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drakoulis's review
4.0
Kiss & Tell is a book about a boyband that tries to tackle a lot of issues concerning the world of entertainment, media, management agencies and societal prejudices.
The main character, Hunter, is one of the members of the boyband "Kiss & Tell", a boyband he formed with his friends during high school and rose to stardom after a song he wrote for fun went viral on YouTube.
He is coming off a painful breakup with the twin brother of one of his bandmates, and is left confused about himself, where he stands, if he's ready to move on (and the sweet drummer of their opening group, Kaivan is confusing him even more) and how to deal with all the pressure, a pressure he feels strangling his creativity (he is the group's main songwriter), straining his relationship with his bandmates and questioning how much of his real self he shows and how much is his management's carefully created persona.
The book nails the way it deals with some topics: the prejudice of the society regrading how a gay teen celebrity should be and act, the "acceptance" of gay idol but "repulsion" when anything related to gay sex is aired, the media focusing on gossip and the personal life od musicians instead of their art, the invasion of privacy, the management and publicity agents trying to project a stereotypical image. I especially enjoyed the articles and media interviews in this book.
On this note, I disagree with what Khorram was insinuating in some other topics. He made it look as if Hunter was selfish because he was focusing on his own struggles and not seeing that some other people have it harder. Which was technically true, but it isn't a competition. One's problems aren't trivial because someone else is more unlucky than him. For example (mild scene spoiler) : when Kaivan was confronted about his comments trash-talking boybands in a past interview, he snapped at Hunter because "he doesn't get it, he has it easy, he isn't brown and of immigrant background". Like, what? Not necessarily wrong, but...apples and oranges? I also don't like how it was implied that Hunter, who was helping LGBT shelters and donating at them, "wasn't doing enough". Again, it isn't a competition, and someone who helps one cause doesn't have to help ALL causes. I'm sorry if it comes out harsh, but these two parts of the book felt like preaching, and preaching a view I don't agree with.
All in all though, Kiss & Tell it is a solid and entertaining book with strong messages about how gay people are portrayed in mass media, boybands, the world of music and a coming-of-age story of sorts.
The main character, Hunter, is one of the members of the boyband "Kiss & Tell", a boyband he formed with his friends during high school and rose to stardom after a song he wrote for fun went viral on YouTube.
He is coming off a painful breakup with the twin brother of one of his bandmates, and is left confused about himself, where he stands, if he's ready to move on (and the sweet drummer of their opening group, Kaivan is confusing him even more) and how to deal with all the pressure, a pressure he feels strangling his creativity (he is the group's main songwriter), straining his relationship with his bandmates and questioning how much of his real self he shows and how much is his management's carefully created persona.
The book nails the way it deals with some topics: the prejudice of the society regrading how a gay teen celebrity should be and act, the "acceptance" of gay idol but "repulsion" when anything related to gay sex is aired, the media focusing on gossip and the personal life od musicians instead of their art, the invasion of privacy, the management and publicity agents trying to project a stereotypical image. I especially enjoyed the articles and media interviews in this book.
On this note, I disagree with what Khorram was insinuating in some other topics. He made it look as if Hunter was selfish because he was focusing on his own struggles and not seeing that some other people have it harder. Which was technically true, but it isn't a competition. One's problems aren't trivial because someone else is more unlucky than him. For example (mild scene spoiler) : when Kaivan was confronted about his comments trash-talking boybands in a past interview, he snapped at Hunter because "he doesn't get it, he has it easy, he isn't brown and of immigrant background". Like, what? Not necessarily wrong, but...apples and oranges? I also don't like how it was implied that Hunter, who was helping LGBT shelters and donating at them, "wasn't doing enough". Again, it isn't a competition, and someone who helps one cause doesn't have to help ALL causes. I'm sorry if it comes out harsh, but these two parts of the book felt like preaching, and preaching a view I don't agree with.
All in all though, Kiss & Tell it is a solid and entertaining book with strong messages about how gay people are portrayed in mass media, boybands, the world of music and a coming-of-age story of sorts.
paigeavenue's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
siggyo'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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Alcohol, Racism, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
tcu_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Adib Khorram has yet to disappoint me, he's always on! picked this up because I love a On-[GUNSHOT]-ion fanfiction plot turned published book, but I thought this actually had a pretty smart commentary on boy bands, gays, and race in the industry - even if it's all wrapped up in a pretty bow in the end. I love a story about friendship!!
gregoryreadscomics's review
5.0
This book is kind of a red haring in a way where it seems to be a cute love story and is actually a great soliloquy for the toxicity that comes with fame (especially fame at a young age) as well as, in my opinion, the after effects of an emotionally abusive relationship. I say that last part because I 100% believe that Aidan was abusive towards Hunter. There’s an underlying layer of ick I feel while reading this in regards to how controlled Hunter is without addressing it be it by himself and his own anxieties with fame or by the ever present The Label. It genuinely made me uncomfortable but I think that was the purpose. I also think Hunter gets gaslit by everyone around him a lot when yes he does have some growing up to do but the things people say to him are extremely out of pocket in some cases. However, all that being said this book is amazing. The marks of a good book are how passionately it makes you feel and as you can tell, I am passionate about this story.
sweetrosegirl76's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it! It reminded me a lot of If This Gets Out. I do wish I got to know the guys more. We only got to know Hunter. Books like this remind me why it would suck to be famous
jennireadsmaybe's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
Does this even begin to compete with my love for Darius the Great? No. But it was still a delightful contemporary romance (very light on the romance imo) following a gay boyband member. As a former boyband obsessed girly, this served up so much commentary on fandom, the disrespect that most people have for boybands, and the pressure that society puts on gay men to be the perfect wholesome, brunch going, gay man.
I really love Hunter as a character and his struggles don't feel unique to him. Khorram also doesn't hesitate to speak to the privilege that Hunter has as a white cis man, especially when his bandmates and openers are BIPOC boys.
Overall, I would recommend this to boyband lovers (past and present), people looking for the typical Adib Khorram charm, and anyone looking for a queer YA book.
I really love Hunter as a character and his struggles don't feel unique to him. Khorram also doesn't hesitate to speak to the privilege that Hunter has as a white cis man, especially when his bandmates and openers are BIPOC boys.
Overall, I would recommend this to boyband lovers (past and present), people looking for the typical Adib Khorram charm, and anyone looking for a queer YA book.
bethany6788's review against another edition
funny
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
4.0
I really, really liked this book. It’s about Hunter, who is in a boy band with his best friends. Some not-so-flattering texts are released by his ex that talk about their sex life and relationship, and his label is not happy with the image it puts out.
This was so fun to read and it was a perfect way to end the weekend.
Hunter and his constant worrying about not messing up and only being seen a certain way was so relatable. His anxiety and frustration were easy to feel. I loved the supportive friends he surrounded himself with, as well as the manager, family, and security. I admit I was also suspicious of Kaivan at first because of those interviews we (as the reader) got to see before Hunter, but he grew on me. I truly cannot imagine having to not be myself and being sold as an image. Some of the things the boys had to do made me cringe. I did love the cute dates Hunter and Kaivan went on, their kisses were all pretty magical.
That ending though!!! I loved it so much 😭🥹. All of the boys coming together and supporting each other. And the cute little make up between Hunter and Kaivan. I truly enjoyed myself.
This was so fun to read and it was a perfect way to end the weekend.
Hunter and his constant worrying about not messing up and only being seen a certain way was so relatable. His anxiety and frustration were easy to feel. I loved the supportive friends he surrounded himself with, as well as the manager, family, and security. I admit I was also suspicious of Kaivan at first because of those interviews we (as the reader) got to see before Hunter, but he grew on me. I truly cannot imagine having to not be myself and being sold as an image. Some of the things the boys had to do made me cringe. I did love the cute dates Hunter and Kaivan went on, their kisses were all pretty magical.
That ending though!!! I loved it so much 😭🥹. All of the boys coming together and supporting each other. And the cute little make up between Hunter and Kaivan. I truly enjoyed myself.
oa_'s review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
notblue's review
4.0
I have so many mixed feelings about this book. It was fun, it was inclusive, and it kinda understood stan culture. It kinda fell short with a lot of commentary about race (felt one-dimensional at points but when it hit it HIT). Overall it was a pretty fun read!
3.5/5
3.5/5