RATING: 4/5 STARS

The premise of this book was something I had never read before - two members of a boyband falling in love. It's fun as a fan to "ship" members together (One Direction and several K-pop bands come to mind). This book brought life to that imagination and fleshed it out in a creative and fun way with characters that are not imitations of any one real-life boyband member. Instead, Ruben and Zach are fully developed, individual characters, but they are relatable enough to remind you of traits of your favorite celebrities. The romance in this story was very sweet, but also incorporated struggles of the highly controlled and regulated existence that comes with fame. Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It was a compelling combination of lightheartedness and angst. Also loved the diversity.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

I admit, I really liked this book and the behind-the-scenes look at the life of a boy band. It gave off vibes of a real-life group who have faced similar rumours in the past. I wish there was more of an ending than what I read.

Really cute and important ya romance between two famous band mates! I loved the character development in this book and important subjects were handled really well. Although this book was pretty slow I still think it held up the entire way through. I recommend this book to anyone who’s obsessed with celebrities and a cute romance.

It was…fine.

I did appreciate the exploration of anxiety and emotionally abusive parenting. And the contrast between Reuben knowing he’s gay but forced into the closet by producers (Ugh) vs Zach finally examining the bisexuality he’s been trying to ignore in himself.

Still, that wasn’t enough to keep me turning pages. The boy band drama just didn’t connect emotionally for me. I think someone has been part of the One Direction / BTS / boy band hype would enjoy this story, but to me the storyline was pretty bland.

I ADORED this book. If this gets out follows Ruben and Zach, members of the boy band Saturday, who just so happen to fall in love. As a queer person I related so much to these characters and what it’s like to finally discover who you are, and what that journey is like.
These characters are so loveable and I loved this from beginning to end.

I got this as an ARC from netgalley because I kept hearing about this. At first I thought it was going to be a lame wannabe "larry" fic (Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson from One Direction) but it is not! It is so much more than that. Take *NSYNC leaving Lou Pearlman and mix it with social media and boy bands of today (ok so mostly One Direction) and you have this book. I really, really liked it and it didn't just dive into "we have to keep our relationship a secret because management said so." but how Zach felt coming to terms with his sexuality. How the other band members felt, how it was to be in the band, etc.

It does use both Zach and Ruben's POVs and even though I finished this, I still got confused sometimes on who's chapter I was reading lol. But really this is a great book and highly recommend it!

This seemed a little cliche. All the characters just felt cliche and also their situation didn't seem very believable? I loved Sophie Gonzalez's other books, but this one didn't work for me. I just couldn't buy it. Like maybe one character getting being casted the wrong way, but every single member of the group was the opposite of the way they were portrayed? I don't know.
I mean, the writing was kind of addictive in a base way, but I felt myself rolling my eyes.
As for the romance, there definitely was chemistry though. Props for that.

"At the crux of it, everyone wants the world to see them as they are."

This isn't your fluffy pop teenage boy band story. The dark underside of high-profile music entertainment makes and appearance: dictator management teams, substance abuse, and the exhaustion that comes with non-stop touring for months.

TW: substance abuse, indirect homophobia, semi-forced outing, language, some sexual content (mostly off-screen, implied)

Throughout the book, we see Chorus Management take over more and more of the band members' lives as they tour through Europe. At one point, the tour they're on is equated to a pressure cooker, given the intensity and lack of freedom. We follow Zach and Ruben as they struggle through their sexual orientations, what it means for themselves and the band, and how they begin a fight for their freedom: of expression and of the ability to be themselves.

I loved this because Ruben and Zach represent two sides of a coin. Ruben knows what he wants (has since he was sixteen, when he first realized hes gay) and keeps pushing for it. He understands the doubletalk that Chorus Management speaks in thanks to his mom. He's angry and bitter and frustrated but can't push too far when it could result in the destruction of the band. Meanwhile, Zach is quiet, introspective, and the go-along guy. A textbook people-pleaser. He doesn't know what he wants anymore because his identity has been eroded by Chorus Management, replaced by the marketable version they created for him. Once he starts having options and revelations, he panics that this change could rip the band apart; thus he remains a step separated from what he wants.

The tension builds and builds until finally, it snaps. With near-devastating consequences.

My only disappointment came with the ending. It remained too open-ended for my liking. While there is a sense of hope (and a strong one at that), it didn't offer any epilogue with a "where are they now" or "one year later" with a final sense of closure. Otherwise, "If This Gets Out" is a stellar read.

I tore through this book in a little under 5 hours because I could not put it down! This story is told through the two main protagonists, who also happen to be the two love interests in question throughout the novel, and the authors do an incredible job at developing their every single one of the characters throughout the book through the lens of just the two of them. I pre-ordered a copy as soon as I finished reading, and I look forward to many more reads of this book in the future!

Over the years, the headlines have been ripe with tales of various boybands in the world and in the United States. This work follows the lives of four young men in a very successful boyband group. The horrible schedules, the fast pace, the isolation of the group, and the challenges they face are well documented. When one finally needs to come out to his bandmates as gay, it sets in motion a movement where the band finds its strength against the conservative, commercial establishment to whom the boys answered. Fun and effective writing that could have used an editor. The characters are all distinctive and well defined.

Thanks to Net Galley for this ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.

The combined forces of Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich

When authors like Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich join forces, the only thing you can expect is a great story!

If This Gets Out follows Ruben, Zach, Angel and Jon, the four members of the boy-band Saturday, as they embark on their first European tour. As days passed, Ruben and Zach’s friendship grows into something much deeper… a romantic relationship. As the two boys try to navigate their new reality, they will have to face a new set of challenges and pressures that could change everything and that will make them question what’s more important… living their lives as they want or stick to the roles they were given as part of Saturday.

But Ruben and Zach’s relationship is not the only thing we’ll find on this coming-of-age story! If This Gets Out shows us what lies beyond the spotlight… The shadows that linger on stages and music studios… The pressures and strict rules some young artists have to follow sometimes…

The situation that Ruben, Zach, Angel and Jon feels like something real… Something that could have happened to so many young artists that are forced to be in the spotlight under restrictive conditions… And that it probably happens to this day.

If This Gets Out is a story about finding yourself in spaces where you’re not the one in control…
It’s a story about finding the right people, the one that will stay with you through thick and thin and appreciate you for who you really are…
It’s a story about the dark side of the entertainment industry, that sometimes seems to value more the profits than the people who work on it…
It’s a story about finding the strength to stand for yourself and your priorities when others don’t treat you well…

It’s all that and so much more!!

Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich have given life to these characters that feel like real people, characters that are full of heart and kindness despite the sometimes complicated things they face…

You’ll be rooting for Ruben, Zach, Angel and Jon as they travel Europe and find the truth about themselves, who they really are and what they really want.

Gonzales and Dietrich combined writing style flows seamlessly between Ruben and Zach’s points of view, and showing us how these two boys experience everything and see the world that surrounds them.

If This Gets Out is a book that will bring so many important conversations to the table… A book that shouldn’t be dismissed!!

Finished this book at 3 AM in the morning and all I could think about is Ruben and Zach and Angel and Jon *cries*

This book was just incredible. Yes, I expected boyband romance, yes, I expected angst and pining. But damn, it still caught me off guard.

What Sophie and Cale has created here is a riveting story about the pressure towards young artists (esp queer, marginalized artists), young people being exploited and controlled by the industry, trying to figure out your sexuality, figuring out what you really want and standing by it, finding family among strangers and coming together, and about finding strength and hope. And of course, a story about love.

This book has left a mark on me and I'll forever cherish this story about Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon. Kudos to the authors for this book! I cannot wait until it releases to the world! 💜

(E-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)

Full review soon!

Also, I am officially part of the If This Gets Out Street Team! Look out for exciting stuff on my platforms and the whole team!

This was wonderful. I’m currently crying. Will try to give more coherent thoughts later.

Ok, have processed emotions. Now for review!
First, I want to say that I received an eArc of this book via Sophie and Cale, as I am a part of their Street Team for ITGO, so thank you so much to them.

This book was honestly one of my favorite books that I have read so far this year. It wasn't always an easy read, but it was so worth it.

Ruben and Zach are part of the boy band Saturday, along with their two friends Angel and Jon. When Ruben and Zach begin a relationship with one another, their loyalty to the band and their management team clashes with the feelings that they have for one another.

This book dealt with a lot of heavy topics, but it did them in such a way that really gave each situation the importance and the attention that it deserved, while still keeping the focus on the relationship between Ruben and Zach.

The core four boys were so well characterized and each really had a distinct feel to them. This was helped especially by Ruben and Zach both having POV chapters and each of the authors writing one of them to help differentiate.

I am so excited for this book to be out in the world and for more people to read it!

I mean, this was a team up between Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich. Could I expect anything less than perfection?

This definitely had some 2012 One Direction fanfiction vibes but it was much more than that. With a premise only Dietrich could dream up (two members of a boyband start dating) and an amount of heart trademarked by Gonzales, If This Gets Out is exactly what I wanted. It's cute, funny, swoony. All the 'must-haves' of a great YA book.

Plus, the cover. Someone give the cover designer a raise because this cover is a piece of art. Tumblr fanart could never.

More thoughts closer to the release date but toss this book on your TBR, pre-order it from your favorite indie bookstore, and get yourself ready for the boys of Saturday.

They stole my heart and I'm certain they'll steal yours, too.

(Did I do it? Was that last line cheesy enough to be a line in a pop song?)

Honestly I don't know where to begin with this amazing book. From the small little intricacies of band life to the overarching exploration of what it means to be your true self this story grabbed me. It was real and raw in all the right places, but also sweet and funny when it needed to be. I definitely will be recommending this book to others.

review will be cross-posted to goodreads and The Wellesley News! article should be up once the school year starts; the news hasn't really done much over the summer and i have a backlog of reviews waiting to go up

I’ve read a decent amount of books about relationships between band members, but I have to say, If This Gets Out was a pretty fantastic one. I know for a fact that there are many One Direction fans who go to this school, and if you’re one of them, you’ll want to read this book. Even if you aren’t, stick around.
America’s hottest boy band sensation, called Saturday, is embarking on the European leg of their tour, and band member Ruben has one problem: he is undeniably in love with fellow band member Zach. But as it turns out, Zach likes him back, and soon enough, they want to tell people, or at least come out as queer. As it turns out, that’s easier said than done when you’re a member of a chart-topping boy band.
From the beginning, I was hooked. If This Gets Out is a book absolutely full of heart, packed with moments of joy, fear, sadness and probably all the other Inside Out emotions. I love how distinct Ruben and Zach’s voices are, which I’m sure is because the authors each wrote their own narrator (co-written books are my favorite kind of dual point-of-view book, and I say that as someone who’s written her own dual point-of-view book). But more than that, I love how Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich wrote a story that feels incredibly unique and authentic despite neither of them being famous singers or Americans.
This is a queer story that’s absolutely worth your time reading. It’s romantic without quite being a romance and thrilling despite not being a thriller. I read the book in one sitting in a single morning, which is an impressive feat considering it’s nearly 450 pages long. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a long time, and I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my shelf.
If This Comes Out will be released December 7 in the US and Canada by Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press. I received an early copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Disclaimer: I’m also part of Cale and Sophie’s street team, so it is kind of my duty to promote this book, but rest assured I would love it regardless.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this gem. This book had everything I look for in a good romcom; sweet layered characters, a bright romance, and just the right amount of drama. I loved the look into the band and the music industry, and the consequences a relationship can have. The only thing I wish we got more of is how the fallout with Chorus is resolved, and some peek into Zach and Ruben's relationship after that. Overall this was a fun summer read and I recommend for anyone looking for such.

An absolutely stellar YA romance from a well-matched pair of authors. Readers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry that really drives home just how unfair and upsetting some of its practices are, while still retaining a strong thread of hope that things can get better. The will-they-won't-they plotline doesn't overstay its welcome, nor does the teenage angst. A subplot about battling addiction--and the reasons for the addiction to begin with--is handled well, without too much gritty detail. Character development is strong, albeit slightly loaded onto the end of the novel. Highly recommended to fans of romance, boy bands, and/or queer characters.

I already had this on my TBR list so I was very excited when I got the chance to read it early. I wasn’t completely sure what to expect when reading this book but I think I had assumed it would be more fluff. I was pleasantly surprised by how dark and (likely) realistic the behind the scenes of the music and boy band world was described. I can’t even imagine having every little detail of my life be so controlled and calculated for public consumption. I also liked the exploration of how confusing it must be to be so famous that you doubt the intentions of those around you even when you want to trust them.

Overall, it turned out to be a darker and more realistic portrayal of what might happen in this kind of situation. It was still sweet but wasn’t overly saccharine.

This book is narrated by Ruben and Zach, two of the four members of a wildly popular boy band called Saturday. The band and its members are micromanaged to a depressingly awful degree; Ruben has been asking to come out as gay since he was sixteen; Zach's efforts as a songwriter are quashed since he's more into punk and rock than pop; Angel is struggling with addiction and management couldn't care less as long as he keeps up his performances; and Jon has to try to balance his relationship with his producer father with his friendships with the guys. Management demands that each of the four boys conform to a strict image and role, regardless of how poorly the fit is with their actual personalities. When Ruben and Zach, who are already best friends, start to see each other romantically on the band's first European tour, tensions come to a boiling point. On one level, this is a fun, engrossing read, but it also shines an important light on the pressures of the entertainment industry, especially for young people caught up in blatantly unfair contracts and very unbalanced power dynamics. I really loved all four of the boys, though of course we get a lot more of Ruben and Zach since they're the main characters. Lots of serious topics are addressed in this novel, but it never felt heavy handed. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Sophie Gonzales, and Cale Dietrich for the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book.