Reviews

Golden Boys by Phil Stamper

samjc22's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Four really close friends have to face up to their future as they spend their holidays in four different locations. The main characters are really engaging and you want them all to succeed in their own challenges during the book. 

silver_lining_in_a_book's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.0

 

You were always amazing. And I’m sorry if I ever fed into your insecurities or anxieties or made you feel like you needed to change. You never needed reinventing. You know that now, I hope. The person you were tonight, the person you’ve been all summer - he’s perfect.

An absolutely adorable, wholesome coming-of-age YA story following four very different queer boys during their first summer apart. I really loved these characters, but I do think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it earlier - it would have been such an important read when I was 14 or 15 to help me accept the fact that I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, I felt like I was unable to step away from the friends I already had and I was so concerned about never having been in a relationship. I do not want my age to impact my rating of the book, so while my current enjoyment is closer to a 3/5 stars, I am happy to settle for 4/5 stars as I think this could be a very valuable book for many young people, particularly in their early teens. 

chiquito2705's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.75

lornatheebooklover's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.0

ohyouread's review against another edition

4.0

Golden Boys is stated to be like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but starring 4 gay boys. That would have been enough to draw me in, but then to top it all off, it’s written by Phil Stamper. His books, As Far as You’ll Take Me and The Gravity of Us, are on my favorite books shelf and I have a spot next to them for this one!

I’m easily confused when there are multiple different POV’s, but luckily the audiobook is fully cast and it made it a lot easier for me to keep track of what was happening.

I love that even though each of the characters were going to a different place for summer vacation, we got very different and distinct stories. They were all a close knit group who kept in touch, for the most part, the entire time. And even though they were cities, states, and even countries apart, they found their way back to each other in the end.

petermendoza's review against another edition

3.5

Take your time, enjoy it. It's mostly introspective, we get to know each character very well. There is also space to understand the dynamics of peers and the group as a whole. I felt like there was a lack of a little spice or tea that would help you want to read more and quickly, but, overall, it was good. I can't wait for the sequel!

natures_call's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted 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

3.75

deschatjes's review against another edition

3.0

Sweet inclusive book about a group of boys finding themselves and trying out the futures the envisage for themselves separate from family and the pressures to conform to ideals.
Light romance that is school appropriate and a few themes of exploitative internships and trying to work out friendship vs. affection.
Thanks to Libro.fm for the arc.

nickabockaglory's review against another edition

3.0

This book was alright. Slow paced but cosy, with very little drama. 

The first 80 or so pages, I was SO confused. Having the characters shift every chapter, but having very short chapters, and having 4 male teen main characters, it was very hard to keep everyone straight in my head. I turned a corner when I linked Reece=Par-"eese" and then Reece and Heath (both ee sounding names) were the couple interested and each other and the other two (Gabe and Sal) were hooking up. But until I got a handle on it, this book was so complicated. 

I thought the storyline was nice, seeing all of the boys go find themselves. It was nothing overly exciting but that was reassuring in its own way. It's always nice to have a book sans Queer tragedy. 

I was happy with the way everyone's stories ended but had a little giggle at the optimism and naïvite of young people. 

Bought as a mystery book from Proud Geek bookstore. 

eejit's review against another edition

too much telling and no showing, no likeable characters, the chapters were so short and switched between povs so quickly i didnt get a clear voice for any of the mcs. too annoying to read really. ALSO IT GOT NOWHERE IN 60 PAGES?