Member Reviews
Ok this was really adorable while making me emotional at 70 percent mark , this book just reminded how much I loved Sophie gonzales writing and I need more boo from her
I hate when people call gay romance novels cute. It feels infantilizing. It reminds me of the way straight people will stare and point at (especially male) gay couples on the street, and when they’re caught say, “Oh, you’re just so cute.” Like gay people (especially men) are fluffy handbags, statement pieces, not entirely real people.
Also, this book is cute as hell, and it’s only partially due to the romance. I can’t remember the last time I saw a media portrayal of male friendships this open and loving. Usually, when fictional friends say they love each other, it’s a pair of girls who are about to stab each other in the back. There’s no backstabbing in this book. There’s not even a single “no homo.”
The friends are four boys who met and performed together at music camp one summer when they were fifteen: “sensitive, sweet Zach … type A, cautious Jon … wild, hilarious Angel … perfectionist, darkly sarcastic [Ruben].” Though none of the other boys knew it at the time, Jon’s father is the famous pop talent manager Geoff Braxton:
"… if he decides you’re worth it he can make you a global superstar, richer and more famous than you can ever imagine. If you want to be famous, he’s a god."
Geoff watched the boys’ finale performance (complete with “terrible choreography that we crudely put together … by watching YouTube … and altering the moves to fit our ability”) “through calculating eyes” and decided they were worth it.
Three years later, Geoff has carefully shaped the boys into Saturday, a world-famous pop band preparing to leave for their first international tour. He’s given them professional choreography and more money than they know how to spend, but also entirely new personals that they have to maintain both on and offstage.
Angel, who has a model waiting in every country, is the innocent virgin, while Jon, a devout Catholic, struggles against instructions to wear less and less clothing for every show.
I’m not going to say much about Jon in this review because when things happen, he’s usually standing on the sidelines yelling for his friends to put on their helmets, but I want to get it on the record that Jon is 10/10 the best boy. Jon would bring you soup when you’re sick and never forget your birthday. If I ever come into a possession of a human son, I want him to be like Jon.
Zach, the pop punk-loving cinnamon roll, is the bad boy of the group, but his vocals have been polished free of any edge. He longs to write a song for Saturday, but Geoff continually rebuffs his efforts, telling him to think more along the lines of “something that would play … in a mall.” Fuck managers, but I actually can’t hold this against Geoff. All the lyrics Zach shares in the book are comedically bad:
"I bring my pen to the page and write: You’re like a hangover … I put my notebook down, and write down mysterious ways."
"Is there a song in that … you’re hot like water?"
Though his musical theater background makes him the strongest vocalist of the group, Ruben is bland, a blank slate for the projected fantasies of any girl who doesn’t want a virgin, a player, or a bad boy. Which seems like a good marketing strategy, at first. However, Geoff goes beyond just dressing Ruben in neutral-colored sweaters, preventing him from showing off his true singing abilities, and forbidding him from drawing any attention to himself. Geoff is terrified someone will find out Ruben is gay, even though it’s an open secret in the industry and Ruben has been asking to make it public since he was sixteen.
Ruben is the group cynic, which sometimes makes him hard to sympathize with. There’s more than a bit of condescension in the way he thinks about his friends’ hopes that their management company will give them more freedom in the future. None of his friends know Geoff has been keeping him in the closet for years because he hasn’t told them. I often wanted to shake him, but I also found him painfully real and relatable. In addition to a gay teenager who’s way over his head, Ruben was raised by parents who are cruel and controlling, and he’s learned to keep his vulnerabilities hidden.
Though all four boys are privately struggling, they manage to keep it more-or-less together until they leave for the international leg of their big tour.
Then, it quickly becomes clear that Angel’s partying is out of control, and there’s something more than friendship growing between Zach and Ruben. (Poor Jon has very little time to worry about his own problems because he’s somehow gotten stuck with the responsibility for keeping his friends alive and out of trouble.)
Even though I have only ever read one (horrifying) piece of bandfic, I loved this setup for a YA romance novel. It’s full of opportunities for angst and drama beyond the usual miscommunication. And it delivers! This is a book that’s practically dripping in teenage angst, but the authors usually manage to keep it from veering into melodrama by making sure there are actual, clear stakes and plenty of fluff to balance it all out.
One night early in the tour, Zach gives his hotel room to two girls who get too drunk at one of Angel’s parties. Of course he can crash in Ruben’s bed. They’re best friends. It’s not weird, just two bros chillin in the same bed five feet apart cuz they’re not gay.
Then they kiss, and it’s suddenly very gay. (Did you know you’re allowed to describe an erection in YA? Because I did not.)
There are several chapters of angst while Zach tries to figure out if he actually wanted to kiss Ruben (and that would mean about him) or if he just wants to have wanted to kiss Ruben because he doesn’t want to hurt his best friend. Ruben has a tendency to attract guys, both straight and not, looking to date their way into stardom. Zach’s almost more afraid of having used Ruben like all the others than he is of admitting he’s bi. Meanwhile, Ruben is panicking that he somehow forced or manipulated Zach into kissing him, and the media is picking up on the tension between them.
If I sound dismissive, it’s not because I have no sympathy for Zach’s experience. The way the authors describe his dawning realization that he’s always been attracted to people of all genders was similar to my own internal coming out process:
"Is the truth that I don’t get strong crushes on guys the way I get on girls? Or is the truth that whenever those crushes start to poke their heads up I squash them, and ignore them?
"I think of Lee. I think of Eirik. I think of Ruben, and his photo.
"… There’s an explanation here, and maybe … no, it can’t be that. You’d know. You’d know."
However, I do think these chapters are the weakest part of the book. While Zach’s coming out feels honest and meaningful, the conflict between him and Ruben feels unnecessarily cruel and drawn out. It’s like the book comes to an abrupt stop so they can bicker in circles for a while.
I get that they’re teenagers. I do get that, but I don’t get why they have to have the same argument over and over again, or why Ruben apparently has no sympathy for what it’s like to realize you’re not as straight as you’ve always told yourself you were. Does he not know any other queer people?
The plot picks up again when Zach decides he does want to be with Ruben. He comes out to the other members of Saturday, who are so excited and supportive I wanted to cry. He comes out to their management team, who promise they can start “thinking about” announcing the relationship publicly after their Russian tour stop. Angel’s mental health continues to decline.
I have mixed feelings about Angel’s plot. On the one hand, I think it’s important to honestly portray what that kind of fame combined with a complete lack of autonomy does to people. Having it hit a supporting character the hardest makes space for more fluff and tenderness in Ruben’s relationship, which I adored.
On the other hand, I’m uncomfortable with Angel’s addiction and mental illness being used as a plot device to create drama in his friends’ love story, especially when Angel is Asian American and Zach and Ruben are white. I’ve yet to make up my mind about how his arc is resolved mostly offscreen with a single stint in rehab. I guess I’m glad to see YA finally portraying therapy positively, but ehhh …
I did really appreciate the way Angel’s struggles motivated his friends to stand up to their management team, and I liked seeing Angel finally being able to open up about what he was going through once he’d gotten help. Again, this book has so much more emotional vulnerability than stories about boys are usually allowed to have. It’s truly lovely.
Something else you don’t see in many YA books: When things get really bad, most of the boys’ parents step up and fight for them. They form a moms’ club to lead the fight against Saturday’s management. It’s a nice change to the feelings of isolation and helplessness the boys have been dealing with for most of the book, and I appreciated the fact that the boys still maintained their autonomy to drive the conclusion.
Overall, this was a sweet read that nicely balanced tenderness with teenage angst and emotional intimacy with international pop star drama. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to people struggling with addiction, but I think anyone who likes their fanfiction with a lot of fighting and a lot of kissing will enjoy If This Gets Out.
I really enjoyed this book. It lived up to everything I’d hoped it would be. It’s the first I’ve read from either of the authors and I am impressed. The writing is excellent - it kept me turning pages right from the beginning. The characters are well drawn and interesting. I was all in before I was halfway through the first chapter.
Ruben and Zach are members of a popular boy band and the book starts off with a detailed moment-by-moment description of Ruben’s concert performance experience. It actually feels like you’re getting a behind the scenes peek at how giant music industry machinery works.
I loved all four of the band members. They’re funny and smart and like-able but, most importantly, they’re believable as 18 year olds. The book’s POV switches back and forth between Ruben and Zach, but we get to know all four guys who are each dealing with their own struggles. They are the sweetest guys and I really love the relationships they have with one another. The group dynamics are great, even when they’re not exactly getting along.
A lot of the book is about the guys discovering the downsides of fame. It definitely shows the sad reality of what it’s like being a celebrity and living life in a fishbowl. Their record label and management group completely own them, their parents aren’t giving them the support they need, and they’re all dealing with being in that weird gray area that many 18 yr olds find themselves in of wanting to be fully independent but only being partly capable of it.
To complicate matters, Zach and Ruben have started dating. So of course this presents yet another area of their lives where their management has more say in the matter than they do. The marginalization they experience is insidious and disgusting. You can’t help but root for them as they try to gain some semblance of control over their lives and learn just how difficult it can be to stand up for yourself.
Tldr: the book is smart and funny with great characters, a great story, great themes, and excellent writing. The intimate scenes (beyond kissing) are all closed door/FTB. Highly recommend this one, for teens and adults alike. I think the angst and drama is highly relatable for a younger crowd. And the story and writing are strong enough to please an older crowd. I loved it, I’m so glad I requested it. I might have to get this one for my shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the eGalley.
I loved Perfect on Paper and jumped at the opportunity to read If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich. My love for boy bands began back when I was an actual YA, so I had high expectations and this exceeded them.
Saturday is a boy band at the top of the charts and headed into their mega European leg of their worldwide tour when the reader learns that two members are developing a deeper relationship. Told in dual perspective from members Ruben and Zach, you get to dive into their story as well as explore themes that involve the other two members of the band, their parents and really pop/celebrity culture as well.
One thing I really loved is how Ruben pushes Zach to explore his own feelings and wants. As a fellow people pleaser, I did not expect to see myself so much in this bisexual teenage boy, but it felt so authentic.
The book has the young love and character evolution that I really enjoy from YA romance. It also has a really insightful and thoughtful approach to queer relationships that I expect from Wednesday Books. I finished reading this grateful for the perspective it gave me and highly recommend grabbing this!
Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy of this and the opportunity to share my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
18 year old Ruben and Zach are two of the four members in the boy band Saturday. Along with their band mates Angel and Jon they are teen heartthrobs around the globe. For the cameras the foursome are thick as thrives but behind closed doors they are cracking around the edges and management have them on the toughest leash possible.
One wrong move and they are out. Rubin and Zach grow closer as they confide in one about about the pressure to have it all. Quite quickly their friendship evolves into a romance, one management are hesitant to let them declare to the world. They feel the worlds coming between them and both do some soul searching to find if this is really worth risking it all for love.
I’m a huge fan of Sophie’s work and when I saw this was available on NetGalley I knew I needed it in my life. While this did take the lead in my favourites of her books it definitely gave you that same warm and fuzzy feeling at the end.
This book was just incredible. Yes, I expected boyband romance, yes, I expected angst and pining. But damn, it still caught me off guard. Thank you to Wednesday book and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is unbiased
If This Gets Out follows two members of the boy band, Saturday. When the pressure of stardom and life on the road while touring starts to become overwhelming, Zach and Ruben begin to rely on each other for support. Love blossoms, but it soon becomes clear that not everyone is in support of their relationship.
This book was so great. I loved it. I loved Zach and Ruben. This isn’t that long of a book, but I became so attached to the characters.
I really enjoyed the writing style and thought that Cale and Sophie did a great job blending making sure the flow remained consistent despite the book being written by two authors.
I also really liked that the book was able to delve into some of the problems in the music industry. I thought that those issues were handled well.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a review!!
Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. Between the sweet fluffy romance, the gritty portrayal of the way the music industry abuses teenagers, and the fraught relationship between Reuben and his mom, this story was the boyband romcom of my dreams. It hit on everything I wanted, and then went beyond that and gave me everything I didn't know I needed. I highly, HIGHLY recommend that everyone read this book, especially those of us who grew up reading fanfiction - it'll satisfy that craving and leave you wanting more!
How incredible was this book? It was top notch. All of the different emotions were swirling in me while reading this.
To the public, the masses, the fans, things for the boy band, Saturday, are amazing. They are on top of the world, doing long tours, making great music, having the best time ever. And for these four close friends, things are going well, but there is something going on beneath the surface that not everyone is privy to.
This book went so deep in the mechanism of a modern boy band and the way they are policed by management and how they are forced into this box, even if they are spilling out of it in actuality. My heart broke for these boys at times. I rejoiced with them in other moments. Such a fabulous dynamic.
At the heart of this story, we have Ruben and Zach. Best friends, band mates… a couple of eighteen year olds trying to maneuver through their crazy lives… Ruben is gay and hasn’t been able to come out publicly… and he definitely hadn’t been able to tell his best friend that he has more than platonic feelings for him.
But what if those feelings are suddenly reciprocated? What does that mean for the band? What does that mean for these two friends? Especially when the road is rocky and they aren’t allowed to go public?
This book was so special. I adored all four members of the band and felt so strongly for the struggles they each went through.
5 wonderful stars to Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich for this beautiful story!
Growing up in the 90s, I loved American boy bands, so I was immediately drawn to this story. If This Gets Out, while a work of fiction, explores the reality young celebrities in entertainment go through: the battle between the image you are supposed to portray and the real you.
The book hold readers attention as Saturday, a 4 member boy band, travels on the European leg of their tour. The story is told through alternating view points, between Ruben and Zach. Ruben, who was written by Gonzales, struggles with wanting to come out as gay to his fans, but the management company Chorus has forced him to stay closeted. Zach, written by Dietrich, dreams of being able to write songs for the band, but is unable to due to Chorus's controlling nature. Together with Jon and Angel, the boys navigate their way through fame, while struggling with who they are as individuals. Ruben and Zach have been close friends, but one night they realize that there's something more between them, and a secret romance blossoms.
The characters were written so well, it felt like they were a real band. I found myself rooting for Zuben's romance, and hoping Saturday would be able to break away from the toxic Chorus management style. It was a rollercoaster of emotions as I found myself feeling happiness, worry, excitement, sadness, and hope.
I really hope that Gonzales and Dietrich write a sequel. The book wrapped up well, but I would love to read more about Angel, Jon, Ruben and Zach. I also really hope this book is turned into a TV show or movie.
Im sure Lance Bass from NSYNC would be proud of the author's for writing this story. It's now one of my top reads of 2021.
Since forming the world-famous boyband Saturday, Zach, Ruben, Angel, and Jon have been caught up in a flurry of live shows, interviews, tour dates, and paparazzi. As worldwide sensations, they have little time and even less control over their lives. As they head off on a whirlwind tour of Europe and their management teams gain a tighter and tighter grip on their lives, Zach and Ruben grow closer than they ever have before. When their friendship develops into something deeper, will they have the courage to fight their management and share their secret with the world?
TW for homophobia, forced closeting, verbal abuse/manipulative behaviour from a parent and other adult figures, disordered eating, and substance use/abuse.
This book reads like a fanfiction in the best way possible. The comparisons between If This Gets Gets Out and One Direction are definitely warranted: this book is an ode to Directioners, and, quite honestly, would not exist without the fanbase and the shipping that followed it everywhere for years. However, even as someone who was never a One Direction fan, this book was great.
I loved seeing the relationships between all the boys (not just Ruben and Zach) as the book progressed. Each character's personality and relationships fit into the narrative very well, and while this often doesn't happen in real life, being able to trace insecurities and conflicts to specific events made for a very compelling plot. I honestly couldn't put this book down. It had me hooked from the very beginning, all the way through each crazy twist and turn.
There were definitely parts where I felt like Zach and Ruben could have had more one-on-one time to develop their relationship, though. I feel like there was less of a focus on the actual romance and more about the circumstances around the romance. Sometimes it seemed like the romance was just a vehicle for the larger band vs management storyline, which I wasn't totally opposed to, but I felt like their interactions could have used an extra push to go from sweet to really meaningful and heart-wrenching. More pining! More angst!
Overall, this book has enough familiar tropes to be comforting, with enough twists to stop it from being cliche and overdone. If you enjoy queer romance, fame, and stories about fandom, this book is for you!
this was so absolutely terrible, the premise sounded so interesting but the writing was super cringy. The setting was like one cliche stacked over another and they were all executed poorly, i had to roll my eyes every two lines.
I’m so tired of storylines abound bands just using the “omg management it’s so oppressive and i hate my fans so much they think they know me and are so annoying” trope and “artist has a substance problem” trope
And the characters felt like they weren’t stablished at the beginning i don’t know anything about any of them
*ARC provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* Zach and Ruben are two lead singers of the popular boyband Saturday. As the two begin to navigate a relationship together, the struggles of management and being in the public eye prove to be a challenge. The pair refuse to back down, If This Gets Out is a heartwarming coming of age tale that navigates sexuality, coming out, and societal pressure in a refreshing way. I highly recommend this book and enjoyed every moment of reading.
my review will be available on goodreads and instagram published on 09/22/2021
If This Gets Out follows the popular boyband Saturday that’s growing ever more popular. But while the four members look like the perfect teen heartbreaks in front of the cameras, cracks are starting to form backstage. As the pressure of being famous intensifies and their schedules become more gruelling, they start to feel smothered. As they tour Europe, Zach and Ruben grow closer and eventually their friendship turns into something more. But when they decide to come out to the world and their management denies their request, they start to wonder just how much longer they’ll have to hide their true selves to toe the line. How can they hold on to each other when they’re not allowed to hold each other in public at all?
I am always equal parts exhilarated and terrified when I hear about two authors collaborating on a book with such a fantastic premise and I can confidently tell you, Gonzales and Dietrich’s did not disappoint with If This Gets Out.
I really enjoyed both protagonists. Ruben’s struggles of being forced to stay in the closet, always having to compromise, to toe the line made my heart ache for him. There’s a lot going on with Ruben behind the scenes and I loved that we got a glimpse of just how isolated he is even though he’s surrounded by people all the time. Zach, too, was on a whole new level of relatability. Honestly, it gets quite frustrating at times reading about Zach and Ruben’s struggle to be themselves while kept under the thumb of their management – but imagine how frustrating it must be for the characters if you’re frustrated just reading about it – and it’s hard to realize how much Zach has been influenced to be compliant, to not make any fuss, to not do anything that could possibly, in any sort of way, inconvenience anyone else. Fellow people-pleasers (please tell me I’m not alone) will feel as much hurt and frustration and fear as Zach does and, eventually, cheer for Zach as he learns to take up space in a world that has told him he shouldn’t.
While I would have wished for a bit more background info on the band’s early days and perhaps more scenes establishing the relationship between everyone, I think it’s easy to fall head over heels for Saturday. Though Angel and Jon aren’t the focus of this book, they get their own story arcs that add to the overall compelling read that If This Gets Out is. Through their struggles, we also get to see more about individuality and how it is compromised in the entertainment industry in order for them to be more palatable to the masses, which I was so engrossed by.
Speaking of engrossed, let’s talk about the romance between Zach and Ruben for a hot second. I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories and this book definitely delivered. We get to follow both characters as their feelings change for each other and there are so many tiny moments that speak to this friendship blossoming into more. There’s also an element of questioning your sexuality which I thought was handled very beautifully – the confusion and anxiety paired with the little thrill of realizing that there’s something new to explore you might not have picked up on before was super relatable. I also loved how, beyond the external forces keeping Zach and Ruben apart, we have this storyline of the two of them helping each other become more confident in their own choices and ambitions, especially since both characters deal with problematic family situations. Beyond being adorable and enamoring, there is a sense of true support and loyalty underlying their romance which made me root for them all the more.
If This Gets Out is far from solely being a romance book, though. In fact, I was kind of shocked by the amount of serious topics that were packed into this story, but I won’t spoil them all. The one that was most compelling was how it addressed the pressure the band’s management puts on them and the restrictions that come with being in an internationally acclaimed band.
Where Gonzales and Dietrich really excelled, in my opinion, was in showing the disillusionment Zach and Ruben go through. Much of this story focuses on the exploitation of stars in the entertainment industry and it’s such a riveting subject matter. From the outside, being in a boyband sounds like the ultimate dream – fans vying for your attention, platinum records, singing to sold-out stadiums – but there’s a dark underbelly to all that fame. I loved how Ruben and Zach’s respective personalities informed how they reacted to certain decisions Chorus Management made for them. In these moments, you could really tell just how much one of them had been manipulated to submit to their will without much fanfare while the other was just endlessly frustrated with being used like a puppet and incapable of changing it without risking everything. Everyone in the band plays the ‘game’ because they have to, but the repercussions this has for their identity, their sense of self-worth and the way they interact with each other is portrayed in the most compelling manner.
While I won’t spoil the ending, I do want to point out that it’s as empowering as it is enlightening. The boys get support from an (at least to me) unexpected source late in the game and while I wished that they would have had some female support – or really any female character who isn’t out to get them – earlier in the novel, I do think the last few chapters will feel healing to readers who’ve always wanted to take a stand despite the world telling them they couldn’t. Though the ending is satisfying, I would have no problem (wink wink) with Gonzales and Dietrich returning to these boys for another novel or two (read: please just give me a full-length novel about Jon and Angel).
A riveting tale about what goes on behind the scenes of a popular boyband and detailing the pressures queer, marginalized artists face in the entertainment industry, If This Gets Out is the perfect read for anyone who loves music, friends-to-lovers romances or ever secretly shipped members of a band!
I really enjoyed this work. I love the writing of both Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich. This was a pretty fast paced YA read and I enjoyed the diversity and openness that this book had to offer.
Meet Zach, Ruben, Angel, and Jon. They are the four members of the boy pop group Saturday. Touring the world, these four learn who they are individually and together. We are exposed to how the band is expected to act, dress, speak, dance, sing, and be.
I loved the quick, easy to read pace. The writing was detailed, but not overly done. The characters are created to be so individualized that it really adds to the overall appeal of the storylines. I really appreciated how the story had multiple storylines that were all interwoven, but it did not feel too busy. Each piece played a very important role in understanding the overarching picture.
The characters were likeable, relatable, and entertaining. They highlighted the realistic life of young adult males and those in the limelight early on.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
Boy bands AND friends as family? Yes please. Zach and Rueben are 2/4's of the world's hottest boy band, along with Jon and Angel. The four are like brothers and are in the middle of touring when the book starts. If This Gets Out follows the boys along their tour and we get a backstage pass to ALL of the drama and romance and pressure they are facing head on. I think the book portrays the less glamorous parts of being famous and away from home really well in addition to how people can break under that pressure. I also thought that the romance between Zach and Rueben felt really organic and it was easy to see how they fell for each other.
Jon's father needs me to punch him in the crotch. There's a huge event at about 70% that I did not see coming until it was smack in my face. I really liked how the book tackled a lot of heavy issues but in a way that was easy and enjoyable to read. I think the one criticism I have is that the book felt a little too long but I understand why the authors made their choices and I'm not mad.
I read the entire book in one sitting which was awesome because I haven't been able to do that in months. Maybe this book will break that, who knows?
If you want a romance that tackles the pressure of being famous, along with a really sweet friends to lovers plot and a world tour, you should definitely pick this one up in December when it comes out.
If This Gets Out was a good read. If you’re a fanfic reader, you’re going to love this novel so much. It was easy to read. The dialogue flowed well, there was a lot of it (I LOVE DIALOGUE and LOTS of it, it’s my jam). I could picture the hotels they were at, and I could see them performing on stage.
Ruben and Zach make up half of the boyband Saturday. Saturday is touring through Europe and trying to deal with the stress of their fame and the pressures of being teenagers on the edge of adulthood.
Throughout the tour, Zach and Ruben become closer as they deal with the drama of Angel and toeing the line around Jon because his father is management. It’s easy to be free and themselves around each other. But the closer they got; the further apart management pulled them.
Their first kiss, and everything after was so … sweet. A lot of the romance happened off-screen to fit the YA Adult sphere. Their kisses and little touches between them? I lived for it. There were times they couldn’t keep their hands off each other and I was all, yes please, can I get more of this? Because it was just that good.
Drama happened (of course) and the boys tackled it together. They truly were a family and cared for each other. That was a special bond, and I was glad to see it strengthen over the course of the book.
Spicy rating? Two out of Five.
If This Gets Out was so good! It was cute, and hot at the same time and all one could want in a musically based romance novel.
If This Gets out follows Zach and Ruben who are in a band together, Saturday, along with Jon and Angel. They are all close friends, but Zach and Ruben are secretly falling for each bit by bit. Slight squabbles here and there. Doesn’t take away from the journey to find themselves and do what they can to express who they are when the people around them make it hard to be who they actually are freely.
I personally loved the characters so much, as they are so lovable! I think they’re all unique in their own way. And so much room for growth.
How have we not gotten MORE boy bad YA romances?! Tell me, WHERE were these kinds of books when I was a teen, because I would've devoured them and handed them to friends like Skittles, in hopes of spreading joy and love right at the height of the Backstreet Boys / Nsync / 98 Degrees era. I CANNOT wait for my teen to get to read this one. I'm THRILLED that YA (& especially this one that leans more toward the new adult) has so many must reads like this one that show that being a teen is not all rainbows and sunshine, but there are adult problems no matter who you are and where you came from.
Even if you just happen to be in a boy band, traveling the world with your secret crush.
As a huge fan of Sophie Gonzales' books (we read Perfect on Paper as a club, and I just find her writing style to be fun and relatable) I could NOT wait to read this book written by her + Cale Dietrich. This dual POV was everything, and I felt like we were taken along for the ride right alongside the band as they dealt with money, fame, pressure and the darker side of the music industry that also felt suspiciously close to the stress of being a teen in high school.
The character growth, the conflict, the friendships - be prepared to ship this one HARD.
If you've ever fangirled so hard you knew your boybands favorites better than your BFF. If you've ever lost your voice at a concert, or knew in your heart that song was written for you, I urge you to pick up this book and fall in love alongside Zach and Rueben. I'm beyond excited to be hosting this one for loveARCtually in November, and discuss the book with friends!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for me, only because I couldn't believe what a CHUNK this book was. Thank you to NetGalley + Wednesday Books for the eARC and Shelf Awareness for the advance reader physical copy!
Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon met at a music camp and ended up becoming the new hottest boy band around. However, their management team wants to mold them into the perfect image, regardless if that image actually reflects who the boys are. Ruben is being forced to hide the fact that he is gay, as the management team is afraid of what that revelation will do to the fans. As all four boys start to feel more and more repressed, the pressures of the grand European tour start to make all of them realize how much management is taking away from them. Ruben starts to lean more and more on Zach and the two start to realize that if they want to create their own futures, they will have to break away from the toxic management team. My favorite part of this book was how strong the four boys' friendship is throughout all the challenges they face.