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Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'
If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales, Cale Dietrich
18 reviews
criticalgayze's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First, with the increasing discussion around curation of materials for youth, I think this one would best be categorized as "New Adult" rather than Young Adult. I think older or more mature high schoolers could handle the contents here, but I found it to be a little more "Euphoria" than I was expecting going into it.
On the topic of what I wasn't expecting going into If This Gets Out, the story was a lot more bleak than I was expecting. I don't think it is necessarily an unrealistic portrait of what two boy band members in this kind of situation might face from the music industry, but I did find even most of the "romantic" scenes to be tinged with a kind of bitterness and anxiety, and the book never quite gives you a sense of real hope or joy. This story reminded me a lot of the scale of pressures that Alex and Henry face in Red, White, & Royal Blue, but McQuiston gives you so many scenes of pure Queer joy that taking the tough stuff is a little easier, and I think If This Gets Out could have done with some of that levity.
Having only had one previous experience with either of these authors, Cale Dietrich's The Love Interest (which I DNF'ed), I was apprehensive going in to this reading experience, but I found this one really well written with deep insights that were really affecting. I also really appreciated the main characters, their relationship, and the supporting cast; however, I do think some of the drama could have been cut for time, especially some of the parental conflict that doesn't get quite enough time to resolve properly.
Quotes:
“Already? Didn’t you just say goodbye to him?”
“Yeah but he’s my— Ruben.” (Page 22)
Enabling is just another word for self- preservation, sometimes. (Page 122)
To somehow trust that I’ll still have worth to the other person if I’m not earning it. (Page 230)
How am I supposed to get off this plane alone, and go home without him, and fall asleep without his scent on my pillow, and wake up to only the echo of the symphony we made together? (Page 298)
On the topic of what I wasn't expecting going into If This Gets Out, the story was a lot more bleak than I was expecting. I don't think it is necessarily an unrealistic portrait of what two boy band members in this kind of situation might face from the music industry, but I did find even most of the "romantic" scenes to be tinged with a kind of bitterness and anxiety, and the book never quite gives you a sense of real hope or joy. This story reminded me a lot of the scale of pressures that Alex and Henry face in Red, White, & Royal Blue, but McQuiston gives you so many scenes of pure Queer joy that taking the tough stuff is a little easier, and I think If This Gets Out could have done with some of that levity.
Having only had one previous experience with either of these authors, Cale Dietrich's The Love Interest (which I DNF'ed), I was apprehensive going in to this reading experience, but I found this one really well written with deep insights that were really affecting. I also really appreciated the main characters, their relationship, and the supporting cast; however, I do think some of the drama could have been cut for time, especially some of the parental conflict that doesn't get quite enough time to resolve properly.
Quotes:
“Already? Didn’t you just say goodbye to him?”
“Yeah but he’s my— Ruben.” (Page 22)
Enabling is just another word for self- preservation, sometimes. (Page 122)
To somehow trust that I’ll still have worth to the other person if I’m not earning it. (Page 230)
How am I supposed to get off this plane alone, and go home without him, and fall asleep without his scent on my pillow, and wake up to only the echo of the symphony we made together? (Page 298)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Car accident, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Sexual content
shybookstagramer's review
5.0
I'm going, to be honest, I didn't have an intention of reading this book. I finally gave in because I saw it so much on bookstagram and everyone seemed to love it. After reading, I see why. This book was so damn good and I can't believe I was going to just let this greatness pass me by. I loved everything about this book, the characters, the romance, the storyline. I think my favorite part, besides the romance which is always a favorite for me, is the fact that the story focused heavily on the hardships that musicians and bands face in the industry. I didn't expect the book to go as deep into this part of the world as it did or take the twists and turns that it did, but I greatly appreciated it because it brought this situation to the forefront.
I will close this review out by saying read this book because I was internally squealing from the cuteness of the romance and crying for how the characters were treated. So if you want a book that gives you some great emotions, I highly recommend checking this out.
I will close this review out by saying read this book because I was internally squealing from the cuteness of the romance and crying for how the characters were treated. So if you want a book that gives you some great emotions, I highly recommend checking this out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Car accident, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Alcohol
noceur's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
Oh my god this was beautiful. I loved the characters they were really great. Tbh i didn't think this was gonna be a good book at the beginning because there were miscommunication (i hate that in books) and in a few chapters i couldn't tell if i was reading Zach or Ruben's pov but it got better afterwards. I really loved Zach and Ruben's relationship especially the last chapters they were so cute and also it was fun to read about the members interactions with each other too. It was a fun read. if you don't have any expectations from it then i think you will have a great time.
Also please check the trigger warnings before reading this, it deals with some heavy topics.
Also please check the trigger warnings before reading this, it deals with some heavy topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Addiction, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicide attempt
effys_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Car accident, and Panic attacks/disorders
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
kilic's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
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
enbylesbianism's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Outing
Minor: Racism and Addiction
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