Fans of Becky Albertalli and John Green will enjoy this coming of age story of friendship and first loves. Set in a rural area, the author does a great job of balancing the tension of small towns and the reality of love in families and communities.

This was such a fun concept for a book. I really appreciated the queer characters and how the 3 friends complemented each other.

This is a bittersweet novel about a high school whose motto becomes, "Watch What You Say" until The Last Boyfriends decide to model themselves after the movie, First Wives Club and stand up to assert themselves being gay. Ezra has a crush on football legend, Presley who then kisses him and promptly ignores and insults him. Humiliated, Ezra retreats into himself until he realizes the new motto is not enriching the school, but actually enraging the students who must pretend to be straight. And so he begins a "campaign" on TikTok that encourages students to stand up for who they really are. It's often funny, sometimes serious, but clearly it's a message to all of us to accept people for who they are, regardless of our own belief systems.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The premise of the story is hilarious perfection, the cover is sheer art, but it the prose felt overly narrative and left me wondering if it's a debut (it seems to be). I stopped after chapter 1 (4%). I can see this appealing to teens, but I don't see heavy crossover potential. I'd see it being a solid three stars, four for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

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

I absolutely loved this book. I sped through it because it was just so good! I was so frustrated with everyone in the beginning but was quickly reminded of my awful high school boyfriend experiences. This was an inspiring and heartwarming read.

Ezra and his friends were so adorable and were so much fun to read. I loved them and rooted for them so hard. The exes were such ASSHOLES in the beginning I was gasping at all the audacity. I would have decked someone in the face with how much they made my blood boil.

While this book focuses on revenge and getting back at your toxic ex, we also get a very powerful plot line at getting back at the rampant homophobia in schools. The fact that they even had a policy in place like that is sickening!! When the revenge started getting more and more geared towards who the real villains were, I was hootin and hollerin for them to succeed. But in the back of my mind, this made me want to get back at my ex too. I could go for a little TikTok revenge myself.

This was an entertaining book filled with fun and relatable characters as well as inspiring messages. We are here and can not be erased. Being queer is not perverse or a bad thing. My heart got the warm fuzzies throughout this. And can I just say the hockey proposal made me go AWWWW for almost a full minute. My little heart. This was so cute and I can’t recommend it enough!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing access to this ARC! I enjoyed the empowerment angle as the plot evolved from revenge to advocacy. That’s when I became invested. Kevin and Jackson are endearing, fresh supporting (and supportive) characters, but I wish Lucas and Finley had more distinct voices. Great message and great main character growth

This is a great YA novel about coming out, standing up for yourself against homophobia, and finding love. I could have done with a little more action from Ezra and Jackson but it is YA so that would probably be inappropriate. :)

4.7 rounded up to 5/5.

In Matthew Hubbard's debut novel, "The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge," readers are transported to a small town in Alabama where three teenage boys navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and identity. This queer coming-of-age story is a vibrant celebration of courage, friendship, and the power of standing up for oneself.

At the heart of the narrative is Ezra Hayes, a character who yearns to step out of the shadows and be seen as a romantic lead in his own story. When his summer romance with Presley takes a heartbreaking turn, Ezra, along with his best friends Lucas and Finley, decides it's time for revenge. What ensues is a series of daring plans, from sabotaging a major party to entering a drag competition, all culminating in Ezra's unexpected run for Winter Formal King against his ex.

However, the story transcends mere revenge schemes as the trio finds themselves at the forefront of a student rebellion sparked by the school district's censorship of queer voices. As Ezra takes to TikTok to amplify their message, the rebellion becomes a rallying cry for change, challenging outdated norms and redefining what it means to be queer in their community.

Hubbard skillfully weaves together themes of friendship, self-discovery, and activism, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and empowering. From the very first page, readers are drawn into Ezra's journey of personal growth, rooting for him as he navigates the highs and lows of teenage life.

What truly sets this novel apart is its richly drawn characters, each with their own distinct personalities and struggles. The friendship between Ezra, Lucas, and Finley is a highlight, offering a heartfelt portrayal of loyalty and support in the face of adversity.

Moreover, Hubbard's storytelling prowess shines through in the emotional depth of the narrative. Moments such as Ezra's encounter with the ally who publicly supports him and the solidarity of the student rebellion resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

While some may find certain plot twists predictable, the strength of the storytelling lies in its ability to evoke genuine emotion and provoke thought. "The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge" is not just a story about getting even; it's a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of queer youth, reminding readers of the importance of standing up for what they believe in.

In conclusion, "The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge" is a necessary and timely read for young LGBTQ+ people and allies alike. It is a story that inspires and empowers, leaving readers with a renewed sense of hope and the courage to fight for change. With its vibrant cover, engaging plot, and unforgettable characters, this novel is sure to capture the hearts of readers everywhere.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte press for allowing me to read this book! I can almost guarantee that this novel is going to become a best seller. It most definitely lived up to all of its hype on bookstagram and I beyond thankful that I got to read it before it was published. This book is an open love letter to every queer kid out there and encourages you to always stand up for yourself. This is a book I needed when I was in high school… as someone who did not come out as gay until their senior year of high school, this book would have given me the confidence that I needed.

I appreciated and enjoyed the journey all the characters went on and loved the discussion of coming out and respecting people’s boundaries. No other book has mentioned the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” and I believe this book will be the first of many others to follow. This book and its message are what we need right now and I am thrilled to have been able to read it.

OMFG. While Matthew Hubbard's The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge totally drew me in with the AMAZING cover (I literally cannot resist a rainbow), I was absolutely hooked on this AMAZING novel from the very first page. I used to be a big YA reader, but so much of it makes me cringe these days - but y'all there is NOTHING cringy about this book (unless it's very intentionally meant to be). I loved the writing. The romance is SO sweet. And the messages in this book are going to be so meaningful to so many people.

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge follows three friends who have all been burned by their horrible ex boyfriends. They decide to get them back in pretty epic ways, beginning with Ezra burning his cheating ex's varsity jacket and posting a video to an anonymous TikTok account. The video goes viral and things escalate a LOT from there, but alongside the boys' personal drama is a background of a district-wide "don't say gay" policy that is just devastating. The story ends up being about Ezra's personal growth while also providing an extremely inspiring and empowering storyline about the power LGBTQIA+ students have to overcome these kind of obstacles. And, while navigating all of this, Ezra also manages to find love where he'd never thought to look - and it even involves hockey (you'll see, I LOVED it).

This book got me all up in my feelings, I cried off and on through the entire second half. I cannot believe this is a debut novel because it is so well put together and just beautiful. I don't want to get into too much detail because I really think it's more meaningful to just read it, but y'all. This book is IMPORTANT. It's not my lived experience, but it was for so many of my friends growing up and for so many young people today. It is making me want to go double check the school district policies for my daughter because seriously, this book is a call to action. And I absolutely loved that the final message, after all is said and done, is about having pride and believing that individuals can make a difference.

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge is out in April, and you are going to want to get it on you TBR RIGHT NOW. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Delacorte for the ARC, and to Matthew Hubbard for listening to me ramble about how much I loved the book as I read.

First of all, how amazing is this cover?? 😭 One of the prettiest things I've ever seen! The color choices, the flames, the three characters, everything is so accurate with the vibe and content of the book!

This book deals with a really pressing current issue of queer teens forced to stay silent about their queerness in school -- the backlash received by these students was heartbreaking, and the way they protested and fought back was absolutely inspiring.

While the above runs in the background throughout, the book is also about love and friendship and three teens (including the narrator/MC) taking revenge on their ex boyfriends for abusing/mistreating them. The revenge schemes were absolutely entertaining and satisfactory to read ahhh

TWs - active homophobia by people in power, fatphobia, (verbal) abuse in a relationship (there are multiple instances of this, but the scenes shown on page are similar to what happens in Heartstopper between Charlie and Ben)

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

Glitter bomb- I absolutely loved this! 10 ⭐️!

Ezra Hayes has just discovered his boyfriend is a lying cheater. Ezra, always feeling like a bridesmaid and never a bride, just wanted to be loved. However, it turns out everyone knew Presley was a player. Everyone but him. In a moment of hurt and anger, Ezra burns Presley’s letterman jacket and posts it anonymously on TikTok with the help of his best friends, Lucas and Finley, who have also recently been burned by their relationships. The post quickly goes viral and a revenge plot on their ex boyfriends is born. While he gets a little lost along the way, Ezra realizes this is about more than revenge. His school’s “Watch what you say” (read: don’t say gay) initiative must be stopped and Ezra and his friends are the ones for the job. And who knows, he might find that love was even closer than he thought.

Wow. This was ah-mazing! Witty, commanding, swoony and an absolute must read. As a super fan of drag race, I loved all the references. Overall, what a powerful and inspiring message written beautifully. I cannot say enough good things about this and I will never stop talkingu about it. This was fast paced and engaging. The characters were developed and strong. I loved how Ezra’s dad was so supportive and proud of Ezra and everything he did. Ms. Dion, a teacher, was also a supporting character who pushed the Last Boyfriends along and backed them up. My only hope is that every kid is so lucky. I loved following Ezra and his friends on their journey to finding their voices.

“When a group of survivors join forces, they become fighters.”

This made me angry in the best way. It’s insane that in 2024 we’re still fighting this fight. As a queer kid, I really wish there were books like this when I was growing up. With all of the negativity surrounding social media, it was refreshing to read something proving it could be something amazing and beneficial. The outpour of love, support and rallying together was truly spectacular and does happen from time to time in real life. There will always be haters out there, but “the best revenge is believing in yourself”.

We’re here. 🌈

I have read a lot of Young Adult books in my life, the majority of which have been LGBTQ – they are one of my comforts. The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge is, without a doubt, one of the best YA books I have ever read. It’s a new all-time favorite in the genre of queer YA, and I will recommend it to everyone.

There’s so much to love here. The characters are complex and dynamic. The plot is well-paced and absorbing. The romance is beautiful. The emotion is vivid. The humor is bold. The writing is excellent. The Taylor Swift easter eggs and references are plentiful.

The book explores so many important topics – friendship, identity, justice, strength, acceptance … and, of course, revenge. And it does so from a queer point of view.

The tone is managed so well. I found myself laughing, I found myself crying (a lot), I found myself enraged, and sometimes I felt all those things at the same time. It shifts from vigilantism and revenge plotting to meaningful discourse on a dime. And it makes it work.

The book encourages you to look within, and in turn, you see yourself in these characters that are so well-developed that they feel real.

Amidst real-world legislation that is targeting the existence of queer people, this book has never felt more relevant or necessary. If it finds its way into the hands of someone who needs that spark, that push, to finally speak up and fight back? Then this book can change lives. That is how strong and important this story is.

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge is such an experience. It is a resounding chorus of voices encouraging us all to scream “We’re here.”

It’s also a reminder that not only are queer people here – but we’re here to stay.

What a debut. Matthew Hubbard is an author to watch.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of the book!

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. The title didn't really fit the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this debut novel that has the conniving of Mean Girls, the bildungsroman of Dear Evan Hansen, and yet— a fresh and heartening queer story all its own. I had no idea how much I needed the lessons and representation inside the covers of this book. Reading it, I saw myself… my friends… but even more importantly, I saw the ones who have hurt me in the past. It was reaffirming in the best way to be reminded that I was getting my best revenge by living out loud.

We are introduced to Ezra— hockey fanatic, high school ‘nobody’, and last of his friends to have a boyfriend… or so everyone believes. In truth, he’s been seeing the Harper Valley High School’s Golden Boy for five months on the down low. He has watched his friends, Finley and Lucas, drown in their own respective boy problems— thinking he was the lucky one. This secret triste takes a swift nosedive and sends all three boys on a mission… one to get back at the assholes who wronged them. What ensues is a collection of plots inspired by the best vengeance media the teens have collectively seen (think Carrie and First Wives Club) and a realization that maybe there’s more to retaliation than just getting even.

With a cast of characters that span the gamut of LGBTQ+ representation with their own individual struggles— there is someone for every reader to relate to. I personally saw myself in Jackson; another HVHS Lion who strikes up a friendship with Ezra. There are twists that will surprise and delight you, and great subversions of literary tropes to warm your heart. The author creates a safe space to feel, to explore, and to learn within these pages. From relationship drama to educational administration domination, there are obstacles galore that Ezra goes through. His strength will give readers renewed purpose; and I can’t wait for people of all ages to be inspired by this work.

Thank you to the author for letting me read this novel when i first saw it on instagram the cover really caught my eye irs stunning all the rainbow flames the artwork i just love it so going into it i was really excited to learn more about Ezra and all the other characters in this book firstly i just want to say i loved the friendship between all 3 of them it was so wholesome and this novel was such a fun read but also had such an important message behind it which we are dealing with today still in society and we need to use our voices. This novel also pays homage to The First Wives Club movie which i have on my DVR and now i definitely need to watch it. This novel had drag , pranks, revenge, a little bit of everything. It follows Ezra who gets burned by Presley who honestly i feel as we have either been presley or have met a presley growing up and at times i saw myself having empathy for him because you can tell he was struggling with himself. The friends decide to make a tiktok account and get revenge on the people who did them wrong but also use the platform for good and speak up against the corruption and the corrupted people in charge at school who are trying to silence them. THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. Also one of my favorite things about this novel was seeing the support Ezras father had for him it honestly was so beautiful and wholesome. Ezra was a great lead. A little bit into the book Ezra catches another player on the team who also was burned by presley and keeps it a secret after catching them however that player feels comfortable with Ezra and comes out to ezra and after that a little romance blossums and honestly yall they were so cute.... Im telling you all you need to read this one especially if you love 🏳️‍🌈 novels with important messages and wholesome chosen family and cute romance. Thank you so much matthew for letting me read your novel please never stop writing YA novels you make great books! ♥️

PS: The woman who knew ezras father was a queen and the fact that she saw what was going on and pulled ezra aside to let him know she is with them and show she was an ally and willing to take down people with them was amazing as well ugh this book was perfect yall.

I also love how so many of the characters had different personalities and were all so lovable. Books like this are so important for the younger generation and im so glad so many amazing books like this are being written because someone whos reading it could relate to the story of Ezra,Presley,Jackson & friends.

This book had everything - humor, romance, teen angst, and the sort of coming-to-terms with your own mental health and your friendships that I wish I had done when I was in high school, all wrapped up in a hilarious First Wive's Club-esque plot. In this case, though, the reference to the beloved 90s classic wasn't just a marketing gimmick, but rather the book built on what the movie started. It wasn't just about revenge for these boys, it was about growth, about truly moving on and finding themselves. I'm so glad I started the year with this as my first read, and I know it will be one I recommend time and time again.

This book absolutely had everything you need in a YA coming-of-age novel. The Southern queer experience is not the same for everyone, but the coming out woes and worries of being a young queer kid are nerve wracking for nearly all. I loved this book, and its tapestry of characters that I found myself and my found family in. I will be recommending this to everyone I know and love!

WOW what an absolute BANGER of a book this is. i had some seriously high expectations for it that were shattered. everything about it exceeded my wildest dreams.

i want to start with Ezra and his friends. they're the perfect support group someone should have while navigating an upsetting situation like this. they helped each other, heard each other, and weren't afraid to be brutally honest with each other. they all felt so real. together, they are so funny. they have a dynamic and rhythm that jumps off the page and into your head. i was laughing throughout almost all of their scenes together.

and Ezra himself went on a beautiful arc, of which i won't get into the specifics because of spoilers, but i love how it ended with him finding himself to be worthy.

that's a huge part of this story: knowing your worth. and as these Last Boyfriends fight back, against people that wronged them AND leaders who are out to get them, they discover that they matter.

i love that it evolves far past the need for revenge. it channels queer rage and turns it into queer joy. it's a fight to be seen and heard.

it's really great. Matthew, who is VERY kind btw, did such an incredible job crafting this story and i know everyone is going to love it

This cover is SO colorful and SO queer, and Matthew Hubbard can honestly do no wrong. I love the revenge plot, the friendships, and the exploration of real-world themes like censorship. It feels super contemporary without being corny/running the risk of being dated, and teen readers will absolutely connect.