LGBTQ+ Alert!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Books for sending me an early copy to review!
I didn’t know that I needed this book but I definitely did! This book is basically a drag queen origin story written by a real-life queen! This book was absolutely perfect the relationships and character growth was so well done. The characters are believable and flawed while also being relatable and show amazing growth throughout the book. The romance was well done, showing a complicated closeted relationship and the effects of internalized homophobia which were heartbreaking to read. I can’t wait to see what else the author puts out because I will definitely be picking it up. This book also inspired me to go out and see local live drag talent in my community when it is safe to do so!
You can pick up this book now! (Released August 6 2020)
CW/TW homophobia, assault, explicit language, toxic (abusive) relationship

Full review here: https://fictionfixerreads.wordpress.com/2020/08/06/arc-review-boy-queen/

Boy Queen has a fun lighthearted premise, a lot of potential, and surprising bravery in tackling difficult subject matters. Its dialogue is witty, snappy, and full of Drag Race extravaganza that fans would enjoy reading. The premise is fantastic and a YA novel about a newbie drag queen is something I haven’t encountered before, so it’s got that uniqueness going for it. A lot of the characters are likeable and have flaws that give them dimension, but there’s still a lot to be said about their character arcs. That said,, Boy Queen still feels underdeveloped due to its glacial pacing, taking away defining moments from characters, only a quick moment discussing drag nuances, and the lack of artful or picturesque description that should immerse a reader in the fantastical world of drag.

Boy Queen

This was a quick and fun read and just what I needed to recharge my mental batteries.

The author describes the book as Dumplin’ meets Drag Race by way of Gilmore Girls and that really hits the nail on the head.

The beginning was a little clunky but after a few chapters I sunk comfortably into the story and started to enjoy the characters. The protagonist is loveable and someone you want to root for but was still had the flaws that make them human (something that bothered me was the main character and his friends kept referring to his secret boyfriend by name, even at school. I only mention this because it gave me major anxiety and I wanted to tell them to be more careful and respect this person’s right to privacy). There were parts that actually had me lol and parts that pulled on my heartstrings.

This book is an absolute love letter to Drag and Drag Race alike. Any RunPaul fan will get a kick out of this book and all the little Easter eggs tucked between the pages (and I bet the author had an absolute blast coming up with these Drag names!) I also really love that this story takes place in the UK. It’s always fun to read a YA book set outside the US, something I find rarely within the genre.

All in all this is a cute coming of age story dripping in glitter, rhinestones, and fun.

I received a free ARC of Boy Queen from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. Thank you so much to NetGalley, publisher MacMillan, and of course author George Lester for the opportunity to read this gem early!

Is the world ready for a drag queen's coming of age story? It had better be ready because Boy Queen is here serving high school senior baby drag realness that you don't want to miss out on! I read this book in a single day because I absolutely could not put it down!

This is the story of Robin Cooper, a turning-18-year-old theatre student from the UK whose hopes and dreams of attending drama school in London in the fall are about to be dashed. It also doesn't help that his secret boyfriend, a still-closeted gay boy from a homophobic family and friend group, is less than supportive, ever the flake, and occasionally a bully. But when Robin's friends take him to watch a drag show at a gay bar for his birthday, one queen in particular catches his eye and sparks a burning need to perform in drag. Robin spends much of the rest of the school year trying (and failing) to balance school, friends, romance, and his relationship with his single-parent mother with his newfound love of drag. He also spends a great deal of this time learning who he is (and who she is when in drag) and, as one of his teachers advises early on, learning to take up space.

The entire cast of this book is written so well. Robin's friends Natalie, Greg, and Priya are believable teenagers with their own hopes and worries, and like any teen friends, they get mad at each other sometimes. Natalie and Greg are a little more fleshed out than Priya, but that's likely because they're also Robin's school mates, while Priya is a friend from the dance studio. New boy Seth is intriguing, and the process of Robin and Seth getting to know each other is so beautifully organic.

I'd also like to say that I'm a 32-year-old mom reading this young adult novel, and I feel called out by the characterization of Robin's mother in all the best and most humorous ways! I have so many highlights made on the mom moments because they made me smile. And yes, I absolutely do the weird meercat thing, too.

As I mentioned, I did read this book all in one go. I absolutely could not end my day without finishing it and getting my thoughts down! That said, I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it in the first couple of pages. This book starts in the middle of a dance class with quippy teenage snark flying everywhere, and I honestly couldn't quite tell until the practice number was over whether Robin was about to dance or sing. It immediately gets better when dance class ends and Robin and Priya start talking, and then it's gold from there. Mood readers and those who DNF very early, give this book more than just the first scene. You won't regret it!

I would also like to make a note for North American readers and parents: As this book takes place in the UK where drinking laws are different, these teenage characters spend quite a bit of time at a bar, and some drinking does take place. Remember that this is legal and normal in the book's setting. I think this is handled well, and should not be a concern for readers from countries with different laws.

Trigger warning for moderate violence in a couple of scenes (fistfight style, no weapons.)

I became interested in reading "Boy Queen" by George Lester after seeing the cover and reading the synopsis, and I was thrilled to receive an e-ARC copy of it courtesy of Publisher's Group Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The story of "Boy Queen" follows our main character Robin Cooper, a gifted dancer and performer with aspirations of attending the prestigious drama school LAPA (London Academy of Performing Arts) but, after receiving a rejection letter, he finds himself unsure of how to move forward. His friends are going off to university in September, his overworked mom is hardly home and his secret relationship with popular jock Connor leaves much to be desired,

Then, on his 18th birthday, he attends his first drag show and the experience is transformative. Shortly thereafter, he becomes acquainted with the new guy at his school, Seth. With a renewed sense of purpose, Robin throws himself head-first into the world of drag, but his newfound passion causes friction in his relationships. Can Robin still find a way to shine?

I absolutely ADORED this novel! Robin is likable, while also being messy and raw and real. The portrayal of drag culture felt very honest and authentic. I loved the friendship in this book between Robin and his two best friends Greg and Natalie. Seth as a character was great as well, and his relationship with Robin was heartwarming to read, even if it was frustrating at points. Also, I loved the diversity of the LGBTQ+ representation. It was really refreshing to read about characters across the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum, and overall, the book is wonderfully written. I very quickly became completely invested in these characters and in this story, and I think many people will feel the same.

That this is a debut novel is tremendously exciting! George Lester has written a refreshingly honest, beautifully heartfelt novel. I honestly couldn't stop smiling while I was reading.

"Boy Queen" is scheduled for publication on August 6, 2020, from Pan Macmillan and if it isn't on your radar already, it definitely should be! Special thanks to Publishers Group Canada and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read it early!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Boy Queen in exchange for an honest review.

Boy Queen was such an absolute delight of a story! Following Robin after the disappointment of not getting into his dream school, the story follows him as he navigates love, friendship, identity, and his new life as a Drag Queen.

You can definitely tell George Lester is a part of the drag community. Boy Queen is very up front about portraying the parts of the drag community you won't find on Drag Race of in other mainstream media.

Robin as a protagonist was also so refreshing to read. An actual flawed character who doesn't just use a blanket 'I'm sorry' or 'I was sad/ nervous/ gay' as an excuse? Iconic. We love that. This book also has a closeted character who it doesn't let off the hook for being an asshole just because 'no I had to because I was scared' all while never shaming him for being closeted. Honestly, a lot of queer fic author's could take a page out of Lester's book (but not literally because that's plagiarism).