this book HURT. obviously, when reading, understand that you’ll always be looking through rose-tinted glasses on the boys lives and that makes seeing it for what it really is really really difficult. i loved this from start to end. it was painful and gut-wrenching, and during both the harder and lighter scenes i was fully immersed. 

i loved the characters. i loved ruben particularly, with his struggle of being kept a secret and silent whilst struggling with a mother who invalidate everything he loves about himself. it was difficult. it really was. but his journey throughout the book, especially towards the end was very very moving- even if he came across selfish at times (everyone deserves to be a little selfish). he remained true to himself throughout the whole thing and that was so important- he wasn’t ashamed of his identity but he was shamed for it.

and i loved zack too! i really appreciated how his coming out experience was portrayed, the whole process and the reaction hit a little close to home and i felt very seen. i did however, think that this boy deserved a lot more apologies than he was given.

and as well as this, the other boys in the band held just importance to the story as the main characters, their lives didn’t revolve around what the main characters did and this separation was very well played out! 

at times it was ridiculously cheesy but i loved it all the same, it just didn’t quite reach the five star mark for me though! (i think that had more to do with me being upset with the way they were treated so often, i’m holding a grudge :/) 

also this book doesn’t pass the bechdel test so i’ve gotta rate it at least a little down.