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Queerleaders
“This is the…sapphic Bring It On we’ve been waiting for.” —Kelly Quindlen, bestselling author of She Drives Me Crazy
Two cheerleaders find themselves inconveniently tumbling head over heels for each other in this satirical, sapphic, dual POV teen rom-com that’s a “true, pom-pumping celebration of teen passions, LGBTQIA+ pride, and unrelenting optimism” (BCCB, starred review).
Oak Haven High doesn’t have cheerleaders—it has queerleaders.
It’s a fun coincidence that every new varsity cheerleader since Davie Cathee took the squad by storm three years ago is—or soon comes out as—queer.
But when a rumor sparks that this season, newly minted captain Davie has been specifically recruiting queer members only, Davie is accused of “discrimination” against straight students. She’s given an recruit a straight athlete for the team or the funding for their competitive cheer season will take a major tumble.
Enter Kendall Hayes, the edgy, mysterious new girl. When Davie sees that Kendall has a boyfriend, she quickly convinces her to join the squad. Problem solved.
Until she finds out that Kendall’s actually bisexual…and newly single.
Now Kendall and Davie are faced with having to keep those details under wraps until nationals, which only gets more complicated when they start falling hard and fast for each other. Can Kendall go back in the closet long enough to save the squad? Or will Davie find the courage to love her new crush out loud, even if it might mean the end of the queerleaders?
Two cheerleaders find themselves inconveniently tumbling head over heels for each other in this satirical, sapphic, dual POV teen rom-com that’s a “true, pom-pumping celebration of teen passions, LGBTQIA+ pride, and unrelenting optimism” (BCCB, starred review).
Oak Haven High doesn’t have cheerleaders—it has queerleaders.
It’s a fun coincidence that every new varsity cheerleader since Davie Cathee took the squad by storm three years ago is—or soon comes out as—queer.
But when a rumor sparks that this season, newly minted captain Davie has been specifically recruiting queer members only, Davie is accused of “discrimination” against straight students. She’s given an recruit a straight athlete for the team or the funding for their competitive cheer season will take a major tumble.
Enter Kendall Hayes, the edgy, mysterious new girl. When Davie sees that Kendall has a boyfriend, she quickly convinces her to join the squad. Problem solved.
Until she finds out that Kendall’s actually bisexual…and newly single.
Now Kendall and Davie are faced with having to keep those details under wraps until nationals, which only gets more complicated when they start falling hard and fast for each other. Can Kendall go back in the closet long enough to save the squad? Or will Davie find the courage to love her new crush out loud, even if it might mean the end of the queerleaders?
Audible Audio
First published May 19, 2026
About the author
Olivia A. Cole
16 books460 followersOlivia Cole is an author and blogger from Louisville, Kentucky. She spent eight years in Chicago and two in South Florida before finding her way back home. She is the author of PANTHER IN THE HIVE and its sequel, THE ROOSTER’S GARDEN, as well as her latest young adult series, A CONSPIRACY OF STARS and its sequel AN ANATOMY OF BEASTS. She is on the Creative Writing faculty at the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and is the founder of the sci-fi art show for young Kentucky women, KINDRED: MAKING SPACE IN SPACE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 28, 2026
They're here, they're queer, and they're ready to cheer...whether or not the local stick-up-their-bums crowd has anything to say about it.
This is a delightful take on Bring It On—or, I guess I shouldn't say it's a take on Bring It On; it's more accurate to say that there are plenty of sly nods to the classic (fewer, unfortunately, to But I'm a Cheerleader...but I can't have everything). This is a squad that's out and proud and also good at what they do. And we've come a long way in the last quarter-century(!!), which means that they're a team that has the good sense to be supportive of each other, and not food-shame or body-shame, and skip as much of the mean-girl drama as possible. And now they just need to spin that into a good showing at Nationals...
So it's a lot of fun. There's a conservative media personality who tries to make a stink (I'm reminded of the time the college conservatives brought Ann Coulter to my college, ugh), and I would say she's over the top, but...Ann Coulter. Lots of Big Personalities, but for the most part they manage to be Big Personalities who try to bring out the best in each other. There is of course a romance, and while Kendall and Davie manage to make things a little more angsty than strictly necessary (they're teenagers; it's allowed), I genuinely liked both main characters (and the side characters), which made them easy tocheer root for.
One quibble: I found it hard to believe that a team that is regularly a contender at Nationals—which are, let's be honest, a big deal—would struggle so much to find qualified, or even adequate, new cheerleaders. Kendall and her sister swoop in at just the right time...and, to be fair, the way things play out here makes sense in the context of Bring It On. But I honestly think that a team good enough to contend (and to know that they'll contend) at Nationals would have hopefuls moving into the school district, or driving/flying in to try out with a parental pledge that they'll move if they get on the team (because this is a thing in sports), or frankly the team having the ability to recruit from other schools or at least have a middle-school-to-high-school cheer pipeline. And probably a JV squad, for that matter. Have you seen the stuff top competitive cheerleaders do? They are not falling into those athletic feats by chance (or, for that matter, changing things at the last minute). It's not a huge deal (again: Bring It On context), but just something that made me think.
And now if you'll excuse me, I have to go convince my very disinterested partner that it is time to watch Bring It On, and also But I'm a Cheerleader...
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
This is a delightful take on Bring It On—or, I guess I shouldn't say it's a take on Bring It On; it's more accurate to say that there are plenty of sly nods to the classic (fewer, unfortunately, to But I'm a Cheerleader...but I can't have everything). This is a squad that's out and proud and also good at what they do. And we've come a long way in the last quarter-century(!!), which means that they're a team that has the good sense to be supportive of each other, and not food-shame or body-shame, and skip as much of the mean-girl drama as possible. And now they just need to spin that into a good showing at Nationals...
So it's a lot of fun. There's a conservative media personality who tries to make a stink (I'm reminded of the time the college conservatives brought Ann Coulter to my college, ugh), and I would say she's over the top, but...Ann Coulter. Lots of Big Personalities, but for the most part they manage to be Big Personalities who try to bring out the best in each other. There is of course a romance, and while Kendall and Davie manage to make things a little more angsty than strictly necessary (they're teenagers; it's allowed), I genuinely liked both main characters (and the side characters), which made them easy to
One quibble: I found it hard to believe that a team that is regularly a contender at Nationals—which are, let's be honest, a big deal—would struggle so much to find qualified, or even adequate, new cheerleaders. Kendall and her sister swoop in at just the right time...and, to be fair, the way things play out here makes sense in the context of Bring It On. But I honestly think that a team good enough to contend (and to know that they'll contend) at Nationals would have hopefuls moving into the school district, or driving/flying in to try out with a parental pledge that they'll move if they get on the team (because this is a thing in sports), or frankly the team having the ability to recruit from other schools or at least have a middle-school-to-high-school cheer pipeline. And probably a JV squad, for that matter. Have you seen the stuff top competitive cheerleaders do? They are not falling into those athletic feats by chance (or, for that matter, changing things at the last minute). It's not a huge deal (again: Bring It On context), but just something that made me think.
And now if you'll excuse me, I have to go convince my very disinterested partner that it is time to watch Bring It On, and also But I'm a Cheerleader...
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 2, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up
The perfect queer YA summer rom-com! Queerleaders follows two girls in high school who fall in lover over the course of year. One is the captain of an all-gay cheerleading squad, the other was kicked out of private school and newly joining the team. Along the way they have to deal with external homophobia, competitions, and some miscommunication, but the romance is slow and sweet. This was a fun read and something breezy to take on vacation. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
The perfect queer YA summer rom-com! Queerleaders follows two girls in high school who fall in lover over the course of year. One is the captain of an all-gay cheerleading squad, the other was kicked out of private school and newly joining the team. Along the way they have to deal with external homophobia, competitions, and some miscommunication, but the romance is slow and sweet. This was a fun read and something breezy to take on vacation. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
July 3, 2026
3.5 Stars!
Queerleaders is the type of young adult realistic fiction that I would recommend to teens who love cheerleading and movies like Bring It Om. Though I'm not completely sold on the progression of the relationship between Davie and Kendall, it does stay true to the high school experience. Cole and Woldfolk open the floor for thoughtful and intentional conversations about bisexuality, privilege (queerness, socioeconomic status, and race), friendships, and first love. Though the story does address the stress induced decisions that Davie faces as the cheer captain, I think that there was a specific decision (I will not reveal because of spoilers) that could have utilized further development and explanation than is permitted within the narrative. Overall, this is a solid read and I will definitely check out more books by Woodfolk and Cole.
Queerleaders is the type of young adult realistic fiction that I would recommend to teens who love cheerleading and movies like Bring It Om. Though I'm not completely sold on the progression of the relationship between Davie and Kendall, it does stay true to the high school experience. Cole and Woldfolk open the floor for thoughtful and intentional conversations about bisexuality, privilege (queerness, socioeconomic status, and race), friendships, and first love. Though the story does address the stress induced decisions that Davie faces as the cheer captain, I think that there was a specific decision (I will not reveal because of spoilers) that could have utilized further development and explanation than is permitted within the narrative. Overall, this is a solid read and I will definitely check out more books by Woodfolk and Cole.
June 25, 2026
Rating: 3.5 stars
I wasn’t totally convinced of the depth of Davie and Kendall’s relationship but this story was cute enough and quick to read.
I wasn’t totally convinced of the depth of Davie and Kendall’s relationship but this story was cute enough and quick to read.
July 20, 2026
Content warnings: homophobia, transphobia, (shit, there was something else and now I've forgotten it), heteros being bigoted wankers (fuck heteros)
Rep: Davie (MC) is cis, BIPOC, and lesbian. Kendall (MC) is cis, Black, and bisexual. Side queer, trans, and BIPOC characters.
This was okay. I think I expected more from this one.
I felt like there was a distinct lack of chemistry between Davie and Kendall.
The story itself was okay, but it just felt lacklustre to me.
Rep: Davie (MC) is cis, BIPOC, and lesbian. Kendall (MC) is cis, Black, and bisexual. Side queer, trans, and BIPOC characters.
This was okay. I think I expected more from this one.
I felt like there was a distinct lack of chemistry between Davie and Kendall.
The story itself was okay, but it just felt lacklustre to me.
July 22, 2026
This was really cute. I loved all of the cheerleading stuff and all of the queer leaders. I think that element was exceptionally well done as well as just the general diversity amongst the characters. I do think a little bit more time could have been spent about romance development as well as addressing Davies compulsory heterosexuality at the beginning where she assumes that Kendall is straight because she had a boyfriend. I would have loved to see that topic address just a little bit more and have a little bit more education about biphobia especially within queer spaces
Overall though this was a really great book and I finished it super fast. Then narration on the audiobook is exceptional and I would definitely recommend it
Overall though this was a really great book and I finished it super fast. Then narration on the audiobook is exceptional and I would definitely recommend it
May 30, 2026
thank you simonteen for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
queerleaders is following davie, the cheer captain for the self-proclaimed squad of queerleaders. a cheer team squad where everyone happens to be queer. after an accident on the team requires them to hold auditions for a new flyer, our “new girls” in town enter. kendall is dragged to cheerleading tryouts as penance for getting her and her younger sister expelled from their private school after protesting against dress codes. after another girl who auditioned starts targeting the cheer team for “discriminating” against straight people, davie convinces kendall to also join the squad as their token straight, attempting to squash the situation quietly. but unfortunately, the bigots of their town continue to push the boundaries and kendall and davie are forced to decide what should they do about their growing attraction to each other.
i read call your boyfriend last year, which was the first joint project between olivia cole and ashley woodfolk. from that, i was really intrigued to see if/what they would do next. to me, queerleaders was a perfect next step for them. overall, i really really enjoyed reading queerleaders. the story of their struggle against local bigots is unfortunately a growing battle we’re seeing in real life. we see the attempts that the “conservative” club continues to make against the cheer team to derail their trip to nationals. beyond the claims being completely unfounded, we see davie struggle to open up to the team to even tell them about what was going on. she places a lot of internal stress to make the team a safe place and to take any burdens or concerns upon only herself. so seeing kendall break those walls down a bit, to let her in onto the issues was really good development to see.
was all of the decisions that davie made really the best? no, definitely not. but later in the book, once they were able to fight back and bring the local queer community together, we do see her acknowledge her faults. she realizes that she was sometimes making it worse by not trusting on the rest of the team to help right away. and once they knew the full scope, they were able to fundraise through the drag show to fund their trip. this book is truly a testament to how strong the queer community is and needs to be. in the face of hatred, we will always band together and come out stronger than before. queerleaders was not afraid to discuss how there are people who will continue to be against queer people, but how they don’t deserve to stop us from crafting out spaces and i really appreciated that explicit message.
the only thing that i wish was handled a little bit better was the conversations surrounding kendall’s bisexuality. davie sees kendall with her (soon to be ex-)boyfriend on the first day of their tryouts and she immediately presumes that kendall is straight. she sees her younger sister with rainbow nails and pride flags and presumes that she is gay. of course, eventually davie realizes that’s very much not true as their mutual feelings grow. however, there is never really an acknowledgment or apology to kendall that she assumed that she was straight just because she was in a straight-passing relationship. we even see kind of the same thing with said ex. during their break-up conversation, he implies that she is really only into girls. i do wish there was better conversation around kendall’s bisexual identity and the impact of still defaulting to straight, even though davie herself is queer. it is truly my biggest gripe of the whole book and continues to perpetuate this idea that bisexual peoplle are only queer if in same-sex relationships (or visually queer ones). for all the discussion this book has around queer identity, it fell short to me there.
queerleaders is following davie, the cheer captain for the self-proclaimed squad of queerleaders. a cheer team squad where everyone happens to be queer. after an accident on the team requires them to hold auditions for a new flyer, our “new girls” in town enter. kendall is dragged to cheerleading tryouts as penance for getting her and her younger sister expelled from their private school after protesting against dress codes. after another girl who auditioned starts targeting the cheer team for “discriminating” against straight people, davie convinces kendall to also join the squad as their token straight, attempting to squash the situation quietly. but unfortunately, the bigots of their town continue to push the boundaries and kendall and davie are forced to decide what should they do about their growing attraction to each other.
i read call your boyfriend last year, which was the first joint project between olivia cole and ashley woodfolk. from that, i was really intrigued to see if/what they would do next. to me, queerleaders was a perfect next step for them. overall, i really really enjoyed reading queerleaders. the story of their struggle against local bigots is unfortunately a growing battle we’re seeing in real life. we see the attempts that the “conservative” club continues to make against the cheer team to derail their trip to nationals. beyond the claims being completely unfounded, we see davie struggle to open up to the team to even tell them about what was going on. she places a lot of internal stress to make the team a safe place and to take any burdens or concerns upon only herself. so seeing kendall break those walls down a bit, to let her in onto the issues was really good development to see.
was all of the decisions that davie made really the best? no, definitely not. but later in the book, once they were able to fight back and bring the local queer community together, we do see her acknowledge her faults. she realizes that she was sometimes making it worse by not trusting on the rest of the team to help right away. and once they knew the full scope, they were able to fundraise through the drag show to fund their trip. this book is truly a testament to how strong the queer community is and needs to be. in the face of hatred, we will always band together and come out stronger than before. queerleaders was not afraid to discuss how there are people who will continue to be against queer people, but how they don’t deserve to stop us from crafting out spaces and i really appreciated that explicit message.
the only thing that i wish was handled a little bit better was the conversations surrounding kendall’s bisexuality. davie sees kendall with her (soon to be ex-)boyfriend on the first day of their tryouts and she immediately presumes that kendall is straight. she sees her younger sister with rainbow nails and pride flags and presumes that she is gay. of course, eventually davie realizes that’s very much not true as their mutual feelings grow. however, there is never really an acknowledgment or apology to kendall that she assumed that she was straight just because she was in a straight-passing relationship. we even see kind of the same thing with said ex. during their break-up conversation, he implies that she is really only into girls. i do wish there was better conversation around kendall’s bisexual identity and the impact of still defaulting to straight, even though davie herself is queer. it is truly my biggest gripe of the whole book and continues to perpetuate this idea that bisexual peoplle are only queer if in same-sex relationships (or visually queer ones). for all the discussion this book has around queer identity, it fell short to me there.
May 15, 2026
Kendall and Nia get kicked out of their private school and start to attend Oak Haven High. They don’t know anyone there, but Nia wants to try out for the cheerleading squad. Kendall is the reason Nia got kicked out of the private school, so she tries out with Nia. Initially, Nia makes the squad, but when a student that is mad that they didn’t make the squad claims that the squad is discriminatory against heterosexuals, they also take Kendall because she’s straight. Kendall is really bisexual and has a thing for the captain, Davie. Can they keep it a secret? Can Kendall stay in the closet so that the squad doesn’t lose funding? Will they make it to nationals?
This was a fun read. This is very much a young adult book. Not only because it takes place in high school, but the characters definitely act like high schoolers. I applaud the authors for writing authentic characters. A lot of time characters in YA books say and do things that make readers think “someone that age would never say/do that.!” None of that happened here.
Queer and bisexual representation was the center of this book, as well as friendships and fitting in. Whatever the sexual identity is, friendships and fitting in are something a lot of people struggle with in high school. Kids are looking for the group that accepts them and welcomes them. Davie and the squad are so welcoming of Kendall and Nia – it’s never easy being the new kids at school. The form bonds that will probably last them a lifetime.
There are quite a few references to Bring It On in here. That movie was definitely an inspiration for this book. Maybe there was one too many references for me. But otherwise, this was a very fun read.
This was a fun read. This is very much a young adult book. Not only because it takes place in high school, but the characters definitely act like high schoolers. I applaud the authors for writing authentic characters. A lot of time characters in YA books say and do things that make readers think “someone that age would never say/do that.!” None of that happened here.
Queer and bisexual representation was the center of this book, as well as friendships and fitting in. Whatever the sexual identity is, friendships and fitting in are something a lot of people struggle with in high school. Kids are looking for the group that accepts them and welcomes them. Davie and the squad are so welcoming of Kendall and Nia – it’s never easy being the new kids at school. The form bonds that will probably last them a lifetime.
There are quite a few references to Bring It On in here. That movie was definitely an inspiration for this book. Maybe there was one too many references for me. But otherwise, this was a very fun read.
June 9, 2026
2.5 stars, rounded up
Queerleaders was a good book to start off Pride 2026! It follow a group of cheerleaders who are wanting to win nationals, but their funding is threatened when they are accused of only recruiting LGBTQ+ students to the squad. In order to save their competition season, head cheerleader Davie recruits Kendall, a new student at the school. But theres one problem... Kendall isnt straight. She's bisexual.
I liked the overall premise of the plot, but didnt like that its suggested Kendall go back into the closet. Perhaps its because im reading the book as an adult instead of a teenager, but it just felt like it shouldn't be so serious. I also liked the friendship between Kendall and Davie more than the budding relationship. Even though it was a bit of a slow burn, I didnt feel like the relationship was developed well.
Queerleaders was a good book to start off Pride 2026! It follow a group of cheerleaders who are wanting to win nationals, but their funding is threatened when they are accused of only recruiting LGBTQ+ students to the squad. In order to save their competition season, head cheerleader Davie recruits Kendall, a new student at the school. But theres one problem... Kendall isnt straight. She's bisexual.
I liked the overall premise of the plot, but didnt like that its suggested Kendall go back into the closet. Perhaps its because im reading the book as an adult instead of a teenager, but it just felt like it shouldn't be so serious. I also liked the friendship between Kendall and Davie more than the budding relationship. Even though it was a bit of a slow burn, I didnt feel like the relationship was developed well.
June 4, 2026
Okay, when I saw this title you know I had to pick it up. When I saw that Olivia A Cole, who wrote one of my favorite YA books of last year (Medusa) paired up with Ashley Woodfolk, who contributed to some cute YA romance collections (Blackout and White Out) to write it, I was interested. The title and cover are dumb as hell, but I'm here for it. The whole thing kind of read like a Bring It On fanfic. It is kind of silly and very sweet- let us have our goofy ass joy, it's Pride month.
July 22, 2026
It pains me to give this book 2 stars but I just had to, it has its good parts but the characters we’re supposed to be rooting for are very unlikable, and the way certain topics are addressed…. As a black woman I had a couple wtf moments that almost made me stop reading.
June 11, 2026
3.75 rounded up! This was cute and fun but damn it took me forever to get through
August 7, 2026
Cute romcom about a cheerleading squad intentionally filled with members of the alphabet mafia....oh, and one token straight person because of bigotry at the school. Kendall is added to the team because the captain thinks she's straight when she shows up to tryouts with her (ex) boyfriend, only to fall for her immediately.
Read by Tyla Collier and Shelby Summers. #booksin26
Read by Tyla Collier and Shelby Summers. #booksin26
July 8, 2026
The central conflict of this book could have been very easily remedied by talking to literally any responsible adult, but teenagers are dumb and complex and angsty and this book showed that in a fun way.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
As a bisexual woman I went in wanting to love this book, but unfortunately, it fell extremely flat for me, for various reasons. Nonetheless, thank you for the Goodreads giveaway, though it doesn't impact the following review.
What I liked:
-Sibling relationship between Kendall and Nia
-Queer ass cheer team!
-Focus on community+grassroots action. <3
What I hated:
-I couldn't stand Davie. She'd start fights and then be upset people were mean after??
-Misrepresentation(s) of bisexuality that aren't re-addressed
-Cishet characters repeatedly clocking the queer characters rather than the bisexual lead doing so
-Davie and Kendall's romance Did Not Work. Kendall my love get some self-respect.
-Insta-lust, which is just a personal preference thing
-Calling the conservatives in the book, who are causing genuine harm to their local queer community, trolls; it's very Millennial to try to use it in this context, would not be used by high schoolers in said context, and only de-legitimizes the harm they do. A troll says wild, hateful things for the sake of causing a stir, for the love of the game. They don't have to believe what they're saying. They exist online, behind anonymous accounts. They are not the local conservative club, conservative school board member, or conservative podcaster doing material harm to minorities.
For long, specific, more spoiler-y criticisms:
My biggest gripe is Kendall's bisexuality, which really sucks because her early internal dialogue about it was so relatable! Bi-invisibility is a very real problem, and I was hoping for this book to address it in a meaningful but light-hearted way.
So, at the end of the day, this book will probably work for a number of people. I just cannot really recommend it due to its treatment of bisexuality.
What I liked:
-Sibling relationship between Kendall and Nia
-Queer ass cheer team!
-Focus on community+grassroots action. <3
What I hated:
-I couldn't stand Davie. She'd start fights and then be upset people were mean after??
-Misrepresentation(s) of bisexuality that aren't re-addressed
-Cishet characters repeatedly clocking the queer characters rather than the bisexual lead doing so
-Davie and Kendall's romance Did Not Work. Kendall my love get some self-respect.
-Insta-lust, which is just a personal preference thing
-Calling the conservatives in the book, who are causing genuine harm to their local queer community, trolls; it's very Millennial to try to use it in this context, would not be used by high schoolers in said context, and only de-legitimizes the harm they do. A troll says wild, hateful things for the sake of causing a stir, for the love of the game. They don't have to believe what they're saying. They exist online, behind anonymous accounts. They are not the local conservative club, conservative school board member, or conservative podcaster doing material harm to minorities.
For long, specific, more spoiler-y criticisms:
My biggest gripe is Kendall's bisexuality, which really sucks because her early internal dialogue about it was so relatable! Bi-invisibility is a very real problem, and I was hoping for this book to address it in a meaningful but light-hearted way.
So, at the end of the day, this book will probably work for a number of people. I just cannot really recommend it due to its treatment of bisexuality.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 ⭐
When I first read the synopsis for this book, I was so ready to love it. A cheerleading squad made up mostly of queer teens? Already a win. Add in a secret relationship and the drama of faking being straight for team funding, and I genuinely thought this had all the ingredients to become one of those messy but addictive queer YA reads. And honestly? I can still see the potential this story had. I just don’t think the execution fully delivered for me.
The book felt chaotic in a way that wasn’t always intentional. There was constantly something happening, but so much of the conflict relied on miscommunication, which became frustrating instead of emotional. Yes, I know they’re teenagers, so I wasn’t expecting perfect decision-making or emotional maturity. Still, I was hoping for meaningful growth by the end. Instead, a lot of the major issues seemed to resolve themselves suddenly, without enough buildup, so the emotional payoff never really landed the way I wanted it to.
Davie especially tested my patience. I completely understood why she felt responsible for carrying the team as captain, and I never doubted that her intentions were good. But it became exhausting watching her refuse to trust the very people who clearly loved and supported her. That’s a shame because the team dynamic itself was one of my favorite parts of the book. The found family vibes were genuinely sweet, and seeing a group of queer teens openly support one another felt really special. As someone who didn’t have that kind of environment while figuring out my own sexuality in high school, those moments hit hard for me.
But Davie’s inability to communicate dragged on for so long. What frustrated me most was how passive she remained about her own happiness. It constantly felt like she was living according to everyone else’s expectations instead of asking herself what she actually wanted. That’s why her character arc felt incomplete to me. She only starts questioning those expectations when the story is practically over. The repeated mentions of her complicated relationship with her dad, without properly addressing it by the end, also left me feeling unsatisfied.
Kendall didn’t fully work for me either, although I did find her more grounded overall. I appreciated that she slowly started seeing beyond herself and understanding the bigger picture, but I still struggled to connect with her emotionally. Her relationship with her mother had so much potential, which is why the sudden change in their dynamic felt rushed rather than earned.
And then there’s the romance, which sadly never clicked for me. It leaned very heavily into insta-love, and because they barely knew each other before developing intense feelings, I struggled to buy into the emotional depth of their connection. The constant cycle of avoiding each other, misunderstanding each other, getting angry, making up, and repeating the same mistakes became tiring after a while. There were entire stretches where they barely interacted, which only made the relationship feel more fragile and underdeveloped. By the end, I honestly wasn’t emotionally invested in whether they stayed together or not.
Something else that bothered me was the way both main characters kept assuming people’s sexualities without actually talking to them first. It became frustrating because so many of the conflicts could have been avoided if they had simply stopped labeling others based on assumptions.
I also think the writing tried a little too hard to sound Gen Z. I am Gen Z, but some of the dialogue felt less natural and more like it was forcing trendy language into every conversation. Instead of sounding authentic, it often came across as overly juvenile.
At the end of the day, this just wasn’t the book for me. By the time I reached the ending, I was honestly more relieved than emotional. I can absolutely understand why some readers connected with it. The foundation had real potential, and not every aspect was bad, but for me the messy execution overshadowed the things that could have made this story truly impactful.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
When I first read the synopsis for this book, I was so ready to love it. A cheerleading squad made up mostly of queer teens? Already a win. Add in a secret relationship and the drama of faking being straight for team funding, and I genuinely thought this had all the ingredients to become one of those messy but addictive queer YA reads. And honestly? I can still see the potential this story had. I just don’t think the execution fully delivered for me.
The book felt chaotic in a way that wasn’t always intentional. There was constantly something happening, but so much of the conflict relied on miscommunication, which became frustrating instead of emotional. Yes, I know they’re teenagers, so I wasn’t expecting perfect decision-making or emotional maturity. Still, I was hoping for meaningful growth by the end. Instead, a lot of the major issues seemed to resolve themselves suddenly, without enough buildup, so the emotional payoff never really landed the way I wanted it to.
Davie especially tested my patience. I completely understood why she felt responsible for carrying the team as captain, and I never doubted that her intentions were good. But it became exhausting watching her refuse to trust the very people who clearly loved and supported her. That’s a shame because the team dynamic itself was one of my favorite parts of the book. The found family vibes were genuinely sweet, and seeing a group of queer teens openly support one another felt really special. As someone who didn’t have that kind of environment while figuring out my own sexuality in high school, those moments hit hard for me.
But Davie’s inability to communicate dragged on for so long. What frustrated me most was how passive she remained about her own happiness. It constantly felt like she was living according to everyone else’s expectations instead of asking herself what she actually wanted. That’s why her character arc felt incomplete to me. She only starts questioning those expectations when the story is practically over. The repeated mentions of her complicated relationship with her dad, without properly addressing it by the end, also left me feeling unsatisfied.
Kendall didn’t fully work for me either, although I did find her more grounded overall. I appreciated that she slowly started seeing beyond herself and understanding the bigger picture, but I still struggled to connect with her emotionally. Her relationship with her mother had so much potential, which is why the sudden change in their dynamic felt rushed rather than earned.
And then there’s the romance, which sadly never clicked for me. It leaned very heavily into insta-love, and because they barely knew each other before developing intense feelings, I struggled to buy into the emotional depth of their connection. The constant cycle of avoiding each other, misunderstanding each other, getting angry, making up, and repeating the same mistakes became tiring after a while. There were entire stretches where they barely interacted, which only made the relationship feel more fragile and underdeveloped. By the end, I honestly wasn’t emotionally invested in whether they stayed together or not.
Something else that bothered me was the way both main characters kept assuming people’s sexualities without actually talking to them first. It became frustrating because so many of the conflicts could have been avoided if they had simply stopped labeling others based on assumptions.
I also think the writing tried a little too hard to sound Gen Z. I am Gen Z, but some of the dialogue felt less natural and more like it was forcing trendy language into every conversation. Instead of sounding authentic, it often came across as overly juvenile.
At the end of the day, this just wasn’t the book for me. By the time I reached the ending, I was honestly more relieved than emotional. I can absolutely understand why some readers connected with it. The foundation had real potential, and not every aspect was bad, but for me the messy execution overshadowed the things that could have made this story truly impactful.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2026
Where to begin?
This book jumped around and skipped at odd places. I felt like I was constantly waiting for the plot to develop while also being surprised nothing was ever as bad as it seemed like it would go.
Every time a seemingly important event rolled around we’d skip it halfway through. The premise sounded sorta promising but almost every development felt oddly timed and disappointing. I’m on page 259 and it is a slog to finish this. 2.5 stars
It’s not the worst thing I have ever read and I’m definitely craving an interesting sapphic erotica or heist. Something with good plot and love scenes. Wishing for new adult lesbian books as I read this. Ugh.
Every new page feels like it was directly inspired by the most average liberal internet opinion/experience, from the cyber truck to the one dimensional homophobic vaguely Christian characters. Everything is one dimensional. I do not understand how the authors decided what bits to hop over. The “fights” between our love interests are dumb and I’ve spent half the book wondering why they’re fighting/upset with each other. I cannot for the life of me remember which secondary character is which apart from sorta the sister Nia, the enby(?), and the himbo troy(?).
The pace is somehow both glacial, feels like we’re skipping important bits, and the stakes aren’t high enough.
I wanted to like this, and it started interesting, but by the end I wanted to gouge my eyes out with a fork just for something to do.
Off I go to read the other 60+ pages.
Page 288. The characters are dumb. The arguments are dumb. For a group of queers these feel like the least accepting most reactive over dramatic little shits ever. I am continuing my hair pulling.
302
306 girl wtf. Also idk HOW you’d know about her sweat if you basically didn’t see her after the initial gay shot this whole novel. When did you learn how her sweat smells?
One of the only funny or interesting things about the end of this novel was Nia being straight.
*sigh*
Writers forgetting things about their work within the same pice of media is in my top five pet peeves. Especially when a whole tangent was written about it and then forgotten. In this books case it was the girl eating all the wings (Monica??) who puked. Only for them to turn around at the end of the book and say nobody had puked in years. Girl you just said wing girl puked. Anyway. This mess is almost over.
Update: it’s over.
I didn’t like this. I won’t be reading it again and shall be returning it asap to the library. 2.5 stars. What a mess.
This book jumped around and skipped at odd places. I felt like I was constantly waiting for the plot to develop while also being surprised nothing was ever as bad as it seemed like it would go.
Every time a seemingly important event rolled around we’d skip it halfway through. The premise sounded sorta promising but almost every development felt oddly timed and disappointing. I’m on page 259 and it is a slog to finish this. 2.5 stars
It’s not the worst thing I have ever read and I’m definitely craving an interesting sapphic erotica or heist. Something with good plot and love scenes. Wishing for new adult lesbian books as I read this. Ugh.
Every new page feels like it was directly inspired by the most average liberal internet opinion/experience, from the cyber truck to the one dimensional homophobic vaguely Christian characters. Everything is one dimensional. I do not understand how the authors decided what bits to hop over. The “fights” between our love interests are dumb and I’ve spent half the book wondering why they’re fighting/upset with each other. I cannot for the life of me remember which secondary character is which apart from sorta the sister Nia, the enby(?), and the himbo troy(?).
The pace is somehow both glacial, feels like we’re skipping important bits, and the stakes aren’t high enough.
I wanted to like this, and it started interesting, but by the end I wanted to gouge my eyes out with a fork just for something to do.
Off I go to read the other 60+ pages.
Page 288. The characters are dumb. The arguments are dumb. For a group of queers these feel like the least accepting most reactive over dramatic little shits ever. I am continuing my hair pulling.
302
306 girl wtf. Also idk HOW you’d know about her sweat if you basically didn’t see her after the initial gay shot this whole novel. When did you learn how her sweat smells?
One of the only funny or interesting things about the end of this novel was Nia being straight.
*sigh*
Writers forgetting things about their work within the same pice of media is in my top five pet peeves. Especially when a whole tangent was written about it and then forgotten. In this books case it was the girl eating all the wings (Monica??) who puked. Only for them to turn around at the end of the book and say nobody had puked in years. Girl you just said wing girl puked. Anyway. This mess is almost over.
Update: it’s over.
I didn’t like this. I won’t be reading it again and shall be returning it asap to the library. 2.5 stars. What a mess.
June 27, 2026
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
The Publisher Says: Two cheerleaders find themselves inconveniently tumbling head over heels for each other in this satirical, sapphic teen rom-com that’s Bring It On meets She Drives Me Crazy.
Oak Haven High doesn’t have cheerleaders—it has queerleaders.
It’s a fun coincidence that every new varsity cheerleader since Davie Cathee took the squad by storm three years ago is—or soon comes out as—queer.
But when a rumor sparks that this season, newly minted captain Davie has been specifically recruiting queer members only, Davie is accused of “discrimination” against straight students. She’s given an ultimatum: recruit a straight athlete for the team or the funding for their competitive cheer season will take a major tumble.
Enter Kendall Hayes, the edgy, mysterious new girl. When Davie sees that Kendall has a boyfriend, she quickly convinces her to join the squad. Problem solved.
Until she finds out that Kendall’s actually bisexual…and newly single.
Now Kendall and Davie are faced with having to keep those details under wraps until nationals, which only gets more complicated when they start falling hard and fast for each other. Can Kendall go back in the closet long enough to save the squad? Or will Davie find the courage to love her new crush out loud, even if it might mean the end of the queerleaders?
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Adorable! And, as a YA novel, so chock-full of quality representation it bulges. I'd hand this to my granddaughter without batting an eyelash.
I myownself am old enough to see through to the plot beats so wasn't deeply engaged; great for the sixteen and unders and you won't pass out from boredom pre-reading it but it's not for us.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers says, "$10.99 please" at checkout.
The Publisher Says: Two cheerleaders find themselves inconveniently tumbling head over heels for each other in this satirical, sapphic teen rom-com that’s Bring It On meets She Drives Me Crazy.
Oak Haven High doesn’t have cheerleaders—it has queerleaders.
It’s a fun coincidence that every new varsity cheerleader since Davie Cathee took the squad by storm three years ago is—or soon comes out as—queer.
But when a rumor sparks that this season, newly minted captain Davie has been specifically recruiting queer members only, Davie is accused of “discrimination” against straight students. She’s given an ultimatum: recruit a straight athlete for the team or the funding for their competitive cheer season will take a major tumble.
Enter Kendall Hayes, the edgy, mysterious new girl. When Davie sees that Kendall has a boyfriend, she quickly convinces her to join the squad. Problem solved.
Until she finds out that Kendall’s actually bisexual…and newly single.
Now Kendall and Davie are faced with having to keep those details under wraps until nationals, which only gets more complicated when they start falling hard and fast for each other. Can Kendall go back in the closet long enough to save the squad? Or will Davie find the courage to love her new crush out loud, even if it might mean the end of the queerleaders?
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Adorable! And, as a YA novel, so chock-full of quality representation it bulges. I'd hand this to my granddaughter without batting an eyelash.
I myownself am old enough to see through to the plot beats so wasn't deeply engaged; great for the sixteen and unders and you won't pass out from boredom pre-reading it but it's not for us.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers says, "$10.99 please" at checkout.
July 1, 2026
You know what I have always wanted in my life? A queer version of Bring It On. I mean it’s always been super queer coded, but the fact that Torrance and Isis didn’t kiss even once has always been a damn crime! Queerleaders gave me exactly what I’d been missing from years of suppressed need for sapphic cheerleaders on an all queer team. Now that I’ve had it, I can die happy.
After a stunt at practice puts one girl in the hospital, cheer captain Davie has to hold an impromptu try-out to find a new flier. With a new member getting added, some of the other girls who don’t get chosen may end up disappointed… but no one sees one of them trying to get even?!
Kendall came out as bisexual at her old school and did a prank that got her, and unexpectedly her sister, kicked out all at the same time. Now they’re both starting a new school, making new friends together. When they both try-out for cheer and subsequently both get chosen, (her sister and then Kendall soon after) it seems like a happy new beginning.
Davie doesn’t tell the rest of the squad that she’s been accused of discrimination for not having any straight people on her squad. So while everyone thinks adding Kendall is all because she’s just a great dancer, it’s really because she saw her with her ex-boyfriend and assumed she’s straight. All the while, she had been crushing on the straight girl since the first time she saw her.
To be honest, this felt like the perfect book to round out PRIDE month with. It was queer joy to the fullest with so many nods to a movie I love with my whole heart. Not only will I be shouting about how much I loved this, I’ll end up reading it again and again… mostly because I have a weird attachment thing to books I love, but also because it’s gay AF!
Thank you to Simon Teen for gifting me a copy of the book.
After a stunt at practice puts one girl in the hospital, cheer captain Davie has to hold an impromptu try-out to find a new flier. With a new member getting added, some of the other girls who don’t get chosen may end up disappointed… but no one sees one of them trying to get even?!
Kendall came out as bisexual at her old school and did a prank that got her, and unexpectedly her sister, kicked out all at the same time. Now they’re both starting a new school, making new friends together. When they both try-out for cheer and subsequently both get chosen, (her sister and then Kendall soon after) it seems like a happy new beginning.
Davie doesn’t tell the rest of the squad that she’s been accused of discrimination for not having any straight people on her squad. So while everyone thinks adding Kendall is all because she’s just a great dancer, it’s really because she saw her with her ex-boyfriend and assumed she’s straight. All the while, she had been crushing on the straight girl since the first time she saw her.
To be honest, this felt like the perfect book to round out PRIDE month with. It was queer joy to the fullest with so many nods to a movie I love with my whole heart. Not only will I be shouting about how much I loved this, I’ll end up reading it again and again… mostly because I have a weird attachment thing to books I love, but also because it’s gay AF!
Thank you to Simon Teen for gifting me a copy of the book.
May 12, 2026
↠ 3.75 stars, rounded up ⭐️
Bring It On but make it gay!!!!
I haven’t read a book in one sitting in ages, but I started this at 2pm yesterday and seriously couldn’t put it down until I was finished.
This was such a fun coming-of-age story full of heart and queer joy. As the title suggests, the representation is top tier—bisexual, lesbian, MTF trans, BIPOC, Asian, gay, nonbinary, drag queens. I loved all the characters, who were very reminiscent of several from Bring It On (imo)—and the cheer squad being a safe space to be their authentic selves was so wholesome. The banter between them all was so fun, and it had me laughing out loud quite a few times. The romance was sweet too, but it personally wasn’t what carried the story for me.
I will say, this is a true YA. Some of the phrases used are a little cringy, and there’s a bit of shade thrown at millennials (as one.. ouch), but all-in-all, I did really enjoy the writing. There’s also quite a bit of political commentary, and I will admit, some of it was pretty heavy-handed—BUT I personally appreciated how straightforward it was. The messaging is important. Plus, seeing the bigoted characters receive the consequences they deserved was refreshing.
As someone whose favorite movie was Bring It On at one point in my life, Queerleaders sticks the landing! It was nostalgic while bringing something fresh to the original story.
And now.. I think I’m due for a rewatch 🤭
Many thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and Simon Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! ♡
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
Bring It On but make it gay!!!!
I haven’t read a book in one sitting in ages, but I started this at 2pm yesterday and seriously couldn’t put it down until I was finished.
This was such a fun coming-of-age story full of heart and queer joy. As the title suggests, the representation is top tier—bisexual, lesbian, MTF trans, BIPOC, Asian, gay, nonbinary, drag queens. I loved all the characters, who were very reminiscent of several from Bring It On (imo)—and the cheer squad being a safe space to be their authentic selves was so wholesome. The banter between them all was so fun, and it had me laughing out loud quite a few times. The romance was sweet too, but it personally wasn’t what carried the story for me.
I will say, this is a true YA. Some of the phrases used are a little cringy, and there’s a bit of shade thrown at millennials (as one.. ouch), but all-in-all, I did really enjoy the writing. There’s also quite a bit of political commentary, and I will admit, some of it was pretty heavy-handed—BUT I personally appreciated how straightforward it was. The messaging is important. Plus, seeing the bigoted characters receive the consequences they deserved was refreshing.
As someone whose favorite movie was Bring It On at one point in my life, Queerleaders sticks the landing! It was nostalgic while bringing something fresh to the original story.
And now.. I think I’m due for a rewatch 🤭
Many thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and Simon Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! ♡
₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆. ₊‧.°.⋆˚₊‧⋆.
Check out my reviews on bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the gay cheerleading story of my dreams. Think Bring It On, only gay. Okay, make that gayer (you’ll never convince me that Torrance and Missy weren’t endgame). First of all the voice is fab-u-lous. Secondly, the premise is SO fun (an all queer cheerleading squad catching flack for not having any cishet people in it, that recruits a seemingly straight new girl to solve the issue without realizing she’s actually bi).
The chemistry between Davie and Kendall was outstanding. The supporting cast was fantastic too, and I was especially fond of Davie’s bestie Amber and the not-the-sharpest-tool-in-the-shed member of the squad Troy.
I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time I was reading this. I didn’t want to put the book down!
Though practically perfect, there was one moment that rubbed me the wrong way. Kendall, questioning whether bisexual is the correct label for her, briefly implies that bisexuality doesn’t include attraction to non-binary people, and her misconception is never corrected on the page. Bisexuality has ALWAYS meant attraction to all genders, which includes the femmes, hims, and thems Kendall is into. So it was frustrating to see such a joyously queer book that nailed everything else drop the ball on that.
However, that little hiccup didn’t stop me from reading on and loving absolutely everything else about this book though.
Four and a half stars rounded up to five.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
The chemistry between Davie and Kendall was outstanding. The supporting cast was fantastic too, and I was especially fond of Davie’s bestie Amber and the not-the-sharpest-tool-in-the-shed member of the squad Troy.
I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time I was reading this. I didn’t want to put the book down!
Though practically perfect, there was one moment that rubbed me the wrong way. Kendall, questioning whether bisexual is the correct label for her, briefly implies that bisexuality doesn’t include attraction to non-binary people, and her misconception is never corrected on the page. Bisexuality has ALWAYS meant attraction to all genders, which includes the femmes, hims, and thems Kendall is into. So it was frustrating to see such a joyously queer book that nailed everything else drop the ball on that.
However, that little hiccup didn’t stop me from reading on and loving absolutely everything else about this book though.
Four and a half stars rounded up to five.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
This book is aptly billed as a _She Drives Me Crazy_ / _Bring It On_ mashup, and as a woman of a certain age, I say sign me up and also, obviously, "Brrrrr. It's cold in here!" IYKYK, you better come correct with the right squad in the next line.
If this intro made you nostalgic, crack this book.
Cole and Woodfolk are back for another fun queer YA romp, this time, of course, with pyramids and Daytona-style memories included. Oh, and there are Karens Karening, which makes for an easy if terrifying set of nemeses.
One of these Karens is upset that her daughter, who is not a skilled cheerleader, did not make the squad. Of course, she determines that this must be a result of her daughter being...heterosexual. According to this woman, only queer kids can join this squad, which is both a wild premise and a great impetus for how Davie and Kendall connect.
While I enjoyed the central characters and their banter, I was more engrossed in (and appropriately grossed out by) the antics happening around them than I was interested in their burgeoning relationship. That wasn't what I expected on the way in, but it also didn't bum me out. This was a fun take on a YA romance; I enjoyed the representation and messaging even more than the cuteness.
This is another great effort from a duo I really hope will keep at it!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This book is aptly billed as a _She Drives Me Crazy_ / _Bring It On_ mashup, and as a woman of a certain age, I say sign me up and also, obviously, "Brrrrr. It's cold in here!" IYKYK, you better come correct with the right squad in the next line.
If this intro made you nostalgic, crack this book.
Cole and Woodfolk are back for another fun queer YA romp, this time, of course, with pyramids and Daytona-style memories included. Oh, and there are Karens Karening, which makes for an easy if terrifying set of nemeses.
One of these Karens is upset that her daughter, who is not a skilled cheerleader, did not make the squad. Of course, she determines that this must be a result of her daughter being...heterosexual. According to this woman, only queer kids can join this squad, which is both a wild premise and a great impetus for how Davie and Kendall connect.
While I enjoyed the central characters and their banter, I was more engrossed in (and appropriately grossed out by) the antics happening around them than I was interested in their burgeoning relationship. That wasn't what I expected on the way in, but it also didn't bum me out. This was a fun take on a YA romance; I enjoyed the representation and messaging even more than the cuteness.
This is another great effort from a duo I really hope will keep at it!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
April 18, 2026
Thank you so much to Simon Teen and the authors for sending me an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One, two, three, four! Who do we adore? Olivia A. Cole and Ashley Woodfolk for writing Queerleaders! This book was so much fun! I enjoyed every single second of it, and I wish that I could live in the Queerleaders world forever.
Think Bring it On but the cheer squad is (almost?) entirely queer! When I heard the premise of this book, I knew it was going to be a blast.
We got a dual point of view for Ken and Davie, which was so needed. I really enjoyed watching them navigate their feelings for each other. There were so many times when things could have been sorted out with a bit more communication, so the dual pov really made you root extra hard for them to figure out the other's feelings.
Something I loved extra about this book is that I adored the side characters as much as the main characters. Every single person was written so well. I found myself so thoroughly invested in each and every character and all of their side storylines. Everyone could have their own book, and I would eat it up!
This book just felt full of joy. Even though our characters faced some hurdles in the shape of homophobic classmates/their moms (boo, tomato!) this book ultimately felt like a celebration. A huge thank you again to both the publisher and authors for sending me an arc copy of this book.
One, two, three, four! Who do we adore? Olivia A. Cole and Ashley Woodfolk for writing Queerleaders! This book was so much fun! I enjoyed every single second of it, and I wish that I could live in the Queerleaders world forever.
Think Bring it On but the cheer squad is (almost?) entirely queer! When I heard the premise of this book, I knew it was going to be a blast.
We got a dual point of view for Ken and Davie, which was so needed. I really enjoyed watching them navigate their feelings for each other. There were so many times when things could have been sorted out with a bit more communication, so the dual pov really made you root extra hard for them to figure out the other's feelings.
Something I loved extra about this book is that I adored the side characters as much as the main characters. Every single person was written so well. I found myself so thoroughly invested in each and every character and all of their side storylines. Everyone could have their own book, and I would eat it up!
This book just felt full of joy. Even though our characters faced some hurdles in the shape of homophobic classmates/their moms (boo, tomato!) this book ultimately felt like a celebration. A huge thank you again to both the publisher and authors for sending me an arc copy of this book.
May 22, 2026
Queer leaders by Olivia Cole is about Davey who gets a message from those that fun cheerleading telling her she needs to get some straight people on the cheerleading squad but mainly she knows it’s to get the daughter of that person Addie, on the squad. Unfortunately she really thought it would be a struggle, because she saw what Haven high had to offer in the beginning of the year. So having a member out with a broken arm doesn’t go well for the upcoming competitions but When new girl Kendall and her little sister Nia tried out for the cheerleading team they were not only wonderful but Davie new Kindle was straight so problem solved. The team needs to focus so it doesn’t help when Avery let’s slip that a scandalous social media personality was coming to their freedom rally and Davies newly found crush on Kindle isn’t helping matters especially when she finds out Kendall is bi and not straight. This is all set up to go bananas can Kendle keep things straight while at the same time keeping away from Davie or will the feeling they feel be way too powerful. OK this is a horrible review but let me just say this was an awesome book it was way better than I thought it was going to be an although it is a team year romance it really is well done and so worth the read. I definitely recommend it find out what happens when a girl has to go back in the closet to stay on the cheerleading team, while at the same time having a crush on the teams coach. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #InTheCloset, #1Love, #LGBTQplus,
June 10, 2026
When I saw the title of this book, I had to read it. Queerleaders? Sold! Luckily, it didn't disappoint.
The book is told from the dual povs of Davie, the cheer captain, and Kendall, a new student at Oak Haven High School. Davie needs the squad to win nationals so she can get a college scholarship and Kendall got her (and her) sister expelled from their private school. They're both passionate, driven and support the people that they love.
To make things up to her sister, Nia, Kendall tries out for the cheer team with her. She's not chosen, but she makes some friends. Afterwards, someone accuses Davie of only letting LGBTQIA+ students join the team, so she decides to recruit a straight student, Kendall. The only issue is that she's not straight. Can they hide that fact and their budding feelings?
I absolutely love the representation in this book. There is a wide variety of genders, orientations and races presented. There's even a drag queen. They're truly a big, found family. The banter is fun and there are a few references to Bring it On.
The book does touch on heavier issues such as family acceptance and expectations, homophobia, transphobia and hiding who you are. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
I would recommend this to fans of LGBTQIA+ books, Bring it On, YA romance and found family reads. I recieved a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The book is told from the dual povs of Davie, the cheer captain, and Kendall, a new student at Oak Haven High School. Davie needs the squad to win nationals so she can get a college scholarship and Kendall got her (and her) sister expelled from their private school. They're both passionate, driven and support the people that they love.
To make things up to her sister, Nia, Kendall tries out for the cheer team with her. She's not chosen, but she makes some friends. Afterwards, someone accuses Davie of only letting LGBTQIA+ students join the team, so she decides to recruit a straight student, Kendall. The only issue is that she's not straight. Can they hide that fact and their budding feelings?
I absolutely love the representation in this book. There is a wide variety of genders, orientations and races presented. There's even a drag queen. They're truly a big, found family. The banter is fun and there are a few references to Bring it On.
The book does touch on heavier issues such as family acceptance and expectations, homophobia, transphobia and hiding who you are. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
I would recommend this to fans of LGBTQIA+ books, Bring it On, YA romance and found family reads. I recieved a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 16, 2026
"I don't really like the term "coming out" anyway. I like to think of it as welcoming people in- I'm a steward in the home of my sexuality, and everyone else is a vampire I have to invite inside."
Team captain Davie is doing her best to hold her beloved cheer team together. When Davie is accused of “discriminating” against straight students, she has to find a token straight to join her team of queerleaders. Kendall only auditions for the cheer team to try and get her younger sister to forgive her, after unintentionally getting her in trouble with their parents. Davie assumes she’s found her solution, until she realizes Kendall is bi. Can they keep the secret until nationals?
Queerleaders is filled with epic dance battles/cheer routines, queer found family, and a lovable ensemble cast. Kendall’s exploration of what it means to be bi, to pass, and the difference between inviting in vs. coming out was beautifully done and really resonated.
I loved the fun dialogue, (“No way she would stoop so low, right?” “She is the stoopingest stooper I’ve ever met.”) and (“Autumn, when did you get here?” “I’m always here.” “She doesn’t even go here.” “Witchcraft.”)
Readers who love Bring It On, sweet sapphic YA romance, queer found family, and sisterhood will love Queerleaders.
Thank you so much to Ashley Woodfolk and Olivia A. Cole for sending me a free copy.
Team captain Davie is doing her best to hold her beloved cheer team together. When Davie is accused of “discriminating” against straight students, she has to find a token straight to join her team of queerleaders. Kendall only auditions for the cheer team to try and get her younger sister to forgive her, after unintentionally getting her in trouble with their parents. Davie assumes she’s found her solution, until she realizes Kendall is bi. Can they keep the secret until nationals?
Queerleaders is filled with epic dance battles/cheer routines, queer found family, and a lovable ensemble cast. Kendall’s exploration of what it means to be bi, to pass, and the difference between inviting in vs. coming out was beautifully done and really resonated.
I loved the fun dialogue, (“No way she would stoop so low, right?” “She is the stoopingest stooper I’ve ever met.”) and (“Autumn, when did you get here?” “I’m always here.” “She doesn’t even go here.” “Witchcraft.”)
Readers who love Bring It On, sweet sapphic YA romance, queer found family, and sisterhood will love Queerleaders.
Thank you so much to Ashley Woodfolk and Olivia A. Cole for sending me a free copy.
June 9, 2026
Thank you to Simon Teen for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I don't tell many people this, but I used to be a cheerleader in middle school and high school. This is WAY before I realized I was any flavor of queer. Honestly, I wish my younger self could have had a team like the Hornets back then. I did have a community, but I still didn't feel fully comfortable or myself in the cheer community. And while I loved doing competitions, I also didn't like the toxicity that was in cheerleading at that time, from what I saw. It's why I stopped after only 2 years, it didn't feel safe to be me, to be anything beyond a skinny cis-het white female. But reading this did help heal a part of my adolescence I didn't realized needed healing until just now. This book was so much more than I was expecting, and I'm actually really happy about that. I feel like a lot of adults think kids shouldn't be involved in politics. But sadly, for queer youth, they don't have an option, because their existence is made political, whether they like it or not. It's the same for queer adults as well. And I feel like this book touches on that in a subtle but visual way. The banter from the team is also high-key fantastic. And don't even get me started on their little found family. And gosh, I can relate to Ken and Davie so much. I genuinely enjoyed every moment of this book.
I don't tell many people this, but I used to be a cheerleader in middle school and high school. This is WAY before I realized I was any flavor of queer. Honestly, I wish my younger self could have had a team like the Hornets back then. I did have a community, but I still didn't feel fully comfortable or myself in the cheer community. And while I loved doing competitions, I also didn't like the toxicity that was in cheerleading at that time, from what I saw. It's why I stopped after only 2 years, it didn't feel safe to be me, to be anything beyond a skinny cis-het white female. But reading this did help heal a part of my adolescence I didn't realized needed healing until just now. This book was so much more than I was expecting, and I'm actually really happy about that. I feel like a lot of adults think kids shouldn't be involved in politics. But sadly, for queer youth, they don't have an option, because their existence is made political, whether they like it or not. It's the same for queer adults as well. And I feel like this book touches on that in a subtle but visual way. The banter from the team is also high-key fantastic. And don't even get me started on their little found family. And gosh, I can relate to Ken and Davie so much. I genuinely enjoyed every moment of this book.
June 2, 2026
4.5 out of 5: Very "Bring it On" on coded but make it queer, sapphic, and add a diverse cheer team with in identity and body type. This makes me so happy for teens in this generation to be seen and that it can be safe to be yourself. That you can find people to be your truest self with which was harder to find when I was younger.
Davie's struggle with perfectionism and not wanting to let her team down, but only feeling she has one path due to needing scholarship. Autumn and Davie's friendship was everything as well as the different personalities and what they brought to each other was everything.
I loved Kendall's love of fashion and her anxiety felt very realistic and understandable. The way she stayed friends with her ex Ori and her friendship with her Jules, to have a base, but to also have them encourage her to make new friends at her new school. I also adored her friendship with her sister Nia and their support of each other even in their rocky moments. The way the family got each other to look at each other's perspectives.
I also loved how the community overall came together to support the team letting them know the bigotry of some does not mean that the whole town felt the same. The ending was super sweet.
Davie's struggle with perfectionism and not wanting to let her team down, but only feeling she has one path due to needing scholarship. Autumn and Davie's friendship was everything as well as the different personalities and what they brought to each other was everything.
I loved Kendall's love of fashion and her anxiety felt very realistic and understandable. The way she stayed friends with her ex Ori and her friendship with her Jules, to have a base, but to also have them encourage her to make new friends at her new school. I also adored her friendship with her sister Nia and their support of each other even in their rocky moments. The way the family got each other to look at each other's perspectives.
I also loved how the community overall came together to support the team letting them know the bigotry of some does not mean that the whole town felt the same. The ending was super sweet.
May 21, 2026
Bring It On, but make it queer.
High school cheer squad needs a token straight to keep their funding because they are accused of discriminating against straights. But whoops, we didn’t recruit someone actually straight.
There was so much character development in this book for both of the two main characters, Davie and Kendall, that I just loved. Both of them were able to grow as young adults and learn how to be more open and themselves.
The characters felt very authentic and reflective of their supposed age. miscommunications abound throughout the story that felt very typical of high schoolers - not trusting people who have your back, not just talking to your parents, not just talking to your friend/crush/peer/whatever, etc.
One thing that really took me out of the story was the inaccuracy of the mention of trans discrimination in equestrian sports. That is just not a thing as there is nothing gendered in the sport at all. I wish the author had done more research or chosen a different sport.
Overall this is such a cute YA sports romance! 4.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
High school cheer squad needs a token straight to keep their funding because they are accused of discriminating against straights. But whoops, we didn’t recruit someone actually straight.
There was so much character development in this book for both of the two main characters, Davie and Kendall, that I just loved. Both of them were able to grow as young adults and learn how to be more open and themselves.
The characters felt very authentic and reflective of their supposed age. miscommunications abound throughout the story that felt very typical of high schoolers - not trusting people who have your back, not just talking to your parents, not just talking to your friend/crush/peer/whatever, etc.
One thing that really took me out of the story was the inaccuracy of the mention of trans discrimination in equestrian sports. That is just not a thing as there is nothing gendered in the sport at all. I wish the author had done more research or chosen a different sport.
Overall this is such a cute YA sports romance! 4.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 20, 2026
Queerleaders was such a fun sapphic romcom. If you loved the movie Bring It On then this book is for you!
The captain of the cheer team is accused of only allowing queer students on the team. Not true, just coincidence. But if she doesn't change that, the team will lose funding. Luckily, she finds a pair of siblings that are perfect for the team and atleast one of them is straight. Great! Except, unknown to them, she's actually bisexual. And the fmc is falling hard for her! Now the team is in jeopardy of losing their funding.
The story was so fun and felt so nostalgic to me. It had a great blend of romance and humor. The romance aspect was so pure and enjoyable. The friendships were so fun and great to read. As I was reading I kept thinking about how authentically real the characters felt. It also showed the reality of the way people who are bisexual are treated in regards to feeling like they belong. The story was just so great from start to finish! I cant wait to read more by the authors!
The captain of the cheer team is accused of only allowing queer students on the team. Not true, just coincidence. But if she doesn't change that, the team will lose funding. Luckily, she finds a pair of siblings that are perfect for the team and atleast one of them is straight. Great! Except, unknown to them, she's actually bisexual. And the fmc is falling hard for her! Now the team is in jeopardy of losing their funding.
The story was so fun and felt so nostalgic to me. It had a great blend of romance and humor. The romance aspect was so pure and enjoyable. The friendships were so fun and great to read. As I was reading I kept thinking about how authentically real the characters felt. It also showed the reality of the way people who are bisexual are treated in regards to feeling like they belong. The story was just so great from start to finish! I cant wait to read more by the authors!
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