This is a coming of age story and a romance.
It just didn’t work as far as I was concerned. I also didn’t like some of the language in the book.

An enjoyable read that is an improvement on their debut, The Last Romeo. Myers writes in an engaging and humourous way which compels you to continue reading. It was also refreshing to have bisexual representation, which can be one of the overlooked groups in LGBTQ fiction. I really enjoyed this book and have bought their follow-up book The Fake Up.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I struggled to like or connect with the characters, and indeed struggled to keep up with who anyone was (too many characters to keep track of without anything building them up). the writing at times felt disjointed and lacked flow.

I reviewed this book as part of my monthly wrap up video! https://youtu.be/6xKSz7GE77Q

This will also feature in future videos including my favourite books of the year so far

I really enjoyed this book. There were lots of important topics that were covered in the book and I felt they were handled well.. The story was well paced and a light read. 4 stars

I was initially excited to read this book, but going in I quickly found that the writing style didn't work for me. On top of that, I really disliked literally all of the characters. I don't necessarily dislike unlikeable characters, but they should have something that pulls you in, that keeps you interested. Here, they just annoyed me and I didn't care about them. Because of this, I didn't finish the book.

4 Stars

CW: biphobia, homophobia

"If you don’t feel like part of the pack, even the smallest thing feels like a barrier to entry."

This book does two particularly cool things: 1) it's the coming out story of someone who is nearly thirty, as opposed to a teenager or young adult and 2) it captures a lot of the differences between the millennial experience and the Gen Z experience (some of which are more superficial than they originally seem). As someone on the cusp of these two generations, I definitely related to both, and really loved the examination of them and the assumptions they have about each other. While Jake thinks Trick's life is "a picnic", being born into a generation that is more understanding of and open about sexuality, Trick struggles to believe Jake is actually bi, given the strong internalised biphobia/homophobia Jake has, and the way he has spoken to Trick in the past. Obviously these takes are challenged throughout the book, and we realise the true villain was the patriarchy all along, while not dismissing the harmful behaviour the brothers (and the other characters) inflict upon each other. Learning to communicate is a big part of this book, as well as developing empathy; understanding why people act the way they do.

This was (to my surprise) more of an ensemble cast kind of story than the story of just one or two characters, told in a third person omniscient style which could be a bit jarring at first, but worked wonderfully in developing the empathy theme. Though this is Jake's story, and his relationship with his younger brother Trick is at its heart, we get just as many POV scenes from the perspective of Amelia, Jake's girlfriend at the beginning of the book, and dive into the heads of pretty much every side character at some point or other, e.g. Jake's mum, Trick's trans best friend Kia, an older gay man (Bertie - who might be my fave), Jake's first crush Evan etc. While I really liked this, and wouldn't get rid of any of the POVs, I have to admit I wish there had been more scenes dedicated to Jake and Trick's relationship - maybe the book just needed to be just a little longer?

Pretty much every character majorly messes up at some point; the story highlights how everyone is naïve and ignorant in one way or another, while the third-person omniscient narration does a great job of making sure everyone is still sympathetic and understandable. There's no huge dramatic moment in this story (the closest we get to that is one character getting knocked off their bike); the tension between the characters provides drama enough. This is a very character-driven book, with little plot, the story progression coming from the development of the characters instead, both in themselves and with regards to their relationships with the others - which is another thing I liked a lot. It's basically a slice-of-life coming-of-age tale, except Jake is older than your usual bildungsroman main character.

The writing style itself was hit and miss for me, but mostly fine. The dialogue was great, and as aforementioned I loved the third-person omniscient style, but we do jump around a bit in time and place sometimes in a way that can be jarring, and the prose is quite simple (not an inherently bad thing, but not the most inspiring either). Having said that, there's some great one-off quotes (the quote at the beginning of my review got me on a spiritual level), and I found myself chuckling quite a lot - humour is hard to write!

Overall, a good and refreshing read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was a lot of fun to read, I found it really interesting to see a character who was 30 rather than a teen discovering their sexuality in this book which I think is something we don't see anywhere near enough in fiction and I really enjoyed it.

I was a little bit underwhelmed by how this book wrapped up, yes it was a really wholesome and heart-warming but it didn't do anything for me other than concrete that three star rating in there.

I think that Justin Myers is a really great writer and I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more of their works.

I'm a huge fan of the Guyliner blog and Myers' book did not disappoint. Witty and emotional, I found it difficult to put down. Look forward to reading whatever comes next.

Engaging and thoughtful story about coming out, growing up, and connecting with yourself and those closest to you. As someone who is bi, I saw a lot of my own experiences echoed in the characters of this book, and it also helped me better understand that those who are growing up in “more enlightened” times don’t have an easier ride. Would recommend to anyone struggling with their sexuality or someone who wants to read more diverse texts and develop empathy.

The premise for this book is great and having read it, I’m not disappointed. Justin Myers’ ‘The Magnificent Sons’ is a fairly light novel, albeit one with deep undertones - thought-provoking and candid.

Jake D’Arcy is nearing 30. He’s in a relationship with Amelia. Picture-perfect, right? Wrong. Jake isn’t happy and he’s not sure why. His family is loud and he doesn’t identify with them; his younger brother, Trick, is gay and embraces the lifestyle to its maximum. Essentially, Jake is lost and needs to find out why.

On a trip to Edinburgh to stay with Amelia’s [gay] brother, Jake kisses a man - and loves it. He sleeps with a colleague on a business trip to Cologne. He starts dating a woman from work, someone who is felt really attracted to. Jake realises he’s bisexual but it’s not until the end of the novel that things come together, like the cliched pieces of a missing jigsaw.

Even though this is a novel for our times, written with energy and urgency, as well as humour, I can’t help but feel the ending (where loose ends are tied-up and the family differences reconciled) is a bit too neat. Okay, so maybe Jake did feel far-removed because he didn’t give loud mum, Vee, and jack-the-lad dad, Pat, a chance.

I really enjoyed this, aside from Myers’ somewhat grating use of imagery - often unnecessary and gratuitous - such as: ‘Amelia’s eyes were glazed doughnuts’, ‘A toad swathed in Fred Perry’ and ‘Kia fluttered around them like cabin crew...’ (I’m not sure what cabin crew nowadays ‘flutters’ - this is 2020, not the giddy days of the birth of flight!). What I’m saying here is that I think Myers tries a bit too hard and, as the old adage goes... less is more.

All in all, this is current and punchy. It left me hoping that Jake has found his way - and that Harry has, too. They’ll make the perfect, very hot, couple.

I loved Justin Myers’ previous book The Last Romeo, and said so here. I also am a big fan of his Guyliner newsletter/blog and – above all things – his splendid commentary every week on the Guardian newspaper’s Blind Date column: Table Manners? Impeccable. It is called after the common response to one of the questions, and if you want to know more go to the webpage – it will become clear much more quickly than I can explain, though I did have a go in that previous post.

Checking that out, I found that I wrote this about Romeo:

"Although I have read about a million books about contemporary life, I have actually never read a novel like this: I had to think hard, but no.
I have of course read many books that feature gay characters and protagonists, and books about daters, and books about the social whirl of London, and about internet dating. But never one with this exact combination."

--and again, that’s what I really liked about The Magnificent Sons. It’s the story of two brothers, one late teens and the other ten or so years older, making discoveries about themselves and their lives. They don’t get on, and family life is particularly difficult for one of them. The older brother, Jake, has just accepted that he is bisexual, and split up from his long-term girlfriend. The younger, Trick, comes out at his 17th birthday party: the book follows the next year or so in their lives. It is nicely structured so it is going to end up with the long-planned wedding of friends – always a great addition to a novel of contemporary life. The stag weekend is particularly eventful. (Women get a raw deal in life in general, I think we can all agree, but there is a huge plus in the fact that they they will never have to attend a stag weekend as a guest.)

The two young men are dating and finding their way in life and the relationship between them is not great. The contemporary setting is really well done, with dating apps and Instagram and YouTube and influencers.

And great jokes and witty lines and turns of phrase:

Her middle name was Marie, but it should’ve been Drama.

Untangling this [emotional crisis] would be like tackling that mysterious carrier bag marked CABLES, LEADS, WIRES’ that she’d found under her bed when moving.

[He went into the kitchen] to find the four of them standing in various spots around the room, like the Kardashians posing for the cover of Elle.

She stretched out ... empowered by apathy, owning it.

Trick was hot and bothered. It had been relentlessly scorching for days now, and half the crowd in the bar was a delightful shade of crimson, clad in last year’s Hawaiian shirts, and the previous season’s sunglasses sliding down their sweaty heads...





Myers is very fair-minded – all the characters get their section, we can see the complications of their lives from their own points of view. The book moves along via a lot of excellent social events, and scenes at work, and gives a great picture of life in London in the past few years.

I absolutely loved that cover, top, which I think is perfect for the book, and would give you some clues to it. But still - is it romcom, ladlit, gaylit, coming of age? I don’t know, some combination of them all – and highly enjoyable. I wish there were more books like this: it would be nice to see modern relationships as they actually are, hearing from more varied voices.

Fancy shirts from Justin Myers' natural home, The Guardian Weekend Magazine.

3.5

I enjoyed this but for some reason it didn’t quite click for me.

The Magnificent Sons tells the story of two brothers as they come out. Trick is 17, he has always felt able to express himself and on the outside is very confident in his own skin. When he comes out as gay no one is all that surprised. His brother, Jake, on the other hand is almost 30 and has done all he can to hide his own bisexuality, when he comes out not long after his brother he is met with a lot more surprise. Both experience challenges, some very different and some very much the same. Being brothers in similar situations also doesn’t automatically make them allies.

There’s a lot of diversity in the characters and this is all handled well. Using Jake as narrator, who despite being bisexual is new to the LGBTQ+ world having done everything he can to avoid association, allows for explanations and the challenging of stereotypes and prejudice. The book is also well paced, there’s not a lot of action or shock revelations but Jakes journey is well told.

While I began by saying I didn’t really click with this book, I did find myself engaged and interested enough to want to conclude it. I’m sure there are plenty of people who may connect with this book more than I did!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

James here (@james_reads_books on IG)

Jake is a normal chap in a loud and brash family, whose younger brother Trick just came out of the closet in a shower of glitter and glue on lashes. Jake’s so over Trick getting all the attention and acceptance.
He’s happy with his girlfriend Amelia isn’t he? They’ve been together three years, and don’t live together, but that’s normal, isn’t it? And that encounter with Evan at school meant nothing..... This was a risky one for me, not because of the book itself, but more because the author is someone I enjoy following on his @theguyliner blog and social media. Not because he’s gorgeous (he is) or funny (again, big tick) but because his writing and media always have a kindness and empathy behind them.
Basically, Myers is one of those people you want to be when you grow up (Shit. As always nowadays, there’s a good chance I’m older than him). I was hesitant the novel mightn’t match these expectations. Many a time you think you like an artist online and they churn out crappy drivel in their writing. Or you love their work then find them on socials and they’re a TERFy Drivel-Mongerer (cough Jane Harris, Graham Linehan, She Who Will Not Be Named and others). I needn’t have worried. This was a treat, Jake is a well rounded lovable character. We watch him make mistakes, alienate his loved ones and on his journey, lose parts of his life. But we never fail to root for him, and his oddball family.
Trick is a wonderful creation, a lovely rebuttal to the notion that YouTubers are shallow trashy types.
Hannah is the friend we all need.

Amelia is better written than any other ‘long suffering girlfriend’ in a coming out tale whose tenure you think is limited. The temptation in a narrative where the protagonist ‘finds themselves’ is to give this character a sudden unlikeable trait in order for us to move them out of our heads and concentrate on the journey. But Myers stays with Amelia & follows her story as the person left behind, & shows how there are often no bad guys in self discovery stories.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wince pretty hard at an incident with a bike. A treat.

So far I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Justin Myers books, I don't even know why, it's something I just can't put my finger on but there's something I like about them!

This book was oozing with different Representations that I really really enjoyed, I think particularly in the day and age to have everyone as a straight white person just gets repetitive and not everyone is like that (clearly).

This is without a doubt a book I will continue to think about, I just know it! It was such a heart felt coming of age story (That's just my interpretation of it) and it just really makes you think.

Wanted to like this book - the theme is just so relevant and necessary to be tackled. But aside from being parachuted into an enormous family and the writing making it look like I should already know who is who and how they're related and all their quirks and everything that makes them unique (when I don't have the first clue who either of them is), the writing was just clunky and so droning and jumping all over the place for me (again, pertaining to the people at first, then throughout, one thought jumping to the next, and the next, then without any warning returning to that first thought four thoughts back...) There were lines of brilliant humor at times, but the characters just felt so over the top. Plus I don't know of any country that makes it legal for kids to be drinking at their seventeenth birthday party... It just felt so disjointed from actual reality, like the author writing something he 'thought' is like this but in actuality is really not

Such a well-written and utterly compelling book! It blended the drama with a side of comedy to excellent effect. It's the story of 29 year old Jake D'Arcy who seems settled in his life in every aspect, with a good job and steady girlfriend but albeit strained relationship with his family. When his much younger and much adored brother Trick comes out as gay, to literal applause from friends & family, it causes Jake to finally reflect on his own sexuality.
His break-up and coming out as Bi takes everyone by surprise, even Jake to some extent - even after a life trying to repress and ignore how he feels - but the reception to Jake's news is very different to the response Trick had. There a lots of coming-out stories that are set when the protagonist is in their teens, it doesn't feel nearly enough are set when they are a tad older and the difficulties are perhaps more implicit.
I read this book in one day, diving into it whenever I had a spare moment, as it was just so entertaining and gripping. Impeccable storytelling that I would strongly recommend.

This is an interesting read about self discovery which is funny in places.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Wow, this book blew me away. I'm going to be honest, I had a really hard time getting into this book in the first few chapters but once I got to know Jake a little bit more and learned about all the struggles he faced, I couldn't put the book down.
This story dealt so well with the bi-erasure that people always think isn't that big of a deal and I especially loved the way Trick and Jake kept butting heads when really, they're the same in so many ways. Their interactions were my favorite part of the entire book and the ending just absolutely made my heart melt.
Fantastic gay and bisexual rep with loads of emotion, drama and angst. Right up my alley.

When his brother comes out as gay, Jake questions his own sexuality, remembering past experiences and examining his life.