*3.5 stars

Did I read this book because it made me think of Larry... yes. Someone mentioned that it was on Netgalley to read and I rushed to go request it. I’ve been on a romcom binge and this was perfect for it.

Overall the premise of this book is really fun and entertaining. The book has a really entertaining writing style, however it does kind of read like a fanfiction. Which I personally don’t really like in published books.

This book does touch on a lot of real issues so I probably wouldn’t recommend it if you just want fluff. The book is also really well researched and that much is clear.

I’m going to be writing a full review in a few days once everything has set in because I tend to be someone who needs time before I write a review but overall it was a really fun read.

If This Gets Out follows Zach and Ruben, two members of America’s biggest boyband, Saturday, as they undertake a forbidden romance behind the scenes of their sold-out international tour.

When Saturday commences its first ever world tour, the band is thrilled to be leaving the USA for the first time and traveling Europe. When Ruben and Zach finally admit their feelings for each other and begin dating, their oppressive management team appears initially supportive, although encourages them to keep the relationship—and their sexualities—under wraps for the duration of the tour, for the band’s safety. But as the rules placed on the boys start to seem less about their wellbeing, and more about keeping all four boys on a tight leash, Ruben and Zach start to realize their management team never intend on allowing them to tell the world the truth.

Amazingly written, with two distinct voices (I can’t pick which perspective I liked most! I’ll just have to pick both), this book deftly explores a range of important topics, from closeting within the music industry, to the pressures of fame, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, homophobia, emotional abuse, childhood trauma… but somehow it doesn’t ever feel heavy handed or preachy. It’s simply an incredible, fast-paced, well-told story.

The characters are so well fleshed out! There’s Zach, the people-pleasing songwriter of the band who’s cast as the Bad Boy against type, who goes through a complex journey of both realizing he is bisexual and coming to terms with his propensity to put other’s needs before him out of fear rather than selflessness. Ruben, the self-assured former theatre-kid, who’s gay and desperate to come out to the world, but gets shoved into the background by management to keep him in line despite being the band’s most talented singer. Jon, the son of the head of management, who gets shoved into the spotlight and forced to, essentially, sell sex to the fans, despite his religion and morals being incompatible with this. And Angel, the ladies-man party boy who lashes out against the managements attempts to turn him into a sexless boy-next-door type.

The romance in this book is top notch. The authors have created two characters who are clearly made for each other, and their chemistry is off-the-CHARTS (#zuben). I ship it. Although this book is sold as a romantic contemporary, it almost leans thriller-esque in parts. The stakes grow higher and higher as the four friends find themselves more and more trapped by their management, and as they begin to suffocate, find their safety, and maybe even their lives, at risk. Still, the heavy stuff is undercut with plenty of humor and romantic fluff (there’s even an only-one-bed scene!) in a way that keeps it readable and not too bogged-down in angst and dread. Also, I loved the way that the fans end up being sort of their own character, as the boys work through their changing relationship with their fans, their ambivalence and awe, and how the fans ultimately play a huge role in the plot (I can't say much more without spoilers). These parts of the book felt like a love letter to fandom.

In terms of diversity, Zach is white, Ruben is Hispanic, Angel is Asian and Jon is biracial. Although Jon’s father is the villain of the story, he is white. Ruben is gay and Zach is on-the-page bisexual, and there are multiple LGBTQIA side characters. The discussions around homosexuality and bisexuality, as well as homophobia, are done very well (as is usually the case when these things are written from experience!).
Overall, a romantic, heart-pounding read that manages to be fast-paced despite its length, inclusive, and in some sections, terrifying. Highly recommend.