Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball

by Jason June Narrated by Jason June

Overview

The next LGBTQ+ young adult rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Jason June (author of Jay's Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue).

Femme, gay teen podcaster Riley Weaver has made it to junior year, which means he can finally apply for membership into the Gaybutante Society, the LGBTQ+ organization that has launched dozens of queer teens' careers in pop culture, arts, and activism. The process to get into the society is a marathon of charity events, parties, and general gay chaos, culminating in the annual Gaybutante Ball. The one requirement for the ball? A date.

Then Riley overhears superstar athlete, Skylar, say that gay guys just aren't interested in femme guys or else they wouldn't be gay. Riley confronts Skylar and makes a bet to prove him wrong: Riley must find a masc date by the time of the Ball, or he'll drop out of the Society entirely. Riley decides to document the trials and tribulations of dating while femme in a brand-new podcast. Can Riley find a fella to fall for in time? Or will this be one massive-and publicly broadcast-femme failure?

This new novel from Jason June explores how labels can limit and liberate us and shows just what can happen when you bet on yourself.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

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! — Booklist (starred review)

An incredible coming-of-age story about embracing yourself, combatting problematic standards, and love in all its shapes and ways all wrapped into something so campy, dramatic, queer, and so uniquely and beautifully Jason June. — Jonny Garza Villa, author of Pura Belpré Honor Book Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun

Fierce and fearless, Jason June’s rainbow explosion of queer coming of age is pure joy. RILEY WEAVER will leave you feeling seen in ways you didn’t know you needed and inspire you to make your own gay chaos. Thank the queer gods that RILEY WEAVER exists in the world!! — Stephan Lee, author of K-Pop Confidential

Hilarious and bursting with heart, Riley Weaver is sure to dazzle readers in this story about love, identity, and self-discovery! — Robby Weber, author of If You Change Your Mind

A laugh-out-loud gender euphoric dream, RILEY WEAVER serves zany 90s teen romcom realness that made me gay-gasp with glee! Riley’s journey is a fabulous tapestry that adeptly weaves threads of important commentary about gay culture and identity discourse, as well as inter-community support (and the inevitable lack thereof), with a glittery patchwork of self-love that had me rooting for all the gaybutantes out there who need this story. Jason June’s books always make me feel seen while speaking truth to queer power, and RILEY WEAVER is no exception. Femme, fierce, and ferocious, you simply cannot miss Riley’s fabulous debut! — Steven Salvatore, critically acclaimed author of AND THEY LIVED…

Full of humor, honesty, and a cast of characters colorful enough to rival your favorite eyeshadow palette, Riley Weaver proves there's no one way to be queer and the things that set us apart are the things that make us beautiful.  — Emery Lee author of MEET CUTE DIARY

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. — Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

2023-06-08
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)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175962674
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos