Tag: #lgbtbooks

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May Wrap Up

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After such a brilliant reading month in April, I think it’s fair to say May went down hill.

I only managed to read nine books, which is still a good amount we all know it doesn’t matter if you read one or a hundred a month, but I just wanted to keep the momentum going.

Let’s talk about the books shall we?

First up I read Raven Smith’s Men. This was a really interesting nonfiction book that looks at the men, and men in general, of Ravens life. It’s funny, it’s poignant and covers some really interesting subjects. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, this one is out now.

Secondly I read Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta. I hugely anticipated novel for me that didn’t disappoint. Beautifully written, with some gorgeous poetry, and it feels really mature for a young adult book. It’s tender, it’s touching and it feels like a love letter to queer people. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

Next I read You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. A good book, with some great representation and spicy scenes, but I have to say it made me laugh when I don’t think that was it’s intention. It just felt a little silly at times, but I know many people loved this one. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

Then I read An Exciting and Vivid Inner Life by Paul Dalla Rosa.This is a collection of short stories which I found really interesting, I like how so many of had a sadness to them and that’s something I love to read about. There’s was one about a cat I didn’t get at all! Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

Fifth up this month was A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall. I bloody loved this book, a great queer historical romance that I’ve been looking for. It’s steamy, it’s romantic, it’s got a trans main character. I could read a whole series of these characters. It’s out now, thanks to the publishers for my copy.

Up next was If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber. I loved this sweet, romantic mlm young adult book. It’s the perfect summer read that was full of queer joy. One of the best queer ya books I’ve read this year. Thanks to the publishers for copy, it’s out now.

Then I read Just By Looking At Him by Ryan O’Connell. I really enjoyed this book and it’s one that just gets better as it continues. Great characters, once again very steamy. It’s got brilliant things to say on disability and queerness. Highly recommend. You can check out my full review here. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

Eight this month I read Tiepolo Blue by James Cahill. One of my favourites of the year. The more I think about this book, the more I love it. It’s atmospheric, it’s haunting, it’s got a fantastic main character. I just adore it. Utterly gripping. You can check out my full review here. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Lastly I read Out of the Blue by Jason June. This one wasn’t my favourite. I liked what it had to say about gender and that the main character was realistic. But I felt the second half became to trope heavy and a little bit tedious. Certainly not a terrible book but I’ve read better young adult books this year. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

So that’s month. Have you read any? Or do you plan to? Let me know.

Until the next review…

Jthbooks

#fiction, author, blog, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, fiction, gay, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised

Book Review: Tiepolo Blue by James Cahill

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Title: Tiepolo Blue

Author: James Cahill

Publisher: Sceptre

Length: 341 pages

Synopsis: Cambridge, 1994. Professor Don Lamb is a revered art historian at the height of his powers, consumed by the book he is writing about the skies of the Venetian master Tiepolo. However, his academic brilliance belies a deep inexperience of life and love. When an explosive piece of contemporary art is installed on the lawn of his college, it sets in motion Don’s abrupt departure from Cambridge to take up a role at a south London museum. There he befriends Ben, a young artist who draws him into the anarchic 1990s British art scene and the nightlife of Soho. Over the course of one long, hot summer, Don glimpses a liberating new existence. But his epiphany is also a moment of self-reckoning, as his oldest friendship- and his own unexamined past – are revealed to him in a devastating new light. As Don’s life unravels, he suffers a fall from grace that shatters his world to pieces.

I loved this novel glimpses into Don’s (the main character) queer life, the restrictive love, and the sexual awakening. These sections of the book feel free and like Don is showing a part of himself he’s always wanted to let go and it’s so enchanting to read. You feel like you really get to know him, but you can also feel the control starting to be lost and James portrays it’s so brilliantly. 

It’s so beautifully written. The writing just flowed until the end and then it became tight and tense and I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I finished the last page. James Cahill really builds momentum throughout the novel, whilst never losing the beauty or the discussion about art (which feels like a main character in itself), and it’s thrilling to read. 

As soon as I started this book I knew I was going to hooked until the last page. It’s utterly gripping. I loved how this book and the character become a slow dissent to the upheaval of his life. It’s so hard not to talk about without revealing the plot but you feels as the reader that you’re on a train you can’t get off and it’s mesmerising.

Tiepolo Blue is the kind of book that lingers in the mind and heart. The more I think of it, the more I love it.

When you finish you can’t help but feel you’ve read a future classic and I know for sure I’ll be reading this time and time again.

Thanks so much to Ollie at Sceptre for gifting me with a copy of the book in return for an honest, unbiased review. It’s out now

Until the next review

Jthbooks

#contemporary, #literature, author, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, fiction, gay, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya

Book Review: Just By Looking At Him by Ryan O’Connell

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Title: Just By Looking At Him

Author: Ryan O’Connell

Publisher: Sphere

Length: 292 pages

Synopsis: Elliot is a TV writer with a perfect-penised boyfriend. He’s living the dream. But behind the glossy veneer he’s been papering over the cracks, and they’re starting to show. He’s creatively stifled, he’s drinking a little too often and his cerebral palsy makes him feel like gay Shrek. When River walks in, Elliott’s life is turned upside down in the best way. River is funny, charming and makes him feel seen. But maybe that’s part of the deal when you hire a sex worker. Elliott is lost and he needs someone, anyone, to point him in the right direction. After all, it’s a long limp towards redemption.

Smart. Funny. Sexy. Poignant. But enough about me let’s talk about Just By Looking At Him.

There’s so much to love about this book. 

It’s a look a queer culture, and what it’s like to grow up queer wondering if you’ll ever have what you’ve grown up seeing and that really resonated with me.  The main character, Elliot, also has Cerebral Palsy and it’s really interesting and touching look into growing up wondering how life will turn out. 

It’s also a really funny, of course you’ll know Ryan is funny if you’ve seen the show Special on Netflix. Elliot is a brilliant main character to follow as he struggles to realise how to make himself happy and whole. There’s so much depth and nuance to him that’s a real testament to Ryan’s writing. 

And damn, it’s hot AF. That’s all I’m gonna say on that front. 

Just By Looking At Him is a difficult book to put down, with its short and sharp chapters, that will ultimately leave you with a full heart.

Thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review. It’s out today!

Until the next review

Jthbooks

#contemporary, #fiction, #literature, author, blogtour, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, bookstagram, fiction, gay, historical fiction, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya, young adult

April Wrap Up

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Didn’t April just absolutely fly by. It felt I blinked and missed it! But saying that I had my best reading month ever.

I managed to read a grand total of fourteen books. All I wanted to do was read. I didn’t want to go out, see friends. All I wanted to do was read and I loved every minute of it.

So let’s talk about the books shall we?

First up, I’m gonna group these together, I read volumes 2, 3 and, 4 of Heartstopper. These are absolutely beautiful graphic novels. They get better as the go on. Each one has made me cry. I wanted to read them before the show came out and I did it. I can’t recommend these enough.

Then I read Eat, Gay, Love my Calum McSwiggan. This was my non-fiction book for the month and I really enjoyed it. Sometimes the writing felt a little choppy but other than that I really enjoyed the subject matter and would recommend.

I also read The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I absolutely bloody loved this book. I thought it was a little bit of magic. It was gripping, made me cry, and absolutely fascinating. I immediately went out and bought Kiran’s previous book! Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out May 12th.

Up next I read Sedating Elaine by Dawn Winter. This was such a crazy premise but I absolutely loved it. I’m surprised how much depth it had to it and I couldn’t put it. It’s out May 5th. Thanks to the publishers for my copy.

I also read Take My Hand by Nolan Perkins- Valdez. I’m really interesting historical fiction, that’s based on a true story that’s mind blowing. It wasn’t my favourite of the month, but still definitely a great read. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out in May.

Up next I read Time Is A Mother by Ocean Vuong. A beautiful poetry collection that is at time sad and it made me cry. I find it hard to review poetry. Just read and enjoy this one. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Then I read Butterfly Assassin by Finn Longman. This felt like the classic old school young adult books I was bought up on with a modern twist. It’s a real page turner and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out in May.

I also read All The Lovers In The Night by Mieko Kawakami. This was a hugely anticipated novel of the year for me and it didn’t disappoint. It’s so intimate and delicate with characters I won’t forget for a while. I really loved this one. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out in May.

Boys Don’t Cry by Fíona Scarlet. This is the book that has made me cry the most this year! I don’t want to spoil anything for you but get the tissues ready. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

I also read I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston. I hugely enjoyable ya novel that I know so many people are looking forward to. Intriguing, fun and so inclusive that just makes it wonderful to read it. It’s out May 12th. Thanks to the publishers for my copy.

Lastly I read Gay Club by Simon James Green. I loved this book so much. It’s fun, it’s inclusive and has some really important messages throughout. It also made me laugh out loud which doesn’t happen to often when I’m reading. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out May 5th!

So that’s it! That’s my reading month! Have you read any of these? Are you going to? Let me know!

Until the next review

Jthbooks

#fiction, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, gay, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya

ARC Book Review: Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart.

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Title: Young Mungo

Author: Douglas Stuart

Publisher: Picador

Length: 400 pages

Synopsis: Born under different stars, Protestant Mungo and Catholic James live in the hyper-masculine and violently sectarian world of Glasgow’s housing estates. They should be sworn enemies if they’re to be seen as men at all, and yet they become best friends as they find a sanctuary in the doocot that James has built for his prize racing birds. As they begin to fall in love, they dream of escaping the grey city, and Mungo must work hard to hide his true self from those around him, especially his elder brother Hamish, a local gang leader with a brutal reputation to uphold. But the threat of discovery is constant and the punishment unspeakable. When Mungo’s mother sends him on a fishing trip with two strange men whose drunken banter lie murky pasts, he needs to summon all his strength and courage to get back to a place of safety, a place where he and James might still have a future.

Listen sometimes books hit. Sometimes they miss. And I’ll say right now this book has been a hit for a lot of people and if you love it you shouldn’t listen to me, but unfortunately for me it was a miss.

Now, I’m not saying it was bad. Not at all. For me, it went a tad too far. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t expecting what happened to happen, but it just left me thinking ‘what is going on’? I don’t mean this in a way that I was confused, I mean it as why does the story have to go to place? Is it necessary? There were just some bits of the sort didn’t fit for me. Especially towards the end. The ending left me with a feeling the book wasn’t cohesive.

I also feel like it’s being sold as an epic, moving love story and it totally fell flat for me in that department. It took over half the book for it to happen and when it did I didn’t feel the connection. And so much of the book is based of what happens surrounding the relationship and the relationship is the catalyst that starts Mungos journey and I couldn’t feel that. But like I said, many many people have felt it.

I do think that the look at working class life is done really well, so much of that is portrayed well and totally transports you to Glasgow. The perspective from Mungos sister was very interesting to me and I would’ve liked to have seen more.

Maybe it’s a case of my expectations were too high? I saw that cover (which is one of the best, I’ll take no arguments on that) and wanted it so desperately to good heartbreaking and epic, but the whole thing just left me bewildered.

Again, so many people are excited for this book and absolutely have adored it. I hope you will too. Definitely check out their reviews. It’s out now.

Thanks to the publishers for my copy.

Until the next review

Jthbooks

author, blogtour, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, bookstagram, fiction, gay, historical fiction, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya, young adult

March Wrap Up

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Well didn’t March fly by! I turned 30 and I read some great books! I really enjoyed the variety of books I read this month! It just felt like a good collection and I never felt bored. I didn’t love them all but we can’t ask for too much?

I managed to read 9 books this month. I think that’s my best this year. I just really enjoyed sitting down and picking up my books! I did have a week off which always helps! Let’s hope it can carry on to next month!

So let’s talk about the books shall we?

First up was Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin translated by Jamie Chung. A really great look at what it’s like to age in Korea. It also looked at queerness in Korea and I felt like the book would’ve benefited from a perspective from her daughter to really explore this but it was over all an enjoyable novel. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out April 4th

Second was Bad Gays: A Homosexual History by Huw Lemmey & Ben Miller. A brilliant non fiction book not focusing on the heroes of queer history but the complicated characters who couldn’t reconcile with their queerness. It was interesting from start to finish, filled with some fascinating people and their lives. Highly recommend if you’re interested in queer history. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out May 31st.

Up next was Limbic by Peter Scapello. Queer poetry which I’d never read before but absolutely adored. It made me cry on the first page. This collection just had so much to say. I really thought it was such a strong collection and I’d love to see a novel from this author. Thanks to the publishers for my copy, it’s out now.

Then I read Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. I bloody loved this book. I loved reading it to find out what was going to happen, how it was all going to come together. I loved how it all weaved together. It’s the kind of book that makes you sit up in bed when it all comes together! That’s what I did anyway! Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out April

Fifth this month I read Stone Butch Blues Leslie Feinburg. Ugh, why did I wait so long to read this book? I loved its take on queer culture and trans life. It was the kind of book I couldn’t stop thinking about. My friend gifted this to me and I’m very grateful.

Up next was Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart. Unfortunately this was a miss for me. I just didn’t connect in anyway. It was bad. I just felt like so much trauma happens that didn’t need to. I finished the book and felt bewildered! But I know many people loved this book. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out April 14th.

Then I read Bolla by Pajtim Statovic translated by David Hackston. This was another one that missed the mark for me. I think it was successful in many ways and I still find myself thinking about it. But the whole novel depends on the relationship at the beginning and it didn’t work for me which made me struggle with the novel throughout. This is a tricky one. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out April 7th .

Penultimately I read The Return of Faraz Ali by Aamina Ahmad. I enjoyed this more that I thought I would. There was a crime aspect to the novel that I didn’t particularly enjoy, but I never do. But everything else I really enjoyed. It was intriguing and filled with great characters. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out April 5th.

Lastly I read The Fake Up by Justin Myers. Did I go into this thinking it was queer? Yes. Was it? No. But it was fun, and hard to put down. I liked all the characters and really enjoyed the story. It was probably my favourite Justin Myers book to be honest and his other two have been queer! Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out April 7th.

So that’s it! That’s my reading month. I had a great month! Are you going to read any of these? Let me know!

Until the next review

Jthbooks

author, blog, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, fiction, gay, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya

ARC Book Review: Here Again Now by Okechukwu Nzelu

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Title: Here Again Now

Author: Okechukwu Nzelu

Publisher: Dialogue Books

Length: 288 pages

Synopsis: Achike Okoro feels like his life is coming together at last. His top-floor flat in Peckham is as close to home as he can imagine and after years of hard work, he’s about to get his big break as an actor. He’s even persuaded his father, Chibuike, to move in with him, grateful to offer the man who raised him as a single parent a home if his own. Between filming trips, Achike is snatching a few days in London with Ekene, his best friend of twenty years, the person who makes him feel whole. Achike can put the terrible things that happened behind him at last; everything is going to be alright. Maybe even better. But after a magical night, when Achike and Ekene come within in a hair’s breadth of admitting their feelings for each other, a devastating event rips all three men apart. In the aftermath, it is Ekene and Chibuike who must try to rebuild. And although they have never truly understood each other, grief may bring them both the peace and happiness they’ve been searching for…

This is by far my favourite book of 2022. It was the first book I read this year because I knew it would be special. And it was. It truly was.

Here Again Now, is a book about love. Love in all it’s forms. What it’s like to feel it but not say, what it’s like to not be able to admit, what it’s like to not be able to show, to not be ready for it. Okechukwu takes the reader to the depths of what love is and what it really means.

It’s about romantic love, in the case between Ekene and Achike. First Okechukwu captures the intamcy between them perfectly. It feels so real, so raw, yet it feels like it can be taken away at any second. It’s tinged with the awkwardness and the uncertainty and it crackles on the page. To read love between two men like this is just an absolute treat. 

It also explores the precarious relationship of Achike and his father Chibuike. The love here is so tenuous and constricted and Okechukwu conveys it perfectly. It’s also a deep look at the damage that can be done when love it withheld, when its conditional. What I really enjoy about the novel is how Okechukwu shows how simple love really is, how joyful it can be before aspects get in the way.

Here Again Now is full of complex characters that really will earn a place in your heart. I know I’ll never forget Achike and Ekene. All these characters are dealing with grief, masculinity, what it means to be your true self. And it’s all glorious to read.

Okechukwu is a phenomenal writer. I can’t tell you how many times the beauty in his words made me cry. I had to pause reading a lot to really let it sink in what I’d just read. I still think about the writing in this book. It’s so tender and searing honest. Okechukwu said he’s put his soul into this book and you can absolutely feel.

There are moments in this book that shocked me, that broke me but I was left with a feeling of hope. Basically what I’m trying to say is its one of my new favourite books and you should all read it! Okay!

Here Again Now is a tender exploration of love in its many forms that will soar into readers hearts with lyrical prose.

I can’t recommend this book to you all enough. I think it’s truly something special.

Thank you to the publishers for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased review. It’s out today.

Until the next review

Jthbooks

author, blog, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, bookstagram, fantasy, fiction, gay, literary ficton, review, Uncategorised, ya, yafantasy, young adult

February Wrap Up

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Well!! Didn’t February fly by? I’ve only just managed to get my January wrap up live on the blog!

I managed to read 8 books this month. I’m just really enjoying spending my time with a book. It was strange month. I either thought the book was unique or I didn’t like it. We have those months don’t we sometimes?

So let’s talk about it the books shall we?

First up this month was Mothers Boy by Patrick Gale. Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I had high hopes of it being wonderfully queer but it wasn’t and I just found it dull. There was nothing new or exciting about this book. I didn’t feel like I got to know the characters. It was good. Thanks to the publisher for my copy. It’s out now.

Then I read Slaughterhouse by Kurt Vonnegut. This was leant to me by my best friends boyfriend as it’s his favourite book and I’m surprised to say I loved it. I thought it was really unique and different and I love what it had to say. Yeah I really enjoyed it.

Thirdly I read Booth by Karen Joy Fowler. Now this definitely wasn’t a bad book, I’m not saying it is but I’m struggle to see the point as to why it was written. Maybe it’s because I don’t live in America and not that familiar with this family but it didn’t add anything. Yeah, it was a strange one for me! Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Next was Vagabonds by Eloghosa Osunde. This was the second book to make cry this year. They way it talks about queer love and queer lives in Nigeria is brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. I never do this but I dog-eared some pages so I can go back and read the beautiful passages. There’s some really stunning elements to this book! Took me a while to get into though. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out March 31st.

Then I read Life As A Unicorn by Amrou Al-Kadhi. This queer memoir was absolutely glorious. Amrous personality shines through on every page and I loved it. They had a great story to tell and every queer person needs to read this book! It’s out now.

Sixth I read Out Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield. Glorious. Absolutely glorious! Unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s romantic, creepy and atmospheric. And it’s ending was brilliant. The kid of ending that only works in a book. I can’t recommend this one to you enough. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Penultimately I read Maps of our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer. I’m in two minds about this one. It’s a book about a mother dying of cancer yet it didn’t make me cry, so I don’t think I was to invested. And I can’t decide if the writing style was to gimmicky or not. It’s a tough one. It definitely wasn’t bad and I know a lot of people love it. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out March 31st.

Lastly I read The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendleson. My goodness did I hate this book. I hated everything about it. HATE IT. The worst thing I’ve read in a long time. I wouldn’t recommend this at all. Awful. Absolutely awful. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out March 17th.

Sorry to end the wrap up on such a sour note but we’ve got to honest haven’t we? Are you planning on reading any of these? Let me know!

Until the next review.

Jthbooks

#contemporary, #literature, author, blog, book blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, fiction, gay, lgbt, literary ficton, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya, yafantasy, young adult

January Wrap Up

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Another month has come and gone. And yes, this wrap up is very late. February has hit me hard and I didn’t feel like writing this.

I had a fantastic reading month in January. I enjoyed all of the books, even found some new favourites. I managed nine books. Can you tell I spent most of my month reading?

So let’s talk about the books shall we?

First up I read Here Again Now by Okechukwu Nzelu. There’s no doubt in my mind that this will be in my top 10 books of the year. I just thought it was brilliant. It’s emotional, stunningly written. I’ll have a full review up but I hope you all read this book. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out March 10th. Preorder this one.

Then I read To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I think this book goes from strength to strength with each section and by the end I couldn’t put it down. I think it’s pretty spectacular. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Up next was A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe. This was another enjoyable book for me, and again it made me a bit emotional. It’s a beautiful book and it’s out now. Thanks to the publishers for my copy.

Fourth this month was When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo. It took me a little while to get into this one, and towards the end I found the story to more cohesive. It was beautifully written and I found myself really savouring the last few pages. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s February 10th.

Fifth this month I read Please Miss by Grace Lavery. This wasn’t my favourite of the month, but it certainly wasn’t bad. It had some brilliant things to say on gender and trans lives and those bits I absolutely loved. The rest I wasn’t to into, but like I said it certainly wasn’t bad. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out February 10th.

Then I read Brown Girls Daphne Palais Andreades. I really enjoyed this. It’s beautifully written. Such a lyrical prose that make it hard to put down. It’s a love letter to girlhood and I can’t wait to see what this author does next. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Up next was The Alpha’s Son by Penny Jessop. The perfect book to get lost in. Lots of fun. Captures that first love feeling brilliantly. I’m excited to see where this series goes. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Eighth this month I read Devotion by Hannah Kent. A beautiful sapphic historical fiction book. It took a little twist in the middle that took this book to a whole new level for me. Another beautifully written book. Thanks to the publishers for my copy. It’s out now.

Lastly I read Good Intentions by Kasim Ali. A great book to finish the month on. This book has so much to say and it’s all weaved in beautiful writing and compelling storytelling. It’s out March 3rd.

So that’s it for this month. I really hope you’ll pick some of these up. Let me know.

Until the next review

Jthbooks.

#contemporary, blog, book blogger, book bloggers, book review, books, bookstagram, gay, lgbt, queer, review, Uncategorised, ya, yafantasy

ARC Book Review: If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich.

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Title: If This Gets Out

Authors: Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich

Publishers: Hodder Children’s Books

Length: 400 pages

Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old 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 pressure 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 realise that they will never have the support of their management again.

A secret queer relationship in a boy band? Do I really need to say more to get you to read it? Isn’t that enough? Don’t we all want to read that? I know I do! And trust me… It didn’t disappoint!


There’s so much to love about this book, for me the main thing was that relationship. It was so sweet, so believable and so swoon worthy. Don’t we all just need a swoon worthy romance between two hot dudes every once in a while. I love that it was a slow burn romance. I was begging them to get together!


I also loved the bi representation in the book. I thought it was really well done, nothing about the book was rushed at all. It was really detailed and layered for a young adult contemporary. I loved reading Zachs realisation of his feelings and more importantly the acceptance of himself. Reading about this kind of thing can never be understated.

I really liked that there was more to this novel than just the romance though. There’s a lot that goes on that is important and deep things (I’ll let you find out when you read the book). But I think it’s all dealt with incredibly well!


Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich are a forced to be reckoned with in If This Gets Out. They’ve written a cohesive book, with two distinctive characters. I’d happily read more by these two authors.

Well what more is there to say? Zack and Ruben have my heart! I’d very much like a sequel. And I can’t tell you how many times I went to listen to one of the bands songs only to remember that they don’t exist! Now that’s a sign of good writing! Don’t miss this one!

Thank you so much to team tumblr for my copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review. It’s out today in the UK.

Until the next review

Jthbooks