Reviews

Golden Boys by Phil Stamper

sorokowskij's review against another edition

4.0

Lovely contemporary queer YA. Grade 9+

reading_with_jenny's review against another edition

5.0

Took a bit to get into, but once they went to their own things I loved reading about their different experiences and how they kept up with each other and communicated with each other too :)

hinesy_books's review against another edition

5.0

I really loved this book so much

roryhix93's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.25

Phil Stamper’s Golden Boys is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, self-discovery, and the bittersweet process of growing up. Gabriel (Gabe), Reese, Sal, and Heath are a group of queer best friends navigating the transition from the tight-knit security of their small town to the big, wide world beyond. Each boy embarks on a summer journey to chase their dreams, and in doing so, they discover as much about themselves as they do about the bonds they share.

What makes Golden Boys truly shine is Stamper’s ability to craft characters that feel real, relatable, and deeply loveable. Gabe, Reese, Sal, and Heath are all on different paths, and yet their stories are woven together beautifully, demonstrating the strength of their friendship despite the physical and emotional distance. Watching these characters grow and evolve over the course of the novel is incredibly satisfying, and you can’t help but root for them every step of the way.

The book is a joy to read—fast-paced, engaging, and accessible without sacrificing depth. Its exploration of identity, ambition, and friendship is both universal and specific, making it easy to connect with regardless of your background.

The only reason this isn’t a full five-star review is that the book, while delightful, occasionally felt like it was setting up for the next installment rather than delivering a fully complete narrative. That said, it was so good I’ve already ordered book two!

If you’re looking for a quick, charming read filled with heart, humor, and authentic growth, Golden Boys is a perfect choice. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary YA fiction and stories about the power of friendship.

lea_52's review against another edition

4.0

4.5*

tabiandro's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this sisterhood of the traveling pants type story, told through the eyes of four queer teen boys who separate over the summer. Told in four parts, the focus isn't their sexuality, but their whole lives, and there's no coming out drama. It's so refreshing to find queer characters dealing with real-life issues, and I can't wait for more!

elissazimmer's review against another edition

2.0

Too slow of a pace—it felt like it took forever for the boys to actually get their summer adventures started. It was hard to tell them apart even with different voice actors for the first half of the book. They just didn’t feel super distinct.

tjkaiser's review against another edition

4.0

The length + 4 protagonists doesn't leave much room for meaningful character development, but it was still really engaging

itsalexcuriel's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

samicrane's review against another edition

4.0

awwwwwww