this was a very fun book full of black queer representation which I loved! this really hit home and I loved the how raw this story is. I couldn't stop laughing throughout this. overall this was a book I finished pretty quickly and made for an enjoyable time.

This had me laughing from the first line, and I didn't stop loving it the whole time! This book was so real, and I loved seeing experiences similar to me and my friends reflected on the page. I will say that I wished that the chapter headings included which narrator the chapter was about, though.

I truly vibed with this read. This is a novel exploring the individual lives of three queer black friends from their love lives, their work lives, and their relationship with the city of Detroit. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was full of more close-to-home references. So many things that the characters thought and did felt like they really would act in real life. I had to remind myself this was fiction. There’s commentary on life as a Black person in a predominately white workspace, gentrification, the everyday struggles of being both black and queer, and so much more. It was all written with so much humor that I couldn’t help but croak laughing multiple times throughout.

This is such a real and raw slice of life kind of read. There is so much in this book that I will never experience, but I can appreciate it for what it is.

Three gay, Black men Dominick, Troy and Remy navigate their 30s in such an endearing way. Through ups and downs in their professional and personal lives, the three of them lean on one another.

This is a poignant and fun book, full of laugh out loud awkward moments, heart and friendship. I love the raunchy-ness. I loved the realness. I loved the culture. Highly recommend this one.

Boys Come First, Aaron Foley’s debut novel, follows three Black gay men in their mid-thirties, all living and working in Detroit. All face personal and professional challenges. Troy is a teacher in a school that’s under threat from a development company; his old college friend Remy has allied himself with the real estate tycoons who want the land. Meanwhile, Dominick, a marking executive, has returned to Detroit after years in New York, but finds that the city he remembers has gone: why is he having to tell his bosses that an advert about Detroit should feature some black people? All three men are also struggling with their dating lives, having unsatisfying sex with unsatisfying partners who lambast them for not being Black enough, use them as booty calls, or are violent or racist. They feel increasingly marginalised as white people move into their old ‘hood’, and struggle with questions about how far they should sell out to achieve their own goals.

Foley is a sharply observational writer, and Boys Come First is fearlessly honest about the particular experience of being a Black gay man in Detroit, even as the three protagonists face their own challenges, such as struggling with a mixed race (Black/Bangladeshi) identity, or being tired of ‘code-switching’ to a more masculine persona at work to hide their queerness – but never getting too assertive, because of their Blackness. There’s something of Torrey Peters’ Detransition, Baby in the way that Foley is determined to tell us the truth about these men’s lives, even if it does not fit established scripts or offends easily offended readers. Dominick recalls the first time he had sex: ‘The emotional state of an eighteen-year-old baby gay can best be compared to a squirrel on a power line: moving far too fast along a tightrope with no preparedness for any kind of shock… Even if a gay man realizes he’s a top after more experience, he never forgets his first dick.’ Remy tells two Black clients looking for a house that ‘This economy has got things so fucked up that white people are looking everywhere and anywhere they can afford to live… They want to have an authentic Detroit experience… Well, I’m giving you this chance to own a house… and you can be one of those rare Black Detroit couples that actually takes back the hood and makes it worth something before the white people do it their way.’ All three are scathing about white gay men, even though Dominick toys with the idea of dating a white guy.

Given all this, I’m sad that I found Boys Come First such a bland and slow reading experience, because it really ought to have been gripping. Perhaps other readers will find that this book works better for them, but all I can do is try and figure out why it didn’t work for me. First, it feels a bit like an early draft that could have been edited into something stronger. The voices are inconsistent – Dominick and Troy usually narrate in third person and Remy in first, which is a distracting enough decision in itself, but then Remy sometimes pops up in the middle of one of the other protagonists’ chapters narrating in third. Second, the writing in general is quite flat – I loved the kind of observations like the ones quoted above, and don’t mind this kind of ‘telling’ at all when a writer has something interesting to say, but much of the getting-us-from-A-to-B prose is awkward and plodding. Third, the book becomes quite repetitive, especially the long descriptions of various bad sexual encounters and the men’s debriefs about them, which don’t seem to tell us much we don’t already know. Fourth, although the three protagonists are distinguishable – Dom is the sexually adventurous ‘top’, Remy more effeminate and ambitious, Troy idealistic and more theoretical in his thinking about Black oppression – I really struggled to get a sense of them and to remember which was which without re-reading sections. Finally, I think the book is just too long given its relatively limited plot.

I’m sorry not to rate this more highly, because I was glad to have read this insightful glimpse into the Black gay experience in modern Detroit. It may resonate more with other readers, but sadly it wasn’t a hit for me.

DNF at 30%
All the character's voices sound the same, the humor is not funny, the dialogues are boring to read, and one of the chapters had a super long exposition that was tiring to read. Definitely not for me.

A fascinating, hilarious look at the trials and triumphs of three Black, gay friends in their thirties, and their native Detroit. The three main characters are followed in alternating chapters, not only switching which is the point-of-view character but changing perspective between third-person and first-person narration—an interesting move that highlighted differences between the characters' personalities.

Variously and together, these men struggle with the indignities of the gay dating and hookup scene, attempting to find respectful love, familial relationships, professional success and failure, gentrification and racism, and their friendship itself. Detroit as a very specific, vibrant, living city with both history and potential is a huge part of the story.

Aaron Foley's fiction debut 'Boys Come First' offers a glimpse into the lives of Dominick, Troy and Remy, three gay 30-something men trying to make their way in their city, and in the world, as they face off against racism, homophobia, lackluster romantic relationships, complicated family dynamics, and career uncertainty. Detroit, its people and their shared history carries a lot of weight within the novel - gentrification is an issue that causes tension and drama in multiple plot threads throughout, making the city, which is evidently extremely dear to the author's heart, seem like the fourth 'main character'.

The story itself is definitely more character, rather than narrative, driven, so if you're looking for a read with a clear beginning, middle, and ending, all tied up in a neat bow, this may not be the read for you. The 'boys' are presented very much as they are in the moment, with each chapter switching perspective between the three. Remy's POV is written in first person, while Dominick and Troy's are written in third person (with the exception of a few slips that I imagine/hope will be rectified in the final edit), so I personally found I connected more with Remy's chapters than the others. The first/third person switch was a little jarring at first, so it took me a little bit of time to actually get into this book, particularly as I also struggled with the pacing at times, however I'm glad I persevered as it turned out to be an enjoyable read.

It is clear that Aaron Foley knows this world, these men, and their struggles innately, as there is an authenticity to the characterisations and emotion that comes only with lived experience. In a world where marginalised groups are STILL being told their stories don't matter, this novel, and Foley's voice is needed now more than ever.

Many thanks to Aaron Foley, Belt Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Full disclosure, I might be a little bit biased because I'm both a metro Detroiter and a queer man over the age of 30. I absolutely loved this book.

The book focuses on three Detroiters trying to find a balance between old Detroit and the new Detroit that gentrification has brought. Troy is a charter school teacher questioning his life choices and his relationship with his boyfriend. Remy is known as Mr. Detroit, a real estate agent wrestling with his part in Detroit's gentrification, and Dominick, an advertising copywriter coming back home to Detroit from NYC after a breakup. Using these three characters, Aaron Foley does a remarkable job of tackling the heavy subjects that affect both Detroit and most metropolitan areas.

Lately I've been watching a lot of "Judge Judy" and she always talks about painting a word picture. Aaron Foley is a da Vinci the way he sets a scene. There were parts that literally made me laugh aloud. There's a line about riding the penny horse at Meijers that has become one of my favorite quotes ever.

What I loved most about this book, and the thing I needed even when I didn't know it, was the hope that "Boys Come First" has. All of the characters are struggling in their own way but also in the universal ways that all of us, even a fortysomething (I shudder typing that) white gay guy, can relate to. This book reminded me to have hope that everything will work out and has me making additions to my "It'll happen when it happens" list.

Content Warnings: racism, homophobia, mentions of sexual assault, domestic violence (on page), gentrification, cheating, PTSD, mentions of parent death, divorced parents,

I am going to rate this 5 stars with the caveat that some of the jumps and formatting issues with this book were updated for the print and final copy version!

THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE THIS IS CONTEMPORARY FICTION.

WOW. This has quickly become one of my favorite reads this year and I think story is so incredibly important and the way it was told. The exploration of black, gay, platonic and loving friendships as a lens to examine, race, class, trauma and these very loaded and nuanced topics was so refreshing.

This story made the conversations around gentrification, aging and the layers of blackness, masculinity, and queerness so approachable in ways where I both felt my own heartbreaking and second hand embarrassment as if I was watching a friend absolutely fail. I think amongst all three characters, Troy's arc was especially interesting in the aspect of juggling your consciousness around larger social and political issues, with the reality that we will never escape the grips of white supremacy (the father of racism, classism, gentrification) and the cyclical loop we find ourselves in when wanting to do good, feeling like we can't do enough, being angry about it, and trying to find another way.

These characters are so human. Messy, loving, brave, weak, intelligent, dumb, kind, and cutthroat and it is such a breath of fresh air to see black men. Black queer men. Be portrayed in this way that isn't trauma porn. It is just innate humanity--the common place experiences of 30 year olds around the world--just layers with their shared, and individual identities and I could not love it more for being just that.

BRAVO to Aaron, what a debut.

Strong concept but overall it lacked the in details. I loved that this novel centered around three queer black millennial men. The book changes POV between the three characters, it was hard to follow at times. I found myself having to flip back several pages to figure out who was talking. At times I felt like the dialogue was a little forced and did not always feel natural. I connected with the characters and their romantic struggles and the pressure of being in your 30s. I loved that this novel explored a different type of character and they were flawed and felt like real people. I needed for a few more plot points, it's very narrative focused and the pacing felt off. It needed a few twists and or excitement, it became rather one note after awhile.

Boys Come First by Aaron Foley was my first ever e-arc read. Thank you so much to @beltpub for giving me this chance to read and review @aaronkfoley’s fiction debut. I feel so lucky that my first e-arc read is one I can honestly write about enjoying. That being said, as a white British person who has never even been to Detroit, I feel a bit presumptuous to share my thoughts on a book that is so deeply about being Black, being gay and being from Detroit. I hope this arc has also made it into the hands of members of that community. At the same time, it’s always such a joy and an honour to read outside of my own experience and to access other parts of the wider queer community through writing! Thank you to Aaron Foley for sharing parts of your Detroit with your readers, and for making me laugh, think and get lost in Dominick, Troy and Remy’s friendship.

Boys Come First follows three close friends who form a group chat and a standing date at Motor City Wine to navigate their relationships & situationships, family tensions, work aspirations and the daily gentrification of their home city. Dominick returns to Detroit from New York after finding his ex in bed with another man and quickly leans on Remy (aka Mr.Detroit, real estate agent and influencer) and Troy (earnest teacher just trying to do right by himself and his students) to help him get his life “back on track.” Boys Come First is funny and sexy but doesn’t shy away from addressing the joy & pain found in the friend’s intersecting identities. Imagine if sex and the city wasn’t total homophobic and racist trash and instead starred three gay Black men and the plotline actually addressed representation, gentrification, activism and anti-blackness (basically, scrap everything except the sex and the city). The book was a short read but packed a lot in. It actually felt like a snapshot of a longer story to tell (prequel anyone?). Finally, books that centre friendship > romance will always be my favourite. But I do hope for a little good romance for these three too, they deserve it.

Thanks so much to @beltpub for this gifted e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdQxXMfIUoY/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Not as good as expected, the characters had not enough description and detail, and I kinda wish the author had written more in the beginning.

I was really hopeful that I'd be blown away by this book but I, unfortunately, wasn't. It initially took me a while to get into and the pacing and prose often made it difficult to get through. However, I was endeared by the exploration of friendship and interpersonal dynamics it portrayed. I did find the switches in perspectives to be quite choppy and disjointed at times. I also loved the cover art of the book and it was initially what drew me to it.

All in all, it wasn't my favourite but there is an endearing story spanning a variety of pertinent themes that I did find some connection with.

Boys Come First follows best friends Dominick, Troy and Remy, three Black gay men in their thirties, as they navigate everyday life and various sexual and relationship misadventures in Detroit, while the city they have known all their lives changes before their eyes.

Full of hilarious interactions and bittersweet moments, Boys Come First rests on the friendship between the three main characters. The story has an incredibly warm heart, while not shying away from the complex and sometimes grim realities of the characters' lives. I feel as though I've learnt a huge amount about Detroit by reading this book, as though the city is the fourth main character, and I really enjoyed how the book almost feels like a love letter to the city of the characters' youths. Important topics are explored in nuanced, integrated ways, such as the intersecting identities of being Black, gay, and male; interpretations of masculinity; gentrification; and navigating dating within this context, while looking for connection and love.

Firmly character-driven, Boys Come First is an engrossing and important book. While I sometimes struggled to differentiate whose point of view I was reading, the story offers something rare and necessary within contemporary queer lit.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of Boys Come First. These opinions are my own.

Boys Come First by Aaron Foley is a novel that follows three black gay men dealing with life, friendship and love.

Thank you Netgalley and Belt publishing for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I really enjoyed this book! The story of three gay black men in their thirties living in Detroit, was funny and easily relatable to millennial's! Remy, Troy, and Dominick are fun and real and this book tells the story of them determining what it is they want to do with live and figuring how who they want to be! They struggle with love and have to come together to help each other through difficult situations! I did have some difficult following the different characters but overall it was a good book! I look forward to reading it again!

Thank you so much Belt for the free access to this wonderful book!
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First off, I really love the cover! It’s so eye catching that I downloaded it immediately when I saw that it was on “Read Now”. And I’m really glad I did!
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I would recommend this definitely to anyone looking for books with happy endings, touching familial, romantic, and platonic relationships!

A thoughtful and insightful slice-of-life novel, with three compelling main characters and a central focus on friendship and connection which struck me as relatively unique. BOYS COME FIRST follows the lives of three gay Black thirty-something men in modern day Detroit, and ultimately gives a well-written in-depth description of the characters’ struggles and successes, doubts, and frustrations. It’s a great character-driven novel, with compelling engagement with LGBTQ+ issues, Black life, and the complexities of contemporary urban life, with issues like gentrification taking a forefront.

This novel’s greatest strength lies in its deft and dynamic characterisation, as Dominick, Remy, and Troy are all deftly portrayed, three-dimensional, with clear, unique voices. Many of the most compelling elements of the novel, then, lie in way their clearly established individual characters and values can create friction between themselves and their world, as well as just in their interactions.

Occasionally, the pacing felt rushed or less than ideal, especially toward the end. It also took me a while to really get into and begin to engage with the book. Finally, I do question the choice to have one of the three central perspectives in first person and the other two in third person. I had hoped that particular choice would become clearer in the end of the novel, but I don’t feel like it added to the novel in any specific way and was distracting.

Ultimately, Foley’s debut is funny, intelligent, and largely unique. Fans of LESS by Andrew Sean Greer and Issa Rae’s INSECURE will find this particularly engaging.

I was provided a proof of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.

DNF at 52%.

This book sounded very promising and I was very excited to receive an ARC on NetGalley, however; it didn’t live up to my expectations and decided to stop trying to push through at this point.

One of the difficulties I had was the changing perspectives, at this point I couldn’t tell you which character had the various storylines and jumping back and forth and how they link wasn’t clearly laid out. I also found there was a lot of backstory and every action or experience a character had needed to be linked back to a moment from childhood or growing up. While these references can be important to understand identity, it was tedious as a reader.

The mail in the coffin for me was when a reference was made to a key incident that occurred early in the book, and I had no recollection of it. If I couldn’t remember that, I clearly wasn’t into this book and decided to put it down.

I think there is a lot of potential here, just wasn’t for me at this time.