What do you think?
Rate this book
A Really Nice Prom Mess
Well, in summary, your fake date's in the bathroom with a hangover and a crispy hairdo, while my fake date is out wandering the Willard, searching for his heterosexuality or something.
High school senior Cameron Hayes gets coerced into going to the prom with a girl, even though he'd rather be with his boyfriend. The evening goes from bad to worse when his fake date gets sloshed, his boyfriend slugs him when he sees Cam kissing his fake date, and Cam flees the prom in disguise with a drug dealer. Then things really spin out of control. Over the course of one harrowing and hysterical night, Cameron's life comes undone, leading to accidental revelations, criminal adventures, and an unlikely romance.
Brian Sloan's madcap romp is a hilarious take on a teenage rite of passage -- with a decided twist.
266 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2005
3 people are currently reading
815 people want to read
About the author
Brian Sloan
3 books7 followersI'm an author, screenwriter and filmmaker working in film, TV and digital for more than 25 years. I wrote two novels for Simon & Schuster; A REALLY NICE PROM MESS and TALE OF TWO SUMMERS. In 2005, Prom was the winner of the Violet Quill Award for Best LGBT Book Of The Year. In 2007, TALE was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. I've also written plays like WTC VIEW, which premiered at the NY Intl Fringe Festival in 2003, was revived off-Broadway in 2011, and published by DPS in 2012. I also directed a film adaptation starring Michael Urie (SHRINKING, UGLY BETTY) available available on Amazon and AppleTV.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Read
May 30, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Homomisia & homomisic slurs
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Emesis
Homomisia & homomisic slurs
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Emesis
December 29, 2023
I enjoyed it. Fun that it was all in a 24 hour period. I liked Cam and thought this was a decent book. It kept my attention the whole time.
February 21, 2011
Cameron didn't want his prom to be this way. He just wanted to go with Shane, his boyfriend, and be able to dance with him and whatever else people do on their prom nights.
But Shane came up with a plan for their prom night, since no one else, besides Jane, Shane's best friend, knew they were gay. They would go with dates, but stick together. Shane goes with Jane, and Cameron goes with Jane's friend, Virginia.
Cameron didn't know that his prom night would lead to breaking up with his boyfriend, burning his "dates" hair, and being chased by the police, just to name a few...
A Really Nice Prom Mess was a really good book. Brian Sloan made parts really funny, so you were sitting and laughing your head off, and others serious. You feel like you are right there, sitting and watching the action happen. If you like reading books about the prom, I would definitely recommend this book. It's not the normal they went to prom, they danced, they went to the after-party kind of book. Far from it, actually. It's very unique, which I like.
But Shane came up with a plan for their prom night, since no one else, besides Jane, Shane's best friend, knew they were gay. They would go with dates, but stick together. Shane goes with Jane, and Cameron goes with Jane's friend, Virginia.
Cameron didn't know that his prom night would lead to breaking up with his boyfriend, burning his "dates" hair, and being chased by the police, just to name a few...
A Really Nice Prom Mess was a really good book. Brian Sloan made parts really funny, so you were sitting and laughing your head off, and others serious. You feel like you are right there, sitting and watching the action happen. If you like reading books about the prom, I would definitely recommend this book. It's not the normal they went to prom, they danced, they went to the after-party kind of book. Far from it, actually. It's very unique, which I like.
August 18, 2019
This book suffered from the same pitfalls that are found pretty much across the board in young adult books, namely pretentious writing and cliched characterization. It was occasionally funny but not enough to make up for all the jokes that didn't work, and its attempts to make any emotional impact fell decidedly flat. The only two interesting characters (Jane & Virginia) were just support characters so they didn't get much screen time, just popped in and out whenever it was their turn to move the plot forward. I use the term "screen time" because this author is actually a screenwriter rather than a novelist, and you can definitely tell. This is his first novel, and it's not 'bad', but it is markedly amateurish and runs about 100 pages too long for this kind of story. But considering its sparsely populated genre, which is young adult LGBT fiction, you could definitely do worse.
June 15, 2008
It's a hilariously funny read. I love the main character's voice. He's a snarky little bitch-queen and that saves the whole book, not that the plot needs saving. One just can't go at this book in a way expecting it to be realistic. The amount of pure coincidences in it is what makes it so hilarious, along with the gritty dialogue, the nice writing style and the characterization.
And when there's angst, it sure hits the solar plexus. And the heart, obviously. Because this book has lots of heart.
And when there's angst, it sure hits the solar plexus. And the heart, obviously. Because this book has lots of heart.
June 25, 2009
This book is a total, improbably rollicking blast. She's drunk, she's loud, she's Virginia.
the book also takes place in the DC suburbs, with lots of locations that we will recognize.
Not literary, but loads of fun.
the book also takes place in the DC suburbs, with lots of locations that we will recognize.
Not literary, but loads of fun.
September 21, 2009
Brian Sloan is hilarious...unfortunately, he's only written two books, this on being the better of the two.
November 30, 2017
2.5/5 stars "official"
Man I'm so glad we live in 2017 now where at least our GLBT/LGBTQ+ fiction doesn't have to be mutually inclusive with:
- slut shaming
- body shaming
- alcoholic shaming
- reinforcing stereotypes that gay men are into underaged teens (or gay underaged teens are into older men)
- and standing up for abusive partners (although it does turn around at the end, almost if not on the 11th hour)
Reading YA fiction, regardless of its LGBT or diversity status, from the twilight of the Bush years can often be problematic today and it shows in spades in A Really Nice Prom Mess. And there's certainly tons and tons of great YA from that era - my read shelf is full of literally hundreds of examples - but many books from that era (like this one) shows that we've certainly gone a long ways since. Now that we have excellent writers like David Levithan, John Green (yes really), Rainbow Rowell (yes really) Matthew Quick and counting and writers and society in general are (hopefully) more aware of issues, and how certain behaviors of characters can often come to odds with a book's message. In fact I'm not entirely convinced the author actually identifies on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
I'd give it 2.5 stars - and this is why I hate 5-star rating systems and I wish Goodreads would just go to six stars already - but because it does feature some LGBT positivity (probably honestly not as much as the writer first thought) and it does have a message against abusive partners, I'll be "generous" and round up on the Goodreads scale instead of down.
But make no mistake, as far as I'm concerned the official score *is* 2.5/5.
Man I'm so glad we live in 2017 now where at least our GLBT/LGBTQ+ fiction doesn't have to be mutually inclusive with:
- slut shaming
- body shaming
- alcoholic shaming
- reinforcing stereotypes that gay men are into underaged teens (or gay underaged teens are into older men)
- and standing up for abusive partners (although it does turn around at the end, almost if not on the 11th hour)
Reading YA fiction, regardless of its LGBT or diversity status, from the twilight of the Bush years can often be problematic today and it shows in spades in A Really Nice Prom Mess. And there's certainly tons and tons of great YA from that era - my read shelf is full of literally hundreds of examples - but many books from that era (like this one) shows that we've certainly gone a long ways since. Now that we have excellent writers like David Levithan, John Green (yes really), Rainbow Rowell (yes really) Matthew Quick and counting and writers and society in general are (hopefully) more aware of issues, and how certain behaviors of characters can often come to odds with a book's message. In fact I'm not entirely convinced the author actually identifies on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
I'd give it 2.5 stars - and this is why I hate 5-star rating systems and I wish Goodreads would just go to six stars already - but because it does feature some LGBT positivity (probably honestly not as much as the writer first thought) and it does have a message against abusive partners, I'll be "generous" and round up on the Goodreads scale instead of down.
But make no mistake, as far as I'm concerned the official score *is* 2.5/5.
June 10, 2022
Cameron and his closeted boyfriend Shane embark on their prom night with their two "girlfriends" . . . and chaos ensues--drug deals, strippers, car chases, heartbreak, and new relationships. This book has it all. Overall, I liked the story for what it was. It was a little slow in the beginning, but once it hit its stride, I was eager to find out what misadventure our protagonist would get into next. It is important to note that this book was published in 2005, so the references and language are rather dated. It was published by Simon & Schuster, but I was rather surprised since the font looked more like a self-published book and there were a few grammatical errors that I would have expected an editor to have caught (IT IS ALWAYS "between you and me" and I don't remember Captain Janeway in Voyager walking around without her shirt off or having a hairy chest . . . I think the author meant "the captain of Star Trek: TOS"). This is an entertaining book in general, though.
December 4, 2019
Meh was my overall feeling. I’m a big fan of any book with LGBTQ themes but this just felt a bit amateurish. I liked some of the characters even though there were also characters that were massive cliches, but I just found the writing annoying and I couldn’t really get into the story. I wish I liked it more.
January 11, 2009
This book has been sitting on my shelf for about a year. I had bought it while I was in San Fran on business, but then I didn't get to it while out of town, and it just didn't pull me in when I got back. Sometime during the last couple weeks, I came across a blog entry that actually made the book sound interesting, so I tried it again.
Initially, I wasn't digging the book. The action was rather blah and I wasn't overly fond of the protagonist's voice either. Fortunately, that all changed when Cameron left the prom with the bisexual Russian pot dealer. Suddenly there was something interesting happening. And suddenly Cameron's voice wasn't quite so irritating and whiny. Now he had something to whine about.
Still, in the end, the book isn't grand literature. It's probably on a par with most Rick Sanchez novels, primarily due to the overly melodramatic nature of the writing. The supporting characters are more interesting than most. The events of the evening seem a bit implausible, but it is a prom night, so I'm willing to cut a little bit of slack there.
Interestingly, I think part of my lack of enthusiasm for this novel is that the author isn't a novelist. (Well, except that I guess he does have a second novel out now.) Last night, we watched WTC View, which is also written by Sloan. Again, this has been sitting on the shelf for quite some time. But we didn't have anything to watch on the DVR since we have to wait for a friend to come over before we can watch the next episode of Brothers & Sisters. I pulled out this movie because it stars Michael Urie, whom I find absolutely adorable and whom I'm having significant withdrawals from while waiting for Ugly Betty to kick back in.
Anyway.
WTC View is about Eric, who is trying to rent out a room in his apartment. He puts the ad up on 10 September 2001 and then, well, life changes. So you get this mix of stories as other guys come to check out the apartment. They talk about their experiences with Eric, and you learn about the trauma he's going through. Originally, this was written as a play, which I think I would have enjoyed more. Though I thought the themes of connection and trauma and change were well done.
Initially, I wasn't digging the book. The action was rather blah and I wasn't overly fond of the protagonist's voice either. Fortunately, that all changed when Cameron left the prom with the bisexual Russian pot dealer. Suddenly there was something interesting happening. And suddenly Cameron's voice wasn't quite so irritating and whiny. Now he had something to whine about.
Still, in the end, the book isn't grand literature. It's probably on a par with most Rick Sanchez novels, primarily due to the overly melodramatic nature of the writing. The supporting characters are more interesting than most. The events of the evening seem a bit implausible, but it is a prom night, so I'm willing to cut a little bit of slack there.
Interestingly, I think part of my lack of enthusiasm for this novel is that the author isn't a novelist. (Well, except that I guess he does have a second novel out now.) Last night, we watched WTC View, which is also written by Sloan. Again, this has been sitting on the shelf for quite some time. But we didn't have anything to watch on the DVR since we have to wait for a friend to come over before we can watch the next episode of Brothers & Sisters. I pulled out this movie because it stars Michael Urie, whom I find absolutely adorable and whom I'm having significant withdrawals from while waiting for Ugly Betty to kick back in.
Anyway.
WTC View is about Eric, who is trying to rent out a room in his apartment. He puts the ad up on 10 September 2001 and then, well, life changes. So you get this mix of stories as other guys come to check out the apartment. They talk about their experiences with Eric, and you learn about the trauma he's going through. Originally, this was written as a play, which I think I would have enjoyed more. Though I thought the themes of connection and trauma and change were well done.
August 22, 2010
Review from 2006:
Alrighty-I had to read this book for the GSA teenage group that talks with college kids who've read the same book group thing.
The set up is that a gay boy is going to prom with a girl he doesn't want to go with, but his boyfriend thinks it'd be cool because it's the only way they can kind of go to prom together by both going with girls and then both couples hanging out. Tons of things go wrong through-out the whole night-it's a bit unrealistic, but fun unrealistic, all the things that happen to him that night.
It took me a little while to get into it, then the middle chunk was a lot of fun and really kept me reading, and then after the middle chunk everything really died down and didn't really get exciting again. The climax was at the middle of the book, and though the ending is what *should* maybe happen, It's not really what I wanted to happen, and it didn't interest me much. By the end it just seemed like "this is the good and safe way things should happen". Or something. A lot of it was cute, and I had fun with all the modern-day references that I totally got, but will totally date the book. But all in all, it wasn't anything too special. Felt kind of like a teenage flick, except it didn't even have the same satisfactory ending that teen flicks usually have.
3 stars, nothing special, nothing that bad either.
Alrighty-I had to read this book for the GSA teenage group that talks with college kids who've read the same book group thing.
The set up is that a gay boy is going to prom with a girl he doesn't want to go with, but his boyfriend thinks it'd be cool because it's the only way they can kind of go to prom together by both going with girls and then both couples hanging out. Tons of things go wrong through-out the whole night-it's a bit unrealistic, but fun unrealistic, all the things that happen to him that night.
It took me a little while to get into it, then the middle chunk was a lot of fun and really kept me reading, and then after the middle chunk everything really died down and didn't really get exciting again. The climax was at the middle of the book, and though the ending is what *should* maybe happen, It's not really what I wanted to happen, and it didn't interest me much. By the end it just seemed like "this is the good and safe way things should happen". Or something. A lot of it was cute, and I had fun with all the modern-day references that I totally got, but will totally date the book. But all in all, it wasn't anything too special. Felt kind of like a teenage flick, except it didn't even have the same satisfactory ending that teen flicks usually have.
3 stars, nothing special, nothing that bad either.
February 19, 2016
Adding to my Contemporary and GLBT collection, I picked up this title because it looked like a sweet read – I have gotten over GLBT titles that don’t end in a positive light or are too depressive or melancholy… ‘A Really Nice Prom Mess’ definitely flies in the face of all that. This book surprised me. It is laugh-out-loud funny possessing a plethora of hi-jinx… there is boatloads of action too.
With colourful characters and Cam, our protagonists, inconvertible sense of satire I sped through this book chuckling as much of the cast reminded me of my own high school history.
The one thing that detracted from my experience was that it was a little too gay at times. I mean that in the nicest possible sense in that some of the events (for comedic purposes) detracted from the tension that was built up expertly in this novel. But this is only a minor thorn in my side.
I could see this as a movie, it ticks all the boxes of the blockbuster romantic comedies you see in the cinemas today.
With a fast pace, and things flying at you in an easy to digest writing style, I have no doubt you could read this in a day if you had the inclination.
A definite recommend to all my friends and family who appreciate a laugh through a story where whatever can go wrong, does.
With colourful characters and Cam, our protagonists, inconvertible sense of satire I sped through this book chuckling as much of the cast reminded me of my own high school history.
The one thing that detracted from my experience was that it was a little too gay at times. I mean that in the nicest possible sense in that some of the events (for comedic purposes) detracted from the tension that was built up expertly in this novel. But this is only a minor thorn in my side.
I could see this as a movie, it ticks all the boxes of the blockbuster romantic comedies you see in the cinemas today.
With a fast pace, and things flying at you in an easy to digest writing style, I have no doubt you could read this in a day if you had the inclination.
A definite recommend to all my friends and family who appreciate a laugh through a story where whatever can go wrong, does.
Read
May 22, 2010Name: Adeola Adewale Hour: 5th
SSR: Book-A-Month
What month did you read this book for? April
Title: A Really Nice Prom Mess
Author: Brian Sloan
Date started/date completed: April 9/ April 24
Total Pages: 297
Rating of book (1-10): 9
Explain in detail why you gave this book the rating you did. I gave this book a rating of 9 because it wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but I was very close to it. I liked this book because it focused on all of things that can go wrong at prom. It really reminded me of my prom experience this year.
Author’s purpose: I believe the author’s purpose for writing this book was to explain why prom night is not perfect no matter who you are.
Intended audience(s): These intended audiences for this book are upperclassman who are eligible for prom and have issues with the preparation and execution of prom night.
Academic Honesty
By signing below, I am indicating that the information on this page is accurate.
______________________________________________________ ____________
Signature Date
SSR: Book-A-Month
What month did you read this book for? April
Title: A Really Nice Prom Mess
Author: Brian Sloan
Date started/date completed: April 9/ April 24
Total Pages: 297
Rating of book (1-10): 9
Explain in detail why you gave this book the rating you did. I gave this book a rating of 9 because it wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but I was very close to it. I liked this book because it focused on all of things that can go wrong at prom. It really reminded me of my prom experience this year.
Author’s purpose: I believe the author’s purpose for writing this book was to explain why prom night is not perfect no matter who you are.
Intended audience(s): These intended audiences for this book are upperclassman who are eligible for prom and have issues with the preparation and execution of prom night.
Academic Honesty
By signing below, I am indicating that the information on this page is accurate.
______________________________________________________ ____________
Signature Date
July 1, 2009
This book wasn't very good. Sure, it had some...funny parts but it was a little hard to keep up. It was just about a gay boy and his parents didn't know that he had a boyfriend so he had to go with a girl that found out that he was gay and his boyfriend didn't hang out with him at the prom so while he was with this one girl she told him some dude in the bathroom was selling drugs and she told him to go get some for them but the drugdealer was kinda gay and he was telling him that he was sexy and cute and that he could'nt imagine someone not wanting to be with him. So, they ended up sneaking out and they went on this police chase and he ended up being so many different places. It was kinda funny, pretty much stupid, really gay, if I were you...I wouldn't spend my money on this. I did...Big mistake. Get it at a library or something. Hope this helps show you that this book SUCKED BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!
September 27, 2009
Hopefully this book will turn into a movie, it was written for one. It dragged in different parts making me wish for dialogue and more reactions. The main character own tale was his own unfilled fantasy continually, it didn't bother me, but it many points became overwhelming.
Sloan, somehow got to balance his prose, from a emotional- frustrated -immature-insecured main character: Cameron to the vixen of an over grow big mouth teenage woman: Virginia and everything in between.
The book contains enough drama, teen angst and funny moments but it lacks of sexual encounters or tales.
I give Mr. Sloan good props for this one, again, using updated teen lingo as well as current events and the unique sarcasm of a gay teen boy.
As I know by my own life, never make yourself have fun in a contrived situation, being spontaneous can be the most real exciting experience in your life.
February 22, 2014
Mehhhh ok. This had some potential but of course that just means it's not up to par with what I want. It did make me laugh out loud a few times and then skip chunks in others 'cause holy eff is this thing long.
And not long as in it has so much detail. But in just excess book 'fluff'. It just needs some major editing. Also it kind of comes off as screenplay-y to me. I would much rather see this as a film than printed as a book. Because book wise it's not that great. But movie wise, it has a pretty good chance.
The characters are good ones. They just all happen to be gay ones which gets boring quickly. Especially when they're all coincidently hot for the main character. At least give someone some character build up PUH-LEASE. I don't know, but if the movie comes out I'll totally give it a shot.
And not long as in it has so much detail. But in just excess book 'fluff'. It just needs some major editing. Also it kind of comes off as screenplay-y to me. I would much rather see this as a film than printed as a book. Because book wise it's not that great. But movie wise, it has a pretty good chance.
The characters are good ones. They just all happen to be gay ones which gets boring quickly. Especially when they're all coincidently hot for the main character. At least give someone some character build up PUH-LEASE. I don't know, but if the movie comes out I'll totally give it a shot.
July 26, 2011
Oops, another prom story. Funny how completely random that was. I only read this because it took place in Washington, DC. What a treat to read a book set in my hometown rather than everlasting NYC or LA!
The story itself was a breathless tale of a prom, experienced by a teenaged boy who just wants to go with his boyfriend. This proves problematic since they are both closeted. Not for long...from the Willard Hotel to a seedy gay bar to the Constitution Gardens and so forth, we get to join the wild ride. It was a little hard to check my brain at the door but the narrator is a likable kid and you just have to root for him.
The story itself was a breathless tale of a prom, experienced by a teenaged boy who just wants to go with his boyfriend. This proves problematic since they are both closeted. Not for long...from the Willard Hotel to a seedy gay bar to the Constitution Gardens and so forth, we get to join the wild ride. It was a little hard to check my brain at the door but the narrator is a likable kid and you just have to root for him.
September 19, 2008
A Really Nice Prom Mess is about a boy who is gay and is going out with the most popular kid who is gay also but nobody knows. On the day of the prom they both have girl dates instead of each other. One of them (the not popular one) gets high with the popular ones date. The not popular one goes with a british dude who sold them the drugs. They went to a gay club. They were in a speed chase. The two gay boys broke up but the not popular guy found another guy. This book was weird but it entertained me.
November 25, 2015
[review written 2011]
I’ve also been wanting to read A Really Nice Prom Mess for a while. It was good. In fact, it was really good. It was funny, wild, and better than I thought it would be - usually I don’t take kindly to books such as these, especially with the word prom in the title.
One thing that could be improved on was the repeated use of “f-g” and the fact that Cam seemed to need to keep reminding us he was gay, even though half the things in the book happened because of that fact. Otherwise, the book was rather well-done.
I’ve also been wanting to read A Really Nice Prom Mess for a while. It was good. In fact, it was really good. It was funny, wild, and better than I thought it would be - usually I don’t take kindly to books such as these, especially with the word prom in the title.
One thing that could be improved on was the repeated use of “f-g” and the fact that Cam seemed to need to keep reminding us he was gay, even though half the things in the book happened because of that fact. Otherwise, the book was rather well-done.
March 22, 2008
When the closeted jock falls for the gangly yearbook editor they agree to keep their relationship a secret but when that secret includes double dating at their prestigous DC prep school prom things go epicley outta control. Mad cap zany fun ensues and you find yourself caring not only for the gangly hero of our story but pretty much all of the zany characters that get caught up in the maelstrom of the world's most convoluted and improbable prom story.
September 14, 2014
some people may not agree with this book solely because it's in somewhat of shaming a gay boy in high school. You know the main character having to not be open about being gay, and his partner hiding as well, and just this big cherade being put on. but I found it very engaging as a reader. The theme and morals of the books is very distinct, and thou it may seem like there is no theme or moral in this book, but there is, and its very easy to relate even being heterosexual.
September 5, 2021
Underage drinking and drug use.
May 31, 2010
This book was just OK. I really ended up skipping quite a bit of the monologues that he wrote. I think it could have been more streamlined and "neat".
It was entertaining, but very unrealistic. All of those things would not happen to one person in a single night, and have it turn out as well as it did.
It was entertaining, but very unrealistic. All of those things would not happen to one person in a single night, and have it turn out as well as it did.
April 16, 2016
I felt like this book is aimed at a younger audience, but I still enjoyed it. It was witty, emotional, and easy to relate to. The main character was all sass. The plot was hectic and packed, with amusing twists. It was a great way to pass the time, as it was not that serious of a read and made laugh (which is always a plus).
June 30, 2011
The start of this novel wasn't very interesting, but I was curious, so I switched to some part of the middle. The pace picked up immediately. I think all of the events are completely unrealistic but interesting. Cameron was kind of annoying.
July 25, 2011
Eh. Mostly entertaining. Some events (car chases, strip club hijinx, very gullible police) were just completely unbelievable and threw me way out of the story. Feather-light; probably will soon forgot I ever read it.
January 5, 2012
One of my favorite books in a while by a screenwriter I loved... The characters are messed up, the story is over the top and foolish and it reads like an 80s movie filled with mistakes, characters to root for and against...
Plus a deaf go-go dancer. That right there is worth the price
Plus a deaf go-go dancer. That right there is worth the price
January 11, 2012
Funny book. I was expecting something a little bit more relatable but it was and interesting read - many random/surprising events happen. Not the best book in the world, but still a fun book to read if you ever find yourself looking for one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews