Hi everyone! Today I’m going to be reviewing If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich.
Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
If This Gets Out follows the protagonists, Zach and Ruben, in the tour across Europe as members of the world’s biggest boy band. As the pressures from management on Ruben become too much he finds himself leaning on Zach for support, and the two best friends find themselves growing closer than ever, until their friendship evolves into a romance… But the last thing management want is for this to get out.
I really enjoyed If This Gets Out! After reading both Only Mostly Devastated and Perfect On Paper by Sophie Gonzales I had pretty high expectations for this, and I’m so, so glad it didn’t disappoint. I thought the boy band angle was really interesting and I loved that this featured a best-friends-to-lovers trope, which is a personal favourite of mine! It was genuinely such a great read.
I think what really made this book stand out to me most of all, though, was the character development each member of Saturday underwent. It was genuinely some of the best I’ve read in a while, and it was really lovely seeing them all overcome their personal obstacles and go after what they wanted. I think Jon’s struggles with his dad and Zach’s with generally putting himself first particularly stood out to me, and I loved seeing all of their different journeys culminate into one amazing ending.
Of course, the friendship between the boys was also absolutely amazing. I think both authors did an incredibly well job with fully fleshing out all of these characters, and their different personalities and the way they interacted with each other was great. Despite some conflicts you could really tell how much they all cared about each other and I loved that they were just as close offstage.
Zach and Ruben’s romance was also super cute! Despite getting off to a slow start, once they started dating things were lovely and I really admired the way they communicated with each other, which was usually pretty good. I thought they made a really great match and they really brought out the best in each other, pushing each other to overcome their difficulties and improve themselves. It was definitely really refreshing to see!
Of course, in addition to the friendship and the romance there were some pretty heavy topics included. A couple of the boys had really difficult relationships with their parents, and a third struggled with drug and substance abuse, which I think was a really important inclusion. It’s tragic how many young artists end up going down this path so I appreciated it being tackled so sensitively here.
A darker side to the music industry was also presented, which was another really important inclusion. The pressures the characters faced were awful and what was even more awful was knowing it’s the reality for many within the industry. Something which particularly stood out to me was how opposed they were against Ruben and Zach coming out to their fans, which was truly dreadful.
I think that definitely made for a really important lesson. If This Gets Out had a recurring theme of being true to yourself, which is so important to remember these days. I really enjoyed reading the characters explore who they were, and their journey of self-discovery. Zach’s journey with coming to terms with his sexuality particularly stood out to me, and I thought it was a lovely inclusion for anyone going through something similar.
I also really loved the ending. As I briefly touched on earlier, it was great seeing all their character arcs come to a satisfying end as well as their development. It was great seeing them stand up for themselves, and I also loved how open things were left… It was the most open ending I’ve read in a while (I literally turned the page for the next chapter, but it wasn’t there) and I’m hoping that the ambiguous ending means there may be a sequel?!
Overall, I would recommend If This Gets Out for any fan of contemporaries, as this was such a cute book with a lovely romance and some amazing friendships! I’d also recommend it for any fan of music, as this revealed another side to the industry and what can really go on behind the scenes.
Have you read If This Gets Out yet? Will you be adding it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed this review!
Ceri
Read And Review It 
This sounds like a great review. Thank you for sharing. It isn’t something I would normally choose to read but I love recommendations.
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Thank you! I’d definitely recommend giving it a go anyway, thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I love good character development and great friendships in books and this one has both! Great review!
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So do I, they’re both so important! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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This sounds like a lovely read! I enjoy how the title adds to the premise and tension of the story, and that the characters’ interactions are interesting and help lead to change in both Zach and Ruben. 🙂
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It definitely is! So do I, I really appreciated what the title added to the book, and I loved how the characters changed each other for the better. Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
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Open endings always leave me confused and wishing I didn’t read a book. 😩 I don’t know why you’ve loved an open ending. LOL! I usually just want to know exactly what happened or what the writer really wanted for the characters in the end. The book sounds really great. It’s like heavy subjects were dealt with carefully and mindfully. I enjoyed this review. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Haha I’m normally the same with open endings – particularly with mysteries – but this one was just so different! It definitely is, I really appreciated it. Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
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Okay, this was an instant “add to TBR”. Best friends to lovers? Boy bands? Queer romance? Yes, PLEASE. I need it all in my life right away. I can’t wait to read this soon.
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I’m so glad to hear that, it’s all my favourite things too! I really hope you enjoy it, thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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This book sounds great, I love a best friend to lover storyline too. A very interesting concept indeed.
Corinne x
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It definitely is, I’d really recommend it if you’re a fan of the trope! Thank you so much for reading and commenting x
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This is an interesting review and seems it’s a good book. I love when it has a good ending.
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Thank you! It definitely is, I’d really recommend it. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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This plot sounds so familiar, I’m sure I read another review of it on another blog, although I don’t remember which one now 😦 But I still think it’s a great story, and definitely something that needs to be talked about where the music industry pressures are concerned. Great review, Ceri! x
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Haha I hope they enjoyed it too! It definitely is, and I completely agree – I think it’s particularly important that it’s talked about with books with this younger audience as it’s something they’re not necessarily aware of. Thank you so much for reading and commenting Lisa x
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This sounds like a really cute romance and we love a book with a European setting.
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It truly is, they’re the cutest – and European settings are the best! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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This sounds like a great read and something that I would read! It sounds great how a romance can come as a shock, but a good shock. But I am not a lover of open endings. I need to know EXACTLY what happens, ha ha! Thank you sharing.
Lauren
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I’m so glad to hear this sounds like something you’d enjoy! It definitely is – and I’m usually not either but there was just something different about this one, haha! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I’m so happy to hear you loved this book. It sounds like a great mix of adventure and friendship. I’m very interested in adding this to my list this since you’ve raved about the character development! That’s what makes a great story! Thank you for sharing.
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It definitely is, it’s such a lovely combination! Ooh I hope you enjoy it, the character development truly was spot on haha – and I agree, it’s essential to good story telling! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I’m loving the sound of this book, it especially draws me in as it shows a different side to the music industry – that always interests me. I’ll for sure be checking this one out asap! Thank you so much for sharing such an amazing review with us lovely, great post! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
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I’m so glad to hear this sounds like something you’d enjoy – I hope you love it as much as I did if you end up picking it up! Thank you so much for reading and commenting xx
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Thanks for sharing your review. I’ve heard so many great things about If This Gets Out. I love that the romantic pairing works really well – that’s so important! 🙂
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Ooh yes it truly is worth the hype! The romance was definitely really special here too. Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
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Nice review Ceri!!! This book sounds like a fun, exciting and interesting read!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
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Thank you! It definitely is, I really recommend it. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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What a great review! I always feel like a broken record when I say this, but you have just made me add yet another book to the list lol. I am intrigued and love following journeys of self-discovery when reading books such as these. Thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying my reviews and I’m helping you find new reads haha. The self discovery was absolutely amazing in this! Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I really hope you enjoy it.
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I read this one last month and adored it so much as well.
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I’m so glad you loved it as much as I did! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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Thanks for another great recommendation. Fantasy is usually my thing but sometimes I sneak a contempory in so I might just grab it if I see it at the bookstore!
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Ooh I’m normally the other around – predominately contemporary with the occasional fantasy – but I really hope you enjoy this! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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This sounds like an amazing summer romance! Thanks for sharing!
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It definitely is, perfect for relaxing for in the sun! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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I think it is an interesting story but not something I would possibly choose to read. I did enjoy your review though! thank you ❤️
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I’m glad you enjoyed my review anyway! Thank you so much for reading and commenting ❤
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This sounds like a great read and I love fiction that tackles sensitive topics.
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It definitely is, I’d really recommend it! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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OMG!!! I also turned the book for the last chapter but it wasn’t there. I finished reading the book yesterday and I just sat there for a like minutes processing that the book is over. Now I’m in a book hangover.
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Wow what a coincidence, that’s crazy – I’m glad I wasn’t alone! Oh no those are the worst, hoping you can get over your book hangover soon ❤ Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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Thank you ❤ What would you recommend for me to do to get over my book hangover??
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