Review by Booklist Review
Two things 16-year-old Riley Weaver knows for sure: "I'm outwardly and inwardly femme and I'm gay." Then there's the third thing: Riley desperately wants to become a member of the fabulous Gaybutante Society along with Sabrina (his best lesbian friend). To do so, the two must individually complete four tasks: service, hosting, mentorship, and general gay chaos. Before Riley can begin, however, he encounters obnoxious gay jock Skylar, who bets him that no gay man who is masc and cis would ever date a femme. Furious, Riley accepts. If he loses, he will stop his quest to become a Gaybutante. If Skylar loses, he will drop off the baseball team. The stakes are high, but they give Riley an inspiration: he'll create "general gay chaos" by starting a podcast that charts his progress toward winning the bet and becoming a Gaybutante. Nick (best gay friend) will produce. Things go well until, naturally, dramatic complications ensue. Jason June (Out of the Blue, 2022) has written an important, entertainingly busy book with a welcome, character-driven focus on a femme teen. Intelligently and smoothly written, the book makes a much-needed contribution to queer literature. An excellent companion to L. C. Rosen's Camp (2020) that proves, as Riley would say, it's hearts over parts!
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A hopeful high school junior risks his social debut and the chance to escape his small town to take a stand against a femme-hating jock. Like almost every LGBTQ+ teen in Mountain Pass, Washington, white femme Riley Weaver dreams of joining the glittering ranks of the Gaybutante Society. The Gaybutantes not only throw amazing parties, they provide a network of lifelong support. Being endorsed by a high-profile Gaybutante could secure Riley's career as a podcaster and show his mom he has a future other than staying put and honoring their family's local roots. All Riley needs to do is demonstrate the society's pillars of excellence--service, hosting, mentorship, and spreading general gay chaos. However, when he overhears a gay jock classmate disparaging femmes, he can't let the hatred slide. Determined to speak up, Riley makes a bet that he'll find a cis, masc, gay guy who wants to escort him to the ball--or he'll give up the society, which reflects and celebrates diversity, forever. With the bet as his inspiration for gay chaos, Riley launches a tell-all podcast documenting his romantic journey. This coming-of-age story deftly handles complex social themes of identity, social media fame, and discrimination within queer communities while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Amid the antics of fulfilling his pillars and pursuing love, Riley wrestles with jealousy, makes mistakes, and learns about meaningful apologies. A surprise twist brings the drama to a satisfying resolution. Fierce and fabulous fun. (Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
