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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Bored! It was a bit too underbaked so I didn’t click with the writing too much. It was like the characters talked for ages and never got to the point. Found myself skimming by the end of the book.
And it was very doom and gloom.The biggest beginning fight is that they asked for space even though they are touring with eachother??? That’s crazy. And it was all depressed because of the relationship ending, sad cause angels drugs, bad cause of the company and Erin’s restrictions. Just sadness all the time?
And it was very doom and gloom.
I only picked this up coz 1D lol.
First of all: FADE TO BLACK!!! YESSSSS (I am so glad!!)
Ugh, all the adults in this sucked. I guess that was kind of the point though. Geoff was an arsehole. And Ruben's mum.
First of all: FADE TO BLACK!!! YESSSSS (I am so glad!!)
Ugh, all the adults in this sucked. I guess that was kind of the point though. Geoff was an arsehole. And Ruben's mum.
He's gorgeous, sure. But gorgeous in an "I want to consensually pin you down" sort of way, or an "I want to be you" sort of way?
That made me laugh.
Man, I felt bad for Jon.
"You're asking me to show my body," says Jon. "We've talked about this. I don't feel comfortable."
Like literally Angel is right there volunteering. What is their problem?
Idk how the music industry works so I can't really comment on that, but I'm sure some of it was a bit dramatised. Not the controllingness, I believe that, sure, but the part at the end where like 6 of their songs make the list from like 2 nights alone. They must have crazy viewership.
I also couldn't tell the difference between the 2 characters' POVs. Apart from the obvious name at the start. I kept forgetting who's chapter I was in and having to look at who was being refered to by name (tho maybe i'm just dumb).
I don't have anything to say about the actual romance. It was pretty standard. There were no glaring red flags, which was nice for a change. (Actually, there definitely could have been some more chemistry. It felt a bit dead. They were telling and not showing again.) Just another classic we-kissed-and-now-our-friendship-might-be-ruined-but-we-work-it-out-and-kiss-again-and-then-theres-some-outside-conflict-but-that-turns-out-alright-and-we-live-happily-ever-after. :))
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for an advance reader copy of If This Gets Out in exchange for an honest review.
Queer! Boyband! Rom-com! Right up my alley, honestly. This story isn't just fluff and heart-eyes (although there is plenty of that, *chefskiss*) - we also see our heroes Ruben and Zach navigate complex relationships with their bandmates, their families, and their record exec bosses.
The alternating perspective structure really worked in this book. Ruben and Zach were both so fully developed- their emotions, motivations, inner demons, and dreams. It makes them so easy to root for, and their growth feels earned and so rewarding to read. I was impressed with the character development all-around, even with the secondary characters John and Angel. The story allows for individual relationships outside of the main pair to shine.
Special shout-out to the way the book depicted Ruben's strained family relationships. His relationship with his mother resonated on a deep level. It really captured the constricting trap of a hyper-critical parent prone to angry outbursts and the intense emotional labor that their children put in to manage the fall out of any tiny mistake. It was too real, but also validating to read and heartening to see Ruben grow in his ability to stand up for himself and set boundaries. I think it's really important to showcase this in YA literature and wish I'd read something like it when I was in high school.
This book gave me everything my queer fangirl heart desired, then hit me with the realistic and nuanced interpersonal dynamics and a critique of the entertainment industry. Come for the feels, stay for the feels. This is a quick read that draws you right in and will leave you smiling.
Content warnings: underage drinking, addiction, disordered eating, toxic parent, homophobia, forced closeting
Queer! Boyband! Rom-com! Right up my alley, honestly. This story isn't just fluff and heart-eyes (although there is plenty of that, *chefskiss*) - we also see our heroes Ruben and Zach navigate complex relationships with their bandmates, their families, and their record exec bosses.
The alternating perspective structure really worked in this book. Ruben and Zach were both so fully developed- their emotions, motivations, inner demons, and dreams. It makes them so easy to root for, and their growth feels earned and so rewarding to read. I was impressed with the character development all-around, even with the secondary characters John and Angel. The story allows for individual relationships outside of the main pair to shine.
Special shout-out to the way the book depicted Ruben's strained family relationships. His relationship with his mother resonated on a deep level. It really captured the constricting trap of a hyper-critical parent prone to angry outbursts and the intense emotional labor that their children put in to manage the fall out of any tiny mistake. It was too real, but also validating to read and heartening to see Ruben grow in his ability to stand up for himself and set boundaries. I think it's really important to showcase this in YA literature and wish I'd read something like it when I was in high school.
This book gave me everything my queer fangirl heart desired, then hit me with the realistic and nuanced interpersonal dynamics and a critique of the entertainment industry. Come for the feels, stay for the feels. This is a quick read that draws you right in and will leave you smiling.
Content warnings: underage drinking, addiction, disordered eating, toxic parent, homophobia, forced closeting
I have a truly embarrassing amount of feelings about this book. Zach/Ruben 4 lyfe. Honestly, though, this was a fascinating exploration of the dark side of fame, especially for young people, and the characters felt astonishingly real, particularly the two POV characters. I related hard to Ruben's desire to be perfect and Zach's desire to please everyone around him by never expressing what he wants. I love a love story where the characters push each other to be better, and the emotional arc here is so satisfying. Reading this book conveniently coincided with a reignition of my love for the Jonas Brothers, so if anyone has any other boy band media to recommend to me, that's clearly the place I'm at right now lol.
emotional
inspiring
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:
Complicated
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book and couldn't put it down because it felt more mature than just a romance plot. However this also is the reason I felt it was underdeveloped in areas once I was finished.
I think the novel should have leaned more into the controlling management storyline as the main storyline. This would have still allowed the secret romance plot
but could have given more insight and context to Angel's drug addiction. Having Jon and Angel's perspective would have aided in this.
I really enjoyed both perspectives of Ruben and Zach, I understood both of their feelings and actions and the reasons why they acted the way they did.
The end wrapped up a bit too optimistic when so much groundwork went into building up the consequences of certain actions, which is why I've landed on a 4 star rating.
I think the novel should have leaned more into the controlling management storyline as the main storyline. This would have still allowed the secret romance plot
but could have given more insight and context to Angel's drug addiction. Having Jon and Angel's perspective would have aided in this.
I really enjoyed both perspectives of Ruben and Zach, I understood both of their feelings and actions and the reasons why they acted the way they did.
The end wrapped up a bit too optimistic when so much groundwork went into building up the consequences of certain actions, which is why I've landed on a 4 star rating.
I loved it
I loved this book, but I did get distracted majorly, which was because of another story that just vibes better with me. I still loved this book, though! It was sweet and heartbreaking and terrifying at moments and a little too tame for me, but it WAS a good book!
I loved this book, but I did get distracted majorly, which was because of another story that just vibes better with me. I still loved this book, though! It was sweet and heartbreaking and terrifying at moments and a little too tame for me, but it WAS a good book!