I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve really liked Jason June’s prior books, but Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball is probably my favorite from him thus far. It’s an incredibly queer-affirming book, exploring a queer teen as he navigates the stereotypes that come with being in the LGBTQ+ community, some of it being reinforced by the community itself. This idea of what allegedly makes someone “gay/queer enough” has been discussed ad nauseum, but I love Jason June’s unique perspective on this through Riley Weaver’s eyes. I adore the way the narrative fights back against the labels and pigeonholing of what it means to be “masc” or “femme,” and which makes the person “really” gay, and how the gatekeeping of queerness can be harmful to those who don’t fit neatly into a binary gender identity (or identify with one that is considered invalid).
The Gaybutante Ball also sounds like such fun, and how it’s part of an initiative to help queer teens with their careers and give back to the community. The promise of queer chaos is absolutely met with some aspects of this book.
Riley is a fabulous protagonist, and I love that he doesn’t let the naysayers try to dictate who he is. He takes on the challenge of finding a date for the big Gaybutante Ball and documenting the process on his new podcast, and I couldn’t help but find him endearing throughout as he shared his musings and little updates on his progress on his journey.
The romance was super-cute, and I liked who it ended up being with, given the way it was built up throughout the book. It also was quite satisfying to have it be with someone Riley already trusted, given the premise of fighting back against someone he had animosity with.
This is such a beautiful book, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for books with positive queer, gender-nonconforming rep.

♡ Slow Burn
♡ Podcaster
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ Good Friendships
♡ Comforting Setting

(First Person POV)

As the title says Riley Weaver needed a date for the famous Gaybutante Ball after making a bet with a jock who thought Riley was too femme for a guy and who would like that? So, Riley bets to prove Skylar wrong. Naturally, things didn't go as planned and while trying to balance his work for the Gaybutante Society, his friendships, finding a date for his bet, and trying to tell his mom he wants more than his small town can offer, it’s safe to say Riley missed a few things along the way.

I read this in two days and I was so invested. Riley was such a lovable character and the overall book felt like such a reassuring warm hug. The gender norms being destroyed will not be missed. The friendships showed the good and bad, they felt so natural and real to read. It was such a highlight to read about the bestie sandwich being there for one another even after a fight. I loved Nick and Sabrina so very much. Josiah was so wholesome and sweet too.

I loved how the ending worked out and who Riley ended up with, definitely shipped them from the start and was very happy to see them as a couple. It was really cute!!

The setting of this book was so beautiful. While I understand why Riley wants more than his small hometown—I’d just like to say I want to move to Mountain Pass, it’s like a Hallmark movie-level small town but queer and comforting.

I think Jason June is now going to be an auto-buy author for me now. This book was absolutely everything. It was such a comforting lighthearted read. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially people in the lgbtqiap+ community. It’s so nice to see so much queer representation in one book and have it done in a good way. I just can not express that enough.

A lovely thank you to NetGalley and the author/HarperTeen for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Teen, and Jason June for providing me with an advanced copy.

The very public Queer Illuminati meets YA tropes meets femme advocacy. I enjoyed this book. This was an easy and fun read, I appreciated the 'cut to podcast transcript' structure of the book. I enjoyed how quickly this book paced through content, I was on a roll with it the whole time.

Lets get one thing sorted here, Riley is a boss, a complete boss! You know what happens when you are a boss? When you don't let yourself get walked over and standup for yourself and others like you? You get yourself into some seriously high stakes bets with Masc4Masc Bro's and then you podcast about it!

Despite the fun nature of the setup there are clear layers to educate and address lateral violence within the Queer community. This is the second book from June that I have read and both have very strong non-binary educational angles to them. I appreciate this advocacy and the platform that this message is being given.

One of the key Queer Illuminati rules reminded me of one of the key rules in The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs. We need to give space and support to queer community members regardless of whether you want to shag them! Love this rule.

The story flew by and was a very easy read for me. I did enjoy the story for sure. And I can see my library patrons loving this book as well!

It's junior year, which means that it's finally time for Riley Weaver to apply to be a part of the Gaybutante Society. An LGBTQ+ organization that helps teens make connections in the pop culture, arts, and activism industry. It's a long process of volunteering, charity events, parties, and general gay chaos, leading up to the Gaybutante Ball. For which you need a date.

When Riley overhears Skylar saying that gay guys aren't interested in femme guys, he decides to raise the stakes. Riley has to find a date with a masc guy before the ball or he'll drop out of the society all together. He decides to document his journey on a podcast--but will that help him or hurt him?

Thanks to HarperTeen and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June! We know that we can can expect fun gay adventures from Jason June, with a little bit of chaos, and I think that's a great description for this book. And it's coming out just in time for pride!

The overall concept for this book felt unique. I loved the concept of the Gaybutante Society, that helps teens make connections for the future as well as in the LGBTQ+ community. It was an overall fun idea and it's what drew me to the story in the first place. I definitely think the general tone will make it a really fun summer read.

However, the pace of the novel made it so that some aspects felt glossed over. Giving some of the events leading up to the ball a little more breathing room not only would have helped with the world building, it also would have helped with character development. Riley's bet at the beginning felt a little too high stakes, and kind of out of left field. Adding more character development for Riley and some of the side characters also would have helped make it feel more natural.

There were some good explorations of gender and the way gender was a spectrum, though. There are definitely teens that will relate to Riley's journey, and I'm glad this book exists because of that. 

All in all, this wasn't my favorite of June's books, but it will still make a fun summer read!

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball (wow, that's a mouthful) was a cute, fast paced YA LGBTQ read that is set in a small fictional town in Washington state. The setting of Mountain Pass is where this story takes place and is very liberal, to an extent. There's still a little phobia even within the queer community. Riley's mother is the town mayor and would love nothing more than for Riley to stay there and take over the reins when she is done. A little Weaver empire, if you will. But Riley has always wanted more than their small village. When a masculine gay jock makes a bet with Riley that they can't get a date to the Ball because "masc gay men don't like femme gay men", Riley takes it to heart and has to prove him wrong.

This story continues on with the bet and has Riley sharing his journey on his podcast. So literally everyone knows because this is a small village where everyone knows everyone. And the story progresses quite quickly with Riley turning over every rock to find a date. I liked the podcast, but found the little village a bit over the top for my liking. I adored Riley's friends and an ally he made along the way. The pacing was just so fast for me to really connect with the characters as a whole, but it was still cute, fun and entertaining with great queer rep all around.

Overall, I think if Riley's journey was more fleshed out and we got to connect with some side characters more, I may have liked the story as a whole better. Good bones, a bit ott, and maybe too young of a setting for me at this point. But still a cute and entertaining LGBTQ read.

This book is an adorable and fun story about a genderqueer high schooler named Riley. He makes a bet with one of the school jocks about whether gay guys will take a femme person like Riley to the Gaybutante Ball and documents it on his podcast. Riley is relatable, funny, and endearing, and I found myself rooting for Riley through his podcasting and dating escapades.

Riley and his friend Sabrina are invited to complete a series of tasks to be able to join the Gaybutante Society. We follow the ups and downs of their friendship along with the third member of their friend group, Nick. The final romantic interest was a bit obvious, but that said, everything wasn't entirely predictable. In the end though, this book is really about friendship and being true to yourself.

Overall, I highly recommend "Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball" to anyone looking for a fun and touching read. I’m looking forward to reading more of Jason June’s work, and I thank NetGalley for the eARC of the book.

While I’m not gay, I enjoy reading young adult novels and if it sounds good good young adult novels about the gay community. Being a writer I’m always looking for inspiration.
I loved this book and the three main characters..
Riley Weaver, who is a gay femme, Sabrina, a lesbian and Nick who is also gay. If they were older and not high school juniors.I would love to have them as friends. There are best friends and definitely have each others back.
Riley, who has a podcast gets into a bet with a high school jock. If he loses and can’t get a date to the Gaybutante Ball he’ll have to give up getting into the Gaybutante Society, which he wants to in. It’s a group gay people, but you have to achieve certain goals. If the jock loses he has to drop out of baseball.
He is always giving Riley grief with rude comments and emails about his podcast.
This changes Riley who is so caught up in winning the bet that he forgets who and what is important. Friendship, feelings for others and not being all about yourself by getting so caught up in something like a bet.
It’s really a great story with great characters and an excellent plot.
Jason June wrote a really good young adult novel and I’ll definitely be reading others that he’s written.

Whew! I can take a breath now that I have finished this super fast-paced but super sweet book. I really liked Riley's growth and the setting of the LGBTQ+ haven that is Mountain Pass. It was fantastic to see so much queer representation and positivity and, at the same time, interesting to juxtapose that with not only stereotypical ideology from outside of the LGBTQ+ community but also from within it. Riley's journey will definitely ring true for anyone who is experiencing something similar regarding their identity. This was a go-go-go kind of read and so much was happening so quickly. If that is your cup of tea, you will love this! I also found myself thinking back to Autoboyography by Christina Lauren while reading this book. These two novels are not necessarily the same but I was reminded of it at times. I will definitely be giving some of Jason June's other works a try as I enjoyed this one. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball tells the story of a high school junior trying to navigate Gaybutante society, love and friendship.

This book was...not great. Everything felt so rushed. The pace was out of control. And Riley was a terribly unlikeable character. I didn't find myself rooting for him at all. I understand the author was creating a bit of a fantasy world with Mountain Pass, but it was just too unrealistic. The ending was predictable...I knew what was going to happen about two chapters in. I'm bummed bc I've liked Jason June's other work...but this one is a miss.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to HarperTeen and NetGalley and for this ARC.

I really want to enjoy the books written by this author. I get excited going into them but sadly I’m a left a little disappointed each time. I don’t know if I’m going to pick up another book from this author after finishing this one.

Okay, fasten your seatbelts because Gaybutante ball, here we present you: Riley Weaver! D*mn, what a pacing. I’m still trying to catch my breath.

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball has so much to offer, especially LGBTQ+ wise. Fantastic rep, a queer-positive village, yet … there’s still queerphobia within the LBGTQ+ community. Because femme-looking gays aren’t gay, according to Skylar, a gay jock. Masc-looking gays won’t fall for a femme-looking one. And Riley is going to prove Skylar is wrong.

I loved the rep, I adored Riley, I laughed out loud, and I had a soft spot for Nick and immediately added him to my list of cute cinnamon rolls. The pacing is fast. Think of Alexis Hall’s writing in Something Fabulous and double the speed. To be honest, a bit too fast for me; I was hardly able to breathe. But overall, this story is excellent for those who love fast-paced books with superb rep, a refreshing premise, and adorable characters! And I believe that this book can be of great importance for femme gays, non-binary people, or all those who just need some support in being who they want to be. Riley is their perfect role model because he’s so confident in who he is.

Actual rating 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

What an absolutely amazing LGBTQIA+ book from Jason June!
Thank you NetGalley, Harper Teen, and Jason June for letting me have an advanced copy.

Riley Weaver is everything that I wish people could have the confidence to be. His small town is very progressive, being a host city of the Gaybutante Society. Yet, even still a "typical" gay guy challenges Riley that no one will want to be his date for the ball. That one bet sends everything rolling in this novel.

Riley is a typical high school junior who is messy. He's always been the single friend, out going, and honestly sure of himself and his ability to strut in heels. That is something that I think is so important for kids, and teens reading to see. I also loved that Riley had always been the single friend was a plot point because it was refreshing to see someone work through being single and wanting someone but not wanting to compromise.

I was wrapped up in what happened to Riley and his friends and wanted to see their successes. I can't wait to receive my physical copy and buy the audible since Jason June is the one narrating the audible. Do yourself a favor and pre order this now

Thank you HarperTeen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I think Riley Weaver Needs A Date To The Gaybutante Ball is my favorite Jason June novel to date! Riley Weaver lives in a very queer friendly town in Washington and home to a chapter of the Gaybutantes. A group of young LGBTQIAP+ people who have frequently gone on to do amazing things. Riley had wanted to be a Gaybutante since forever and this is his year! But when a cow masc gay guy says the no gay guy wants to date a femme gay guy Riley might just risk it all to prove him wrong, with the help of his friend Nick and his friend and fellow Gaybutante Sabrina he’ll set out to find a cis gay guy as a date for the Gaybutante ball. But will things be as easy as he thought? The book is charming, sweet, and hilarious! While at the same time taking a hard look at the toxicity and stereotypes that can exist within the LGBTQIAP+ community. I love that Riley is so sure of himself and comfortable in who he is! I love that books like this are coming out now and showing young queers that they can be comfortable in who they are! I’ve never felt comfortable completely exploring the style that Riley does but I have pursued makeup and I’ve never felt beautiful until the first time I did it! There’s a lot to Riley that I would like to see in myself so I can only imagine how much of an impact this book is going to have on younger generations! I highly recommend reading and I can’t wait for my physical copy to come!

there aren’t enough words to really describe how much i loved this book. Jason June continues to write incredible queer stories full of love, laughter, and lessons on the importance of self love.

femme, gay teen podcaster Riley Weaver can finally apply for membership into the Gaybutante Society, a process including multiple charity events that culminate with a ball, which Riley is required to bring a date to. when he overhears someone say that gay guys just aren't interested in femme guys or else they wouldn't be gay, Riley bets he’ll find a masc date by the time of the ball, or he'll drop out of the Society.

bit of a fun set up here and plays into some tropes that exist in the YA genre. i love the stakes that the bet brings to the table, and Riley documenting the entire process on his podcast provide really great structure to the book.

throughout this journey, Riley learns that he’s enough for himself. that he deserves to be valued as this authentic version of himself.

Jason really breaks down the idea that there’s no right way to be gay, and examines how important it is for the community to stick together and uplift others. there are a lot of great discussions on labels, especially how to feel empowered in ones that exist but also to throw them out the window and just do whatever makes you happy.

i’m trying to be a little vague here because it’s still a bit before the book comes out, but just know it’s worth your time. Riley is a great protagonist, his friends are endearing, and the story is perfectly plotted.

Jason really has gift with telling these kind of stories. i’m seated for every release!!

I have read two books by Jason June before this one (Jay’s Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue). I think these books are all (for the most part) lighthearted and enjoyable reads. I do think there can be some sensitive topics discussed but feel like these are relatively tame queer representation to feel seen and acknowledged. A perfect light-hearted read with some cute romance.

I have loved all of the characters that Jason June writes about. They all feel like genuine people (even the not-so-great characters). The way they are written helps me to immediately relate them to someone I know in my personal life.

This was a quick read and it was nice to read something that was fun. I felt like this book had a “life lesson” that the character had to learn in the end, which was a little cheesy. However, I did like the choice that Riley made in the end with another character (trying to avoid any spoilers). It was refreshing.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I read Jason June's last release "Out of the Blue" and quite enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to read his newest book "Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball". Although I read and enjoy a lot of YA LGBTQ+ fiction, I have never read one that focused on a femme gay character. Riley loves to dress feminine from his outfits to his hair, nails and jewelry. Oh and don't forget those high heels! Riley has two best friends who are also queer, Nick and Sabrina. They live in a little town where Riley's mother is the mayor and their family impact reaches across that town. Even though it is a little town, it is also very LGBTQ+ welcoming. Riley and his friends are aware that they are more accepted than many others who live elsewhere. They are also a part of the Gaybutante organization. This organization reaches across the country. Interested high school students can apply to be admitted to the Gaybutantes and if they success they will get the backing of the organization. Many past members have gone on to really big and successful careers and celebrity and fame. Because Riley wants to escape the legacy of his family and the small town, he is especially motivated to get admitted to the organization. This becomes his primary focus. When he hears another student claim that no cis guys would ever be attracted to femmes like Riley, Riley makes a bet with this jock. If he can't get a cis guy to ask him to the Debutante ball, he will drop out of the Gaybutante process. If he does get this cis date, the jock will quit his sport team. Riley begins a podcast called "Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball" with his friend Nick acting as the producer. He wants to reach a big audience and document his attempts to find this date. This book tells the story of his attempts to find the date, meet all of the many requirements to gain admission to the Gaybutantes and deal with his friend's dramas as well. He also has to handle the relationship with his mother, who assumes Riley will always want to stay in their small town and one day take over running it. I enjoyed this book. As I said, it was the first time I read about the particular struggles of femme gay guys. I appreciated that. I did feel like the book dragged on a bit at the very beginning and took longer than I expected to get moving. I also knew how the book could end almost from the first chapter. Instead of great interest, I was more reading to prove my theory correct. Still there was a lot to enjoy about this book and I appreciate all the representation in this book. I also am sure that Jason June is now an auto buy author.