I saw this book was available to Read Now and jumped on it and I am so glad I did!!! I read this in one sitting (rip my uni) and was absolutely captivated by the four boys. The way each of them was fleshed out and their interactions with the label represented different ways you could be trapped. A couple of things weren't as resolved as I would typicaĺly like, but I think it strengthens the book and its characters by making it clear they would live on and continue growing etc. Had high hopes and it did not disappoint !

If This Gets Out is a queer boyband romance about Ruben and Zach, two singers in Saturday, and their best friends and band matesJon and Angel. Ruben has been forced to stay closeted by his management and is shoved into the background in order to keep him from 'standing out' and Zach doesn't really know what he wants or who he likes, he just wants everyone to be happy. But when one confusing night turns into a romance and then a relationship, their management wants to keep it on the downlow, keeping things amicable becomes harder.

This book suprised me. Which is saying a lot, because I knew I was going to like it, maybe even love it. It exceeded my expectations and then some more. I laughed, I nearly cried several times and I have never related more to a character than I did to Ruben; I fell in love with his voice and his character almost immediately. It took a bit longer to warm up to Zach, but after a couple of chapters I understood his voice and grew to love him as well.

Let's just say that this book is a RIDE. Like, Goliath-level. It appeased my inner drama-queen and at the same time I just wished the boys of Saturday could have some peace (which they don't get, obviously, thanks to the constant pressure, an oppressive management and toxic family dynamics). I also thought the fan-artist dynamics were very positive, much like the BTS ARMY. I think that if you're a BTS fan (or are/ was a fan of any boyband) you'll find enjoyment in this story.

The only critique I have, is that the description of the book covers almost the entire story. Yes, there are side-stories and some in depth parts that you'll only read on the page, but if you want to be more suprised, you might want to skip reading the synopsis and dive in blindly.

I'd recommend this book to readers who've also enjoyed previous works by the authors of ITGO and fans of Alice Oseman (especially I Was Born For This and Radio Silence), Emma Mills, Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (especially What If It's Us).

4/5 stars
I don't know how to write a review on this book.
We have Zach and Ruben are part of a boyband, Saturday, along with Angel and Jon. Ruben is gay and has been pressured to stay in the closet due to management. Zach starts to realize he might like Ruben. If This Gets Out is the story of two teenage boys falling in love, with the spotlight shining on them and management keeping them apart.

This book feels like fan fiction. I mean come on, two members of a boyband getting together. But, I do think that this book does bring about some important topics. Like the oppression of queer people in media and the injustice of management teams.

The plot.
The plot did move slowly during the middle and it made it hard to read the book at times. The middle was just uninteresting, this is the main reason why I knocked one star down. It just felt bland. I also found myself cringing a lot during the middle of the book. I felt like there could have been more that happened during then. The ending of the novel was great. It tied up the book well. It wasn't the ending I was expecting, but it was a great ending nonetheless. The plot of this book does feel very fan fiction-y , but I think that the authors pulled it off well.

The characters.
I loved the boyband. All of them had different personalities and I found myself rooting for them. My personal favorite is Jon and I wished that he got more of a spotlight in the book, every other boy had a big moment. Jon was just kind of there. Angel was the token "bad boy", he was the drinker and the life of the party. I loved his character arc and how the book deals with addiction and how bad things can get. Angel is also Asian (I am pretty sure he is Vietnamese due to his last name being Phan). I think this book does an amazing job of showing the casual racism in media and how Asians aren't deemed as attractive. And of course, we have the main characters, Zach and Ruben. I loved their characters. They both had to deal with their feelings for each other and learn to depend on each other. Their romance felt nice, but did get boring and repetitive at times. We got to see all their ups and downs, and how hard it was to hide their relationship. All of the characters had to deal with their own form of oppression from the management team, they all grew from it and they grew together as a band.

If you ship Larry from One Direction, you'll love this book. It's a queer boyband rom-com, if you think that you'll love it, you probably will.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a super quick read, but it is so fun. I mean this in the best way possible - it reads like a ban au fan fiction. It deals with some heavier topics, like anxiety, difficult parental relationships, and drug addiction, but the book manages to keep its tone and story fairly light, while not being flippant. If This Gets Out is a super fun rom-com, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the early review copy.

If This Gets Out had my emotions all over the place and I wasn’t sure where my rating would fall until the final 20%.

The writing, itself, is fantastic! It’s quick and witty, the voices are distinct, and the plot moves along really well. The characters are well developed and I really feel for them for a variety of reasons.

I loved that they tackled some serious issues through the Characters - particularly Angel and Jon. We always hear about the inherent dangers and risks for young celebrities, but to see it unfold and to have the management company reactions and the sense of helplessness displayed by other bandmates was moving. It was also refreshing to see them tackle the harm and self-esteem issues that come from the demand for increased sex-appeal, and to see how it affects a young man.

I had a few issues at first with one of the protagonists, but my concerns are eased as the book moves forward and we start to understand his anxiety, and the overall focus on mental health issues, I really came to appreciate all four of the main characters.

I felt a lot of anxiety and downright outrage at how the boys were treated as the novel progressed, and the authors really should be applauded for how well they slowly introduced the abuse from the management company into the story to mimic the slow realisation experienced by the boys themselves.

This was an excellent read, with engaging characters, plenty of ups and downs emotionally, and a really realistic look at some serious issues in the music industry that too often get glossed over in the real world. 4.5/5

This was an ARC that i received in exchange for an honest review.

Oh WOW! Alright, so I am so happy that I read this book because I loved it more than I had ever expected.
I mean I had high ezpectations for this mostly because I had already read and loved Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales, so I was almost sure that I was gonna like this.
The story is about two boys, Ruben and Zach that are best friends (and couldn't be more opposite) and fall for each other while also being members of a super famous boy band called Saturday. The story follows them as they navigate their relationship through publicity, media, discovering their sexuality and identity, and all the other obstacles that come in their path.
The story is told from two main point of views- Ruben and Zach, the two members of the band, and we alternate between their perspectives.

The fantastic thing about the book is not the romance, although the chemistry between the characters is super cute, but what really sold it for me was the realistic and rawness of all of it.
Sophie Gonzalez really focuses on the pressure and sacrifices you have to make to be famous. I was amazed as to how truly invested I was even in the side characters' lives.
Even when the book ended I wanted to keep going to somehow find a way to spend more time with the characters.

They are a fairly popular boy band on their first International Tour and Gonzalez really shows us a clear picture of the intense lifestyle of celebrities, all the hoops they have to jump through, all the compromises they have to make, and how little of their true selves they are allowed to show to the world.
Also, the writing is so immersive, with just the right amount of angst to build up the tension, and you are so in tune with the characters that if there is a scene where the band is rehearsing a dance number and they are exhausted to the bone, you feel it with them.
The characters are in a very competitive environment with jam-packed schedules, so they are quite a few scenes of them just doing shows doing interviews training and reversing and to be honest I kind of like seeing that sequence.

It brings up so many themes like sexuality, identity, substance abuse and creative freedom in the music industry.

And the weirdest thing is while I was reading this, I kept comparing it to BTS in my head even though there was nothing Korean about it. I guess it could be because I associated BTS with this other boy band that also had such a great chemistry and genuinity (if that's even a word 😅) between the members. Maybe? I guess??
But what I am sure about is that if you are a fan of boy bands and cute romances, you'll definitely want to check this out.
And maybe vibe to a few K-pop songs while you're reading just to enhance the experience.

Rep: bisexual, gay, asian (side character)

TWs: homophobia, forced closeting, parental abuse/neglect, drug abuse, car accident

I REALLY liked this book! The plot summary is *very* reminiscent of Larry Stylinson, so I was a little bit hesitant going in that it was going to read like a creepy fan fiction, but the actual book isn't reminiscent of One Direction in the least.

This book is equal parts contemporary romance and thriller. As the four members of Saturday lose their freedom more and more to their fascist label, the characters take desperate measures, great risks, and feel extreme emotions that will keep the readers hooked and on the edge of their seats. The "can't put down" factor of this book is ASTRONOMICAL. I read it all in 12 hours.

The main relationship, Zach and Ruben, did get a bit... generic and boring once their romance settled about halfway through the book, but their sweetness factor kept me engaged and rooting for them. THIS NEXT SENTENCE IS A BIT OF A SPOILER: I was very scared that this book was going to have an outing storyline of the main couple, as books about famous LGBTQ people almost always have, so my relief when the characters didn't get that right stripped away from them was perhaps my favorite thing about this book.

The book respectfully deals with really hard topics such as drug abuse and addiction, and how the entertainment industry enables it. One element that adds a lot to the thriller aspect of the book is how one of the main band members experiences struggles with hard substance use and addiction, and how the racism he experiences from the industry also ties into his issues. Issues such as the label not considering him "attractive enough" because he was Asian were, in my opinion, handled really well.

I love how this book isn't formulaic in the typical way a YA book is. It tells a more unique story that is reminiscent of so many bands and musicians who got famous at a young age and how that affects them as people. If This Gets Out is a beautiful novel that shows depictions of forced closeting, class struggles, parental abuse and drug addiction all while managing perfect pacing, respect, and astronomical engagement levels for the viewers.

This book dived deep into what celebrities' and the entertainment industry does to people. It shines the light to give you a glimpse into why so many have "beards" or when they do come out its a big deal; as most people are forced to stay "in the closet" where most people assume they are queer but its never a concrete answer because they are controlled in every moment of their life. It was a good read and loved the boy's story. It was realistic and really allowed you to see them as individual characters instead of how some books where the mains almost become one character towards the end. They grew together but didn't loose their self in the process.

Wow! I genuinely enjoyed this book so much. The characters were incredibly charismatic and yet relatable and the love story was so sweet! I feel like this was a very interesting and yet important story to tell. Cale & Sophie did a wonderful job writing a very interesting, romantic story about two boys at the top of the world scared to look down. GGS.

I was unbelievably happy to get approved for this title, as it’s been on my radar for ages. I would read anything Sophie Gonzales writes! I loved the whole cast of characters and how diverse and realistic they all are, and their dynamics with each other.

Thank you netgalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book! It has everything I love in a book and I love the characters and the plot. I also love the diversity and representation this books has. The only criticism I have is that one of the main characters has an eating disorder and towards the end it gets kind of ignored and seems to go away by itself, which obviously is not very realistic. Other than that, I absolutely loved it. I gave it 4/5 stars.

DNF I found the characters unrealistic and bland. Really great concept but the delivery just wasn't there for me.

When I got approved for this book on Netgalley I almost screamed! I was so excited for this book, and that excitement was definitely warranted! I spent the whole day Monday reading this instead of doing some important things like homework. But how can writing an essay matter when I had such a great book to read!

If This Gets Out does a good job of balancing the fun and romantic aspects with the hard topics. Yes, the book is about Ruben and Zach falling in love, but it's also about the nastier side of Hollywood. It covers addiction, homophobia, and how management can control every aspect of an artist's life. Ruben, Zach, and the rest of the band have basically zero choices. Their outfits and actions are chosen to fit a certain archetype. If they step out of line, they are subtly punished. I don't want to accidentally spoil the book so many months out from release, so trust me when I say that the book is amazing.

This book isn't one thing. It displays problems that make you think, but it can also be fluffy and lovely. All in all, I really enjoyed it and it left me with a warm feeling when I finished.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book.

I really flew through this book in a day. It gets 4 stars for being the first book in a while that I have not wanted to put down.

As someone who was a Directioner in my past life, I can definitely see how this book can be compared to, well, you know. Part of me wants to just say it's a glorified 1D fanfic (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that).

However, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the story held its own. The boy band Saturday faced many trials that I can imagine people in the entertainment industry actually face, and it seems the authors really did their research on this one. It was funny, heartwarming, and full of likeable characters, which easily gives it my stamp of approval.

The boyband Saturday reminds me of Shinee so much!

Also, Ruben and Zach reminds me so much of MinKey (Minho and Kibum). Damn, I am so invested!
Damn.

I am fangirling K-pop so hard these days that this book is like the perfect 2021 gift for me!

I thoroughly enjoy the writing. It's upbeat, it's mellow at times and it's quite engaging. The emotions and the feels! I am so happy I read this book!

The characters are vivid and lively.
They are distinct and they have their say.

I love how the characters shine in their own unique ways.

Regarding the plot, it's simple yet captivating. I mean like queer love captivating. The emotional rollercoaster ride. Be ready for it. I am warning you.

I love the dynamics between the band members and how convincing the band management gets.

And yes, the shipping is real (I don't know our ships are aware of this or just not allowed to talk about it but the shipping thing gets real the more we ship).

And I really appreciate the alternating POV chapters from the two main characters. Bless you, author. This made my year.

FYI, it's a SLOW BURN romance. Like you would be walking through an entire desert with a stupid smile on your face the entire time thinking about the drops of water thrown to you bits by bit here and there. So, my point is, it's so worth it! I ship them so bad. They are so cute and damn good together.

I was like "please don't get over too soon" the entire time I was reading the book.

And I cannot wait to get a physical copy!

(Like, HELLO DECEMBER 2021, are you kidding me?)

The story showcase well what goes behind the glamorous lives of the singer celebrities.
Specially the strict rules and routine they have to follow.

And the things they have to put up with everyday; how crazy fans and paparazzi keep haunting them; how they try to be normal and how hard they try to look presentable.

And oh, Ruben, please do that thing on stage to see the reaction of Erin. Zach would love it.

Why the prejudice though, Erin?

This book is for someone who loves reading young adult in which the characters behave their age in a way that it's convincing, realistic and mature enough.

This book is for those who believes in the beauty of young love.

This book is for those who believes love is beyond and above all kinds of discriminations.

But most of all, this one is for you if you love following your favourite bands and such. This is perfect for you.

Things get so messed up somewhere (as it is bound to happen) but then, trust the author and her characters. I feel so blessed.

The adult characters are amazing as well! One of the best young adult books (almost a new adult) of the year no doubt. And some adult characters are downright unbearable. So well written I say!

I am in love with Ruben and Zach so much. I just cannot think of anything else at the moment. They are so my OTP.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

As a millennial, I think it's impossible to read this book and not think of One Direction. Everything from the archetypes that the boys were expected to play into, the PR stunts and dedicated fans (its a SNAKE HABITAT TURN AROUND) was encapsulated in this, and I absolutely loved it. The toxicity of the entertainment industry, whether it is for singers, actors, models, etc. has been coming to light in recent years, and I think this does a nice job of shedding light on the almost dehumanization that public figures go through and the amount of negativity they must endure, even sometimes from their own family and management.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: December 7, 2021

I requested this book because I was intrigued to see if it paralleled a certain fandom, as rumors expected. While this coming of age/coming out story is equal parts entertaining (love all of the members distinct personalities) and disturbing (for how awfully they are treated), I can’t bring myself to think of this as anything other than fan fiction. There were so many details dwelled upon and just as many hinted upon but then suddenly it was just wrapped up with a perfect bow and over.

The character development was great...and if this came out one chapter at a time like many fan fictions do, I’d be hooked waiting for the next one to drop, but it didn’t gel as well as it could have as a novel.

That being said it is still entertaining, and a cautionary tale of the entertainment industry that needs to be told!

Sophie Gonzales is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw that she was coming out with a new book about a boy band, I was so excited! If This Gets Out read a lot like fan fiction to me in the beginning (it’s probably because I read a lot of boy band fan fiction when I was younger) and it definitely wasn’t a bad thing. Although it did effect my rating. Overall this was such a cute, fun, and quick read, and I really enjoyed it!
I would recommend picking it up once it comes out in December, especially if you enjoy reading fan fiction!

Technically, this is a book about a boy band but really, it's an incredibly nuanced exploration about what it takes to be yourself when everyone around you wants you to be someone else.

Zach and Ruben are two of four members of an overwhelmingly popular boy band on tour through Europe for the first time. Ruben is gay and has been out in limited circles for years but their management company has pushed off any public acknowledgment of his sexuality for years; Zach is definitely straight, definitely not into guys at all, and definitely has not completely fallen for Ruben. As their European tour progresses and the management company becomes more invasive in their control over the boys' image, the toll of not being able to be themselves sends them all barreling towards a breaking point and the only real question is - who will get there first?

This is an incredibly compelling book that centers queer issues, but nests them within the other challenges faced by teens with strong external expectations. Zach and Ruben face challenges around their sexuality and relationship, but the other two, straight, band members also struggle with how their sexuality is (or isn't) expected to be portrayed to the public. They all also struggle with other external pressures, from parents to fans and back again. However, since the premise is so far removed from most teens' experiences, the hard-hitting moments of clarity that come through are poignant and will hit close enough to home to mean something, but are not so on the nose as to be uncomfortable. The ending feels a little too upbeat and contrived for what was otherwise a very real book, but the empowerment felt by the characters shines through to the reader and for some teens. This is the sort of book that someone will pick up at just the right time for it to make a tremendous difference in their life.

Fans of Adam Silvera and Ryan La Sala will absolutely adore IF THIS GETS OUT, and it could not be a more necessary purchase for any library serving teens.

There was so much going on in this book with all the different guys, and I think that did the stories a disservice, because not everything could really be properly addressed or resolved. Like Zach's eating disorder was basically just dropped? I also think this would've worked a lot better as a new adult book.