Thank you for the free e-copy in exchange for a review. I have since acquired my own physical copy and will be reading and reviewing that in the near future. Thank you for the copy it was much appreciated and I still can't wait to read this book.

After a setback, Robin finds himself drawn to the sparkly, inclusive world of drag. This book has great LGBTQIA+ rep, toxic and wholesome relationships, brilliant friendships and an excellent parent. I fell head over heels for this book: the story, the characters, the writing. It's all perfect. Absolutely brilliant debut. I'm looking forward to more from George.

Boy Queen is an inspiring, entertaining and heart-warming story that I have fallen in love with. I adored Robin so much and witnessing his journey in this book was just incredible. It is a definitely a coming-of-age book where the main protagonist learns more about himself and by the end of the book truly learns who he is and who he wants to be. The kind of feeling that we all aim for in life. Sure, he may still have more to learn about himself but for right now, he knows that he’s going to be okay. 

Robin has always wanted to be an actor. He was destined to be on stage and thus it just makes sense that he apply for the best theatre universities that the UK has to offer. And he is going to get in because he gave it his best. Unfortunately, when he then doesn’t get in, he feels lost, alone and uncertain about his future. Then he goes to a show that changes everything. He suddenly knows exactly what his next step in life will be. He just might have to fight against those he loves to make it…

There is so much to love about this book that I am not even sure where to start. Firstly I really want to mention the friendships in this book because they play a vital part in the book. I really loved the friendships that Robin has in the book. His friends are a fantastic support and truly let him be himself which is fantastic. I did have a small issue with them towards the end but it also made it all feel more realistic which is really good. But essentially, this book had a really good portrayal of friendships – especially how they give and take, ebb and flow. 

I also cannot tell you how much I loved the romance in this book. It was incredible sweet and just made the heart pump. It was beautiful how much the two main characters cared for each other and slowly got to know and trust each other. Definitely something I enjoyed reading about. 

Most importantly though, I just absolutely loved Robin’s journey of self-discovery. I loved learning more about the drag queen world and witnessing Robin learn more himself and just learn to be himself. It was just so heart-warming to read. There were some darker parts to this book that had me incredibly emotional and which broke my heart but this just made the lighter, more heart-warming moments that much more emotional and happier too. It was just such a balanced and fantastic read and I absolutely cannot recommend it more!

While there's nothing cute about homophobia, that's the word that springs to mind when I try and describe this book. It's pretty sweet, packed with so much angsty yet glam teen energy that I feel like it's the drag queen equivalent of Pretty in Pink.

Robin feels like his whole life is over when he doesn't make it into drama school. Plus, his jock boyfriend is in the closet and then there's the sexy, mysterious new guy who is being surprisingly sweet. Then there's Robin's sassy BFF and their token straight guy, plus the gay nightclub in the next town over with a mind-blowing line-up of drag queens. It's the making of a coming-of-age queer dream.

I really have to commend the author for ensuring that the representation of drag has some diversity. The queens aren't all cis gay men, which is really important for a book aimed at teens who love RuPaul's Drag Race. It's overt about the fact that drag way more inclusive than that tired TV show, which the characters repeat endless catchphrases from (one of the only annoying parts of the book). All in all, I think this is a wonderful novel for queer teens and adults.

Holy guacamole peeps, this book was amazing. Right from the start, I was hooked. It was so quick to get through because I didn't want to stop reading.

I've never read a book about a drag queen, or featuring drag, before, so this was a new experience for me, and it was one that I absolutely loved. It was so nice to go along with Robin on his journey of discovering drag and gaining his confidence back.

Can we talk about Robin's friends for a minute? I loved them so much. I really felt while reading this that Natalie and Greg really cared about Robin and wanted the best for him. There were just so many characters to love in this book, including Seth, Robin's mum, Robin, a sales assistant, all the drag queens.

I just loved everything about this book and I really can't wait to see what else George comes out with.

Robin Cooper has his whole future planned out, until it all begins to fall apart. His friends are off to University whereas he’s just received his rejection letter from his dream school. His boyfriend is ashamed to be seen with him in public and he no longer finds the same joy in performing. With no idea what he’ll be doing next year and his confidence at an all time low, he really doesn’t know what his new future will look like. That is until he spends his 18th birthday in a local nightclub watching drag queens perform and entertain. Robin becomes obsessed with drag and transforming himself with the help of his Drag Mother. But whilst transforming his physical appearance may be hard, transforming how he feels about himself will be even harder.

Boy Queen is a vibrant story full of wonderful characters. Robin is a delight, although he makes his mistakes, and his friends are brilliant.

I love the originality of the story and the drag queens are amazing! I love how sassy they are but how they all welcomed Robin into their family.

A fantastic YA contemporary that will make you want to turn on some Kylie, cover yourself in glitter and dance like no one is watching!

TW - Homophobia, violence

Thank you to George Lester for A) writing this book and B) for giving me the chance to read it via netgalley! 

This book!! This book is an absolute joy from start to finish and is just what the queer book world needed!  As a drag worshipper I knew right from seeing the front cover I was going to love this!  But it gave me so much more joy than ever I anticipated!  This is not just a story about a drag queen- this is a story about a young man transitioning from life as one of the only queer boys at school where it’s different to be queer and not at all celebrated; to adulthood as a gay man,  where you are able to find your own people, make your own rules and celebrate everything that you are!  This is so much more than a drag story!  

The book follows the story of Robin who, after trying and failing to get into several drama schools, is unsure of what the future holds.  His friends are all moving away to top universities and Robin.... well he’s just left with no hope, a closeted boyfriend who can’t even be seen to be talking to him and a losing ambition.  However all of that changes at dragcellence bar on his 18th birthday....

This book shows the importance of a supportive group of friends and a supportive family on a young gay kid trying to find his way.  The friendship shown throughout is something really special (most of the time- Natalie can get a bit annoying).  Especially the friendship between Robin and Greg, his hetero male friend, who is not afraid to show Robin how much he cares about him and loves him no matter what his sexual preference.  

And the drag element! It’s just as important.  Highlighting the beautiful parts of the drag community and the not so beautiful parts such as the treatment of AFAB queens, trans queens and even drag kings!  And also how important it is to support your local queens.  It’s right what is said in “Boy Queen”, drag race only scratches the surface.  The talent on show in your local gay bars by local queens is endless!  

Go pick it up! I promise it’s what you’ve been missing!

thank you to @netgalley @macmillankidsuk & @thegeorgelester for my #gifted eARC of Boy Queen! 
Omg where do I start?! This book made me laugh, cry, panic and slap my thigh (hard btw it stung!). Robin (MC) is an 18 yr old member of the LGBTQ+ community as is his pansexual bestie Natalie. They are a hilarious duo, they reminded me of me at high school & uni with my gay friends, constant banter/bickering but sheer love for each other too. Robin has a lot going on, he desperately wants to go to drama school in London, his friends lives are moving forward and he feels like he’s seriously losing control of things. Then he goes to local gay club and witnesses true drag (exactly how it should be seen in my humble opinion, there’s nothing like a back water, dark club that suddenly fills with glitter and cheesy pop to awe and thrill the soul) has he found the answers to his worldly problems?! Or is he merely opening a whole can of sequin covered worms?! This is a truly wonderful read, thank you George, thank you for making my Sunday so much brighter, for reminding me what it looks & feels like to be accepted, to confirm that I know I will love my sons no matter their life choices and be loudest person in the room while they do it. It’s wonderfully written, snappy and very true to life - the one liners are ace! So easy to read, even easier to love. There’s some strong language throughout & some hints at sex so I’d say age range at 15+ . You need to read this, go feed your soul something extraordinary, extravagantly delicious ❤️

I cannot recommend this book enough! I adored Robin and his Mum and his friends and his journey. The characters sang and danced on the page but felt fully authentic throughout. It's really well written, beautifully observed, funny, tender, occasionally cringe-y and the 'bad boy' love interest is rather hot! A totally fabulous debut...looking to more from George Lester.

I picked this up after having a bit of a reading slump and wow this book cured it!

I read it in 24hours because the characters are all so loveable and well written. I got enticed into all of their stories especially Robins and I couldn’t stop reading to find out what happens next!

I love books that include text messages or any unique format as It definitely keeps the flow going.

As someone who has just finished A-levels and is starting open university this year I was grateful to see each character is doing different things after they leave school.

I would definitely recommend this book to everybody as it depicts the LGBTQ community, friendships and family in a great and realistic light!

Trigger warnings: homophobia, physical abuse, emotional abuse.

From the moment I heard about Boy Queen I knew it was going to be a book that I wanted to read. LGBTQ+ UKYA has been so good recently and Boy Queen is no exception. This was a feel-good, strong contemporary that had me engrossed.

Boy Queen follows 18-year-old Robin, who after getting rejected from drama school starts to wonder where his life is taking him. That is until after going to a drag show at a local gay club, Robin starts to release that his future may lie in the art of Drag. However, with a boyfriend who ignores him, a mum who won’t stop talking and the threat of a future without his friends, will Robin be able to bring his act to the forefront?

Well, this was such a fun read that also delves into serious topics such as homophobia, identity, friendship and coming out. The way the author captures Robins internal struggles is very reminiscent of what I was like at 18. It is accurate and dealt with realistically, and I feel that especially in the current climate many teens will also be able to relate to this. Homophobia is also an issue that isn’t shied away from in Boy Queen and we see Robin have to deal with this not only from the bullies at his school but also from his secret boyfriend, Connor, who is in no way ready to come out. This yet again is dealt with in an extremely sensitive way and I commend the author for this.

Well-paced is a way I can describe the plot and overall storyline of Boy Queen. From the very first chapter, I was immersed in Robin’s story and found myself smiling, laughing, gasping in shock and also sobbing. Robin is written in such a poignant way that you feel as if you are following him on this journey of what is essentially a journey of self-discovery. By the time the story reached its climax, I was utterly absorbed in this world. I also want to mention Drag – which is primarily one of the main plots of the story. I didn’t know much about the art of Drag and found out a lot about it through Boy Queen. My eyes were opened substantially and it made me realise how much work does go into it, and all in all, it was fabulous! All the Queens you meet are exceptional, each with their unique personalities. and the way they take Robin on is admirable. In my opinion, they help Robin gain the confidence to become a fully-fledged Drag Queen, and if I’m honest I would love to read a story all about them.

Robin, as a character was one that you did feel sorry for, but also one that you did find yourself rolling your eyes at. However, this just proved that he was flawed, just like anyone. He worked on his flaws and essentially became stronger for it come to the end of the book. Robin’s relationship with his friends was so heartwarming and just felt natural. They loved him for who he was, even when he wasn’t being the best friend around. We all need a secure friendship group, and this was what Robin’s was. We also see him learning to stand up to the toxic relationships in his life, I won’t go into any spoilers but there’s a moment in the book where I found myself applauding Robin for finding the strength to break free from one of them.

Boy Queen was a phenomenal read, that left me in awe. For a debut, it just blew me away, and I need more from this world full of glitter, love, friendship and drag.

A great story that kept me hooked. It's sweet, full of humour and tenderness. I loved the fleshed out characters, the pop references and how the author deals with issues like homophony.
I learned a lot about the drag world and I found it fascinating.
It's an excellent read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

First off I am living for this book right now. I downloaded it back in April and have read it twice since. Heads up this review might get a little love letter. In the words of Anne Boleyn sorry not sorry. Also, with this review going live before publication it's going to be spoiler-free.
 
Also, just a quick note this story is superbly fun but also poignant and not afraid to shy away from deeper issues and in doing so there are multiple uses of a homophobic slur, homophobia, physical attack due to homophobia but please DO NOT let this put you off. This is not being used as a shock tactic or to make itself topical it’s a heartfelt yet heartbreakingly true representation of exposing the issues of being LGBT+ in a close-minded community. 
 
This is such a strong debut book, from the start we are tackling the issues of friendship, LGBTQIA+, homophobia bullying while touching on a gentle romance and coming out in your own pace. George has written a refreshingly honest, beautifully heartfelt novel while keeping the portrayal of drag culture felt very honest and authentic. For my own selfish reasons, I would love George to write a sequel or a companion novel (No pressure). 
 
So here we are a stage of life that most of us have experienced that moment between finishing Sixth form or college and going away to university or into a job.  This awkward time in our lives is where we join our main character the delightful Robin Cooper.
 
All of Robins friends are ready to go to uni while poor Robin seems to be getting rejection letters from most of the drama schools of the UK. For his 18th birthday and the cheer him up Robins friends go to the local gay bar for the Dragcellence show. During the drag show Robin starts to feel his passion and creativity come alive again, the experience is life-changing and he soon immerses himself in the wonderful world of drag. With a renewed sense of purpose and lease of life, Robin throws himself head-first into the world of drag. 
 
 
I honestly couldn't stop smiling both times I read this book. I think that is down to both George’s writing style and character development. This book is so easy to love but it is one of them books you feel everything the characters do all the joy the sadness the pain, it was so evocative, So buckle up.  I loved the supportive cast of characters, the emphasis on living out loud and finding the thing that makes you shine. I loved Robin's journey but I couldn’t help but fell in love with Greg and Seth too.  
 
 
That’s all I have to say for this review once the six-month grace period is over I will write a full review with all the Tea and SHADE!!!

Boy Queen by @thegeorgelester is going to be reviewed as ‘dragtastic’ ‘giving me life’, a ‘tongue pop’ & any one of the drag sayings we all love, but it has SO much more to say. 

Robin knows the performing arts school he’s going to after college. Everybody knows he’s going. He’s a shoo in, isn’t he? He works hard, attends all the extra dance classes he can. His mum works so hard to pay for it all. As you would expect at the beginning of a YA novel, everything is about to go wrong.

Faced with the prospect of finding a new dream, with no support from his secret boyfriend, he looks for, and finds - another way he thinks he can be happy. (Drag. You know this. You’ve seen the cover.)

This book is so charming, so relatable, and so sequin covered,  the pages fly by faster than wigs coming off in an @mkik808 viral video (which is fast) but what you can’t forget that this book’s heart. Robin’s already been through trauma and Lester really shows the effect of that event and the anxiety that results from it. You understand why Robin is secretive and why he makes the choices he does. Tension in YA books can sometimes feel manufactured with a ‘if x and y just spoke about z’ there would be no plot, but you don’t feel that here. 

Any conflict between characters (and there are some hard arguments with devastating effects) is earned and organic. There’s homophobic abuse and assault and it’s dealt with in a real, raw and wonderful way.

You will laugh, GASP! (And thanks to @joslynfox I ALWAYS say it not sound it) & cry. To say you’ll be rooting for certain things to happen at the end is an understatement! You just want these characters to be happy and have joy because of how likeable Lester is able to make them. 

If there’s any justice, he will build a Robin-verse like @beckyalbertalli so I can go and live in this world again. 

If you love drag, just read this. If you don’t - read this & you will see why you should. To quote Ms Paul - ‘if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell, you gonna love somebody else’. Go learn with Robin. 

Out Aug 6th buy this, & Magnificent Sons from @theguyliner . Trust me. 

PS I ship me & Seth and no one else can have him. You’ll see.

This is the Everybodies Talking about Jamie of books!!
An upbeat, believable romp of a story of a young man finding his way to maturity via Drag. 
An LGBTQ YA Contemporary fiction with believably flawed characters, loyal friendships, parental relationships, romance, heartache and  drama.  Grab your lippy and your lashes - this book is lush

I loved this, it’s a brilliant LGBT YA contemporary book. It’s a lighter read, full of humour, glamour of course and friendship, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deal with serious issues too like anxiety, homophobia, hate and prejudice. I love the fact it shows the community of drag, the inclusivity in this community and friendships. I haven’t read a YA book before about drag and i thought it was amazing. Just a really heartwarming and joyful story that has me hooked and I don’t think I’ll be the same again, I need more.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Slay! 
With a love for RPDR I knew this would be right up my street, I wasn’t disappointed. Robin life takes an unexpected turn and we go on a voyage of self discovery, friendship, fear, homophobia and determination. 
This book delivers a story that has not been told to a YA audience. It will prove to be popular to a large demographic.

This YA contemporary is one that is sorely needed, with its exploration of learning to follow your own path. It’s set in that uncertain time of finishing school and moving into the world, with an incredibly accurate depiction of the uni process of application and rejection. Lester completely captures that sense of uncertainty and lost being untethered. As someone in this exact position, it felt so reassuring to see Robin’s journey. He’s a fantastic protagonist that is just so easy to empathise with. However, he is not without flaws, he is messy and all the more human for it. This is completely his story of self-discovery and learning to love every part of himself.

On a lighter note, this book just exudes joy from every fibre of its being. There’s such happiness in finding a community and friendship group that accepts you for your true self. The central trio of friends felt so real, with hilarious and witty banter & the way that we often keep secrets for our friends in order to protect them or ourselves. In fact, all of the teenage characters in the book felt really authentic and genuine. Lester shows through them that we all have our own individual parts to follow and it’s not a one fits all experience. Robin goes through a toxic relationship with someone that casts such a shadow over the rest of life, including a hate crime that has haunted them since. Lester is unafraid of showing the hateful prejudice LGBTQ+ youth still face today, but also shows the hope that lies beyond. The book doesn’t have a nice, conventionally neat ending but it feels optimistic and more like the beginning of something new.

It would be wrong for me to write this review and not mention a central subject of Boy Queen: drag. I really loved learning more about this joyous art form and how Lester really emphasised how drag is more than a certain TV show. It is an accepting and beautiful space that accepts everyone and all different forms of drag, which Lester generously educates his readers about. I adored all of the drag names, which showed such wit and skilful wordplay. Also, I loved how Lester wove in so many pop culture references effortlessly. They can often feel forced or cliched, but here they always felt fresh and relevant.

Boy Queen is a brilliant book that I am so glad my peers and I get to have in our lives. Robin’s story is going to resonate with so many people and it’s a fiercely proud tale of self-love.

A light read perfect for summer that is as much a love story to the art of drag as it is a story of a boy finding out who he is and wants to be.

A glittering debut with so much sass and heart I can barely take it. Drag? Check. Pop culture references for gods? Check. A cute gay love story. Check. Kaye Bye?! Check check check! This book has stolen my heart and I am so thankful for its existence.