I am fangirling over this book and band so much!!! If This Gets Out was everything I want in a story, forbidden romance, angsty days and two adorable characters who I wanted to love and protect with my whole heart!!!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of If This Gets Out in exchange for an honest review.

The tea is, I think the Phil Stamper quote needs to be taken off this book because while it was really well done, it definitely wasn't a "bright, joyful book". I actually liked it more for that because while I've loved some of Sophie Gonzales's previous work and would definitely consider myself a fan, women writers writing fluffy MLM romances always feels a bit icky to me but because of the way attention is given to more real world subject matter here, it's very clear that this story needed to be MLM.

I enjoyed how distinctly all 4 members of Saturday are written and in particular, I really enjoyed how complex Jon was even though he probably got the least page time which is a testament to how well all the characters are written. As mentioned above, I was pleasantly surprised to find that instead of just being fluffy larry wish fulfillment, this genuinely tries to talk about a lot of the shadier industry stressers and pressures the boys are subjected to. On that note though, I do think talking a bit about the negative side of fanshipping could have really elevated this. The #Anjon shit trending among fans is mentioned frequently and both it and Jon's discomfort with it are normally played off for jokes and I think it would have been really powerful to talk about how toxic that kind of fan behavior can be in a book targeted at fans who probably get involved in similar ships.

(3.5/5 stars)
(3.5/5)
Firstly, I wanted to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book.
Trigger warnings for this book --> substance abuse, internalized homophobia, underage drinking, mentions of sexual content etc.
So, this book followed the perspectives of 2/4 boys in a band - Ruben and Zach as they navigate the pressures of coming out and coming to terms with public image and sexuality.
Do you like boybands and Becky Albertalli? If yes then this book may be perfect for you!
I did enjoy this book, I thought it was a fun read that managed to balance cute moments with real struggles - whether we are celebrities or not. This book discussed the challenges and pressures that agencies of power can place on queer relationships as well as the normalization of celebrities having to pretend to be someone they are not, especially being placed in restrictive roles to match a persona.
There was diversity and it highlighted the importance of communication and utilization of substances as a coping mechanism.
The character dynamics were all unique and distinct from one another and the main characters were likeable.
My main qualm was that it sometimes felt like it bordered on fanfiction, but I know some people prefer that more - it may just be a preference on my end.

This is easily the best, easiest book I've read in a while. The characters are so relatable, and there struggles are so believable. Boy band rom com for the win!

First of all, I just want everyone to know that I will never be shutting up about this book! I had high expectations from the moment Cale and Sophie announced it and I have been anxiously awaiting the moment I would be able to get my hands on a copy but oh boy, let me tell you it exceeded my expectations in every way possible! This book was so much more than just a book about 2 members of a boyband falling in love, it was a deep exploration of the trauma that is caused by the pressure put in artists (especially young and queer artists) in the entertainment industry. The industry is notorious for warping young artists to become people that the public finds acceptable. This is the exact reason that so many child actors and musicians turn to substances, partying, and many forms of self harm and it causes a lifetime of damage to many of them. While it explores all of the negative effects the industry has put people through, it also explores hope. Hope that we can create a future where the industry and people in power aren’t able to put artists through this abuse anymore and the hope that fighting back, sticking together, and vying for the things you believe in can improve for future generations.
.
.
.
This book is also about the family that these 4 guys formed while growing up in this environment together. Even if they weren’t always able to save each other, they did everything in their power to protect each other when it really mattered. I just loved how badly they each wanted to be open and honest, not only for themselves and each other, but for their fans. As a girl that grew up a die hard fan of many boybands, all I ever wanted was to know the real humans behind the manufactured puppets the industry tries so hard to turn them into. I just think it was really important to see that real fans will still by their idols when they’re able to show who they really are!
.
.
.
Let me just talk about each of these boys for a second. Jon is so soft and vigilant and he just cares about people so much. He can come off as an uptight rule follower but he just wants to keep everyone safe and he’s the exact kind of friend that everybody need in their life. Angel is the honest with a heart of gold that’s always the life of the party but sometimes that turns into him masking what he’s feeling. I not only want to protect him from the world but himself as well. Ruben is the one that has always known exactly who he is and if not for a lifetime of people trying to stamp him down and put out his light would have unbridled confidence. Not in a cocky way either, just steady and sure of himself. Lastly Zach, the people pleaser. The one that would sacrifice everything just to make everyone else happy. The last person he thinks about is himself and loves wholeheartedly. These 4 together are strong and messy and unstoppable because they have each other.
.
.
.
Now the love story between Zach and Ruben. Their journey was messy and comforting and heartbreaking and butterfly inducing. They bring out the best in each other. There’s honestly so much I could say about these 2 but I don’t want to give too much away! I want everyone to pick up this book in December and fully be able to go on their journey with them! 💙
.
.
.
The way this book made me fall in love with this fictional boyband so quickly and fiercely is honestly incredible. I felt like I was in this world and I was one of their teenage fans that just want to hug and protect each one of them. Sophie and Cale’s writing styles worked so seamlessly together that I forgot I was reading a book by more than one person most of the time. Literally my only complaint about this book is that it ended. I would read thousands more pages about this band and love every single second of it!

If This Gets Out is a wonderful coming of age story that needs to be told and considered. Many of us have fond memories of our favorite boy bands growing up, but did we ever think about what happens behind the scenes. This is a eye opening read and a very special story about to boys in the public eye who choose to be themselves despite their employers views.

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for granting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Holy wow. This book is a whirlwind.

If This Gets Out is a brilliant story about two members of America's biggest boy band—Zach and Ruben—who fall in love on an international tour. Under increasing pressure from their management team to fit a certain mold, they're forced to consider what parts of themselves they're willing to give up for the band, and for each other.

I was so excited to hear about this book's plot, but let me be clear: this book is not about Larry Stylinson. You guys are weird. The band Saturday bears no resemblance to One Direction, aside from some of the struggles that both bands probably faced due to their massive fanbases. Anyways...

I love Sophie Gonzales' writing, but this was my first introduction to Cale Dietrich, and their chemistry is real. The alternating perspectives of Zach and Ruben were seamless. I loved how the two main characters were able to complement each other, how they found each other's shortcomings and helped work through them, while also acknowledging that some things were out of their control. They interacted in a very healthy way, and that was refreshing to read.

There was also a great deal of tension in this book, which was masterfully done. It felt like I had to breathe shallow at times to avoid setting some of the characters off.

This book only has two drawbacks for me, and they are minor:
- Some conflicts between major characters are not resolved, especially one parental conflict in particular that was disappointing to me.
- The ending feels slightly rushed, and I did not expect to see the acknowledgements when I did. An ending was set up and implied, but not resolved to any super satisfying degree.

Overall, this book was splendid. I absolutely adored the characters, and it dealt with a lot of uncommon issues on the page that are more often seen in real life. I was thrilled to get to read this book early, and I urge my friends on here to pick up a copy in December if they're looking for an empowering MLM story. :')

I absolutely loved this book! It's my most anticipated book of the year and it definitely did not disappoint! There was lots of angst, drama, and cute romantic moments but there was also a lot of hard-hitting moments as well. The critiques on fame and the music industry really added a fantastic layer to the story. I went into this book expecting a cute romance between two guys in a boy band but what I got out of it was much more powerful and nuanced. Sophie Gonzales was already on my list of auto-buy authors after I read Only Mostly Devastated but Cale Dietrich is now also on that list! This is by far my favourite book of the year and I can't wait to reread it over and over again!

This story made me happy, sad, angry and just about every other motion in between. The growth of Ruben and Zach throughout the story is written in such a way that they feel like real people that you would meet out on the street.

Ruben and Zach are mega-famous pop stars who seem to have everything in the world that they could possible want. But fame is not what they expected it to be. Between a controlling record label, mental health issues and home life the boys do not have an easy time when it comes to pretty much anything.

Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich have really done a fantastic job with this book! It was so interesting to read about what being on tour/in a boyband was like for Zach, Ruben, Angel, and Jon and what it's like being a queer musician in the public eye. Each character was complex and well-written. Even though the romance was certainly important to the story, the others' struggles and feelings are still a focus, which was very nice.

That being said, Zach and Ruben's relationship was incredibly sweet. It was great seeing them grow together. I love how Zach's bisexuality is specifically named – huge yes to more bi rep in books! – and how accepting Ruben was of this. Their management sucked, and the conflict this caused felt realistic and made the characters even more relatable. I'm so grateful that the rest of the band was supportive, even if things were rocky between them at times.

There are some really sweet moments regarding how much seeing acceptance and LGBTQ+ celebrities means to people that genuinely made me shed a tear. For so many people who lack supportive or accepting family, it's always lovely to see yourself represented. I especially loved some of the boys' moms, especially Mrs. Braxton at the end.

What a lovely book! I'll definitely be reading more by these authors and would certainly recommend picking up a copy when it comes out!

If This Gets Out was delightful. I will read anything Sophie Gonzales has a hand in, and I loved what she and Cale Dietrich created together.

The behind-the-scenes look at the less glamourous aspect of celebrities, especially young ones, and how their choices were taken away from them was done well and was sobering, exemplified especially through the agency’s refusal to acknowledge that Angel was in serious trouble. However, the other things added up to an almost unbreakable iron grip, like the way they cast each member in a light that they disliked, didn’t fit them, or, in the case of Jon, actively made them uncomfortable; the way they separated Zach and Ruben after learning they were together; their consistent refusal to let Ruben come out; their refusal to let Zach help write the songs; the prepared interview answers and forbidden questions.

Ruben’s relationship with his mother was so well-done - the love you still have for your parents for the good they have done even though the hurt is greater; the knowledge that nothing you say will make them happy with you and that they will find something to criticize even at opposite extremes without realizing they are contradicting themselves; saying things anyway because what if this time is different; guilt that you don’t appreciate what they have given you as much as you should and doubting that what you feel is valid.

I also loved Zach’s arc with learning to figure out what he wants instead of always saying - and believing - that what he wants is what will make others happy. I also appreciated the acknowledgement that this sort of change is hard and that Zach will not always succeed even though he will try his hardest. Zach’s relationship with his mother also made me soft.

I’m a huge sucker for the ‘oh god am I queer’ plotline, and Zach’s experience was relatable. Zach and Ruben’s relationship was so soft and respectful, and I loved how it came from a place of deep friendship first and desire to make out second.

And, of course, the band’s relationship and their love for music and each other was also great - close friendships are my favorite. I was so proud of them at the end when they stood up for themselves.

This book felt a bit like a mix between »I was born for this« by Alice Osman and »Red, White & Royal Blue« by Casey McQuiston - in the best way possible.
I was super excited when I saw that »If this Get's Out« was available on Netgalley because I just discovered Sophie Gonzales and I loved »Perfect on Paper« so much and this book here sounded so good and I didn't know how I should wait until December to read this, so I was very very very happy that I was able to read »If This Get's Out« this early. Because I absolutely loved it.

»If This Gets Out« is written from both Rubens and Zach's perspective - makes sense, because this book has two authors - and I loved how well I always knew whose chapter I was reading, I think they had very distinct voices which made it fairly easy to get who was telling the story right now. And I also liked both of the perspectives equally, Ruben and Zach were both just so precious and soft and... I don't know, I just liked both of them a lot.

In the beginning, I said this book reminded me of »I Was Born for This« and »Red, White & Royal Blue« and with that I mean not that it has a similar plot or anything but it gave me similar vibes. I mean, IWBFT and IFTGO both have the boyband topic and are focusing on how it's not all fun and exciting but also a really hard job. But the relationship between Zack and Ruben and especially Zach's bi panic and the "oh no what if this gets out" element (hence the title) reminded me a bit of RWRB.

Plot-wise »If This Gets Out« wasn't a huge surprise but it was the characters that made this book so special. Obviously Ruben and Zach but also Jon and Angel. The relationship between those four boys was fantastically written, they had their ups and downs and I have no idea about boybands but what they were going through seems plausible and I just really emphasized with the characters.
Apart from the romance and the friendship between the boys I also appreciated a lot how involved the parents were because like, these boys were... 18 or something like that? So barely legal and I know so many YA books where parents rarely make an appearance but here Zach has a really nice relationship with his mother I was so here for it. Ruben on the other hand has a difficult relationship with his parents and Jon's father is the manager of the band, so there was some tension too.

In conclusion: I just absolutely adored this book, I will definitely get myself a physical copy when it's released and also most definitely will read more from both authors. Sophie Gonzales's books I already read but now I am very excited to dive into Cale Dietrich's books as well!

I have rarely read a story where the narrative is from the perspective of the LGTBQ+ characters and it was awesome to read. The dynamics of the band members were like any friend group with the added pressure of social media and public personas. Zach's realizations of his identity were empathetic and thoughtful. The authors' decision to show his thought process was amazing. Ruben was perfect in all of his qualities. I think the representation of two young adults coming to terms with their identities and finding love while on tour was adorable. The realistic narrative with a lot of extra lasers and sparkle. It leaves you smiling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Boyband members in love and fighting management? Yes, please! The writing style was so easy to follow and super fun with all the elements and the city details when the guys were on tour, and the story was just so interesting and the book was essentially unputdownable. Finished it in an afternoon! I regret nothing.

I love the dual POV; seeing what went through both Zach and Ruben's minds was important to understand what they wanted to say but weren't brave enough to do. It saved me from being angry at them not talking because communication is a must! I still got angry at Zach but I understood completely why he did what he did but I was still angry. It was inevitable. I'm weak in the face of angst! I love communication! Drama is my nemesis.

The book had the right amount of sweet and drama moments. Even if we followed only two POVs, the other two boyband members were very present. Their stories were equally important and they had their times to shine and to have as many problems as being a worldwide superstar can bring. Some parts were harder to read than others, but nothing dragging nor forced. It all flowed easily and I found myself smiling more times than not.

I still can't believe I got to read this book so soon and I'm so very grateful. My reviews may not be the best, but don't doubt I won't promote and talk about this book to everyone and everyone's bffs!

This book will not be what you expect! I went into this thinking that it would be a simple hiding the relationship from fans story, but it was so much more than that. Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon are in a boy band and are feeling the pressure of having to contain themselves in order for the band to be successful. When the friendship between Ruben and Zach evolves, they have to figure out how to balance their managements agenda as well as their desire to go public.

This book makes you feel SO HARD and so big. The stakes are high and the characters are so relatable with their relationships to their friends and family. There are heavy moments in this book that would make me classify this as very much not a rom com. The writing is spectacular and although it was written by two authors in dual perspectives, it did not feel disjointed one bit. HIGHLY Recommend for you to put this one to the top of the TBR!

Copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review

If This Gets Out focuses on two members of an upcoming boy band with a dual POV between them and how they view their place in the band, with their fans, and with each other. It’s as heartwarming as it is tragic and constantly has you routing for the boys to prosper and overcome everything in the end.

This was not a book I was expecting to love, but it blew my expectations out of the water. Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich do an amazing job not just building up the two narrators, but every boy in the band. They each have a story, a struggle, and every single struggle is acknowledged and dealt with. The amount of love and support between them is not support that’s commonly seen, and the relationships, both platonic and romantic, hold realistic amounts of disagreements on top of that love. The story, while straightforward, hits you with new situations and obstacles that the boys must deal with and keeps you on your toes and desperate for more.

Ruben has a crush on Zach but keeps it to himself until seemingly straight Zack kisses him. What follows brought them apart for a while before reuniting them. I like how Ruben always tries to ensure Zach is doing sth because he wants to, not because he wants to keep others happy. At the same time, I liked how the author made sure that the other band members had their own personality. There were a few characters that were horrible jerks.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and easy to read. Honestly, I do hope that the author decides to write a sequel as I would like to read more about the characters in this book.

If you are on the fence about this book, I strongly suggest buying it :)

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was seriously so good that I could not put it down today! Sorry to my job, because I was kinda doing work by reading this book but also not really... because I was mostly sitting at my desk reading this book.

If This Gets Out follows a familiar trope and/or theory popular in fandom: are they dating behind the scenes? As a former One Direction fan and a former Larry shipper, this is a trope I not only participated in, but am familiar enough with ghat I could write a dissertation. I read so much fanfic imagining this scenario, so I was immediately intrigued by seeing Sophie and Cale bring this to traditional publishing.

Much needed disclaimer: This book is NOT about Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles. Contrary to popular belief, that ship did not invent the wheel on boyband members dating (though I wouldn't argue they didn't help reinvent it), and this story came to being without the authors knowing little to nothing about that ship. At initial first glance, you will wonder, but the further you read the less that theory has any weight. The two protagonists are very different from those two real life celebrities, and I promise you won't find a glorified fanfic here. (Nothing wrong with a fanfic-y book, but this isn't it, folks!)

In If This Gets Out, we meet four boys in a boyband called Saturday. Our main characters, Ruben and Zach, are half of the quarter. Ruben is an unwillingly closeted gay teen who's gotten shoved into the meek, palatable role of the boy band and wants to show off who he truly is behind the persona. Zach is an anxious and reserved teen who's pretty sure he's straight. However, one drunken night leads to a make out session that begins the beginning and end of Saturday as the four boys know it.

I really loved this book! Even though I was initially drawn to it as a former band shipper, I think the story does a really good job of being original despite the content being familiar. The story is less about the two band members falling in love, and more a critical examination of mental health and identity in the public eye, /especially/ as a queer and/or person of color in the public eye. Based on the authors note, that seemed to be the intent of Sophie in kale and I think they do a great job demonstrating that throughout the novel.
(TW: mental health issues, drug use, forced closeting, car accident.) The characters also all feel very real and demonstrate different elements of fame individually, and the way those forced roles can affect people. The characters may be fictional but they feel real, and you quickly come to care about them.

I love that a story like this will soon exist in YA. There are stories that touch on some of these topics, but none as effectively as this. The only other title I can come up with is "I Was Born For This" by Alice Oseman, which currently isn't published in the US. As an adult still involved in fandom and a person who was involved in fandom as a teen, there's so much value in having a title like this accessible to teens who don't have the time or consideration to really stop and think about the toxicity of fame and exposure. It would have been a good book to give past me the perspective it took growing up to gain! On top of that, the book is deliberately diverse, and that makes it an even more encompassing way for young fans to critically examine the treatment of their favorite celebrities and the power young fans have in supporting them or stopping fan-made toxicity and hate. All in all, the buzz and hype is well-deserved. Sophie and Cale did a phenomenal job exploring this topic and creating a pair of queer teens to root for along the way.

I so love this story of four eighteen-year-old members of a world famous boy band, with chapters switching between the points of view of Ruben and Zach. Ruben is gay but forced to stay in the closet since that would not match their image as young heart-throbs, When Zach begins to think he could be bi and attracted to Ruben, it is obvious that things are going to change. But the book showcases the control of the music industry (first and foremost a money-making big business) and how every single aspect of the lives of these talented young performers is regulated. This includes changing a name when deemed necessary, who sings what, how they each dress and wear their hair and present themselves on stage, and hiding sexuality and drug use. The love between Ruben and Zach grows, and the support of Angel and Jon stays strong, but the different problems surrounding all of them also multiply when they embark on a European tour that leaves them no free time amid the pressures of fame and expectations. I loved all four of them and could not put this down once I started reading. It is so clear-sighted and will speak to anyone who has ever followed a band or had major crushes on celebrities. And the issues are relevant and important. Highly recommended.

Review for ‘If This Gets Out’

✎↷: Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a free ARC of ‘If This Gets Out’ in exchange for an honest review.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

Most especially, for those fans who read hundreds of fan fictions or AUs about their favorite boybands who are secretly in love with each other.

When I’m reading 𝗜𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁, I certainly forgot that this was written by two authors. Their writing style didn’t feel off and any readers won’t get trip up on the two different point of views. It’s absolutely perfect from the beginning until the end. Everything is enthralling. You might assume this is just a light, fluffy, and cringe-y read, but as the story drags you along the life of Ruben, Zach, Angel, and Jon; and how Zach and Ruben fell in love during their tour on Europe, there’s no denying that this isn’t just a simple YA queer story because it speaks volume and tackles just about many topics.

Saturday, the boy band composed of Zach, Ruben, Angel, and Jon, was currently the One Direction in this world. Unfortunately though, at the expense of their fame, everything in their lives were being controlled or decided by their management/label. You would see here how their personalities are being planned when they are in front of the camera; how their looks should be the management want in order to appease the fans; what style of music should they only make; which action and words they should make and say; and how being their true selves isn’t possible. It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating how the boys felt suffocated and I can only imagine how much worse this is in real life. And speaking of real life, this could possibly be actually real and we’re not just aware of it nor paying attention to.

This might be close on what we can grasp to what’s actually happening to the celebrities behind the camera.

This story doesn’t just revolve around Ruben and Zach — but mainly, it is — but also on how the demanding and controlling pressure of life and work can affect one person. How one person will resort to any possible way to soothe the growing stress and anxiety, even if it’s mean using illegal drugs.

Their lives here were shown on how everything we see on newspaper, articles, and news sites is just a facade of a dilapidated building. Day by day, they are tucked away in their hotels like prisoners, and they don’t have time to unwind or relax for a second. Work is work. Business is business as it seems. And it’s so wrong. They are just 17 and 18 years old, and they want nothing but to make themselves and other people happy.

“The thing about your dreams coming true is that, for a gold-spun moment, you catch a glimpse of what life could be like for you. Then when you lose it, and you crash back to reality, it’s from such a great height all you can do is lie there, winded and bruised, while you come to terms with the idea that a happiness like that isn’t meant for you. It never was.”

This came from the book and I just can’t erase that from my memory. I can really relate to every pain, anguish, and fatigue that the boys have felt — most especially of Ruben. Ruben is my favorite character here. He’s funny, charming, wise, sweet, and has a big heart. Ruben is too good to be true and I don’t think we deserve him if ever he’s someone real. And the fact that he makes everyone choose what they want, motivate them, charm them with his looks and alluring personality, and how he can make everyone happy, comfortable, and make anyone feel important is a proof that he deserves everything.

Zach’s reaction and how he processed his sexual identity crisis is remarkably concocted and perfectly plotted along the story. I can say that I’ve been on Zach’s position when I’m still questioning my sexuality, so I’m really impressed that the author/s have conjured the very same images on how I acted before through their words. In all honest, Zach is an interesting character he’s not just a simple jock who gets what he wants but, he’s such a darling who will work hard so much to get what he wants. He’s very selfless too, which is one of the things that will be tackled in the story, and although that’s a problem, it’s actually the personality that I can just picture for Zach even from the first few chapters of the book.

Jon and Reece’s (Angel) moment during in which Reece is apologizing to Jon for all the things he had said was really great, and when Reece apologized to Jon for being so shitty it made me really cry. The emotions are just so raw and genuine. You can see that beyond their image, these are still boys who are vulnerable — and it reminds us that it’s okay to be vulnerable even if you’re a guy.

I honestly enjoy reading book, and I will definitely re-read this on and before this get published officially.

The two authors did an amazing job to show us a story beyond the camera, beyond false pretenses, and beyond fairy tale. The world building for this book is amazing. You will see how a boy band works and how the music industry is as toxic as some celebrities/artists came forth to tell us.

I already love Sophie Gonzales from the moment I’ve read Only Mostly Devastated. But now, I even love her more. I haven’t heard of Cale Dietrich yet, and this is my first time reading one of their books and it’s safe to assume that I’ll be reading her other published works for sure!