This book is about a fictional boy band, and because of that fact, many readers would assume that this is a fluff piece, suitable for the fanatical teen girls who follow such musical acts in real life. But in truth this book, on top of being a sweet blend of friends-to-lovers and forbidden romance, tackles some very serious topics. Mental health, substance abuse, exploration of sexual identity, coerced closeting, exploitation in the entertainment industry, and toxic family members are some of the tough issues brought up in this book. We follow Ruben, Zach, Jon, and Angel as they seek to break out from the roles they've been forced into, and fight to become independent young men out from under the thumbs of parents and management companies.

And the authors wrap it all up in a story of emerging love that is so sweet and tender, and it shows that chosen family can often be more loving and supportive than biological family. The characters are beautifully written, and as readers we get to connect with them throughout the book. The dual POV narration works very well, with each of our two leads having their own distinct voice, most likely due to the flawless cowriting of Gonzales and Dietrich.

My only small complaint with this book was that it dragged just a tiny bit a couple of times, but that's a minor quibble. I look forward to reading more books from these authors in the future.

Two of four cuties in a boy band fall in love and have to navigate their burgeoning relationship with the images their label has curated for them. Unfortunately, neither “gay” nor “bi” are in the management-approved adjectives for Ruben or Zach.

This is a super cute friends-to-lovers LGBTQIA+ rom-com! The boy band angle is so fresh— I loved it!

I do wish, though, since the narration switches between Zach and Ruben’s POV’s, that the audiobook featured two different voice actors. It really helps me follow the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an arc of this book.

Ruben is used to his band's label not allowing him to be himself--always denying him the option to come out as gay to fans and controlling his persona. But when bandmate Zach and Ruben fall for each other, they realize that their band's label is controlling all four of them in ways they are ready to stand up to.

THIS BOOK. I still cannot stop thinking about it. This was all the boy band fluff and romance and coming out and coming of age and friendship and singing and EVERYTHING that my heart needed and I am so so so in love with this book. I loved every minute of this.

I was immediately in love with both Ruben and Zach as soon as their pov's started. They are both such amazing characters and total cinnamon rolls and I just wanted to wrap them both in a warm blanket and give them hot coco and tell them everything was going to be okay. I am so in love with the romance in this book and the way it progressed. There were definitely ups and downs but I really liked the way it all came together to bring these boys to each other!

This is such a feel good book. I love it so much. I think I will be reading it again as soon as it comes out.

Pub Date: Dec 7, 2021

Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Biphobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia

I don’t read much YA contemporary these days, but Sophie Gonzalez has never let me down before, and this was - as I expected - a lot of fun. I could never go back to the sheer drama of fandom again because this book reminded me of how exhausting it was (and I wasn’t even in 1D fandom, just regular TV show fandoms), but it was also fun to spend time in that world for the space of a single book.

The characters are great and I genuinely adored their romance/friendships within the band. I did think Ruben was the standout of the two with the nuances in how he navigated coming out and supporting Zach along the way, and the complicated relationship with his mother which was resolved (or not resolved) in a realistic manner. (Zach’s storyline felt a little weaker and I thought dropped the ball on a few plot points towards the end). I also really love that this book deals with the messier side of fame and the manipulation of teens by the music industry - it is a fun read, but also deals with quite a few topics including eating disorders and drug use, as well as the tricky issues around consent and interactions with fans.

This book undoubtedly has one of the best premises of the year. And it absolutely delivers on that! While Ruben and Zach are certainly the ones in the spotlight, all of the members of Saturday were wonderful to read about, and I really enjoyed getting to see how they grew on their own and as a group. The book also features a wonderful examination of the pressure placed on queer people in the entertainment industry.

CW: homophobia, alcohol and drug use, drug addiction, car accident, serious injury, racism, off-page hospital and rehab stays

More like 3.5 stars, but rounded up, because LGBTQ representation is important. It provides a refreshing environment not seen in romance right now. The minutiae of life in a boy band is important, especially to those of us who might’ve suspected but hadn’t really envisioned all the details—and especially to readers like myself who haven’t had to deal with boy bands in years. (Daughter was a 1D and 5SOS fan.) At times, though, I felt the exposition slowed And yet, it was the entire context Ruben and Zach were struggling through in the first place. things down and became more than just an obstacle to the romance, but overpowered it. The brief “hate” in the middle of this friends-to-lovers romance was emotional whiplash. But I’m glad to see the love it’s receiving, because those are the more important readers to reach.

2.75/5 stars

This book falls into the average books category for me. The primary idea behind this novel was interesting enough, but its development didn't really convince me, especially because I found it quite repetitive in some moments.

The bandmates had a lot of potential as characters, but I would have loved to see more of their interactions, just to cement the idea that they are close friends and all of that. I especially did not see it when they had to do something to help Angel, it's just absurd to me that they just went on for so long and ignored the problem as if it was okay.

In regards to the main couple, I want to say that I wasn't blown away by Zach and Ruben's romance as I was expecting to be. Not only it felt quite out of the blue, but also very rushed.
The thing that stood out the most to me and that I definitely did not like was reading Zach's inner thoughts and then seeing how he behaved in a totally different way with everyone around him. I know that this topic was discussed within the book, but I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

What I did like was the look behind the scenes of stardom and how controlling and abusive it must be. I obviously can't comprehend the true extent of it, since I haven't experienced it first hand, but I do believe that unfortunately it can get to some of the extremes that were shown in the novel and that is definitely not okay.

The ending was very predictable and since we got to that point I would have liked at least an epilogue or something to actually see how it all ended and the consequences of everyone's actions.

I appreciated the themes of friendship and discovering/believing in your true self, but I didn't really love this book. The manipulate management of the band was vile and disappointing, and the mental damage it caused for the young men was sad. There was a beaten-down feeling throughout that was unpleasant. I felt that aspect of the story overrode the growing relationship between Ruben and Zach. Too much angsty angst for me.

Full disclosure? I usually run from books about boy bands. I've put it in my head that all of them are fanfiction in some grade and I haven't followed boy bands since 2002. So this disclosure is full because I only got a book into a troupe I'm very nay about because I've fallen in love with Sophie Gonzales.

Zack and Ruben are part of a popular boy band, but fame came with a downside, they're fully controlled by their management and unable to speak a word without permission. Ruben has never been allowed to come out as homosexual, Zack's songs were never approved because they don't fit the group's image—though they are exactly the type of music Zack likes. The four are already stressed out when their first European tour starts, and it doesn't help that Ruben and Zack, who is heterosexual, can't avoid noticing each other.

It's weird that my biggest complaint is also the reason I became so attached to this book, I wish we didn't have to read so much about the two other members. At the same time, each of them was so well shown since the beginning that the lack of focus compensated and they feel like real people I totally stan. I apologize if this paragraph makes no sense, but now I've finished the book, I'm sad I won't be hearing about them anymore.I also went after the official drawings of each other and while they looked nothing like I was imagining (accepting descriptions isn't my thing and I always make images of my own, sorry to all authors), it was a moment for me.

Putting behind whatever my previous paragraph was, I loved how the coauthorship worked. I could guess which author was in charge of which character but not to a point it felt like I was reading two different books as it tends to happen to those written in four-hands. Having two minds helped us really having two main characters, with different beliefs, personalities and interpretations of each other. The misunderstandings that will inevitably happen didn't feel forced, time to make it rain in paradise. You could see where they came from and agree with each of them as well as feel bad because you know it isn't like that even if the character had no way of reading the other's mind.

I haven't been a pop star yet to attest the backstage and all the shenanigans going with the band but they were so credible they may have become my headcanon for pop groups. The worldbuilding was especially delicious.

And of course, the romance. I think they get together too soon, I wish I could have savored more before but it's before the middle so the story can develop where all the authors' work was leading us to. I understand, it is great, the boy band wasn't just an excuse for another queer romance, they created something more and you should look forward to it. But I liked how Zack likes Ruben without any idea he does it romantically. I love how Ruben could never expect his hot but het friend would feel anything for him. So yes, I wanted more of this phase. At the same time, they're uber cute together and it was necessary for the plot, so okay... I still wanted it, though.

This is some great read. The interesting aspects of the boy band life, the awkward development of the romance, the chemistry between the couple, the awesome characters that made me really cry at least once... This is YA indeed but it's borderline so you'll probably enjoy this romance even if YA isn't your thing.

If you love one direction well here you go!
Love the fact that these were characters in a book but they made me feel obsessed!
Loved the way the book was written and how the author talked about some subjects. Definitely recommend!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so psyched to read to this book which follows a budding romance between Ruben and Zach, two members of the wildly popular boy band, Saturday. I expected to love this book but unfortunately it fell flat for me. While I enjoyed the romance between the two boys, the overall storyline wasn’t engaging enough to hold my attention.

I think this book would be better suited for the younger teen crowd, as an adult reader, I was bored with the entertainment industry aspect and the management team controlling the band’s every move.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me but I think many readers will enjoy it.

This is a dual author and dual POV YA contemporary following two members of a famous boy band. Ruben and Zach are two of the four members of Saturday, and all four members are under a lot of pressure to conform to their images in the media - images their label has created for them.

I absolutely zoomed through this book - I read almost the entire thing in one sitting. It was a really enjoyable read, even if I thought the writing could have been a little better at times.

I wasn't expecting how much the book delved into the pressures put on people in the music/entertainment industry, and I really liked this aspect of the book. Each character had struggles they were going through, and the book addressed topics like drug abuse and emotional abuse. Though it was never named as emotional abuse, the relationship between Ruben and his mother definitely qualifies as such, and I liked that the book explored a more difficult relationship with a parent- I think that's something that is especially important in YA.

The relationship between Ruben and Zach was really cute, though I wish we could've gotten a little more development/relationship specific backstory to see more of how Ruben's crush on Zach started. I thought the conflict that happened between Zach and Ruben was really realistic, especially for them both being teen boys figuring themselves out. I also appreciated how much they communicated with each other.

rating: 4/5

There's a lot of talk about what may or may not have inspired this story, but I'll admit from the word go that I am not, and never really have been, much of a boyband fan. In fact, I fortunately managed to avoid all this hype until after I'd actually read the book.

The book itself was a tale of two parts - it was rather mediocre to begin with and kind of difficult to tell the two POVs apart, but at some point, things clicked and the book took off from strength to strength. The characterisation was on point, from protagonists to the side characters, and their inter-relationships were represented in complex and relatable ways. Not to mention the diverse range of complex themes tackled alongside.

This book follows plots I’ve always loved and I honestly can’t describe how happy I am about how well this was pulled off. This is definitely a book worth picking up.

THIS BOOK MADE ME SO HAPPY. First off, thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read such an amazing book! I had such a fun time reading this book and highly, highly recommend it to romance lovers! These characters and the story were so much fun and I loved watching how all of the characters truly grew into themselves throughout the story. I was so engrossed in what was happening and literally screamed with joy at some parts. I also really loved how the more serious topics in the book were handled. I wasn’t expecting some of the things that happened in the book, but was pleasantly surprised at how well it was done and how much I felt while reading about them. I really do think that. I would have such a fun time reading other books from these authors and I will for sure look out for them in the future! Overall, I rated the book 4 stars because it was so good and really made me smile. I honestly just felt so happy while reading this book and I am so, so glad that I got the chance to read it!

4.5 ⭐

If This Gets Out tells us the story of Ruben and Zach, members of the famous boyband Saturday, as they struggle with balancing their feelings for one another while appeasing their hard ass PR manager.

This story... Just wow. I don't even know what to say, honestly. It's emotional and phenomenal.... A must read

zacruben get behind my back imma defend and protect u. i think this relevantly portrays the powerplay and pressure within the entertainment industry.

i kept thinking about taylor swift and scooter braun, the problem in the kpop industry, and how artists are vulnerable at the start of their career where they are usually taken advantage by these terrifying capitalist monsters.

4.75 ☆

This coming of age book was perfection.
It is for the boy band lovers.
It is for teens growing up and finding themselves.
It is for young adults that have a great relationship with their parents and for the ones that have an unhealthy relationship.
It is for young adults that are struggling and needing support and love.
It is a book that focuses on young men, their life in the limelight and finding where they fit in the world and finding their voice.
It is a book that is all inclusive, but really celebrates and understands a young man that is in the midst of discovering himself and coming out. I couldn't have loved Zach and Ruben more!

Saturday is a boy band that was put together while 4 boys befriended one another during a summer camp. Angel, John, Zach and Ruben's lives would never be the same after John's father, who is a famous music manager, decides to take these boys under his wing and mold them into the next big thing.

If This Gets Out is all about this band, their families and how they live for their management and not themselves. They are pawns in the management game and they are there to make them money. This book really opened up a different side to the music industry. Especially for the "money making teen boy bands". We've all seen them and you now may think of them very differently. But this book really concentrates on two boys, Zach and Ruben, who tells their story from their POVs.

Ruben knows who he is and everyone from his family, to his friends, to their management team knows who he is. But they try to stifle him and don't want him to come out. Because he is gay in a boy band and they sell sex. They want the girls to love him. It's been a hard road for Ruben, but he knows his time to come out will be soon. Or so they keep telling him.
Then there is Zach. He's not even sure what is going on with himself. He keeps having these feelings for Ruben and thinking of other boys he has liked in the past. But he knows he likes girls. How can he like both? What is going on?

I enjoyed that the authors took a popular boy band and enlightened the audience to what it may be like to be a part of "the machine". But it's so much more than that when you involve finding ones sexuality, addiction, mental health, etc. The authors hit on so many relevant topics and did it in a very readable and enjoyable way. The characters they created along with the story and journey of those characters was such a beautiful and believable process. It broke my heart and made me love those boys more and more as the story progressed. The beginning took me a little to get into, but it was all about building this world and the boys. In the end, I fell in love with Zach and Ruben and the friendship they had with their bandmates and the relationship that they allowed to grow and develop between the both of them. I couldn't have asked for more.

4.5 stars rounded up for this wonderfully told story and journey to discovering oneself. Definitely a YA book I'd recommend to any reader, but especially to the LGBTQ community.

I saw people talking about this book for months and had some pretty high expectations for it, but I was truly blown away. I absolutely loved everything about this book. As a long-time fan of boy bands, I was immediately drawn to the characters and loved the dynamics between them. The plot was perfect and extremely entertaining without being overwhelming. While reading I could not put this book down and will be recommending it to everyone I know.

What a rollercoaster of a book! I finished this book in just over 24 hours which, as a busy college student, says a lot about this book. I fell in love with each member of Saturday. Even though Jon and Angel didn't have POV chapters, Zach and Ruben's love for them and dynamics with them made it feel like I knew that half of the band just as well as I knew the half of the band narrating the story. There is such an intense undercurrent of hope and joy within this book that it feels impossible not to love Saturday. 

This book is full of ups and downs and does not shy away from the hard topics. I was a little surprised at how dark this book gets for a RomCom, but the flow between light and dark worked really well. I never felt like I had been cheated out of the genre I was promised but rather like I was seeing into the realities of these characters' lives. Things alternate between light and heavy for everyone, and this book shows that the highs and lows are even more intense when your entire life is being scrutinized by cameras 24/7. Each of the characters has major struggles, and their struggles are painfully real and can be difficult to read. If you follow the authors on Twitter, you may have seen them tease about the "70% club" and the readers' reactions to a major event. The build-up to that event is done exquisitely, I was dreading finding out what exactly was about to happen because the tension was so thick that it feels inevitable that something is about to go down. I kept wondering what specific action was going to be the one to push the tension over the edge. It is an excruciating build-up and I loved every minute of it. I echo other readers by saying, once you hit that point, you will not want to stop.

Zach and Ruben were adorable together, even when things got hard or messy, even when things seemed bleak, their love for each other shone through, even before they both knew they loved the other and that their crush was requited. If you are looking for intense, long, drawn-out pining, this book probably is not for you, but if you are looking for some pining and then a deep, real look at relationships, self-discovery, and how they intersect, this book is definitely for you. They were so fiercely protective of each other in ways that made my heart melt. I am absolutely team Zuben for life.

Yes, this book can get heavy and dark, but the prevailing hope and joy even from within the darkness are why I think this is absolutely the kind of book we need in these times, and I am immensely grateful that Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich have provided it to us.