Review: If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich
SYNOPSIS:
Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy-band Saturday, one of the biggest acts in America. Along with their bandmates, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartbreakers in front of the cameras and best friends backstage. But privately, cracks are starting to form: their once-easy rapport is straining under the pressures of fame, and Ruben confides in Zach that he’s feeling smothered by management’s pressure to stay in the closet.
On a whirlwind tour through Europe, with both an unrelenting schedule and minimal supervision, Ruben and Zach come to rely on each other more and more, and their already close friendship evolves into a romance. But when they decide they’re ready to tell their fans and live freely, Zach and Ruben start to truly realize that they will never have the support of their management. How can they hold tight to each other when the whole world seems to want to come between them?
REVIEW:
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
This story was pure boy band magic. As someone who has loved boy bands for a very long time, this story is filled with a delightful romance, drama, rising tensions, and all the swooning! I have read both Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich individual works but together they are a phenomenal combination. I smiled, I laughed, but most importantly, I couldn’t put it down.
Ruben and Zach are the absolute cutest. What starts off as an unrequited crush blows into so much more. What is undeniable is the bond and chemistry these two have. While Ruben can be petty and Zach can be fickle, these two communicate better than some adult romances I’ve read. Their relationship, while a surprise and unexpected, is fantastically paced. And at its core is a rock solid friend. Of course when things shift to something more there is plenty of initial tension and angst, but they work through the drama and it had my heart soaring. There were just so many endearing tender moments sprinkled throughout the harsh realities of fame.
And when things are good for Ruben and Zach, there is plenty of external drama with the other members of Saturday and their management team. This drama was both necessary but also broke my heart. All these characters are carrying secrets and these secrets might eventually get them killed. The management team is the absolute worst and I found my riding the emotional rollercoaster with the characters. I love these kinds of books, the ones that resonate with your soul and make you feel everything.
This was just a captivating story about the bonds of friendship and doing what’s best for you even when it feels like the world is against you. Its the type of read that leaves a smile on your face and hope in your heart. *chef’s kiss*
LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
