Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - If This Gets Out

Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales, Cale Dietrich

77 reviews

florenz's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? N/A

4.0

This book was really fun to read. I liked how developed all the characters were and how there were multiple storylines. This was about so much more than Ruben and Zach. The story drew me in and I love the friendship and love between all the boys. Angel's story was really well-written and it was very eye-opening, as well. Overall, I really liked this book.

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kayladaila's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-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

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shaipanda's review against another edition

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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

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readwithanne's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

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maregred's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

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baytamax's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed the book. Light read, well paced. I did have some frustration because I thought this was book two if a series, given some of the events referenced in the book. I think it's an interesting way to introduce a reader to the characters, but I feel that it could have been fleshed out a little more. I feel that the ending was a little rushed, but it didn't necessarily hurt the story. It leaves off on a hopeful note. I am intrigued by the authors and look forward to exploring their other works.

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criticalgayze's review against another edition

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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)

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