Reviews

Golden Boys by Phil Stamper

lynnedora's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

pkc's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

maiswafel's review against another edition

1.0

The book lacked anything of an interesting story for me. Four white gay boys from one friend group are being divided over the summer, for the firts time ever. It took until around page 280 for some tension / drama / shake-up to happen but by that time the book lost me.

bookreviewbyana's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Este livro é tão fofo!! Perfeito para adolescentes, um livrk de autodescoberta e conhecimento!! 😊

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia

tsukibunny68's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mis_evaluate's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Recommended by Jesse the Reader (in various YouTube videos)

donttellmomwhatimreading's review against another edition

4.0

4 queer friends head in opposite directions for the summer before their senior year of high school, shit goes down and our boys find themselves.

tessa_stephens's review against another edition

3.0

Pretty good but also not perfect. The lack of character description really annoyed me because I literally have no idea how these boys are supposed to look. Heath and Reese were cute tho and I liked seeing the 4 separate journeys and how they all still relied on each other and stayed friends. The mention of the pandemic felt weird at first but after reading that Phil Stamper wrote this during said pandemic it makes sense and ties the overall themes together :)

(Still annoyed about the descriptions tho

bethany6788's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was SO MUCH FUN! It was my first read by @stampepk but it will not be my last. I loved listening to this one. It was a group of best friends separated the summer before their senior year for different reasons and ambitions. 

Things I loved about this book:
First of all - this cover is amazing. 
The audio!!! Genius to have multiple narrators. It gave me an emotional connection with each character and it was super easy to follow along with. The narrators truly outdid themselves - this is one of the best narrated books I’ve ever listened to.
I absolutely adored the friendships between Reese, Heath, Sal, and Gabe. They grew so much during the summer, and I loved seeing them branch out! I loved the complexities and intricacies bright to these friendships. Each boy had a different dynamic with each other and Reese’s bracelets were perfect. 
I loved loved loved Reese’s journey with fashion and designing. It was so intriguing!
Poor Sal, I wanted to hug him. The stress! Really brave to speak out when he was feeling so anxious and overwhelmed.
Heath! I loved that even though he was dealing with a lot, he was able to count on his aunt and cousin.
Gabe - loved his love story!!! Matt was so sweet and just a really good guy.
I loved how Heath and Reese realized their feelings.
That grand gesture at the end!!! Swoon!!!! What magical ending (pun intended).
Loved the epilogue!

I literally listened to this book at any free moment I had over the last two days because I loved it so much. What a treasure! 🥹🩵 I’m so sad it’s over but I saw there is a sequel!!

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

4/5

Love these characters so much! I don’t believe I would have ever read this book if it wasn’t for Jesse from Jesse the reader on YouTube.