georginap92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'd been super excited to read this one for a while as I absolutely love Sophies work, and I was not disappointed. ITGO follows Boyband Saturday as they grapple with the fame and stresses of being in the public eye, constantly having every move and personality trait of theirs monitored, as well as having to hide who they truly are. I really loved all members of Saturday and they way they supported each other and protected one another, and each member had their own personality shine through the page, but I also think the authors did a fantastic job of writing just how manufactured some boy bands can come across and I love the fact that this was highlighted.
The boys relationships felt so strong throughout and the squad goals was fantastic, I love the fact that they all had banter with one another and had each others best interests at heart, whilst dealing with their own problems, I do feel that not much time was spent on the toxic characters and trying to resolve those issues, like Ruben's mum I absolutely detested her, and Geoff who saw the boys as more of a commodity than actually humans, I feel more coild have been done to challenge their behaviours. But I love that we were able to wait and watch the boys grow and find their own ways of trying to work through everything
I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending, the non committal ending bothered me and I would have preferred an epilogue of some kind, but who knows maybe there's a sequel on the horizon, I hope so at least.
4.5
The boys relationships felt so strong throughout and the squad goals was fantastic, I love the fact that they all had banter with one another and had each others best interests at heart, whilst dealing with their own problems, I do feel that not much time was spent on the toxic characters and trying to resolve those issues, like Ruben's mum I absolutely detested her, and Geoff who saw the boys as more of a commodity than actually humans, I feel more coild have been done to challenge their behaviours. But I love that we were able to wait and watch the boys grow and find their own ways of trying to work through everything
I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending, the non committal ending bothered me and I would have preferred an epilogue of some kind, but who knows maybe there's a sequel on the horizon, I hope so at least.
4.5
koudename's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
ruinedbooksbywynn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
threeracoonsinatrenchcoat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tcull3n's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
captain_jazz's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a big 1D fan before like all their magazines and posters, I collected. So happy to read a book that somehow granted my Larry fantasy before.
I read books before by Sophie and Cale both love them so I never doubt that I will not love this also.
Thanks to GR for this giveaway arc!
I read books before by Sophie and Cale both love them so I never doubt that I will not love this also.
Thanks to GR for this giveaway arc!
theresejanosky's review against another edition
3.0
There were a lot of aspects of this that I really liked. I thought both Ruben and Zach were well-developed, distinct characters, and even Jon and Angel got a lot of attention as side characters. Some of the character interactions felt very authentic, and Ruben and Zach's struggles were handled with genuine care. I wish the book could have introduced some flashbacks or something so we could see the way the boys became friends and became a band, but overall, I liked the way their relationships and personalities were weaved together.
And though I liked the development of Ruben and Zach's internal struggles, sometimes it felt like a lot of other things were sacrificed to spend more time on that. The boys don't really have any friends outside of the band. No one really has any confidants besides their parents, and that felt silly and unrealistic and liked a missed opportunity (perhaps for a worthwhile female character). Additionally, the focus on Ruben and Zach's relationship and internal struggles often screwed with the pacing of the novel. The problems that the other band members are facing and the external struggle that the whole band is facing with management is pushed to the side at the beginning to focus on Ruben and Zach. Then once Ruben and Zach get together, the focus shifts, which makes it feel like the book has sort of a stark divide between pre-RubenandZach and post-RubenandZach. This made certain parts of the story really drag.
Additionally, I wish the book had focused a bit more on other sources of conflict for the boys besides management. I can imagine that as a celebrity, especially one in a boy band, there are a lot of forces making your life complicated. I think it was a missed opportunity to not discuss how even the fans could be an antagonizing force for the boys. This is somewhat touched on, but in the end the fans are kind of their saving grace, which I suppose I understand. I just wish some of the conflict in this had been a bit more nuanced than it was.
Lastly, I felt like the ending of this was a bit too neat and tidy, happily ever after (similar to my feelings about the ending of [b:The Charm Offensive|56898248|The Charm Offensive|Alison Cochrun|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628703464l/56898248._SY75_.jpg|88976083]). Very serious and complicated issues are simply waved away by lawyers, and everyone lives happily ever after and gets to live exactly the life they want. I understand the appeal, it just doesn't work for me.
Overall, my favorite aspects were the care that went into crafting Zach and Ruben and the sense of nostalgia that this made me feel, a longing for a time when my life revolved around a boyband.
And though I liked the development of Ruben and Zach's internal struggles, sometimes it felt like a lot of other things were sacrificed to spend more time on that. The boys don't really have any friends outside of the band. No one really has any confidants besides their parents, and that felt silly and unrealistic and liked a missed opportunity (perhaps for a worthwhile female character). Additionally, the focus on Ruben and Zach's relationship and internal struggles often screwed with the pacing of the novel. The problems that the other band members are facing and the external struggle that the whole band is facing with management is pushed to the side at the beginning to focus on Ruben and Zach. Then once Ruben and Zach get together, the focus shifts, which makes it feel like the book has sort of a stark divide between pre-RubenandZach and post-RubenandZach. This made certain parts of the story really drag.
Additionally, I wish the book had focused a bit more on other sources of conflict for the boys besides management. I can imagine that as a celebrity, especially one in a boy band, there are a lot of forces making your life complicated. I think it was a missed opportunity to not discuss how even the fans could be an antagonizing force for the boys. This is somewhat touched on, but in the end the fans are kind of their saving grace, which I suppose I understand. I just wish some of the conflict in this had been a bit more nuanced than it was.
Lastly, I felt like the ending of this was a bit too neat and tidy, happily ever after (similar to my feelings about the ending of [b:The Charm Offensive|56898248|The Charm Offensive|Alison Cochrun|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628703464l/56898248._SY75_.jpg|88976083]). Very serious and complicated issues are simply waved away by lawyers, and everyone lives happily ever after and gets to live exactly the life they want. I understand the appeal, it just doesn't work for me.
Overall, my favorite aspects were the care that went into crafting Zach and Ruben and the sense of nostalgia that this made me feel, a longing for a time when my life revolved around a boyband.
ailsareads's review against another edition
4.0
An incredibly sweet and wholesome romance about two members of a boyband who fall in love. Just great fun.
shannonreadssometimes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don't often read cowrote books, but genuinley this one was so seamless I didn't even realise! burned my way through this and literally couldn't put it down it was *so* good! heavy with emotion, and so damn realistic. as someone who went nuts during covid researching corrupt management and learning everything I could on how a person could own other people, this book about boybands, fame, management, drug abuse, stress, and the intricacies of being lgbt as a celebrity did AMAZING! I am also someone who was in the 1D fandom during the time of this books promotion, and I remember so vividly the amount of hate that the authors got for 'stealing' the story (not true). but this story is based on so many others real lives, and lives that we've never heard about and probably never will. it is *so* necessary and if you liked Alice Osemans I Was Born For This and want a beautifully wrote romance, this is for you. the emotions were so beautifully conveyed I could stop highlighting quotes. they covered everything from the lovey dovey, rage, betrayal, worry, family issues, stress...the list goes on! it was very realistic and down to earth and it was so wonderful being able to read a book fron the celebs pov as someone who massively participates in fandom (yes I know its fiction! let me dream!)
tildasaali's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0