Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball was such a fun, heartfelt read. Riley is faced to confront his ideas about gender, femininity, masculinity, and relationships when he angrily enters into a bet with a masculine gay classmate who says that gay men don't want someone feminine. Riley sets out to prove him wrong while documenting his journey on his podcast. One of the things I loved about Riley was that he leads with his heart and this sometimes gets him in trouble -- he doesn't know how not to be himself and unfiltered and this gets him in trouble sometimes. This felt very real and reminded me of The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver -- a lot of similarities in the two where it focuses on misadventures of love and what the characters learn along the way. The characters are allowed to be imperfect and because of that we learn with and from them; I loved that about both books. I also loved that this was about relationships of all kinds -- mentoring, friendship, romantic love, attraction, platonic love, parental love and expectations, etc. While I don't think I'd teach this book, I'll definitely include it in my library and can't wait to recommend it to high school students! I think many teenagers will see themselves in these pages.

This is my second Jason June and I am happy to report that I liked it better than Jay’s Gay Agenda. Still not my favourite queer YA contemporary author, but I think I am going to keep reading his books, because they all sound like so much fun and I have faith I will find — if not a 5 stars — at least a 4 stars book by Jason June. Out of the Blue is the most likely candidate, but I will keep reading Jason June’s future releases as well, so we’ll see.
I found the idea of a Gaybutante Society to be extremely fun, and I loved the things you had to do to get into it: they were the perfect blend of stupid and important, and I was totally there for that. I honestly would dig a prequel on the founding of the Society, just saying.
I also loved that the main theme of this book was femme representation, because I feel like we hardly ever get any hyper femme main characters in YA books and when we do, they are usually drag queens. Which is fine, of course, but sometimes is nice to read from a different perspective and having it being the main one, and not just some side character.
Riley was definitely not my favourite character ever, but I really appreciated his growth throughout the book and the way his friendships and relationships developed during the course of the story, especially those with his two best friends and his new mentee.
Was the plot unpredicatble? No, I would not say that, but that’s the thing I love the most about upbeat queer YA contemporaries: they give me this comforting feeling of knowing things will turn out (mostly) fine. In this case, there was a small detail the author decided to add about Riley’s main bully that I found original. I am not at liberty to say what it is, because of spoiler, but let’s just say I was worried for a minute there but Jason June said “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. I am not gonna do the thing”. So thank you to him.
The writing style was way better that Jay’s Gay Agenda, in my opinion. This time around, the book managed to be funny and make me smile, without seeming forced. I think there’s the right balance in Riley, a balance that I didn’t encounter while reading Jay.
I would still recommend this book, in spite of it not being an all times favourite for me, because I feel like a lot of young femme kids will be uplifted and see themselves in Riley. There are some specific passages that I think everyone should read, because they will truly feel accepted for who they are, without feeling like they have to be less of anything.
So, if you have a young teenager in your life, regardless of how they present or whatever, this would make for a great gift, because while being funny, quick to read and engaging, there is a lot to reflect upon, no matter who you are or at what point you are in life.

To sum up this book in one word: FUN. Every page of Jason June's latest sparkles with queerness and I wouldn't have it any other way. Their writing is such a breath of fresh air, with lovable characters, a quaint and memorable setting, and a not-so-secret society of gays who are ready to change the world. I really loved the way in which Riley used their voice throughout the novel to challenge assumptions, norms and stereotypes within the LGBTQ+ community in a way that felt so fresh and relevant. This book is full of diverse characters, engaging writing and empathy for teens figuring out who they are and how to express themselves in the world. It also has a such a sweet love story at its core. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed Jason June's first two novels, but I totally loved Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball! This was such a beautiful and heartfelt novel from beginning to end. I love how Riley owned who he was throughout the story, even risking the chance to make his dreams come true in the process.

I just loved so much about this novel and had a really good time reading it. There's a letter from the author at the beginning with some trigger warnings about some of the language being used. While this language is hostile, it's also realistic in this day and age, sadly enough. It adds to the emotional intensity of the story. However, there's also so much good happening and that definitely balances out the stuff that's difficult to read.

I was surprised by almost everything that happened. (I guessed at one part, but the rest just had me in suspense.) Jason really puts Riley through the wringer the entire time and you just never know what's going to happen next.

I definitely recommend picking this one up! I was actually hoping that the Gaybutante Society was a real thing because that would be so amazing.

a cute and charming romcom that was delightful.

thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for this review copy.

This was fabulous! 💜

First of all - can we talk about the cover? Because it’s amazing and immediately made me want to pick up the book - and I’m so glad I did because it was a fantastic read!

We follow Riley Weaver who trying to secure a coveted spot in the Gaybutante Society - the only catch? He needs to secure a date to the Gaybutante Ball. Everything changes when he overhears a school bully saying some very hurtful & untrue stereotypes based off of how Riley dresses and upon confronting him a bet us made, lines are drawn and a podcast is born. This was an incredible coming of age with storyline with self discovery, friendship, exploration of the discrimination both inside & outside of the LGBTQ+ community, acceptance, love and the importance of living your truth.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & HarperTeen for the gifted copy.

What a super fun, fast paced, superb story with incredible LGBTQ+ rep!!! I loved the rep, I adored Riley, and I laughed out loud. It’s everything I want in a rom-com.

I was really hoping this would get better as it went on... but it just didn't. I did really like that this book is incredibly queer-inclusive, with a fun plot surrounding the Gaybutante, but I just could not get on with the main character. While the main character does a great job of tackling femmephobia, he was just one of the most infuriating people - he was incredibly selfish, never really received any consequences for how horrible he was to his friends, who really did not deserve how he treated them. He also made a big deal at the beginning about not assuming genitalia = gender, or sexuality, but then throughout the book he did then assume these things? Maybe it's just me, because this book has some great reviews, but it really did not work for me.

Ahh this book was such a lovely and sparkly read 😭 the cover is a perfect depiction of the the vibes of this book, I'm so glad I picked it up!

💫 The podcast equivalent of reality show kinda books, the MC takes the listeners through his journey of trying to find a date for an upcoming ball (aka the concluding social event of a months long de(/gay)butante event), and on his experiences of queerphobia and his thoughts and discussions and advices on the same. I loved the narration style both on and off the podcast, the conversations and discussions were so raw and relatable and thought-provoking.

💫 I'm just dying to tell the romance trope in this book, BUT I CAN'T BECAUSE OF SPOILERS 😭 I'll tell you just one thing, the endgame ship is the absolute best <3

💫 This is a YA book set during high school, so there are all the dramas (and I mean this in a good/intriguing way) surrounding coming-of-age mindset growths, life decisions for the future, friendship/relationship breakups and makeups, etc., and it was really fun to read!

TWs - femmephobia, homophobia, transphobia, hateful/toxic comments and emails, toxicity/jealousy in a relationship

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first LGBTQIA+ novel I have read and I really appreciated the viewpoint. I think this is the perfect novel for a high schooler in a kind of coming of age novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Teen for the ARC of this!

Riley was a fluffy, fun read, but I didn’t love the friend drama sub-plot. I definitely clocked the love interest(s) from a mile away, but that predictability didn’t hurt anything, in my opinion. Overall, this was a sweet, quick read that touched on some serious gender topics.

I feel like Jason June writes love letters to the world that they want to live in. I always see them in their characters and I love that so much. Maybe that’s why their books always feel so beautiful and truthful.

Riley Weaver… is just a tremendous YA book, that happens to focus on the LGBTQ+ community, but is a great read for any human with emotions (that would be all of us!). I really loved the way Jason June breaks down stereotypes for all the ways humans present - cis, queer, masc, femme, gender-fluid, and everything in between - to show how similar we all are, instead of focusing on the differences. We all deserve love and support from our relationships, and it’s high time we all realized it!

I got an ARC of this book.

I was really excited to read a YA that tackled femmephobia. Femmephobia is rampant in the world. It is so gross too. Then the femmephobia immediately invalidated trans men as men, because gender and sexuality came down to penises yet again. The MC who was supposed to be the hero and know the right thing just keeps coming back to genitalia equals gender AND sexuality over and over again.

Then the idea of the Gaybutante organization just felt like it wasn’t thought out enough. Why is there a chapter in this small town, when the other mentioned groups are all major cities? It is also very weird the whole town watches this so intensely, it is strange that a 16/17 year old is the talk of the whole town and scrutinized so intensely. Screamed football town, but make it gay which doesn’t make it better.

And a small note, the “crocheted” covers for the notebooks didn’t make sense. I crochet. I know what is possible. They just didn’t make sense, unless she used embroidery floss or crochet yarn to crochet and even then it was still strange and unlikely.

I really enjoyed and appreciated all of the LGBTQ+ rep in this book and the femme he/him rep and all other sexual and gender identity discussions! However, I didn’t really like the storyline. I think podcast plots are a bit overdone now and this book read particularly YA/childish for some reason. I felt a bit confused with all of the characters and felt like I didn’t get to know them as well as I wanted to. We also didn’t really get to know Riley much beyond his gender identity and sexual orientation.

Thanks anyway for the ARC and regardless of my thoughts I’m glad this book exists for the amazing queer rep!

2.5 stars rounded up

“𝙸’𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚞𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚞𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚞𝚙. 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚎𝚛-𝚢, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚌𝚞𝚝𝚎.”

🌈🌈🌈🌈 / 5

»»————-✼————-««

Review:
This was my first Jason June read and let me tell you, I’m running to Waterstones before work so I can pick up another if his works! I loved his fast paced, chatty writing style and I absolutely ate this book up! Did I stay up until 1am reading this last night? Yes! Do I regret it? Absolutely not! I was happy, silent (it was 1am I had to be respectful of my family) screaming at the ending!! I loved the addition of the podcast episodes in the chapters it helped add a flare of Riley’s personality!✨

RWNADTTGB was a fabulous queer-tastic coming of age story which explored the difficulties of friendships, life and finding love while being a queer teen. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions reading this, but a warm fuzzy happiness filled me throughout reading and I was unable to put this book down!

I love Riley! He’s funny, challenges gender ‘norms’, has a big heart and is as confident as a teen can be! I really enjoyed the chatty style we got as it gave a huge insight into him as a person, I felt like I knew him from page one.

I liked that we got to see a different way of ‘dating’ most people would have jumped onto a dating app and found people that way, but Riley wanted to find that spark and connection tbrough meeting people and it was so refreshing! I Will however point out, Riley became a wee obsessed and started seeing everyone as a potential date rather than taking the time to get to know them. But he does reflect on that and starts dating’ for a boyfriend rather than ‘dating’ for a date.

We see a huge range of rep in RWNADTTGB including Riley who’s gay and femme, we also meet pansexual, bisexual, lesbian, gender fluid and many other queer characters along the way! At times it was hard to keep track of all the side changes, but the little descriptions Riley gives us of each character definitely made it easier! Also where can I find a place like Mountain Pass? All that queer support and happiness in one place? Sign me up😂

TW: Femmephobic comments are made towards the main character which may be triggering to some readers, there is an authors note at the begging which explains why they have been inputted, put yourself and your mental health first gorgeous✨

For lovers of:
- Femme main character
- LGBTQ+ cast
- Coming of age & self discovery
- Making bets
- Friends to lovers

Another winner written by Jason June! Such a cute and original story with likeable characters and an interesting storyline.

I didn’t get a chance to finish this one before it expired on my shelf, but I definitely plan to buy it for my personal shelf. How adorable is that cover. And I absolutely love the material.

This was my first June novel, and what a delightful read. It’s full of heart, love of all kinds, and so much joy.

Riley has waited not so patiently for his time to apply for membership into the Gaybutante Society, the LGBTQ+ organization that’s launched many queer teens’ careers. Requirements for admittance include charity events, mentorship, community service hours, and general gay chaos, with a Ball at the end of the season. Riley confronts gay athlete Skylar after overhearing him say gay guys aren’t interested in femme gay guys or else they wouldn’t be gay. Next thing he knows, they’ve made a bet – Riley has to find a masculine date for the Ball. If he loses, he drops out of the Gaybutante Society. If he wins, Skylar drops out of baseball. Then, the race is on as Riley tries to meet as many eligible guys as possible in his small town in hopes of finding a date.

I immediately adored Riley and his ride-or-die friendships with Nick and Sabrina. Everyone should have friends like them. Riley’s journey to finding a date isn’t a smooth one, and his podcasts about his experiences are both humorous and heartfelt. His listeners/commenters included trolls (seriously, don’t they have anything better to do?), but also some wonderfully supportive people who inspired him to keep going. As a mom, I loved Riley’s parents and the way his mother was ready to take down anyone who hurt him. I totally get it. The small town is also wonderfully accepting and supportive of its LGBTQ+ community.

So much diversity and representation was a real treat to see in a novel. At its core, this book is about love and acceptance and breaking down stereotypes and assumptions. It was a joy to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Prepare yourself for an absolute gem of a book, radiating with queer euphoria, boundless vitality, profound principles, and a vision of a dazzling future for the queer community. But that's not all! The cherry on top was the sheer delight of experiencing Jason June's narration in the audiobook. Jason breathed life into Riley's spirit with resounding cheers, vivid characterizations, and a heartfelt touch. I found myself moved to tears on multiple occasions, and I am immensely grateful that I made the decision to listen to this masterpiece. It unexpectedly provided me with a sense of visibility, resonating in a way that I never anticipated, and I am certain that its value will extend to countless others who come across its brilliance.