this book is somehow both plot AND character driven. this is a book you put down really knowing who the characters are. you feel frustrated for them, yet also frustrated with them. i loved zach and ruben. i share ruben’s penchant for only listening to one broadway cast album and nothing else. and i saw parts of myself in zach that i didn’t expect to see—the way he’s so selfless to the point where he doesn’t know what his own goals are. even jon and angel were characters i felt like i knew after the book ended. and i wanted to protect them all.

What an adorable story! I absolutely loved the friendships between all of the boys in the band and the way they loved each other through the trials they face. The romance was incredibly cute and a wonderful addition to the gay YA category!

I think... someone’s read far too many 1D fanfics (not that there’s anything wrong with that😂). There’s a lot of teen angst that I wasn’t prepared for, but I plowed on through. I wish I was more invested in the main pairing, but I never quite found them believable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange of an honest review.

I haven't read anything by Cale Dietrich before but I have absolutely fallen in love with Sophie Gonzales's writing recently so I was so stoked to get the chance to read this early and it definitely did not disappointed.

If This Gets Out follows two members of the highly popular band, Saturday, as they are about to go on their first European tour. They are definitely like if the Jonas Brothers and One Direction had a baby and I am here for it. We have Ruben who is starting to get fed up with being forced to hide his sexuality by their management company and Zach who is starting explore his sexuality, especially where Ruben is concerned. While in Europe, the two of them realize their friendship is something more, the only problem is that management has a very clear image they want them to project and them dating isn't it. Between that and the pressures of tour that is clearly getting to all the members of the band, they have to fight to not lose themselves.

I absolutely loved this book both for the romance between Ruben and Zach and also the commentary on the music industry and how what we see presented by celebrities isn't all there is. It really dived deep into how controlling the industry can be especially towards young people in the business, not only with its treatment of our main characters but also the other two members of Saturday, Jon and Angel (who I loved with all my heart and would gladly read a book entirely from their perspectives as well).

I felt like Ruben and Zach's povs had such unique voices which was definitely helped by the fact that it was written by two separate authors, but it still formed a wonderfully cohesive story. I also liked how naturally their relationship developed. It never felt forced and even any arguments they had made sense, they didn't seem like it came out of no where just to add extra drama.

My only complaint was that I felt like the last 10% of the book felt really rushed. I honestly would have liked an extra 50 pages rather than the kinda time jump we got.

Overall I really enjoyed my time reading If This Gets out and cannot wait to buy Saturday merch in order to convince people they are a real band.

This book was absolutely incredible, and I don’t think I’m ever going to get over it. The characters are so real and I just couldn’t help feeling exactly what they were at each little word in this book. The coming out in this book was messy and that was perfect, because real life is messy and I am so so so happy this book was able to get that across. The plot of this book with all its little story arcs was endlessly engaging. I’m in love with this book and I can not wait till it comes out to get a physical copy.

If This Gets Out has everything I look for in a 5/5 YA book. Ruben and Zach feel like real people to me, mostly due to how they alternate roles as the narrator. The portrayals of Ruben and Zach were incredibly vulnerable and I felt their fears, anxieties, as well as hope and joy. While trying to navigate a new romance, Ruben and Zach are also embracing their own identities separate from the relationship. I loved reading about their own aspirations and how they continue to decide for themselves what things in life worth fighting for.

The book is a queer YA Romance, but unconditional familial love and the power of friendship are also significant themes of the book. I think any reader who enjoys YA books will resonate with one of the members of the boyband Saturday.

This book is exactly what it sounds like. It reads like fanfiction in the best possible way. The romance is sweet and the plot is exciting without being overly complicated. I think that If This Gets Out fully delivers on its premise.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for providing honest feedback!

Just wow. This book exceeded my expectations and more!! I was laughing and crying along with the characters and it was absolutely impossible to book this book down. I have never read anything by Sophie Gonzales or Cale Dietrich, but I want to read all of it after reading this! This book is written in dual POVs of Ruben and Zach, two members of the four-person boyband, Saturday. I absolutely loved dual POVs so I was already hooked in by the second chapter! I really loved how this book was co-written because I could see each of the author's writing styles shine through for their respective characters.

Ruben and Zach begin to recognize their feelings for each other, but dealing with their management team proves to be a major challenge. One of the many things that makes this book so good is that it is scarily accurate to the struggles of music artists who are stuck dealing with the corruption of their labels and management. The other two band members, Angel and Jon, are not without their own struggles and insecurities pressed into them by the management team as well. I loved how every character in this book was able to feel like a real, solid person because of how much detail and care was placed into them. Also, I just really appreciated that Gonzales and Dietrich made the intimate scenes with Ruben and Zach fade-to-black obviously because of the YA genre, but mostly so I have the perfect queer book to recommend to younger readers.

I can confidently say this book is the quintessential queer YA romance that leaves you feeling loved and crying tears of pure joy by the end of it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy. I was so excited when I read the synopsis and got the opportunity to read this book; it didn’t disappoint.

“You can spend your whole life trying to keep everyone happy.” This line stood out to me because I think this is the message we all need to hear, especially after this year. It was definitely a message the boys needed to hear.

I’m not going to lie. There were a few syntax errors that bothered me and the middle got a little much of the same angst, but they were just blips. The story is good. I laughed out loud quite a few times. Looking at you, Angel! The writing reflects the voice of seventeen/eighteen year old boys. I was invested in their journey. Overall, a good read. Would definitely recommend to my friends and students.

I love Zuben, but I wouldn’t mind an Anjon story. Enjoy!

4/5 stars

Told between the alternating points of view of boyband members Ruben and Zach, If This Gets Out is an absolutely adorable queer story. If you were ever into One Direction, Big Time Rush, or fell into the "Larry Stylinson" theories, this is the perfect book for you.

If This Gets Out does not shy away from harder subjects like homophobia and the ugly side of the entertainment industry, but keeps up a balance with the romance between the two leads. I went in a bit scared that I was simply going to read a One Direction fanfiction, but Ruben and Zach's story holds its own ground and blew me away; so much so that I could not put this book down! The bi representation was so beautifully laid out and there is a touch of found family that I loved so much. I didn't think it was possible to join the fandom of a fictional band, but alas, here I am and I cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves and sing its way into the hearts of all its readers.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a touching, heartbreaking, and joy-filled. I loved reading Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon's stories.

I absolutely adored this book! It was a no brained for me to pick up because I adore anything Sophie Gonzales touches but there is something truly special about this book.

I loved the flow of the narrative and the interesting characters who are all so different yet compliment each other perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED this! I can’t wait until it comes out to get my own copy. As an avid fan of boybands (and one in particular... One Direction) I thought this described the issues within the music industry and its effects to those in it. I think these authors did a fantastic job of taking a light hearted topic like boy bands and demystified some of the struggles that come with nearly instant fame while still trying to grow as younger individuals. This is the second book I’ve read by Sophia Gonzales and it has solidified that I will pick up ANYTHING else by her in the future.

Solid, if not perfect, boy band romance gives an incisive look at the music industry and is one of my favorite romances of the year so far!

My boy band loving heart loved If This Gets Out! This romance mixed with a look into the lives of young celebrities was a fun, quick read that you are not going to want to miss.

Saturday is one of the biggest boy bands in America, and they’re set to take their first European tour in a matter of weeks. Band members Ruben Montez and Zach Knight have been best friends pretty much since the band’s inception, and if there are slightly more romantic feelings on Ruben’s side of things… well, it turns out the feelings might be mutual. As the band’s managers pressure them not to reveal their relationship to the public, cracks form within the band, and Saturday will have to decide if it’s worth the risk to let their fans truly know them. I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at St. Martin’s Press. Trigger warnings: mental/emotional abuse, drug/alcohol use, addiction, homophobia, forced closeting, gaslighting, microaggressions. Some NSFW content.

Cale Dietrich is a new-to-me author, but Sophie Gonzeles is my newest queen of contemporary YA romance, and while Perfect on Paper is still my uncontested favorite (maybe it’s the bi girl rep), If This Gets Out doesn’t disappoint. It’s as cute, fluffy, and fandom obsessed as you’d expect from a book about a boy band. I like the critical look it takes at celebrity culture and manufactured, corporate-run pop bands, but I don’t think it falls too far down a rabbit hole of despair with those topics either. It touches on some heavier topics, from closeting artists and controlling parents to drug addiction, but at its heart, this is a book about four friends who really care about each other.

It’s fun alternating between Ruben and Zach’s perspectives as they navigate a whirlwind life of performances, touring, media, and fans. The pace is rather hectic, with frequent time jumps between important events, and in this case, I think it suits the material to always leave us breathless and trying to keep up, just as the boys are. There are a number of softer, quieter moments between them as well and slightly more NSFW content than I was expecting for a YA novel, though it’s not quite adult romance novel/fanfiction level smut either.

Not surprisingly, it’s Ruben and Zach’s relationship that’s at the center of the novel, and it’s nicely paced from best friends to sweet romance that’s not without its own hurdles. Ruben struggles with being closeted by people who run the band, and Zach’s navigating his own sexuality in that oh shit, I think I might be bi? how did I never notice? kind of way. It’s all a bit dramatic at times, as YA novels and celebrity culture tend to be, but I was ultimately happy with the direction it took. Recommended for fans of the genre.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

This is a really well-written book. I loved how the authors went in to the characters and fleshed them out so well, especially the inner conflicts and dreams. I also liked how the industry was spoken about using this band. It was nice to see the mixed feelings about fans getting addressed.

Since this is a book with dual POV from Zach and Ruben, we know them much more than other characters. I would have liked a little more exploration into Jon and Angel but I understand why it wasn't possible.

I really liked how the characters stayed consistent throughout. Ruben and Zach's dialogues, conversations, inner monologues all fit in with their personalities without inconsistencies. It was almost as if I was reading from the characters themselves rather than from authors.

I do have a couple tiny complaints but they honestly don't matter. Highly recommend this book!

Zach, Ruben, Angel, and Jon are the members of Saturday, a boy band that is beloved by tweens and teens everywhere. Each member has a "style" and "persona" meant to hit every target market possible. Their management company keeps a tight rein on their images, keeping them as wholesome (but sexy!) as possible. Unfortunately the personas that the boys live under do not reflect their real personalities. During a European tour, the fake personas begin to unravel under the stress of pretending to be people they are not.

Ruben has been forced to hide his sexuality during his tenure with the band. Though the management company assures him, someday he will be able to come out, that day never comes. There is always another excuse to put it off. Zach has always been Ruben's best friend in the band. During the tour, they move beyond friendship and fall in love with each other. Of course, this must be kept a secret from their fans and the management company does everything in its power to keep them apart--on stage, in photos, during interviews. Angel and Jon are also unraveling in their own ways from the pressure of playing someone their not.

The management company keeps everyone in the band locked down to prevent leaks and this just makes everything worse for the band members. Will Angel get the help he needs? Will Jon ever get to be himself? And, most importantly, will Ruben and Zach get to reveal their true selves and their love for each other?

This book will be a big hit among fans of One Direction and other boy bands. The shipping of two members of a boy band is at the core of this story. As a slightly older reader, I still enjoyed the book. The pressure that the members of the band are under seems super realistic. The way the management company dictates every single aspect of their careers also rings true. I was rooting for all the band members to find their freedom and happiness. It was a fun novel that I think will be a big hit with YA readers. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved and enjoyed this book! I loved the cast of characters and how each character goes through growth and how each member of the band have their own arcs. I loved that each character was fleshed out and given their problems. Nobody is just comic relief or being there for the sake of filling space. None of the characters are the same by the end of the book, they are so much more confident and I absolutely loved them by the end. I loved their friendship and Angel always made me laugh. I loved Ruben in particular because I could relate to him the most in terms of him overthinking everything and his ability to see the ulterior motive of what people say sometimes. This book did feel a little slow for the first half, but after that, I went through it in a few days. Overall, I’d rate this book 4.5/5 stars and will definitely be picking it up in December!

I absolutely adored this book. One thing I found really interesting about it was seeing the relationship between band and manager unravel, and it got me thinking about real life situations where celebrities lose themselves to fit what management wants for them. Aside from that, I loved Zach and Ruben together, and seeing the growth each of them had individually and as a couple from the start to the end. Definitely a must read, and such a great book to finish out my Pride Month LGBTQ reading challenge with!