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The Boyfriend Academy
Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26Love is forbidden. Truth is dangerous. Survival is everything.
Ganymede’s is no ordinary boarding school. Behind its spiral towers and manicured lawns, boys are forged into the men society demands – strong, obedient, perfect. Graduate, and the world is yours: a home, a career, a wife. But fail… and you’re no longer useful to society.
For Dylan Cecil it should be simple: keep his head down, survive graduation, and earn his place. But when his friend, Blake, disappears, Dylan can’t silence the questions gnawing at him, even as whispers of danger shadow the school’s gilded halls.
As June’s trials close in – eight tests that will decide who is worthy of manhood – Dylan is haunted by Blake’s absence and drawn to Roman Edwards, a boy as magnetic as he is unknowable.
In a world rebuilt on order and obedience, Dylan must decide: will he become the man the academy wants – or the man he really is?
Ganymede’s is no ordinary boarding school. Behind its spiral towers and manicured lawns, boys are forged into the men society demands – strong, obedient, perfect. Graduate, and the world is yours: a home, a career, a wife. But fail… and you’re no longer useful to society.
For Dylan Cecil it should be simple: keep his head down, survive graduation, and earn his place. But when his friend, Blake, disappears, Dylan can’t silence the questions gnawing at him, even as whispers of danger shadow the school’s gilded halls.
As June’s trials close in – eight tests that will decide who is worthy of manhood – Dylan is haunted by Blake’s absence and drawn to Roman Edwards, a boy as magnetic as he is unknowable.
In a world rebuilt on order and obedience, Dylan must decide: will he become the man the academy wants – or the man he really is?
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 9, 2026
3500 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Strange
6 books83 followersAuthor of The Boyfriend Academy: The must-read gripping dark academia debut for 2026.
J. S. Strange lives in Wales surrounded by books, and his three cats. With an interest in the occult, the esoteric, and the paranormal, J. S. Strange often finds himself waiting for Halloween, or thinking how he can make his home more supernatural. Author of The Boyfriend Academy, J. S. Strange is also working on murder mysteries with gay male leads.
He also writes as Jack Strange, with titles including Look Up, Handsome and 25 Days in Athens.
J. S. Strange lives in Wales surrounded by books, and his three cats. With an interest in the occult, the esoteric, and the paranormal, J. S. Strange often finds himself waiting for Halloween, or thinking how he can make his home more supernatural. Author of The Boyfriend Academy, J. S. Strange is also working on murder mysteries with gay male leads.
He also writes as Jack Strange, with titles including Look Up, Handsome and 25 Days in Athens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 8, 2026
Awe, I find this a hard one to review. When I read the blurb, I was over the moon and convinced this would be at least a four or five star read, maybe even a new favorite.
At its core, The Boyfriend Academy is a great dystopian dark academia novel set almost a hundred years from now. The theme is compelling: toxic masculinity is fully gone, men can cry, be soft, be caring. They’re taught to respect women. Women are safe with men, and men are safe with women. The boys graduating from Ganymede get to live perfect lives with perfect wives in perfect villages. But what about autonomy? What about diversity? What about choosing your own way of living? What if you don’t want a partner? Or what if you want a same sex partner?
I really liked Dylan and Roman, and I loved the overall story. When I look at the world today, I want women to be able to walk the streets without fear and for femicide to disappear. I also want everyone to be able to make their own choices and be fully themselves. So even though I think The Boyfriend Academy feels more YA than adult, that’s okay, because thematically this is an important story that should reach all ages. Overall the writing was pretty strong, for one exception: filter words (wonder hit the jackpot with 79 times, but realize, knew, remember and others were used a lot too). I wonder why editors don’t cut them more often.
The biggest reason I struggled to review this story is the worldbuilding, which contains significant gaps: timeline issues and logical inconsistencies.
The most obvious example is that chapter one starts in 2105, and three years later it’s still 2105.
There are also structural issues I can’t fully explain without spoilers. The book often behaves as if the characters have no lives beyond the school grounds. Significant events occur that would normally involve family, yet the story keeps everything contained within the school until it suddenly doesn’t.
The story suggests that once the boys graduate, the world opens up to them with a career, a home, a wife. But the book never explains how they get from school to those futures. There’s no mention of higher education, apprenticeships, or any real path toward a career. It simply assumes they’ll move to a hamlet and start families.
Sadly, I was more convinced by the premise than by the execution in the end. And I don’t think that’s entirely on the author. Dear publisher and editor, another round of editing, especially around the world building gaps (and the filter words), might have made a huge difference. It’s a shame, because this is an intriguing dark academia debut with so much potential. It could have been a glorious five star read, even with the plot twists I guessed. But with a sigh, I just rounded down my 3.5 star rating to three stars. That ending was great, though, and if there will be a sequel, I’ll definitely read it.
Thank you, Harper360 and NetGalley, for this ARC.
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At its core, The Boyfriend Academy is a great dystopian dark academia novel set almost a hundred years from now. The theme is compelling: toxic masculinity is fully gone, men can cry, be soft, be caring. They’re taught to respect women. Women are safe with men, and men are safe with women. The boys graduating from Ganymede get to live perfect lives with perfect wives in perfect villages. But what about autonomy? What about diversity? What about choosing your own way of living? What if you don’t want a partner? Or what if you want a same sex partner?
I really liked Dylan and Roman, and I loved the overall story. When I look at the world today, I want women to be able to walk the streets without fear and for femicide to disappear. I also want everyone to be able to make their own choices and be fully themselves. So even though I think The Boyfriend Academy feels more YA than adult, that’s okay, because thematically this is an important story that should reach all ages. Overall the writing was pretty strong, for one exception: filter words (wonder hit the jackpot with 79 times, but realize, knew, remember and others were used a lot too). I wonder why editors don’t cut them more often.
The biggest reason I struggled to review this story is the worldbuilding, which contains significant gaps: timeline issues and logical inconsistencies.
The most obvious example is that chapter one starts in 2105, and three years later it’s still 2105.
There are also structural issues I can’t fully explain without spoilers. The book often behaves as if the characters have no lives beyond the school grounds. Significant events occur that would normally involve family, yet the story keeps everything contained within the school until it suddenly doesn’t.
The story suggests that once the boys graduate, the world opens up to them with a career, a home, a wife. But the book never explains how they get from school to those futures. There’s no mention of higher education, apprenticeships, or any real path toward a career. It simply assumes they’ll move to a hamlet and start families.
Sadly, I was more convinced by the premise than by the execution in the end. And I don’t think that’s entirely on the author. Dear publisher and editor, another round of editing, especially around the world building gaps (and the filter words), might have made a huge difference. It’s a shame, because this is an intriguing dark academia debut with so much potential. It could have been a glorious five star read, even with the plot twists I guessed. But with a sigh, I just rounded down my 3.5 star rating to three stars. That ending was great, though, and if there will be a sequel, I’ll definitely read it.
Thank you, Harper360 and NetGalley, for this ARC.
Follow me on Instagram
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 rounded up.
Unfortunately this didn't work for me. The premise is a futuristic world where society collapsed from low birth rates and destruction of the environment, the story takes place in a time where they are in the process of rebuilding. We follow our main character, Dylan, as he goes to a school where boys are taught how to be men but it's not how you would think, they actually are taught how to be loving, supporting and sensitive, but the end goal is to find a wife and have a family.
(Now I will talk a little about the plot, but I won't include any spoilers, it's all things you can find in the very beginning of the book).
The thing is... I don't buy it. I don't buy that in a world where misogyny is "eradicated" homophobia would still be going on. I don't buy that in a world where birth rates are low they would treat woman with more respect. That bothered me from the get go because it was so far-fetched.
But it's a dystopia you could argue, and yeah but I also chose a time where I'm not in a good mood to read this lol. Also, there are some garve inconsistencies and the characters don't feel fully developed.
I hate giving a bad review to ARCs, but I have to be honest.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper 360 for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Unfortunately this didn't work for me. The premise is a futuristic world where society collapsed from low birth rates and destruction of the environment, the story takes place in a time where they are in the process of rebuilding. We follow our main character, Dylan, as he goes to a school where boys are taught how to be men but it's not how you would think, they actually are taught how to be loving, supporting and sensitive, but the end goal is to find a wife and have a family.
(Now I will talk a little about the plot, but I won't include any spoilers, it's all things you can find in the very beginning of the book).
The thing is... I don't buy it. I don't buy that in a world where misogyny is "eradicated" homophobia would still be going on. I don't buy that in a world where birth rates are low they would treat woman with more respect. That bothered me from the get go because it was so far-fetched.
But it's a dystopia you could argue, and yeah but I also chose a time where I'm not in a good mood to read this lol. Also, there are some garve inconsistencies and the characters don't feel fully developed.
I hate giving a bad review to ARCs, but I have to be honest.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper 360 for the opportunity to review this ARC.
February 17, 2026
4✨ thank you to NetGalley and J. S. Strange for letting me get an e-arc of this book. Honestly this book was not what I was expecting in a good way. This book exceeded my expectations and I was thoroughly surprised and I really enjoyed this book.
Set in a society where everyone is expected to be perfect, have their partners chosen, and to follow all the rules and do what their told. Our main character Dylan Cecil was going to do the same to secure society but then started to get suspicious after his best friend died.
Dylan meets Roman and they get paired as partners for their final tasks to graduate from Ganymede. But as the two get closer and become friends, they have to fight against everything they’ve known and have been told. This book was everything I needed it to be and more.
I loved the dynamics of the story and the friendships that we got. I loved how Roman and Dylan protected each other. I loved the setting and vibe of the school and how it was both dark and light. I loved how I was always sucked into the story because of the beautiful writing. I really liked how you didn’t know who to trust until the end of the book and frankly I still don’t know who to trust.
Everything about this book was both infuriating and poetic. This book caused me to have many emotions and feelings for the characters. Dylan and Roman should’ve been endgame. Honestly this book was so memorable and meaningful that I can’t stop thinking about it and the characters and how they’re doing.
Even though I didn’t get the ending that I was hoping for, I hope J. S. Strange keeps writing and thinking about these characters because I need to know what happens next. These characters are delicate, take your time to read and experience them. Again thank you to NetGalley and the author for approving me for the e-arc of The Boyfriend Academy. I had a fun time and I would love to come back to the world and experience this all over again.
Set in a society where everyone is expected to be perfect, have their partners chosen, and to follow all the rules and do what their told. Our main character Dylan Cecil was going to do the same to secure society but then started to get suspicious after his best friend died.
Dylan meets Roman and they get paired as partners for their final tasks to graduate from Ganymede. But as the two get closer and become friends, they have to fight against everything they’ve known and have been told. This book was everything I needed it to be and more.
I loved the dynamics of the story and the friendships that we got. I loved how Roman and Dylan protected each other. I loved the setting and vibe of the school and how it was both dark and light. I loved how I was always sucked into the story because of the beautiful writing. I really liked how you didn’t know who to trust until the end of the book and frankly I still don’t know who to trust.
Everything about this book was both infuriating and poetic. This book caused me to have many emotions and feelings for the characters. Dylan and Roman should’ve been endgame. Honestly this book was so memorable and meaningful that I can’t stop thinking about it and the characters and how they’re doing.
Even though I didn’t get the ending that I was hoping for, I hope J. S. Strange keeps writing and thinking about these characters because I need to know what happens next. These characters are delicate, take your time to read and experience them. Again thank you to NetGalley and the author for approving me for the e-arc of The Boyfriend Academy. I had a fun time and I would love to come back to the world and experience this all over again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read The Boyfriend Academy by J. S. Strange in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What really worked for me in this book was the premise. I was intrigued by the dark academia–inspired setting and the idea of a world where people are shaped into “perfect” partners—trained in emotional intelligence, domestic skills, and idealized behavior to fit a very narrow vision of love, family, and success 🕯️📚. The concept raises some interesting questions: what happens if you don’t fit the mold of a perfect future husband or father? What if you resist the path laid out for you? And what about those whose love doesn’t align with the system’s expectations?
While I appreciated the atmosphere and ambition behind these ideas, the execution didn’t fully work for me. I often felt unsure about the direction of the story, and the themes I found most compelling weren’t explored as deeply as I had hoped. In the end, I admired the concept more than the way it unfolded on the page.
Would I recommend it?
Maybe. If you enjoy dark academia settings and stories that explore identity, conformity, and societal pressure—and don’t mind a less focused execution—this could still be an interesting read.
#TheBoyfriendAcademy #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read The Boyfriend Academy by J. S. Strange in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What really worked for me in this book was the premise. I was intrigued by the dark academia–inspired setting and the idea of a world where people are shaped into “perfect” partners—trained in emotional intelligence, domestic skills, and idealized behavior to fit a very narrow vision of love, family, and success 🕯️📚. The concept raises some interesting questions: what happens if you don’t fit the mold of a perfect future husband or father? What if you resist the path laid out for you? And what about those whose love doesn’t align with the system’s expectations?
While I appreciated the atmosphere and ambition behind these ideas, the execution didn’t fully work for me. I often felt unsure about the direction of the story, and the themes I found most compelling weren’t explored as deeply as I had hoped. In the end, I admired the concept more than the way it unfolded on the page.
Would I recommend it?
Maybe. If you enjoy dark academia settings and stories that explore identity, conformity, and societal pressure—and don’t mind a less focused execution—this could still be an interesting read.
#TheBoyfriendAcademy #NetGalley
January 19, 2026
I absolutely loved The Boyfriend Academy. It’s set in a futuristic United Kingdom that’s trying to rebuild after society has collapsed, with a boys’ boarding school designed to turn students into the “perfect men” for a new, controlled world. But when Dylan realises he’s gay, he no longer fits into that vision, and as he starts to notice things at the Academy that don’t quite add up, darker secrets begin to emerge.
This isn’t just a dark academia romance, it’s a coming-of-age story about unlearning what you’re told to be and deciding who you want to be instead. Dylan’s internal struggle feels raw and real, especially as the pressure to conform increases. The tension is constant, emotional, and at times genuinely unsettling, but it’s balanced by a really touching, forbidden love story.
This isn’t just a dark academia romance, it’s a coming-of-age story about unlearning what you’re told to be and deciding who you want to be instead. Dylan’s internal struggle feels raw and real, especially as the pressure to conform increases. The tension is constant, emotional, and at times genuinely unsettling, but it’s balanced by a really touching, forbidden love story.
January 4, 2026
I loved this. A futuristic United Kingdom that is working to rebuild after the collapse of society, a boarding school for boys to turn them into the perfect man who will then go on to work perfect jobs in a new perfect society. But when the mmc is gay, that doesn’t fit into the new society, and when he starts to notice imperfections in the school he uncovers dark secrets which could damage everything the monarchy is trying to rebuild.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter, NetGalley, and J.S. Strange for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
Imagine a school where young men are groomed to be the perfect husband. Empathy, strength, trust, and survival are required courses, learning revolves around the idea that man's role is to support and protect his wife, all in the hopes of repopulating a decimated planet. Graduate successfully, and you'll want for nothing. Fail to graduate, and there will be consequences. What consequences? That's the mystery that resides at the heart of J.S. Strange's The Boyfriend Academy.
When we begin the novel, we step into the world of Ganymede's, a prestigious finishing school for young men in the U.K. We meet Dylan on his first day, a legacy student with the expectations of his parents and society weighing heavy upon his shoulders. When he says goodbye to his parents, we soon learn that it is for the last time, as tragedy befalls them shortly after their departure. Dylan seeks comfort in fellow student Blake, but that comfort is short-lived. All too soon, Blake has a tragic accident, leaving Dylan reeling with the death of his parents and his new-found friend in a short period of time.
As Dylan comes to terms with their deaths, the specter of graduation looms. The young men of Ganymede's are required to prove their worthiness to graduate through a series of tasks, each designed to prove a specific virtue. Partnered up with the enigmatic Roman, and learning on the members of his fellow "House Saturn" students, Dylan soon realizes that all is not what it seems at Ganymede's, and the pursuit of perfection can have lethal consequences.
This book tackles many questions and issues that are eerily prevalent today: what does it mean to be "perfect"? Who decides what traits should be lauded or decried, and should individuality be rejected in favor of the so-called "greater good"? We learn that in this novel, climate change and political unrest led to the downfall of society, and the British monarchy stepped in to "save" what was left of the people in the U.K. There are several scenes within the novel that could've been pulled from today's headlines, just amplified for dramatic effect, and the whole story itself serves as a bit of a cautionary tale and warning for what we might face in the not-too-distant future.
Where the novel falls short, however, is in its emotional resonance. At its heart, the story questions who has the right to determine what is "perfect" and how your "ideal" match should be determined. Yet, when we see Dylan examine these ideas (or have them face them in class), he seems almost eerily detached. We see him long for someone at the school and explore his own sexuality, but from an emotional standpoint, it falls flat; we're never really "let in" to the angst and heartbreak he's likely feeling.
Similarly, the structure of Ganymede's and the story of society's downfall feels preachy and remote. There are long periods of exposition, which of course make sense in a story like this where the reader is trying to orient themselves, but I felt like I was reading a persuasive essay instead of a novel where the characters are facing real stakes.
The pacing picked up a bit toward the end, with an interesting reveal that kept my attention, but the final act of the novel also seemed a bit rushed, with a climactic scene that seemed, for the lack of a better word, out of place given the premise of the novel.
Overall, I think this book has a solid initial premise and even glimpses of intrigue, but for me it didn't have the emotional resonance I was really craving. It moved too slowly to be a thriller, had too little heat to be a dark romance, and I struggled to truly connect with the characters. I think that this book might resonate with readers who prefer plot-driven as opposed to character-driven stories. I also think that if you're a fan of dark academia, this might be worth trying. It just wasn't the right book for me.
Imagine a school where young men are groomed to be the perfect husband. Empathy, strength, trust, and survival are required courses, learning revolves around the idea that man's role is to support and protect his wife, all in the hopes of repopulating a decimated planet. Graduate successfully, and you'll want for nothing. Fail to graduate, and there will be consequences. What consequences? That's the mystery that resides at the heart of J.S. Strange's The Boyfriend Academy.
When we begin the novel, we step into the world of Ganymede's, a prestigious finishing school for young men in the U.K. We meet Dylan on his first day, a legacy student with the expectations of his parents and society weighing heavy upon his shoulders. When he says goodbye to his parents, we soon learn that it is for the last time, as tragedy befalls them shortly after their departure. Dylan seeks comfort in fellow student Blake, but that comfort is short-lived. All too soon, Blake has a tragic accident, leaving Dylan reeling with the death of his parents and his new-found friend in a short period of time.
As Dylan comes to terms with their deaths, the specter of graduation looms. The young men of Ganymede's are required to prove their worthiness to graduate through a series of tasks, each designed to prove a specific virtue. Partnered up with the enigmatic Roman, and learning on the members of his fellow "House Saturn" students, Dylan soon realizes that all is not what it seems at Ganymede's, and the pursuit of perfection can have lethal consequences.
This book tackles many questions and issues that are eerily prevalent today: what does it mean to be "perfect"? Who decides what traits should be lauded or decried, and should individuality be rejected in favor of the so-called "greater good"? We learn that in this novel, climate change and political unrest led to the downfall of society, and the British monarchy stepped in to "save" what was left of the people in the U.K. There are several scenes within the novel that could've been pulled from today's headlines, just amplified for dramatic effect, and the whole story itself serves as a bit of a cautionary tale and warning for what we might face in the not-too-distant future.
Where the novel falls short, however, is in its emotional resonance. At its heart, the story questions who has the right to determine what is "perfect" and how your "ideal" match should be determined. Yet, when we see Dylan examine these ideas (or have them face them in class), he seems almost eerily detached. We see him long for someone at the school and explore his own sexuality, but from an emotional standpoint, it falls flat; we're never really "let in" to the angst and heartbreak he's likely feeling.
Similarly, the structure of Ganymede's and the story of society's downfall feels preachy and remote. There are long periods of exposition, which of course make sense in a story like this where the reader is trying to orient themselves, but I felt like I was reading a persuasive essay instead of a novel where the characters are facing real stakes.
The pacing picked up a bit toward the end, with an interesting reveal that kept my attention, but the final act of the novel also seemed a bit rushed, with a climactic scene that seemed, for the lack of a better word, out of place given the premise of the novel.
Overall, I think this book has a solid initial premise and even glimpses of intrigue, but for me it didn't have the emotional resonance I was really craving. It moved too slowly to be a thriller, had too little heat to be a dark romance, and I struggled to truly connect with the characters. I think that this book might resonate with readers who prefer plot-driven as opposed to character-driven stories. I also think that if you're a fan of dark academia, this might be worth trying. It just wasn't the right book for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love is forbidden. Truth is dangerous. Survival is everything.
Ganymede's is no ordinary school.
Here, boys are forged into the men that society expect.... forged to be strong, obedient... perfect in every way...
Graduate, and the world is yours. Home, doting wife, and a career.
Fail... and you might as well not exist.
For Dylan, the idea seems so simple at first. Keep his head down, graduate, and he gets everything that a man would dream of.
Until his friend goes missing... and questions begin to flood his mind... questions he shouldn't have while in Ganymede's halls...
As the final trials that will determine whether he is the man that society demands or not loom ever closer, those questions linger in the back of Dylan's mind... and he finds himself drawn to a mysterious and yet attractive boy... and he must decide if he wishes to be the man that society demands him to be...
or the man that he wants to be.
From the cover alone, The Boyfriend Academy pulled at me like the softest little whisper... as if from a novel of dark knowledge whispering for me to learn its secrets... And when I began?
I fell hard.... and proceeded to devour this within a manner of two days. J.S. Strange has truly created a novel that is well-worthy of standing beside the other greats when it comes to dark academia... blending a beautiful story of romance (and even better, it's queer romance!), of coming of age and growing into adulthood... in a dystopian universe that holds all the elements of dark academia that you could ever desire... of secret societies, dangerous trials, and an immaculate school setting.... not only that, but J.S. Strange has managed to make this so much more... blending elements commonly found in mystery novels, or thrillers... adding to the tense, gripping atmosphere.
Overall, The Boyfriend Academy is an absolute masterpiece, and one that will most definitely linger in your mind for ages to come afterwards... not just for the message of sweet love, no matter how forbidden...This was my first work from the desk of J.S. Strange, and I will definitely be spreading the word to the rest of my book-loving friends about this novel. I look forward to reading more works from him, and (hopefully) delving back into Ganymede's halls...
Special thanks to Grace Edwards at One More Chapter for the invite to read this in advanced! Additional thanks go to HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter, and Netgalley for this copy to read in advanced. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and the rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Ganymede's is no ordinary school.
Here, boys are forged into the men that society expect.... forged to be strong, obedient... perfect in every way...
Graduate, and the world is yours. Home, doting wife, and a career.
Fail... and you might as well not exist.
For Dylan, the idea seems so simple at first. Keep his head down, graduate, and he gets everything that a man would dream of.
Until his friend goes missing... and questions begin to flood his mind... questions he shouldn't have while in Ganymede's halls...
As the final trials that will determine whether he is the man that society demands or not loom ever closer, those questions linger in the back of Dylan's mind... and he finds himself drawn to a mysterious and yet attractive boy... and he must decide if he wishes to be the man that society demands him to be...
or the man that he wants to be.
From the cover alone, The Boyfriend Academy pulled at me like the softest little whisper... as if from a novel of dark knowledge whispering for me to learn its secrets... And when I began?
I fell hard.... and proceeded to devour this within a manner of two days. J.S. Strange has truly created a novel that is well-worthy of standing beside the other greats when it comes to dark academia... blending a beautiful story of romance (and even better, it's queer romance!), of coming of age and growing into adulthood... in a dystopian universe that holds all the elements of dark academia that you could ever desire... of secret societies, dangerous trials, and an immaculate school setting.... not only that, but J.S. Strange has managed to make this so much more... blending elements commonly found in mystery novels, or thrillers... adding to the tense, gripping atmosphere.
Overall, The Boyfriend Academy is an absolute masterpiece, and one that will most definitely linger in your mind for ages to come afterwards... not just for the message of sweet love, no matter how forbidden...This was my first work from the desk of J.S. Strange, and I will definitely be spreading the word to the rest of my book-loving friends about this novel. I look forward to reading more works from him, and (hopefully) delving back into Ganymede's halls...
Special thanks to Grace Edwards at One More Chapter for the invite to read this in advanced! Additional thanks go to HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter, and Netgalley for this copy to read in advanced. I am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and the rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Boyfriend Academy by J S Strange
Love is forbidden. Truth is dangerous. Survival is everything.
And this book absolutely wrecked me in the best way.
From the very first page, The Boyfriend Academy pulls you into Ganymede’s, a prestigious and terrifying boarding school where boys are molded into society’s version of perfect men. Obedient. Controlled. Heteronormative. Graduate and you’re rewarded with a future. Fail and you might as well disappear. The stakes are brutal and suffocating, and the atmosphere is pure dark academia perfection.
Dylan Cecil just wants to survive. Keep his head down. Follow the rules. Graduate. But when his friend Blake vanishes without explanation, the cracks in Ganymede’s polished exterior start to show. Secrets seep through the walls. Questions become dangerous. And then there is Roman. Quiet. Magnetic. Impossible to read. The kind of person who makes you question everything you were taught to believe.
What I loved most about this book is how deeply it explores identity and repression. This is not just a dark academia romance. It is a coming of age story about unlearning what the world demands of you and deciding who you want to be instead. Dylan’s internal struggle felt raw and real, especially as the trials approach and the pressure to conform tightens. The tension is constant. Emotional. Psychological. And at times genuinely unsettling.
The romance is soft and aching and dangerous in the way forbidden love always is. Every interaction between Dylan and Roman felt loaded with meaning. Stolen moments. Lingering looks. The fear of being seen and the longing to be known. My favorite part was watching Dylan slowly reclaim his sense of self through that connection. It was beautiful and devastating at the same time.
The setting deserves its own standing ovation. Spiral towers. Secret societies. High stakes trials. A school that feels alive and predatory. J S Strange blends dark academia with dystopian elements and thriller level tension so seamlessly that I could not put this down. I devoured it in two days and immediately wanted to reread it.
Tropes and vibes
Dark academia
Queer romance
Forbidden love
Coming of age
Secret societies
High stakes trials
Dystopian control
If you liked dark academia with teeth, stories about identity and rebellion, queer romance under pressure, or books like The Secret History, Never Let Me Go, or A Deadly Education, you need to read this.
This was my first book by J S Strange and it absolutely will not be my last. Ganymede’s will haunt me for a long time.
#TheBoyfriendAcademy #JSStrange #SecretSociety #HarperCollinsUK #DarkAcademia
Love is forbidden. Truth is dangerous. Survival is everything.
And this book absolutely wrecked me in the best way.
From the very first page, The Boyfriend Academy pulls you into Ganymede’s, a prestigious and terrifying boarding school where boys are molded into society’s version of perfect men. Obedient. Controlled. Heteronormative. Graduate and you’re rewarded with a future. Fail and you might as well disappear. The stakes are brutal and suffocating, and the atmosphere is pure dark academia perfection.
Dylan Cecil just wants to survive. Keep his head down. Follow the rules. Graduate. But when his friend Blake vanishes without explanation, the cracks in Ganymede’s polished exterior start to show. Secrets seep through the walls. Questions become dangerous. And then there is Roman. Quiet. Magnetic. Impossible to read. The kind of person who makes you question everything you were taught to believe.
What I loved most about this book is how deeply it explores identity and repression. This is not just a dark academia romance. It is a coming of age story about unlearning what the world demands of you and deciding who you want to be instead. Dylan’s internal struggle felt raw and real, especially as the trials approach and the pressure to conform tightens. The tension is constant. Emotional. Psychological. And at times genuinely unsettling.
The romance is soft and aching and dangerous in the way forbidden love always is. Every interaction between Dylan and Roman felt loaded with meaning. Stolen moments. Lingering looks. The fear of being seen and the longing to be known. My favorite part was watching Dylan slowly reclaim his sense of self through that connection. It was beautiful and devastating at the same time.
The setting deserves its own standing ovation. Spiral towers. Secret societies. High stakes trials. A school that feels alive and predatory. J S Strange blends dark academia with dystopian elements and thriller level tension so seamlessly that I could not put this down. I devoured it in two days and immediately wanted to reread it.
Tropes and vibes
Dark academia
Queer romance
Forbidden love
Coming of age
Secret societies
High stakes trials
Dystopian control
If you liked dark academia with teeth, stories about identity and rebellion, queer romance under pressure, or books like The Secret History, Never Let Me Go, or A Deadly Education, you need to read this.
This was my first book by J S Strange and it absolutely will not be my last. Ganymede’s will haunt me for a long time.
#TheBoyfriendAcademy #JSStrange #SecretSociety #HarperCollinsUK #DarkAcademia
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reading this, I couldn’t help but think of a quote from the Handmaid’s Tale “Better never means better for everyone, he says. It always means worse, for some.”
If your favorite assigned reading in high school was A Separate Peace (it was mine)… you’ll probably enjoy this book. That’s one of the reasons I was so drawn to it. The writing is great! The plot fell a bit flat for me in some parts. I guessed a lot of twists from the beginning. I found myself wondering a lot about the hamlets and family structures. There was a bit of a plot hole about the boys disappearing. (SPOILER) We find out that they’re being experimented on to isolate the genes that cause them not to be deemed perfect. But it’s never explained to us how some of them end up living off the land separate from the country. Maybe we did, and I just missed it? I assume they ran away.
It was also a bit outlandish to me that the monarchy is so focused on conformity and perfection, yet there’s the outcasted people living seemingly very close to the school and no one is hunting them? The monarchy is just letting them go on existing?
I liked how we can assume that Dylan’s young life is paralleling his father’s life. He mentions several times that he feels like he’s living for a man he barely knew, but in the end, I feel that Dylan knew his dad like the back of his own hand. He is his dad, in a way.
My favorite line (and a stroke of genius writing) was when they graduated and Dylan listened to the clapping for Roman. “Cheering for the death of Roman and I.”
Overall, I really liked it. I just wish some plot holes/world building issues were addressed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
If your favorite assigned reading in high school was A Separate Peace (it was mine)… you’ll probably enjoy this book. That’s one of the reasons I was so drawn to it. The writing is great! The plot fell a bit flat for me in some parts. I guessed a lot of twists from the beginning. I found myself wondering a lot about the hamlets and family structures. There was a bit of a plot hole about the boys disappearing. (SPOILER) We find out that they’re being experimented on to isolate the genes that cause them not to be deemed perfect. But it’s never explained to us how some of them end up living off the land separate from the country. Maybe we did, and I just missed it? I assume they ran away.
It was also a bit outlandish to me that the monarchy is so focused on conformity and perfection, yet there’s the outcasted people living seemingly very close to the school and no one is hunting them? The monarchy is just letting them go on existing?
I liked how we can assume that Dylan’s young life is paralleling his father’s life. He mentions several times that he feels like he’s living for a man he barely knew, but in the end, I feel that Dylan knew his dad like the back of his own hand. He is his dad, in a way.
My favorite line (and a stroke of genius writing) was when they graduated and Dylan listened to the clapping for Roman. “Cheering for the death of Roman and I.”
Overall, I really liked it. I just wish some plot holes/world building issues were addressed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
February 20, 2026
This is a dystopian, dark academia story with a bit of romance to it as well. Set in a future version of the UK after climate change and the fall of society, Dylan is following in his father’s footsteps and attending the prestigious Ganymede’s boarding school for boys. It is one of many schools set up across the UK to mold boys into ideal men. If you struggle to fit into the mold of the ideal man, your future is not guaranteed. If you toe the line, the perfect life will be waiting for you when you graduate: a home, a wife, and a career.
What happens when you aren’t interested in having a wife, though? What if you are more interested in one of your classmates? What if your assigned spouse is not your love? A lifetime of misery is a real possibility for some of these boys.
The girls in this futuristic society go through the same process, with their own schools, preparing them to be perfect for their husbands.
There is also a lot of secrecy in this society, things being covered up by the government, which show the picture isn’t quite as rosy as they want you to believe.
This was a good read. There is a lot going on within these pages, a lot to wrap your head around. While Dylan and Roman’s relationship does come into play a lot, it doesn’t feel like it’s the focus of the story like I was expecting coming into this book. It is a very good dystopian novel though. It’s a great commentary of what could be in the future. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of the story. I don’t know if the author is planning some kind of follow up story in this world, but I feel like there is room for a revisit to these characters for sure.
What happens when you aren’t interested in having a wife, though? What if you are more interested in one of your classmates? What if your assigned spouse is not your love? A lifetime of misery is a real possibility for some of these boys.
The girls in this futuristic society go through the same process, with their own schools, preparing them to be perfect for their husbands.
There is also a lot of secrecy in this society, things being covered up by the government, which show the picture isn’t quite as rosy as they want you to believe.
This was a good read. There is a lot going on within these pages, a lot to wrap your head around. While Dylan and Roman’s relationship does come into play a lot, it doesn’t feel like it’s the focus of the story like I was expecting coming into this book. It is a very good dystopian novel though. It’s a great commentary of what could be in the future. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of the story. I don’t know if the author is planning some kind of follow up story in this world, but I feel like there is room for a revisit to these characters for sure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a 3.5 for me. Sadly, this didn't hit how I wanted it to, at any point. It felt like a dull rendering of similar "dystopian" societies/scifis I've read before. This definitely feels like a more mature YA, but still a YA. It's a straightforward story and plot, and I think it's best feature is the fact that our main character is gay. It works perfectly in this story, but again the overall plot and statement just hit weak for me. This has the potential to be a lot more impactful than the plot was actually fleshed out to be. It just left me a little disappointed and wanting.
I will say, I do appreciate the challenging ideas brought forward in the text though. What it means to be a man, emotional stability, sex & gender, etc. All great things for YA readers to consider, though I think majority of the audience that would pick up this book will already feel aligned with the text. It's still very solid and important points for young people to know, discuss, & understand.
After all that though, the ending almost felt a little hollow. A little too quickly wrapped up maybe. I guess I wanted more conviction from Dylan. More inner fire or a clearer decision/path. I think it's obvious what he's saying, but it didn't really hammer home any points for me that felt like they needed to be hammered. Ah well, I think for what it is, it will work. Especially for a YA audience.
So, overall, 3.5 from me!
This was a 3.5 for me. Sadly, this didn't hit how I wanted it to, at any point. It felt like a dull rendering of similar "dystopian" societies/scifis I've read before. This definitely feels like a more mature YA, but still a YA. It's a straightforward story and plot, and I think it's best feature is the fact that our main character is gay. It works perfectly in this story, but again the overall plot and statement just hit weak for me. This has the potential to be a lot more impactful than the plot was actually fleshed out to be. It just left me a little disappointed and wanting.
I will say, I do appreciate the challenging ideas brought forward in the text though. What it means to be a man, emotional stability, sex & gender, etc. All great things for YA readers to consider, though I think majority of the audience that would pick up this book will already feel aligned with the text. It's still very solid and important points for young people to know, discuss, & understand.
After all that though, the ending almost felt a little hollow. A little too quickly wrapped up maybe. I guess I wanted more conviction from Dylan. More inner fire or a clearer decision/path. I think it's obvious what he's saying, but it didn't really hammer home any points for me that felt like they needed to be hammered. Ah well, I think for what it is, it will work. Especially for a YA audience.
So, overall, 3.5 from me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was completely pulled into The Boyfriend Academy. On the surface, Ganymede’s feels like one of those elite boarding schools where perfection is the goal, but the more you read, the more you realize how dark and controlling this world really is. Boys aren’t just being “educated,” they’re being molded into a very specific version of manhood, and the consequences of failing are terrifying.
Dylan’s story really stuck with me. All he wants to do is keep his head down, graduate, and earn the future he’s been promised, but when his friend Blake disappears, it’s like a thread gets pulled loose, and suddenly he can’t ignore how wrong everything feels. And then there’s Roman, who is magnetic, mysterious, and impossible for Dylan to stop thinking about. Their connection adds this aching layer of longing and confusion that feels so real, especially in a place where love is forbidden and being yourself is dangerous.
The constant pressure of the trials, the whispers about what happens to boys who don’t measure up, and Dylan’s growing fear and doubt make the book feel tense in that slow, creeping way. But it’s also about identity, courage, and choosing who you want to be, even when the cost is high. It’s unsettling, emotional, and really thought-provoking, with a quiet tenderness beneath all the darkness.
Thank you to NetGalley, J.S. Strange, and One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.
Dylan’s story really stuck with me. All he wants to do is keep his head down, graduate, and earn the future he’s been promised, but when his friend Blake disappears, it’s like a thread gets pulled loose, and suddenly he can’t ignore how wrong everything feels. And then there’s Roman, who is magnetic, mysterious, and impossible for Dylan to stop thinking about. Their connection adds this aching layer of longing and confusion that feels so real, especially in a place where love is forbidden and being yourself is dangerous.
The constant pressure of the trials, the whispers about what happens to boys who don’t measure up, and Dylan’s growing fear and doubt make the book feel tense in that slow, creeping way. But it’s also about identity, courage, and choosing who you want to be, even when the cost is high. It’s unsettling, emotional, and really thought-provoking, with a quiet tenderness beneath all the darkness.
Thank you to NetGalley, J.S. Strange, and One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.
February 6, 2026
Is there going to be a sequel? Because this felt unfinished.
First of all thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
In a dystopian society boys are sent to boarding schools where they learn how to be perfect men, and eventually the ideal husband to their future wives. Girls are in their own respective academies as well.
Our main character, Dylan, suffers the loss of his parents after they dropped him off at school, so he goes through the years as a now orphan with only one close friend. One day his friend goes missing and is declared dead without much clarification as to what happened, or sense of grief by anyone other than himself. Now Dylan is all alone, again.
Right before Dylan’s class is set to go through a series of tests in order to graduate, a new student arrives, and Dylan finds himself questioning everything. Who he is, what happened to his best friend, and if society is as perfect as the men they’re trying to shape these boys into becoming.
I enjoyed the book, but like I said it felt unfinished. Some things were never wrapped up, like what exactly happened to Dylan’s best friend and his parents. What he ends up doing with the position he’s put in at the end (not trying to spoil anything). It was a good read but didn’t wow me in any way.
If you’re into a book with young adult romance, where the characters are questioning the way society is and wanting to fight the system.. then you’ll enjoy it.
First of all thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
In a dystopian society boys are sent to boarding schools where they learn how to be perfect men, and eventually the ideal husband to their future wives. Girls are in their own respective academies as well.
Our main character, Dylan, suffers the loss of his parents after they dropped him off at school, so he goes through the years as a now orphan with only one close friend. One day his friend goes missing and is declared dead without much clarification as to what happened, or sense of grief by anyone other than himself. Now Dylan is all alone, again.
Right before Dylan’s class is set to go through a series of tests in order to graduate, a new student arrives, and Dylan finds himself questioning everything. Who he is, what happened to his best friend, and if society is as perfect as the men they’re trying to shape these boys into becoming.
I enjoyed the book, but like I said it felt unfinished. Some things were never wrapped up, like what exactly happened to Dylan’s best friend and his parents. What he ends up doing with the position he’s put in at the end (not trying to spoil anything). It was a good read but didn’t wow me in any way.
If you’re into a book with young adult romance, where the characters are questioning the way society is and wanting to fight the system.. then you’ll enjoy it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Boyfriend Academy had a really fresh and original premise. That was what first drew me to request a review copy, and the idea in and of itself did work well in the book. It covered some interesting themes and explored several key societal issues. Given that, I wanted to like it more than I did, but unfortunately it did have some issues. At nearly 500 pages this was a reasonably long read, and sometimes it felt it. Some chapters I was engaged, but in others I found myself becoming bored and wishing things would move along a little faster. Dylan was a fairly well rounded character, but everyone else, even Roman, felt a little under-explored. Likewise, the world building felt a bit lacking in places. There were some holes in the explanations and I still had questions when the book ended. The ending itself could be taken as an end, but it also left the possibility of a sequel, so it was hard to know what the author's intentions were, unless the ambiguity was to give them the freedom to decide whether or not to write more later. In the end, I have decided to rate this as a 3.5-star read. I did have some issues with the way the text was executed, but the idea behind the story was good, so it is worth a look for that alone.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having loved Jack's Look Up, Handsome, as soon as I heard about this I immediately added it to my tbr and couldn't wait to read it. So much so that the moment I was approved I started reading it right away. And wow. What a book!
Set in a futuristic Britain, where the monarchy will give you everything you could need for the perfect life, so long as you do as you are told, Dylan has been given a space at Ganymedes, an illustrious school for turning boys in men. Perfect men. But what unfolds couldn't be further from the truth. As his studies progress, slowly Dylan uncovers dark secrets about the school. Conspiracies, lies. But the more he learns, the more dangerous his situation becomes...
I adored this book so much. I absolutely devoured it and I am left gasping for more. The tension builds all the way through Jack's immaculate prose. At times I found it chilling and deeply personal. As someone who hid their sexuality as a teenager and was sure that if it was revealed then I would be shunned from society, reading about a world where that has become a reality was very close to home.
I cannot praise Jack and this book enough. I need book 2 right now!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for my arc!
Set in a futuristic Britain, where the monarchy will give you everything you could need for the perfect life, so long as you do as you are told, Dylan has been given a space at Ganymedes, an illustrious school for turning boys in men. Perfect men. But what unfolds couldn't be further from the truth. As his studies progress, slowly Dylan uncovers dark secrets about the school. Conspiracies, lies. But the more he learns, the more dangerous his situation becomes...
I adored this book so much. I absolutely devoured it and I am left gasping for more. The tension builds all the way through Jack's immaculate prose. At times I found it chilling and deeply personal. As someone who hid their sexuality as a teenager and was sure that if it was revealed then I would be shunned from society, reading about a world where that has become a reality was very close to home.
I cannot praise Jack and this book enough. I need book 2 right now!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for my arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Review: The Boyfriend Academy by J. S. Strange
Imagine a world where same-sex attraction is illegal, your partner is assigned, and love is something you are expected to learn in a classroom. The Boyfriend Academy turns that premise into a quietly devastating study of control, desire, and obligation. The men enrolled in the academy are drilled, graded, and corrected on how to perform intimacy, but what they want is rarely considered.
This book is quietly heartbreaking. You watch the characters try to reclaim their desires and dismantle the system from within, only to realize they must still live the lives that were planned for them. Beneath the story’s precise observation of rules and control is a melancholy question: what happens when love is not yours to choose and desire becomes something you are forced to manage?
Strange’s writing is sharp and measured, balancing critique with clarity. The story moves quickly but leaves a lingering weight, making you think about the absurdity of systems that attempt to optimize human connection while erasing the messy, real parts of it. This is a book that is clever, incisive, and quietly devastating all at once.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Imagine a world where same-sex attraction is illegal, your partner is assigned, and love is something you are expected to learn in a classroom. The Boyfriend Academy turns that premise into a quietly devastating study of control, desire, and obligation. The men enrolled in the academy are drilled, graded, and corrected on how to perform intimacy, but what they want is rarely considered.
This book is quietly heartbreaking. You watch the characters try to reclaim their desires and dismantle the system from within, only to realize they must still live the lives that were planned for them. Beneath the story’s precise observation of rules and control is a melancholy question: what happens when love is not yours to choose and desire becomes something you are forced to manage?
Strange’s writing is sharp and measured, balancing critique with clarity. The story moves quickly but leaves a lingering weight, making you think about the absurdity of systems that attempt to optimize human connection while erasing the messy, real parts of it. This is a book that is clever, incisive, and quietly devastating all at once.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and unbiased review.
January 30, 2026
The boyfriend academy was an interesting read, it had a unique premise - something in which initially drew me to this book. That being said I wish I ended up liking this story more than I did; at the beginning I really struggled to push myself through and found some issues with the structure of the book. I thought the timeline to be hard to follow at times, and the word building beyond the walls of the school to be somewhat lacking- I can however, consider that lacking to show the importance of the school for the young men in this book - how important it is for them to pass the schools many tests and trials and claim the futures they were promised. I had also hoped the story might delve a little deeper into what the society looks like as it could be hard to picture.
I enjoyed the characters and although some could have used a bit more detail, it didn't take away from them too much. Even though I did have issues with this book there were times I found myself genuinely enjoying it. I thought this book was very unique and really admired how the main character was able to grow into himself during the progression of the story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and J.S Strange for allowing the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Okay wait — this was FUN. Like, kick-your-feet, grin-at-your-Kindle, “why am I this invested?” fun. 💘✨
The Boyfriend Academy takes that chaotic dating energy we all pretend we don’t have and turns it into an actual premise — and somehow makes it both hilarious and low-key heartfelt.
The concept alone hooks you: structured lessons in love, curated charm, manufactured meet-cutes… but obviously nothing goes according to syllabus. What I loved most is that beneath the rom-com setup, there’s a genuine exploration of vulnerability. You can learn lines. You can practice confidence. But you can’t fake connection — and that tension drives the story.
The main character is easy to root for — flawed, a little messy, trying their best. The growth feels earned instead of magically fixed. And the romantic lead? Charismatic but layered. Not just “hot and perfect,” but someone who challenges the whole idea of treating love like coursework.
The banter is sharp. The awkward moments hit just right. And when the emotional beats land, they actually land. There’s a sweetness under the humor that sneaks up on you.
The Boyfriend Academy takes that chaotic dating energy we all pretend we don’t have and turns it into an actual premise — and somehow makes it both hilarious and low-key heartfelt.
The concept alone hooks you: structured lessons in love, curated charm, manufactured meet-cutes… but obviously nothing goes according to syllabus. What I loved most is that beneath the rom-com setup, there’s a genuine exploration of vulnerability. You can learn lines. You can practice confidence. But you can’t fake connection — and that tension drives the story.
The main character is easy to root for — flawed, a little messy, trying their best. The growth feels earned instead of magically fixed. And the romantic lead? Charismatic but layered. Not just “hot and perfect,” but someone who challenges the whole idea of treating love like coursework.
The banter is sharp. The awkward moments hit just right. And when the emotional beats land, they actually land. There’s a sweetness under the humor that sneaks up on you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3/5
The Boyfriend Academy first attracted me a dystopian novel with creating the perfect man in the future after climate change and a plague.
It read like a Ayn Rand novel and YA Dystopian novel had a child and that is Boyfriend Academy.
The premise was interesting, the characters had some growth and attachment to them as a reader.
The things that really bothered me was the world building, setting, and weird outbursts that sounded like something from a social media rant.
We have nearly zero time with Blake one of the key focuses of the novel, so every time they were vowing to find the truth I could honestly care less.
There were some inconsistencies with the time line. The year not being changed 3 years after or the the weather not really changing as seasons pass.
Lastly how the characters would sometimes rant about microplastics hampering fertility or how natural grown food is increasing yield in a healthy society. Just took the novel on a weird loop.
While it was an interesting read sometimes it just lost my focus or read too much like a YA soap opera.
The Boyfriend Academy first attracted me a dystopian novel with creating the perfect man in the future after climate change and a plague.
It read like a Ayn Rand novel and YA Dystopian novel had a child and that is Boyfriend Academy.
The premise was interesting, the characters had some growth and attachment to them as a reader.
The things that really bothered me was the world building, setting, and weird outbursts that sounded like something from a social media rant.
We have nearly zero time with Blake one of the key focuses of the novel, so every time they were vowing to find the truth I could honestly care less.
There were some inconsistencies with the time line. The year not being changed 3 years after or the the weather not really changing as seasons pass.
Lastly how the characters would sometimes rant about microplastics hampering fertility or how natural grown food is increasing yield in a healthy society. Just took the novel on a weird loop.
While it was an interesting read sometimes it just lost my focus or read too much like a YA soap opera.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5ish stars, rounded up. I was intrigued by the premise of this - a combo of dystopian and dark academia that seemed right up my alley. Unfortunately, I found the execution of it lacking a bit and it didn't quite do it for me.
Things I liked - the lead male characters and the way their relationship developed. The school setting was really well done, with secret passages and expansive grounds. The middle section of the group, when the boys are going through a collection of tasks, was really fast paced and I flew through it.
I liked the idea of the futuristic society, focused on creating "perfect men", but parts of it felt a bit far-fetched and I didn't fully buy that the world would develop that way - albeit it is a dystopian world.
Unfortunately, the ending felt very rushed and the twist a little too unexpected and far fetched for me. There were so many curveballs and reveals in the last 15% of the book that I struggled to follow them all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Things I liked - the lead male characters and the way their relationship developed. The school setting was really well done, with secret passages and expansive grounds. The middle section of the group, when the boys are going through a collection of tasks, was really fast paced and I flew through it.
I liked the idea of the futuristic society, focused on creating "perfect men", but parts of it felt a bit far-fetched and I didn't fully buy that the world would develop that way - albeit it is a dystopian world.
Unfortunately, the ending felt very rushed and the twist a little too unexpected and far fetched for me. There were so many curveballs and reveals in the last 15% of the book that I struggled to follow them all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Are you as perfect as can be, or do you still need to correct some small errors of your being?”
In the year 2105, Ganymede’s is a boarding school that polishes young men to perfection.
This is a coming of age and sexual awakening story of Dylan, a gay teen struggling with his feelings and trying to keep it hidden from those around him because being gay is illegal and could be punishable by death, while also navigating his school and the odd occurrences going on.
Overall good story but the world building lacked a little for me. I absolutely enjoyed the mystery of what was really going on at Ganymede’s! It was such an emotional story and honestly heartbreaking that Dylan and Roman had to make the choices they were forced to make.
The ending was absolutely NOT what I was expecting so 👏🏻 for that JS Strange. It definitely felt like a second book coming which I will 100% read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think teenagers will enjoy this dystopian world and it would be a great edition to a secondary school library. I also really appreciate that it is from a male perspective, trying to conform to an ideal that he isn't. It would sit alongside novels like Matched by Ally Condie or The Selection by Kiera Cass and it is introducing the reader to a world in the future run by a monarchy whereby if you conform and 'graduate' from certain select schools you will marry and increase the population. You will have a comfortable life.
If boys are moulded to have empathy, love their future chosen wife and educated to provide for their family surely this world will be better? Or will it? What if those around you that are different are disappearing and you aren't attracted to females....
Thank you for the advance copy. I have already recommended it to some fellow Teacher Librarian mates to check it out when it's on the shelves.
If boys are moulded to have empathy, love their future chosen wife and educated to provide for their family surely this world will be better? Or will it? What if those around you that are different are disappearing and you aren't attracted to females....
Thank you for the advance copy. I have already recommended it to some fellow Teacher Librarian mates to check it out when it's on the shelves.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalleyUK and the publisher for an eARC on return for an honest review.
This was an interesting premise: a boarding school set in a near future dystopian UK, where all is not as it seems and people are going missing.
Unfortunately, this was a book that couldn't seem to make up its mind. While the blurb focused on the mystery aspect of this, the vast majority was more of a coming of age tale, and I struggled to get past the blatantly obvious love story that took up most of it.
I also struggled to suspend disbelief with the steadily more and more unhinged tests that the boys were doing, for no apparent reason.
Overall, I was left with the feeling that the author had a bunch of disparate scenes in mind, and then came up with a story to tie them together. It just didn't feel satisfying.
This was an interesting premise: a boarding school set in a near future dystopian UK, where all is not as it seems and people are going missing.
Unfortunately, this was a book that couldn't seem to make up its mind. While the blurb focused on the mystery aspect of this, the vast majority was more of a coming of age tale, and I struggled to get past the blatantly obvious love story that took up most of it.
I also struggled to suspend disbelief with the steadily more and more unhinged tests that the boys were doing, for no apparent reason.
Overall, I was left with the feeling that the author had a bunch of disparate scenes in mind, and then came up with a story to tie them together. It just didn't feel satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Boyfriend Academy had elements of dark academia while being dystopian - both of which I enjoy. Parts of the backstory felt so heavy due to the world as it is now.
That being said, I feel like it started off kind of slow. Dylan took time to grow on me but once he felt more comfortable in himself it definitely felt like he finally came alive. The different personalities of each boy while they were being trained to be a perfect husband was interesting to read - especially the parts they kept hidden from the professors.
The ending took me by surprise and didn't end the way I thought it might. I'm not sure if this is going to have a sequel or not - but it could. I'd love to see this storyline play out more fully but the book could just end there.
Thank you to J.S. Strange, NetGalley and HarperCollins One More Chapter for this eArc. All opinions are my own.
That being said, I feel like it started off kind of slow. Dylan took time to grow on me but once he felt more comfortable in himself it definitely felt like he finally came alive. The different personalities of each boy while they were being trained to be a perfect husband was interesting to read - especially the parts they kept hidden from the professors.
The ending took me by surprise and didn't end the way I thought it might. I'm not sure if this is going to have a sequel or not - but it could. I'd love to see this storyline play out more fully but the book could just end there.
Thank you to J.S. Strange, NetGalley and HarperCollins One More Chapter for this eArc. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this book to be an interesting read. It's set after a time when many people die. So the king decides that men and women should have a place in the world to make children to repopulate. They must go to these special schools to learn how to behave properly. This book was a hard read. It felt like we went back in time, where queer and trans people had to pretend to fit into society. Dylan Cecil is gay. He has to navigate his feelings for the new guy and make a choice that will improve the future. I was a little surprised by the ending, considering how much they wanted to fight back. I could say more on this, but I'm going to leave this here. I enjoyed this book for what it is.
Thank you to NetGalley, J S Strange, and One More Chapter for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, J S Strange, and One More Chapter for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2026
Review of advanced copy received by Netgalley.
Overall, I liked the premise of this book. I like dystopian stories and I especially liked that queer characters were included. What felt hard to get into was the society at large. It was challenging to understand what was truly going on in society vs the rumors that were being told through the newspapers. I wish there could have been a duel point of view that really helped us understand how the society functioned.
The story ends in a way that gears up for a sequel but I’m not sure if I liked the story enough to read another one.
I gave it three stars because I did find myself compelled to finish it and while it did have some satisfying answers- I did find myself feeling a little unfulfilled.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Overall, I liked the premise of this book. I like dystopian stories and I especially liked that queer characters were included. What felt hard to get into was the society at large. It was challenging to understand what was truly going on in society vs the rumors that were being told through the newspapers. I wish there could have been a duel point of view that really helped us understand how the society functioned.
The story ends in a way that gears up for a sequel but I’m not sure if I liked the story enough to read another one.
I gave it three stars because I did find myself compelled to finish it and while it did have some satisfying answers- I did find myself feeling a little unfulfilled.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
January 5, 2026
WOW what a book to start 2026 with ❤️
I don’t remember the last time I stayed up until 4am because I couldn’t put a book down
This dystopian world that Jack has created is quite a scary one for anyone who tried to hide that they were gay because in this world it is illegal and could lead to death or banishment
I absolutely loved the characters in the book you really feel for the main character Dylan and root for him to find his happy ending
I was on the edge of my seat by the end of the book
This is a 5 star book for me and is out April 9th go and pre-order your copy now you won’t be disappointed
I NEED BOOK 2 ❤️💛💚🧡💙💜
I don’t remember the last time I stayed up until 4am because I couldn’t put a book down
This dystopian world that Jack has created is quite a scary one for anyone who tried to hide that they were gay because in this world it is illegal and could lead to death or banishment
I absolutely loved the characters in the book you really feel for the main character Dylan and root for him to find his happy ending
I was on the edge of my seat by the end of the book
This is a 5 star book for me and is out April 9th go and pre-order your copy now you won’t be disappointed
I NEED BOOK 2 ❤️💛💚🧡💙💜
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one delivers exactly what you'd expect from a dark academia premise—a repressive boarding school, secret societies, and a tense, forbidden romance. The mystery around the missing friend and the high-stakes trials are engaging and keep the pages turning.
However, the world-building felt a bit thin, and the social rules of the society outside the school were hard to picture. Some of the plot twists were predictable, and the characters, while likable, didn't fully break out of their archetypes. It's a solid, entertaining read for the genre, but it didn't quite leave a lasting mark. Good, but not that great.
However, the world-building felt a bit thin, and the social rules of the society outside the school were hard to picture. Some of the plot twists were predictable, and the characters, while likable, didn't fully break out of their archetypes. It's a solid, entertaining read for the genre, but it didn't quite leave a lasting mark. Good, but not that great.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I was in high school, I had to read A Separate Peace. It was my first time reading a novel like that, and I remember being surprised at how interesting I found it. This books feels like a modern-day dystopian take on that novel.
While some of the political takes felt a little heavy handed, Strangers wove a magnificent tale of coming of age, in a dark academic and dystopian setting. Add in queer characters, and I was all in.
I found myself devouring this novel, trying to read it in between tasks at work, and staying up late to get through it. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
While some of the political takes felt a little heavy handed, Strangers wove a magnificent tale of coming of age, in a dark academic and dystopian setting. Add in queer characters, and I was all in.
I found myself devouring this novel, trying to read it in between tasks at work, and staying up late to get through it. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
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