Dead Boys Club

by R.M. Cress

Zach doesn't really want to die—he just wants high school to suck a little less. He made a plan. Memorized the train schedule. Even stood on the tracks. But he didn't go through with it, so now he's facing senior year with zero friends, maximum awkwardness, and a suicide note still crumpled in his backpack like the world's worst safety blanket. The last person Zach expects to connect with is brooding loner Parker Reid. But when Parker accidentally discovers Zach's note, the two discover they have a painful secret in common. They form the Dead Boys Club, and suddenly Zach has an unlikely ally who's even messier than he is. Between panic attacks and late-night emails, school plays and roadtrips, the two start to figure out that living is different than just surviving. When Parker’s parents threaten to send him away, he and Zach are forced to admit—with the help of a ragtag friend group that neither of them saw coming—that maybe, just maybe, there are things worth sticking around for. This is a young adult romance about the terrifying, life-saving possibility of letting someone in.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 and 24. Help is available! If you or a loved one are in crisis, text or call 988 to speak to someone today.

Genres: LGBT, Young Adult, Contemporary, Queer

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

R.M Cress is a New York based author who grew up in the midwest.

Reviews

[Teru · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐

I’ll try to muster up enough brain power to string words together into coherent sentences lol, we’ll see how that goes. Sorry in advance; my ability to focus is kinda shot right now.

We meet Zach almost at the end of his life - right after writing a suicide note and taking it to the train tracks close to his home. The world just feels a bit too much for him to cope with, therapy and meds for his anxiety and depression don’t seem to work, and he’s convinced that ending his life would bring relief to both him and his poor overworked mom.
Fortunately, he doesn’t go through with it, but he saves the note. (Un)fortunately, that note is later found by another troubled boy from school, Parker Reid. Antisocial, with a devil-may-care attitude, rude and seemingly violent. To Zach’s horrified surprise, Parker then insists on making a suicide pact, so they can leave the world behind together.
“It’s easier if there’s two of us” rings true. In dying...and maybe, the boys will find, in living as well.

I requested Dead Boys Club mainly for the premise - two boys getting close over a found suicide note? Yes please. It kind of unearthed a childhood memory of me writing a will in elementary school, and I was very intrigued. At the beginning, there was an author’s note that set my expectations straight - this YA story deals with mental health themes like depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and self-harm, but it’s mainly about the importance of social support in the hardest times.

Poor Zach was such a ball of anxiety, my heart ached for him. Still, his compassion and empathy, even amidst his own severe issues, were awe-inspiring. He was more than ready to get angry and defensive on others’ behalf, while being unable to extend the same courtesy to himself.
While the story was told in a single third-person POV, Parker still shone as a pretty strong character as well. At first, his abrasive and seemingly unsympathetic attitude reminded me of Andrew Minyard, but woah was there a gooey interior under his hard shell. Parker will tell you to shut the hell up, making you think he finds you annoying, and then takes you on a trip to the place you dreamed about, planning everything meticulously beforehand. His words don’t speak of affection, but oh boy his actions do. It’s safe to say, he completely won me over 🖤

Now, imagine Parker as this gloomy little cloud, misery radiating from him most of the time. And then Zach accidentally makes him smile and laugh for the first time. No wonder the boys didn’t stand a chance, falling for each other! Guuuys I was melting on the spot, they were stinking cute together. I didn’t feel particularly excited about the romance, to me it was more about the connection in general, but when they first kissed, it made me go “awww” - that always deserves a nod of approval 😌

I very much appreciate how the author highlighted the importance of social support, while making it clear it’s not a cure. There’s no magical fixing, no throwing away pills because “yay life is easy now because of the power of love”. Life was simply made a bit more bearable and worth fighting for - and when the hard times inevitably come again, there’s suddenly a safety net the boys can fall on, and it made all the difference in comparison to them being alone.

They didn’t just have each other, though - thankfully. They found their place in a friend group that became a pillar of their desire to stay alive, and I couldn’t be happier about that. Zach’s mom was also a legend; finally, a competent adult in a YA story the kids could actually go to and ask for help!
Parker’s parents...in the end, they were trying, I guess, but I’m holding a massive grudge still. Even after surviving a suicide attempt, they didn’t pull through and tried to act as if nothing happened, for the sake of keeping up an image of a happy family in higher society. The same people who should have been his first line of defense failed to be that, and I can’t forgive and forget.

The writing itself was very much in sync with the younger YA genre, and I have to admit it worked for my current lack of higher cognitive functions xD Although the dialogue was often very awkward, mirroring awkward teenagers with anxiety - everything is, like, you know...super cool and stuff 😅

All in all, as a YA romance, it doesn’t break any barriers, but absolutely provides a sweet quick read. Especially if you’re looking for something with mental health themes that focuses more on the hopeful side of things. As the author herself said - we meet Zach at his lowest, and it only goes upward from then on!
I rounded up not exactly because I enjoyed myself so much, but mostly for the intense appreciation I feel towards books like this one. It’s hard enough to deal with these problems as an adult, so if teens could find kindred spirits in these characters, burst the isolating bubble that makes one feel so very alone, it deserves a shout-out.

Thank you to Generous Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC! Dead Boys Club is out now so be sure to go give it a chance.

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3 stars ✰

“The only person who wanted to talk to me wanted us to kill ourselves.”

The discovery of a suicide note - that little, innocuous piece of paper paved the way for a very special and meaningful bond between high school seniors Zach and Two-toned Eyes Parker Reid. A suicidal pact - of ups and downs, hesitations and declarations - anticipation and fear and, ultimately, one of connection and intention that made their initial desperation of longing and belonging become one of purpose that allowed them to find something worth living for. ❤️‍🩹

I liked how it portrayed Zach's slow and steady dawning of his attraction for Parker. 🥹 No labels, no expectations, just this realization of a desire for something deeper from him, which built up organically as their friendship grew. A deep-rooted quiet affection stemmed from an understanding of each other's insecurities and vulnerabilities.

“Another thought forms slowly: Parker doesn’t feel like his best friend... Zach knows intrinsically that friend isn’t right. It doesn’t sound right; it doesn’t fit whatever Parker is to him.”

It was so sweet how Parker catered to Zach's penchant for nature parks and how he couldn't quite express how much he meant to him. How they slowly became more intuitive and attentive to each other's interests and reactions; how Zach was so observant of Parker's troubles and inability to express himself that he tried his best to be honest and open with him. That dinner at the Reid family home was a stand-out moment - the execution was excruciating, but so impactful. 🥺

I don't know what it says about me that I enjoyed the morbid talks more than the levity moments between their growing group of friends. Maybe because the details of Zach's anxiety and Parker's distraught emotions were channeled so intently and described so viscerally that it felt so real. 💔

“Zach has never wanted to kiss anyone as badly as he wants to kiss Parker Reid, and that scares him.”

Present tense is always a bit of a challenge, but I didn't mind it that much. Towards the end, it became a lot more tell than show, and I don't think covering the entire senior year was necessary because it didn't quite know where it wanted to end up. And while I am glad that Zach finally had a group of friends where he felt accepted and appreciated, some scenes dragged and weren't as compelling or necessary, imo. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Some of the discussions in the Dead Boys Club were --- callous seems a harsh word, but the details didn't feel entirely direct either, which didn't quite impact me as it should've. Perhaps it was deliberate, intended to keep the tone from becoming too heavy, allowing hope to emerge from these dark and dreary thoughts of loneliness and isolation. 😔

“A moment in time that changed Parker’s entire course of action, from death to life. How could Zach have been so important without ever realizing it?”

I also wasn't a fan of how Zach's mom behaved towards the end; it was too hastily presumptuous and a rash judgment. 🙍🏻‍♀️ Not to mention, Parker and Zach's own less-than-impressive decision to bail when they felt like it. But they were in a bit of a bind, so I guess it really was their only chance to make a stand for themselves.

Despite these complaints, it was a bittersweet YA debut novel that portrayed how a relationship, born from such a morbid beginning became one where each person's existence mattered to the other. It wasn't the only reason, but it was one that anchored them to better prospects and happiness they never thought they could have until it was finally within their reach. 🤍🤍

[Bethany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Generous Press for the digital copy to review. And thank you to @authorcress for their kindness with my flailing after I finished reading this.

My first, honest reaction to this book is that I love books that make me cry and hope and want to live, live, live, live. Reader, this is that book. I don’t compare to my favorite author Adam Silvera lightly. But the way that mental illness is so lovingly portrayed in this book, with hope and understanding and the beauty of living, I can’t say enough good things about it. I left @authorcress a teary voice memo trying to explain and I don’t even think I did this book justice. It’s everything.

Zach and Parker were so incredibly relatable to me that I found myself in tears for nearly half the book. Zach’s struggles with friendship, wanting to d*e, loneliness, and hopeless feelings were so real and raw. The prologue chapter hooked me immediately and I was so bought in. Parker had me curious and then as you get to know him and his life, it all becomes so clear.

The power of friendship and unconditional love in this book is truly the real romance of the story. Zach and Parker have an epic romance, don’t get me wrong. But the friendship between Zach, Parker, Paige, Bea, and Isaac had me in tears. It was so beautifully formed. There’s nothing like found family and this group found each other and held on like hell. Side note, I wish I could have seen Bea’s PowerPoint.

I also loved how gently the author explained that therapy doesn’t solve all of your problems. How it is work. Hard work. Worth it, but exhausting. How one person can’t save everyone. How it takes a full on community. How young love can be the brightest spot in the darkest of times. How important the love and understanding of family is. How strong you actually are.

All in all - I cannot wait to own a copy of this and it’s out on 9/15. So maybe buy it and see for yourself how incredibly beautiful this story is.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for the eArc

what a beautiful beautiful book
it made me feel all kind of emotions and made me tear up a little
i struggle to find words for this book but i know it's one that i will carry in my heart and i think that's the best compliment i could give
i loved the characters i loved the friendships and the amazing slowburn
it was all too much relatable but it gave me a lot of comfort with the hopefulness and the love the characters felt

i look forward to read more from this author

[Gareth Jones-Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and Generous Press for the ARC of this book.

Oh what a read that was.
Honest, heartfelt and hopeful.
You could see where the story was going but wasn't ready for the bits in between and to see the change in both Parker and Zach.
I think we can all take something from this book
5 Stars

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars

**Dead Boys Club by R.M. Cress**

*Dead Boys Club* is one of those books that deals with some incredibly heavy subjects, but at its heart, it is really a story about connection, friendship, love, and discovering that surviving can eventually become something more than simply making it through another day.

I went into this knowing that it was going to deal with mental health, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts, so I knew it wasn't going to be an easy read. And it definitely isn't. There are some genuinely heartbreaking moments throughout this book. But what I appreciated most was that the story isn't only interested in the darkness. It is equally interested in what happens when someone starts finding reasons to stay.

That made this a surprisingly hopeful read for me.

The story follows Zach, a high school senior in 2009 who has reached a point where he has decided that he wants to live, even though he isn't entirely sure what “living” is supposed to look like anymore. He's lonely, anxious, depressed, and heading into his final year of school without any real friends. He is also carrying around an old suicide note, which is such a heartbreaking image because it represents the fact that although Zach has made the decision to keep going, he hasn't necessarily figured out how to let go of the mindset that brought him there.

I really connected with the way Zach's loneliness is portrayed.

He isn't simply lonely because he has no friends. There is a much deeper sense of feeling disconnected from the people around him and unsure how to actually reach out. His anxiety makes ordinary situations feel overwhelming, and I thought the book did a good job showing how exhausting it can be to constantly navigate your own thoughts.

Then Parker Reid enters the picture.

Parker is basically the last person Zach would expect to understand what he's going through, but when Parker finds Zach's suicide note, the two discover that they have something painful in common. From there, they form the “Dead Boys Club,” and their relationship becomes the heart of the story.

Their dynamic is complicated, messy, and sometimes uncomfortable, but I really appreciated that the book doesn't try to make their shared struggles into something romantic or glamorous. Instead, it shows two young people who are hurting and who don't necessarily know how to help themselves, let alone each other.

Parker in particular brings a lot of complexity to the story. He is a brooding loner who has his own history with suicide attempts, and his initial response to finding Zach's note isn't necessarily healthy. There are moments where I was frustrated with him and moments where I really wanted someone to intervene, but I think that was part of what made him feel like a real character rather than a perfect love interest.

Neither Zach nor Parker has everything figured out.

They're teenagers trying to navigate serious mental health struggles while also dealing with school, parents, friendships, relationships, and the general uncertainty of growing up.

I really liked watching their relationship develop from strangers to reluctant allies, then friends, and eventually something more. Their romance isn't the only thing happening in the story, which I appreciated. There is a genuine friendship underneath it, and I think that makes their eventual romantic relationship feel much more meaningful.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was the way Zach slowly begins to build a support system without really intending to.

At the beginning, he feels completely alone. But as the story progresses, people start appearing in his life. The ragtag group of friends that develops around Zach and Parker was probably one of my favourite parts of the book because it demonstrates something really important: sometimes connection happens in unexpected ways.

You don't always find your people immediately.

Sometimes friendships develop slowly. Sometimes the person who understands you isn't the person you expected. Sometimes you don't even realise that people care about you until you're finally willing to let them get close.

I thought the book handled that idea really well.

The supporting characters also helped make the story feel less isolated. Zach's relationship with his mother particularly stood out to me. She is clearly trying to understand what her son is going through, even when she doesn't always know how to help him. I appreciated that the adults weren't simply portrayed as clueless or completely absent. There is a real sense of worry and helplessness from the people who care about Zach, and I thought that added another emotional layer to the story.

The 2009 setting was also a nice touch.

I liked that this isn't set in the current day, because the lack of some of the technology and communication we now take for granted changes the way the characters interact. The late-night emails especially gave the story a slightly nostalgic quality, and there is something about teenagers communicating through emails and spending time together without everything being immediately documented online that worked really well.

The school setting also felt believable. There are school plays, road trips, friendships, awkward conversations, family problems, and all the other things that come with being a teenager. The story doesn't let the characters' mental health struggles completely consume every aspect of their lives. They are still teenagers who can laugh, make stupid decisions, develop crushes, argue, and have fun.

I think that balance was really important.

Because even though this is a book about suicide and mental illness, it is ultimately a book about **living**.

That distinction really stayed with me.

Zach has already made it through the immediate crisis, but the story asks what comes after that. What does it mean to actually build a life when you have spent so much time thinking about ending it? How do you learn to imagine a future when you haven't been able to see yourself having one?

I really appreciated that the book doesn't suggest that finding love or friends magically fixes mental illness. There isn't a simple solution. Zach still struggles. Parker still struggles. Their problems don't disappear because they have each other.

Instead, connection becomes one reason to keep trying.

And I think that's a much more meaningful message.

The romance between Zach and Parker also worked well for me because it develops alongside their friendship. There is a sense of them slowly becoming important to one another before either of them is really prepared to admit it. Their relationship has plenty of awkwardness and emotional messiness, which feels appropriate for two teenagers trying to figure themselves out.

I particularly liked the moments where the story allowed them to simply be teenagers together rather than constantly focusin

[Andreia · Rating 3 out of 5]

✎✧˚ Thank you to the author, R.M. Cress, and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dead Boys Club by R.M. Cress is a bittersweet YA romance about loneliness, mental health, friendship, and the terrifying but ultimately hopeful possibility of letting someone into your life. At its best, this book is incredibly tender, particularly in the way Zach and Parker slowly become important to one another without either of them quite knowing how to define what they are.

I really loved the gradual development of Zach’s feelings for Parker. His attraction isn’t accompanied by labels or unnecessary angst; instead, it unfolds naturally as their friendship deepens. Zach becomes increasingly attentive to Parker’s moods and struggles, while Parker learns how to care for Zach in his own sometimes awkward way. The small gestures were some of my favorite parts, especially Parker catering to Zach’s love of nature parks and their growing ability to anticipate each other’s needs. Their relationship felt rooted in understanding each other’s vulnerabilities rather than simply attraction.

Parker’s character development was also a highlight. He initially comes across as intimidating, volatile, and difficult to understand, but underneath that exterior is someone desperately looking for connection. Watching him become more caring and thoughtful was genuinely rewarding. The supporting cast added warmth too, and I enjoyed seeing Zach finally find a group of people who accepted and treasured him.

I also appreciated how visceral Zach’s anxiety could feel. The darker conversations between Zach and Parker often worked better for me than some of the lighter scenes because their loneliness and desperation felt most compelling when the book allowed itself to sit with those emotions.

That said, I had several issues that kept this at three stars. Most importantly, I really think this story should have had a two-person POV. Parker remains somewhat distant because we experience so much of his internal life only through Zach’s perspective. Given how important Parker’s struggles are to the story, getting his thoughts directly would have added considerably more emotional depth and helped explain his motivations and history.

I also felt that Zach’s problems weren’t properly addressed by the end. His anxiety and suicidal thoughts are central to the story, yet the resolution sometimes felt more focused on the romance, friendships, and the immediate external conflict than on the underlying issues Zach had been struggling with. His progress is meaningful, but I wanted a stronger sense that he was actually receiving the support and tools necessary to continue healing rather than simply discovering reasons to stay alive.

The pacing was another weakness. The beginning felt drawn out in places, while the conflict toward the end was rushed. Covering the entirety of senior year also made the book feel longer than necessary, especially once the central emotional arc had already reached its natural conclusion. Some of the later milestones were sweet, but they also felt like unnecessary padding.

I wasn't entirely convinced by some of the Dead Boys Club discussions either. The subject matter is extremely serious, but certain conversations felt oddly restrained or imprecise, which occasionally kept them from having the emotional impact I expected. I also struggled with Zach’s mom’s behavior toward the end, particularly how quickly she made assumptions.

Despite those flaws, there is a lot to appreciate here. Zach and Parker’s relationship is sweet, vulnerable, and genuinely hopeful, and the book understands how sometimes another person can become an anchor while you learn to find reasons to keep going for yourself. I just wish the story had given equal attention to the difficult work behind that realization.

"Having friends, having people in your corner… That’s important, you’re right. And I’m so happy that you have that with Parker. But…he’s not going to fix everything for you, honey. (…) And you’re not going to be able to fix everything for him. No matter how much we love people, there are some things we can only do for ourselves."

[mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

to start off, know this novel handles the very heavy topic of suicidal ideation, which not everybody will manage to read about. however, i have to highlight how sincere and kind r. m. cress is in her depiction of it. she does not romanticise it, nor does she sugarcoat how bad it can be. take care of yourselves!

so, 'dead boys club' is literally everything i would've needed to read when i was sixteen and struggling. actually, it is literally everything i needed to read, period. it gave me major high-school throwback—in how i felt back then, but also in regard to the books i read! think 'love, simon' and 'all the bright places', with troye sivan playing in the background. (unsure whether zach and parker would've liked his music; but 'strawberries and cigarettes', 'heaven', 'talk me down'? if i had to make a playlist, i would add those.)

we follow zach as he begins his last year of high-school. he's never had any true friend, nor much self-esteem, and struggles with anxiety and depression. his suicidal thoughts are mostly related to the idea that he doesn't matter much, and that his mom would lead a much easier life if he weren't here. he writes a note apologising to her before attempting—but backs down.
and then, there is parker. zach has always seen him as this dark, broody, scary character but is soon to discover how much he cares. after parker's suicide attempt fails, he finds zach's note and suggests a suicide pact. what starts out as a weirdly toxic partnership soon turns into true friendship, and more.

sadly, it was so easy to relate to those characters. passive suicidal ideation is not often in the limelight, so i found myself really grateful for zach, whose experience with suicide is more thought-oriented than parker's, who actively seeks ways to kill himself.

while this novel contains a romantic plot, it never outshines the central point, which is parker and zach's learning how to want to live—or, at least, in less wanting to die. the change is slow but i felt it deeply in the ways they talked, thought and behaved. though they've always been loners, it seems their sudden sort-of friendship attracted other people and, thanks to these new friends, they will manage to find joy in their everyday. it warmed my heart to see them experience happiness at last, though all throughout the novel, i was scared something would tear the group apart and, thus, erase all the progress zach and parker had made. but there is one dialogue in particular that reminds characters and readers alike that recovery comes from within, and not from other people, though they can help.

i will still talk about the romantic plot because. well. it was so sweet, i need to talk about it.
since zach and parker's relationship has a weird and unhealthy beginning, i viewed a little skeptically their future love story. but!!! it quickly turns out they both are so, so good for one another. still weird, but definitely not unhealthy. they're both so thoughtful and open-minded and they listen and are open and!!! i loved their dynamic. i loved the way they love each other. (i need to mention there is one (1) sex scene towards the end, which could not have been there at all, if i'm being honest, but i didn't mind it either.)
the novel is from zach's perspective, so it was very sweet to see his perspective of view of parker gradually change, from weariness to appreciation to friendship to love. i loved that, though the story takes place in 2009, the author didn't make zach's queer awakening that big a deal. it felt refreshing, compared to many LGBTQ+ YA novels i've read before.

weirdly enough, 'dead boys club' has left me feeling nostalgic for a time in my life that was not that great? i just can't stop thinking about teen-me and how less alone they would've felt if they had gotten to read this book. i'm a little jealous of the teens who will get to read it today and find themselves in the characters, but mostly i'm thankful and i will keep a very fond memory of this story.

[reviewed in exchange for a free e-arc through netgalley]

[Sarah at Sarah's Book Solace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review first appeared on Sarah’s Book Solace

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

DEAD BOYS CLUB is one of the best books I’ve read all year, and I am so glad I requested it on NetGalley. Set in 2009, the story follows Zach Williams as he enters his senior year of high school the same way he always has: extremely anxious and without any friends. When he collides with brooding loner Parker Reid in the lunchroom, and Parker picks up the suicide note that slips out of his binder, Zach thinks his life is over. The last thing he expects, however, is for Parker to connect with him over shared feelings of despair. What begins as a mortifying moment quickly evolves into secret hangouts genuine understanding, and a lifeline neither boy knew he needed.

“You are a nobody. Nobody would care if a couple of nobody’s just—went away forever.”

This book had me deep in my feelings at 1 AM on Sunday morning. I felt so much for these two boys, who are both incredibly isolated, drowning in sorrow, and convinced that everyone would be better off without them. Zach is a deeply anxious soul whose medication is barely helping him cope. On top of having no friends, he is raised by a hardworking single mother who is away far too much for him to open up to her. Because she works so hard to support them, Zach feels like too much of a burden to share the intense feelings he’s been struggling with.

Parker Reid is majorly depressed. Having survived two suicide attempts, he has no one in his corner to talk to. Parker has no outlet for his mental health struggles and his parents care more about their image than helping their son through crises. But when the two boys collide, their world expands. Soon, they build a genuine found family with Paige, Isaac, and Bea, learning they don’t have to carry the weight alone.

Ultimately, DEAD BOYS CLUB is a powerful story about the necessity of human connection and the quiet dangers of isolation. Although categorized as a young adult romance, it is at its heart a deeply moving exploration of trauma, healing, and hope. If you’re looking for a story featuring queer characters, emotional growth, and a beautiful found family, I highly recommend this heartbreaking yet stunning debut.

TW: This book mentions suicide, suicide attempts and planning of attempts.

[Continuity · Rating 5 out of 5]

In times like these, I wish I were a better writer so I could capture my thoughts in stronger words and express how much I loved this book instead of saying “this was fantastic” fifty different times.

Dead Boys Club is a truly special book. With its focus on two lonely boys who bond over their shared desire to die, it’s not going to be for everyone. Suicide haunts this book, whether it be at the forefront of the scene or lurking in the corner. However, Cress depicts these thoughts in a realistic, raw way. Nothing feels sensationalized or added for shock value; instead, the heaviness is treated with care and honesty.

Early on, several characters seem poised to become antagonists, but Cress subverts that expectation beautifully. They’re simply flawed people, not villains. The teenagers read as teenagers and the parents act like parents. Even with their imperfections, the main characters are so likable. Their relationship (despite the dark roots) was so sweet that I found myself cheering them on throughout the novel.

I’ve been in a month‑long reading slump, barely managing a few pages a day, but I tore through this book in under 24 hours. Everything is phenomenal: the character work, the friendships, the romance, the plot! After I finished reading, I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it again. I was shocked to see that this was a debut novel, and I will be keeping an eye out for future releases by Cress.

Thank you, NetGalley, Generous Press, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tags/Warnings
.
.
.
Tropes: Found family
Triggers: Suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, panic attacks
Third act break-up: No
OM/OW: None. While Zach has/had a crush on Parker’s twin, nothing came of it. Perfectly safe.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book, I was in exactly the right headspace for it. I wanted to read something that would make me suffer first, only to comfort me afterwards. And that is exactly what I got.

The style in which this book is written is, above all, authentic. I found not only the characters thoughts and behavior to be described extremely realistically, but also the writing style itself felt very appropriate for the characters age (17).

I also really liked that we get to hear from a wide variety of characters. Although the entire book is written from Zach’s perspective, we still get a good sense of what their family and later their friends are thinking.

I would also like to highlight the way the story unfolds. We don’t get a personal first-person narrator. Zach’s perspective is told to the reader in the third person. While reading, I found the book very “quiet.” There was no big drama. Everything is emotional, but at the same time told in a very factual way. It almost feels like a personal report or a guidebook hidden inside a young adult novel.

The only thing I don’t think was necessary was the romance. I thought the two of them made a really wonderful team as friends and personally, I would have preferred to leave it at that. Maybe I would have felt differently if their relationship hadn’t developed so suddenly. Especially because the first half of the book was built up so carefully and thoughtfully. Aside from that, it was a wonderful book that absolutely deserves full five stars.

My conclusion: "The Dead Boys Club" is an incredibly important book. One that makes you feel a little less alone and lost, while also offering valuable insight and support to the loved ones of those affected.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great story - when the story starts we met Zach who is on his way to kill himself. I feel for Zach, he has anxiety and doesn't have many friends (like none) -he comes from a single parent household and his mother is trying to do all she can do for him.

Then we go on to see what his life is like - who his neighbor, who he thinks is his only "friend" but then he even treats him very harshly so he doesn't believe he is that.

We learn about his past, and his previous attempts at trying to make new friends and invite a girl to the school dance.

Parker and Paige are twins - he had a crush on Paige - and Parker wants to kill himself also and has actually attempted it multiple times (Paige doesn't know) - and they make a pact -Parker and Zach to end it all.

Now I don't want to give too much away of the story - we have found friendships in this book, Zach and Parker both coming out of their shells, found family - love.

70 pages until the end - I was like this is going to go good for Zach and Patrick but 70 pages towards the end made me afraid what would happen. :)

We have a HEA - thankfully.

I see that the author has this book safe for 16-18 year olds. The only thing that I worry about, and the author - has phone numbers, websites etc at the end about suicide prevention. So, just be aware that we are dealing with thoughts of self harm. I would have no problem with my daughter or son reading the book.

Great story and I can't wait to see more of her work!

[∆×Neromi×∆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reminded me so much of those books from the 2000s and 2010s – I couldn’t say whether it was the writing, the vibe, or both.
This one deals with themes such as loneliness, second chances, and holding on to life, even when things are tough and you’re hoping they’ll get better.
And that’s exactly what happens to our protagonist, Zach, who, in a moment of weakness, decides to carry out an irreversible act, but at the last moment has second thoughts and doesn’t go through with it. A note is the only evidence of that failed attempt, and it has followed him everywhere ever since… with the misfortune that the very last person he wants to discover it ends up doing so. And she proposes a deal that brings them irrevocably closer together.
Thanks to that encounter, everything Zach has ever wanted in his life begins to unfold before him, although not everything is plain sailing; there are also difficulties and conflicts to resolve, as well as discoveries about himself that he would never have dared to question before.
I must say, hats off to his mum, because despite being almost absent due to her work, she’s always been there to support Zach, with all that a single-parent family entails, and she’s even been there to support and help his friends so that they can have a healthier family life.

What else can I say? This book is the very definition of finding the right person at the right time, allowing for healthier growth in Zach and Parker’s relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Generous Press for this eARC.

[RStanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars
3rd person pov(Zach)
YA LGBT Contemporary

Dead Boys Club is one of those rare young adult novels that feels both tender and terrifying in the same breath—a story about survival, connection, and the fragile, electric hope that comes from letting someone see you fully. R.M. Cress takes a premise that could have easily tipped into melodrama and instead crafts something startlingly intimate, and deeply humane.
Zach’s voice is awkward, funny, self‑aware, and painfully honest. He’s carrying an outdated suicide note in his backpack like a relic of a life he almost left behind, and the novel never treats that detail as shock value. Instead, it becomes a symbol of the messy, nonlinear nature of healing.
Enter Parker Reid: brooding, prickly, and far more vulnerable than he wants anyone to know. When Parker discovers Zach’s note, the two boys form the “Dead Boys Club,” a name that sounds like gallows humor but quickly becomes a lifeline. Their connection is built through panic attacks, late‑night emails, school plays, and road trips—small moments that accumulate into something enormous. Cress excels at writing characters who feel like real teenagers: flawed, scared, yearning, and capable of immense loyalty.
It’s a YA romance that understands the terror and beauty of letting someone in—and the profound relief of realizing you don’t have to face the world alone. I can't wait to reread this book again in a couple months.

[lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Boys Club by R.M. Cress opens about as dark as YA gets — Zach on the train tracks, moments from ending his life — and somehow turns into one of the more tender, funny queer romances I've read this year. Parker Reid catches Zach's suicide note and, instead of raising the alarm, proposes they do it together. What follows isn't the pact readers might brace for: it's the strange, prickly friendship that grows out of two "nobodies" recognizing themselves in each other, half in gallows humor (their self-mocking name for their bond gives the book its title) and half in genuine care.

Cress doesn't rush the healing or make it tidy. Zach's overworked single mom, Parker's messier home life, an epistolary stretch of late-night emails, a stammering best-friend dynamic with neighbor Isaac — it all builds a believable, lived-in world around the central romance. The mental-health content is handled with real weight (there's a content note and hotline resources up front and in the back), but the book earns its warmth. By the fire-tower scene at Acadia, "alive" doesn't feel like a cheap ending — it feels won.

[K.Mwrites · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an Pre release copy via Netgalley

This is a really well written YA romance that follows two male main characters, who both no longer want to live but find the will from each other and their friends they never thought they would have.

I loved Parker's development from intimidating and a loose cannon to someone so caring and thoughtful. There were many moments in this book that showed amazing character growth.

Zack was a character that was harder for me to like because a lot of his personality is his shyness and anxiety which I felt was a little cliche but the more I read the more I could relate with his character and he came across as three dimensional.

All of the side characters complimented each other perfectly, Isaac's unseriousness in contract to Bea's serious and protective characteristics as well as Paige's fun but responsible nature.

I gave this a four star because I don't usually read YA or third person and I really enjoyed this book and is a perfect lighthearted easy weekend read. I personally didn't find this emotional but none the less, this book is really good and I highly recommend for the YA audience.

[cxy⨾༊ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC from NetGalley)──𐚁

🪽★★★★★ / 5
⤷ Spoiler Free Review 🔖

︙⌗┆ My first 5 stars in September! I cried, laughed, I felt happiness. I genuinely love this and I can't wait for everyone to try and read it 'cause it did worked for me.

I can't explain more but I'm too soft and drawn towards Parker and Zach. I like their moments together even in silence, it's comforting like breathing a fresh air. My heart is fluttering for them, they're adorable. I got so emotional and it hurts sometimes. I've grown to like other characters too especially their friends and I really do appreciate Zach's mom.

I wanna say more but afraid I might spoil the fun of reading! There's many lines I like to share but yeah--- I'm just really glad they found each other including their friends. What they all have is beautiful. This will definetly hold a special place in me.

As someone who rarely reads books written in 3rd POV, it was an easy read and I really enjoyed it.

──᭄

꒰ ꒱ To NetGalley and the publisher, thank you for this arc ୭˚. ᵎ

[Alex Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Generous Press for letting me read this book early! All thoughts and opinions are my own :]
I enjoyed this book quite a bit! The only reason I didn't rate it higher is because the beginning felt a bit drawn out for the length of the book and the conflict near the end felt a tad rushed to resolve.
Besides those 2 spots I think it was written quite well and loved the characters. Parker is definitely your stereotypical delinquent who seems mean but is quite sweet character but I think it works good for him and contrast Zach's anxious nature well.
I also personally as someone with a diagnosed anxiety disorder really liked how Zach's anxiety was portrayed most of the time. the physical effects like making you sick to your stomach and the closing throat. Very visual and very true at least for me.
If you want a emotional but still cute romance with themes of mental illness and struggling this is definitely a book for you in my opinion.

[Perpetual Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I was lucky enough to get this book as an ARC.


This was really my first ARC so bear with me review wise please!

I absolutely devoured this book. I could NOT put it down and ended up finishing it in a single day. I absolutely adored both characters and connected with this book in a way that I haven't experienced before. I will always recommend this book. I think the fact that I was in high school when the story takes place helped the connection.

Spoilers below just to be safe.

The opening scene was absolutely well written in my opinion. The main plot of suicide and the inner thoughts of Zach throughout the story resonated with some of my own personal experiences. I think a main reason why this book is so amazing to me is because it reflected some of my own feelings that I've experienced with my own mental health journey. It genuinely felt like the author took my deepest thoughts and threw them on a page for the world to see.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senior Zach struggles with anxiety that medication and therapy barely touch. Socially isolated, he considers ending his own life and even writes a note for his mom; a man who sees him by the tracks and warns him that a train is coming prevents an actual attempt. Zach tucks away the note, but classmate Parker finds it after knocking into Zach and helping him pick up the flying pages from his notebook. Parker is also deeply depressed and suggests to Zach that they form a Dead Boys Club. No longer sure he wants to end his life, Zach agrees, hoping that he can persuade Parker that life is worth living. Readers will fully invest in Zach and Parker, Parker’s twin sister, and others who join their supportive friend group. Seeing parents grow and change as they recognize the needs of their children is an especially strong piece of the story. Compulsively readable. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Caleb Byrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Dead Boys Club By R.M Cress
Genre: , Fiction, Queer, Mental Health
Format: Ebook ARC
Publication: September 15th, 2026
Thoughts: A deeply personal and heartfelt story perfect for fans of Suicide Notes And Every Star That Falls—The prologue was enough to hook me, it reminded me of the many times in my own life i was struggling and thought the end of everything would be better than working through it and that attached me to Zach and Parker… I saw my struggled refract through both of them and it made me feel seen (seriously this book is scarily relatable and i love that) It’s not afraid to touch on the dark and scary bits of life while giving you hope the entire time thank you for writing this R.M Cress i adored it and will think of Zach and Parker often, absolutely one of my favorite reads this year.

[Rhian · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of advance copy from NetGalley*

4.5 stars

Dead Boys Club was a fun, easy-to-read book that I found myself getting through quickly. I was initially apprehensive because of the premise, as I worried it might romanticise or glorify suicidal ideation. However, I thought this was handled thoughtfully. The book allows you to understand why someone might feel that way without ever justifying it or making it seem appealing, which I really appreciated.

One of my favourite aspects was Zach’s gradual realisation of his own feelings. Rather than having him immediately understand what he feels for Parker, we get to experience that realisation alongside him, slowly piecing it together throughout the story. It made the romance feel more natural and was a refreshing change from the more immediate romances I’m used to reading. Overall, a genuinely enjoyable and surprisingly thoughtful read.

[Jourdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is an incredibly deep story, and there were times when I wondered if it was too dark for a YA novel, but honestly, I think it’s just realistic. As someone who has struggled with their mental health from a young age, I think books like this are so important for a younger audience.

I often find that late-teenage characters read really young to me and I wouldn’t say I had particularly wild teenage years, but I certainly wasn’t playing tag in the park at 17. These characters read like very early teenagers to me.

It was a sweet, albeit incredibly sad story, and it did really hit me hard at times. I think because it started with a big event and then the rest of the book was their progression and healing, rather than leading to something dramatic, I didn’t find it hugely gripping, but it was still a good read.

[maiannbookss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley and R.M.Cress, for letting me read this book in advance!

Dead Boys Club is a story about choosing to live about loneliness and friendship and feeling like you have nobody to talk to even when your family is by your side. But it's also hopeful and tender and beautiful.

Zach and Parker meet each other when they are at their lowest and form The Dead Boys Club. But after spending time together and building a friendship between themselves and with people, their pact doesn't seem to hold the same.

Going into this book, I was excited to meet the characters and see how they interacted with each other. I really enjoyed the pace the story moved at and getting to know them bit by bit. I also really liked Zach's mother and how she tried her best to help the teens.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it was pretty hard to put down!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like a warm, tight hug that grips you until you’re breathless and you can’t tell if your chest is tight because you’re about to cry or if you just need to let out a long sigh of relief. In short, Dead Boys Club just gives you a Lot of Feelings, and my heart burns for these characters who feel so achingly familiar. It’s a breath of fresh air to read something so hopeful and full of life and love, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I’d consider this essential reading for any teen or young adult who feels like the world would be better off if they didn’t exist—life can change so suddenly in such beautiful ways. Love love love ♥️

[tash · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and generous press for providing me with this arc of r. m. cress’s dead boys club

2.5 stars

don’t get me wrong, i like the plot of the book to an extent. but that’s pretty much it

the book feels very rushed, and i think we should’ve gotten more of both zach’s and parker’s backstories and why they felt the way they did at the start. like, i understand that zach felt lonely and parker doesn’t really get on with his family, but maybe a couple of chapters exploring their backstories in more depth could’ve been far better

[Saartje’s literartea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has taken me a long time to review this book.

A book that left me speechless and made me reflect on my journey with depression.

Dead Boys Club felt not like reading a book but like taking a peek into somebody’s journal. The third-person POV made it feel intimate. This book handles heavy topics like depression and the loss of a will to live with great honesty.

It shows the cracks forming in the main characters' masks and how their surroundings are trying to understand or react to them. Sometimes even loved ones might not fully know what is going on.

I felt the dread, pain, sadness, frustration, panic, anger and relief at first. And then, hope.
The last few chapters grounded me; it gave me the feeling it is going to be okay.

A beautifully written recommendation that offers reassurance that everyone will find their place even when reaching for it seems impossible.

Thank you to the publisher and author on NetGalley for this review copy.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intense YA story, perfectly capturing the very dark feelings of Parker and Zach when they had recurring thoughts about ending themselves. Both felt completely isolated, Parker through depression and Zach due to crippling anxiety, both of which were written with great sensitivity. Their gradual path to healing and the support they received from a new found friend group was very touching.
Thanks for the advance copy via NetGalley, I am honoured to leave a voluntary review.

[Mathter Works · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

Some rough reading because of the main topic, the story never belittles or waves it away with a magic wand. Also one of the best trigger warnings or lead-ins I've seen attached to a book. Zach, the twins, and their growing group of friends (and how it grew) felt extraordinarily real.

[jasmyn. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review!

this book was really sweet. i think it handled the heavy topics really well and in an age appropriate way. i would have liked to see more of Zach’s thoughts throughout the book though. anxiety kind of overcomes him for the most part, but we don’t see much of the non-anxious parts of him. but overall it was great!