winning at cards using her mathematical mind. On a ship escaping from England and her cruel father during World War I, Violet gets separated from her trans twin brother when a U-boat sinks them before they can reach Italy. Violet ends up stranded on a small island in enemy territory and must disguise herself as a man to have any hope of surviving and finding her brother. Along the way, Violet accepts the help of Teo, a poet who hopes in vain to win the heart of Olivia. In a messy turn of events, Violet accidentally attracts Olivia while struggling to control her inconvenient feelings for Teo. Violet must fight to keep everyone’s hearts intact in her quest to secure safety for herself and her brother in the middle of a war.
Hearts on the Table is an exciting story with lots of unexpected twists and turns. While I was still reeling from Violet’s decision to disguise herself as a man, Violet began having chemistry-laden conversations with both Teo and Olivia. I enjoyed Violet and Teo’s conversations because they included complicated disagreements over women’s place in society and how wealth can be distributed more evenly. The fact that Violet couldn’t have had these honest conversations with Teo if she had presented herself as a woman only added to the commentary. It was fun to watch these two characters joust in conversation about marriage and laborers while Violet bested Teo at cards repeatedly. Violet and Olivia’s conversations were also heavy with meaning from their ruminations on love and discrimination. Their interactions felt particularly romantic even though Violet didn’t feel the same way as Olivia. Unfortunately, as I read on, I felt like Violet and Teo’s relationship fell flat and became a generic romance. The focus shifted from their interesting conversations to Violet’s attraction to Teo, which was all about descriptions of her racing heart and flushing face. Overall, Hearts on the Table was intriguing and thought-provoking even though it wasn’t consistent all the way through.
Hearts on the Table releases on September 22nd, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Candlewick Press for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Gwen Shetlar, Pine Reads Review Writer and Editor