Book Description 

When Andrew Birnbaum, a struggling actor making ends meet by working in a candle shop, gets invited to have dinner with the exclusive Tuxedo Society by his best friend, Brock, his life takes an unexpected turn. What seems like a group of wealthy socialites gathering for gossip and cocktails quickly spirals into a world of espionage, danger, and hilarity.

Andrew soon meets Reggie O’Malley, a Navy SEAL with a penchant for black tie, who recruits Andrew to join the society’s covert mission to protect national security. Armed with gadgets like an inflatable life raft backpack, a yoga mat that doubles as an assault rifle, and, of course, an AMEX Black Card, Andrew quickly finds himself tackling spies, thwarting assassinations, and facing a host of unexpected threats in settings from the White House to the Vatican to the Summer Olympic Games.

The stakes escalate when Andrew and his comrades are sent on a jet-setting mission to uncover the truth about an ancient artifact. Along the way, they clash with oligarchs, crooked senators, and a smarmy televangelist with sinister plans for world domination.

Packed with Paul Rudnick’s signature wit, The Tuxedo Society is a wild ride through decadence, danger, and unexpected heroism, as Andrew discovers that saving the world might just be the role he’s been waiting for.

My Review 

Protagonist Andrew is in a bit of a rut. He’s not getting a lot of acting gigs, so his main source of income is working at the candle store. He’s hardly what anyone would envision when picturing a spy, but the Tuxedo Society is an international network made up of queer people with military training, hacking skills, and more. 

This book was campy and fun. I’ve seen other reviews mention the rambling, but it didn’t bother me because I have ADHD and the tangents and asides felt like normal storytelling to me, but I do fully acknowledge that the delivery might be distracting for others. 

The book is meant to be over the top and it’s not even attempting to take itself seriously. It’s not realistic at all and that’s what makes it so entertaining. 

I would not call this book a romance, but there are some romantic elements as Andrew flirts (and more!) with several handsome men. One of his crushes seemed to come out of nowhere and it felt out of place compared to his other flirtations and liaisons. I’m trying to remain intentionally vague, but you’ll know it when you get to that point. 

I would absolutely recommend The Tuxedo Society. Rudnick is a national treasure and this book was simply delightful.  

I received a digital ARC of this book from Atria/NetGalley.