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Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend
As one of only two Asian American kids in his entire high school, Gary is used to being ignored and excluded by his classmates. So when the most popular guy in school offers him the opportunity to break into the inner circle, Gary jumps at the chance. All he needs to do is acquire the prized possession of the most beautiful and untouchable girl they know—Gloria Buenrostro.
But as Gary gets to know Gloria, he begins to truly understand her, and she accepts him for who he is—before long, they're best friends. Being part of the "in crowd" has always been Gary's dream, but as he comes closer to achieving infamy, he risks losing the first person who sees him for all he is, and realizes that amount of popularity is worth losing a true friend.
But as Gary gets to know Gloria, he begins to truly understand her, and she accepts him for who he is—before long, they're best friends. Being part of the "in crowd" has always been Gary's dream, but as he comes closer to achieving infamy, he risks losing the first person who sees him for all he is, and realizes that amount of popularity is worth losing a true friend.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Hoàng
10 books40 followersBrandon Hoàng is the author of the critically acclaimed Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend and The Crossbow of Destiny.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brandon grew up coveting The Baby-Sitters Club books and slurping noodles. Before he was a writer, Brandon spent 10 years as an animation executive.
Now a television writer by day and novelist by night, he currently resides in Portland, OR with his wife and two daughters.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brandon grew up coveting The Baby-Sitters Club books and slurping noodles. Before he was a writer, Brandon spent 10 years as an animation executive.
Now a television writer by day and novelist by night, he currently resides in Portland, OR with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 1, 2025
I try to attend a lot of book launches focused on marginalized authors and communities. There is a heavy focus on API, specifically East and Southeast Asian stories, because they resonate with me so deeply.
If you're not new here, you'll wonder why I'm reading YA after complaining about it so heavily. Turns out it's not YA that I don't like. It's bad YA. And there is so much of it. This is newish in that it is YA from a male author, from the perspective of a teenage boy.
Stories about untouchable popular girls and mean boys and girls aren't unheard of. High school is a terribly cruel place. But true friendships between people of the opposite sex can be confusing to some, and difficult to write. I think Brandon does this quite well.
+1 for 🦀🦀🦀 nước mắm
+1 for some rich white asshole's baby blue BMW
+1 for hitting me in the feels
If you're not new here, you'll wonder why I'm reading YA after complaining about it so heavily. Turns out it's not YA that I don't like. It's bad YA. And there is so much of it. This is newish in that it is YA from a male author, from the perspective of a teenage boy.
Stories about untouchable popular girls and mean boys and girls aren't unheard of. High school is a terribly cruel place. But true friendships between people of the opposite sex can be confusing to some, and difficult to write. I think Brandon does this quite well.
+1 for 🦀🦀🦀 nước mắm
+1 for some rich white asshole's baby blue BMW
+1 for hitting me in the feels
July 12, 2023
I wrote this book and worked really hard on it so I think it’s 5 stars.
May 14, 2024
Not your average coming-of-age story.
Summary:
It's summer break before junior year and Gary Võ and his best friend Preston are tired of being "Viet nobodies." This is going to be the summer everything changes; Gary and Preston will make sure of that. When Gloria Buenrostro, the most beautiful, unattainable girl in school, recruits Gary's help making deliveries for her mom's business, Preston sees an opportunity. If Gary steals Gloria's special charm bracelet, the popular boys will let them into their secret club, "the Roosters." Gary's conscience protests, but he's desperate to improve his social standing. Yet the more time Gary spends with Gloria, the more he sees her--and she sees him. Will Gary forfeit their ticket to high school popularity?
Review:
This book will make you nostalgic for the seemingly endless days of summer break and thankful that you're beyond the relentless agony that is teen angst.
Adults will enjoy this book, but I especially recommend it for young readers. Teens will get a lot out of this book. Hoàng is an author to watch.
Summary:
It's summer break before junior year and Gary Võ and his best friend Preston are tired of being "Viet nobodies." This is going to be the summer everything changes; Gary and Preston will make sure of that. When Gloria Buenrostro, the most beautiful, unattainable girl in school, recruits Gary's help making deliveries for her mom's business, Preston sees an opportunity. If Gary steals Gloria's special charm bracelet, the popular boys will let them into their secret club, "the Roosters." Gary's conscience protests, but he's desperate to improve his social standing. Yet the more time Gary spends with Gloria, the more he sees her--and she sees him. Will Gary forfeit their ticket to high school popularity?
Review:
This book will make you nostalgic for the seemingly endless days of summer break and thankful that you're beyond the relentless agony that is teen angst.
Adults will enjoy this book, but I especially recommend it for young readers. Teens will get a lot out of this book. Hoàng is an author to watch.
June 26, 2023
Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a story about a mixed Vietnamese kid in high school who has always felt like an outsider as one of the only two Asian American students in school. So when he’s approached by the most popular guy in school with an invitation to the in crowd, he jumps at the chance to feel like he belongs. His only task to gain entry to the inner-circle? Get the prized possession of the most beautiful girl in school, Gloria Buenrostro.
Hoàng thoughtfully explores toxic masculinity and how easy it is to fall into harmful behavior, especially when you feel like you don’t belong. Through Gary we’re able to clearly see the pained, desperate desire to finally fit in and have a friend group. But through Gary we’re also able to see the harm that comes from these behaviors and the growth it takes to make a change and stand up to and say no. Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend tackles an incredibly sensitive topic with the careful nuance that only thoughtful fiction can depict.
This story wouldn’t work if the toxic masculinity wasn’t stunningly juxtaposed with Gary and Gloria’s sweet, kind, and real friendship. Their friendship is one of the sweetest fictional friendships I’ve ever seen. Everything about their growing friendship is honest, which holds the tension so well because it’s all founded on a single lie. Their friendship is an oak tree standing on top of a house of cards. It’s so easy to fall in love with Gary and Gloria’s friendship and impossible not to be overcome with worry about the inevitable truth coming to light.
Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is special in it’s honesty and heart. Hoàng has a unique skill in illustrating a realistic story that works to call out problematic behavior through the genuine honesty of true friendship. The best of fiction shines when it can weave a strong theme throughout while flawlessly maintaining the right voice for the characters and the intended readers, and Hoàng does it perfectly. It’s a reminder how multiple systematic issues work in tandem to emphasize each other in a delightfully sweet read.
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Hoàng thoughtfully explores toxic masculinity and how easy it is to fall into harmful behavior, especially when you feel like you don’t belong. Through Gary we’re able to clearly see the pained, desperate desire to finally fit in and have a friend group. But through Gary we’re also able to see the harm that comes from these behaviors and the growth it takes to make a change and stand up to and say no. Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend tackles an incredibly sensitive topic with the careful nuance that only thoughtful fiction can depict.
This story wouldn’t work if the toxic masculinity wasn’t stunningly juxtaposed with Gary and Gloria’s sweet, kind, and real friendship. Their friendship is one of the sweetest fictional friendships I’ve ever seen. Everything about their growing friendship is honest, which holds the tension so well because it’s all founded on a single lie. Their friendship is an oak tree standing on top of a house of cards. It’s so easy to fall in love with Gary and Gloria’s friendship and impossible not to be overcome with worry about the inevitable truth coming to light.
Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is special in it’s honesty and heart. Hoàng has a unique skill in illustrating a realistic story that works to call out problematic behavior through the genuine honesty of true friendship. The best of fiction shines when it can weave a strong theme throughout while flawlessly maintaining the right voice for the characters and the intended readers, and Hoàng does it perfectly. It’s a reminder how multiple systematic issues work in tandem to emphasize each other in a delightfully sweet read.
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December 14, 2022
I hate it when I’m one of the first to rate a book, especially when I have mixed feelings about it. In this case, I think it’s me and not the book, so please check out other reviews!
Gloria Buenrostro is not my Girlfriend is about Gary, a sixteen-year-old Vietnamese-American teen who’s been ignored and excluded together with his best friend Preston by his classmates. So when he gets the chance to break into the inner circle of the more popular guys, he grabs it with both hands.
I really liked Gary and Gloria and their story. I adored them riding on Gary’s tandem bike and getting to know each other more and more, cooking together, delivering stuff, and practicing Shakespeare. I loved the theme of toxic masculinity.
BUT …
What I liked less, though, was the writing, and that’s probably all on me. I often have a hate relationship with first-person, past-tense writing, and sadly that was the case here too. The story started so promisingly, first person, present tense, and I immediately wanted to read on and on and on. Until the following chapters. The second one started with ‘Then’, and I thought there would be two timelines. I love dual timelines, and I wanted to read even more. But sadly, the story stayed in the ‘Then’ timeline, and I started to dislike the writing because it felt like a remembrance of the last few months.
So, while this was, for particular reasons, not my kind of book, it could be a great one for you, especially if you like YA books with a diverse cast and themes like toxic masculinity!
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Gloria Buenrostro is not my Girlfriend is about Gary, a sixteen-year-old Vietnamese-American teen who’s been ignored and excluded together with his best friend Preston by his classmates. So when he gets the chance to break into the inner circle of the more popular guys, he grabs it with both hands.
I really liked Gary and Gloria and their story. I adored them riding on Gary’s tandem bike and getting to know each other more and more, cooking together, delivering stuff, and practicing Shakespeare. I loved the theme of toxic masculinity.
BUT …
What I liked less, though, was the writing, and that’s probably all on me. I often have a hate relationship with first-person, past-tense writing, and sadly that was the case here too. The story started so promisingly, first person, present tense, and I immediately wanted to read on and on and on. Until the following chapters. The second one started with ‘Then’, and I thought there would be two timelines. I love dual timelines, and I wanted to read even more. But sadly, the story stayed in the ‘Then’ timeline, and I started to dislike the writing because it felt like a remembrance of the last few months.
So, while this was, for particular reasons, not my kind of book, it could be a great one for you, especially if you like YA books with a diverse cast and themes like toxic masculinity!
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on Instagram
September 30, 2023
Such a lovely and realistic take on growing up, wanting to fit in, fucking up, and learning about who your actual friends really are.
Books like these make me so glad that I'm not a teenager anymore.
Books like these make me so glad that I'm not a teenager anymore.
December 11, 2020
Hoang is an exceptional writer. This debut is going to show the world that.
May 18, 2023
I cannot overstate how good this book was.
Before I delve into the reasons for this book's exceptionality, let me preface my review with a little bit of information about myself. I despise Young Adult fiction in pretty much all its forms. I wrote an argumentative essay earlier this year about why YA books should never be taught in a high school English classroom. My antipathy for the genre is a long-running joke with my friends (ardent YA lovers themselves). I think writing down to teenagers—the essence of YA—is insulting, degrading, and intellectually harmful.
This book overcame all my expectations.
First things first, the prose is perfectly crafted. In general, I'm a fan of florid, ostentatious, nineteenth-century English lit prose—the kind of writing in which you have to read every sentence thrice to understand how all the phrases fit together because it's so long. Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is not like that. The prose is deceptively simple. It fits the story perfectly because it is carefully contrived to distract from the story as little as possible. The simplicity of other YA writing usually serves only to distress (and, therefore, distract) the reader by its intellectual mediocrity. The writing of this book just flowed: it displayed the story with perfect clarity to let its merits shine to the maximum without attempting to call attention to particular features with flowery prose or being so cringe-worthy as to impede the story's readability.
This brings me to the excellence of the story, the reason why simple prose was the best choice for this novel: it was incredibly sweet and amazingly relatable. Other reviews I've read on this site have complained about the unrealistic exaggeration of Gary's and Preston's desire to join the popular group, and while I do agree to an extent—real teenagers most likely wouldn't have given such clear verbal expression to their desires—the exaggeration is necessary for the novel medium. The relationship between Gary and Gloria is sweet because they are both wonderful characters. Gary is not eloquent when he talks to Gloria; he has difficulty figuring out what to say to her, especially when they talk initially about deeper issues. This hesitation and struggle give Gary realism and relatability; the first-person narrative gives the reader context for his difficulty of expression. (I must also note that SO MANY other YA books are written by women about females or from a female perspective, so a male perspective was quite refreshing). And Gary is relatable because there is a part of Gary in all of us: Hoàng skillfully exaggerates his character's insecurities to touch a chord in each of his readers. I don't know about others who have read this book, but I cried for probably twenty pages after Gloria's rejection of Gary—not because she rejected him, but because Hoàng's intense description of Gary's loneliness was so devastating. It takes a truly incredible book to make me cry, much less continuously for a large portion of a story. Gloria's character is also beautifully done because she is simply lovable. She is beautiful without being vain. She is funny without putting others down. She is the opposite of self-aware—emphasizing another theme of the book that I greatly enjoyed: confidence is attractive.
Other reviewers on this site seem to have focused on the theme of toxic masculinity as constituting the main message of the book. I disagree. I think the primary message was that friendship—frank camaraderie that does not require romantic love to be a beautiful thing—is more valuable than the soul-selling that so often accompanies a desire to be popular above all else; it is this message that is so valuable to young people today. Hoàng accompanies his criticism of the all-consuming desire for popularity with numerous negative descriptions of illegal activities associated with popularity. Gary and Gloria, at various points, both dip their toes into the partying lifestyle, and both ultimately conclude its worthlessness. (Caveat: my one issue with this book was two positive descriptions of minor illegal activity. Gloria and Gary sneak into a country club and use someone else's money to buy food; later, Gloria throws her boyfriend's possessions into a lake after he acts egregiously toward her. Aside from that, Hoàng did a pretty good job.)
I read this book for a Galley Club at my school, and I will without a doubt be nominating it for YALSA Teens' Top Ten, the reviewing system that we use. I have never nominated a YA novel that I've read through this club before.
Before I delve into the reasons for this book's exceptionality, let me preface my review with a little bit of information about myself. I despise Young Adult fiction in pretty much all its forms. I wrote an argumentative essay earlier this year about why YA books should never be taught in a high school English classroom. My antipathy for the genre is a long-running joke with my friends (ardent YA lovers themselves). I think writing down to teenagers—the essence of YA—is insulting, degrading, and intellectually harmful.
This book overcame all my expectations.
First things first, the prose is perfectly crafted. In general, I'm a fan of florid, ostentatious, nineteenth-century English lit prose—the kind of writing in which you have to read every sentence thrice to understand how all the phrases fit together because it's so long. Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is not like that. The prose is deceptively simple. It fits the story perfectly because it is carefully contrived to distract from the story as little as possible. The simplicity of other YA writing usually serves only to distress (and, therefore, distract) the reader by its intellectual mediocrity. The writing of this book just flowed: it displayed the story with perfect clarity to let its merits shine to the maximum without attempting to call attention to particular features with flowery prose or being so cringe-worthy as to impede the story's readability.
This brings me to the excellence of the story, the reason why simple prose was the best choice for this novel: it was incredibly sweet and amazingly relatable. Other reviews I've read on this site have complained about the unrealistic exaggeration of Gary's and Preston's desire to join the popular group, and while I do agree to an extent—real teenagers most likely wouldn't have given such clear verbal expression to their desires—the exaggeration is necessary for the novel medium. The relationship between Gary and Gloria is sweet because they are both wonderful characters. Gary is not eloquent when he talks to Gloria; he has difficulty figuring out what to say to her, especially when they talk initially about deeper issues. This hesitation and struggle give Gary realism and relatability; the first-person narrative gives the reader context for his difficulty of expression. (I must also note that SO MANY other YA books are written by women about females or from a female perspective, so a male perspective was quite refreshing). And Gary is relatable because there is a part of Gary in all of us: Hoàng skillfully exaggerates his character's insecurities to touch a chord in each of his readers. I don't know about others who have read this book, but I cried for probably twenty pages after Gloria's rejection of Gary—not because she rejected him, but because Hoàng's intense description of Gary's loneliness was so devastating. It takes a truly incredible book to make me cry, much less continuously for a large portion of a story. Gloria's character is also beautifully done because she is simply lovable. She is beautiful without being vain. She is funny without putting others down. She is the opposite of self-aware—emphasizing another theme of the book that I greatly enjoyed: confidence is attractive.
Other reviewers on this site seem to have focused on the theme of toxic masculinity as constituting the main message of the book. I disagree. I think the primary message was that friendship—frank camaraderie that does not require romantic love to be a beautiful thing—is more valuable than the soul-selling that so often accompanies a desire to be popular above all else; it is this message that is so valuable to young people today. Hoàng accompanies his criticism of the all-consuming desire for popularity with numerous negative descriptions of illegal activities associated with popularity. Gary and Gloria, at various points, both dip their toes into the partying lifestyle, and both ultimately conclude its worthlessness. (Caveat: my one issue with this book was two positive descriptions of minor illegal activity. Gloria and Gary sneak into a country club and use someone else's money to buy food; later, Gloria throws her boyfriend's possessions into a lake after he acts egregiously toward her. Aside from that, Hoàng did a pretty good job.)
I read this book for a Galley Club at my school, and I will without a doubt be nominating it for YALSA Teens' Top Ten, the reviewing system that we use. I have never nominated a YA novel that I've read through this club before.
February 13, 2023
Received as an ARC.
Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend by Brandon Hoàng is a contemporary young-adult romance about Gary Võ, who befriends the aloof and beautiful Gloria Buenrosto. Growing up in the poor east side of their town, Gary and his best friend, Preston, dream of being popular, and they eye the rich kids who have everything they could ever want. In a turn of events, Gary ends up getting close to Gloria when he discovers that she does deliveries around town with tamales and fixed-up clothes. Spending so much time on his tandem bike, he finds that she’s not a bright and heaven-sent idol as his classmates say she is, but just a girl. And an in into the popular club, much to his hesitant dismay.
At first, I honestly didn’t vibe with the way Gary was written and the starting events on how he grew closer with Gloria. I’m aware that teenagers are self-conscious of their reputation, or the way they look, or how they act, but Gary and Preston’s desire to be part of the popular group was laid on so thick that I found myself thinking that they were incredibly ridiculous. Not only that, the little group that they were invited to—the “Roosters” (a short mispronunciation of Buenrostro)—was so slimy. To be part of the popular kids, steal personal items from the hottest girls at school. Wow! This will definitely not have lasting consequences! But I get that sometimes teenage boys can get slimy, especially popular and rich teenage boys who know they can get away with anything, so this feeling is personal and doesn’t really reflect on my feelings of the overall plot. I was glad that Gary ended up doing the right thing in the end.
The writing is nothing special, typical for a YA novel; at times it was extremely cliche. But I did adore the development of Gary and Gloria’s friendship. I like the way their relationship ended by the end of the story. Gloria’s problems with her family and Gary’s problems growing up poor were real and brought a depth to their characters (Poverty is as much as a state of mind as it is a state of living and that shows in Gary and his family!). Thinking about the both of them trying and making food from each other’s cultures was a joy to read. I love it when cultures mix like that.
I rated this 3 stars. At times, it was cute. Others, not so much.
Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend by Brandon Hoàng is a contemporary young-adult romance about Gary Võ, who befriends the aloof and beautiful Gloria Buenrosto. Growing up in the poor east side of their town, Gary and his best friend, Preston, dream of being popular, and they eye the rich kids who have everything they could ever want. In a turn of events, Gary ends up getting close to Gloria when he discovers that she does deliveries around town with tamales and fixed-up clothes. Spending so much time on his tandem bike, he finds that she’s not a bright and heaven-sent idol as his classmates say she is, but just a girl. And an in into the popular club, much to his hesitant dismay.
At first, I honestly didn’t vibe with the way Gary was written and the starting events on how he grew closer with Gloria. I’m aware that teenagers are self-conscious of their reputation, or the way they look, or how they act, but Gary and Preston’s desire to be part of the popular group was laid on so thick that I found myself thinking that they were incredibly ridiculous. Not only that, the little group that they were invited to—the “Roosters” (a short mispronunciation of Buenrostro)—was so slimy. To be part of the popular kids, steal personal items from the hottest girls at school. Wow! This will definitely not have lasting consequences! But I get that sometimes teenage boys can get slimy, especially popular and rich teenage boys who know they can get away with anything, so this feeling is personal and doesn’t really reflect on my feelings of the overall plot. I was glad that Gary ended up doing the right thing in the end.
The writing is nothing special, typical for a YA novel; at times it was extremely cliche. But I did adore the development of Gary and Gloria’s friendship. I like the way their relationship ended by the end of the story. Gloria’s problems with her family and Gary’s problems growing up poor were real and brought a depth to their characters (Poverty is as much as a state of mind as it is a state of living and that shows in Gary and his family!). Thinking about the both of them trying and making food from each other’s cultures was a joy to read. I love it when cultures mix like that.
I rated this 3 stars. At times, it was cute. Others, not so much.
June 27, 2023
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
We begin Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend with a tension building chapter. We see the amends, the last ditch efforts, all showcasing the inevitable grand gesture. So while we see Gary and Gloria's relationship blooming, there's this feeling in the pit of our stomach. Of knowing that the end, or the fight is yet to come. Throughout Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend, Gary has to figure out what he's willing to do, or not to do.
We begin Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend with a tension building chapter. We see the amends, the last ditch efforts, all showcasing the inevitable grand gesture. So while we see Gary and Gloria's relationship blooming, there's this feeling in the pit of our stomach. Of knowing that the end, or the fight is yet to come. Throughout Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend, Gary has to figure out what he's willing to do, or not to do.
April 26, 2023
I adore this coming-of-age story that explores toxic masculinity. There's so much heart and humor in Brandon's writing that you can't help but root for Gary who reluctantly agrees to befriend the most popular girl in school in his mission to become popular too. Gary and Gloria's friendship was so beautifully developed in its ups and downs. I also loved Gary's relationship with his mom and sister and seeing Viet food on the pages. Maggi is life!
Want to read
July 1, 2020July 1, 2020: This has just been announced and who wouldn't want to read a YA contemporary that follows a Vietnamese-American boy and explores toxic masculinity? I totally want to!
September 20, 2023
A fantastic YA debut! I loved that the MC for this summer friends to lovers YA romance was a geeky Vietnamese American teen boy and we get to root for him as he tries to get in with the popular kids with his best friend (the only other Asian boy in school). The catch, he has to try to get a token from one of the most aloof and beautiful girls in school, Gloria Buenrostro.
This was a heartwarming story about two outcasts from different sides of the track who learn they have more in common than they thought and end up bonding one summer. I really enjoyed Gary and Gloria together becoming friends and then more. The emphasis on Gloria being more than just a pretty face (she's dealing with her father's infidelity, her parent's impending divorce and adjusting to a more humble living situation).
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like David Yoon or Jamie Jo Hoang. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I'm excited to read more YA stories from Brandon Hoang!
This was a heartwarming story about two outcasts from different sides of the track who learn they have more in common than they thought and end up bonding one summer. I really enjoyed Gary and Gloria together becoming friends and then more. The emphasis on Gloria being more than just a pretty face (she's dealing with her father's infidelity, her parent's impending divorce and adjusting to a more humble living situation).
Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like David Yoon or Jamie Jo Hoang. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I'm excited to read more YA stories from Brandon Hoang!
September 21, 2024
I'm on a mission to read my older Netgalley titles and I was happy to find this on audio. I thought this was a heartwarming YA contemporary with an absolutely wonderful message. It's a lot about growing into who you are instead of giving into peer pressure and going along with what others are doing, resisting toxic masculinity, and how friendship is not lesser than romance and great friendships are a once in a lifetime thing you should value and treasure.
September 11, 2025
great for the young teenagers in your life
July 18, 2023
I don’t read a lot of YA books anymore, but this one was a treat. The main characters were rich, and I loved watching their friendship unfold. I can totally picture this as a TV show, a la The Summer I Turned Pretty!
March 25, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It was my first romance novel and I could not stop reading it. I adored each detail like Gloria’s obsession with grape bubbaloo made me want to try it. Since I didn’t have any grape bubbaloo, I had to use banana, but it was still a great experience. Any time I had a break I would take time to read this wonderful, page-turner of a book. I was SO sad when I finished and am hoping and praying that he writes another one. Highly recommend.
July 9, 2023
Did I read it in almost one sitting while in a bubble bath? Yes. Was it because I couldn’t put it down? Yes. Transported me right back to high school. Fell in love with Gloria and Gary and their love. Also made me desperately want seafood soup and tamales.
August 14, 2023
so sweet and captures the essence of being a moody teenager in love SO WELL!!! bonus points for a stellar friendship arc <3
October 17, 2023
YA Gary is growing up “ on the wrong side of the tracks” longing for friendship and belonging. He and his childhood friend want to be part of the popular crowd, the “perfects”. What will each other them be willing to do to be a part of “The Roosters” ? Along the the way, Gary gets to know Gloria who was a part of that crowd until her parents’ separation dramatically changed her social economic status. Gary and Gloria become friends as he helps her with tailoring/ tamale deliveries. Along the way Gary and Gloria learn what true friendship is. Will it stand testing? What changes about Gary’s initial desires to be part of the popular crowd no matter what? What do each of them learn about themselves that was always there?
Wonderful coming of age book about true friendship Vs status symbol relationships
I always hated the phrase “just friends” like it’s some kind of lesser entity instead of the essential to life relationship it is. We need True friendship more than most any other thing in our lives. It sees us through so much snd celebrates with us. True friends can be closer than family -you get to choose them after all.
Quotes: 8-9 “the perfects” the in crowd
68 I wanted to ask her if everything was OK. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to grab some curb and talk about it. And if she needed to spill the details with someone so far removed from the situation that it would make things easier, well, then, I could be that for her.
71 interview face: whatever you have going on in here – Gloria padded her stomach – you can’t let it show up here. She waved her hand over her face.
I noticed that I clocked something peculiar I had noticed before: Gloria never talked about her self. She had an uncanny ability to pull the most intimate stories out of everyone she met, but she kept in the arms whenever anyone asked a question about her personal life, she found a way to turn it back around them, and they were happy to continue spinning their own story. She was a conversational magician, pulling off an incredible sleight of hand .
72 Be sure to slow down. If these people could understand what you’re saying, they realize you’re a really smart dude I’ve done all I can do. It’s up to you now, Victor. You can do it
90 I’m sorry. I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I’m sorry.
95 explaining 12th night
257-8 after Gloria kissing Gary then deciding it was a mistake, he felt “ used , discarded, forgotten. Like I didn’t matter at all.”(255): I wasn’t alone. I had never been alone. I missed my friend. All of my anger and embarrassment and confusion Dash everything building steam inside me suddenly released. Gone. Evaporated. What was the point of holding onto all of it? What was the point of fighting it… Whatever it was. Gloria wasn’t selfish or conceited or Solis. She was the type of girl who would surprise me with my favorite blend of Slurpee, or save a gum wrapper to tell me in egregiously, corny, joke, or when it was her turn to steer the tandem, lead us on the long way home, just to squeeze in a few extra minutes of laughs with me. How lucky was I to find someone who is always thinking of me? How lucky is it for any of us to find someone who wants the best for us? and as much pain and embarrassment, as I have felt those last few weeks, Gloria didn’t make my life worse. She made it better, and it was a lie to pretend otherwise. This was the girl who is my partner in crime. She listen to me – really listen to me. She fed me. She closed me. And she opened up my world and showed me that I could give some thing back. She didn’t know me. She didn’t owe me her time, her patience, herself. Anything I was indebted to her. She was my friend.
Audry was right. Maybe Gloria had messed up by kissing me that night, but it didn’t mean that she should be punished for it forever. I accused Gloria of acting on her emotions without thinking of me, but now that the dust has settled, I found myself guilty of the same crime – I’d let the bitterness of my own humiliation consumed me without thinking of Gloria. She hadn’t lead me on. She changed her mind. She was human just like any of us, I notion she struggled to remind anyone who would listen. Gloria had forgiven me for making an awful mistake. It was time for me to pick give her. I hope she accept my apology. But what if I was too late?
266 Gary with his Mom about Gloria: I messed up mom. I love her. I missed a big time and I don’t know if I can fix it. Mom: I know my son and I know that when he makes a mistake, he doesn’t stop until he fixes it. You’re stubborn that way. You get that for me. It’s the Vietnamese in you. Gary: what if I apologize and she never talks to me again? Mom: well, if that happens, then you have to let her go. You can’t force someone to forgive you. She either will or she won’t. There are some things you can’t control. Things you shouldn’t control.
290-1 Gary & Gloria: Gary: hey, so I want to thank you. For this summer. For the best time of my life. And it’s all because of you – you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I know how sappy all that sounds but if you can give me a few more clichés, I’d really appreciate it. Before I met you, I didn’t know who I was. I mean, I thought I did, but I would have been fine, just being you know? Existing. Floating there. I didn’t realize there was another way to live. There were days when I wonder, why me? I still wonder that. I’m nobody. I haven’t done anything cool in my entire life I’m nothing. but you make me feel like something. What did I do to deserve your friendship? No that’s not even yet… It’s that I know I don’t deserve to be your friend after the way I acted. You stuck around. Always. After I pushed away, I found myself floating in that floating place again – drifting without an anchor, and it sucked. A lot. That’s all I want to say I guess I’m sorry for shutting you out. For acting like a child and pouting the way I did. You didn’t deserve that. So thank you. Thank you for being my friend. My best friend.
Gloria: I know it’s your default to crack jokes, but no jokes this time you don’t see it, do you? You really don’t see it. You’re a great friend. Do you know how to listen. Do you know how rare that is? I’m going to make you see how great you really are. Mark my words. maybe she’s right. Gloria Buenrostro rarely gets it wrong, after all. Maybe that’s the secret to all the best friendships-both people not thinking they deserve each other.
292 friendships to change in a ball. The strong wins last, the weak links erode. Like everyone who knows her or has heard about her I put Gloria Dionne Rustra up on a pedestal – someone who is unapproachable, someone doesn’t need anyone else because she has it all figured out. And I guess I still do, but not in the same way I did before. I’ve only known her a few short weeks, but in that time. I felt more of myself around her than all the years like growing up with Preston. She’s true blue. She’s a genuine article. Gloria hates that people call her “beautiful “well, I doubt she will be able to ever really escape that. She was she is. But I know what Gloria wants is for people to stick around, to see that she has so much more than her thick curls or her eyes or her dimple. She is kind, and thoughtful, and funny, and messy, and human. There’s part of me that still has boyfriend feelings for her. I can be honest with myself about that. But those will fade in time. I almost threw it all away. Now I’m just happy to have found my best friend again. There is a bigger part of me that scared about what could have been, what I almost let happen. When Gloria told me, she just wanted to be friends, I was angry, and I wanted that fury to boil over. It was so easy to let it fester and blame me for everything, but the pain I felt. I showed her to think about what would have happened if I let myself get swallowed up by all that bitterness. About what I would’ve missed out on if I’ve held onto that purity. Gloria sees me for who I am. And I see who she is. and we didn’t end up running away from each other. We lean into each other like audry said, a friend like Gloria comes around once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. And I almost let that go.
Wonderful coming of age book about true friendship Vs status symbol relationships
I always hated the phrase “just friends” like it’s some kind of lesser entity instead of the essential to life relationship it is. We need True friendship more than most any other thing in our lives. It sees us through so much snd celebrates with us. True friends can be closer than family -you get to choose them after all.
Quotes: 8-9 “the perfects” the in crowd
68 I wanted to ask her if everything was OK. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to grab some curb and talk about it. And if she needed to spill the details with someone so far removed from the situation that it would make things easier, well, then, I could be that for her.
71 interview face: whatever you have going on in here – Gloria padded her stomach – you can’t let it show up here. She waved her hand over her face.
I noticed that I clocked something peculiar I had noticed before: Gloria never talked about her self. She had an uncanny ability to pull the most intimate stories out of everyone she met, but she kept in the arms whenever anyone asked a question about her personal life, she found a way to turn it back around them, and they were happy to continue spinning their own story. She was a conversational magician, pulling off an incredible sleight of hand .
72 Be sure to slow down. If these people could understand what you’re saying, they realize you’re a really smart dude I’ve done all I can do. It’s up to you now, Victor. You can do it
90 I’m sorry. I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I’m sorry.
95 explaining 12th night
257-8 after Gloria kissing Gary then deciding it was a mistake, he felt “ used , discarded, forgotten. Like I didn’t matter at all.”(255): I wasn’t alone. I had never been alone. I missed my friend. All of my anger and embarrassment and confusion Dash everything building steam inside me suddenly released. Gone. Evaporated. What was the point of holding onto all of it? What was the point of fighting it… Whatever it was. Gloria wasn’t selfish or conceited or Solis. She was the type of girl who would surprise me with my favorite blend of Slurpee, or save a gum wrapper to tell me in egregiously, corny, joke, or when it was her turn to steer the tandem, lead us on the long way home, just to squeeze in a few extra minutes of laughs with me. How lucky was I to find someone who is always thinking of me? How lucky is it for any of us to find someone who wants the best for us? and as much pain and embarrassment, as I have felt those last few weeks, Gloria didn’t make my life worse. She made it better, and it was a lie to pretend otherwise. This was the girl who is my partner in crime. She listen to me – really listen to me. She fed me. She closed me. And she opened up my world and showed me that I could give some thing back. She didn’t know me. She didn’t owe me her time, her patience, herself. Anything I was indebted to her. She was my friend.
Audry was right. Maybe Gloria had messed up by kissing me that night, but it didn’t mean that she should be punished for it forever. I accused Gloria of acting on her emotions without thinking of me, but now that the dust has settled, I found myself guilty of the same crime – I’d let the bitterness of my own humiliation consumed me without thinking of Gloria. She hadn’t lead me on. She changed her mind. She was human just like any of us, I notion she struggled to remind anyone who would listen. Gloria had forgiven me for making an awful mistake. It was time for me to pick give her. I hope she accept my apology. But what if I was too late?
266 Gary with his Mom about Gloria: I messed up mom. I love her. I missed a big time and I don’t know if I can fix it. Mom: I know my son and I know that when he makes a mistake, he doesn’t stop until he fixes it. You’re stubborn that way. You get that for me. It’s the Vietnamese in you. Gary: what if I apologize and she never talks to me again? Mom: well, if that happens, then you have to let her go. You can’t force someone to forgive you. She either will or she won’t. There are some things you can’t control. Things you shouldn’t control.
290-1 Gary & Gloria: Gary: hey, so I want to thank you. For this summer. For the best time of my life. And it’s all because of you – you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I know how sappy all that sounds but if you can give me a few more clichés, I’d really appreciate it. Before I met you, I didn’t know who I was. I mean, I thought I did, but I would have been fine, just being you know? Existing. Floating there. I didn’t realize there was another way to live. There were days when I wonder, why me? I still wonder that. I’m nobody. I haven’t done anything cool in my entire life I’m nothing. but you make me feel like something. What did I do to deserve your friendship? No that’s not even yet… It’s that I know I don’t deserve to be your friend after the way I acted. You stuck around. Always. After I pushed away, I found myself floating in that floating place again – drifting without an anchor, and it sucked. A lot. That’s all I want to say I guess I’m sorry for shutting you out. For acting like a child and pouting the way I did. You didn’t deserve that. So thank you. Thank you for being my friend. My best friend.
Gloria: I know it’s your default to crack jokes, but no jokes this time you don’t see it, do you? You really don’t see it. You’re a great friend. Do you know how to listen. Do you know how rare that is? I’m going to make you see how great you really are. Mark my words. maybe she’s right. Gloria Buenrostro rarely gets it wrong, after all. Maybe that’s the secret to all the best friendships-both people not thinking they deserve each other.
292 friendships to change in a ball. The strong wins last, the weak links erode. Like everyone who knows her or has heard about her I put Gloria Dionne Rustra up on a pedestal – someone who is unapproachable, someone doesn’t need anyone else because she has it all figured out. And I guess I still do, but not in the same way I did before. I’ve only known her a few short weeks, but in that time. I felt more of myself around her than all the years like growing up with Preston. She’s true blue. She’s a genuine article. Gloria hates that people call her “beautiful “well, I doubt she will be able to ever really escape that. She was she is. But I know what Gloria wants is for people to stick around, to see that she has so much more than her thick curls or her eyes or her dimple. She is kind, and thoughtful, and funny, and messy, and human. There’s part of me that still has boyfriend feelings for her. I can be honest with myself about that. But those will fade in time. I almost threw it all away. Now I’m just happy to have found my best friend again. There is a bigger part of me that scared about what could have been, what I almost let happen. When Gloria told me, she just wanted to be friends, I was angry, and I wanted that fury to boil over. It was so easy to let it fester and blame me for everything, but the pain I felt. I showed her to think about what would have happened if I let myself get swallowed up by all that bitterness. About what I would’ve missed out on if I’ve held onto that purity. Gloria sees me for who I am. And I see who she is. and we didn’t end up running away from each other. We lean into each other like audry said, a friend like Gloria comes around once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. And I almost let that go.
July 25, 2023
Well first of all, I’m so glad this book came to fruition :)
It’s a balance between the anxiety/cringe of “the Roosters” and the sweet development of a summer friendship. I loved the interactions between Gary and Gloria, seeing their friendship grow, and feeling immersed in their world. Toward the end, when the rejection hits, it immediately took me back to a bad break up in high school. I can totally relate to Gary in those moments. It was nice that in a sense it was a fairly “quick” recovery and realization of what Gary and Gloria meant to each other.
And of course I was stoked that Conrad revealed himself as the dirtbag he is 😅 I was so frustrated when he became a fixture in Gloria’s life, angry at how he betrayed her, and then happy (because he was obviously a cad) that Gary and Gloria were able to end the book as friends.
Well done, Brando 👏🏼 👏🏼
It’s a balance between the anxiety/cringe of “the Roosters” and the sweet development of a summer friendship. I loved the interactions between Gary and Gloria, seeing their friendship grow, and feeling immersed in their world. Toward the end, when the rejection hits, it immediately took me back to a bad break up in high school. I can totally relate to Gary in those moments. It was nice that in a sense it was a fairly “quick” recovery and realization of what Gary and Gloria meant to each other.
And of course I was stoked that Conrad revealed himself as the dirtbag he is 😅 I was so frustrated when he became a fixture in Gloria’s life, angry at how he betrayed her, and then happy (because he was obviously a cad) that Gary and Gloria were able to end the book as friends.
Well done, Brando 👏🏼 👏🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2025
there was so much in this book that i could relate to (especially concerning navigating cross-gender friendships & letting go of friendships that are no longer healthy), it was almost like the author peeked into my mind and then plopped things in a different setting and maybe flipped the genders a bit here & there 🤪
that said, it was also really interesting seeing two characters who are underrepresented minorities navigating adversity in a high school in a town much less racially diverse than my own, as well reading gary's thoughts on working for his mom at the annual county fair... it made me want to get out to some carnivals while also simultaneously giving me a different perspective on the process of preparing for fairs (and similar events like farmers markets) on the vendors' end :')
all that to say, i found this to be a really solid read and am surprised it hasn't received more attention even after 2 years since its initial publication; i only came across it recently due to the author's local promos in the area i just spent my gap year and never saw it in my college town's bookstore, but i definitely would highly recommend to anyone who's looking for an easy-to-read YA book that's still got some good emotional depth <3
i will say though, even though the back cover did include the quote "not all love stories end in romance", it does include a kiss & an unreciprocated crush (nothing sexual though, at least that i recall!)—the latter of which i'd imagine could make some people uncomfortable, but i've personally always been favor of maintaining friendships post-crush supposing both individuals genuinely care about & respect each other, so it was cool to see that "representation" so to speak xP
that said, it was also really interesting seeing two characters who are underrepresented minorities navigating adversity in a high school in a town much less racially diverse than my own, as well reading gary's thoughts on working for his mom at the annual county fair... it made me want to get out to some carnivals while also simultaneously giving me a different perspective on the process of preparing for fairs (and similar events like farmers markets) on the vendors' end :')
all that to say, i found this to be a really solid read and am surprised it hasn't received more attention even after 2 years since its initial publication; i only came across it recently due to the author's local promos in the area i just spent my gap year and never saw it in my college town's bookstore, but i definitely would highly recommend to anyone who's looking for an easy-to-read YA book that's still got some good emotional depth <3
i will say though, even though the back cover did include the quote "not all love stories end in romance", it does include a kiss & an unreciprocated crush (nothing sexual though, at least that i recall!)—the latter of which i'd imagine could make some people uncomfortable, but i've personally always been favor of maintaining friendships post-crush supposing both individuals genuinely care about & respect each other, so it was cool to see that "representation" so to speak xP
July 18, 2023
This is a great book for discussions about friendships and the timeless trials and tribulations of young adulthood.
August 20, 2023
I thought this was a beautiful story. The popular guys were absolutely awful, but Glory and Gary were adorable. They were both more than they seemed. This is a beautiful debut, and I’m so excited for what comes next.
Want to read
June 19, 2021NEED THIS NOW.
December 25, 2024
This was an absolutely wonderful book that is a testament to the power of true friendship. I haven’t finished a book so quickly in quite sometime.
June 28, 2023
Gary Võ has never been part of the in crowd. In fact, he’s basically been invisible. But when the most popular guy in school extends an invitation into the inner circle, Gary jumps at the chance. He just needs to steal something special from the most beautiful girl in school - Gloria Buenrostro. Over the course of the summer, Gary gets to know Gloria and he realizes she is not at all the stuck up girl who thinks she’s better than everyone like the rumors say. In fact, she's actually one of the kindest, most genuine and authentic individuals he has met. As the two get closer, Gary has to figure out if becoming a part of the popular crowd is worth losing the best friend he’s ever had.
People will likely disagree with me on this, but this story is a love story like none other. The friendship that develops and deepens between Gary and Gloria is truly a thing of beauty that should be put on display and studied. The way that these two learned how to communicate with each other and own up to their mistakes is a master class in how the world can heal itself.
The very first chapter of this book immediately drew me in and had me desperate to finish reading. A couple chapters further and I wanted to stop reading because the popular guys were just so unbelievably disgusting it made me want to scream. I powered through however because the story is told from Gary’s POV and his interactions with those guys were, thankfully, few and far between.
Gary and Gloria (who we see the most of throughout the book, though there are some recurring side characters) are both nuanced and complex people. Each of them have things going on in their lives that are incredibly relatable. While some aspects of the story aren’t things that are super common, the grounded nature of the main characters’ backstories kept me fully invested. This book is full of different kinds of relationships and how they grow and change over time. While the main focus is obviously Gary and Gloria, we are given glimpses of Gary's relationship with his sister, Gloria's relationship with her parents, and the pair's relationship with their respective friends.
Also, I don’t know who started it, but this trend of being overly descriptive about food - I love it and I hate it. I definitely left this book with a craving for burgers and Vietnamese food, so make sure you prepare yourself ahead of time.
Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend is Brandan Hoàng’s debut novel and, if this is what we can expect from him, I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next. Full of heart and friendship, this book left me wanting to call up my besties just to have a gab session and remind them that I love them.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
People will likely disagree with me on this, but this story is a love story like none other. The friendship that develops and deepens between Gary and Gloria is truly a thing of beauty that should be put on display and studied. The way that these two learned how to communicate with each other and own up to their mistakes is a master class in how the world can heal itself.
The very first chapter of this book immediately drew me in and had me desperate to finish reading. A couple chapters further and I wanted to stop reading because the popular guys were just so unbelievably disgusting it made me want to scream. I powered through however because the story is told from Gary’s POV and his interactions with those guys were, thankfully, few and far between.
Gary and Gloria (who we see the most of throughout the book, though there are some recurring side characters) are both nuanced and complex people. Each of them have things going on in their lives that are incredibly relatable. While some aspects of the story aren’t things that are super common, the grounded nature of the main characters’ backstories kept me fully invested. This book is full of different kinds of relationships and how they grow and change over time. While the main focus is obviously Gary and Gloria, we are given glimpses of Gary's relationship with his sister, Gloria's relationship with her parents, and the pair's relationship with their respective friends.
Also, I don’t know who started it, but this trend of being overly descriptive about food - I love it and I hate it. I definitely left this book with a craving for burgers and Vietnamese food, so make sure you prepare yourself ahead of time.
Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend is Brandan Hoàng’s debut novel and, if this is what we can expect from him, I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next. Full of heart and friendship, this book left me wanting to call up my besties just to have a gab session and remind them that I love them.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
April 12, 2025
Gloria Buenrostro is one of those unique young adult characters who is more sure of herself than the average teenager. While the book is told through the eyes of Gary, a Vietnamese teen who is on the fringe of the popular kids, we learn about Gloria, as well as Gary.
Essentially, the book is about being a teenager in high school - a teen who watches the "popular" kids, secretly wishing he was part of the "in crowd," especially since his best friend is a guy named Preston, whom Gary has known since childhood. Preston is also Vietnamese, and their mothers are friends, but the two boys don't have a lot in common, yet they are friends by default of mom and race.
Gloria is a part of the popular crowd, but yet she seems to hold herself away from them at the same time. The popular boys are intrigued by Gloria. But during the summer that this book takes place, Gloria is going through a personal issue: her parents are separated, so she and her mother are living in a "poorer" part of town - where Gary and his family live. Gary and Gloria befriend each other when Gloria's bike breaks down while she's doing her summer job (delivering tamales and altered clothes that her mother has tailored).
The book centers around the friendship that develops between Gary and Gloria that summer. Gary learns a lot about himself and the meaning of friendship, while also trying to salvage his relationship with his older sister Audrey, who is home for the summer after her first year of college. Audrey comes back home as a different person. Gary doesn't understand until why until about the last few chapters of the book.
All in all, the characters are well-developed. The story has a nice pace, allowing the friendship to develop without any abrupt moments. I like that the author made these characters real. I enjoyed the way Gary matured as a teenager, as well as the fact that the story is told from a male POV. Most teen books are always from the female POV or various characters, so it flip-flops.
Well worth the read and a book that shows the angst of the teenage years.
Essentially, the book is about being a teenager in high school - a teen who watches the "popular" kids, secretly wishing he was part of the "in crowd," especially since his best friend is a guy named Preston, whom Gary has known since childhood. Preston is also Vietnamese, and their mothers are friends, but the two boys don't have a lot in common, yet they are friends by default of mom and race.
Gloria is a part of the popular crowd, but yet she seems to hold herself away from them at the same time. The popular boys are intrigued by Gloria. But during the summer that this book takes place, Gloria is going through a personal issue: her parents are separated, so she and her mother are living in a "poorer" part of town - where Gary and his family live. Gary and Gloria befriend each other when Gloria's bike breaks down while she's doing her summer job (delivering tamales and altered clothes that her mother has tailored).
The book centers around the friendship that develops between Gary and Gloria that summer. Gary learns a lot about himself and the meaning of friendship, while also trying to salvage his relationship with his older sister Audrey, who is home for the summer after her first year of college. Audrey comes back home as a different person. Gary doesn't understand until why until about the last few chapters of the book.
All in all, the characters are well-developed. The story has a nice pace, allowing the friendship to develop without any abrupt moments. I like that the author made these characters real. I enjoyed the way Gary matured as a teenager, as well as the fact that the story is told from a male POV. Most teen books are always from the female POV or various characters, so it flip-flops.
Well worth the read and a book that shows the angst of the teenage years.
January 9, 2024
This was a delight to read. Gary Võ is being raised by his Vietnamese mother, who works tirelessly in a restaurant to provide for him and his sister, home from college for the summer. Gary and his best friend, Preston, aren’t part of the popular crowd but it doesn’t stop them from lurking and wondering what it would be like. Then a rare opportunity opens for them- they unknowingly help Jordan, the de facto leader of the cool kids and he offers them something they can’t pass up. Unfortunately, it does not settle well with Gary since it involves his longtime crush, Gloria Buenrostro, among other gray ethical areas. But Preston is hyped for the chance and he doesn’t want to let him down and reluctantly agrees.
As fate would have it, he sees Gloria the next day in his neighborhood. She’s not one to come to this side of town where the houses are run down and everyone survives paycheck to paycheck. She belongs to the rich kid's side of town. So he’s surprised to hear that she and her mother now live next to his neighborhood corner store, due to an impending divorce with her father. Soon his lurking pays off and he and Gloria are now riding together every day to deliver tailored items door-to-door to customers. They also have a cooler of tamales, made fresh every day. Gary is hesitant to come on this journey with Gloria- he barely knows her and being this close to her is intimidating. But she’s the kind of person who is at ease with people, it’s hard not to want to orbit around her. She knows each person they deliver to, talks to them, and makes them feel special. Which is exactly how Gary feels around her. In the back of his mind, his deal with Jordan lingers but the more he gets to know Gloria and has feelings, the harder it is to fulfill his end of the bargain.
Guys, there is so much packed into 300 pages and it’s done really well. Throughout the story, we get glimpses of immigration, poverty, divorce, infidelity, friendships, and all of their complications, first love, and family. Even though the story is told through Gary’s eyes, we are treated to the many emotions of Gloria and her struggles. You can’t help but root for both of these characters, even if she isn’t his girlfriend. I started with the audio for this book but didn’t love it- ended up finishing with the print version.
As fate would have it, he sees Gloria the next day in his neighborhood. She’s not one to come to this side of town where the houses are run down and everyone survives paycheck to paycheck. She belongs to the rich kid's side of town. So he’s surprised to hear that she and her mother now live next to his neighborhood corner store, due to an impending divorce with her father. Soon his lurking pays off and he and Gloria are now riding together every day to deliver tailored items door-to-door to customers. They also have a cooler of tamales, made fresh every day. Gary is hesitant to come on this journey with Gloria- he barely knows her and being this close to her is intimidating. But she’s the kind of person who is at ease with people, it’s hard not to want to orbit around her. She knows each person they deliver to, talks to them, and makes them feel special. Which is exactly how Gary feels around her. In the back of his mind, his deal with Jordan lingers but the more he gets to know Gloria and has feelings, the harder it is to fulfill his end of the bargain.
Guys, there is so much packed into 300 pages and it’s done really well. Throughout the story, we get glimpses of immigration, poverty, divorce, infidelity, friendships, and all of their complications, first love, and family. Even though the story is told through Gary’s eyes, we are treated to the many emotions of Gloria and her struggles. You can’t help but root for both of these characters, even if she isn’t his girlfriend. I started with the audio for this book but didn’t love it- ended up finishing with the print version.
June 24, 2023
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a compelling YA contemporary debut, and really stands out in that it follows a teen boy protagonist, a rarity in the YA contemporary genre. I was instantly drawn to the narrative voice, as well as Gary’s characterization. He’s not perfect, and he can be a lot to take in at times, but like many teen protagonists, he grows throughout the book. And even as someone who’s never been a teenage boy, I understood where he was coming from for the most part, as he struggles with being from a poor Vietnamese family and in navigating the rigid social hierarchy of high school.
I really liked following his developing friendship and potential romance with Gloria, a popular girl at school, and how their genuine connection is soon at odds with his desire for popularity. It was sweet that a girl who came from a different background than him managed to connect with him on a deeper level, while also being tempted to betray her for the sake of his own reputation.
I also really liked the narrative style, with a framing narrative set after Gary has screwed up, then flashing back to follow the development of his and Gloria’s relationship. It allowed for some self-reflection on his part at his lowest point, thinking back on his mistakes, before working to make it right.
This is a wonderful debut, and I am excited for what Brandon Hoang writes next. If you’re looking for a YA contemporary with a male narrator, I’d recommend checking this out!
Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend is a compelling YA contemporary debut, and really stands out in that it follows a teen boy protagonist, a rarity in the YA contemporary genre. I was instantly drawn to the narrative voice, as well as Gary’s characterization. He’s not perfect, and he can be a lot to take in at times, but like many teen protagonists, he grows throughout the book. And even as someone who’s never been a teenage boy, I understood where he was coming from for the most part, as he struggles with being from a poor Vietnamese family and in navigating the rigid social hierarchy of high school.
I really liked following his developing friendship and potential romance with Gloria, a popular girl at school, and how their genuine connection is soon at odds with his desire for popularity. It was sweet that a girl who came from a different background than him managed to connect with him on a deeper level, while also being tempted to betray her for the sake of his own reputation.
I also really liked the narrative style, with a framing narrative set after Gary has screwed up, then flashing back to follow the development of his and Gloria’s relationship. It allowed for some self-reflection on his part at his lowest point, thinking back on his mistakes, before working to make it right.
This is a wonderful debut, and I am excited for what Brandon Hoang writes next. If you’re looking for a YA contemporary with a male narrator, I’d recommend checking this out!
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