5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the educated London scene well

B.K. · 16 July 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This is a well-written London novel set only 13 years ago when things seemed a lot more hopeful in the world and In a London immersed in the Olympics.Navigating relationships, however, is never easy. The ‘cool’ educated young people in the novel, including the narrator try hard but often comically end up isolated and lonely.

4.0 out of 5 stars A laconic, subtle comedy of manners

H.L. · 13 July 2025

Set during the London Olympics, this is a laconic, subtle comedy of manners that, in 2025, is almost a historical document, when the world was more rosy-tinted and we could afford to be optimistic. Johnny is in a rut, trapped by grief and habit, until the human whirlwind that is his older half-brother Lawrence swans back into his life without a howdedo but with a new adult son expecting his own first child and other dramatic accoutrements in tow. As these two bat around their bit of London, their lives collide and intersect, and the drama is shown as nothing more than life, raw and uncertain and ungovernable. The characters are probably the best thing in this, their thoughts laid bare in conversation and speechifying, talking like Ivy League professors rather than street level humans. I really enjoyed this, knowing it wasn’t going anywhere but enjoying the scenery.

2.0 out of 5 stars Do not buy, disappointing read, not worth the hype

A.C. · 14 July 2025

A very disappointing read. Do not buy this book. This book does NOT live up to the hype. The good reads reviews (currently at a rating of 2.94) are a much better indicator of the quality of this book. I regret buying it and will donate my copy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet Bonds, Lasting Echoes

H.M.B.I. · 18 May 2025

“The Boys” by Leo Robson is a sharp, poignant exploration of friendship, masculinity, and the quiet devastations of growing up. Robson’s prose is elegant and understated, filled with emotional insight and subtle wit. A deeply affecting novel that lingers long after the final page; intelligent, tender, and beautifully observed.

3.0 out of 5 stars Sibling love and rivalry - a Gen Z read

s. · 8 May 2025

The Boys by Leo Robson is a tale of siblings- Johnny Voghel and his half brother Lawrence- sibling love; sibling one upmanship ; sibling connections in all its forms.Set against the backdrop of the 2012 London Olympics, Johnny's somewhat mundane life is altered by the sudden appearance of his estranged brother who has been living in the USAThis is the story of what happens over the following fortnight as they navigate the changes between them, growing older and recognising failures and successes in their lives.With an eclectic bunch of characters, the story explores relationships and the dynamics between them.The plot is curious- things happen but nothing that grippedAn honest perspective is that it wasn't easy to engage with the characters ( as an older reader) relationships were incredibly fluid and lacked real depthThe interplay between the brothers was the best part of the book.This is probably a great read for Gen Z.

5.0 out of 5 stars A page-turner!

H. · 16 May 2025

A page-turner!

4.0 out of 5 stars Four stars!

C. · 29 May 2025

Set in London during the 2012 Olympics, The Boys follows Johnny Voghel, a man in his late thirties who is feeling emotionally and professionally stuck.He works a dead-end job at a university, is grieving the recent deaths of his parents, and is experiencing a slow decline in his romantic relationship. His life takes an unexpected turn when his estranged half-brother Lawrence suddenly returns from Chicago to stay at their old family home.Lawrence’s reappearance forces Johnny to confront unresolved tensions and feelings of inadequacy. Eager to rekindle their bond and perhaps regain a sense of purpose, Johnny involves himself in Lawrence’s world, including connecting with Lawrence’s old flame and two mysterious students who seem to drift through the city’s social and emotional undercurrents.The story unfolds over the course of two weeks and explores themes of sibling rivalry, identity, emotional disconnection, and the longing for belonging. As the Olympics light up London with celebration and momentum, Johnny’s personal life is quietly unraveling and reassembling in the background.It’s a reflective and often melancholic look at adulthood, missed chances, and how family dynamics can linger well into middle age.Read more at The Secret Book Review.

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect novel

L.R. · 9 May 2025

Outstanding: witty and readable. Devoured in a day. Bereft that it’s finished