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kylasmv15's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, and Drug use
Moderate: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Confinement
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Outing, Body shaming, and Bullying
foreverbookwandering's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted to love this more than I did. I liked the exploration of pressure put on artists by management companies and how they mould them into something that makes the most money and has more mass market appeal. I think Zach exploring his sexuality was done really well and I liked the emphasis on coming out on your own terms and when you want to not because someone else wants you to do it. I also thought the relationship with Reuben and his mum where she was constantly putting him down and controlling him was explored well too.
Ultimately, I just didn’t fall in love with the characters and the book itself but I think it explores some great themes.
Ultimately, I just didn’t fall in love with the characters and the book itself but I think it explores some great themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, and Addiction
delz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich have collaborated on something very special in “If This Gets Out.”Saturday is a management made “boy-band” consisting of Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon. Jon is the son of Geoff, their manager, but he pulls no punches, he’s definitely the rep for management. The boys however are genuine friends just trying to look out for each other, even when it feels like they’re up against a wall. That’s what happens when Ruben gets tired of the fake persona he’s been given and wants to just “come out” he’s told to wait, but it isn’t until Ruben and Zach begin an intimate relationship that things begin to implode. We’ve seen so much this story in the news with people like Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Demi Lovato, their management monetize their youth and talent, using them up to just throw them away. The two writers have created a very sweet love story with a backdrop of a very volatile and at times extremely ugly industry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Car accident, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
princess_peach's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Addiction, Bullying, and Drug use
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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