This is maybe a bit closer to a 4.5 star read, but I have to give it a 5 purely because of how much it meant to me. I haven't felt this seen in such a long time and I didn't really expect it to be in a book about a boyband, but alas, it was. The bi rep in this book is absolutely fantastic and I related to so much to Zach's character and his discovery of his sexuality. I just really, really love the way it was handled and the way the story so delicately handled coming out. While Zach and Ruben were on different pages on how/when they wanted to come out, the narrative never pushed one over the other and it never had that trope where the "out" person forced the other one to come out so they weren't keeping a secret (although, neither characters were fully out at the beginning of the novel anyway).

I did find the miscommunication at the beginning of the novel a bit bothersome, but once they finally figured out what was going on between them, I really enjoyed the plot. I appreciated that the focus was not so much on the two of them getting together/romantic drama and instead was on critiquing the music industry for forcing artists to stay in the closet and was about the band's struggle with their management team. It was a totally different perspective on fame than I was expecting and I'm very appreciative of it! It was super interesting to me and made me really, really angry at times (for the right reasons! it's messed up!).

I absolutely adored how the book ended and I just...I don't have enough words to express how uplifting this book was while still being raw and honest and sad at times. I've never read a book by Cale Dietrich before (but may now), but I have read Sophie Gonzales's backlist and absolutely love her books and trust her to write the best bi rep in the world (though she did take on Ruben's character in this one and he's gay so kudos to Cale for the fantastic rep in Zach here).

Again, I cannot recommend this book enough. I feel like YA contemporaries are hit or miss for me lately, but this was such a hit for me. I absolutely adored it.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a arc of this book. Let me just say this was probably one of my favorite books of the year. I don’t want to give spoilers but I loved how the perspectives of the two main characters (Zach and Ruben) were clear, you could tell the difference between them easily and overall I really enjoyed the book and I recommended you read the their story when it comes out on December 7th. :)

Okay am I immediately rereading this book because I love it so much? Hell YES! Also spoiler free review!

As I’ve mentioned before, this book is like reading a fanfiction but 1000% better because its not a fanfic (though I would DIE if there was a fanfic or sequel or bonus chapter or something because heckkkk) I absolutely loved the friendships and music and DRAMA!! Though, I do wish there was more musicy stuff involved (would I die if all of Saturday’s songs came to life? Maybe? Very possibly? 😂 if I were given lyrics would I give songwriting a good hot go again? Also very possibly??)

I absolutely adore the writing style, it’s fun to read and the perfect mix of descriptive but not too prose-y, and also lots of comedy too!

I feel like this book is perfectly suited to me because I LOVE music and performing and touring and all the behind the scenes stuff about being in a band (if only our school ensembles were famous 😂) and it’s all the things I wanted in my life (thanks COVID for cancelling our trips 😭) so I found myself relating to a lot of it! And also a weird thing I loved about this book is the fact that if felt like it was never ending, because I definitely didn’t want it to end! I remember getting up to around 60% done, thinking I was almost at the end, but seeing I had more to go was the GREATEST feeling ever!

Maybe it’s the eBook phone style I’m not too used to, but probably the only criticism I have is that it took me far too long to remember who’s who, and who’s supposed to act like what and have what style and all that jazz. And also sometimes I had to go back and figure out who was narrating when 🙈

Anyways if you guys haven’t figured it out yet, 5 stars with a bonus twinkle! ✨

This book was magnificent. I actually ended up reading it two times before writing this review simply because I could not get enough of it. The plot was compelling, the romance adorable and yet still well-developed and multi-dimensional, and the characters were so lovable. I think this book will end up becoming one of favorites due to the fact that it is incredible and enduring - the exploitation of celebrities, specifically teenagers, is something that will forever effect society and be at the forefront of our minds due to our over saturation of celebrity gossip and culture. Then plot of this book reminded me very heavily of various celebrities’ careers and rumors about what happened to them behind scenes. I thought this book was very well-written, perfectly paced, and so funny and just plain enjoyable. I cannot wait to buy a copy of it when it comes out.

I received an ARC of this title from Net Galley, and I didn't expect the book to be as good as it is. The blurb led me to believe I'd be getting a very long One Direction fanfic with the Larry Stylinson names changed. But the co-authors created significant differences and, because they write well, it's an engaging read.

Of course, you can expect two of the band members to develop a deep romantic connection based on a long-term friendship. Of course, they get the HEA. Of course, these young men still struggle with their sexuality and what it means. Well, one of them does. Ruben is openly gay, out to everyone but the general public. He isn't ashamed nor is he particularly worried about the impact coming out will have on his career. It's management that keeps him in the glass closet. His best friend Zach is the one who experiences the process on the page. Zach learns that he's bisexual, a fact he likely would've continued to ignore or repress except that his feelings for his best friend force him to answer his questions about himself. He doesn't want to use his best friend for experimentation. He doesn't know if what he wants is what he wants to want. He overthinks. He under communicates. Ruben flails about trying to read Zach, and angst ensues. Ironically, it's the other two members of the band that fans have decided have something going on, yet neither of them are fazed by this. When Zach and Ruben do come out, their band mates are supportive as are most of the fans. It's management that doesn't seem to realize most of society has moved beyond stigma and needs a better read on the public.

Fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue will especially enjoy this book for the glimpses it provides into the esoteric world of fame and privilege, and the demands of that life. The "boys in the band" are late YA/ New Adult age, so I'd also categorize the novel as such; however, for older readers who grew up with NKTOB and 1D, there's appeal and relatability in the nostalgia. (I see you giving one of the LGBTQ characters the last name "Knight.") In fact, it's that nod to Jonathan Knight of NKOTB that drives home during this Pride month just how far acceptance has come. None of us dreamed back in the day that one of the New Kids could be gay. He was just shy or had an anxiety disorder. I don't think he was really out until middle age with new hits far behind him. This book shows what a difference thirty years can make in a society.

I really liked this book! The story was so fun to read! I really enjoyed the characters in the boy band and I thought this was a super cute book!

Sophie Gonzales has my heart omg.

I didn’t know I needed a queer boy band romance in my life but HERE I AM.

The story is written from two perspectives: Zach and Ruben. Ruben is an extremely talented singer whose voice and sexuality have been smothered by the band’s management team. He has been trying out to come out as gay for years but Chorus Management is worried about how it will look to fans. Zach has a passion for songwriting and is a people-pleasure who doesn’t want to start trouble. As much as he is dying to write songs for the band, Chorus doesn’t see them as the right fit. When the band gets drunk one night to let off some steam, Zach, who everyone thought was straight, suddenly kisses Ruben and changes everything. Now they must decide what the future will look like for the band and must decide, as a team, what they want to stand for.

I really liked seeing the perspective of a boy band! It was fascinating to read about the many ways the team who is there to build you up also tears you down in so many more ways. Angel, another member of the band, starts using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of the everyday struggle of pretending to be someone he isn’t. The band as a whole is unhappy with the personas their management forced on them and they feel restricted and pushed into a box they do not belong in.

I fell in love with the four boys. Each one is so different and vibrant—although the story is told through only Zach and Ruben’s eyes, I wanted to know more about Jon and Angel! While I don’t think this is planning to happen, I could definitely see this turning into a series.

If you’re not on the Sophie Gonzales train yet, what are you doing?!

This beautiful book is out December 7th 🥰

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks NetGalley and the published for this arc!

While 'If This Gets Out' doesn't hold up to Sophie Gonzales' previous work, it's still worth reading. Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon are all members of a boy band, and their friendship is easily my favorite part of the book. By the end, I was so proud of how far each of them had come, all dealing with pressures of the entertainment industry -- even if some of their storylines felt rushed.

The romance between Zach and Ruben is pretty cute, although they are both such bland characters, especially Zach. This is made even more pronounced by the book's alternating pov's which are mostly indistinguishable from each other, so sometimes i would forget which character was narrating. Also, too much introspection bogged down the novel.

*ARC provided by NetGalley

The romance here was cute, but at times it felt like there were too many narrative balls in the air - there were like four different plots happening at once, all dealing with equally serious issues (drug abuse, exploitation, parental trauma, coming out), and it almost felt like none of those got the full treatment each one deserved. The premise is great, but I think narrowing the focus a bit would have done this story good.

if this gets out is the story of a band called saturday, made up of zach, ruben, jon, and angel, told through the zach and ruben’s pov’s. they’re best friends, making music, but they're at a breaking point after years of being forced into roles dictated by their management—including ruben being forced to stay closeted, and zach not being allowed to write the music he wants to.

everything seems to change after one night when zach and ruben kiss.

this book has a lot to it. there’s the love story that unfolds between zach and ruben. there’s zach trying to understand his identity—both in regards to who he’s attracted to and in regard to what kind of artist he wants to be. there’s a relationship that must stay secret and the ways that it affects the people in the relationship and also those around them.

there’s the way that fame changes your life, and how it’s taken out of your control. how expectations and rules and limits are set. and how you lose your sense of self because who you’re forced to be isn't who you are.

this book is somehow both plot AND character driven. this is a book you put down really knowing who the characters are. you feel frustrated for them, yet also frustrated with them. i loved zach and ruben. i share ruben’s penchant for only listening to one broadway cast album and nothing else. and i saw parts of myself in zach that i didn’t expect to see—the way he’s so selfless to the point where he doesn’t know what his own goals are. even jon and angel were characters i felt like i knew after the book ended. and i wanted to protect them all.

i have now read every sophie gonzales book and i can very happily say that i’ll read anything she writes ever. i haven’t read anything by cale dietrich yet, but will def go back and read him because wow? their voices crafted one coherent story. but i was never confused about whose pov i was reading.

and the story they’ve chosen to tell is both incredible and important. i never had a one direction or boy band phase (i opted for the diehard taylor swift fan route). but i love stories that unpack what it means to be famous and the price that comes with it. this book was everything i wanted to be and more.

thank you so so much to @netgalley, @wednesdaybooks, and @sgonzalesauthor & @calerdietrich for the opportunity to read this arc. if this gets out releases on december 7, 2021.
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cw: underage drinking, drug use, toxic parent, not explicit sexual content, car accident

also the whole thing was so cinematic i need a tv adaptation please. one season is fine or maybe even what happens after 👀

I started If This Gets Out knowing that the premise would grab my attention enough but not at all expecting that I'd be enraptured by the story and the characters. This book is so good! I finished it in about a day, turning page after page, fully immersed in both Ruben's and Zach's points of view and unable to wait to see what happens next.

I'm not too familiar with how boy bands work, what dynamics they have with their producers or with their fans, but the way the authors frame the story and present the challenges the main characters were facing worked for me. Everything seemed plausible.

The boys felt real, their relationship felt organic and fresh, and I loved reading their journeys, as individuals and together. Sophie Gonzales is always a delight, and her work here shines just as bright as everything else she does. Cale Dietrich has such a way with his characters, and I really feel that he outdid himself here; this is some of his best work.

3/5 stars

Thank to Netgalley for providing this book!

The book was fine but i unfortunately wasn't too attached to the characters

This is an ARC so I had the opportunity to read it before is released.
Was good actually is a 3.5 stars. They story is good but are a couple of things that bother me a little bit.
And is that sometimes the characters feel a little flat. But it really surprised me the other side of being part of a fandom. As fans of a celebrity only have access to what the fans are talking about or making theories and we don't see what is behind of a successful in this case band. And also there's this side of industry taking advantage of young people to had more opportunities of making money.
Also the ending was like what I get it but just don't had me totally convinced.
I just want to say that I enjoy it, was a good story.

Have you ever wondered what you would get if you combined "Red, White, and Royal Blue," your favorite One Direction Liam/Harry fanfic, and a small splash of Camp Rock? Probably not, but if all of that intrigues you then you'll love "If This Gets Out!"

When their band Saturday, a worldwide phenomenon, goes on an international tour, Reuben and Zach must navigate their developing feelings for each other and the requirements of their record label. Along with excellent YA queer representation, this book is a great reflection of the sometimes ugly sides of show business. Even though they are international superstars, Ruben and Zach struggle with things we all struggle with while finding love against all odds.

My only critique of this book is the frequent mention of disordered eating and having to exercise to make up for eating desserts and high-calorie foods. These comments are framed within the context of the strict requirements made by the band's record label. However, I incorrectly assumed that it would be addressed later in the story. I cannot fully support a book that perpetuates harmful eating habits, especially when the book is being marketed to impressionable young readers.

Never was a huge 1D fan but BOYYYYY did this book catch my my surprise.
I laugh, cried and had a great time reading it

Unfortunately, these characters were so lacking in depth and the storyline seemed to be going absolutely nowhere. I could not bring myself to finish it.

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓: 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

AHH THIS BOOK!!! IS SOOO QUEER AND FULL OF HOPE 🙌❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

But okay, the book is so much more complex than that. It really makes you take a step back and realize how controlled the music industry is, and how a celebrity's life can be carefully curated.

Ruben's mom is the worst btw. It's the point. & it was thoroughly well done.

LOVE LOVE LOVE :

• YES to normalizing people who identify as male to live their emotions and CRYYYY
• YES to identifying toxic relationships in your life. You aren't obliged to unconditionally love your parents if they are toxic to you.
• YES to growing into your own person and affirming what you want
• YES to talking things out so you don't misinterpret them
• YES to thinking about yourself for once, and not always about others and making others happy

LIST OF THINGS I NOW HATE FOR LIFE :

• That this book ever had to end
• The music industry
• Ruben's mom
• Geoff
• Ruben's mom
• Mother of Ruben
• Mom to Ruben
• did I say Ruben's mom?

My ONLY critique is I couldn't always tell who's POV I was reading. But that could also be my mommy brain, who knows. 🤷‍♀️

Also, I believe the final show would've made a perfect ending, without the last few chapters. But then again, some of the subplots would've remained unresolved.

So anyways. This book is amazing. It is now officially my favourite Gonzales book. Yes, even more so than Only Mostly Devastated and Perfect on Paper. IF THAT'S EVEN POSSIBLE. You need to read it. Everyone does. If you don't, I might shove it down your throat. Gently. Or not.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow this was a really good story. I did not expect for the story to be compelling and suck you in.

I admit, my main reason for requesting an arc of "If This Gets Out" was Gonzales as one of the authors. I recently read and adored her "Perfect on Paper", and another book of hers is already waiting on my shelf. The blurb itself wasn't even that interesting to me, mostly because I've never been a boyband kind of girl myself and because, quite frankly, I find the amount of 'real people shipping' and fetishization of gay men that seems to be happening a lot in these particular fandoms concerning and borderline problematic. But I was still interested how all of this would play out in the hands of two talented authors, so I gave it a go. I don't regret it.

"If This Gets Out" is utterly adorable with lots of yearning, a plethora of tropes I love and a cast of complex, loveable characters. Both protagonists, Ruben and Zach, are fleshed out, flawed and relatable characters with issues that go beyond just their romance, which I really enjoyed. They didn't exist just for the romance, they were interesting people on their own. I rooted for the both of them and they deserve all the happiness in the world tbh. The other two members of their boyband are JUST as loveable and fleshed out, too, and I felt for all of them. They wormed their way into my heart and I won't ever get rid of them, I just know it.

The romance is swoonworthy and with just enough drama to keep it interesting without going completely overboard with it. The story on a whole is really intriguing and I loved how this novel puts a spotlight on the darker sides of the entertainment business - on closeting, on abuse, on power imbalances, on drug addiction, on exhaustion and constant pressure to perform. I don't know much about the inner workings of the music industry but honestly, I could easily see it happening just like in this book. Looking at modern boybands and kpop bands, it's probably a given. And it's horrible to read about.

There are just minor things that dampened my overall enjoyment of the book, and honestly, they're super subjective. While the writing was really engaging and fun and spot on, Zach's chapters especially tend to make the characters use the filler word "like" a loooot in the dialogue scenes, to a point where it gets unrealistic and a little annoying. I'm not American but I honestly don't think someone like Zach would naturally talk like this, especially because he doesn't in Ruben's chapters.
I'm also not entirely on board with how Angel's drug addiction was handled by his best friends. It didn't make sense to me for them to not even try to I don't know, get his parents involved or anything. It's not what best friends would do, at least not from where I'm standing. I also generally would have preferred the novel to address the racism Angel faces, as well as Jon to some degree, a little more openly. It's mentioned, it's described, but never actually called out for what it is - the homophobia is always at the forefront as the One Big Issue, obviously because it's part of the romance, but for all the good it does to call out these problematic structures in the music industry: if you include characters of color that face obvious racism (especially Asian stereotypes in this case), it should be more than just a sidelined mention that later gets ignored in the final confrontation.

But these are honestly minor gripes, I still really enjoyed this fast-paced, quick read and devoured it in two days. It's definitely a must-read for boyband fans especially, but even if you don't belong to any such fandom this is a highly enjoyable, very cutesy experience.

Zach and Ruben are two members of Saturday: the biggest boy band in the world. We join them as the begin their first European tour. While facing the pressures and fatigue of a big stadium tour, the two boys realize their mutual feelings for each other. Forced to keep it secret, the boys navigate their developing relationship, their roles in the group, and their connections to their other loved ones back home. I’m a life long boy band fan, going all the way back to the New Kids days, so needless to say I was pretty excited to read this one. And I’m happy to report that it certainly did not let me down. Were there moments that drifted into melodrama? Sure. Did that bother me? Not one bit. It did make me think about the reality that exists for many of these pop idols. It’s easy to write off their struggles when you see the financial benefits of success, but I wonder how many years people like Lance Bass, Ricky Martin, and Jonathan Knight lost sleep fretting and dissecting every action they took in public each day. The reality is, too many. Although I may be starting to grow tired of the ‘two voice narration’ that’s so popular in teen lit, I did love the choice to provide us with two main characters at different stages in their journey towards self-realization. All in all, I’d say that this was a really fun read that left me craving all my fave boy band hits when I was done.