I'm on a mission to read my older Netgalley titles and I was happy to find this on audio. I thought this was a heartwarming YA contemporary with an absolutely wonderful message. It's a lot about growing into who you are instead of giving into peer pressure and going along with what others are doing, resisting toxic masculinity, and how friendship is not lesser than romance and great friendships are a once in a lifetime thing you should value and treasure.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this awkward Vietnamese kid, Gary. His so called "best friend" is cringe worthy and the Roosters are just horrible, but I appreciate a kid who will ride his mother's tandem bike alone. Gloria is also a realistic and complex character. Gary and Gloria are nice kids, but they are also human. They can make each other laugh and also make each other cry as they both learn how to navigate changes in their life. I think what is especially cute is that they are human. Their voice is refreshing in this genre that is littered with characters that are immature, egocentric, privileged, and yucky. I want to root for these two kids.

In another blurb I read that this story is loosely based on the author's life, so perhaps that is why the reactions by the main characters seem so realistic and raw. This is not a stylized fairy tale. This is about real kids having real issues. This is about dreams and disappointments. This is about real families dealing with real issues. As the poor kid at a rich school, Gary is very mature in his values. He has a clear idea of right and wrong even if he does not always make the best choice at first. This is a perfect summer read for anyone wanting a feel good story with characters that you can root for.

From the Publisher:
Gary Võ is one of the few Vietnamese kids in his school and has been shy for as long as he can remember―being ignored and excluded by his classmates comes with the territory. So when the most popular guy in his grade offers Gary the opportunity to break into his inner circle, Gary jumps at the chance. All he needs to do is steal the prized possession of the most beautiful and untouchable girl they know―Gloria Buenrostro.

But as Gary gets to know Gloria, he’s taken in by her authenticity and genuine interest in who he really is. Soon, they’re best friends. Being part of the “in crowd” has always been Gary’s dream, but as he comes closer to achieving infamy, he risks losing the first person who recognizes his true self. Gary must consider if any amount of popularity is worth losing a true friend.

Publication Information:
Author: Brandon Hoàng
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), June 27, 2023
Hardcover length: 304 pages

I loved this, a really sweet story of friendship. I liked the main characters and the dynamic between them, family, and others. I thought this was culturally relevant and also sensitive to what teens go though. I wasn't expecting it to be a friendship story, but I'm glad it was.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

The book portrayed themes like poverty, need to fit in, toxic masculinity, family dynamics. Being this is a debut book, the author has done an amazing job portraying all these themes in a very realistic way. We often want to fit into a group/system we think will make us look cool or make us famous but it derives us away from reality and often makes us what we don't want to be. This book also portrays the same where Gary is longing to be in the school's famous circle. Along the way Gary meets Gloria , he begins to realise what 'being yourself ' means.

The book portrays beautiful friendship between Gary and Gloria and she really portrays a very strong character. The book shows different phases of Gary's life and how it was complicated for him to go through all of that and often feels confused.

The book is really a fun yet beautiful read. Teenagers can definitely relate with this book.

A fantastic YA debut! I loved that the MC for this summer friends to lovers YA romance was a geeky Vietnamese American teen boy and we get to root for him as he tries to get in with the popular kids with his best friend (the only other Asian boy in school). The catch, he has to try to get a token from one of the most aloof and beautiful girls in school, Gloria Buenrostro.

This was a heartwarming story about two outcasts from different sides of the track who learn they have more in common than they thought and end up bonding one summer. I really enjoyed Gary and Gloria together becoming friends and then more. The emphasis on Gloria being more than just a pretty face (she's dealing with her father's infidelity, her parent's impending divorce and adjusting to a more humble living situation).

Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like David Yoon or Jamie Jo Hoang. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I'm excited to read more YA stories from Brandon Hoang!

I’ve gotta say, Gary burrowed his way into my heart. He makes some poor choices here and there, but he also learns and grows. He’s open to change and though he is risk averse, he does ultimately step out in vulnerability when it counts.

Watching Gary and Gloria’s friendship develop is a treat. They start out with awkwardness, but that changes pretty quickly as they hang out and discover new things about each other. They share their foods and meet each others’ family members and Gary discovers just how much his ideas about Gloria were shaped by surface level things. He had so many misconceptions and just a few days with Gloria really opens his eyes. There are continually things for them to learn about the other and they just keep uncovering more all summer long.

I appreciated that though there is a romance angle, the bulk of the book is about the development of a friendship and what a precious commodity that can be. Their relationship is contrasted with some of their other friendships too. The best friendships help us be our best selves and Gary and Gloria do encourage each other, but they also manage to hurt each other on the way.

Recommendation: Get it soon. This will be a great summer read for fans of contemporary fiction. Gary and Gloria’s blossoming friendship is filled with humor, a few tears, and a lot of sweet moments.

I thought this was a beautiful story. The popular guys were absolutely awful, but Glory and Gary were adorable. They were both more than they seemed. This is a beautiful debut, and I’m so excited for what comes next.

Thank You Netgalley for the free book! All opinions are my own.
Gary, our main character and his friend Preston have always wished to be a part of the popular, rich kids group. So when an opportunity presents itself, he takes the chance and gets close with the school's one of the most popular girls, Gloria.
I really like how the author has realistically portrayed themes of poverty, toxic masculinity and family dynamics. My favorite moments are those when Gary and Gloria ride the tandem bike together, delivering clothes and tamales and meet new people and the cutest pets. I love how they slowly form their friendship and start trusting each other. I didn't like the intensity by which Preston and sometimes also Gary, desperately wanted to be a part of the popular group and would cross the limit to get there. I liked the sibling dynamic between Gary and his sister, and how it progressed. Overall Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a heart-touching story of friendship, love and our place in the world!

Gary Võ has never found it easy to make friends. So when Gloria Buenrostro, the most popular and mysterious girl in his grade, moves into his neighborhood, he does not suspect that anything will come from it. But the two end up spending most days together, and Gary comes to see there is much more to Gloria than she lets most people at school, including her closest friends, see. When one of the most popular kids in his grade offers Gary the opportunity to join his inner circle, giving him access to a group of friends he has yet to experience, Gary is tempted. But he is not sure he can go through with the one challenge he needs to meet to join their group: stealing Gloria's prized possession. As he struggles with what to do, Gary must confront what type of person, and friend, he wants to be.

This is a touching story that explores interesting themes around wealth, popularity, and family. I'm excited to see what comes next from this author.

Highly recommended!

Gary Võ has never been part of the in crowd. In fact, he’s basically been invisible. But when the most popular guy in school extends an invitation into the inner circle, Gary jumps at the chance. He just needs to steal something special from the most beautiful girl in school - Gloria Buenrostro. Over the course of the summer, Gary gets to know Gloria and he realizes she is not at all the stuck up girl who thinks she’s better than everyone like the rumors say. In fact, she's actually one of the kindest, most genuine and authentic individuals he has met. As the two get closer, Gary has to figure out if becoming a part of the popular crowd is worth losing the best friend he’s ever had.

People will likely disagree with me on this, but this story is a love story like none other. The friendship that develops and deepens between Gary and Gloria is truly a thing of beauty that should be put on display and studied. The way that these two learned how to communicate with each other and own up to their mistakes is a master class in how the world can heal itself.

The very first chapter of this book immediately drew me in and had me desperate to finish reading. A couple chapters further and I wanted to stop reading because the popular guys were just so unbelievably disgusting it made me want to scream. I powered through however because the story is told from Gary’s POV and his interactions with those guys were, thankfully, few and far between.

Gary and Gloria (who we see the most of throughout the book, though there are some recurring side characters) are both nuanced and complex people. Each of them have things going on in their lives that are incredibly relatable. While some aspects of the story aren’t things that are super common, the grounded nature of the main characters’ backstories kept me fully invested. This book is full of different kinds of relationships and how they grow and change over time. While the main focus is obviously Gary and Gloria, we are given glimpses of Gary's relationship with his sister, Gloria's relationship with her parents, and the pair's relationship with their respective friends.

Also, I don’t know who started it, but this trend of being overly descriptive about food - I love it and I hate it. I definitely left this book with a craving for burgers and Vietnamese food, so make sure you prepare yourself ahead of time.

Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend is Brandan Hoàng’s debut novel and, if this is what we can expect from him, I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next. Full of heart and friendship, this book left me wanting to call up my besties just to have a gab session and remind them that I love them.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a compelling YA contemporary debut, and really stands out in that it follows a teen boy protagonist, a rarity in the YA contemporary genre. I was instantly drawn to the narrative voice, as well as Gary’s characterization. He’s not perfect, and he can be a lot to take in at times, but like many teen protagonists, he grows throughout the book. And even as someone who’s never been a teenage boy, I understood where he was coming from for the most part, as he struggles with being from a poor Vietnamese family and in navigating the rigid social hierarchy of high school.
I really liked following his developing friendship and potential romance with Gloria, a popular girl at school, and how their genuine connection is soon at odds with his desire for popularity. It was sweet that a girl who came from a different background than him managed to connect with him on a deeper level, while also being tempted to betray her for the sake of his own reputation.
I also really liked the narrative style, with a framing narrative set after Gary has screwed up, then flashing back to follow the development of his and Gloria’s relationship. It allowed for some self-reflection on his part at his lowest point, thinking back on his mistakes, before working to make it right.
This is a wonderful debut, and I am excited for what Brandon Hoang writes next. If you’re looking for a YA contemporary with a male narrator, I’d recommend checking this out!

Hmmm, this was fine. The premise was enough that I probably should not have requested this. However, I gave it a chance and it was just fine.

I appreciated that the main character experienced some growth by the end and understanding how immature his behavior/motives were in the beginning of the story. However, I just wish he had gotten there sooner and didn't get so upset with his non-love interest for not wanting to be romantically involved with him.

I appreciate a young adult coming of age and I'd try maybe another book by the author but this one was just fine.

Rating: 3.5-4 stars

Um, so I somehow missed the part about this being inspired by Brandon Hoàng's teen experience and expected this to be a light, predictable YA contemporary romance, but every turn in this book was a left. I felt really dumb for not catching little things in the story but not the big ones--especially when the climax is literally staring you in the face--but I digress. All this to say Gloria Buentrostro is Not My Girlfriend is not like other YA contemporary romances out there. I do feel like Hoàng's debut is misgenred a little bit, but I think part of the reason why is because there isn't really a nice category that it fits into.

Gloria Buentrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a coming-of-age story that grapples with real life and, I guess, toxic masculinity. Real life doesn't happen like it does in the movies (or in most of the YA contemporary romances you'll find on my shelves,) and Brandon Hoàng's debut is a great example of that.

I struggled a bit with the writing style and narration. I don't feel like Gary had a strong enough voice to really capture the emotion of the story. There are also times when he starts to feel a little bit too much like those "nice guys," which I guess is maybe kind of the point but also kind of grating after a while. I did really like the moments with Gary's family, especially his sister, and wish we'd gotten to see more of that. I also appreciated the unflinching, honest way Gary talks about being poor without whining or playing the victim. I'm really curious about how much of Hoàng's actual experiences were written into the story, and I'm really curious to see what he writes next.

Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a story about a mixed Vietnamese kid in high school who has always felt like an outsider as one of the only two Asian American students in school. So when he’s approached by the most popular guy in school with an invitation to the in crowd, he jumps at the chance to feel like he belongs. His only task to gain entry to the inner-circle? Get the prized possession of the most beautiful girl in school, Gloria Buenrostro.

Hoàng thoughtfully explores toxic masculinity and how easy it is to fall into harmful behavior, especially when you feel like you don’t belong. Through Gary we’re able to clearly see the pained, desperate desire to finally fit in and have a friend group. But through Gary we’re also able to see the harm that comes from these behaviors and the growth it takes to make a change and stand up to and say no. Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend tackles an incredibly sensitive topic with the careful nuance that only thoughtful fiction can depict.

This story wouldn’t work if the toxic masculinity wasn’t stunningly juxtaposed with Gary and Gloria’s sweet, kind, and real friendship. Their friendship is one of the sweetest fictional friendships I’ve ever seen. Everything about their growing friendship is honest, which holds the tension so well because it’s all founded on a single lie. Their friendship is an oak tree standing on top of a house of cards. It’s so easy to fall in love with Gary and Gloria’s friendship and impossible not to be overcome with worry about the inevitable truth coming to light.

Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is special in it’s honesty and heart. Hoàng has a unique skill in illustrating a realistic story that works to call out toxic masculinity through the genuine honesty of true friendship. The best of fiction shines when it can weave a strong theme throughout while flawlessly maintaining the right voice for the characters and the intended readers, and Hoàng does it perfectly. It’s a reminder how multiple systematic issues work in tandem to emphasize each other in a delightfully sweet read.

I adore this coming-of-age story that explores toxic masculinity. There's so much heart and humor in Brandon's writing that you can't help but root for Gary who reluctantly agrees to befriend the most popular girl in school in his mission to become popular too. Gary and Gloria's friendship was so beautifully developed in its ups and downs. I also loved Gary's relationship with his mom and sister and seeing Viet food on the pages. Maggi is life!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Inspired by a Vietnamese-American author’s teen experience, this is a story about a teen boy’s journey of trying to become popular by befriending the most beautiful girl in school only to realize what he truly wanted was a true friend. Gary is one of the few Vietnamese kids in school, he’s shy and only really has one friend and kind of is ignored by most of his classmates. Yet when a popular guy in his class offers him the chance to be part of their group Gary takes it... but that means he needs to steal the prized possession of the most beautiful and popular girl in school-Gloria Buenrostro. Yet in an unexpected turn of events Gary begins to actually befriend Gloria. He starts spending his time helping Gloria do tamale runs and hanging out with her, they actually get to become friends and get to know each other. But Gary finds himself being pressured by the guys and his want to become popular... but that might actually cost him the one real friend he is beginning to have. Can Gary figure out who he really wants and where he wants to fit in or will he lose it all? This was a story about friendship, real friendship and it was sweet. I liked how it stresses the importance of what it means to truly have a real friend, someone who knows you and supports you, someone who will be there for you when it’s rough. It’s a sweet story and I definitely like that we got to see Gary grow as a person.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I hate it when I’m one of the first to rate a book, especially when I have mixed feelings about it. In this case, I think it’s me and not the book, so please check out other reviews!

Gloria Buenrostro is not my Girlfriend is about Gary, a sixteen-year-old Vietnamese-American teen who’s been ignored and excluded together with his best friend Preston by his classmates. So when he gets the chance to break into the inner circle of the more popular guys, he grabs it with both hands.

I really liked Gary and Gloria and their story. I adored them riding on Gary’s tandem bike and getting to know each other more and more, cooking together, delivering stuff, and practicing Shakespeare. I loved the theme of toxic masculinity.

BUT …

What I liked less, though, was the writing, and that’s probably all on me. I often have a hate relationship with first-person, past-tense writing, and sadly that was the case here too. The story started so promisingly, first person, present tense, and I immediately wanted to read on and on and on. Until the following chapters. The second one started with ‘Then’, and I thought there would be two timelines. I love dual timelines, and I wanted to read even more. But sadly, the story stayed in the ‘Then’ timeline, and I started to dislike the writing because it felt like a remembrance of the last few months.

So, while this was, for particular reasons, not my kind of book, it could be a great one for you, especially if you like YA books with a diverse cast and themes like toxic masculinity!

Gary Võ is one of the few Vietnamese kids in his school and has been shy for as long as he can remember—being ignored and excluded by his classmates comes with the territory. So when the most popular guy in his grade offers Gary the opportunity to break into his inner circle, Gary jumps at the chance. All he needs to do is steal the prized possession of the most beautiful and untouchable girl they know—Gloria Buenrostro.

But as Gary gets to know Gloria, he’s taken in by her authenticity and genuine interest in who he really is. Soon, they’re best friends. Being part of the “in crowd” has always been Gary’s dream, but as he comes closer to achieving infamy, he risks losing the first person who recognizes his true self. Gary must consider if any amount of popularity is worth losing a true friend.