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shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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
I loved thisss - I’m so happy I preordered it tbh cause totally worth it
I didn’t get around to reading it for a few months after I got it in the mail but once I started it yesterday I literally binged it in like 2 days lol
I didn’t get around to reading it for a few months after I got it in the mail but once I started it yesterday I literally binged it in like 2 days lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Stalking, Mental illness, Biphobia, and Outing
Minor: Abandonment, Racism, Sexual content, and Vomit
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I admit I was worried when I first heard about this book. I'm a Directioner and I still have flashbacks from a certain subfandom that was just as destructive as management. Reading this kind of pitch always makes me worries it will give whoever still believes in those conspiracies some validation. Thankfully - as you can probably tell from my rating -- this wasn't it.
It's a coming-out story as well as a call out to the industry. Western standards for pop artists are so high that management will sometimes do anything to attain them, even if it destroys the very artists they represent. Boybands are the most notorious example of this. Angel's drug and alcohol consumption, Jon's struggle to keep his modesty, Ruben and Zach's sexuality are all things that are very much problematic in the music industry. The authors did a good job on that front, even if there were some mishaps here and there.
Queer boys pinning for each other seem to be my kryptonite, so this was a sure win. I'm a sucker for those kinds of stories where sexuality isn't a big deal, but the boys can't seem to ever just *be* together until the very end. Gets me every single time.
As a fangirl, I did have some trouble with a few details, but it wasn't anything major. More like I feel there wasn't enough editing on some aspects as there should have been. Examples include Ruben fearing for his life on the moving platform in the middle of the concert (artists are ALWAYS strapped to a harness or attached to a pole while on a moving platform since it's a security risk), the Amsterdam hotel elevator opening directly on the gravel rooftop without a door in-between (?!?!), and the mention of "queer male fans" but "straight and bi girls" in their fandom when Zach is thinking about coming out (weirdest wording ever and erases a huge chunk of fangirls who are neither). Also, replacing Good Morning America with "Good Afternoon United States" is just... unnecessary...? Call it GMA or make up a whole other show, but don't change the name if you're going to be that obvious about it...
That's just me being nitpicky, though. I really liked the book and Ruben and Zach's relationship.
I admit I was worried when I first heard about this book. I'm a Directioner and I still have flashbacks from a certain subfandom that was just as destructive as management. Reading this kind of pitch always makes me worries it will give whoever still believes in those conspiracies some validation. Thankfully - as you can probably tell from my rating -- this wasn't it.
It's a coming-out story as well as a call out to the industry. Western standards for pop artists are so high that management will sometimes do anything to attain them, even if it destroys the very artists they represent. Boybands are the most notorious example of this. Angel's drug and alcohol consumption, Jon's struggle to keep his modesty, Ruben and Zach's sexuality are all things that are very much problematic in the music industry. The authors did a good job on that front, even if there were some mishaps here and there.
Queer boys pinning for each other seem to be my kryptonite, so this was a sure win. I'm a sucker for those kinds of stories where sexuality isn't a big deal, but the boys can't seem to ever just *be* together until the very end. Gets me every single time.
As a fangirl, I did have some trouble with a few details, but it wasn't anything major. More like I feel there wasn't enough editing on some aspects as there should have been. Examples include Ruben fearing for his life on the moving platform in the middle of the concert (artists are ALWAYS strapped to a harness or attached to a pole while on a moving platform since it's a security risk), the Amsterdam hotel elevator opening directly on the gravel rooftop without a door in-between (?!?!), and the mention of "queer male fans" but "straight and bi girls" in their fandom when Zach is thinking about coming out (weirdest wording ever and erases a huge chunk of fangirls who are neither). Also, replacing Good Morning America with "Good Afternoon United States" is just... unnecessary...? Call it GMA or make up a whole other show, but don't change the name if you're going to be that obvious about it...
That's just me being nitpicky, though. I really liked the book and Ruben and Zach's relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
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