If this gets out by Sophie Gonzales was absolutely delightful. The writing is incredible – it kept me engaged all along. The characters are very much drawn and fascinating. Our two primary characters, Ruben and Zack, alternate narrating every chapter, and it’s obvious how much fun the writers had while writing their story.
Zach and Ruben belong to a famous boy band and the book gets going with a detailed moment-by-moment depiction of Ruben’s show performance experience. It really feels like you’re getting an in the background look at how the giant music industry functions.
I liked each of the four band members. They’re entertaining and brilliant and likeable, above all, they’re so much believable as 18 year old. As I have already said that the book’s POV switches to and fro among Ruben and Zach. I must say we still get to know everyone of the four characters who are each managing their own problems. They are the best guys and I truly love the connections they have with each other.
A large part of the book is about the guys finding the disadvantages of popularity. It most certainly shows the sad truth of what it resembles being a big name and carrying on with life in a fishbowl. Their record label and the management group totally own them, their guardians aren’t giving them the help they need, and they’re all managing being in that unusual hazy situation that many 18 yr olds wind up in of needing to be completely autonomous however only being partly capable of it.
To complicate issues, Zach and Ruben have begun dating. So obviously this presents one more part of their lives where their management has more say regarding that situation than they do. The minimization they experience is disgusting and dishonest. You can’t resist the urge to pull for them as they attempt to gain some semblance of control over their lives and learn exactly how troublesome it can be to support yourself.
Overall! A riveting character-driven Young adult contemporary, If this gets out by Sophie Gonzales is a wonderful read about finding and accepting yourself among every one of life’s difficulties – and surprisingly more when you’re in a boyband.
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